French Influence Runs Deep at the Revamped Portabella in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Oozing with charm and hospitality, Portabella is quintessentially Carmel-by-the-Sea. The European eatery is one of Carmel’s most photographed spots, just up from the Cottage of Sweets and front and center on lively Ocean Avenue.

The best part about Portabella is that you will find all of the sophistication of fine French dining without the pretention. While the atmosphere and cuisine are refined the hospitality is wonderfully courteous and modest.

The Mediterranean styled garden patio is perfect for people (and dog) watching while the quaint dining room and enclosed back patio are ideal for those looking for a more private and intimate setting. Insider tip, if you get a chance be sure to snag the dining table near the cozy fireplace and candlelit stairway.

The full bar is an absolute showpiece with gorgeous stonework and up-lighting which can magically change colors as the night and mood evolves. You will want to start off with one of their craft cocktails like the fruity hibiscus martini or a stellar glass of Pinot Noir from their extensive wine selection.

The menu is chock-full of flavors with French, Italian and Spanish roots and with a chef named Jacques Zagouri you know you are in for and authentically French treat! The French and Californian fusion menu is crafted with ingredients of the highest caliber and cooked with taste and satisfaction in mind.

As with any scrumptious meal, the French dining experience begins with warm French bread and fresh pesto sauce; be sure not to overindulge since their appetizer menu is pretty remarkable. Tantalize your taste buds with exotic dishes like pan seared foie gras served with a huckleberry port reduction, beef tenderloin carpaccio with shaved Parmesan or the ahi tuna and salmon tartar served with wasabi mayo.

Salivating yet? Entrées are sure to spark your interest with options like the grilled dry aged ribeye steak, fresh black seabass and oven braised short ribs. Be sure to ask the friendly wait staff (or better yet, the chef himself) for their recommendations, they are more than happy to pass along their favorite dishes.

Recommendations from the Chef

• Appetizers- Grilled octopus served with pearl pasta tabouli and roasted bell peeper almond coulis
• Entrée- Grilled ribeye served with beef au jus, seasonal vegetables and golden mashed potatoes
• Dessert- Profiteroles with homemade foie gras ice cream

Bon Appetit!

4 Reasons Why You Need to Eat at the Mediterranean Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Just down the street from its sister eatery Dametra, the Mediterranean Restaurant is one of Carmel’s newest dining hot spots. The fresh space (previously Merlot restaurant) is a must for lunch or dinner when trekking around Monterey County.

1.    Out of this world cuisine

You simply will not find more authentic fare than at the Mediterranean Restaurant. As its name implies, the cozy eatery serves unique and hard to find dishes originating from Greece, Italy and the Middle East. Dolmas with tzaziki sauce, hummus with warm pita bread and grilled jumbo prawns scatter the appetizer menu while hearty kebabs, Greek Moussaka, and fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks are the stars of the entrée options.

2.    Amazing location

Ocean Avenue is some of the most prime real estate in Monterey County and the Mediterranean Restaurant is dead center in the middle of the exciting hustle and bustle. The central location is perfect for resting your feet after some serious window shopping along the Ave. Once inside, the cozy Mediterranean décor and humble hospitality is sure to put you at ease.

3.    FREE live entertainment

On any given night it is very possible that you might just find yourself in the middle of a dance party. The owners and staff are not only talented in the kitchen but have some amazing musical talents. Every now and then (more often than not) they are known to bust out their unique instruments including an oud (a Mediterranean mandolin) for a jam sesh getting everyone on their feet.

For something a little different, order the fried feta cheese. The flaming preparation and presentation is entertaining in itself (not to mention delicious)!

Are you gutsy enough to try this fiery appetizer at Mediterranean Restaurant? This fried feta dish is truly a flaming treat! #flames #fire #pyromania #carmel #carmelbythesea #restaurant #dining #feta #cheese #appetizer #nomnomnom #Monterey #food #foodie #mediterraneanfood #californiadreameater @dametracafe @visitcarmel @californiadreameater

A video posted by @seemonterey on Mar 10, 2016 at 2:26pm PST

4.    Family focused

Kids, no problem! The Mediterranean Restaurant was built with strong family values in place which percolates through the restaurant’s overall atmosphere. The kickback setting allows guests to keep their inside voices at the door and simply enjoy one another’s company at any decibel level.

A Quick Escape from Reality Awaits You at Lalla Oceanside Grill

Among the hustle and bustle of Cannery Row lays a sanctuary complete with crashing waves, tantalizing treats and mind-numbing craft cocktails. Lalla Oceanside Grill, a new sister restaurant to the already popular Lallapalooza and Lalla Grill, is one of Cannery Row’s newest attractions offering some of the best views of the Monterey Bay.

The bright and contemporary all-American bar and grill is located below the Spindrift Inn and just a few blocks from the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. While the causal eatery’s entrance patio is perfect for people watching, the dining room inside is premiere for wave and wildlife watching. The floor to ceiling windows are easily the main focal point of the restaurant with highlights of modern décor scattered about.


Their craft cocktails are as appealing as the bar itself, an uplifting orange with shimmering mirrored surfaces behind it. The extensive drink menu is filled with all sorts of island inspired libations including Zombies, Mai Tais and Hurricanes.

They even have a variety of fish bowl options for those really looking to really escape it all, the California Dreaming concoction is particularly delicious (and quite the spectacle) complete with dry ice and gummy worms.

The extensive menu has quite the selection with everything ranging from scrumptious seafood dishes, homemade pastas to comforting flatbread pizzas. The mouthwatering pappardelle pasta dish is a win for those with a hefty appetite while the lobster nachos are perfect for sharing, or not.

Bonus Feature- Angel’s Share Craft Cocktail Bar

There's a wonderful little surprise downstairs at Lalla Oceanside Grill. The Angel's Share Craft Cocktail Bar carries a completely different vibe than upstairs and a nice escape from the busy streets of Cannery Row. The dimly lit and intimate basement comes with its own barrel aging room and fancy crafted cocktail menu sure to transport you back to the days of prohibition.

Fine Dining with a Waterfront View at Scales Seafood & Steaks

Love Monterey’s famous Old Fisherman’s Grotto? Then you are going to love the new restaurant owned and operated by the same family.

Scales Seafood & Steaks opened its newly polished doors on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in November 2015 bringing with it a convenient grab-and-go café, cozy bar lounge, a spacious contemporary dining room, and a few of the Grotto’s famous menu items.

The upSCALE décor and fixtures set the perfect tone for a relaxing yet fine dining experience and the expansive views of the Monterey harbor don’t seem hurt.

Start off your perfect evening with a specialty cocktail or glass of Monterey County wine at the revamped bar and lounge. One could easily transport themselves to island time with a toasted coconut colada or fisherman’s punch (served ablaze!).

Once you have worked up an appetite have a seat in their modern dining room. Every seat has a view and you might even spot a colorful pelican or furry sea otter down below!

A trip to the wharf is not complete until you have had a bowl of chowder and calamari and lucky for you Scales carried over their award-winning recipes from the Grotto. It is no wonder why these two hallmark dishes are consistently ranked amongst the best in Monterey County.

The firecracker prawns are so good you might need to order one just for yourself. Beer battered jumbo prawns are done to precision and the avocado mousse is the perfect accompaniment to the prawn’s sweet golden shell.

Choosing an entrée might be the hardest decision you have to make. Seafood, steak or pasta? The wild salmon is always a sure bet served on a cedar plank with a jammy apricot jalapeno glaze; delish!

Hope you saved room for dessert! The last course of the meal is not taken lightly at Scales with indulgent treats including a luscious cheesecake, sinful chocolate cake and velvety crème brulee. The cheesecake in particular is so creamy you will not want to share!

While the food is superb, what really makes this restaurant stand out is their commitment to service. The staff is extremely accommodating and hospitable; it’s no wonder why most of their business is from repeat customers.

Hosting a large gathering or need some event space? Scales Seafood & Steaks has a banquet room that can hold up to 150 guests! Did we mention it also comes with its very own stunning ocean view?

Scales Seafood & Steaks is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11am-9:30pm.

The Wine Experience: A Place to Taste, Blend and Create in Monterey

A hip new attraction has opened on Cannery Row like nothing you have ever seen or experienced. The Wine Experience is much more than just a wine tasting venue; it’s a place to learn about the craft of wine making and how to create your very own personalized wine blends.

Traveling with someone who isn’t the biggest wino? No need to worry, with a wide selection of beers and small plates this urban eatery/craft winery has what it takes to please the toughest of taste buds.

Located just across from the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, The Wine Experience is a cozy setting for those looking to simply sip on a locally produced wine or completely delve into the wine making process for themselves.

Wine Blending

What really differentiates The Wine Experience from other tasting venues is its interactive blending service. Here you can blend any of their wines on tap to create your very own customized wine suited to your palate’s preference.

After you have concocted the perfect balance, your wine bottle comes complete with a signature label of your choice. Prices are very affordable starting at just $16 per bottle. Now that’s a gift that is sure to leave an impression!

Wine Tasting

The “urban micro-winery” currently offers nine wines (two whites and seven reds), from local wineries including Figge Cellar and Puma Road all of which are served on tap, yes tap. The variety of casks along the “tap wall” serves dual purposes as the tasting room’s main focal point as well the device to serve delicious vino. This uncommon container keeps the wine fresh and is eco-friendly, who knew! Wines are reasonably priced and start at just $2 for a small pour.

Light Bites and Brews

Nothing pairs better with wine than some light bites. Chef Joshua has created an enticing menu of appetizers including addictive marcona almonds with truffle salt and cheese and charcuterie plates almost too pretty to eat.

In the mood for a craft brew? Try one of their local craft beers including Mad Otter Pale Ale and Carmel Valley Brewing Blonde.

Wine Courses

Need to brush up on your wine tasting skills? Starting in late January The Wine Experience will offer several classes and seminars on topics ranging from “Intro to Wine Drinking” for beginners to “Wine Sensory Analysis” for those looking to hone in on their tasting palates.

Groups

Having a small get-together, how about a blending party? The Wine Experience is the perfect spot for groups looking to interact and engage with each other, all over a glass of wine, or three.  

The Wine Experience is open Wednesday-Sunday from 12pm-8pm.

It's Always Tea Time at Eddison & Melrose in Monterey

Take a trip to Cornwall without leaving Monterey!

Put on your most dapper ensemble and head to Eddison & Melrose on Soledad Street for a truly traditional English tea experience. Located in the heart of Monterey this charming tea room serves a delightful cup of joy from beginning to end.

The whimsical tea room is reminiscent of a scene from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with pale pink and blue painted walls with lovely garden landscapes. Eddison & Melrose’s cutesy décor and ambiance simply defines quaint, “pleasing and delightful” which is also the perfect adjective to describe its hospitality.

Owner, and tea extraordinaire, Karen Anne Murray meets guests at the door with a proper greeting and a smile. Originally from England, Karen sure knows how to host a credible tea party.

Before grabbing a seat at one of the wicker chairs deck yourself out with provided costume apparel including tiaras, boas and pearls. Once you feel your Sunday best it’s time to choose your tea selection.

Karen walks guests through the tea menu with all sorts of loose leaf teas including traditional teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast as well as some unexpected flavors like Apricot Brandy and Masala Chai. The Strawberry Rooibos tea is particularly delightful with a sweet aroma and strawberry jam aftertaste.

Tea not your thing? Try the cranberry lemon sparkler!

One of the best parts about having tea at Eddison & Melrose is the dishware. Guests are pampered with unique pieces of china teacups, silver spoons and decorative plates which adds an immediate sense of sophistication, and conversation topics.

After a few warm sips it’s time for treats! Karen’s main passion is cooking which truly shows in the food. Menu options include dainty tea sandwiches and hearty sausage rolls, all of which are made fresh and homemade. The Ritz Cucumber is particularly refreshing!


Tea is simply not complete without an English scone. You can smell Karen’s scones as soon as they emerge from the backroom kitchen. The warm biscuits come right out of the oven with fresh preserves, curd and cream; a lovely way to end an afternoon of elegance and flavors!

Eddison & Melrose is open for groups of all sizes ranging from a sophisticated tea for two or a magical birthday party for 20 toddlers. Reservations are available Tuesday-Friday from 11am-3pm and Saturday from 11am-5pm. Call 831-393-9479 to set up your next event which is sure to make an lasting impression!