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California Market Restaurant Review
Make a reservation at Pacific's Edge
Lauren and I spent a leisurely hour and a half filled with soft Pacific breezes,
sunshine and wonderful conversation. I could have stayed for the rest of the
afternoon! This is a place that you should definitely not pass up if you are
in the area. And if you happen to miss the lunch hour, stop by for dinner.
But make absolutely certain that if the sun is beginning to set, you are
headed for the Sunset Lounge. Here you can enjoy one of the finest displays
of color that nature has to offer. Share some conversation and a glass or
two of wine. Perhaps you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the rare
"green flash" as the sun disappears into the Pacific Ocean.
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One of the things that I enjoy the most in life is food, and I
especially enjoy it when I can eat outside. Just a few miles south of Carmel
– on a hill, high above the Pacific Ocean – is a place called the
Park Hyatt Highlands
Inn. It a marvelous venue at which to spend some time and enjoy some
incredible views of the ocean while dining at the Inn’s California Market.
Recently I had the opportunity to do just that. It was about 11:30 am on a
drop-dead gorgeous day with a clear and bright blue sky; the temperature was
in the mid 70’s. We were seated at a small table right next to the railing
on the outside porch that came complete with a view to the west and the
exquisite azure blue beauty of the Pacific Ocean. There were binoculars on the
table to use in the event that any whales might swim past; it was close to
the end of their migration back to the north.
The tone was set with a pair of perfectly chilled Grey Goose martinis, served
straight up and happy to float a small twist of lemon rind. The menu was
brimming with mouth-watering items and I had difficulty choosing the perfect
compliment for the occasion. It was the Ahi tuna Nicoise that finally got the nod;
it was appropriately
joined by the selection of an artichoke in a marvelous duo of presentations:
deep-fried and steamed. The medium-rare Ahi was plentiful and surrounded by
myriad greens, cherry tomatoes, baby artichokes, hard-boiled eggs and green
beans, topped with red onions. The ‘chokes were accompanied by a pair of
dipping sauces. One was a mildly piquant chipotle pepper dip; the other a
spiced mayonnaise. The table could only be considered complete were one to
include the warm basket of sourdough bread and olive oil with balsamic
vinaigrette – which was actually served first, with the martinis.