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L'Escargot

4.4 (298 reviews)
PriceyFrench
Closed • Closed
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L'Escargot Photos

L'ESCARGOT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Intimate
Romantic
Quiet
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - L'Escargot

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Dover Sole. Excellent. One of the best I have had. Very much worth the price. If you love Dover Sole... order it!

Have been coming here for more than 45 years. Always a great choice for a traditional French restaurant. The Dover Sole is superb. Specials each week. Reservations highly recommended. Nice wine list by the glass.

Escargot, classic prep
Elaine Y.

L'Escargot was a real treat in Carmel. It's located a bit up from the main Ocean Ave so it definitely feels a little more private than many of the restaurants in the area. We started by sharing the classic escargot and the French onion soup. Both were delicious! Definitely use their bread to soak up all that good butter garlic parsley dripping! And really take time to savor the soup. It's not too salty, chocked full of onions, and has a deep beefy flavor. For mains, boyfriend got the Wellington and I got the duckling. The duckling was super tasty! I thought the breast, specifically, was cooked to perfection! It had a nice crust but was also melt in your mouth tender. The confit duck leg also just shredded with ease. As for the Wellington, I thought my small bite was right on par with my memory of Ramsey's at HK. I think the price point was a little high at L'Escargot though since it's a "special", so just keep that in mind. For dessert, we shared the apple tart which was not too sweet and sufficiently spiced with cinnamon. Overall, really enjoyed the experience and would recommend!

Apple tart
Courtney D.

Great intimate dining experience with amazing food from start to finish. The escargot felt like a must-order dish and a perfect homage to the restaurant's name. The Beef Wellington was excellent, and the French onion soup was just as memorable. A truly great French culinary experience that we'll definitely be thinking about long after the meal.

Duckling
Caly T.

This cozy dinner spot was delicious and courses well paced with attentive service. The escargot was complimented well with the herb butter and the french onion soup was comforting and hearty. The duckling was great - tender and cooked to the ask, but the veggie side was a little mushy. The scallop special was nicely cooked and the risotto had perfect texture - the fried capers and asparagus bites paired well. The warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream was a perfect end to the meal!

Ryan F.

I have eaten at this establishment twice before. I am in Carmel this weekend, wanted to try but the restaurant does not take reservations for 1 person. I called and spoke to someone at the restaurant. He assured me it is a mistake on open table but it is not. The restaurant clearly has policy of not taking less than 2 people. I must say their policy is pretty discriminating and they assume a party of 1 always spend less than 2 people.

Beef Wellington
Johny L.

They were on point with service and kind to our dog. It was a great outdoor setting. Food, Caesar salad was perfect and the special beef Wellington was not tend, chewy.

Eric T.

Nestled in the heart Carmel-By-The-Bay in a residential area (meaning parking can be challenging), "L'Escargot" transports diners on a culinary voyage of French cuisine. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an ambiance that evokes the romance and sophistication of the French capital, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The moment we were seated, we were greeted warmly by the staff, who exuded the elegance and hospitality synonymous with French culture. The restaurant's intimate setting, adorned with subtle decorations, created an atmosphere that was both inviting and refined. For the apps, one standout was the escargot, served in a garlic and herb butter sauce. The snails were tender and succulent, with each bite offering a burst of flavor that lingered on the palate. The Duck Leg and Foie Gras was equally impressive, although we would've preferred more bread than just two small corner pieces. The French Onion soup is a must try. The caramelized onions, lovingly sautéed to perfection, impart a depth of flavor that is both sweet and savory, setting the stage for a culinary journey like no other. For the main course, our favorite (in order) was their Beef Wellington, Duck two way, Seared Scallop Risotto and the shredded rabbit pasta. I've had Gordon Ramsay version of Beef Wellington, but what's different about this one is the golden pastry shell that enrobes it, providing a crisp, flaky exterior that gives way to tender perfection with each bite that's not too salty. The Seared Scallop Risotto was a bit of a miss with the Risotto as it was missing the crunch, but the Scallop was seared to perfection that melts in your mouth. No French meal would be complete without a decadent dessert. Our favorite was the Lemon Tart, follow by the warm Apple Crisp with a scoop of ice cream, and a home made cheesecake. The service was, with attentive waitstaff ensuring that our sparkling water glasses were never empty and our needs were always met with a smile.

Beef wellington.
Pryo H.

My found this amazing small French restaurant in Carmel last week. The service from the 1st moment you step in to the end is very friendly and amazing. I wish I can remember his name, but he can describe every single dish in the menu. My favorite is (everything that I order that noght) escargot, highly suggest that you get the one with mushrooms caps. Don't forget to order French onion soup. For entrée: beef wellington if they have it (not many restaurant serve this dish). The chicken breast dijonaise also great. Don't forget to safe room for dessert.

Simple menu
Ewa U.

Wow.. I will preface my review by saying that this is a must try spot .. even if you're not into French food. This little culinary haven operates only for a couple dinner hours, so the attention and food quality you'll experience is quite special and intimate. It was my first time trying the coveted 'beef Wellington' and let me tell you - I felt the gaze of the entire team looking for positive reinforcement during my first bite.. it was a success! Perfectly cooked when cut in half. Well done team! The true winner though was the lamb. (How do you do it?! No words) Everything else was delicate and well portioned. Make sure to pair w/ a bold red. Bonus: the off the menu cheese cake (ask for it!) was made of a farmers cheese-- so definitely not your 'cream cheese delight' type deal. Enjoy

Rabbit pasta special

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1 year ago

extremely expensive. appetizer $33.00. fish dinner $110.00. Days net for two over $300.00.

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2 years ago

A true gem. Food service and ambience were all on point. We had the escargot, frog legs, lamb and scallops. Delicious!

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3 years ago

First rate traditional French cuisine in a nice setting. Excellent service. We'll be back!

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L'Escargot Reviews in Other Languages

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La Bicyclette - Classic Pepperoni wood-fired pizza

La Bicyclette

4.1(2.7k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$$

I've been waiting on making this review because I wanted to take the time to really do this…read morerestaurant justice for how amazing it is. I've received several recommendations to stop in to La Bicyclette, so when a Friday night reservation for 4 opened, I knew I had to snag it! La Bicyclette markets itself as a French and European inspired bistro. It is extremely popular, so make a reservation if you want to eat before 9pm! The interior is charming and homey. The dress code is casual, but you can dress up if you'd like! By the time we came in for our reservation, we were ready to dig in! Our order included the following: * Gnocchis à la Parisienne $21**: I heard rumors about this miraculous gnocchi and it did not disappoint! The sauce was rich and cheesy, yet the gnocchi was bouncy and not soggy! I could eat this all by myself! * Tuscan Panzella Salad $20**: The freshest heirloom tomatoes were used in this salad. The croutons were tasty and super crunchy, balancing out the sweetness of the vinaigrette and strawberries. The portion is generous too! * Poisson Mediterranean $46: Cod was the catch of the day! The sauce was very flavorful, a bit much for me. The fish was perfectly cooked! * Spaghetti Amalfitana $48: This comes with a lobster tail -- wow! The sauce was also rich. The portion was huge, definitely shareable. The shrimp tasted like it was fresh out of the ocean! Not for me, but may be for some! * Steak au Poivre $58: The steak was perfectly cooked! Sliced easily and fell apart in your mouth. The peppercorn cognac sauce was delicious! * Summer Truffle Pizza $35**: I will be thinking about this pizza for the rest of my life. Crispy, not overwhelmingly oily, using real truffle on top. I would go back for this alone!!! Dessert: * Pot de Mousse au Chocolat (for two) $17: Luscious chocolate mousse, not overly sweet. Easy to eat and perfect for you and a date! * Affogato $14: I didn't try anything but the Madeline, which was fine! ** is a must-order! The service was spectacular. We were checked on many times during the dinner. The staff was attentive and thoughtful with their recommendations. I will yearn for La Bicyclette until the next time I return! 50000 stars out of 5.

OMG, the worst 2.5 hours I've spent in the Monterey Bay! When you have to wait hours for your food,…read moreisn't it at least the restaurant's responsibility to create a pleasant environment? This was like having a rebellious teenager blaring loud music and ignoring your every request to lower the volume or change the channel! We asked multiple staff for help, even offering to get a French CD from our car for them -- no action. Of course the overcrowded tables were yelling to each other to be heard over selections meant for a nightclub. The same lack of service flexibility exhibits in the food. If you don't like fries with your steak, no amount of money will get you vegetables instead. Flies, heat, overcrowding, loud, lack of flexibility, and waaay overpriced for all that. As locals, my family have been coming to this restaurant since it opened. This was our last visit.

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La Bicyclette
La Bicyclette - Oysters du Jour

Oysters du Jour

La Bicyclette - Celebratory Profiterole

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Celebratory Profiterole

Anton & Michel Restaurant - Crab Cakes

Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.1(740 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$$

Came here the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and had such a great lunch experience. We didn't…read morehave a reservation, but were able to get seated immediately. We sat outside in the courtyard and the ambiance was absolutely perfect with the water fountains, greenery, and live music! Aside from the amazing ambiance, the service was also great. Very friendly and attentive! The weather changed a bit while we were out there, with umbrellas being offered to move when we arrived, and heaters offered to be added as we dined. To eat I got the Sand dabs and my mom the Crab cake. We both liked our meals and would order them again! I did have my eye on a few other things on the menu though, so I would probably try something else next time for a little variety.

A few highs a couple lows. My husband and I came here for a…read morebirthday dinner and told the host when we checked in. We were seated outside in a lovely courtyard next to a fountain pool. The ambiance was so nice minus the extremely loud family sitting next to us but that's not the restaurants fault... We ordered the crab cake as an appetizer and it was phenomenal! I would come here again just for the crab cake. I ordered the filet mignon and broccolini with a Demi glaze sauce- both of which were delicious and well cooked. My husband ordered rack of lamb with chimichurri, Mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin all of which were VERY tasty. The only things that wasn't good were the fries we ordered as a side. They were described as garlic Parmesan fries but there was no garlic or Parmesan on them at all. Actually completely unseasoned and tasted like any old beer battered fries you could get at a bar. We also saw a woman who got a dessert and birthday song- we did not. They didn't notice until after we left and the host ran up the street after us and apologized for forgetting our birthdays and gave us a mini bottle of wine which was a nice gesture. Overall a good experience

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Anton & Michel Restaurant - Bar area

Bar area

Anton & Michel Restaurant - Abalone

Abalone

Anton & Michel Restaurant - Braised Beef Cheeks

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Braised Beef Cheeks

Dametra Cafe - Panna CottaG Northern Italian dessert of sweetened vanilla cream pudding. Served with raspberry sauce. 15

Dametra Cafe

4.5(4.8k reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$

I love the vibe of this place! I have gone over the weekends and they have someone that plays a…read moreguitar and drums and people start dancing! It's awesome! So festive. Food is great - they have the flaming cheese, which is exquisite. People are so welcoming when you come to this place - they have 2 other restaurants on Ocean Ave and all 3 of them have incredible food.

Live music on Saturday night! It's pretty loud for those that might be sound sensitive, and also…read morevery interactive. They really encourage you to get up and dance! For starters, our party of eight shared the fried calamari, dolmas, baba ghanoush, and fried cheese. The fried cheese is fired up table side and is quite a sight to see! It's also very tasty. Loved the extreme smoky flavor on the baba ghanoush too. My fiancé and I split the grilled roasted vegetable salad. We were surprised the spinach was lightly sautéed to a wilt, but actually really enjoyed it. We also ordered the special of the day the veal chops: 3 chops cooked medium rare as requested with au gratin potatoes and a big helping of veggies. I wasn't a fan of the sauce that came with the lamb. I did like the potatoes and the carrots and string beans were fresh and cooked perfectly al dente. The rest of the table got some variation of skewers or salad and the consensus was all the skewers (chicken and beef) were dry. My SIL did say the salmon on the Caesar salad was cooked very well though. The entree portions are very healthy! We didn't have room for dessert, but our server made sure we got a little sampler baklava which was a perfectly sweet way to end the meal. Pricy, but what you'd expect in Carmel. Reservations highly recommended! Tons of parties on the waitlist hanging out outside for a table. Street parking only.

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Dametra Cafe - Inside

Inside

Dametra Cafe - Istanbul Kabab $36.95 .skewed charbroiled ground beef mixed with tomato and seasoned with Turkish spices . Greek salad

Istanbul Kabab $36.95 .skewed charbroiled ground beef mixed with tomato and seasoned with Turkish spices . Greek salad

Dametra Cafe - Beer and part of the menu

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Beer and part of the menu

Little Napoli

Little Napoli

4.0(2.3k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

This place was delicious! When you walk into the restaurant you just seat yourself and someone will…read morecome and help you. We ordered the crab ravioli and diavola pizza, it was plenty of food for the two of us, we were so full after. The crab ravioli were huge, filled with crab meat and the sauce had a hint of sweetness to it. It got quite filling as we were eating it so pizza to pair with it was perfect. The diavola pizza was also delicious, the crust was perfectly crunchy and bouncy. It had a slight spicy kick to it to balance out the savory. The spicy salami on it was very good too.

Celebrating my niece's going away to UCLA!…read more I was able to reserve the private library room for our party of 8 with no extra charge. It was nice to have the room all to ourselves. Their apps are the strongpoint at Little Napoli: my niece loved the truffled gnocchi. The garlic bread, calamari and meatballs were good too. I got the lamb osso bucco and my fiancé got the cioppino and added on the spaghetti. The portions here are very healthy. I could barely touch my osso bucco, but thought it was ok. The mashed potatoes were fluffy and creamy. The osso bucco was actually way better leftover two days later when it all melded together. The others thought their entrees were alright too, I didn't try them even though they offered. :) You'll be stuffed, but get the dessert anyways! We got a creme brûlée which was creamy and nicely caramelized, but the big winner here was the Carmel bakery brownie. So rich and decadent! Service was friendly and quick. Street parking only. I'd come back for apps and dessert.

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Little Napoli - Outside the restaurant

Outside the restaurant

Little Napoli - Asparagus with bread crumbs

Asparagus with bread crumbs

Little Napoli - Doc Pepe Old Fashioned

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Doc Pepe Old Fashioned

Chez Noir - Mont Blanc - Coffee Semifreddo with chestnut and candied citrus

Chez Noir

4.4(191 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$$

Walking in was already a very pleasant experience. The decor was beautiful, the atmosphere was…read moreinviting, and I was immediately excited to try everything. Monique got us seated, gave us a couple of options, and we were very happy with where we ended up. We started with the skewered abalone and beef tartare, which wasn't even part of the regular menu. It was a wonderful initial surprise and absolutely delicious. For the first course, we had the Heirloom Tomato and Vermilion Crudo. The Heirloom Tomato was probably my favorite dish of the night right away. It really highlighted the tomato while complementing it with fish and squid on the side. It was an incredible dish. Next came the Crab Tagliolini and Sweet Corn Tortellini. Both were amazing, with incredible textures and bold, well-developed flavors. Everything about this course was very impressive. For the next course, we had the Squab and Wagyu Steak. The Wagyu was absolutely amazing, but the Squab was truly phenomenal. The preparation really made it stand out, it was incredibly flavorful, had an amazing texture, and was cooked perfectly. Definitely one of the highlights of the entire dinner. We decided to add the raw cheeses as an in-between course before dessert. It was a nice addition, although compared with the other courses, it was probably the least memorable for me. Dessert was the perfect way to finish the evening. The Stone Fruit and Mille-Feuille were both excellent and brought the entire experience together beautifully. A huge shout-out to Chui, Nate, Paige, and Molly for presenting each dish so beautifully and taking the time to explain the details behind everything. Special thanks as well to Executive Chef Johnny Black for putting together such an amazing set of dishes and pairing them so thoughtfully with the wines. Overall, this was an incredible dining experience, creative, beautifully executed, professional, and memorable from beginning to end. Every course felt carefully thought out, and the service made the entire evening even more special.

We came to Chez Noir having heard from seemingly everyone that it was a must when visiting Carmel,…read moreand it 100% lived up to its reputation. The service, ambience, and especially the flavors were absolutely superb. There is an incredible level of thought and care behind every detail of the experience. Even something as simple as laying a beautifully folded blanket across a hard bench so guests could sit more comfortably spoke to the level of hospitality here--nothing felt overlooked. Every course was brilliant, delivering layers of flavor and nuance while still feeling beautifully balanced. There was a confidence and precision to the cooking that made each dish memorable, and the warmth of the service made an exceptional meal feel equally inviting. Chez Noir manages to be incredibly refined without losing its sense of intimacy and genuine hospitality. Thank you to the entire team for one of the most exceptional dining experiences we've had. Chez Noir absolutely deserves its reputation and will be a must-return whenever we're back in Carmel.

Photos
Chez Noir - Ambiance + view of the kitchen

Ambiance + view of the kitchen

Chez Noir - Delicata Squash Frito Misto

Delicata Squash Frito Misto

Chez Noir - Indoor

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Indoor

Lugano Swiss Bistro

Lugano Swiss Bistro

4.3(464 reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

Amazing food. Each dish was perfection and a good amount to share amongst a family of 4. Uniquely…read moredecorated interior with ample seating, no wait time on a Saturday early evening. We were given a complimentary basket of bread and butter to start off with, simple as it sounds, it was still really good. We ordered the Swiss onion soup which was so good that my kids were slurping the remaining soup even, best onion soup I've had (better than other French onion soups I've had before). We also got the schnitzel and fish and chips, both of which tasted great. Finished the meal with creme brûlée which definitely did not disappoint. Not sure if this place would be considered kid friendly, there were no kid utensils given. Maybe it was also because there were no other kids at the quiet restaurant but it felt awkward with our loud kids in there. Despite this, would love to come back for the food.

Carmel Fondue Institution is a Must Eat…read more Visiting Carmel and want something a bit off the beaten path of the typical tourist? Lugano has been serving fondue for 30 years, and they should be on your list of restos to try while visiting the area. Decked out in Swiss chalet kitsch from floor to ceiling in marvelous wood with everything from bells to beer steins and mechanical clocks, the atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the service and the food. So what did we try? We went for the fondue sampler, and the jaegerschnitzel and pork bratwurst: 1. Fondue Sampler. Overall okay value. But we could skip the broth course. a. Salad. Ranch dressing. Nothing special but a good start! b. Swiss Original. Mixed with 3 cheeses, this has the required gruyer but also emmentaler, making this a delicious trio of slightly salty creamy flavors with a mild and savory bitter finish. Must get. Comes with bread and fruits. Best part of this. Unlike other places, they don't add oil, which makes this super delicious. c. Broth. Chicken and beef. Sadly, not our favorite. It's kind of like hot pot, but the broth is lackluster. And the meats are not good choices because: the beef is too thickly cut; and the chicken gets hard when boiled so not recommended for this. d. Chocolate. Only one choice with no additions possible. Very good chocolate though. 2. Jaegerschnitzel. Dark mushroom sauce with plenty of flavor. Schnitzel was properly breaded and juicy. Buttery spaetzel with nice al dentez Recommend. 3. Bratwurst. Pork was delicious: plump and juicy, full of tasty flavor. Excellent with the sauerkraut and well made mustard. Definite recommend. I thought the German potato hash too salty by itself but perfect paired with sauerkraut or pickled onions. Overall, a delightful experience. We will come again and focus on the cheese and chocolate next time. And the bratwurst!

Photos
Lugano Swiss Bistro - So adorable!

So adorable!

Lugano Swiss Bistro - Tomato Ticino fondue

Tomato Ticino fondue

Lugano Swiss Bistro

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L'Escargot - french - Updated October 2026

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