LEscargot - (Near Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA)

3 /5 Andrea Buckreus: 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 didnt 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 husbands 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 didnt voice any complaints due to social anxiety, I insisted he should have done so but he didnt. 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 Ive had the pleasure of visiting restaurants like Cafe Sparrow in Aptos, which provide impeccable quality and taste at a fraction of the cost.

5 /5 Scott M: Wonderful experience. Service was prompt and efficient but not overbearing. Wine menu is extensive. The food taste and presentation was excellent. The starter was escargot , tender and tasty, next was a blue cheese stuffed fig wrapped in prosciutto. The main as perfectly cooked beef Wellington and a equally delicious scalloped on a bed of risotto. Desert a cheese cake with a lemon zest topping. Not overly sweet or tart and a wonderful accompaniment to the wine. A must try when in Carmel or Monterey.

4 /5 Eric Broockman: The duck and cheesecake were great. Atmosphere is nice and has a genuine French bistro touch. Our waiter was fantastic. However - my experience in France is that each portion is brought out more leisurely and the menu is more typically broken into smaller courses. Though there were clearly many very happy regulars , I found the experience of the evening feeling a bit rushed. You will enjoy the food and service and have a nice evening - but you might not feel like you are reliving your last trip to the French countryside.

5 /5 swaylem: A lovely, quiet, upscale French restaurant located in Carmel. The ambience was warm and pleasant. Ive never had such a private and intimate restaurant experience like Ive 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 Ive 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 cant 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 4.5/5 Sa7tein!

5 /5 Roberts Stanley: I absolutely love escargot—when its prepared correctly. We used to frequent The Whaling Station in Monterey, California, until they unfortunately mishandled my escargot order. That prompted me to search for a new spot, and I discovered LEscargot in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since it was my birthday and I had the privilege of choosing the restaurant, LEscargot was my top pick. A quick heads-up: Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular tourist destination, and parking can be challenging. If your reservation is at 6:00 PM, I recommend arriving by 5:30 PM to allow time to find legal parking. Avoid blocking driveways and be sure to read parking signs carefully. Now, on to the food: I give it 10 stars—yes, I know Google only allows five, but I’m doubling it. Our server, Freddy, was incredibly attentive, the rack of lamb was perfectly cooked, and the escargot was absolutely sublime. You can order the escargot classic in the shell or stuffed in mushroom caps. As a traditionalist, I chose the classic version. We also sampled the lobster risotto, which featured shaved lobster tail, tender asparagus, and delicate slivers of Parmesan cheese—rich, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. To complement the meal, I enjoyed a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, which perfectly enhanced the flavor of the lamb chops. One final note: if youre looking for mint jelly, be aware that in France its use is considered outdated, so its unlikely to be offered. While I do enjoy mint jelly with lamb chops, the rack of lamb with garlic, rosemary, and a Cabernet reduction was a complete game changer—absolutely phenomenal.