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    Valley Kitchen

    3.9 (199 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Valley Kitchen Photos

    VALLEY KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Upscale
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Valley Kitchen

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    Menu November 2025
    Shandy T.

    I had a few meals here and every single time was a special in different ways. My favorite dishes were the roasted duck and filet mignon. The two dishes were cooked perfectly with great flavors accompany , sweet potato for the duck and mashed potatoes for the filet mignon. Black cod was also cooked perfectly and the fish was so soft, but the flavor for that dish, which was a burnt bitter taste, was not fit for my preference. For appetizers, I'd recommend the crispy shrimp for the amount and also flavor! The ambience of the space was comfortable but classy. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Worth the long drive for this property!

    Pool area
    Elmer G.

    From the moment you turn into Old Ranch Rd you start to feel that relaxation and begin to separate yourself from everyday life and the mind goes into relax mode, well for me It did. It's a beautiful drive up to the restaurant as you go by a golf course and beautiful views. Once you arrive at the parking lot, if you pay attention you will see a tree with a swing near by. Look closely or you might miss it. The restaurant personnel gives you a warm welcome, we had a reservation and sat us at our special table as soon as we arrived. I could tell the restaurant was at at peak time, and through all that we received an amazing service throughout the whole dining experience. The drinks were on point, each of our cocktails and wine recommendation did not disappoint. We were really pleased with the Charred Beets Salad. Perfect acidity balance through each bite and we could taste a bit of chard through each beer bite. My wife and I, ended up sharing our plates. The burger was perfectly cooked, the beef patty was juicy and full of flavor and its served with thick chunks of bacon something we love on a burger. My veal pappardelle was packed with flavor, I could taste the veal and herbs. I was surprised and very pleased as the veal tasted so good. The desserts were amazing as well. The apple berry cobbler hit a home run! I would really like to thank the Valley Kitchen staff for all of their attention! All I mentioned on reservation was that if they could accommodate a table with a view as that night we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. From the moment we arrived we were greeted with a warmth welcoming feel, and the service provided through the whole dining experience felt so amazing! Thank you for making our night that much more special!

    Elainey G.

    Excellent service and super dog friendly. Everything came out quick and the food seemed farm fresh. Love that they had an indoor area to sit at if you have a dog with you. Because it was too cold to sit outside.

    Sarah C.

    We had reservations for 630pm for Sunday night. Our first evening at Carmel Valley Ranch. Our toddler was hungry so we checked in early and we were seated right away. Loves how child friendly this place was. High chair given along with a sticker sheet and children's menu. Chicken tenders and fries for the little one - they also gave her a toddler friendly plastic cup with straw. Large portion - can feed two + toddlers or a really big kid. Or an adult. Both my husband and I got drinks. I got a low proof cocktail and my husband got a glass of white wine. My husband got the ribeye- cooked perfectly. It was very good and juicy. I got the calms - comes with a lot and two slices of toast. We shared the Cesar salad - It was definitely worth its 20+ dollar price tag. It was one of the highlights of our entire two night stay. It was a large portioned and seasoned very well.

    Anna T.

    We did the breakfast buffet on the morning we checked out and I will say they had an excellent selection of items. They kept up with replenishing items and the food was fresh and delicious. It's located right near the pool so we had a nice view as well. The downside of the buffet was that our server was nonexistent and took over 30 minutes to appear after we were ready to pay the bill. The latte also needed a bit of help. Overall enjoyable experience.

    Birthday
    James M.

    We had an amazing dinner and breakfast here while staying at Carmel Valley Ranch this past November for my birthday. I usually have lower expectations with hotels restaurants, but Valley Kitchen ended up being one of the best meals I've had in Carmel in recent years. Some of our favorites from dinner were the kale brussel sprout caesar, bread with butter, and chicken piccata. Breakfast was just as good and enjoyed their egg plate and pancakes. The restaurant has a completely different vibe from dinner to breakfast, and we had a particularly cozy dinner sitting at a corner table with a view of the restaurant. We'll definitely be back. Pros: Phenomenal food for breakfast & dinner, friendly staff, and cozy setting.

    Flourless Praline Torte

    It had been months since I last enjoyed lunch at Valley Kitchen, and a perfect sunny winter day felt like just the right excuse to drive out to Carmel Valley Ranch with a friend. My friend and I split three dishes which were all fabulous! We started with the delicious Ranch Avocado Toast featuring Hass avocado smash, arugula, CVR olive oil, Meyer lemon zest, marinated garden veggies, all served on a toasted country loaf. For our main, we chose the Veggie Scampi with tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic, lemon, and white wine--made even better with the addition of shrimp. Every bite was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. We finished with an excellent Flourless Praline Torte with chocolate mousse, praline and nib brittle with salted caramel ice cream, the perfect sweet ending. Add in the stunning views of oak trees and grapevines along with attentive service, and it was a truly memorable lunch. Highly recommended!

    We had a fantastic dinner at Valley Kitchen, highlighted by both incredible food and outstanding service from Adalberto. The meal featured the Maple Leaf Duck and a perfectly cooked New York Striploin, along with the rich and comforting Five Cheese Orecchiette and a beautifully executed lemon meringue dessert. The atmosphere was relaxed yet upscale, with a warm, inviting ambiance that really elevated the experience. The drinks were just as memorable--my tiki cocktail was vibrant and well-balanced, while my wife's mule was crisp and refreshing. From start to finish, the service, food, and setting all exceeded expectations, and we're already looking forward to coming back.

    Tomo S.

    This was a first: a fine dining experience for my dog--and I'm officially jealous of my fluffy dining companion. We visited the restaurant at Carmel Ranch Valley Hotel, which has a cozy, inviting ambiance and even a special area where well-behaved pups can join their humans. It was a delightful surprise to see other canine guests, all looking just as excited as their owners (if not more). The Dog Menu: Yes, you read that right. My lady Samoyed had the luxury of choosing between Salmon, Chicken, or Ground Beef, all priced between $17-$20. Inflation really does hit everywhere--even dog fine dining! This might just be the most expensive bowl of dog food I've ever purchased, but hey, it's all part of the experience. She went with the Chicken with Pilaf and Chef's Choice of Local Vegetables--which honestly sounds fancier than half the meals I make for myself. The portion was generous, though she demolished it in 30 seconds flat. Clearly, a five-star rating from her! Meanwhile, I enjoyed a deliciously tender braised beef with cheesy polenta that was so good I momentarily considered growling if anyone tried to take a bite. Their cocktails? Top-notch. Definitely a spot where both dogs and humans can dine in style.

    Chef Andrew personally picking out herbs for dinner menu

    We didn't expect to start our dinner in a garden, but that's where Chef Andrew greeted us--quietly harvesting herbs and edible flowers with intention. That moment set the tone for what followed: a meal grounded in freshness, care, and quiet excellence. The paella was a standout--perfectly cooked seafood and deeply fragrant saffron rice, accented by the very herbs we'd just seen plucked from the earth. There was nothing showy about it, just clean, bold flavors balanced with finesse. The cornbread deserves its own mention--moist, slightly crisp on the edges, and rich enough to linger in memory. And the flourless chocolate cake? Rich, velvety, and thoughtfully paired with local strawberries that added a subtle brightness. Service was warm and intuitive, and the setting made us want to linger. There's something special about a place where every detail, from the ingredients to the plating to the atmosphere, is so deliberately cared for. This isn't just a restaurant. It's a place where food tells a story. We'll be back.

    Cornbread, filled with cheese and corn kernels. Heavenly with honey butter

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    Good food well prepared and healthy. Great Margaritas w excellent Mescal! Service was also excellent!

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    Valley Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Valley Kitchen

    Do I need to be staying at the hotel/ranch to dine in here?

    No, but reservation is recommended

    Is this restaurant dog friendly...any outdoor drinks/dining?

    Yes

    View All 4 Questions

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    Lucia Restaurant & Bar

    Lucia Restaurant & Bar

    4.0
    (249 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    Holly is over the top in service…read more Lucia new chef is excellent The staff best servers in all the monterey area The restaurant is in a beautiful setting Try the the steaks Excellent High recommended

    Beautiful Ambience and Setting…read more Decent Service. Our server was a nice guy and helped with the menu selection. Good Food that was beautifully plated. - Bread service - I know it's just bread but damn this bread is a beautiful creation of dough and baked to perfection. - Harvest Vegetable Bisque is fantastic! And completely plant based so don't let the "bisque" in the name scare you away. - Red Abalone appetizer - don't bother as you don't get to taste the abalone. The brioche and sauce overpower the abalone... so all you taste is brioche and butter sauce. - The farm fowl is hearty and comforting. The quail is quite tender. Loved all the veg in the dish too. - Salmon was perfectly prepared... meaty yet tender. Sadly the low points.... outweigh what should have been a lovely dinner out. - We received our wine AFTER we were mostly done with our appetizers. We even waited to start enjoying our appetizers thinking our wine would be out at the same time. Since my soup was getting cold, I could not wait any longer and had 1 bite left when our wine finally showed up. - Our server seemed overtaxed. It appeared he was trying to help literally everyone from what I could tell and disappeared for long stretches of time. - The 1 mom (sitting at the table behind us) constantly telling her toddler to sit down (the toddler was actually quiet, it was the mom that was irritating). - The multi family, multi kid large table that sat in the middle of the patio (while not super noisy) was disruptive with the kids constantly walking around all the tables and going back and forth from the patio to the "outside" down the stairs by our table. Seriously... your kids don't care that you want to sit and drink and hang out... they want to move and play and be kids. Eat and then take them someplace else.

    Photos
    Lobby.  Beautiful and full of fresh flowers.
    Lobby. Beautiful and full of fresh flowers.
    Kids Plate
    Kids Plate
    Lucia restaurant. We dined outside on the patio.

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    Lucia restaurant. We dined outside on the patio.
    Covey Grill

    Covey Grill

    4.3
    (22 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Great service! Tasty food!…read moreLovely dining atmosphere! Our Server was a lovely man who was patient with me as I asked questions and went through my usual indecision and finally landing on Butternut squash soup followed by Branzino. The soup Hit The Spot! Vegetable based (so no cream).... This soup was incredibly satisfying. Of course I love me some soup so this hit all my comfort notes on a cool evening after wine tasting and gallivanting all day. The Branzino was perfectly prepared... Just falling off the skin and melting in my mouth. Hubs enjoyed his steak thoroughly! I got a small bike and thought it was quite good.... tender, meaty, good flavor not over seasoned so you can actually taste the beef... Perfect chew. It had texture and was not mushy. All in all, a wonderful dinner experience that I would go back to again.

    This is the restaurant inside the golf club " The Quail " . It opens daily for breakfast from 7 am…read moreto 10:30 am . We ordered latte and cappuccino coffee . It tasted great and the texture was smooth . I enjoyed the pretty ceramic cups and plates . Tables setting were very classic and they seated us on a table by the window. We could over look the pond with a bridge and fountains . There were a group of geese playing around in the morning. Food was great . We had the two eggs omelette with a choice of bacon , ham or sausage . Plating was beautiful. The country potatoes came with red potatoes and brown potatoes. The side salad with vinaigrette dressing was fresh and delicious. We got toasts with butter and jam . So much food and I could not finish . The lobby outside was nicely decorated with decorative details . We enjoyed it very much .

    Photos
    Covey Bar
    Covey Bar
    Covey Grill
    Covey Grill deck

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    Covey Grill deck
    Stokes Adobe

    Stokes Adobe

    4.5
    (391 reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $$$

    Truly enjoyed this place. It was a great experience…read more Well done. Service is outstanding.

    My family and I came to visit Monterey Bay for Mother's Day weekend and it was a nice and relaxing…read moredinner. We booked Stokes Adobe for table of 8 (including two small toddlers) They brought out little coloring paper & crayons which was super nice of them. We were seated in a private area which was nice since our two small toddlers like to walk around and it's less distraction. We did family style and ordered a bit of everything! Crispy potatoes: Love the carbs! The potatoes were crispy and delicious. The lemon truffle crema sauce was so yummy! Oysters: Definitely order half shell oysters! They were delicious! Hamachi: This was okay, nothing special to be honest sinc Mussels: This one was also delicious as well. It was made with white wine and tomato broth with butter, shallot, garlic. Beets salad: You can't go wrong with ordering a beet salad! The honey vinaigrette was delicious! Santa Cruz King Salmon: This dish was simple but tasty. The Meyer lemon sauce went well with the salmon. 12oz Pork chop: The meat was soft and easy to bite into. The cauliflower puree was delicious! Snake River American Wagyu: I thought the steak was okay. It was a bit too rare for me personally but my husband liked it! Brussels sprouts: Yummmm! Love the crispy Brussels sprouts. Overall service was great and the food was good. The only downside of the night was not getting the duck liver mousse toast. Not sure why the order went through when we mentioned in the beginning but hope to try it next time we're in town.

    Photos
    Inside, you can choose different rooms to sit in
    Inside, you can choose different rooms to sit in
    Crispy potatoes
    Crispy potatoes
    Duck terrine

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    Duck terrine
    Cafe Rustica

    Cafe Rustica

    4.2
    (666 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Went on a weekend to have lunch to celebrate my Mom's birthday. My parents have gone here multiple…read moretimes and love it! Great atmosphere & friendly staff. We sat outside as it was a lovely sunny day. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli, very flavorful & I enjoyed every bite! :) Well done chef! They even brought out a nice dessert for my Mom and sang Happy Birthday to her. Lovely staff & great food! My whole family was happy & enjoyed their meal. :)

    It has been awhile since I've dined at Cafe Rustica. Tonight I brought my family for dinner here…read more Although the food was solid as usual, the service tonight was excellent. Lauren was our server, and together with the young men supporting her, the experience was professional, attentive, and genuinely friendly. Food: Although not my choice, we started with the grilled eggplant napoleon (4/5) to share. This is a fresh solid appetizer, surprisingly yummy for an eggplant naysayer. I had the roasted half chicken (4/5). It was good, but nothing to brag about. My wife, daughter, and grandson all ordered pizzas. The Loraine, Dynamite, and a cheese pizza. They all enjoyed their pizzas. I'm still looking for my 'go to' dish at Cafe Rustica, but with such great service, I look forward to continuing my journey through the menu searching for that perfect dish, probably sooner than later.

    Photos
    Looking forward to sitting inside on our next visit!
    Looking forward to sitting inside on our next visit!
    Lorraine pizza!
    Lorraine pizza!
    Side patio

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    Side patio
    Tarpy's Roadhouse

    Tarpy's Roadhouse

    4.0
    (1.6k reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Tarpy's *never disappoints!…read more We held a memorial service here for my beloved in-laws. The staff went above and beyond. They set the room up beautifully and placed some extra tables out for us, which enabled us to play a video, display flowers and photos. The food was served at the perfect temperature and was plentiful. The staff was able to accommodate a group that was far larger than originally anticipated and they were kind enough to set up another large table. Unfortunately I didn't capture any recent photos but again Tarpy's has remained consistent. Thank you Tarpy's!

    NICK WAS NICE. Date…read morenight in Monterey. Heard they had great steak. 12oz New York steak was good. Double up on the truffle butter and use it on the side of potatoes. I was dipping everything in truffle butter. The fried artichoke hearts were great. It tastes like a mom and pop burgers fried zucchini's. That's not a bad thing if it's enjoyable. If you order the angus steak and the New York steak, they come with the best of both worlds for side dishes. I split the mashed potatoes from the angus steak and some broccolini from the New York steak. And it was a decent balance of protein, veggies and butter haha. Nick was a funny guy. He was friendly and there Every time we needed him. Didn't realize I had made reservations 45 minutes before closing time. We may have been the last couple in the restaurant but he didn't make us feel rushed.

    Photos
    New Fall Menu Addition: Haystack Maui
    New Fall Menu Addition: Haystack Maui
    New Fall Menu Addition: Crispy Dates
    New Fall Menu Addition: Crispy Dates
    New Fall Menu Addition: Roasted Beets and Poached Pear

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    New Fall Menu Addition: Roasted Beets and Poached Pear
    ROUX

    ROUX

    4.0
    (490 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$

    We had a great dinner at Roux this past weekend. The restaurant has been open and closed off and on…read morethe past years since Covid and we were happy to see it back open. We had the deviled eggs and the tuna tartare to start. Both dishes were very tasty and fresh. Our entrees were the Beef Bourguignon and the ribeye. The BB's short rib was fork tender and the mashed potatoes were the perfect texture. The ribeye was cooked medium-rare, as requested, with a lovely sauce. The asparagus on the side could have been cooked more, it was close to being raw. But the roasted potatoes were crispy on the outside, fluffy in the inside. We took off a star because while the fire in the fireplace was nice, there was a faint smell from what was burning and it was a bit unpleasant. We'd sit farther away from the fire next time. The server was very attentive and all in all, we're going back with more friends soon. We hope more people come and try Roux so they make it. CV village really needs a restaurant like this!

    First time to Roux and they didn't disappoint…read more Drink - Glass of sparkling rose each Starter - We shared the roasted Brussel sprouts Mains - My wife had the truffle fettuccine and I had the salmon on a bed of cauliflower risotto Desert - we could not make our mind up so ended up with both the lemon cheesecake and the crème brûlée I've attached pictures of all the dishes (literally) !.. you'll figure that piece out and how much we enjoyed them. I'd read up on the fan fav. French onion soup but was put off as someone said it was filling so skipped it .. After seeing it served at another table I was kicking myself but we will hopefully return for a lunch and will pray that's on the menu. Talking of menus, the only tiny gripe is the website had a menu that is out of date and the 2 dishes I really fancied were no longer available (lobster fettuccine and crab ravioli) .. please please could you update your website or the menu on Yelp or at the least take a photo of the new menu and delete the old ones as they are all 6+yrs old and I forgot to photograph it !. Anyhow, the ambience was great, service was faultless and food devine. Both my wife and I came away (from her birthday dinner) feeling we'd chosen really well with a sincere desire to return !. Thank you to the team for your obvious passion for food, there's lots of choices in the area and Roux stands tall in the valley of giants as a solid recommendation.

    Photos
    ROUX
    ROUX
    Wine Case in entry

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    Wine Case in entry
    Ad Astra Atelier

    Ad Astra Atelier

    3.9
    (25 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    I love this spot and have never been disappointed by either the food or the drinks. What really…read moresets it apart, though, is the people. The staff is genuinely friendly, welcoming, and engaged from the moment you walk in with a cheerful "Hi!" In a world where good customer service can be hard to find, this team gets it right. A special shout-out to Nicole, who makes the perfect drink every single time and always adds a bright touch to the experience. Great food, great drinks, plenty of parking, and wonderful people. It's absolutely worth the drive.

    It's a larger space than the one in Monterey, with tables to sit down to enjoy your baked goods and…read moredrinks. I walked in, immediately gravitated to the wall of bread, picked up a loaf, immediately put it back when I saw they had slabs of focaccia as well and got one of those instead. The other baked goods of the day were on display, so I got a piece of raspberry-iced olive oil cake and a slice of the pumpkin loaf. Will definitely be back - this is right down the road from a place we've been staying in Carmel Valley. Exciting to see this bakery in a quieter area that we happen visit every year. We'd definitely been getting our Ad Astra fix over the entire weekend: we had stopped by the other location the day before, and our friends who we stayed together with even brought some stuff from this one for us to try. But eager to see the place with my own eyes, I ventured out in the rain on our last morning in Carmel Valley. Excellent as always. We enjoyed the focaccia at home over the next few days; the cake and loaf piece were tender and moist.

    Photos
    Bread wall
    Bread wall
    Breakfast sando with bacon
    Breakfast sando with bacon
    Counter

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    Counter

    Valley Kitchen - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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