Carmel-by-the-Sea Restaurants - Basil

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Basil
Californian, Italian, Vegetarian/Vegan
Monterey County Inspired Italian
Location: San Carlos Avenue between Ocean & Seventh   View Map
Dining Options: Indoor Dining, Covered Outdoor Dining, Outdoor Dining, Take Out, Curbside Pickup, Delivery
Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Hours: 11 am (closed Mondays) - 8 pm
(831) 626-8226 website

Taste Modern and Creative Local California Cuisine at Basil

"Basil is one of my favorite herbs. I love the flavor. It's a large part of Italian cuisine," says Denis Boaro when explaining his restaurant's name. And as a native of Venice, Italy, Denis knows what constitutes authentic Italian cuisine—and the restaurant business. "I was born and raised in this industry. My parents still own a restaurant. We lived upstairs and I started working there when I was ten."

Basil is cozy and romantic, with a combination of indoor and outdoor seating—especially popular in Carmel because it's pet-friendly. But it's the food that brings guests back again and again. "We change our menu four or five times a year to reflect the ingredients that are in season," Denis says. But some items don't change due to their popularity, such as the Lamb Meatballs with San Marzano Tomato Sauce and Parmesan Cheese and the Grilled and Marinated Monterey Bay Calamari with Calabrian Chili Aioli, Arugula, Capers and Cherry Tomatoes.

To complement the fine Italian food, Basil offers a full bar and an extensive, ever-changing wine list of Italian and local Monterey County selections. "I like good wines, and I don't put anything on my list that I don't personally like," Denis says.

Denis is proud of the fact that Basil was the first Monterey County restaurant to be certified green by the Green Restaurant Association. "We began the effort six years ago," he says. "There are no chemicals in our kitchen and our electricity is provided by a windmill. We compost everything and produce almost no waste."

Open for lunch and dinner 11:00am-8:00pm. Brunch Sat and Sun. Closed Mondays.