Carmel is one of my favorite escape destinations, just a short drive up the coast from Santa Barbara it offers a collection of amazing restaurants, featuring two Michelin Star venues, with menus to please the taste of any hungry visitor. On my recent trip I had some news worthy sips I hoped to share with you.
Giovanni with F&B Journalist Bonnie Carroll
One of the renowned Mediterranean restaurants in Carmel is Carmel Bistro Giovanni's, with a fun interior where you can watch the fantastic chefspreparing your outstanding dishes, and a lovely outside garden-like dining area. My dinner during this visit included tastes of a delightful lemon pasta with artichokes and salmon, and the linguini with clams that were both amazing.
The Mediterranean-Italian style toast with gravy is also a dish not to miss at Carmel Bistro Giovanni's, but the really lovely complimento is a glass of wine from their very amazing wine menu. The fun here is the silouette of owner Giovanni on the glass to remind you with every sip you are in one of the best dining institutions in Carmel, and if you are lucky enough to be there when Giovanni is in town he will come to your table and greet you personally, sometimes even send you an appertif! When it comes to fine hospitality Giovanni is reminescent of the late Maude Chasen, who was a favorite restauratuer of mine in years past. Reservations are recommended - they are located on northwest corner of Juniper & 5th St.
A great surprise on this trip was a stop at Flaherty's for a light supper following a fabulous day at the Monterey Artichoke Festival. My dear hotel owner and friend Carrie Theis, Hofsas House Hotel, recommended them. I ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque, convinced it would be something average, and was blown away by this rich and outstanding bisque, filled with chunks of lobster. The oyster Rockefeller appetizer was also quite good. My guest enjoyed a scrumptious lobster roll with slaw. We left there determined to go back on our next visit for full oyster and lobster entrees. Flaherty's is located on 6th between Dolores & San Carlos.
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both amazing. 
complimento is a glass of wine from their very amazing wine menu. The fun here is the silouette of owner Giovanni on the glass to remind you with every sip you are in one of the best dining institutions in Carmel, and if you are lucky enough to be there when Giovanni is in town he will come to your table and greet you personally, sometimes even send you an appertif! When it comes to fine hospitality Giovanni is reminescent of the late Maude Chasen, who was a favorite restauratuer of mine in years past. Reservations are recommended - they are located on northwest corner of Juniper & 5th St. 
following a fabulous day at the Monterey Artichoke Festival. My dear hotel owner and friend Carrie Theis, Hofsas House Hotel, recommended
them. I ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque, convinced it would be something average, and was blown away by this rich and outstanding bisque, filled with chunks of lobster. The oyster Rockefeller appetizer was also quite good. My guest enjoyed a scrumptious lobster roll with slaw. We left there determined to go back on our next visit for full oyster and lobster entrees. Flaherty's is located on 6th between Dolores & San Carlos.
