L'Escargot — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Nestled in the heart Carmel-By-The-Bay in a residential area (meaning parking can be challenging), "L'Escargot" transports diners on a culinary voyage of French cuisine. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an ambiance that evokes the romance and sophistication of the French capital, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The moment we were seated, we were greeted warmly by the staff, who exuded the elegance and hospitality synonymous with French culture. The restaurant's intimate setting, adorned with subtle decorations, created an atmosphere that was both inviting and refined.

For the apps, one standout was the escargot, served in a garlic and herb butter sauce. The snails were tender and succulent, with each bite offering a burst of flavor that lingered on the palate. The Duck Leg and Foie Gras was equally impressive, although we would've preferred more bread than just two small corner pieces. The French Onion soup is a must try. The caramelized onions, lovingly sautéed to perfection, impart a depth of flavor that is both sweet and savory, setting the stage for a culinary journey like no other.

For the main course, our favorite (in order) was their Beef Wellington, Duck two way, Seared Scallop Risotto and the shredded rabbit pasta. I've had Gordon Ramsay version of Beef Wellington, but what's different about this one is the golden pastry shell that enrobes it, providing a crisp, flaky exterior that gives way to tender perfection with each bite that's not too salty. The Seared Scallop Risotto was a bit of a miss with the Risotto as it was missing the crunch, but the Scallop was seared to perfection that melts in your mouth.

No French meal would be complete without a decadent dessert. Our favorite was the Lemon Tart, follow by the warm Apple Crisp with a scoop of ice cream, and a home made cheesecake.

The service was, with attentive waitstaff ensuring that our sparkling water glasses were never empty and our needs were always met...

I found the dining experience rather underwhelming considering its price point. With a bill of nearly $320 for two people, my expectations were higher in terms of quality.

Nevertheless, I must commend the staff for their excellent service. They even went above and beyond by moving the heater for us, and attended to us thoughtfully. However, it was a bit disappointing that they didn't offer any water for our dog. I understand that their main focus is serving us, not our pet, but it would have been a thoughtful gesture, especially considering how dog-friendly Carmel is.

Speaking of the price, I anticipated more flavorful dishes. The escargot was enjoyable, and the foie gras was a delicious novelty for me. However, the beef wellington fell short in terms of taste. It lacked the desired flavor, and I found myself wishing for more sauce to enhance its overall appeal. Unfortunately, my husband's portion was too raw to eat, and we ended up giving those parts to our dog. His steak was significantly undercooked, resembling a blue state, while mine was at least medium rare. Although he didn't voice any complaints due to social anxiety, I insisted he should have done so but he didn't. Regrettably, the creme brulee "islands" were tasty but left me with the impression that I was paying the same price for a significantly smaller portion. It left me with a sense of being taken advantage of. Furthermore, the brownie served was simply a basic chocolate brownie, lacking any unique qualities.

All things considered, I cannot help but feel that the restaurant failed to meet the expectations set by its price. I genuinely regret dining here, especially when I've had the pleasure of visiting restaurants like Cafe Sparrow in Aptos, which provide impeccable quality and taste at a fraction...

A lovely, quiet, upscale French restaurant located in Carmel.

The ambience was warm and pleasant. I've never had such a private and intimate restaurant experience like I've had here. The servers were accommodating and very knowledgeable in their recommendations.

The appetizers were an amazing start to an impeccable meal.

My partner had the French onion gratinee. He enjoyed the slight sweetness of the broth. As well as the nice thick cheese (perfect cheese pull) and the bread at the bottom. He enjoyed it so much that he used the extra bread that was served to scoop and soak up every last bit of the soup.

I had the lobster tail and asparagus risotto, which is by far the best risotto I've ever had and the stand-out dish of the meal. They offer the risotto as a main dish but served with scallops in lieu of the lobster as an off-the-menu special. I would personally recommend that as a main meal selection (as the risotto is that delicious).

We were definitely anticipating the main entrees after an amazing start with the appetizers.

The pastry on the beef wellington was flaky perfection (the whale design was so cute!). The filet mignon was cooked at medium rare, but if you let it sit a little then it would cook into medium. The gravy/reduction complimented the dish and the greens served on the side were a lovely addition. If you can justify the $75 price tag, then you can't go wrong.

The rabbit pasta was creamy and the rabbit was very tender.

For dessert, we shared an apple tart which was delicious and spiced perfectly topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. A lovely finale to a lovely dinner.

Limited seating. Reservation is strongly recommended.

Overall rating...