Nepenthe: "Fine Dining and Sunsets under the Santa Lucia Mtns" Nepenthe Tip by M0B1US

Nestled under the watchful gaze of the forest clad Santa Lucia Mountains and open since April 24th 1949, the hugely romantic setting of <a href="http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/"target="blank">Nepenthe's</a>* beautifully manicured gardens, outdoor terraces and restaurant perched on the edge of magnificent cliffs, high above the slate grey seas of the Pacific ocean, has beckoned enticingly for the last 50-odd years to the many artists, poets, travellers and lost souls that have passed through these parts.

Why not stay a while, relax and unwind with a fine glass of wine and an elegant meal in these wonderfully salubrious surroundings. Dine here in the evening and gasp with awe at the majesty of a Big Sur sunset as it sinks below the waters of the ocean!

Ever budget conscious, we were aiming for Café Kevah in a lower part of the same building, but this was unfortunately closed. Hungry and in need of sustenance, we resolved to eat at the more expensive but highly recommended Nepenthe.

Even in early spring, Nepenthe was so popular that we had to kick our heels for about half an hour in the tasteful tourist shop below. When it was our turn, we were seated at a table in the open dining room with stunning vistas of the ocean below near the open fireplace which, due to the chill in the March air, was sending much needed warmth our way as we plunged into our menus...

Favorite Dish: Since even the salads in the US are gargantuan I opted for the smoked salmon salad at $16 knowing that this would more than fill me. My partner plumped for Nepenthe’s own ‘Famous Ambrosiaburger’ at $12. These were served by friendly and professional staff who added to our contentment by looking after us perfectly. We both washed our meals down with a glass of crisp Californian White wine each (the sacrifices of driving!) whilst a gorgeous made to order sunset kept us company before finally saying farewell under the western horizon!

Both meals were excellent and well worth the money, the setting however was worth a million dollars - luckily we weren't billed for that!
* For further menu details, check out Nepenthe's website...

Address: Highway #1, Big Sur, CA. 93920
Comparison: about average
Phone: 831 667 2345
Price: US$21-30
Rating: 5
Theme: American
Website: http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/