Marinus - Bernardus LodgeGreat food and serviceThis is the second time my wife and I dined at Marinus and it was even better the second time. The duck I had was wonderful as was my wife's lamb. Our server had the perfect mix of professionalism and personality. Overall this was a great dining experience.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurant that happensGreat restaurant that happens to be part of a great lodge. Absolutely, one of the best
dining experiences we've had. We look forward to returning.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMDeserves 2 Michelin starsExcellent restaurant in Carmel region. Romantic location, super service and great food!!!5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMMemorable DinnerWe ate at Marinus mid-week in May 2013, and it was easily one of our favorite, and most memorable dining experiences. I would highly recommend the Chef's Tasting Menu, which changes daily (based on what the Chef can find that's fresh at market each day). The service is excellent; attentive, but never overly 'stuffy.' The food was creative, but never at the level where it sacrificed taste (which is very important to me). Of special note, the sommelier and wine director, Mark, is a true gem: He gave excellent pairing recommendations and his passion for his vocation and desire to help others learn is quite clear, especially to a budding oenophile. In summary, par excellence!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was the perfect settingIt was the perfect setting for a very special birthday dinner. Everything was more than we had anticipated. We did the tasting menu. It was excellent in every way. We are looking forward to returning for dinner again as well as to stay at the lodge.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMUnbelievable!Marinus is now in the Top-3 of our all time dining experiences, thanks to the entire staff and the excellent Food & Wine we were served. My wife and I both tried things we have never eaten before, and they were all fantastic! Everyone at Marinus made us feel special for celebrating our Anniversary there with them (even acknowledging the anniversary on the menu they gave us!), and there was not one glitch the whole 150 minutes we were there (we enjoyed every minute)... We only do this sort of dining once a year or so, but as I told the staff; "you make us want to do this more often"... It was a perfect night!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible dinnerVery warm atmosphere....and charming. This place will pamper you beyond your taste buds...the food and wait staff is beyond belief. A dining experience to remember. Its a place you will come back to for that special dining experience. ..we loved everything from the beginning to end.....5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMA great experienceThe decor at this place is simply elegant. Mark, the sommulier, was a great help in selecting the perfect wines for our various courses. The chef's creations showed creativity and origionality and made good use of the local ingredients. A bit pricy but considering the whole experience it was a terrific value. Regret we live in LA and won't be able to get their more often.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding!Carmel has some special spots, and this is surly one. We had the tasting menu. The food was creative and perfectly prepared. The wine list is excellent. This is the special "go to" spot for many of the locals. Next time, we will likely stay at the Inn as well. It is beautiful.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food but watch your billFood was top notch; everything was carefully prepared and elegantly presented. Wagyu beef was excellent, but way overpriced. Service was generally spot on, but the waiter was a little too manic and the wine steward was not forthcoming with price when he offered to do a "pairing" for our a la carte selections. We ended up paying $8 for sparkling water and $50 for about 4 half glasses of wine. Still we had a great time, and the setting is wonderful. Just ask about cost before making your choices.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to Marinus for ourWe went to Marinus for our anniversary, hoping to have a nice meal and to leave us with good memories. Our expectations were left in the dust. The ambiance was beautiful and relaxing, the wait staff was perfect, and the food. . . ahhh, the food. It litteraly brought tears of joy to our eyes.
If you are watching your money or don't feel comfortable spending quite a bit, this may not be the right place for you. However, if you want to treat yourself to an amazing evening and if you truly love food that is a visual and palatable masterpiece, then this is the perfect destination.
ps. We each ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu with accompanying wines and it ran just under $600 for the two of us. . worth every cent!!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWonder Marinus restaurantWe have dined at Marinus restaurant many times. It is our special occasion restaurant and has never failed to please. The service is good, the food excellent, the ambiance is wonderful. The hotel itself is like an English country estate with large bowels of flowers
strategically placed. I would recommend it whole heartedly.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMStunning dishes, friendly serviceFood was excellent, service and ambience remarkable. All the dishes were stunning with unusual flavor combinations, especially regarding the deserts. The service is excellent, friendly and they really know what they are talking about.
Only downside: Portion sizes are rather small (and I'm European, so I don't expect the usual US "family size" portions). I complained about my main course and ordered a 2nd dish because I really was left hungry. My mum's main course (we both had fish) was at least twice as big as mine. Nice touch though: when my 2nd main course was served, my mum was served a lovely soup with it so I wouldn't be eating my course on my own. They also didn't charge for the course that I complained about.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible Food. Impeccable ServiceIncredible, artfully presented food, with impeccable service in a beautiful Carmel Valley setting. Like all fine restaurants, the dinner started with an amuse bouche and finished with a tray of chocolates (hand-painted in this case!). What happened in between was an incredible meal that exceeded our expectations. Even the palette cleanser before dessert was incredible. On the night we ate, they had both an Asst Sommelier and a full Sommelier. My wife and I went to dinner here for our 14th Anniversary and were quite surprised that our menus were printed with "Happy 14th Anniversary" that were hand-signed by the entire staff. What else can I say?3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe portions Shrank!Oh dear! This is the fourth time we have dined here. How sad that the portions have shrunk! We were stunned by the small piece of turbot served to us on an enormous and very bare plate! Yes, the fish was very good, but it was NOT a main course size.
It is obvious that Marinus is trying to hold the line on the price of a meal. I think most diners would prefer to pay more and feel full. We left the dining room after two courses, a roll, and an amuse bouche and ate popcorn and fruit in our room to fill up. Shame on Marinus!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAmy Burk and the attentiveAmy Burk and the attentive staff make it a memorable experience.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is fantastic andThe food is fantastic and though this is a pricey meal, it compares favorably to other places like Manresa. The Chef's menu had an excellent set of food.3/1/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely experienceDelicious food, attentive service, comfortable surroundings. Our new favorite in the area.2/23/2013 12:00:00 AM