Flying Fish Grill

101

552

6 years ago

If you're in the area, definitely stop by Flying Fish Grill for a delicious dinner. Because of the pandemic, we decided to make reservations just in case. I'm so glad that we did because nearly every seat was taken at 7:30pm. Since it does get chilly in Carmel, they had several heat lamps set up to ensure patrons would be comfortable. 1. Raw oysters: these aren't on the menu, but we decided to ask if they served any. Served with a mignonette and a spicy sauce (I forget what it was called), the half dozen oysters weren't too bad, considering it was an off-season. 2. Black bean halibut: my boyfriend seemed to enjoy this more than I did. The black bean sauce imparts an umami flavor to the dish, and the en papillote cooking technique resulted in a juicy, well-cooked piece of fish. 3. Almond sea bass: the almond crust was an interesting way to coat the sea bass, but I enjoyed it. The potatoes were delicious, but I wasn't a huge fan of the Chinese cabbage and rock shrimp stir fry. Finally, our server was such a delightful person! He was extremely attentive and very friendly, which definitely made us enjoy our entire experience at Flying Fish Grill. read more

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Katie M.

4 years ago

I'd probably give it a 3.5 stars if I was able to.... Pros: Our server was wonderful and knowledgeable. The sea bass was phenomenal. And like others said, the salsa was out of this world-such a unique taste! Cons: it was absolutely freezing at our booth. They were doing some construction and I'm wondering if that's why? There was no bathroom available due to the construction either. Given the price point, they should have acknowledged both of these inconveniences. I also didn't particularly love the atmosphere. read more

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Mad M.

318

3 years ago

Yummy! It is hard to find good places to eat in Carmel and this one is always consistent. Fresh fish, friendly staff, and lots of options to choose from. You can't go wrong. read more

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Lizbeth H.

2 years ago

Recently had an amazing dinner here! Good quality and waitstaff were on point. Highly recommend!

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Jess L.

3520

5578

5924

7 years ago

My partner and I celebrated our anniversary at FFG last month and had a really pleasant time. It has a unique ambiance of feeling casual and upscale at the same time based on its decor and quality of the menu. The team put a little celebratory table topper on our table for the occasion. Our waiter was pretty attentive throughout the meal. He was very specific and clearly had done this thousands of times. The panfried oysters ($17) were pricey but delicious - definitely worth it if you like oysters. The Alaskan Black Cod ($31) was very delicious and an interesting combination of leeks, couscous, papaya, and avocado; I would never have thought those ingredients go together, but each bit was delicious. The seafood pasta ($28) was generous in the amount of fish and was creamy without being over-the-top. Overall, the menu is innovative and fun to look through. Our waiter pointed out that the dessert menu hasn't changed since the establishment opened, which is pretty neat. That being said, we weren't deeply enticed by anything on the dessert menu. We got green tea ice cream, though, which our waiter put a candle in and comped for our anniversary. read more

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Estefany M.

Elite 24

681

4 years ago

Add this to your list! We were lucky enough to secure a dinner reservation and let me tell you, the food did not disappoint. We started with the complimentary chips and salsa, which if you're a tomato fan like I am this is the salsa for you as I really enjoyed the chunks of tomato. We then had the calamari which was perfectly battered and tasted very fresh. For entrees we had the black bean halibut, which was incredible juicy and full of flavor, and the rare peppered ahi, which was very fresh and the sauce it came with was amazing! The service was also impeccable, everyone was very friendly and made our experience that much better. The wait can be quite long so I would recommend calling ahead to make a reservation. read more

Flying Fish Grill - Calamari - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Black Bean Halibut and Rare Peppered Ahi - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

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Oliver A.

2 years ago

Wry cozy place. We had the signature sea bass. For the price of 45 it hardly met my expectations as far as flavor. My kid had a grilled chicken on angel hair pasta. The pasta was buttered since there were no sauce in the menu. My son skipped the chicken. It was dry, chewy and when I tasted it was charred bitter. You know how kids love chicken but this one is a nadda. Can't blame the poor kid. The shrimp tempura is a saving grace grace. It was fresh and meaty. Artichoke was steamed. For a tab of over $100. The manager ask if we want to take off the pasta from the tab when he could have just done so without asking. There's a lot of places I could name that's more worth it. read more

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Haoyu Z.

3 years ago

The seafood clay pot was so delicious that we even finished all the base soup. Staffs were super friendly and attentive. Will come again.

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G D.

5 years ago

My family and I fly in from Colorado multiple times per year to eat here. Ownership has changed since Ken and Tina retired, but EVERYTHING is the same. Start off with the complimentary flash fried chips and a sweet salsa that blends Asian and California tastes. I ALWAYS get Almond Sea bass as my main course and finish the night with either the Green tea Sundae or the warm banana sundae. The team have been the same for as long as I can remember. 10/10 read more

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Rznante ..

2 years ago

Wow!! Just wow! Brandy and owner Honza were great. The dinner was incredible. The dungeons crab tower was incredible! I had the almond Sea Bass. It was beyond words good! Check the menu check the very reasonable prices and get an exceptional experience. read more

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Phillip L.

Elite 26 All-Star

235

2436

7 years ago

This Restaurant has a FABULOUS rep...no doubt! The Flying Fish Grill is a SMALL and INTIMATE eatery...perhaps 10-15 tables (from our view point). Ergo, probably best to make a reservation. We were "walk-ins" and Rick (Mgr/Server) was most GRACIOUS in accommodating us! His customer service skills were EXEMPLARY! Attentive, professional AND gracious he deserves special KUDOS for providing us with a wonderful dining experience! The Menu (see pics) was well rounded and not EXTENSIVE...which to me was a definite plus. In my opinion (yours may be different) too many items on a multiple page menu screams "we do nothing REALLY WELL here, yet we serve everything but the kitchen sink." We ordered (see pics) the California Tower (3.5/5), Nikumaki (4.5/5), Pan Fried Oysters (4/5), Almond Sea Bass (5/5). Winners were Almond Sea Bass...ya, order THIS, the Nikumaki and the Fried Oysters! Sooooo, why not 5 Stars? Well...honestly, the "value" factor didn't quite fall into place. Please, fellow Yelper's and review readers...don't confuse this with a mediocre review, it's NOT! All in all...a wonderful dining experience, just not one we can take advantage of financially often. For this evenings wonderful dining experience, the Food and Rick...the Flying Fish Grill in Carmel-by-the-Sea, earned this "highly recommend " 4 Star review. read more

Flying Fish Grill - Step inside and you see... - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - California Tower - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Rick....wowed us with his Customer Service! - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Small and intimate... - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Here we are... - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Panfried Oysters (6) - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Nikumaki - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

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Denise M.

3 years ago

Came here on a whim for a dinner after driving around town. Hard to find as it is down a flight of stairs from the street. A friendly man answered the phone and gave us directions and did not hang up until we found it. They accommodated my grandma who was I. A wheelchair and carried the whole thing down stairs. They were friendly and kind. I don't remember dinner so it must have been ok! read more

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Damon M.

4 years ago

I remember when this was "Kenny's Flying Fish" grill. Recently went back after a ten year gap. While the food and service were still as strong as ever, you'd at least expect the new ownership to add a few touches of their own. Rather, it felt as if Kenny handed them the recipes and they're just copying what he came up with 25 years ago (which at that time, was amazingly innovative). Again, the food and service was good, but with a new owner you'd at least think there would be some new touches to what Kenny created. Oh well, I suppose that there's a never-ending flood of tourists that will discover it for the first time. Again, a lovely restaurant but it's lacking that innovation that originally put it on the map. read more

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David A.

4 years ago

The best Asian fusion in the County. Many months later: Here we are back for our Anniversary, we ordered the seafood hot pot. Fresh seafood cooking right in front of you, just like Popo ( my Asian mother in law ) used to make. Fresh is THE word here. If you are want the abalone, you know what you are getting is great!! read more

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Libby K.

105

3 years ago

My husband and I come to Carmel every year for our anniversary. We have had Flying Fish on our radar for many years and it just never worked out for us to go. Well, we went last night and will definitely be making this a yearly stop! Imagine an old speakeasy vibe with delicious sea food. From the moment we went it, we were pleasantly greeted by the owner and given a "romantic" table for our anniversary dinner. Tony was our server and he was perfect. He has worked there for over a decade and gave us great advice for our selections. I had their almond crusted sea bass and my husband had the shrimp and sea scallop with yellow curry fettuccini. They were both outstanding. They are only open for dinner, so if you want an excellent dinner in a casual and cozy vibe with really great employees - put the Flying Fish Grill on your list. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Victor D.

769

1356

8 years ago

Got the crab tower, black bean halibut, and almond sea bass. First off, the fried wonton and salsa here is amazing. The wonton isn't hard or stuff and still has reasonable crunch to it. And this makes the texture super nice when you eat it cause it just kind of crumbles in your mouth when you eat it with salsa. The dungeoness crab tower is actually just a California roll composed in another way. It has sushi, seaweed, avocado, and rice. There was a fair amount of crab on it so I was pleasantly surprised. Was kind of nice just eating crab and rice and choosing which bites would have more crab. The sea bass was really good. The sauce is a little thick and sweet and the sea bass sits on some mashed potatoes. The potatoes and the sauce go very well. The sea bass itself was also cooked so the outside was seared nicely (with carmelizes almonds). The black bean halibut was Asian style since it used fermented black beans. It gave it a much stronger taste and added to the fish since the fish didn't have too much flavor as it was just steamed over a bed of veggies Also got the banana sundae. The toasted macadamia nuts were my favorite part of it and all else was pretty standard. read more

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Kimberly L.

867

1104

1298

9 years ago

I don't understand how this restaurant has such great reviews. Our hotel called and got us reservations 8:30pm on a Saturday night. We arrived on time and were seated next to the fireplace. The service was very slow. It took a while before we got menus, water and our orders taken. We ordered the edamame, the Tuna tartar and the almond sea bass. Honestly, the edamame was the best out of all the food. The tuna was so bland, it tasted plain. No flavor. The thin slices of toast served with it were soggy and stale. The edamame had great flavor and was possibly the best dish of the night... Sad to say that. The almond sea bass tasted like a fish you'd get at a catering hall for a cheap wedding. The sauce was goopy and the flavors didn't even stand out to me. After we ate, it also took a while to pay so I ended up having to flag down a bus boy to hand over our bill. Overpriced and not that good. I would not go back here. read more

Flying Fish Grill - Tuna tartar - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - Edamame - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

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Deidre C.

4 years ago

Coming to Carmel always means food adventure ! As for this trip We tried out flying fish grill for the first time :) we booked in advance due to Memorial Day weekend. The food here is amazing, the fish are fresh and the servers are super friendly and I get to try out some cool Czech beer for the first time! Thank you for your great services and thank you to our Asian server for the amazing food recommendation! We will definitely be back soon ! read more

Flying Fish Grill - Alaskan Black Cod - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

Flying Fish Grill - The Edamame was bomb !!!! Shrimp tempura and spicy tuna tartare , deliciousness all on one table - Japanese Near Me - Carmel, California

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Crystal M.

208

850

9 years ago

We are definitely coming back here for the refreshing Asian salsa, almond crusted sea bass and homemade caramel sauce on fried bananas Scallop and scampi fettuccine with curry cream sauce and deconstructed california roll were all unique dishes! Food was not the only star last night. The entire wait staff deserves an applause! They were all so friendly and attentive. But we really appreciate one particular staff. We were lost so we called the restaurant, and he came outside to look for us! read more

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Elizabeth W.

5 years ago

Flying Fish has such a sweet group of people working the restaurant. They really take care of you. The food is quite good and so are the desserts. In our group we had the Halibut, Sea Bass, Ahi, and Seafood pasta. We all enjoyed our meals. Our server even brought us out a green tea ice cream scoop to try because my girlfriend said it was favorite. The chocolate decadence cake was delicious. I think if you want to have a great evening at a local's restaurant in Carmel, you should try the Flying Fish Grill. Thank you to Tony for the fabulous service. We will be back! read more

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Industrial H.

3 years ago

We stayed in Carmel for 3 days and stumbled upon this establishment while exploring the city one evening. Unfortunately we didn't discover it until the last evening we were there. The food was absolutely amazing, and the service was also great! This gem had probably the best food we had in Carmel. read more

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Will L.

2 years ago

Food was great, but customer made rude and profane comments about my daughter and ruined our entire meal. Really unfortunate since quality of food was fairly good, and manager did not make things right. read more

Business owner information

Honza P.

Mister Will L.…

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Maddie Z.

174

183

7 years ago

This restaurant truly blew me away with the sheer uniqueness of its dishes--absolutely AMAZING stuff. Food-wise, my favorite thing is actually the chips and salsa appetizer; it's complimentary but SO freaking good. As for main dishes, the Almond Seabass is to die for, and I'm a big fan of the Rare Peppered Ahi as well. I've tried the Black Bean Halibut and California Tower, which I know are popular--but honestly while they're good, I don't think they're quite as on point with flavor, originality (e.g. the tower is basically a deconstructed CA roll), or fish texture! I'd definitely recommend reserving in advance if you want to come for dinner--there's often a lot of demand for this place. I'm not sure exactly how far in advance you need to reserve, but to give you an idea...once I decided I wanted to come here a mere day in advance, and was only able to get a ~9pm reservation for 2 the next day. So it's not that you absolutely won't be able to get a last minute reservation--it's that all the prime times will be gone! The ambience here is spot-on too: it's very dark and cozy, which creates a uniquely intimate feel. The interior design/deco overall is largely inspired by Japanese art & architecture (with bamboo dividers, etc.)--fitting for a place that knocks it out of the park with Japanese-inspired food! Flying Fish is definitely a must-go if you're in the Carmel area. read more

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M L.

5 years ago

From making a reservation to them saying have a good night- this place is caring classy and the food is delicious by far! A must go and go back again kind of place because you will want to try everything on their menu. Tried to call and reserve a spot, but the call kept hanging up. Luckily my cousin was able to book us a table. We got there at 6 and stayed ate ate drank drank and desserted til almost 10pm and they were so kind not to rush us while we were eating, catching up and ordering more food. Every entree we had was flavorful and cooke perfectly... Calamari with the garlic essence divine. Order a bottle of wine, otherwise it's not as great. Green tea sundae tasty And go back!!' read more

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Luli S.

2 years ago

Great food. Been here several times in the past few years whenever we go to Carmel. The Black cod was a little dry this last time we went just a few weeks ago but still good. The California roll has a creative presentation made with real crab. The fried wonton salsa was sweet and tasty. The sea bass was rich and delicious. Service was good this last time we went. It was excellent prior times. Probably just varies a bit by server. read more

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Page 4 of 27

Mission St
Carmel, CA 93921
Directions
(831) 625-1962
Call Now
Visit Website
http://flyingfishgrill.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Flying Fish Grill open?

Flying Fish Grill opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Flying Fish Grill close?

Flying Fish Grill closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Flying Fish Grill take Bitcoin?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not take Bitcoin.

Does Flying Fish Grill take credit cards?

Yes, Flying Fish Grill takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Flying Fish Grill have catering options?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have catering options.

Does Flying Fish Grill have a drive thru?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have a drive thru.

Does Flying Fish Grill have a happy hour?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have a happy hour.

Does Flying Fish Grill serve alcohol?

Yes, Flying Fish Grill serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Flying Fish Grill have TVs?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Flying Fish Grill have bike parking?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have bike parking.

Does Flying Fish Grill have outdoor seating?

Yes, Flying Fish Grill has outdoor seating options.

Does Flying Fish Grill have parking?

Yes, Flying Fish Grill has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Flying Fish Grill wheelchair accessible?

No, Flying Fish Grill is not wheelchair accessible.

Does Flying Fish Grill have free WiFi?

No, Flying Fish Grill does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

History

Established in 1975.

1975 as Shabu Shabu , renamed to Flying Fish Grill 1993 by original owners Kenny & Tina

Flying Fish Grill Reviews in Other Languages

German
1 Review

Ask the Community - Flying Fish Grill

Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible?

We have few tables outside that are street level and available for wheelchair access and also for customers with dogs , that are not service dogs. The actual restaurant has… Read more

Does Flying Fish Grill sell gift cards?

Yes , we do.

Looks like many delicious options. What is the sauce in the Almond Crusted Bass dish? I can't tell in the menu photo and no description. Thank you!

It.s a light soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. (I believe.) Similar to steamed fish at a chinese restaurant. With some Napa cabbage and shrimp, mushrooms. Mashed… Read more

Are there accommodations available for gluten allergies?

Yes. About 80% of the menu we can serve as gluten free options

Are you pet friendly?

Good morning. We allow service dogs inside the restaurant as we follow the guidelines from the health department of monterey penninsula. We have some tables outside where you can have your pet with you with no restrictions.

Do I need to make a reservation?

They are super popular, so it wouldn't hurt to make reservations - great restaurant choice !

Are dogs allowed for outdoor dining?

I did see dogs there while we dined outside.

This restaurant open New Years eve?

Is this restaurant open thanksgiving

Vegetarian options other than the clay pot?

We also can do vegetarian ( vegan) version of our black bean halibut with switching the fish for Tofu.

Is this restaurant open on Nov 23rd or Nov 24th?

Yes!!!

Clay pot for one?

Based on their menu : “Clay Pots - Our unique Clay Pot Dinner is cooked at your table (for 2 or more persons, no splits please).”… Read more

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0.0 mi

I'm from Southern California and already planning my next trip to Carmel. I visited in November…read more2025, and this spot is at the top of my list to return to. The ambiance was exactly what you hope for--quiet, warm, and inviting--and the staff couldn't have been more friendly. But the real standout? The food. Absolutely over-the-top delicious and deeply satisfying. My husband and I shared the homemade tomato bisque with quiche, a tuna mixed greens salad, and clam chowder. I'm still thinking about that soup and salad--my mouth is watering just writing this. Please keep this place thriving--I want it waiting for us on our next visit!

Even on the sunniest Carmel days, sometimes you just need a little tropical escape Dole Whip at…read moreCafe Luna -- creamy, pineapple perfection that's anything but dull. Swirled high, ridiculously refreshing, and served right here in the heart of Carmel Plaza. Grab one, claim a spot on our sunny patio, watch the world stroll by on Ocean Ave, and pretend you're on a mini-vacation (because in Carmel, every day kinda feels like one anyway). Who's joining me for a swirl? #CafeLunaCarmel #DoleWhip #CarmelByTheSea #CarmelPlaza #PineappleTreats #MontereyBayEats

Breakfast Sushi

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Bird hanging around seating area looking for crumbs

Seventh & Dolores

3.7(589 reviews)

•$$$

One of the very best dinners in Carmel by the Sea…read more The room is a striking presentation of upscale eatery We really enjoy walking in and the excellent service from the hostess Grace The chef does an excellent job with steaks !! The entire team is very very attentive! A must to try !!!

Best steak in the area, hands down. All the options are a 10/10, can't go wrong. We drive from the…read moreBay and it's worth every mile

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Valrhona Chocolate Terrine

Flaherty's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar

Food was amazing and our service by Rudy was excellent. Rudy gave us the best recommendations and…read morewe enjoyed every bite! Finished our meal with a delicious dessert. Warm Bread pudding was perfect with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Ambiance warm and perfect!

The staff was really friendly and accommodating! It was our friend's birthday and one of the…read morewaiters gave us a discount and a free birthday dessert. It was very sweet. They made sure we had everything we wanted without us having to ask from sparkling water to tap water to extra bread to a seafood free menu. The clam chowder was delicious and the oysters were filling. We wished they were a little brinier, but they really hit the spot for us. The flourless chocolate torte for dessert was absolutely amazing--fudgey and rich and made in-house. Would recommend if you stay for dessert so glad we were able to. Even though we were a bigger group they found a table for us right away. We were sat in the alleyway where there were air heaters and it was very cozy and cute such a lovely evening breathing in the beach air while we ate.

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A W Shucks Oyster Bar And Cocktails

4.1(1.3k reviews)

Food is absolutely awesome…read more All the oysters were fresh and had good taste. The Fish & Chips were good too. Mark was the best. Hope to come again!

If you're wandering through Carmel and want a spot that feels like it's been there forever, A.W…read more Shucks is the place. It's a local restaurant with that classic, unpretentious historical charm and always crowded. The oysters are the spotlight. It's super fresh, perfectly shucked, and they really hit the spot if you're looking for a Pacific flavor. I also highly recommend trying the fried squid, crispy, flavorful (ask for extra lemon cause you will love that juice). It's one of the best appetizers on the menu, even better than the fish and chip (surprised, it's just bland, soggy and soft, and lacking the wow factor). And honestly, I can't leave without trying clam chowder. It's thick, creamy, has a taste of the ocean and is exactly the kind of warm-your-bones meal you need when the coastal fog just rolls in. And Carmel is just that cold, so I need this warm soup. Overall, just stick to the raw bar and the chowder, and you're in for a great meal. I couldn't recommend this place enough!