Why settle for less than the best in Monterey County? Fortunately, you don’t have to! SFGate created a list of the best dining options around the Monterey area, according to top local chefs. As your Central California real estate agent, I’ve summed up the list here in an easy-to-read list, so all you have to do is pull up the list anytime, point to a restaurant you haven’t been to and go check it out!
- Compagno’s Deli in Monterey, particularly the Navy Seal sandwich, an aircraft-carrier-size sandwich with chicken, hot wing sauce and blue cheese.
- Corkscrew Café in Carmel Valley, particularly the Painted Hills natural beef burger piled with haystack onion rings.
- Big Sur Bakery in Big Sur, particularly its breakfast pizza, roasted halibut or Mississippi mud pie.
- Esteban in Monterey, particularly the baby gem lettuce salad, pork belly or Thomas Snyder’s signature octopus.
- Max’s in Pacific Grove, particularly the sand dabs and whatever special they have at the time.
- L’Escargot in Carmel, particularly the Caesar salad or chicken in truffle-Madeira cream sauce.
- La Tortuga Torteria in Seaside, particularly the torta sandwich with black bean smear, jalapenos, avocado, tomato, onion and a grilled roll, and chicken milanesa, pounded, breaded and fried.
- Puerto Nuevo in Seaside, particularly the shrimp cocktail, or the seafood special with octopus, fish, shrimp and scallops in a spicy red sauce.
- Jeninni in Pacific Grove, particularly the homemade Spanish sausages, the strawberry-tomato gazpacho and the cured meats.
- La Balena in Carmel, particularly the chicken liver mousse and the whole roasted fish.
- Flying Fish Grill in Carmel Plaza, particularly the black-bean encrusted halibut or shrimp curry soup.
- La Bicyclette in Carmel-by-the-Sea, particularly the pizza.
The local chefs who participated in this survey of local Monterey County eats included Chef Justin Cogley of Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel, Chef Marie Favaloro of Favaloro’s Big Night Bistro in Pacific Grove, Chef Jason Franey of Restaurant 1833 in Monterey, and Chef Sarah LaCasse of Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley.
Was your favorite dining spot in Monterey County not mentioned on this list? Leave a comment and share your favorite place to eat, and your favorite dish to order. I’d love to hear from you!
Enjoy trying new dishes at our local restaurants, while supporting local business in Central California. When ready to buy a Central California home, or to sell your Central California home, contact me, your Central California real estate agent! I’d love to help you out this summer!
Grace Borzini
Your Local Lake Nacimiento Real Estate Expert
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