Bistro Moulin

My girlfriend and I visited this place last week and I’m writing in from FL! Dining at this place was truly an experience. Not only was the entire staff extremely welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu, but the food was remarkable! Every ingredient seemed to be hand selected to craft the perfect symphony of flavors. The scallops appetizer was amazing - hands down the best either of us have ever had! I had the chefs special with grouper (catch of the day) and my girlfriend had the filet! 5 stars isn’t enough! We will be back!

I read a lot of reviews, was a huge fan of the escargot!! & The gnocchi was phenomenal!!!!!!! Loved these dishes... Highly recommend these appetizer. Would not get the wild boar ragu again. Service was amazing!!! Family owned and well taken care of. Dessert special was mediocre had the ice cream puff balls and was not something I would get again.

Wow, what an amazing experience at this little gem of a restaurant. We started with the scallop appetizer which was to die for, and moved onto the peach and arugula salad, which was equally delicious. Then for our main, we chose the seafood risotto, which had some of the best flavors we’ve had in a while, even the desserts were delectable. This is a family run establishment that is producing some of the best food we’ve ever had, and thats saying something because we are huge foodies. If you’re in the Monterey area stop by and support this wonderful little restaurant.

Delicious French food I had the spinach gnocchi and onion soup … very good And the profiteroles 👌

An unassuming European bistro with beautifully-done dishes that will leave your senses delighted and your belly happy! Every dish that we had was delicious — escargot, FOS, lasagna (special,) gnocchi, profiteroles (special,) and Pistachio cake — and we couldn’t stop raving about the lovely, airy texture of the handmade Italian gnocchi and the deep richness of each of the dishes that we tried. A favorite now in the area, that every local should try! The owners, Frederico and Sabrina were such gracious and beautiful hosts, and they made us, and every guest in the restaurant, feel as if we were treasured family coming together for a meal. A must-eat-at establishment!

I wish I could have rated the food higher! More on that later. On arrival we were warmly greeted and offered a couple of different seating options. Choosing to sit by the window looking out over the street and passing parade. We decided on champagne to start with and being a little warmer than my preference we tried a glass light French rose whilst the champers chilled. We ordered scallops and the salmon ceviche for starters. Both excellent and quite large serves. For mains we had the fish and steak. I’m a huge carnivore and the steak was as good of a it better than I’ve had anywhere in the world! Yes I know this is a big statement but it’s true! Of course we had a glass of Pinot noir and a white to accompany both dishes. Staff attentiveness was great without being OTT. We dined here about 5 years ago. It was good then but is awesome now!

We were searching for a place to have dinner after 8pm in Monterey, not easy… luckily we drove by this gem and they welcomed us with open arms. Very friendly owners and the pasta is truly like in Italy. A must if you are a food lover!

Went to have our 10th year wedding anniversary dinner. Our waiter was super nice and knowledgeable. She suggested us a very good wine (probably one of the best wines we've had) to go with our dishes. We were seated right away when we got there, it was around 5:30pm. We were asked if we wanted still or frizz, we chose frizz (san pellegrino) -- NOT FREE! We then ordered our delicious appetizer (smoke salmon carpaccio with capers). Make sure you use the lemon zest it was bomb! The bread they served was fresh and delicious! I got pasta with truffles, and my husband ordered the cannelloni tartufi (it's a filled pasta with beef tenderloin, ricotta, truffle, and pink vodka sauce) so.good. ! We finished it up with a delicious chocolate sorbet dessert. French food never disappoints. The ambiance is great! We never ran out of wine in our glass. Our waitress was very attentive, i wish i got her name. She deserves a raise! Overall, we had a great time. A must try! P.S. i had a great time doing my own fancy food plate art. 😉 the last 4 photos are the real plate. 🙂🙃

Although we have been to Monterey many, many times, Bistro Moulin had somehow escaped our notice. That was a HUGE mistake... Thanks to a new friend, we had the opportunity to visit this lovely little cafe for the first time. We were greeted by Chef Federico and his wonderful team, welcoming us into this cozy spot, perfect for a date night or an intimate dinner with friends and family. The menu is a combination of French and Italian dishes, all prepared with love and care. From the Prosecco to the starters, salads to mains and finally dessert and cappuccinos... nothing should be missed. As a former manager and server, I appreciated the hospitality and promptness that transformers a dinner into an experience. The entire wait staff was responsive and knowledgeable, but it was Federico whose personal attention really elevated our whole experience. When you go to a place like Bistro Moulin, you have that special joy of anticipating your next visit before you've finished your first. There are so many dishes that must be sampled, so many lovely drinks to be drunk. My recommendation is to just relax and let Chef Federico guide your experience. If you're not sure where to start or whether you'll get a second chance, make sure to have the lasagna (if available), it is the quintessence of quality and comfort. The gnocchi is also a decadent delight. Thinking about it now, I'm already planning our return. Bon appétit!

Do not skip this place!! If you're in Monterey and have the chance to make a reservation here, do it!! Family owned and operated, small restaurant with the coziest atmosphere and the most delicious meals. My friend and I were visiting and found this gem and came for dinner, and were so glad we did. I didn't take pictures of my friends dish, but she got the short rib and thought it was delicious. We shared the escargot, and I had the most delicious seafood risotto that I could not stop eating. Go go, the owners are Italian and so kind.

Small restaurant with a nice homey feel. The service friendly and cordial, but on the slow side. Many times, we were either ready to order or ready to pay the bill and the staff walked by or stood there without acknowledging our needs. But this could be because they have a "not in a rush, relax and enjoy your experience & food slowly" mentality. In terms of food, I believe they underwent a change in ownership a few years ago and now the food is more Italian than French. 1. French Onion Soup (5/5) A true classic - the soup was not too sweet from the caramelized onions, yet it was full of richness, and the oh so gooey cheese was slightly crispy from being baked and at the same time, melty when mixed with the hot soup. One of the best french onion soups I have had. 2. Pappardelle al Cinghiale (5/5) Wild boar ragu topped with parmigiano reggiano on a bed of ribbon stye pasta. The wild boar was very mild in taste, not gamey at all. Noodles were very chewy and cooked well. The rage tomato sauce was very well balanced and not too tart or sweet. The dish was very, very satisfying. 3. Gnocchi aux Epinard (4.5/5) Their spinach gnocchi with parmesan cream sauce. I felt the gnocchi was bit too soft, as I prefer it more chewy, but my partner loved it as she prefers them soft, so I guess it depends on your preference. The parmesan cream sauce was deliciously creamy and cheesy ... great for dipping the dry complimentary baguette in. 4. Risotto Pescatore (4.5/5) A seafood risotto dish where they were not skimpy on the seafood. The dish had a well-balanced flavor, and the creaminess the risotto was there, but could been more creamy. 5. Special Dessert of the Day - Cream Puff (3/5) Comes with 5 puffs with whip cream and chocolate drizzles on top. Honestly, we it was nothing special. It tasted like Costco's cream puffs, but maybe a tad less sweet. 6. Ricotta Pistachio Cake (4/5) Basically, it is a layer of ricotta cream and pistachio cream separated by a layer of sponge cake topped with crushed pistachios and dusted with powdered sugar. I appreciate the good amount of pistachio bits in the cake as it added more pistachio flavor (but not overwhelming) and a bit of crunch to the texture, which otherwise, is just light, airy, silky, and creamy. The ricotta is very light and creamy. It was very enjoyable, especially with a cup of cappuccino 7. Pinot Grigio (5/5) Fruity, crisp, and clean taste. Goes well with any of their dishes, especially seafood. Overall, a good experience if you want a laid back environment to enjoy your dinner with a special someone. I would give it a 4.5/5, but since I cannot do decimals, I rounded it up.

The food is AMAZING! The owners, Federico and Sabrina hail from Capri, in the south of Italy. Federico is a 30 year proven chef on the Monterey peninsula and a sommelier. We were having a wide variety of dishes and needed his expertise to choose a wine (115) that would go well will all. It was perfect! The Day boat scallops on the appetizer menu can be shared because they are so rich. The French onion soup was superb! My husband's steak a poive was the best he's ever had. The dessert with chocolate hazelnut gelato with zabiagone was decadent. The ambiance is French Bistro style and the art work is reflective of the food's origin, French and Italian. We'll be back.

Came here for dinner and this place was not quite a 4 star place. After hearing the specials I got excited about the seafood risotto and it fell short drastically. It did not taste like a risotto at all. It was not al dente at all. The seafood was cooked well but other than that it was very disappointing. It also needed something to give it the freshness. Tasted much like a cioppino minus the stew. The fish of the day was also ok. It could use a bit more citrus and the risotto on this dish was also not cooked well. We did enjoy the escargot. It was buttery and garlicky and the snail itself were so tender. Wish we ordered more it. It was nice to have the bread to go along with the escargot. Service was good and friendly. The ambiance was nice and quiet.

Bistro Moulin is another new restaurant to me. We've driven past more times than I can count, but finally made a reservation to dine in before a member event at the Monterey Aquarium. I wish my pictures were better because they do not do the food justice. First impressions - looks like a little French cafe from the outside. It's small, but welcoming and cozy inside. There are white tablecloths on each table with a small kitchen area separating the two main dining areas. We were warmly welcomed and seated quickly. The staff was extremely friendly and professional. While Vanessa was our main server, others cleared plates and made sure we had fresh plates and silverware for each course. Great teamwork! This was definitely a splurge experience, mostly because we wanted to try a variety of their offerings. Prices definitely reflected great food in a touristy environment, but the food and atmosphere were anything but touristy. Portions were generous so we could have gotten away with an appetizer or two and sharing an entree, but instead we took. Home our delicious leftovers. We started with the French Onion Soup, probably the best I've had in quite a while. Classic onion soup with the croutons and cheese. The onion and broth had a slight sweetness to it that was reminiscent of a touch of brandy. Delicious and comforting on a slight chilly Friday evening. We also decided to try the Carpaccio. Theirs was done with cured beef rather than raw. It had the texture and saltiness of prosciutto, topped with Dijon mustard, peppery arugula and shaved parmigiana. A couple of slices of lemon to drizzle was all that was needed to complete the flavor profile. This dish went so well with the Burgundy wine that Vanessa recommended. For entrees, I chose one of the specials - the Beef Bourguignon. The beef was braised in red wine with carrots, onions and mushrooms and served atop potato purée. It was fall apart tender and so delicious. Marty chose the Cannelloni Tartufi, baked pasta filled with beef tenderloin, ricotta & truffle topped with pink vodka sauce. He enjoyed it quite a bit, but thought it was bit heavy on the garlic. My taste (I love garlic) was delicious. While we were so full and could not finish our meals (yay leftovers!), we decided to share a dessert and enjoy an after dinner espresso. While the dessert menu was tempting, Vanessa raved about the dessert brought in by the owner - a light cream cake with a crumbly crust and topping served with a tart raspberry chocolate smear and fresh fruit. Delicious! I highly recommend a stop. This is definitely a special occasion stop if you order as many items as we did. However, portions are generous and we could have easily gotten away with splitting one or two apps and an entree, making the whole visit more affordable. Bottome line, the food was delicious, the service was first class and we will return!

Found this gem walking from the parking lot to the aquarium. Very cute from the outside so decided to book a reservation. I could not have been happier with our entire dining experience. Pleasant greeting from owner when we arrived. Warm and inviting decor. Lovely menu with some amazing specials. We ordered the gnocchi, coq au vin, steak, Cesar salad and the pistachio cake. All were fantastic. We will definitely be returning. This is a must on your list for dining in Monterey!

If you find yourself somewhat frustrated and angry because for two years now they've canceled our salmon season and you haven't been able to fish salmon out of Monterey and hence been denied the excuse for visiting local restaurants I've got just the place for you. The Bistro Moulin is a wonderful little European bistro located only block or two from the Monterey Bay aquarium with wonderful parking and easy access. You will be greeted by the owners wife at the door and made to feel like family. The whole staff was efficient, attentive without being overly intrusive. The food is a synthesis of Italian and French provincial dishes. We had a beautiful plate of mussles and frites to start with. I had the Duck confit and my wife a beef cannelloni in a wonderful tomato and cheese sauce. The wine list is adequate for a small bistro and the wines were very good and reasonably priced. I still think that $35 corkage is a bit much however I think the days of 15 or $20 corkage fees are gone forever. All in all we had a great dinner and I highly recommend this place.

I am finding reviews I had missed to complete, so this one is from a visit a few years back. We were passing through Pacific Grove and figuring out something for dinner. It was between seafood or French. We were happy to find this little spot. We did not have reservations and they were only seating half their dining room, but it was not a problem. They seated us at a quiet, intimate table for two. Our food server started us off with a complimentary taste of what I might call a carrot hummus. Unfortunately, I missed what she had said, but it was delicious. We shared the betteraves rôties (roasted beets salad) and ordered from Chef's suggestions menu, boeuf bourguignon (boneless short ribs) and poisson du marché (filet of sole) and the suggested wine pairing with each entree. All of our food was well prepared and delicious. We were quite satisfied with our portions, even had room for dessert. We chose their homemade tiramisu which was a nice end to a lovely meal. Service was attentive, everyone was friendly and professional. So happy for this find, and will keep it in rotation whenever we visit the area.

We have enjoyed this place for years. A month ago. I was relieved after reading some of the horror show reviews. Our food was so good on a Saturday evening that I arranged to return for a Monday dinner, 48 hours later. I even had their excellent Chicken entree again. Totally satisfying food and service. A week ago, we had a disappointing experience. The Frito Misto, the chicken and the Lamb chops all seemed overcooked. There were a few other off notes as well. (Our companions' Risotto and Wagyu ribeye were excellent.) Rather than calling it all out on Yelp, I emailed the restaurant with a detailed description. Less than two hours later, on a Sunday morning, the owner wrote back, apologizing for the disappointments, and made a very generous offer. That kind of commitment to customer satisfaction reinforced my strong belief in giving the restaurant a fair shot at making things right, rather than telling the world your issues before you've told the management. These are human endeavors, and mistakes do happen. We brought more companions this past Saturday and all four of us were very satisfied with the delicious food (Duck Confit, Mussels, Chicken, Canneloni) and the warm and professional service. We'll be back!

This place is pet friendly and the staff are very kind. The lighting indoors is nice and the decorations are quite homely. The staff gave my dog her own little bowl of food and water for free. The appetizers and salads were delicious, but the entrees were a bit odd. The gnocchi was a bit chewy and the fettucine was quite dry. The desserts were good. I wouldnt come here as you could get better food for the price they set, which is very high.

Bistro Moulin has been one of our favorite spots in Monterey for the last 5 years. Unfortunately we were unaware that the restaurant changed ownership prior to our recent dinner and we were very dissatisfied with the experience and will not be returning. The pommes frites were the best french fries on the peninsula and unfortunately are off the menu. The Cannelloni which was always a home run was still on the menu, but was a huge disappointment as the recipe was changed, and smothered in overpowering tomato sauce. My wife ordered the seafood pasta which was served with rotten muscles. The odor of the rotting muscles was evident when they set the plate on the table. We informed our server who brought the dish to the cook and then the owner. The server apologized, and we understand mistakes are part of life and ordered the Rigatoni which was very average . Neither the chef nor the owner aproached us to apologize, which I thought was odd as the owner was standing at the-hostess stand 10 feet away from out table. When we got the billed I was shocked that they had charged my wife for the rigatoni she ordered after serving her rotten muscles. After discussing my concerns with the server she did comp my wife's entree but I am surprised we had to ask. If you do decide to parton Bistro Moulin I hope you have a better experience than us.

Had a delicious dinner, starting with escargot, so good with the butter, garlic and hazelnuts. Wife enjoyed her duck confit and I devoured the sea bass, wrapped up with creme brûlée with a port as we dined outside on a cool night - surprising find since it's off of Cannery Row (back one street on Wave) and only restaurant in that area.

Came here on a Friday evening with a reservation. The place was busy but no wait needed for walk in. The ambiance and service were great, and it reminded me of my time back in Europe. We chose to have the mussels and fries as a starter, followed by Pappardelle Chinghiale and Pappardelle Funghi for our entrees. The food tasted great, but what lowered the stars for us were an intense bout of food poisoning. Unfortunately, much pain followed. We don't know the exact culprit, but we suspect it was the creaminess of the funghi dish. We hope for a better experience for everyone else though.

Used to be our favorite place... but not anymore. 1. The mussels were not fresh and smelled really bad, some of them did not even opened. When we spoke with the owner, she didn't apologize and kept arguing, insisting, "No way they are not fresh. Our mussels are fresh caught every day." She didn't take it seriously, neither smelling dish herself to check out nor checking with the kitchen. 2. The burrata salad we ordered was missing balsamic pearls. The waitress didn't mention this and still served the dish. When we pointed it out, she casually said, "Oh, we are out of balsamic pearls today," and brought us a small plate of vinegar. We felt neglected as guests, really not a pleasure experience will not recommend to friends.

Warm and welcoming customer service from the moment we arrived, excellent recommendations on wine and food plus a surprisingly delicious salmon carpaccio (only because I'm not a big fan of raw salmon.. perhaps now a convert!) lovely almond flour chocolate dessert that topped off this delightful dinner. Highly recommend

Bistro Moulin just keeps going from strength to strength from vegetables to seafood to fish across appetizers and main courses. This place is special! Very finessed food with spot on concepts and execution. We had onion soup, gnocchi, agnolotti, fish and duck and a wonderful creamy pistachio dessert and left so pleased!

I have fond memories of this restaurant (and the sushi place that was here before, that I used to go to I was a child) and I went back to Bistro Moulin for the first in 10 years recently. Unfortunately, our service was sub par. We didn't get served bread or the special complimentary appetizer from the chef that the other tables received. Also, when we asked for bread shortly before the food arrived the waitress seemed to be aware we didn't get bread and begrudgingly brought some as the entrees were arriving. The canelones were good, the appetizers good. The steelhead trout was unimaginative and not what I expected and tasted like the typical salmon i make once a week at home - I would not recommend as it costs $50. Would recommend Gusto, Café Rústica or Patria in Salinas as they have the same quality of food and are a lot cheaper and don't have waiters that serve some tables bread and complimentary appetizers and do not do so to other tables.

Attentive service along with fresh, clean, beautiful food that satisfies the palate and the soul. This is the best kept secret in Monterey. Highly recommend Bistro Moulin.

Recently came here with some friends. Everything we tried was very high quality and the portions were generous. All of us loved our apps, entrees, and dessert! The owner and staff were also so kind and attentive, and the ambiance inside and outside of the restaurant were beautiful. You may assume that this place might be a tourist trap since it's right next to the aquarium but that couldn't be further from truth and it's a must try if you're in the area.

Had a lovely evening with friends at Bistro Moulin last night. The four of us were excited to try the restaurant because we hadn't been since it had changed hands in April. We were delighted to see that our favorite waitress, Vanessa, was still there to provide excellent service and who is always willing to suggest the perfect wine when asked. The menu still offers some delicious French items from the prior owners and has added some scrumptious additions; some with an Italian flare. Our table shared and enjoyed a couple of generous dinner salads; followed by gnocchi, seafood risotto, fish, and scallops with fettuccine. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals and actually finished! Perfect. Too full for dessert, but finished our dinner with their yummy ice wine. By the way, we also met the owners, Sabrina who seated us and checked on all her guests throughout the evening and Frederico, who is also the fabulous Bistro Moulin chef.

I'm sad to report that after many years this place has gone way downhill. You can see my past reviews. We went recently and ordered mussels. The smell was not great.. It might be natural but I think it reflected the quality of the shellfish. Anyhow that was bad but also the service was not great and the restaurant was nearly empty. I sadly won't be recommending this place.

Very solid spot. Owners are a friendly husband and wife duo that work the tables. Incredibly friendly and attentive service. Steak special was a bit small and overdone but everything else was on point (chicken dish, Caesar salad and frites). There's plenty of street parking. I don't care about interior decor but it's white table cloth and immaculate/clean. I recommend trying this spot. My only regret was not ordering the French onion soup.

I have lived in Monterey my whole life and only just found this restaurant! Amazing attentive service and somehow the food was even better! Highly recommend we will be back

This is the place to go to for a romantic, private, homey atmosphere. We were greeted by Chef Federico (owner) who shared the evening's specials. We went with his recommendations and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed dipping fresh bread and small biscuits into olive oil from Tuscany. Our starter was French onion soup. Our main plates were peach arugula salad and the fish of the day, Alaskan halibut. We finished the night with a dessert made by his wife Sabrina (general manager). It was not on the menu but it looked like cream puffs. We also got a free sorbet In celebration of our anniversary. Everything was superb. The individualized attention at each table by this power couple was inspiring. We'd love to come back for more.

We went here for the first time last night and had an incredible time! I had the gnocchi and my husband had the pappardelle and a friend had the carbonara. Everything was delicious! We finished with the coppa and the pistachio cake dessert. The quantities were generous and the wine was great too. We loved the service, the ambience, and the meal. We'll definitely be back!

Every bite was incredible, the service was top notch, and the ambiance was lovely! It is an easy walk from the Monterey Aquarium.

Conveniently located within a few minutes of the aquarium. And a nice ambience especially with the outdoor tables. We ordered the burger, the Salade niçoise, the special margarita pizza& the frito misto. The Frito Misto was excellent with the seafood right from the Monterey bay! The pizza crust was undercooked and left much to be desired. The Salade niçoise had fresh vegetables with the lettuce perfectly dressed with the right amount of dressing and a generous serving of tuna. The burger was a bit over cooked with a thick slice of bacon. We personally found the accompanying French fries crunchy and tastier than the burger. Average price per person was about $25.

What an incredible find!!! 10/10 stars!!! Needed a birthday dinner on short notice and this wonderful little restaurant came through. It's a small place but that totally lends to the atmosphere (kudos), if the other patrons all spoke French you'd swear you were in France. We ordered the Red Chowder and Escargot as appetizers and both were done beautifully. The soup was rich and flavorful and the escargot garlicky and buttery. Off to an amazing start!! Our entrees were the sea bass and the Osso Bucco. Now let me tell you, both my fiancée and I have plenty of delicious meals but this dinner was absolutely next level. Every bite was just an absolute pleasure to the point that it made us eat with care. Every bite was savored and discussed. We were truly taken aback at our own reactions to just how great this meal was. We finished with the tiramisu and two cappuccinos which then led to a long meandering stroll through Cannery Row to digest and talk. I truly believe that we will eat here every time we visit Monterrey.

5 Stars service and excellent food! The Chef is a real Master! Very worm place and beautiful location!

We got the Spinach Gnocci, Escargot, Fish of the Day, and Cantelloni. Everything was amazing! What completed this meal was the wonderful and genuine staff! We'll def be going here every time we visit Monterey!

We discovered this wonderful chef owned and operated restaurant in Monterey. The French & Italian oriented food with fresh local ingredients is outstanding - from the appetizers to the home made desserts! The lamb lollipops, scallops, seafood, fresh salads, and delicious desserts have made us return over and over again. The restaurant is open only for dinner (pity), and has crisp white table cloths. The service is excellent - especially Natalie. Kudos to Chef Federico and Pastry Chef Sabrina! Love your food!

It is with great sorrow, but my civic duty, to report Bistro Moulin is gone 7/14/2023. It is Now a pasta joint posing under Didier's Great French cooking with Local Ingredients restaurant name Bistro Moulin. No More Bastille days. They don't even try. Specifics, (1) I tried an easy Filet aux Povre and recieved a tough steak with overloaded peppercorn Demiglace. the chef didn't even read a recipe $50 out the window. (2) No Local fish! Alaska, Norway and Japan sources named, No Monterey Bay sourced fish! Order Spaghetti, or better yet try Louie Linguini and have more options. This place sucked and was $$$$$, two entrees and wine $225 I hope Didier is on the French Riviera, retired with a smile over a great sale! As for Ambience, The french is gone. Moulin means Windmill and the new cheap decor. Not creative enough or honest enough to rename it. Avoid!

Quaint, intimate and friendly place - perfect for a date night. This restaurant was the one we chose to celebrate our 20th anniversary and it was the perfect choice. The food was spectacular and the service exceptional. Would love to give this more than five stars! FOOD: From beginning to end the food was exceptional. The onion soup was the best I've had (and I've had good French onion soup in France). The bread was light and crusty. The cannelloni was different but extremely good with a wonderful sauce. The escargot was buttery and flavorful as it should be. And the chocolate mousse was wonderful. Third best I've had. And I've had a lot. The duck was good but could have used a bit more flavor. Overall amazing meal. SERVICE: Exceptional! Our server was excellent and knowledgeable as well as friendly and engaging. The whole staff was friendly and they obviously had many regulars. COST: Well worth it! Sure it's a bit pricey but worth every penny! We will be back.

Overall, it was a pretty mediocre experience, especially when considering the price. Service: The service at the front was great as we were seated, but our server was very unfriendly and borderline insulting at times. She was not a fan of any questions or pleasantries, and we got the feeling she hated her job. Food: The food was decent but again not as great as the prices would indicate. It's been a few weeks since our meal and there is nothing notable I can remember about the food, which is not a good thing when you're paying $40 a plate. Wine: The wine list was decent, with an obvious leaning towards classic French varietals and winemakers. In my opinion the flavors did not match the price, but I also tend to prefer California reds. Your mileage may vary here if you prefer old world wines. Ambience: Spot on! They really nailed the feel of a cozy French bistro. Overall: There aren't any other alternative French restaurants in the area, so they're really taking advantage of all the tourists who want a fancy French dining experience. If you're looking for upscale European fare, I'd recommend Fandango or Osteria Al Mare instead.

I went here for dinner with family and overall, it was a good experience. It was a small restaurant with outdoor seating that is heated. You will need to call ahead and get a reservation, because it gets packed. The restroom was not clean. I had the spinach gnocchi, the seasonal salad, fries w/ garlic aioli & crème brûlée. Everything I had was extremely decadent and perfectly made. I recommend this place. Price: $250 (for six people, including tip)

I love this place. Every time we are in the area we come to this restaurant. The servers are always friendly and the food is delicious. We had the gnocchi and the mushroom pasta and it was to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's so good.

We came here for my birthday dinner. The food was mediocre. The escargot didn't have much flavor. The Caesar salad was good. The Risotto barely had any Risotto at all. The mussels weren't anything special. I'm really upset about the service. The waitress reached over me without asking to help pour my coke. Instead she fumbled and poured the entire drink all over my lap, the table, the floor and even splashed my sister next to me. Instead of being apologetic, she tried to blame me for telling her my drink was still full and that I didn't want it poured. Ruined my entire dinner as my shirt, pants and underwear were soaking. The waitress proceeded to tell me that she only pour a little and lucky that my clothes were black. She poured an almost full can all over me! She then joked to someone else at my table about pouring something on them. Definitely not funny. They didn't discount my food or even give me my drink free. As we were leaving I also make sure to tell her that I was still soaking. Then, she gave my daughter a scoop of sorbet. Will never come here again. Worse service ever! And, blamed me for her mistake!

Great! My husband and I had less than great experiences with French food in the past but this place made up for all of that. We will definitely be coming back. We even got dessert and left stuffed!

What a treat, initially I was concerned as I'm a vegetarian but they had several wonderful options. My favorite was the eggplant parm which was a special the night we dined, it was spectacular! My husband had the halibut which he said was the best he has had. The service and cozy ambience really made it a great spot for locals. I almost forgot the pistachio cake was incredible!!! We will be back!

Came here with some friends recently and had a wonderful meal! I ordered the fish of the day, it was perfectly cooked, and the risotto it came with was out of this world. The staff was incredibly friendly and gave us wonderful recommendations for apps and entrees to order. I will be back next time I'm in Monterey and will be dreaming of that risotto until then. I highly recommend eating here, you won't be disappointed.

Overall the food here is flavorful and delicious! I ordered the following: 1. spinach gnocchi: 3.5/5 - this was highly reviewed & rated on yelp, and the cheese sauce is indeed pretty good, but I thought it was a bit overhyped. 2. mussels w/ fries: 5/5 - the steamed mussels were EXCELLENT; the white wine sauce that they were soaked in was delicious!!! I would definitely order this one again. It comes with fries & garlic aioli, which were alright. The mussels were tender, juicy, and flavorful. 3. french onion soup: 4/5 - this soup had great flavor. 4. cannelloni: 4/5 - this baked pasta dish was pretty good but not amazing. It was worth a try but not sure I would order it again 5. creme brulee: 4/5 - I shared this, it's nice & creamy!

Federico has done it again! We came on a Saturday evening and was immediately greeted by the friendly staff and incredible aroma of food. We started out dinner with escargot and I got halibut for dinner, It perfectly prepared! Great ambience and the food is AMAZING! I highly recommend you check it out!

The food was good, but over cooked. Ordered the rib eye, medium rare and it was served medium. My daughter ordered the fresh fish and enjoyed it. The seating and overall ambiance is quite nice, lighting was just right. It was good until a little kid started banging on the table and yelling several times (parents sitting right there). The table service was outstanding. I had been a regular customer for several years, that is when we come up from Los Angeles about three or four times a year. Here is my disappointment, my brother had given me a gift card to Bistro Moulin because we would go so often. Well, with the change of ownership they choose not to honor the gift card. I really used to enjoy going there, but after this experience I will not be going back. My loyalty to Bistro Moulin meant nothing and that left a bad taste in my mouth. There are many other restaurants in Monterey, I have others where I am appreciated.

New owner and Chef with more extensive wine list and offerings. Ambience was comfortable and inviting. Looking forward to trying some of the new items on the menu. I'll be back.

This is THE place for French Onion soup. I never order it, but something about this cold, damp and slightly foggy night told me to. Delicious and now I'm going to have to find a way to make this at home. I also ordered the Cannelloni Tartufo and hubby had the duck confit. Both dishes were 5/5 perfect. Great service. Cute dining room - very cozy and romantic. The walk from our hotel at the Monterey Plaza was an easy 10 minutes. Overall, I think Bistro Moulin is a wonderful and unpretentious place in Monterey.

Small, intimate, inviting and wonderful food. What a treat! We went there with some friends that live in the area and I can see why it's one of their favorite restaurants. When we were aware immediately see the little table by the front window, which was a little bit tight but it made it cozier. They brought out toast with an amazing carrot garlic purée complementary, as they opened our two bottles of wine. Reed and I shared this amazing salad that was light and very pretty and I'm not even sure what all was in it but I ate it all. Our friend ordered the potato gnocchi and if we go back again, I'm going to order that tune is it looked delicious. I ordered muscles which were perfectly prepared and light delicate mild sauce and served with delicious bread. Reed ordered a duck comfy and I got a little taste of it and I'm not sure that I wouldn't want to have that too next time! We all had a bite of the crème brûlée that was beautifully prepared, it was lighter than most yes so many can be so kind of heavy. I finished with a beautiful glass of port and it was just a very nice evening. The service was prompt, professional and friendly without being overly friendly. I think I found a new favorite restaurant. So if you are in Monterey, this is one to try. We should make a reservation!

New ownership!!! I used to like this place....now I LOVE it!! Although no longer traditional French bistro food, the new menu is fresh and interesting Italian. Run, don't walk, to this spot that had a much needed facelift both in looks and taste.

New owner alert as of 5 months ago. Used to eat here whenever we were in town since they opened 2007. Menu has changed quite a bit as well. Sad to see some favorites go, such as the fries and garlic aioli and Coq Au VIN. Also the prices have skyrocketed. It one of our favorite French restaurants. No more. Could not finish my French onion soup, gnocchi or breaded pork chop. The gnocchi ($18 for the app) was a big part of why I loved this place. It didn't hold together, it broke apart and was mushy. More of a bread spread now. Also temp was not warm enough. Soup ($16) was not hot but warm. Not salty enough. Too tangy. Too much acid. Pork chop ($52) was under seasoned. They didn't season the breading or pork. Just bland. Presentation resembled what you would find at a diner. Spaghettoni was under seasoned. Quite bland. 40 cherry tomatoes and some pasta. Bread and butter was good. Service was good. Ambiance almost nonexistent. It was darker, cozier and had more French inspiration. It's lighter now, more open, and maybe it's Mediterranean style decor? It was warm and the air thick inside. Felt nice to walk outside after our meal. We skipped dessert. Will not return or recommend.