The
Clement Intercontinental Hotel - Jewel of Cannery Row
On
my last visit to peruse the new changes on Cannery Row, I had
the pleasure of dining at The Clement Intercontinental Hotel
in the C Restaurant tiered dining room with panoramic views
of Monterey Bay. It is a fascinating restaurant that looks and
feels New York hot but has a menu that is strictly cool California
at its best. The staff at the hotel are so good; from the receptionist
to the general manager to the servers it is such a consistent
experience of fine service.
The
C Bar features some extremely interesting and delicious signature
cocktail presentations including a Bloody Mary that could be
considered lunch to some people, and a shiny copper pineapple
filled with the most delicious punch reminiscent of an upscale
Mai Tai. Their California sparkling champagne flight with strawberries
is a 'not to be missed' item of four champagne tastes including
Folktale Brut, Domaine Chandon Brut, Roederer Estate Brut and
my favorite Schramsberg Mirabelle Rose Brut.
The dining room + bar have a fast New York feel, with an ambiance
that is seaside mellow and visuals that are totally chic. The
entire C staff are very well trained and do a marvelous job,
especially the wine steward, who happily assists with pairings
from their huge list of local and imported wines. Live music
is on the menu at C from Thursday through Saturday night.
Entrance C Restaurant + Bar
Talented
Executive Chef Matt Bolton offers a very interesting menu including
everything from fresh divine scallops to a unique duck preparation
broiled in a specialty cooker. Side dishes include a variety
of farm fresh vegetables or risotto and for the salad lover
they offer several unique creations, some with seafood. The
abalone appetizer was an unusual presentation and quite delicious.
Abalone is a specialty in the Monterey Bay area, and if you
have not had it this is an ideal place to make it a first.
Chef
Matt Bolton is making big points with diners in Monterey. A
California native raised in Hollister and San Juan Bautista,
Chef Matt Bolton was immediately drawn to cooking during his
first job as a dishwasher in a steakhouse at the age of 15.
He never considered another career, and continued gaining culinary
experience right out of high school.
Scallop & artichoke entree
In
2000, Bolton began working with notable Chef Cal Stamenov at
Bernardus Lodge as Sous Chef for Marinus Restaurant. After almost
6 years of working under Chef Cal Stamenov, he would go on to
acquire the reins at The Covey at Quail Lodge as Chef De Cuisine.
From there, he enjoyed the legendary coastal view as Executive
Chef of Pacific's Edge at
The Highlands Inn.
Bolton's
cuisine is a celebration of the Monterey Peninsula and spotlights
the treasure trove of local fisherman, foragers and farmers.
The Intercontinental, The Clement Monterey emanates a coastal
lifestyle. In support of the sustainable seafood movement and
neighboring Monterey Bay Aquarium, the chefs menus are built
around the products recommended by the National Seafood Guide.
From the James Beard House to The Chefs' Holidays at The Ahwahnee
and Pebble Beach Food & Wine, cooking has given Matt Bolton
the opportunity to support charitable efforts and community
based organizations as well as please the hundreds of visitors
dining in the C Restaurant + Bar.
C Bar Champagne Flight
The
ambiance of this lovely hotel is so relaxed, complete with wood
burning fireplaces to enjoy on cool Monterey evenings. It is
a beautifully designed venue, and the seaside porch with a fire-pit
and Monterey Bay view is a great place to meet with friends
over a hot chocolate or hot Toddy. Suites and rooms have relaxing
views of the ocean, or fun views of Cannery Row. It's all good.
Located
right in the center of Cannery Row it is a wonderful base from
which to plan your own 'walk Monterey' agenda. The historic
row is filled with fun shopping venues and tasting stops like
the Fish Hopper Restaurant and Bar, where guests may savor a
Hawaiian inspired cocktail with great seafood appetizers while
watching the armies of tourists photographing the historic Steinberg
monument below, a work of renowned Carmel sculptor Stephen Whyte.
What ever your preference is you will find it just steps from
The Clement Intercontinental on Cannery Row in Monterey. For
reservations or information visit: http://www.ictheclementmonterey.com.
By Bonnie Carroll
About Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since
1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll's
Life Bites News - www.lifebitesnews.com,
does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes
to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle
publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published
in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact
her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.