Bistro Moulin
| Address: | 867 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940, USA |
| Phone: | +1 831-333-1200 |
| Site: | bistromoulin.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
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Ryan Manzer
This tiny little French bistro sits near the corner of Wave St and David and is easy to miss but if you do, someone should slap you. If you were to close your eyes and take a bite you could swear you were in a provincial French town. The flavors are that authentic. The atmosphere is generally fun and playful and the wine selection is well balanced between reasonable bottles for the average person and very high end ones for those wishing to go big on their beverage. If you dont know your way around all the Bordeaux and Cote du Rhone then just ask Colleen and make sure to tell her what you plan to order. Actually, what am I saying, even if you think you know what you want to drink ask Colleen. There are many a hidden gem in that long list of imported wines. But to dwell a little more on the food (it deserves it, trust me!), the execution of these classic French dishes is to be greatly admired. From the mussels steamed in Sauvignon blanc (moules frites) to the intensely decadent coq au vin, dining here is a great example of why French traditions still dominate much of the culinary world. The weekend specials are always fantastic (the chef is a magician with seafood!) and for many special events there are prix fixe menus which are not to be missed. In addition, the chef has a great respect for his ingredients and high standard of quality. I clearly recall one dinner when I was dwelling over long on my French onion soup (a masterpiece of caramelized onions and cheese) and after I had used up my second basket of bread in scraping the sides of the bowl a server came to tell me that he must serve my fish now because it will dry out under the heat lamps and the chef will not serve it to me like that. Whether I wanted to let it sit and get dry afterwards was my own choice but he would not put a plate in front of me that wasnt succulent and delicious. Its a gutsy decision to say that the quality of the food is more important than the convenience of the customer and I honor Chef Didier for it.
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Sean Wang
My friends and I arrived without a reservation on a quiet Sunday night. The restaurant is small and cozy, and I could see how it might be hard to get a table on busier nights. I ordered the Confit de Canard, while my two friends ordered the Gnocchi Con Spinaci and a crepe dish that was on the special menu. All the reviews here mention the gnocchi, but I had some pretty good gnocchi relatively recently, so I thought Id try something different, but I tried a bit of my friends gnocchi. In hindsight, I should have listened to everyone and gotten the gnocchi. It was on a totally different level than anything I had ever had. Dont get me wrong, the duck was good, but that gnocchi... Ill never forget it.
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Fei Li
What an absolute gem in Monterey! What to Order Here: Gnocchi con Spinaci (18) Glass of Riesling (2009 Heinz Eifel Spatlese) (7.75) Every review mentions the gnocchi dish for good reason! Although I am not particularly fond gnocchi, both the presentation (served to you in a pan filled with parmesan cream sauce), texture (not too dry or sticky as can be with potato gnocchi), and taste (perfectly balanced) is the best Ive ever had of anything comparable period. The glass of riesling I had was fabulous as well. It was sweet, fruity, and bursting with flavor. It was the first time where I felt compelled to write the wine label down so that I can purchase a full bottle to enjoy later.
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A Private User
One of the best restaurant ive been to in a while. No doubt one of the best in the Monterey/Carmel area. Hands down. Does not pretent to be too fancy or complecated - Simple food, Great ingridiants - Excellent!! I had the Antipasti (Roasted tomatoes ~ Artichoke hearts ~ Gigante beans ~ Toulouse sausage) and the chicken in a red wine sauce with mushrooms. My wife had the roasted beets salad and the spinach gnocchi. All dishes were perfect!! I will recommend to friends and will come back again.
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Robert Lowrie
My wife ordered the Coq au Vin, and I had seafood paella. Both were edible, but uninspiring. Food was bland. My wife believes it was all pre-prepared. Coq au Vin: Watery sauce, meat was not very flavorful, and the mashed potatoes tasted instant. Paella: The rice was mushy; seafood was overcooked. In spite of the food, the service was outstanding. We went on a Tuesday night. Given the great reviews here, overall, I was very disappointed.
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Lisa Andreatta
I suppose I had high expectations going in due to the 5 star rating online. The service was absolutely great! The food was fine, nothing special in my opinion. I expected in-house preparation of the menu items. However, the texture and flavor of the rice/potatoes/gravy did not strike me as freshly prepared; they struck me as pre-packaged. The bread was fresh, though, and the wine selection great.
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Andrew Lugo
I was here about a year ago. The entire dining experience was 10 times better than what I experienced today. I ordered Coq au Vin but what I got was three toughened chicken thighs drowning in a sauce that had none of the delicacies expected in this dish. There was obviously a change in the executive chef since my last visit. I may have to wait another year before going back.
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JD Dale
The real taste of France with a Monterey Bay view! Didier Dutertre has found his place in the sun (well, ok, fog). Intimate dining with wonderful, friendly (but not "hey there folks!") service, and incredible food. Do not miss the escargot, moulles frites, and the most amazing gnocchi anywhere. Save the air fare to Franceand go to Bistro Moulin!
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A Private User
Amazing French cuisine, especially prepared by Chef Didier. His wife, Colleen, has also put together a beautiful wine list, and can always recommend the perfect pairing. Dont miss the escargot and the most fluffy and delectable gnocchi weve ever experienced. Its perfect for a romantic evening. Well be back for sure!
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John Martini
Excellent food and service, they were excellent with our young kids as well. Reasonably priced, reservations were ready to obtain, a true local gem that I suspect many tourists dont know about. Plus its a few minute walk from the aquarium, easily reached for dinner after spending your day looking at the exhibits.
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Caroline Perry
Spinach truffle gnocchi to start was fabulous melt in your mouth gnocchi and the flavors!! On to some French onion soup that had a subtle sweetness and was buttery smooth. Lastly Beef Bourguignon that completed a wonderful dining experience. I will be telling all my friends about this one!
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Tod Lindholm
Loved this place for the food and ambience, but had a very bad experience when our party was sat at a table next to one of the owners and a wine vendor. Our evening was unbearable due to the drunk and boisterous owner and wine merchant. Asked to be moved, but no luck.
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Suzanne Frey
In a town packed w/tourist-trap dining establishments, this place is a gem. Its a little off the beaten path and the food, atmosphere, and service are all top-notch. Its not super-fancy, but I loved every minute of dinner here -- and I suspect most folks would as well.
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A Private User
Based upon our dining experience, this chef cook must have taken a mail-order course in French cooking. The cassoulet was the most watery, insipid, non-traditional offering I’ve ever experienced. Pathetic – suggest you locals save this restaurant for the tourists.
