Carmel-by-the-Sea is a town known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history, and I have heard some people describe it as "a village in a forest overlooking a white sand beach".  I will admit that this has been my favorite city that I have lived in (other than my home town of Seattle), and I try to take every opportunity possible to walk into town to experience the culture.  Here are two of our (new) favorite places that we have discovered – and both are a must visit the next time you happen to be in Carmel!

Caraccioli Cellars Tasting Room

This place is kind of hidden, but worth finding in downtown Carmel. In fact, I really, really love this place.  Caraccioli serves old-world style wines, in a classic cellar with a contemporary twist. As far as prices in Carmel compare, I find the tasting fees here are very reasonable.  This is a family run establishment founded in 2006, and they are well known for their Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Brut Rose.  We always plan a visit to this tasting room every time we eat in town.

Basil Restaurant

Basil is a wonderful little restaurant!  It’s small and quaint and dining is available either inside or on their patio.  The restaurant is casual yet elegant, with just a little bit of trendy-ness added to it.  Their emphasis is on fresh, organic, and local ingredients and the portion sizes are perfect.

David had perfectly cooked Venison which was served over a beet puree, with roasted root vegetables, and German Spaetzle . I had a wonderfully cooked Salmon which was served over a celery root puree, with roasted root vegetables and mushrooms. The service was fantastic and the food was excellent.  There was no rush to get out of there which made for a very pleasant time, and sitting outside on the patio was a nice treat!