Great dining in Monterey/Carmel
Mar 23, 2016, 6:56 pm
#61
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Discussion of In-N-Out, McDonald's, etc., has been moved to a new thread:
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Apr 19, 2016, 1:08 pm
#62
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Updates:
Tarpys remains excellent. It's our go to place after evening arrivals at the airport, just a few minutes east of the airport. Many of the standards are still on the menu and a few interesting ones have been added.
Rocky Point Restaurant was a disappointment. Food quality was poor. Onion rings and calamari strips were obviously frozen and heated. Crab sliders tasted of old crab. The location can't be bettered, so it will remain on my list but not for a full meal.
Somewhere, I had read that the restaurant didn't take bookings for outside, only for inside. When I couldn't make a booking on opentable.com, I didn't think much of it as I wanted to eat outside anyway. When we arrived, we were told that folks with bookings were awaiting the outside tables. Frustrating.
We drove on to Nepenthe where we had a coffee and dessert break. Peanut butter cookies were excellent.
Tarpys remains excellent. It's our go to place after evening arrivals at the airport, just a few minutes east of the airport. Many of the standards are still on the menu and a few interesting ones have been added.
Rocky Point Restaurant was a disappointment. Food quality was poor. Onion rings and calamari strips were obviously frozen and heated. Crab sliders tasted of old crab. The location can't be bettered, so it will remain on my list but not for a full meal.
Somewhere, I had read that the restaurant didn't take bookings for outside, only for inside. When I couldn't make a booking on opentable.com, I didn't think much of it as I wanted to eat outside anyway. When we arrived, we were told that folks with bookings were awaiting the outside tables. Frustrating.
We drove on to Nepenthe where we had a coffee and dessert break. Peanut butter cookies were excellent.
Apr 19, 2016, 3:23 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 512
Updates:
Tarpys remains excellent. It's our go to place after evening arrivals at the airport, just a few minutes east of the airport. Many of the standards are still on the menu and a few interesting ones have been added.
Rocky Point Restaurant was a disappointment. Food quality was poor. Onion rings and calamari strips were obviously frozen and heated. Crab sliders tasted of old crab. The location can't be bettered, so it will remain on my list but not for a full meal.
Somewhere, I had read that the restaurant didn't take bookings for outside, only for inside. When I couldn't make a booking on opentable.com, I didn't think much of it as I wanted to eat outside anyway. When we arrived, we were told that folks with bookings were awaiting the outside tables. Frustrating.
We drove on to Nepenthe where we had a coffee and dessert break. Peanut butter cookies were excellent.
Tarpys remains excellent. It's our go to place after evening arrivals at the airport, just a few minutes east of the airport. Many of the standards are still on the menu and a few interesting ones have been added.
Rocky Point Restaurant was a disappointment. Food quality was poor. Onion rings and calamari strips were obviously frozen and heated. Crab sliders tasted of old crab. The location can't be bettered, so it will remain on my list but not for a full meal.
Somewhere, I had read that the restaurant didn't take bookings for outside, only for inside. When I couldn't make a booking on opentable.com, I didn't think much of it as I wanted to eat outside anyway. When we arrived, we were told that folks with bookings were awaiting the outside tables. Frustrating.
We drove on to Nepenthe where we had a coffee and dessert break. Peanut butter cookies were excellent.
Oddly enough I drive past Tarpys every day and I still haven't been there. Their sister restaurant Rio Grill is excellent.
Rocky Point is only good for its location and maybe desert/wine. The previous owners have passed away and the new ownership group hasn't run it well since.
Jun 10, 2020, 6:30 pm
#65
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Post Ranch Inn and Vantana Big Sur reopen in July. They are only allowing guests who are booked into their rooms to dine in their restaurants. Nepenthe reopened for dining a week ago.
Jun 15, 2020, 8:30 pm
#66
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Try Tarpy's, you won't be disappointed. I was the same way, driving past it all the time but never going in. I finally tried it, liked it, and have been many times since with never a bad experience.
Jun 15, 2020, 11:38 pm
#68
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Tony Tollner is retiring. He sold Tarpy's, Rio Grill, and Montrio.
After more than 30 years at the helm of restaurant group Downtown Dining, Tony Tollner is retiring, and selling his restaurant dynasty. (His plans now include motorcycle trips and hiking.)
Ken Donkersloot and Mona Calis of Carmel bought the three restaurants in the group, Montrio Bistro, Tarpy's Roadhouse and Rio Grill. They plan to keep the general managers and chefs at all three as they transition. At Montrio, that's Chef Justin Robarge and GM Kathy Solley; at Tarpy's, GM Debbie Edwards and Chef Gabby Arguilles; and at Rio Grill, GM Gabe de la Vega and Chef Eduardo Coronel.
Trio of legendary restaurants Montrio, Tarpy's and Rio Grill are sold to new owners. | Food Blog | montereycountyweekly.com
After more than 30 years at the helm of restaurant group Downtown Dining, Tony Tollner is retiring, and selling his restaurant dynasty. (His plans now include motorcycle trips and hiking.)
Ken Donkersloot and Mona Calis of Carmel bought the three restaurants in the group, Montrio Bistro, Tarpy's Roadhouse and Rio Grill. They plan to keep the general managers and chefs at all three as they transition. At Montrio, that's Chef Justin Robarge and GM Kathy Solley; at Tarpy's, GM Debbie Edwards and Chef Gabby Arguilles; and at Rio Grill, GM Gabe de la Vega and Chef Eduardo Coronel.
Trio of legendary restaurants Montrio, Tarpy's and Rio Grill are sold to new owners. | Food Blog | montereycountyweekly.com
Jun 28, 2020, 8:43 am
#69
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An alternative to Nepenthe, three miles further south, is Coast Big Sur. I think they've been around for about seven years, but recently only came to my attention on social media. From what I can tell, the view is equally beautiful and the food looks great.
Coast Big Sur
Coast Big Sur
Jun 28, 2020, 10:37 am
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Jun 28, 2020, 11:10 am
#72
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It's a midday restaurant, likely intended for those driving the route north or south. Right now, it's open 11-4, Thurs - Monday. We will be in the Big Sur area for several days so will do this one lunch and Nepenthe another lunch. Ventana is now all inclusive but doesn't have the view of these restaurants.
Jun 28, 2020, 11:25 am
#73
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It's a midday restaurant, likely intended for those driving the route north or south. Right now, it's open 11-4, Thurs - Monday. We will be in the Big Sur area for several days so will do this one lunch and Nepenthe another lunch. Ventana is now all inclusive but doesn't have the view of these restaurants.
David
Jul 8, 2020, 3:32 pm
#74
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my other favorite Big Sur spot was Big Sur Bakery for brunch. Great food for table service.
I loved tarpys in 2002 and started eating at Rio Grill in 2009. Glad to know their connection. Rio Grill is closer to our lodging so we just eat there.
agreed about essential outside dining...
I used to think that the main hostess at Rio Grill was an owner. Who are the new owners - what else do they have?
we really loved Affina in carmel. Yummy.
I used to think that the main hostess at Rio Grill was an owner. Who are the new owners - what else do they have?
we really loved Affina in carmel. Yummy.
Nov 30, 2021, 7:30 pm
#75
Join Date: Nov 2021
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Carmel/Big Sur Romantic Restaurant Recommendations
We’re traveling to the Carmel/Big Sur area for our anniversary and staying at the Hyatt Highlands. For our anniversary night we wanted to do a nice romantic dinner where it requires dressing up. I check Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn but they’re booked. Any other good romantic restaurant recommendations in Carmel?