Sunday Splash: Big Sur + Carmel

09.10.2017

[ Arrash & I in Big Sur ]

If you’re planning a trip to Carmel (even if it’s just a day trip), you have to check out these places.

Back in June, Arrash & I went to Carmel to celebrate my birthday & we discovered an amazing restaurant and two really cool wine tasting rooms.

Oh & we also tried to hike, but all the trails were closed because of the landslide that happened earlier in the year. Looks like some of them might be opening soon though if you want to check them out!

Since the trails were closed, we just parked on the road and walked by the shore. I loved it! It’s gorgeous there—definitely a great place for a date. If you bring a beach towel & some sandwiches, you can even just lay out at the beach.

Arrash told me to bring a change of clothes so we could go from hiking to dinner—again, apparently it’s a thing now, & luckily I knew exactly what to bring.

After we left Big Sur we went to Carmel for wine tasting. YUM!!

We went to Wrath and tried one of their tasting sets (is that what it’s called? LMK).

My favorite was the 2013 Pinot Noir. Here’s their description of it:

Wrath 2013 SLH Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands:
fresh palate with bright acidity highlight notes of cherries, dried herbs & raspberries

It was SO good. I usually steer clear of red wines (mostly to keep my teeth white, but also because I love a crisp white wine). But, I couldn’t have enough of this one. It was delicious. Possibly the best red wine I’ve ever had.

Next, we went to Scheid Vineyards, already a little tipsy—whoops ; ) My favorites there were their 2016 Pinot Noir Rose Estate Grown Monterey (a really delicious dry rose) & their 2016 Albarino.

Here’s their description of the Albarino:

2016 Albarino:
Pure and vibrant with lemon-lime aromas, flavors of ripe peaches and apricots, and mouthwatering acidity

Feeling even more buzzed (at least I was), we went to dinner at Montrio Bistro in Monterey—and I kid you not, I think about this one appetizer we had there alllllll the time. Seriously, all the time.

It was their “Mixed Mushrooms” with polenta.

It was so good we ordered it twice.

I randomly get cravings for it, so I’ve had to create some easy ways to get me through them.

Usually, I’ll get some mushroom soup from Whole Foods salad bar or this canned organic cream of mushroom soup, or I’ll sauté some mushrooms with olive oil, salt + pepper, and nutritional yeast. They do the job, but it’s obviously not the same thing. So hopefully we’ll go back there soon & I can order it again ; )

I also really love that their seafood is sustainable and they only use organic local produce. Big fan of that!

Okay, so next time you’re planning a trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, check out these places: