The Hungry Cat

Santa Barbara – I got this restaurant tip from my best friend that lived in California for about 3 years. It is located behind the main street so it is not overran by all the tourists.

As a starter we had a dozen oysters from Washington as the local ones were sold out They serve really nice food platters – on one I even saw a sea urchin.

I went for the monk fish Asian style….you do not want anything else anymore 🙂 and my hubby took the sea trout which was a good choice as well.

http://thehungrycat.com/santa_barbara.html

La Balena – Tuscany in Carmel!

Carmel – After a beautiful drive from San Francicso to Carmel on Highway No 1 we watched the sunset at the beach. We were still a little jetlegged and wanted to go for dinner earlier than booked. But the small restaurant was packed with people so we went to the bar around the corner.

Our table was prepared right below the pass for food so we could sneak with an eye in the kitchen. We couldn’t believe how quiet is was as there so many hungry people and just two cooks in the kitchen.

I had bruschetta with chicken liver and gorgonzola as a starter. My husband went for the gnocchis – both amazingly good.

Of course we had to try the osso bucco when it is on the menu and as well the ravioli filled with boar. It was fantastic and we had to admit, that it competes with many restaurants in Italy.

http://labalenacarmel.com/

Smokehouse – not only smoke around the fish tacos

Cayucos – On our way south on highway No 1 we needed some gas and took the exit. When we looked around we realized that this little village by the sea was pretty nice and thought about lunch. There are about 3 restaurants directly at the waterfront but I wouldn’t say that Riddell’s Smokehouse is a proper restaurant as more people order their food to go. We had to wait 30 mints for a shrimp and a fish (albacore is a local fish available in season) taco….we ate it finally in the car…what produced a big mess on my husbands T-shirt and trousers….its much easier to eat a kebab….but very yummy.

http://www.smokerjim.com/

Unfortunately I did not take some photos from the actual fish tacos as I was too hungry and gorged it….

Fish Hopper

Monterey – After we have visited the Aquarium with the greatest jelly fish collection we were a little hungry. After we passed Bubba Gump with a long waiting line we found the Fish Hopper with a nice terrace overlooking the ocean. The sardines, followed by filet mignon and king crab was a perfect lunch – accompanied by a nice white wine from napa valley.