NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/ba/food/4443

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From: [e-mail] (George Wu)
Newsgroups: ba.food
Subject: Re: Monterey to San Simeon: food & lodging
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 26 Jan 93 02:32:42 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Meta - Software
Lines: 453
Cc: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Barbara Sinsabaugh) writes:

>I live in Massachusetts and I'll be travelling in the Monterey and San Simeon
>area of California during the first week in April.  Can anyone recommend some
>good restaurants in that area?

     Well, I maintain a copy of ba.food recommendations for a variety of
places, including both of these locations.  Cuts down on net traffic, and more
importantly, I have the information handy when I want it.  Anyways, here's what
folks have recommended in the past.

                            George



==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 92 12:55:10 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Turkey in San Simeon
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA

In article <[e-mail]> you write:

>     We're planning to spend Thanksgiving Day in San Simeon on our way down
>to Los Angelos.  Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice restaurant in
>that neck of the woods?  How about at points further south along highway 1?

    San Simeon itself, as you may know, is basically just a bunch of
motels and their own (mediocre) restaurants.I'd suggest that you go down to
Cambria (about 1/2 hour's drive south of San Simeon) for Thanksgiving. It's a
cute charming, English-style town  with a number of good restaurants. Sadly,
I can't give you any specific restaurant reccomendations. I'd reccomend though,
that you make reservations well in advance.
     About halfway between San Simeon and Cambria is the tiny village of
Harmony, which contains a wonderful restaurant called the Harmony Pasta
Factory.  I know that pasta may not be standard T-day fare, but if they're
open, they'll probably  have some special Thanksgiving spread set up.  (And
even if they don't, it's worth considering eating there anyway, the food is so
good!)  (Once again, I'd reccomend reservations well in advance)
    If you can't find anything interesting in Cambria and the Harmony
Pasta Factory does't appeal to you (or isn't open), then the next likely
place for restaurants is in San Luis Obispo, and I'm afraid I can't help you
out there at all.

    Have fun!

    --  Jim C. <[e-mail]>

==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 92 15:50:10 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Bob Becker)
Subject: Re: Turkey in San Simeon
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

About the only place worth mentioning in that area is Ians in Cambria.
But you'd bettercall for reservations NOW!  The place is great and fills
up fast.

==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 10:10:18 PST
Subject: Re: Turkey in San Simeon
From: [e-mail] (Alan L. Pope)

Cambria is first choice for distance.  Otherwise got o San Luis Obispo.

" Acendo o cigarro para adiar a viagem,
 Para adiar todas as viagens,
 Para adiar o universo inteiro.
 Volta amanha, realidade! "
--Alvaro de Campos "Ode Maritima"  Alan Pope <[e-mail]>

==============================================================================
Subject: Re: Turkey in San Simeon
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 10:57:04 PST
From: [e-mail]

The restaurant I described yesterday is the Brambles Dinner House.
4005 Burton Dr. Cambria 805-927-4176.  Their advertisement boasts
a 1992 Best of the Best award for continental restaurants in the U.S.
as well as 1991 Wine Spectators Award of Excellence.

Some other restaurants listed in the Cambria brochure I picked up are:

The Hamlet at Moonstone Gardens, Hwy 1, Cambria 805-927-3535
"Spectacular views of ocean, mountains and gardens.  Featuring the
finest fresh seafood, prime rib, lamb and chicken."

Ian's 227 Main St. Cambria 805-927-8649
"Cambria's best restaurant - features Chef Ian McPhee.  Locally
grown vegetables, choice meats and fresh seafood.  Seasonally
changing menus.  Exquisite desserts."

There are quite a few more.  I can vouch for the Brambles, but
not the others.  Have fun.

Amy

P.S.  If you have a few minutes to wander around, check out
The Seekers Collections & Gallery, 4090 Burton Dr.
"Internationally renowned, two-story gallery featuring museum
quality works by 150 American glass artists."  I found this
to be the nicest of the shops I went into on Burton Dr.

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Steve Pope)
Subject: Re: Summary: San Simeon/Cambria Restaurants
Date: 6 Dec 1992 06:24:41 GMT
Organization: U.C. Berkeley -- ERL

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Robin's in Cambria.
Frequently, one of the specials is North Indian Lamb
Curry and it is one of the best of its type that
I've encountered.  The last time I was there, I
also had a salmon bisque which was also excellent.

I haven't tried all the restaurants in Cambria but
probably Robin's is about the best there.

==============================================================================
==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Marilee Marshall)
Subject: Re: Carmel Restaurant Recommendations
Date: 20 Mar 92 17:46:01 GMT
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Margaret Woo) writes:
>My favorite restaurant in Carmel is one that people on the net recommended:
>La Boheme.  It's in the heart of Carmel's business district around
>7th and Dolores.  They have a fixed price menu ($17.50 pp including bev)
>and the food is wonderful.  It's a fairly casual place, with a small
>cozy atmosphere.  Corkage is very reasonable--$6.
>
>Margaret
>
I lived in the Carmel/Monterey area a few years ago, and came to the
conclusion restaurants didn't depend on repeat business to survive.
Most places were heavy  on atmosphere and price, and poor on food.
My husband and I did volunteer work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium
on weekends to meet people, and find out where the 'real food' was
served.  The insiders all referred us to the Oyster Bar at Moss
Landing.  This was an old Monterey family restaurant on the Warf
that burned out, when they reopened, they did it at Moss Landing.
For years we had passed the roadside place, without a glance.  After
checking it out I can't rave enough.  The apmosphere is
casual/rustic, the waiters may be in jeans.  The seafood was
creatively and perfectly prepared, the wine selection was
outstanding, the service impeccable.  Always ask about the daily
special.... it is...special.  Prices weren't cheap, but I'll
consider it a bargain for what we got in value.  Go!

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Marilee Marshall)
Subject: Re: Monterey/Pacific Grove Restaurants
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Date: Tue, 26 May 1992 21:53:48 GMT

If you're looking for good food in Monterey area... good luck.
Lived there for 1 year and finally decided Carmel/Monterey didn't
depend on repeat business to keep open.  For the most part it was
strictly tourist bait, i.e. cutsy, high prices, small portions, and
disappointing.  Working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium I had an
opportunity to ask "the old timer's" where the good food is.  They
directed me to a wonderful place on the Wharf. Not the touristy warf
but the municpal wharf.  The restaurant sits UNDER the wharf.  It's
not easy to spot, you look for the restaurant sign and a little
arrow pointing down.  But better yet, was the recommendation of "The
Oyster Bar" at Moss Landing.  It sits just off the main Hwy. 1.
Went by it for years, but never considered it looked even
interesting.  Was it ever!!  The wine list was impressive, the
service excellent, and the fish!!!!!  I can't recommend it enough.

If you HAVE to go to Carmel, there's a little place called
Carruso's (I think) that was pretty good.

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Sharen A. Rund)
Subject: Re: Monterey/Pacific Grove Restaurants
Date: 27 May 92 18:03:18 GMT
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Marilee Marshall) writes:
>If you're looking for good food in Monterey area... good luck.
>Lived there for 1 year and finally decided Carmel/Monterey didn't
>depend on repeat business to keep open.  For the most part it was
>strictly tourist bait, i.e. cutsy, high prices, small portions, and
>disappointing.

Closer to the Monterey Fair Grounds (across the street actually) is
a place called Monterey Joe's - good food, nice portions, good wine
list - I had some excellent calamari there - also, the bread is served
on the table which is covered with white butcher paper (don't get this
wrong, the table also has cloth table cloths, good dinnerware, etc)
they put olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table, mix a little
of each on your bread plate and sop up the juices with your bread

>Working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium I had an
>opportunity to ask "the old timer's" where the good food is.  They
>directed me to a wonderful place on the Wharf. Not the touristy warf
>but the municpal wharf.  The restaurant sits UNDER the wharf.  It's
>not easy to spot, you look for the restaurant sign and a little
>arrow pointing down.
>But better yet, was the recommendation of "The
>Oyster Bar" at Moss Landing.  It sits just off the main Hwy. 1.
>Went by it for years, but never considered it looked even
>interesting.  Was it ever!!  The wine list was impressive, the
>service excellent, and the fish!!!!!  I can't recommend it enough.
>
D I T T O   on this....

>If you HAVE to go to Carmel, there's a little place called
>Carruso's (I think) that was pretty good.
>
if you're at Moss landing, a little further up the road is the
whole enchilada - nice atmosphere - good food - I had some
bacon wrapped shrimps there, delicious!!!

then, also, there's Don's Central Texas BBQ in Castroville -
great _great_ great

and across the street from it - La Scola - italian good food
and wine

or at the Watsonville airport - Zuniga's - best mexican food around

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Lee Jones)
Subject: Re: Monterey/Pacific Grove Restaurants
Date: 27 May 92 20:47:02 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Steve Pope) writes:
>Try Fandango, in P.G.    -steve

I ate there this past weekend.  Incredibly delicious.

For breakfast and lunch, First Watch (~100 yds. from the Aquarium) is
the best by a lot, especially for value.

Somebody just a couple of postings ago slammed Abalonetti's, but I ate there
this weekend and had the best (tender and flavorful) calimari I've ever
eaten.  Pass on the cappacino though.

Mara's on Lighthouse in Monterey has exceptional Greek food.

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Greg Bullough)
Subject: Re: Monterey Recommendations?
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 92 14:36:46 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David Hawley) writes:
>I'm looking for recommendations for nice places to eat in the
>Monterey area (Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey).  Cost is not
>really an object, unless it's outrageous.  I know this has been
>hashed over fairly recently, so maybe someone can just mail me
>a copy of the most recent discussion.

I recommended Triples, which is right in the "Old Town" section of
Monterey. Curtis Jackson and his lass were going there on that
recommendation, and he's planning to post a review.

Let's put it this way: every time I think about the meal I had there,
I become strangely content. And that was several months ago.

Make reservations!

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Curtis Jackson)
Subject: Thanks for Monterey recommendations
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1992 19:19:49 GMT

Thanks for the recommendations on where to stay near Cannery Row
in Monterey. We ended up in a corner ocean view room at the Spindrift
for an obscene amount of money -- not something we'll likely repeat
until my wife's *40th* birthday.  ;-)  The Spindrift was excellent,
and if you don't want an ocean view room you can save $100 per night!

We had dinner at Triples. We were a bit worried at first because the
cab driver who dropped us off there said that he hadn't gotten a call
to pick anyone up there in a year, and thought they were closed. It
turned out to be quite open and very nice. The only problem was a
busload of tourists (42 of them) who arrived en masse. Normally this
wouldn't be a problem, as tour buses full of foreign visitors often
eat there, but this time the chef was given no warning -- they just
showed up. This slowed the arrival of our food considerably, but we
had plenty of good wine to drink and an outdoor fireplace and we didn't
mind a 2.5 hour dinner a bit.

Some highlights:

The gazpacho was extremely fresh and extra-chunky the way I like it.

The angel hair with tomato-basil sauce was very good, nothing fantastic
but then it is an extremely simple dish.

The roast breast of duck in red currant sauce was nothing short of
phenomenal. Fork-tender, flavorful but not overpowering, moist, and
a vibrant sauce (not too sweet, not too tart) with well-cooked but
whole red currants throughout.

Despite the busload of tourists inside the restaurant, service was very
good and very relaxed and good-humored, especially under the
circumstances.

Side-note:

The restaurant/oyster bar at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is very uneven,
but what is good is fantastic. For example, the paella is terrible;
just random seafood thrown over saffron rice with almost zero sauce.
No melding of flavors whatsoever. But the scallops dijon are wonderful,
and the special I had (seafood ravioli with salmon, mahi-mahi, and baby
shrimp) was not only a feast for the tastebuds, the portions were also
very generous. But on the other other hand  ;-)  , the clam chowder one
day was to die for, absolutely first-rate, and less than a week later
it was still fairly tasty but very thick and not nearly so background
buttery-creamy. Caveat diner.

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Ronnie Wu )
Subject: Restaurant guide : Monterey Bay CA.
Date: 19 Oct 92 19:06:04 GMT
Organization: Intel Corp.

    I picked up a dining guide at the motel we stayed in Monterey CA.
this pass weekend. I have only been to few on the list, if any one care to
give a review of there experiences, please !

    Monterey Joe's.  good 'creative' Italian and American dishes, pizza
, pastas, meat and sea food. Bread is served with not butter but olive oil
and vinegar.

    Highlands Inn, California Market. GREAT view of The Pacific Ocean.
pasta, salads and sandwiches, great lunch spot.

    Fandango. Mediterranean and European country style cuisine. An open
mesquite grill in the middle of the dining room. Grilled sea food, rack of
lamb are my favor.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

($)   < $12.00      (E) - entertainment           (O) - outdoor dining
($$)  < $18.00      (V) - view
($$$) < $26.00      (R) - reservations suggested


Monterey :

    Monterey Joe's  (Italian)
    655-3355,  2149 Fremont      $$,R       MC,VI,AE

    Spadaro's       (italian)
    372-8881,  650 Cannery Row   $$,R,V     MC,VI,AE

Pacific Grove :

    The Tinnery     (American)
    646-1040,  631 Ocean View    $,E,V      MC,VI,AE

    The Fishwife    (American)
    375-7107,  1996 Sunset Dr.   $,V,R      MC,VI

    El Cocodrilo    (New American)
    655-3311,  701 Lighthouse    $,R        MC,VI

    Central 159     (New American)
    372-2235,  159 Central       $$,R,O     MC,VI,AE

    Old Bath House  (New American)
    375-5195,  620 Ocean View    $$$,R,V    MC,VI,AE

    Fifi's Cafe     (CA/French)
    372-5325,  1188 Forest       $,R        MC,VI

    Fandango        (Mediterranean)
    373-0588,  223 17th Street   $$,R,O     MC,VI,AE

    Gernot's        (Continental)
    646-1477,  649 Lighthouse    $$,R       MC,VI,AE

    Peppers         (Mexican)
    373-6892,  140 Forest        $,R        MC,VI,AE

Carmel :

    Highlands Inn   (New/American)
    624-3801,  4 miles south of Carmel on HW 1

        Californaia Market   $,V,O      MC,VI,AE

        Pacific's Edge       $$$,R,V    MC,VI,AE

    Fabulous Toots Lagoon (American)
    625-1915,  on Dolores between Ocean and 7th Ave
                     $,R        MC,VI,AE

    Bully III       (American)
    625-1750,  Adobe Inn, corner of Dolores and 8th Ave
                     $$,R       MC,VI

    Rio Grill       (New American)
    625-5436,  HW 1 and Rio Road
                     $$,R,O     MC,VI,AE

    Q Point         (CA/French)
    624-2569,  on Ocean between Dolores and Lincoln
                     $$,R       MC,VI,AE

    Anton & Michel  (Continental)
    624-2406,  on Mission between Ocean and 7th Ave
                     $$$,R      MC,VI,AE

    Giuliano's      (Italian)
    625-5231,  on Mission and 5th Ave
                     $$,R       MC,VI,AE

==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (jeremy j. b. nguyen)
Subject: Re: Restaurant guide : Monterey Bay CA.
Date: 4 Nov 92 22:34:21 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

[e-mail] (Ronnie Wu ) writes:
>    I picked up a dining guide at the motel we stayed in Monterey CA.
>this pass weekend. I have only been to few on the list, if any one care to
>give a review of there experiences, please !

>    Old Bath House  (New American)
>    375-5195,  620 Ocean View    $$$,R,V    MC,VI,AE

I went there a few months ago.  Pretty expensive, but extremely tasty.
I had a Beef Wellington-like dish, my companions had (variously) racks of
lamb and salmon.  Mostly continental-style with a bit of California thrown
in.
==============================================================================
From: [e-mail] (Marty Itzkowitz)
Subject: Re: Restaurant guide : Monterey Bay CA.
Date: 5 Nov 92 00:28:19 GMT
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Silicon Graphics, System Software Division

My wife and I had dinner at Melac's in Pacific Grove.  It was one of the
most interesting and best prepared meals I've had in years.  Highly
recommended.  I had a Cassoulet au fruits de mer (?!!) -- incredible.
My wife had a duck with pomegranate sauce.  We split an appetizer of
quail salad, and, with a $40 bottle of wine the tab was about $120.

--
----
George J Wu,  Superior Maker of Technical Snafus,  [e-mail]
Meta-Software,  1300 White Oaks Road,  Campbell, CA 95008,  [phone]
Never be the first to believe.  Never be the last to deceive.  ---  Chess