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Carmel-By-the-sea (carmel):
Chez Noir: A jewel box of a restaurant opened by the husband and wife team of Chef Johnny Black and Monique Black, this restaurant is not to be missed. Hell, drive the 2 hours from the SF Bay Area just for dinner, it will be worth it! Strongly seafood focused and cooking in the classic continental traditions (French and Spanish influences shines through strongly on our visit), Chez Noir brings the local seafood bounty to the table and presents wonderful ocean proteins not typically seen on American tables. Case and point, the Bonito that served as my main at dinner, beautifully seared to a crisp golden brown on one side and moist and deliciously flavorful through out. As a fan of mackerel and other more oily fish, the taste and flavor notes on this dish was beyond compare! The bed of marrow enriched sauce upon which the bonito sat was rich and silky, the celery root batons, cooked in butter, luxurious! Other proteins such as Abalone and Squab grace the menu as well, the Squab was another wonderful dish we had, cooked perfectly and surrounded by a sea of au jus that was lip stickingly delicious. The crowning glory of the dish, to my wife and i, two lovers of the innards and offal, was the perfectly cooked heart, glistening like a jewel on the plate. Highlights: the Crab and Jamon Croquettes (which my wife proclaimed show never leave the menu) and the Monterey Squid Gildas. The menu changes with the catch that arrives on shore. Don’t miss the dessert menu! Chef Black’s Chocolate Tart is not to be missed. Also, do not pass up on the cocktail selections, it is a fine bar that recalls Paris of old and tended by two wonderful bartenderessses who knows their way around flavors and alcohols. No dress code, outdoor seating is available. Reservations are highly recommended, though one can chance a bar seat if feeling lucky!
Monterey:
Fish House, The: Family operated by the DiGirolamo family and located in a salmon pink home, The Fish House is a throw back to classic Italian seafood restaurants of a simpler time. The dishes are simple, well executed, using the fresh bounty that Monterey can offer daily. Many of their seafood items are grilled on an Oak wood fired grill and the smokey scent and flavor truly differentiates the grilled seafood. Try the Oak Fired Oysters, why not? Only a dollar more than your classic shucked half-shells and the added wood fire flavor is truly revelatory. Do get the 50/50 Fried Calamari/Sicilian Calamari, the fried calamari is in a delicate light breading and perfectly fried while the Sicilian calamari is pan cooked calamari in a zippy red sauce with olives. A fantastic contrast in flavors and textures that satisfies as a starter or, dare i say, as a main. The seafood, as mentioned above, is fresh and The Fish House knows how to handle them and how not to do too much to top quality ingredients. A Monterey institution for a reason! No dress code, now taking reservations.
Passionfish: It is not a surprise that seafood restaurants serving sustainable seafood is easy to find in Monterey, after all, the world class Monterey Aquarium does a splendid job of out reach and education. However, Passionfish not only serves sustainable ingredients on their menu, they do it with flair, artistry, and skill. Tuck into the various very fresh seafood dishes but do not by pass the wonderfully prepared terrestrial options either! To describe a dish of Lamb Breast as spoonable is quite daring but when it comes out fragrant, delicious and “spoonable”, one gets excited and very happy — Snoopy dance happy. No dress code, reservations highly recommended.
Wave Street Cafe: Yes, it is near the famous Cannery Row, but the food is not standard turn and burn tourist fare. The all day breakfast and lunch menu allows you to explore both experiences at any time. Fried Calamari for breakfast? Why not? Enjoy the beer battered calamari, not heavily breaded but crisp, delicate, and served with a zingy cocktail sauce. Get the Calamari Steak and Eggs if you have an aim to eat calamari every chance you get while in Monterey, who’s harbor still hosts an active fleet of squid boats. A great place for generous breakfast and lunch fare indeed! No dress code, no reservation needed and the wait is never too long.