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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.

 

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