Once we quickly changed from our comfortable driving clothes to our spiffed up date night clothes, we walked to The Grill restaurant on Ocean Avenue, about two blocks from Hofsas House. Our reservations were originally for 6:30pm, but we pushed it back to 8:00 due to the traffic on the roads, luckily it wasn’t a problem.
One thing that struck me when we visited The Grill was that the decor was warm and inviting, a quiet modern restaurant set with mood lighting for an evening supper. Though it seemed to be more on the pricier side of restaurants, our tables had linen table clothes, but with a paper layer draped over top. The portraits on the wall were blown up photos of the famous Pebble Beach. A little strange, if you’re not into golf, but gorgeous photos none the less.
Any place that serves warm bread upon arrival, is a winner in my books. A nice crunchy outside, with a warm chewy inside is the best. The Grill got it right when they served this with warm butter, too.
Newlyweds (I can’t stop using that word, when is it no longer considered a newly wed? I mean, it’s been ten months), hanging out in the restaurant waiting for our app’s.
Appetizers are always a good idea, so I ordered the Warm Brie Wedge and Baked Mini Goat Cheese Cake: served with apple and poached pear slices, roasted garlic cloves, and bruschetta. I think the chef forgot to add bruschetta to the plate, but he probably read my mind and knew I didn’t like it (since it’s usually riddled with onions). I particularly enjoyed the pears which I was told was marinated for hours in mulled wine and a few other ingredients to achieve that deep beet colour. It was hard to polish this platter on my own, I had a little help from The Guy, but for the most part I devoured and enjoyed every last bite.
Bib Lettuce and Gorgonzola: with blueberries, golden raisins, toasted pine nuts tossed in a light champagne vinaigrette. This is what The Guy ordered, I had a taste of it, and it was refreshing and light, not at all creamy like it looked in the picture. Definitely a crowd pleasing yet unique twist to the regular salad appetizer.
Juan was our server for the evening, suggesting his favourite menu items to us. I was deciding between chicken or salmon, and went with his suggestion. The Guy was also pondering between steak and lamb. Margot the manager of The Grill stopped by our table a number of times to have a chat about our time in Carmel. She was sweet, and gave us more suggestions on what to do during our stay in the little town.
For supper I opted for the Flat-Grilled Salmon with cherry tomato beurre blanc and asiago polenta. I couldn’t stop talking about it when I was eating it. I even let The Guy have a taste. The tomato glaze that went on top was excellent. I finished my plate and left most of the asiago polenta, it was a too corn-bready for me. I think we need to plan another trip out to The Grill, so I can have that delicious salmon again. The Guy decided to venture out into a whole new meat realm and go for the Moroccan Lamb Chops cut from the rack, spice rubbed ontop of a light rosemary-garlic sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. “This is fantastic — the sauce is incredible” he said after he was hesitant about ordering Lamb which he hadn’t tried before.
Dessert was then decided was a must, as our meal was impeccably mouth watering. Originally I was dying to try out the New York Style Cheesecake with creme anglaise, mango coulis and fresh fruit. Once it arrived I gave it a few tastes and decided I don’t like NY-Style, it was a little too crumbly for my liking. The Guy suggested we switched plates, because he loves cheesecake and thought of ordering it anyway. I got his House-Made Double Chocolate Brownie with vanilla bean ice cream. Fair trade.
Our dinner experience was the perfect way to end our first evening. We retired back into our room at Hofsas House with our cheese platter and bottle of wine, then sat and enjoyed it while we watched our fireplace flicker late into the night.
Carmel is a perfect spot to plan a weekend getaway. Everything seems to be a walking distance away from one another, it has incredible restaurants and shops, and let’s not talk about the view it has. Breathtaking! Come back tomorrow for our day trip to Point Lobos.
The Grill
Ocean Ave, Carmel, CA 93921, USA
Phone: 831-624-2569
To learn more visit – www.thegrillcarmel.com
Our meal was hosted by The Grill, however the opinions in the blog post are 100% my own.
32 Comments
I love the outside of this restaurant! It looks so beautiful. The food looks and sounds wonderful, too.
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted..16 Spice Rack Essentials
We’re planning to do a day or weekend trip to Carmel in the near future to visit Casanova Restaurant. The Grill looks like a great place to stop for lunch or a more casual dinner if we stay more than one night. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Joy @ The Joyful Foodie recently posted..{Recipe} Mulled Wine
Looks amazing! So jealous! My husband and I really need a date night!
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://www.theaccidentalmama.com
Ah I know where that is! lol I’m so homesick. :(
Amby Felix recently posted..DIY Butterfingers Recipe
I have seen this restaurant many times in Carmel and have never eater here, thanks for sharing, it looks like a great spot. Love the cheese plate!
I cant get over how cute that place is :)
Oh, my! That looks adorable! And, the food looks divine! <3
Shipra recently posted..Geek Chic Shoes Comic Book Flower Headbands Photos, Discount, and Review
Oh my! You had me at the bread and cheese platter! Then the rest! THEN that DESSERT! YUM!!!!! That place looks amazing, and adorable too! :)
Heather recently posted..Love is Kind
Mmmmmmm, they both look spectacular! Yum!
Megan @ All That Glitters recently posted..The Queen of Hearts DIY Costume
Such a cute cozy place. It all looks so wonderful and intimate to enjoy with a loved one.
breanna recently posted..Weekend dump & Fall Cleaning
What a lovely meal you guys had.
karissa recently posted..Monday Motivate on a Tuesday
First off I love your outfit. And second this looks like a yummy meal. Looks like a lovely place to have a meal
might have to check this place out when we’re in carmel! :) i think i considered myself newlywed for the first 2-3 years. haha now that it’s four.. i feel like maybe we shouldn’t call ourselves newlyweds even though i feel like we’re still newbies at the marriage thing.
estherjulee recently posted..The Life Is Beautiful Festival Las Vegas
That food looks DIVINE! Wow. I need to google how far this place is from San Diego — this post makes me want to go there right away. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Ayana Pitterson recently posted..color blocking + thrift sisters link up
That place looks amazing! I might have to take a trip up there with the Hubs. We are only a few hours south. Thank you so much for sharing.
Holly recently posted..Fall Mantle Decor
My mouth is watering so much from this food. I think when Steve and I head out again we need to hit up somewhere quality.
Jessica Doll recently posted..Arata Pumpkin Farm
It appears you two had a great time, not to mention it looks warm and cozy. This is one nice date place!
The food looks amazing, I am reading this post so early in the morning the hunger but is awake lol. The Grill sounds like a real nice restaurant and I too think a restaurant that serves warm bread upon arrival is a winner
Myrabev recently posted..Top 5 tips ~ new uni students
This place looks so cute and cozy! And warm bread is an instant winner in my book! :) Looks like you had a lovely dinner, and I most likely would have gotten the cheesecake too! :)
Erica recently posted..Currently
I would love to dine with my husband here. It looks so warm and cozy <3
Tanya Coffman recently posted..Papa Bear Always Knows the Right Thing to Say
The food looked amazing! We have a few equally delicious places here in NJ, but I am jealous of the spread you guys had!
Man, those desserts look super delish! And now I’m hungry! ;)
Looks like a great place to eat! I’m glad you got your getaway with your husband.
The food is making me hungry. I need to eat my dinner.
Ashley Taylor recently posted..Leaf Craft – Making a Turkey
Wow that food looks amazing! Great photos!
Sharon recently posted..Can I Really Start a Business For Free?
Oh wow! Everything looks so good. From the apps to the dessert, yum! We’ll have to look this place up the next time we’re in town.
Cam | Bibs and Baubles recently posted..Top 10 Best Things About Being Tall
I could definitely use a getaway like this! The food looked yummy!!
Those apples and warm brie look so amazing! What a fun date night.
Candace recently posted..Halloween Sneak Peek!
Looks like such a lovely atmosphere and delicious looking food too!
Wait a cute, quaint place! I love finding treasures like this.
That looks like a pretty delicious meal. I love to dine out with my hubby.
Tami recently posted..Choose What Works {Living Life on Purpose Wrap-up}
This place looks and sounds amazing. Love that it’s in Carmel too! You can never go wrong in Carmel.