January | 2012 | cali coast foodie

Archive | January, 2012

Cachagua General Store Carmel Valley, Ca

I really don’t even know where to begin as trite as that may sound. Michael Jones, the proprietor; probably one of the most arrogant self obsessed individuals in the culinary profession. Does he do a good job – A vehement yes from this connoisseur, food wise. However character and customer service matter in the culinary arts as much as any other. I give him a negative star to begin based off his attitude alone – more on this later.

Driving to Cachagua General Store is not a fun task by any means, long extremely windy roads; especially difficult in the dark. We made it alive to what only can be described as a shack in the mountains. A Shack with very good food and a knowledgeable Sommelier.

I wanted to sample about everything on the menu at a glance (Menu attached) I tried the Trout Soup, Local Mushroom Soup, the Waygu Beef Bone Marrow, and the Braised Waygu Beef Short ribs over Pasta. All items could go toe to toe with any restaurant on the peninsula or Ca for that matter. Bold vibrant flavors, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Oh yeah, and the amazing Sardine Crostini’s. Fantastic.

Food wise I give this place 4.5 Stars – seriously good food.

Now back to Jones, you can check out is eccentric personality in his food blog http://cachaguastore.blogspot.com/ he has a recent post where he justifies serving his guests Flap Steak rather than Skirt Steak namely because a guest came who owns a meat company and complained! Hilarious – Michael Jones called out on his BS, wish I was there. Well Michael Jones justifies his decision, also admitting that his beef is not KOBE as stated on the menu, rather he serves Akaushi Flap. Not the same, not even close. Which is why it costs guests $20 instead of significantly more. Does your Steak Taste great, YES, but is it misrepresented, YES.

Second amazing Story – Michael Jones GOES OFF, Fires an Employee and pursues a guest on Facebook to reprimand them for their ill behavior in his restaurant – the Mortal Sin – Splitting the check. I must indeed be an uncultured swine because even I ask for separate checks sometimes to avoid complications with inebriated friend’s math skills, or even because I order a much more expensive item on the menu!

Click here to read Michaels Rant that he Posted on His website (and subsequently deleted to my knowledge).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cachagua-general-store-carmelvalley#hrid:PHuTDqbZCSojw6L5rCwNvw

Michael!!!! If you see this, be nicer to your guests and folks you do not agree with, especially me. Good Day SIR!

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Categories Restaurants

Cannery Row Brewing Company, Monterey Ca

7 Jan

This larger than life brew pub offers 40 draft beers, a selection of house brew, a full bar complete with an impressive bourbon list, served up on two levels of restaurant.

An initial installment of the Coastal Luxury Management Team, lead by Dave Bernahl and Robert Weekly, the pub mirrors some of the better gastro-pubs in the US.

There are obviously a few areas where the pub falls short, and shy of its initial intent. Initially there was a CLM burger on the menu made with Kobe Beef a fantastic item – Gone. The Oyster Po Boy, the Lobster Roll; all initial items that have disappeared due to poor execution and lack of proper culinary oversight as the restaurant sank in its noble intent into a more pedestrian tourist attraction.

Still, they have a phenomenal Ahi Poke appetizer, juicy burgers, and amazing slow smoked wings – but the restaurant will never be measured with the great gastro-pubs with such a lack of strict product oversight. Clearly the means of the CLM crew are too varied to make this project a truly amazing one. That is why on most travel sites it recieves middle of the rung reviews.

Also service is sluggish on a good day. Still though, you cant beat the beer menu, tasty burgers and fireside chat with some good friends on Cannery Row. I will still be back, and just know that my experience will reflect the items reviewed above…

overall 3.5 stars out of 5 from this critic.

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Categories coastal luxery management, monterey, pubs, Restaurants

Peter B’s Brewpub Monterey Ca

7 Jan

As far as pubs in Monterey go, there is no other Craft Brewery like this in the area, there is no other Craft Brewery actually. There is, however, English Ales in Marina, Ca that makes great beer, but they are technically considered a Micro Brewery.

On the note of Peter B’s, they brew all of their own beer right there in the brewery/restaurant always nice and fresh, second, their Amber ale is fantastic! I can IV it! Third, they have a new brew-master who is quite good.

Food is typical pub food, they have a very nice happy hour and during the football season they do 49Cent Beers if the Niners win! Overall Great local spot. Try the Corralito’s Dog for some local frank action as well. If they are smart the will put the Bavarian Cheese sausage on the Menu!!

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Categories monterey, pubs, Restaurants

Le Normandie Pacific Grove Ca

5 Jan

Well I have to admit I have a soft spot for quaint Pacific Grove Restaurants, the quiet cool streets illuminated by trees strung with glowing white lights.
I decided on a whim to try this lovely little French restaurant, and it was worth
the shot. The ambiance was cozy, there was a soft live guitar playing familiar melodies and hot French Onion Soup. I didn’t want to leave, I felt like I was back in a small French Bistro in Cognac.

I ordered a Special that included a large glass of Red or White wine, and Soup or Salad, and a pork or chicken entre. I opted for the half roast chicken with Jus,
it was served up with roasted potatoes, veggies, and sautéed mushrooms. Really quite fantastic, and the sticker price rather accommodating at 18 dollars for everything.

If you are looking for a little romantic getaway or just an escape to a delightfully slower environment, this place is worth checking out. Ambiance 5 stars, food 4 stars, service was good too, overall 4.1 Stars I would comfortably give this amazing little place.