Nestled in the heart of ‘downtown’ Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll find the delightful restaurant Basil Seasonal Dining. Basil’s menu is based on seasonally available products, locally grown produce, and organic ingredients.
It has the distinction of being the first Certified Green Restaurant in Carmel. Basil is the essence of modern and creative California cuisine. While staying at the Hofsas House, we walked just a few short blocks to Basil for dinner. We chose the option of dining outside.
Basil Seasonal Dining, is also known as Basil Carmel, or simply Basil. Located in the Paseo San Carlos Courtyard, on San Carlos between Ocean & 7th, Basil has indoor and outdoor seating. In cooler weather heaters as well as blankets are available. Basil is also a dog friendly establishment.
The menu has many delicious options to choose from. Chef Soerke Peters has a ‘farm to table’ food passion and uses only local, organic, sustainable and free range ingredients. And all ingredients are hormone and antibiotic free. The seafood options are local and fresh daily.
We chose to start with Fresh Sourdough Bread with Basil Dipping Sauce.
The Winter Greens Salad has pear, pine nuts, and goat cheese and is served with an apple cider vinaigrette dressing. Vegans can order without goat cheese, as Cathi did.
The Vegan Cauliflower Soup can be enjoyed by vegans and non vegans alike. Delicious!
Grilled to perfection, the Pork Chop with Huckleberry-Apple compote, rutabaga-potato mash and Russian kale was very tasty. Cathi ordered the brightly colored Vegan Roasted Vegetable Plate and was very good about sharing, although reluctantly. That’s how much she liked it!
At the end of a perfect evening meal, we enjoyed two different desserts: Blood Orange and Pomegranate Seasonal Fruit Sorbet with Raspberries and Mint …
… and Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Mint. Both were incredible!
~ The Nitty Gritty:
Basil Seasonal Dining (or Basil Carmel, or Basil)
Location: San Carlos Between Ocean & 7th, Carmel By The Sea, CA
Type: Organic, local, sustainable & free range ingredients without any hormones or antibiotics. Vegan selections are available. Basil is the first and only Certified Green Restaurant in Carmel and known for its modern and creative California cuisine.
Reservations: Basil is small with limited inside seating capacity; outside dining also available. Reservations are required, especially on weekends: 831.626.8226
Open For: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch
Hours: Mon – Thu 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM | Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM | Sun 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Chef/Owner: Soerke Peters
General Manager/Owner: Denis Boaro
Vibe: Relaxed Fine Dining
Children: Yes, children are welcome. There were several children dining while we were there.
Pets: Basil is dog friendly
Bar: No, but there is a specific Cocktails & Beer menu along with Basil’s Wine List, offering 50 different selections, all from local wineries
A la carte price range: $5 – $28, with some selections at Market Price (MP)
Website: Basil
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I love flourless chocolate cake. I’ve never had it with mint, that sounds interesting.
Scott says
Being in Iowa, pork speaks to us. This one looks VERY good – too bad it is so far away!
Maureen says
This looks like an elegant yet simple place to eat. I love that they have some amazing food to choose from, loving what you enjoyed on this trip!
Ellen Christian says
That sounds like a beautiful spot for dinner. Love the menu options!
Shauna Torres says
Oooh, I love sour dough. Now, this sounds like my type of place to dine. IT looks amazing with some great choices. Thanks so much for sharing.