Basil Seasonal Dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea

It's all green at Basil Seasonal Dining and it's not just coming from the name of the restaurant. Basil's is the area's first (and only) green-certified eatery meaning they are environmentally friendly and source the best of local, organic and sustainable ingredients.

The "green goddess" is tucked inside one of Carmel-by-the-Sea's quaint courtyards on San Carlos Street, just down Ocean Street. The colorful dining room oozes with energy which permeates from the modest kitchen just on the other side of the wall. Most of its seating is along their charming outdoor patio (blankets and heating lamps included) which sits between several wine tasting rooms.

Be sure to stop by next door neighbor Manzoni Cellars and taste their stellar Pinot Noir. Don't just take it from me; Wine Enthusiast gave it a solid 93 points!

As the name Basil Seasonal Dining implies, the menu is seasonal and consistently changes with fresh and local bounty. Although menu items vary the hospitality from Chef Soerke and owner Denis remain consistent as they have been in business together for the past 7 years.
Another consistent feature, their uber-popular complimentary bread and addictive pesto sauce; the fresh aroma alone is sure to tee up your appetite.
I suggest starting off with lamb meatballs and local abalone. The lamb meatballs are as unique as they sound and somehow resemble a Basque lamb stew crafted in a magical meatball, covered in rich tomato sauce and topped with creamy goat cheese.
Abalone is a true delicacy in Monterey County and Basil's rendition does not disappoint. Pieces of fresh abalone are scattered about butternut squash and parsnip in a vermouth butter sauce. Did I mention it's served in an abalone shell and topped off with white truffle? Truly decadent!

I typically avoid venison due to my hypersensitivity to gamey flavors but Basil knocks this hard to cook meat out of the park! Their tender house smoked venison melts in your mouth and doesn't even require a knife, although you might want one to avoid awkward stares. The accompanied port reduction sauce is the prefect compliment to this perfect dish.

Don't skimp on dessert! Their after-dinner menu is extensive and all options are amazingly $7. Might I suggest their apple strudel with Fuji apples, figs and pine nuts served with cinnamon gelato?

Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill, Monterey

If the sleek outdoor patio and modern updated architecture don't draw you in then the craft beer inside certainly will. Located on downtown Monterey's bustling Alvarado Street, as the name implies, the Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill not only brews its own craft beer but serves up a hipster twist on comfy pub grub.

Located in the former 100 year-old Regency Theatre, the upgraded brewery digs stay true to its Old Monterey roots with vintage beer posters, rustic wine barrels and photos of Monterey that are worthy of #ThrowbackThursday. Polished stainless tanks full of delicious artisan brew sit just behind the main bar area. Dining room seating is plentiful and the open kitchen design adds to the low-key and kick-back vibe.

The craft beer menu alone is enough to put your salivary glands in jubilee. The Mai Tai IPA in particular is a tropical treat with a floral aroma that hits you before it touches your lips. The brewery even shares the love featuring a handful of other guest craft beers and wines from around the area.

Menu items were created specifically to play nice with their savory suds. Their so called "honest plates" are honest indeed with hefty portions and locally sourced ingredients. Items include fun fare you would expect to find at a pub but with a refined touch. For instance, their fries are served with a side of smoked curry spiced mussels and their mac n' cheese is topped with melted brie cheese slices and savory tasso tid bits.

The duck ham flatbread in particular perfectly blends salty and sweet with cured duck, gruyere cheese and fresh pieces of pineapple, a nice complement to their porter.
Get your greens in with the kale salad with hunks of cambozola cheese or the fried brussels sprouts that seem to burst with flavor with a luscious white cheddar finish, perfect with a Belgian ale.
For a heftier appetite, the oven roasted chicken is a win-win. The brine makes this poultry incredibly juicy and oozes with mouth-watering flavor. The accompanied beer dumplings somehow taste like Thanksgiving stuffing from the heavens with a hint of bacon. Nom nom!
Dessert isn't dessert without a side of beer! May we suggest rounding out your meal with warm beignets and a stout (or two)?

7 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Monterey

Don't let a little bit of rain put a damper on your next visit. Whether it's visiting a new museum exhibit, sipping your way around tasting rooms, or simply enjoying views from a balcony window, there are plenty of ways to stay dry in Monterey.

1. Learn Something New

Duck for cover at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and learn about life under the sea and gaze in wonder at the monstrous octopuses in the "Tentacles" exhibit.
Scope out the latest works at the Monterey Museum of Art, learn about the Monarch Butterflies at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History or get lost in a good book at the National Steinbeck Museum in Salinas.
Looking for a bit of history? Visit the Carmel Mission and see where founding father Junipero Serra is buried or take a tour of the Point Pinos Lighthouse and learn about the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast.

2. Go Wine Hopping

Grab your umbrella and sip your way through one (or more) of the 17 tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Whether it's an oaky Chardonnay or a smooth Pinot Noir you are bound to find a new favorite and lucky for you most of the tasting rooms are all within a one-mile radius! Be sure to grab a Wine Walk Passport which will gave you access to 9 of the tasting rooms including Caraccioli Cellars, Scheid Vineyards and Vino Napoli for just $65.
Looking for more of an adventure? Take a road trip down Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley or River Road in Salinas Valley and visit the actual wineries and vineyards.

3. Find the Best Clam Chowder to Warm You Up

Grab a bowl of piping hot clam chowder from one of the many appetizing restaurants along Fisherman's Wharf. Be sure to taste your way down the row to ensure you have found the best! Some of our favorites include Crabby Jim's, Domenico's, Old Fisherman's Grotto and Paluca Trattoria.
If you are looking for the warmth of a beverage check out our list for 10 places to grab a hot drink.

4. Enjoy the Views from Inside

Watch the excitement outdoors by a cozy fireplace, a room with a view or an indoor balcony. The Hyatt Carmel Highlands Fireplace Lounge has dramatic views of Point Lobos and the Big Sur coast, as well as comfy seating, a blazing fire and wonderful art.

Grab a seat near one of the panoramic windows at A Taste of Monterey along Cannery Row and zone out with never-ending views of the Monterey Bay. Did we mention they serve almost every Monterey County wine around?

If you're really looking to get cozy book a stay at the Spindrift Inn where almost every room comes with its own fireplace and ocean view!

5. See a Show

Monterey County has one of the busiest performing arts calendars in all of California. The newly revamped Golden State Theatre in Monterey hosts a variety of shows, be it a concert, lecture, musical, or film. In Carmel-by-the-Sea you will find the Sunset Center with major headline acts like Olivia Newton John, Roseanne Cash and Chris Isaak while Pac Rep Theatres showcase local talents in Broadway musicals, comedies and dramas.


Click here to see a full list of events in the area.

6. Find your Zen

The pitter patter of rain droplets is relaxing enough, but spa treatments in Monterey will take you to the next level of Zen. Find bliss on the bay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel's Vista Blue Spa. Located on the fifth-floor the spa is equipped with a rooftop deck and fireplace, outdoor whirlpool tubs and a full-service fitness center.

Tucked away at Carmel Valley Ranch is Spa Aiyana where treatments are each based on one of four specialized gardens, Lavender, Herb, Aiyana and Alchemist. Services include massage therapies, body therapies, advanced and organic skincare, visible results oxygen fusion, nail care, and waxing.

For a truly pampering experience book a treatment at the luxurious Spa at Pebble Beach where the 22,000-square-foot space specializes in wraps, water treatments and rejuvenating massages. Other spa highlights include two Vichy showers, sauna and steam facilities, and a full-service salon that offers classic straight-razor shaves and barber services.

7. Tap Into Your Inner Child for Some Play Time

Round up the little ones and let them burn off some steam at MY Museum in downtown Monterey. Exhibits like MY Go-Fore Golf, MY Day at the Beach, MY Hospital and MY Build a House allow tots to play in a fun interactive space.

Just down from the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row lays an indoor playground like none other. Monterey Mirror Maze and Highway 1 Golf, Games and Grub are sure to get your heart and mind pumping. Start at the Monterey Mirror Maze where you will be challenged to find your way out of a psychedelic labyrinth.

Golf indoors? Why not! Just next door is Highway 1 Golf, Games and Grub where you can test your skills on their 3D black light 9-hole indoor course or play on one of their interactive arcade games. Whether you're 9 or 90 you are sure to have a blast!

Monterey Cookhouse

Legitimate southern BBQ meets home-style diner at the Monterey Cookhouse on Fremont Street in Monterey. Here everyone is family as Linda Cantrell, owner and comfort food extraordinaire, welcomes every guest with open arms as if it were an anticipated homecoming. Her contagious warmth and hospitality spills into her finger-licking dishes where everything but the bread, pasta and fries are made from scratch and taste just as comfy as the hospitality.

The cozy yet modern diner is complete with a full bar, lounge area, a variety of seating options, and a fiery open kitchen. Everyone is bound to find something on the California fusion menu that tempts the taste buds with offerings like wood-fired pizzas, barbecued ribs, smoked brisket, fresh seafood and salads straight from the fields.

The cocktail list is quite robust and full of creativity. I suggest trying their take on the pumpkin pie martini which is ideal for the holidays, but delicious at any time. It successfully blends vanilla and pumpkin flavors with a hint of nutmeg, and a cinnamon rim to top it off.

The stuffed mushrooms are a must try with a savory sausage and herb stuffing; I may or may not have eaten more than my share of this decadent dish.
A visit to the Monterey Cookhouse would not be complete without one of their renowned smoked meats, whether it is ribs, brisket, pork loin or Cornish game hen; the smell outside of the eatery alone is sure to pull you in like a tractor beam.

This time I was treated to the ½ rack of baby back ribs. The pork ribs had a zesty dry rub and a homemade BBQ glaze that was to die for! The pork was so tender that it fell off the bone and melted in my mouth, definitely worth the long hours on the Traeger smoker.
If you are more of an open flame kind of person I would highly recommend the New York steak. The wood grilled slab of beef was a superb medium rare with a brandy peppercorn sauce that was the perfect consistency, not too thick and not too runny and went nicely with the accompanied twice baked potato.
The Cookhouse Mac could technically count as a meat group with its generous allotment of bacon. Yes, you heard me right, the house mac n' cheese has bacon bits that combine wonderfully with the creamy cheesy penne pasta.
It's essential to cap off your comfort food indulgence with one of the Cookhouse's seducing sweets like double chocolate torte, New York cheesecake or homemade sorbet. I personally recommend the chocolate chip bread pudding with custardy brioche bread and a cinnamon rum sauce that will have you coming back for more.

The Monterey Cookhouse has an array of other special offerings including a killer salad bar during lunch hours, a happy hour menu, and kids menu.