Phil's Fish Market - Moss Landing

Phil's Fish Market has been one of our favorite seafood restaurants on the central coast for over 15 years.  This casual counter service eatery is located in Moss Landing about 20 miles north of Monterey off Highway One.

Phil's is best known for their famous cioppino featuring HUGE portions of crab, shrimp and seafood with the perfect amount of seasoning.  A little fun fact, owner Phil DiGirolamo won a cioppino "throwdown" against celebrity chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network a few years back.

A few of my favorites dishes are the breaded and grilled Calimari Steak, fresh Charbroiled Halibut, Cioppino, and the Mediterranean Pasta with crabmeat, shrimp and scallops. However, today we chose to split some appetizers from the extensive menu and ordered the Prawn Cocktail, Crabmeat Cocktail, Blue Point Oysters and Calamari Fillets.  All items were extremely fresh and flavorful however, I probably wouldn't order the Prawn Cocktail again.  Unfortunately, they do not have the option to leave a tip on your credit card when paying, so be sure to bring a cash tip for the friendly, hard working staff.

Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room

Great news!  Scheid Vineyards recently opened a Tasting Room located on the Northwest corner of San Carlos and Seventh Avenue.  This local Monterey County winery offers high quality premium wines from their award winning estate vineyards.

 

Downtown Carmel Tasting Rooms

 

 

 

 http://www.seecarmel.com/scheid-vineyards-tasting-room.html

Downtown Carmel Wine Tasting Room Walking Tour

Leave your car behind and take the www.SeeCarmel.com self guided Carmel Wine Tasting Room Walking Tour visiting 11 of Carmel's top tasting rooms.  The SeeCarmel.com self paced and self guided tour starts at the Wrath Tasting Room at the Carmel Plaza and continues to Tasting Rooms on Fifth Avenue, San Carlos Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Dolores Street, Lincoln Street and finishes at the Bouchee's Wine Bar and Tasting Room on Mission Street next to the Carmel Plaza.  

See our complete Tasting Room Walking Tour list below...

 Stop #1 Wrath Tasting Room

 Stop #2 Scheid Tasting room

 Stop #3 The bountiful Basket

 Stop #4 Cima Collina Tasting Room

 Stop #5 Coastview Tasting room

 Stop #6 Vino Napoli Tasting Room

 Stop #7  Figge Cellars Tasting Room

Stop #8  Caraccioli Tasting Room

Stop #9  Galante Tasting Room

Stop #10  Southern latitudes Tasting Room

Stop #11  Bouchee's Tasting Room

Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant - Seaside California

I recently dined at the Chopstix Vietnamese Restaurant located in Seaside California at 1988 Freemont Street (across from Cost Plus).  I read some mixed reviews online and didn't know what to expect however, I was very pleasantly surprised.  In my opinion this is one of the best kept secrets on the Monterey Peninsula.  I don't have stringent requirements for a casual restaurant, just that the food and service needs to be good and at a reasonable price.  Chopstix easily passed on all three fronts and there isn't an item on the menu for over $7.50.  You won't find Fois Gras or Honey Mustard Rack of Lamb at Chopstix, but what you will find is a great assortment of classic Pho Noodle Soups, Dry Noodle Bowls and delicious rice platters not to mention tasty appetizers.  Prices are a bargain averaging around $5.50 per item, and for just one more dollar you can order the large which is enough to feed a small town.  For a classic Pho, I recommend the #6 pho dac biet hot and spicy beef soup (perfect balance).  For a dry noodle bowl, try the #11 lemon grass chicken dry noodle bowl. Bon Appetit!

http://www.seecarmel.com/restaurants.html 

#6 pho dac biet hot and spicy beef soup (large)

#11 lemon grass chicken dry noodle bowl (large)

#19 Sweet and Sour Pork Rice Platter (large)

 Carmel Area Restaurants

Whale Watching

Whale season has started! Take a drive seven miles south down the coast to Soberanes Point for a great hike and watch the Gray whales migrate south along the Big Sur coastline.  After your hike, reward yourself with a visit to world famous Nepenthe restaurant in Big Sur (22 miles south of Soberanes Point) for great food, friendly service and awe-inspiring views.

http://www.seecarmel.com/soberanes-whale-park-trail%20.html 

 http://www.seecarmel.com/soberanes-whale-park-trail%20.html

Pebble Beach Food and Wine

The 4th Annual Pebble Beach Food and Wine is a four day epicurean event held on April 12-15, 2012 hosted at Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach featuring the finest wineries and celebrity chefs from around the world. Pebble Beach is located on the majestic Pacific Coast, about 120 miles south of San Francisco and is known for it's natural beauty. With attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay and Carmel within driving distance, Carmel visitors have a world of possibilities within their reach. 

http://www.seecarmel.com/pebble-beach-food-and-wine.html

Carmel Calendar of Events 

2012 Big Sur International Marathon

The 2012  Big Sur International Marathon is held at 6:45am on April 29, 2012.  This point to point marathon starts in scenic Big Sur and winds upd and down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway with live entertainment along the way and finishes in Carmel at Rio Road.  The race features moderately difficult 26.2 marathon, Marathon relay, Big Sur 5K and "Just Run Just for Kids" 3K.  Please note: The 26.2 mile marathon is sold out for 2012.

 

http://www.seecarmel.com/carmel-calendar-of-events.html 

 

 

http://www.seecarmel.com/big-sur-international-marathon.html