Solstice — Restaurant in Monterey

We had an incredible meal last night at Solstice. I’d never been - If you live in Carmel, Monterey, the Highlands, PG, or Big Sur or are visiting the area, and you haven’t been here yet, it’s worth the (gorgeous) drive! One of the best restaurants on the coast, I’d say.

For starters, the ambience and cuisine is unparalleled. Rustic, natural wood, an epic wood plank full bar - and casually cool interior and outdoor seating overlooking the forest with lanterns swaying in the breeze-

And all with an elevated focus on local, sustainable and organic ingredients (and wines). The menu changes once in a while, and they have the cutest coffee shop with lunches and wine to go, should you be trekking around if sure during the day.

I’m a Carmel local now by way of NYC, and I’ve been seeking a restaurant that has this rare blend of conscious, well-crafted, chef-driven food - that’s straightforward enough that you actually want to eat it, in an environment that feels local and worldly (and otherworldly) all at the same time.

Best sourdough bread I’ve ever had, from their 160 year old starter. An avocado that’s cold-smoked with a divine seed blend and flaxseed cracker that melts in your mouth.

Black cod - so easy to get wrong but here it’s perfect, including a corn wrap and foraged chanterelles.

The chef described every element of the dishes - down to the microgreens brought in each week by a local without a phone, but with a stellar garden, apparently. The fire crackles in the kitchen, as the wood is brought in and stacked, and the chef fans the coals by hand.

The wine selection- out of this world.

I’m telling...

One of the servers made a negative and sarcastic comment about my wives sunglasses, which was pretty strange. (Big yellow shoes...) I was not suprised 20% was included on the bill, because it reflected on the service.

The food was great, and it's a really cool spot. Which is why I'm not giving this 1 star. I never leave reviews, but when someone is disrespectful...

A restaurant is only as good as the people who work there, and the hospitality provided.

Response to Solstice comment:

There was no mistake. The servers remark was not intended as playful, in fact she didn't acknowledge us, she made the comment to the bartender in front of us, assuming we were idiots and can't hear anything, which is actually more of an insult. To claim you ride between playful and risky is an interesting way to treat guests, and a new one I haven't heard in the industry.

I appreciate you taking the time to talk to your employees and acknowledging when they're in the wrong, although somehow you tried to make us seem like we are the ones mistaken. This is hospitality, if she makes comments to us, I'm sure she's made...

We went here for the first time and it was wonderful. The dishes were very creative. We each had the 4 course Prix Fixe. For the first course, I had Brokaw Avocado and my husband had Halibut Crudo. The avocado was amazing, I've never had anything like it. The smoke with the avocado was perfect and the tomato miso was excellent. The halibut was also very good. It was a delicate dish with a touch of citrus. Next, I had the heirloom rice and my husband had abalone. The rice was good, I loved the crunchy bits. The abalone was baked in the shell with seaweed which added flavor. For mains, I had chicken and my husband had trout. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The sweet potato and roasted peppers were excellent compliments. The trout was an Asian preparation with a dashi sauce and very crispy skin. We both had chocolate thunder cake for dessert. We thought the cake was a tad dry, but the creamy filling and corn ganache paired well. The ganache was tangy, like cream cheese. The huckleberry meringue...