Chez Noir
Restaurant · Carmel-by-the-Sea ·
Seafood-centric menu with local ingredients and French technique
Seafood-centric menu with local ingredients and French technique
"Bringing the tremendous talents of former Quince chef de cuisine Jonny Black to Carmel-by-the-Sea, this Michelin one-star feels like a local’s paradise with tasting menu ambition and an approachable tiny side bar and front patio, and it’s so inviting it can feel like I’m eating in someone’s home — I am, since Jonny and maitre d’ Monique Black live upstairs with their two children. The daily tasting menu ($165) essentially fixes the approach of the weekday a la carte menu offered only at the bar or the patio, with add-on appetizers and upgrades such as a caviar funnel cake ($44) that can bring the price up to between $250 to $300 before drinks. Seasonal cooking shows effortless finesse: grilled oysters with espelette chile butter and passionfruit deliver a thrilling blend of gentle heat and rounded tang over juicy shellfish; delicata squash frito misto arrives in an ineffable, airy crust laced with hot honey and dusted with nutty Hollyhock cheese, the kind of fried pieces I inevitably polish off; Wolfe Ranch quail appears as a textbook pate en croute with a flaky, buttery pastry shell and a shimmery rectangle of chopped fowl, with diced pickled chanterelle on the side bringing an earthy punch; and locally caught black cod with puntarelle, sea beans, and bagna cauda is a dreamy, umami-packed main course that displays thoughtful elegance. To drink, the Persimmon fizz — a gin number with hints of Earl Grey and baking spices — is a terrific cold-weather cocktail, and the heated patio is pet-friendly; I bring a jacket and sweater for nippy Carmel evenings, though blankets are on hand." - Matthew Kang
"The welcoming effect of housing Jonny and Monique Black’s restaurant Chez Noir in the same space as their literal home — the couple lives above the Carmel-By-The-Sea restaurant — is unmatched in both hospitality and food. (1 star)" - Eater Staff
"Jonny and Monique Black are the force behind this charming spot, where he acts as Chef and she oversees the service team. While the two have an abundance of fine dining bona fides, here they aim for something more approachable. The inviting, hospitable atmosphere makes perfect sense, given that the second floor of this Craftsman-style residence is where the pair makes their home. The cooking has a broadly Mediterranean sensibility, showcasing the bounty of the California coast with the likes of impeccably prepared abalone and skate. A prix fixe format gives diners a handful of choices, but there really aren’t any bad options. As a finale, ethereal vanilla-scented canelés offer an ideal balance between a crisp, caramelized exterior and a creamy, custardy interior." - Michelin Inspector
"Deemed a must when exploring the region’s farm-to-table cuisine crafted from Californian homegrown produce." - Elise Taylor
"A Michelin-recognized restaurant focused on hyperlocal produce and Central Coast seafood, presenting refined, ingredient-driven dishes that showcase regional flavors." - Leilani Marie Labong Leilani Marie Labong Leilani Marie Labong is a San Francisco-based journalist who focuses on food, design, and travel. Her work has been featured in Elle Decor, Travel + Leisure, House Beautiful, Sunset, Food52, Food & Wine, The Kitchn, and Architectural Digest. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines