Last California ?, I promise

[Nick Pozaric]

We are looking for things to do/places to eat in the Monterey/Carmel area. We're already going to the Aquarium and all golf time is taken care of. Thanks again!

[Nick Pozaric]

in the last thread  I asked for things at golf courses.  Now my wife tells me we have one afternoon and evening left unplanned.  Since you guys seem to be experts on the area, I thought I would ask.  Sorry for the bother.

[Peter Galea]

A nice place for a drink, and to watch the sunset is Rocky Point.
http://www.rocky-point.com/slide_show.htm

[Bill_McBride]

Nick, it doesn't get much better than dinner in the Tap Room at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.  Great food and service, and it just feels great!

[Stan Dodd]

Nick,
I highly recommend Vivolos Chowder House, just up from the Aquarium in PG.
Regularly voted best chowder in the County will not break the bank, not fancy but great food.  Try the sanddabs
Cheers
Stan

[Evan_Green]

Try Casanova's in the town of Carmel- great French/North Italian restaurant- a true experience

www.casanovarestaurant.com

[Andy Silis]

Nick!

When you're in the Pebble Beach/Carmel area you MUST have dinner and drinks at Clint's place, the Carmel Mission Ranch. Clint drops by most nights he's in town. The restaurant has great food, a very relaxed atmosphere and a great deck out back with powerful heat lamps in case the temperature is on the chilly side. There is also a great piano bar and during the course of the evening you will amazed at the quality of singing by both the piano player as well as numerous patrons that get up and belt out some really good tunes. This place is about as fun and hopping as Carmel/Pebble Beach gets. Carmel( with a few minor exceptions ) is your classic roll up the sidewalks at 10 kind of town. One of the best times I've ever had was playing Tehama with Clint ( he plays my company's clubs ) and then  afterwards having dinner and some truly exceptional wine with Clint, Bill Walsh and Don January out on the deck at the Mission Ranch.

Andy Silis

[A_Clay_Man]

Nick, Kids involved? If so, I'd watch the pricier venues mentioned. If not, the skies the limit and all of the above suggestions are good.

Pete Galea's suggestion is a good one because you get to make most of the trip to Big Sur. Big Sur is not missable.

 Peter, Is Rocky P still there? Last I had heard, some dot com.er was willing to plunck down 15m for the prop. Of course, this info was at the moment of the bursting bubble.

Nick, If kids are in the pic, go to Michaels for Mexican food. It's in a form of strip mall at the top of the hill in PG (the one with the Mcdonalds in front). Michaels is located in the very corner of this strip mall. Fresh food, no fat frying crap, you'll find everywhere else.

If you want an adventure go across the bay to Moss landing. Find Phil's. A fish place that has among other things, the best chippino I've had. (not fancy at all) Just follow the road (after the power plant) across the single lane bridge and you'll find it. It's very near the Monterey Bay research institute where they get all these great new finds from mid-ocean.

And, if you're going to be in Moss Landing, just go a little further and pop in on Pete Galea, at Pajaro Valley Golf Course.

PPss- Santa Cruz 45 mins. North, has the park with an old wooden roller coaster, and beach. Great for the kids

[David_Tepper]

Nick-

If you are driving the coast road (Highway 1) between SF/Monterey at either lunch or dinner time, I highly recommend dining at Duarte's, in Pescadero. The village of Pescadero is 10-15 miles south of Half Moon Bay and is about 2 blocks long. Duartes features artichoke & green chile soup, great seafood (try the calamari) and fruit pies.

DT  

[Gib_Papazian]

Alright, I'll chime in.

Regardless of where you play, I suggest the following for apres golf.

Prelude: Across from the Tap Room is the Golf Antiquities store. Go in, look around and buy something. It is my favorite shop in the world.

#1. Tap room for a post-round appetizer and a drink or two. Sit at the bar in those comfortable swivel chairs. Let the positive Chi' of the place absorb into your soul.

#2. About an hour before sunset, take a leisurely stroll back to your car. Breathe the air, there is something medicinal about the combination of all the smells wafting through the fresh breeze.

#3. Go directly to Spanish Bay. Take a seat outside, around one of the firepits for a glass of red Zin. Put your name in for dinner at Roy's. No rush. Hope the wait is 45 minutes or more. The sunset is magnificent. I guarantee you'll meet somebody with an interesting story around the fire.

#4. Wander over to the 2nd green and have a look. It is best if a group or two plays through.

#5. Dinner at Roy's. I suggest the seared Ahi with some spring rolls. Absolutely magnificent.

#6. Final final at the Spanish Bay tavern (cannot remember the name). Out of Roy's towards the front entrance, turn left. Scotch is mandatory.

#7. Back to the Lodge. Make sure you have one of the rooms with a fireplace. Obvious reasons.

Wake up.

Repeat steps #1-#7.

 

   

[hick]

went to a place called Tarpy's Roadhouse neer the Monterey airport last month for dinner. I would dito going to Casanovas, in Carmel as well.

[Gib_Papazian]

Tarpy's is pretty good. The food is excellent, but be very careful what kind of booze you order. The wine list is reasonable, but I ordered a double-Patron with a splash of Margarita mix and was presented with a $22 bill for ONE DRINK.

The ambiance is quite good, You can find it simply by asking directions towards the Monterey Airport down Highway 68. Can't miss it.

[Bob_Huntley]

Nick,

As a resident these are my thoughts.

All the suggestions are first rate.

It all depends on what you want.

If if it is good food and a decent wine list you should try Cassanovas, Glasings, Christophers and Anton and Michel.

For a super bar and a good martini together, a holiday type of ambiance, with some of the beat thin crust pizzas around, go to Il Fornio.

Good Italian, Chianti, in the Carmel Crossroads, just round the corner from the Rio Grill. The latter has a bar and consistently serves the best California Cuisine in the county.

Whatever you do, avoid two monumental rip-offs in the haute cuisine mode by the names of Bouche and Auberge Carmel. The former has quite possible the lousiest service of any restaurant that I have frequented and an arrogant proprietor to boot. Strong letter follows.

Will follow up after watching the Crosby.

 

[THuckaby2]

Interesting, just came back from there.  Had a fantastic meal at Rio Grill...

My advice would be to follow Gib's recommendations to the letter, and take Mr. Huntley's advice as well.  Two better experts you will not find, about golf and more importantly non-golf actitivities in the Carmel area, which is after all Bob's home (and hell, Gib's home away from home, from some stories he's told, anyway).

And my advice to Gib, as he resurfaces again, is to return his emails and phone messages.  People are coming up with some wild stories.  

[Dave_Miller]

Alright, I'll chime in.

Regardless of where you play, I suggest the following for apres golf.

Prelude: Across from the Tap Room is the Golf Antiquities store. Go in, look around and buy something. It is my favorite shop in the world.

#1. Tap room for a post-round appetizer and a drink or two. Sit at the bar in those comfortable swivel chairs. Let the positive Chi' of the place absorb into your soul.

#2. About an hour before sunset, take a leisurely stroll back to your car. Breathe the air, there is something medicinal about the combination of all the smells wafting through the fresh breeze.

#3. Go directly to Spanish Bay. Take a seat outside, around one of the firepits for a glass of red Zin. Put your name in for dinner at Roy's. No rush. Hope the wait is 45 minutes or more. The sunset is magnificent. I guarantee you'll meet somebody with an interesting story around the fire.

#4. Wander over to the 2nd green and have a look. It is best if a group or two plays through.

#5. Dinner at Roy's. I suggest the seared Ahi with some spring rolls. Absolutely magnificent.

#6. Final final at the Spanish Bay tavern (cannot remember the name). Out of Roy's towards the front entrance, turn left. Scotch is mandatory.

#7. Back to the Lodge. Make sure you have one of the rooms with a fireplace. Obvious reasons.

Wake up.

Repeat steps #1-#7.

 

   

Adding to Gib's suggestions on Spanish Bay get there early enough to hear the bagpipe player as the sun begins to set.
Sitting around the outdoor fireplace, tlaking with nice people, watching the sun go down with a drink in hand and listening to the bagpipes is magical.
Fairways and Greens,
Dave

[Gib_Papazian]

And my advice to Gib, as he resurfaces again, is to return his emails and phone messages.  People are coming up with some wild stories.  

Huckster,

Sad to say, most are likely true. However, my twisted odyssey may be nearing an end; if I can just clean the speckles off the top of my saddle shoes, I may yet get the grass under my cleats again.

Agree with Dave about the bagpipes. On the surface, the concept sounds cheesy, forced and as phony as your five-handicap, but somehow it all comes off as a respectful nod to Scotland instead of a clumsy attraction for the polyester and flat-sandals clad tour bus passengers.  

[Bob_Huntley]

The pipes at Spanish Bay are a great attraction, especially on an early winter evening with the fires going.

If you are in a driving mode, take a fifty minute drive to Big Sur and have lunch at Ventana, but only on a sun filled day. If it is too foggy you miss it all.

The Mission Ranch, as someone has suggested, is okay, but do not expect to see much of Clint, he is much more likely to be at at Tehama.

Two places in Pacific Grove on the the Hon. Mention list. Fandango, has drinks, and some great Basque dishes, the other is an Italian restaurant, Joe Rombi's. Joe is a good golfer to boot.

Apart from scenery and dining do take in the Carmel Mission. I am not a religeuse, but the history and restoration of the structure is inspiring.

It was mentioned in an earlier thread, by Gib I believe, that a visit to Golf Antiquities opposite the front of the Lodge a is a great stop. There is a chap there who works part time, whose name escapes me at the moment, a friend of Ed Getka. He has a monumental collection of golf books, some very valuable First Editions, all collected over many years and he has done it on the the smell of an oil-rag.  

[Gib_Papazian]

One more suggestion.

If you find yourself traveling down Highway 101 towards San Francisco and do not have time for a round of golf at San Juan Oaks, I strongly suggest a short vector off the highway to the town of San Juan Bautista.

It is a straight shot off the turnoff and less than five minutes.

Left turn at the signal (San Juan Inn) and "presto," you are transported to a world generations past. It is impossible to believe you are just a short distance from a major highway.

I insist you go directly to Dona Esther, the best Mexican food in America. It will be on the 2nd block on the right side. After you finish, a beer at Daisy's (up the street on the right) is mandatory.

Bikers, cowboys, truck drivers and millionaires all together playing shuffleboard, listening to Honky Tonk.

A little piece of Americana and an unusual counterpoint to the spit and polish spotlessness of the 17 Mile Drive.

-G        

[Mike Benham]

If you have the time on your drive to SF from Monterey, I would suggest going up the coast, through Santa Cruz (downtown SC  is in its own little world, somewhat subdued from it pre-Loma Prieta earthquake rebuilding where if you want to work downtown you must possess multiple tatoos and pierceings), past the famous surfing spot Steamers Lane.  Stop in a small town called Pescadero, sit at the bar of Duarte's Tavern (the proprieters are good friends of mine).  Order up a pint of San Francisco's own Anchor Steam, the local french bread and artichoke soup (or you can substitute an artichoke omlet if it is in the morning hours ...).

[David_Tepper]

Mkr B.

I recommended Duarte's 10 posts ago! Personally, I prefer the green chile soup to the artichoke soup, bit you can't go wrong with either.

DT

[Peter Galea]

Duarte's used to have smelts, lightly fried as an appetizer. Verry good with a beer.
Look for the "Buffalo Springfield" bus on the left as you drive into town.

[Bill_McBride]

The golf antiquities guy is Ron Muzaka something or another, Ed Getka's buddy.  I remember him well because he dusted me 2 down in a singles match at KPIII.

[Steve Pozaric]

Nick should be in SF by now.  I will pass these last ones on to him.  I expect a full report with plenty of pictures (he has a 512mb memory card for his camera, so....)

[Mike Benham]

Mkr B.

I recommended Duarte's 10 posts ago! Personally, I prefer the green chile soup to the artichoke soup, bit you can't go wrong with either.

DT

David - my apologies and next time I will try the green chile soup ...

Duarte's used to have smelts, lightly fried as an appetizer. Verry good with a beer.
Look for the "Buffalo Springfield" bus on the left as you drive into town.

Pete - For what its worth, I've seen the bus meander its way down the hill, Expecting to fly on the way to Duarte's, I unfortunatley, was on the way home ...

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I second Gibs thoughts and will not ever miss a ride to Big Sir with a stop at Ventana as noted by Bob H. If you feel the Dead ringing in your ears then maybe the Phoenix is a place for a second stop while in the area. On a sunny day there are few prettier places in the world than that part of the California coast.