Bistro Beaujolais offers alfresco dining in a lush garden atmosphere, plus a restaurant setting that surrounds guests with visual delights like hand- painted murals and outdoor seating around a fire pit on a heated patio. This French bistro offers light and flavorful influences of the Mediterranean in a number of tapas appetizers and main courses, from Beouf Bourguignon to French-style pizza. Meticulous attention to detail is present on every spectacular plate. Also offering an extensive wine list and full bar.

If you like being nestled among towering pines while enjoying ocean views and spectacular sunsets, or dining at romantic tables in cliffside Mediterranean cafes, da Giovanni is your place. Firok Shield and his daughter operate this family-owned restaurant with careful attention to detail and a love of hospitality, offering a fusion of recipes handed down from his grandmother, such as Insalata Greca or Osso Buco. It’s no wonder da Giovanni is one of the most highly recommended restaurants in Carmel.

When it comes to full-flavor California-Mediterranean cuisine, just one restaurant comes to mind: Bistro Giovanni, a signature Firok Shield restaurant with exceptional food, gorgeous murals adorning the walls, and unpretentious service. The chefs make tried-and-true recipes with a California twist, like slow-roasted short ribs that fall off the bone and Pasta Pescatore with mixed seafood, white wine, garlic, and fresh tomatoes over linguine. There’s a full wine list, but don’t forget to ask for the owner’s da Giovanni private-label bottles.