Experience the best of Carmel’s food scene during the first-annual Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week. The week-long event runs from January 19 to January 26 and gives guests an opportunity to dine on any budget and explore local culinary options.
Over 20 participating restaurants this year will offer guests prix-fixe menus for either lunch or dinner, special events and discounts or complimentary offerings when guests use the “check-in” feature through the culinary passport. Each time a guest “checks-in” to an event, it will count as one entry for a Hotel Carmel two-night getaway sweepstake, a Brophy’s Tavern gift certificate and a cooking class for two at Sur La Table in Carmel Plaza.
Here are some Carmel restaurants offering specials during Culinary Week:
Affina Food & Wine is offering a prix-fixe dinner starting at $60 with a complimentary dessert when guests “check-in.”
Anton & Michel are offering a prix-fixe dinner starting at $45. On January 22, chefs will present guests with a free tableside demonstration of three signature flambé desserts, including Bananas Foster, Cherries Jubilee and Crêpes Suzette. The special event is free, but guests must register beforehand.
Basil Seasonal Dining has a prix-fixe dinner starting at $40. Guests can receive a 15 percent off coupon for another visit when they use the “check-in” feature.
Brophy’s Tavern has a special prix-fixe lunch for $30 and a complimentary dessert with a “check-in” entry.
Cantinetta Luca is offering a prix-fixe dinner for $45. On January 23, they will host a Wood Oven Neapolitan Pizza class, where guests can learn Executive Chef Eddie Moran’s secrets for a great Neapolitan-style pizza. For $75, guests will work with homemade dough and learn expert techniques to make the perfect pie from start to finish. Guests will also receive Prosecco and wine with lunch.
Carmel’s Bistro Giovanni is preparing a prix-fixe dinner starting at $69. If guests “check-in,” they will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast.
Casanova Restaurant is hosting two special events. Both offer free admission and any donations will be put towards Rancho Cielo School Drummond Culinary Academy that helps Monterey County at-risk youth obtain skills for the food and hospitality industry. Wine Festival with a Cause will be held on January 23 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The event includes light bites and wine from Georis Winery, Cowgirl Winery and The Endless Summer Winery. On January 24, Oysters and Bubbles will be held at the beautiful courtyard at Casanova. The two-hour event, starting at 2:30 p.m., will provide complimentary oysters and sparkling wine.
Cultura Carmel will offer a prix-fixe dinner starting at $48 and complimentary chips and guacamole to guests who “check-in.” The Mexico Quest: Exploring Tequila & Mezcal Culture event will be held at Cultura Restaurant Mezcal Room and led by agave tasting expert Marsella Macias on January 23 between 5 and 7 p.m.
Dametra Cafe will offer prix-fixe lunch and dinner starting at $37. “Checked-in” guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne.
Etats-Unis French American Bistro is offering a prix-fixe lunch starting at $20.20 and guests who “check-in” will receive 20.20 percent off a breakfast bill.
Flaherty’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar is offering a prix-fixe dinner starting at $36 and two special events during the week. On January 23, Flaherty’s invites children ages eight and up to make fresh pasta and handmade butter at the Pasta with a Parent Homemade Gnocchi Workshop. On January 24, learn everything you ever wanted to know about shucking, cooking and serving oysters at Flaherty’s All About Oysters with Robbie Torres from Ocean Fresh Seafoods. Both events will be held at Sur La Table Kitchen.
Forge in the Forest is offering a special prix-fixe lunch and dinner starting at $50 and a complimentary glass of Chardonnay when guests “check-in.”
Grasing’s Coastal Cuisine has a $55 prix-fixe dinner special and is hosting Flavors of the Central Coast: Wine & Food Pairing Reception on January 23. The event features a selection of wine from the Central Coast paired with local produce. The reception is two hours long and starts at 3 p.m.
Il Fornaio will have a prix-fixe dinner for $49 and a complimentary glass of wine for guests who “check-in.”
At Il Grillo from January 21 to?? January 25, a $45 prix-fixe dinner will be available. Guests who “check-in” will receive a glass of house wine with dinner. On January 25, Il Grillo will host two special events: Flowers in My Salad: Inspirational Food & Art Experience includes appetizers, salad buffet and house wine while participants draw and paint with multimedia. The event is $60 and is from 12 to 2 p.m. Wines of Tuscany with Emanuele Bartolini is a guided tasting class that is centered around Bartolini’s home region of Tuscany. Featured wines include Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, Bolgheri Super Tuscan and Vin Santo. The event is $45, starts at 2:30 p.m. and runs for an hour and a half.
Il Tegamino has a prix-fixe dinner starting at $40. A Gnocchi Workshop with Chef Giuseppe will be held at Sur La Table Kitchen on January 26 from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will demonstrate the art of making gnocchi from scratch. This special event is $55.
La Balena will offer a special prix-fixe lunch starting at $20.20 from January 21 to January 26. A special wine list offering will be available for guests who “check-in.” La Balena will host Tuscan Traditions with Bread: Crostini, Bruschetta, Panzanella and Zuppa, where guests can explore and taste the many uses for bread in a traditional Tuscan menu. The experience includes house wines, recipes and a jar of sofrito to take home. The event is $55 and will be held on January 19, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Sur La Table Kitchen.
Little Napoli will have a special prix-fixe dinner starting at $45.
PortaBella will prepare a prix-fixe lunch and dinner for guests to enjoy starting at $55. Guests who “check-in” will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne.
Rise + Roam Bakery & Pizzeria will offer both a prix-fixe $25 lunch and a $35 dinner.
Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse will prepare a prix-fixe Dim Sum Brunch for $85 on January 25. Guests who “check-in” can receive a complimentary oyster trio. Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse will also be hosting a special event, Folktale Wines Sensory Tasting & Wine Pairing Class. The class will teach guests how to identify flavors and aromas, then how to pair with food. The event includes five wines and small bites. The class is on January 22 and is a two-hour event starting at 2 p.m. for $93.
Stationaery will offer a special brunch that will include a deviled egg and mimosa amuse-bouche with any entrée selection from the regular menu. Stationaery is also hosting two events: Caroline Chambers X Stationaery Workshop is on January 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cookbook author Caroline Chambers will demonstrate a few of Stationaery’s favorites and explain how to adapt them for a home kitchen. This event is $85 and will be held at Sur La Table Kitchen. The Second event, Coffee Workshop with Anthony Carnazzo, is on January 22 at 4 p.m. Stationaery owners Anthony and Alissa Carnazzo will present an overview of the history of specialty coffee, espresso drinks and pour-over demonstrations. Each participant will receive an art piece by Alissa depicting different espresso drinks. This event is $45 and will be held at Stationaery.
Vesuvio is offering a prix-fixe dinner starting at $65 and will host a special event, Mambo Italiano Dinner, on January 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event is $65.
Village Corner California Bistro is hosting three events on January 25 that will all be located at Sur La Table Kitchen. Guests who “check-in” will receive a complimentary appetizer with an entrée order. Junior Chefs: Brunch with a Crunch is a kids-only event for children ages 8 to 14. Children will learn how to prepare cereal-encrusted French toast and freshly squeezed juices. This event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be $32. The Art of Breakfast will demonstrate how to make omelets and pancakes from scratch, while participants enjoy Bloody Marys. The event starts at 11:30 and is $45. Steven’s Sea Bass Tacos Cooking Demo is $45. It starts at 4:30 and ends at 6 p.m.
Yeast of Eden is offering a prix-fixe dinner for $40, and a complimentary order of sage and rosemary frites for guests who “check-in.” Exploration of Sour Beer & Fundamentals of Food and Beer Pairing is an interactive course led by Master Cicerone Nicole Erny and Yeast of Eden’s Head Brewer Andrew Rose. It will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on January 21 and 22. The event is $60.
