By Sallie Lewis By Sallie Lewis | October 19, 2023 | Lifestyle, Feature,
Even Carmel-by-the-Sea, the village that turns up its collective nose at the passage of time, experiences the occasional surge of change. And visitors should take note. From chic dining destinations to smart boutique hotels, Carmel’s additions offer even more layers of charm and allure.
Find West Coast fare at Foray, created by Colorado transplants Michael and Caroline Chang.
WHERE TO STAY
The Carmel Beach Hotel (carmelbeachhotel.com) debuted mere steps from the sea this summer. The property spans seven historic buildings renovated under the award-winning Mirabel Hotel & Restaurant Group (mirabelgroup.com). “We thought there was a place for a hotel that would be both casual and luxurious, with delicious food, a full bar and wine list, and a small spa and fitness studio,” says Mirabel’s CEO, David Fink. “We poured a lot of love into this.”
Salmon at Chez Noir
Whether the picnic basket breakfasts or the warm cookies at turn-down, guests benefit from the amenities from sunrise to sunset. The venue’s 26 guest rooms are calming, coastal-colored sanctuaries furnished with gas fireplaces, volcanic stone bathtubs and private decks meant for soaking in the piney air and crashing surf. Chef Justin Cogley, recruited from the Michelin-starred Aubergine restaurant at Mirabel’s sister property, L’Auberge Carmel (laubergecarmel.com), oversees the hotel’s Secoya restaurant. Look for exceptional seasonal fare. Grab a bite on the sunny patio, or head to the beach with a packed basket.
Chez Noir
Meanwhile, Avi Brosh of the hip hospitality group Palisociety (palisociety.com) unveiled two new properties this summer: Le Petit Pali at 8th Avenue (lepetitpali.com) and Le Petit Pali at Ocean Avenue. The nearly identical venues, 24 and 34 guest rooms, respectively, operate as intimate inns, with a whimsical English air expressed through layers of patterned textiles and vintage art. Guests will appreciate the rooms’ many modern luxuries, like Diptyque toiletries, Bellino fine linens and Marshall speakers, while the curated neighborhood guides and Linus bicycles invite outdoor exploration. Don’t miss the excellent on-property amenities, including the complimentary Champagne breakfasts and the stylish social hours featuring provisions from local purveyors.
The Carmel Beach Hotel debuted this summer—steps from the beach.
WHERE TO DINE
Lodging aside, Carmel’s reputation as a culinary destination continues to evolve and grow, thanks to a bevy of new, family-led businesses. Caroline and Michael Chang are the Colorado transplants behind Foray (forayrestaurant.com), a fine dining restaurant focused on foraged West Coast ingredients. The couple serves artful, elevated fare—think Dungeness crab ravioli and chicken with morels and nettle gnocchi—in an elegant dining room wrapped with reclaimed Monterey cypress.
Outdoor dining at the Carmel Beach Hotel
Meanwhile, another husband-wife-duo is making waves downtown. After years of working in some of the world’s most esteemed kitchens, including Per Se, Noma and Quince, chef Jonny Black and his wife, Monique, opened their first solo restaurant last October. The moniker Chez Noir (cheznoircarmel.com) is a playful tribute to the couple’s last name and their upstairs family residence. The cuisine at Chez Noir is a celebration of varied influences, from soulful southern cooking to French bistro fare and California’s local bounty. Between the savory skewers of Monterey Bay abalone to the sea bass crudo with heirloom cucumbers and nectarines, dinner at this newly minted Michelin-starred restaurant is a taste of Carmel’s finest.
Guest rooms at Carmel Beach Hotel feel both luxurious and casual.
Photography by: COURTESY OF FORAY; JOSEPH WEAVER; ERIN NG; RICK PHAROAH; RICK PHAROAH; BONJWINE LEE