Foray

Last night, we had a lovely private party at Foray. Since its opening, the team has found their groove and elevated the guest experience. The bar program is spot-on, and the food is creative and delectable. As a vegetarian, I was impressed with the flavors and presentation. The champagne by the glass was exceptional. Our server was very professional and attentive. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, especially on a stormy evening.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I are visiting Carmel and Foray was our much awaited New Year’s Eve meal. The restaurant agreed to seat us well before our original reservation time, so things started off on a very positive note.
We were served by Selena and had the four course set menu and a cocktail each.
With regards to the food, we withheld feedback during service in order not to make a scene in a festive time and busy restaurant, but should have really raised concerns when we were served two extremely disappointing courses. When we got our bill we shared feedback with Selena aside:
We both got the lobster starter, which was smelly, bitter and overcooked. The lobster meat was chewy and rubbery.
Our short rib entree was cold, and the fat was not fully rendered.
Celina took this feedback to her manager, they left us waiting for several minutes after which she continued doing other things. The manager abruptly handed us the bill and just walked away.
Our reservation was through Tock and was paid for, We received a 15% discount on our bill through our hotel. We paid $472 through Tock for the food and $67 for two cocktails.
The managers attitude and ambivalence to our experience, that he didn’t even think it was worth acknowledging was a real disservice to what otherwise could have been an okay experience. We’ll never return to Foray and never recommend it. Aside from the food that wasn’t great, the sheer lack of customer service in an establishment of this price point was a really poor experience.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

I ate there in September and thought it was excellent. It was not inexpensive, but it was still a GREAT value and experience. It is easy to find far less memorable meals at this price point. Presentation, creativity, taste, and service were all A+.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food/wine pairing and service was good, but not worth the costs. At the price, I expect something more special. This was standard restaurant fare at many restaurants in Carmel at more affordable pricing.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

Just celebrated my 3rd anniversary here and had a phenomenal time! The scallop appetizer, Fogline Farm Chicken main and the Pear desert were simply divine. The Fogline chicken was not only cooked to perfection, but was the most elegant chicken dish I've ever seen! The entire staff and Chef were exemplar. They made our anniversary truly special!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Scallops, Salmon Roe, Steak Tartare, Masami Ranch American Wagyu Tartare

I tried the chefs tasting menu , food was good. Service was amazing and they accommodated my wish to have no pork in the main dish and swapped it out with lobster . Everyone at the restaurant was super helpful especially the busser . I would come back just because of the service . Had a small issue and they made it right .

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Foray absolutely exceeded my expectations. Every dish was incredibly flavorful, and all of the flavors were so thoughtfully paired nothing felt random or heavy handed. The drinks were just as impressive: beautifully presented, creative, and truly delicious. Each course and pairing looked like a piece of art, and you can tell the chef pays attention to every tiny detail.

The ambience was warm and comfortable, the kind of place where you can really relax and enjoy the experience. Service was stellar genuinely friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and very knowledgeable about the menu and pairings. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, you feel taken care of. I especially loved the thoughtful touch of a little treat as you head out the door. Side note- prepare to leave feeling very full and satisfied.

Overall, Foray is a memorable dining experience on every level, and I’m already looking forward to going back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Never disappoints!

At one time or another we have tried all of the special occasion restaurants in the area. We have had some truly exceptional meals but we have also had many experiences where return visits were never as good as the initial experience.

Foray is the exception. We first went for my wife’s birthday and we were blown away by the quality of the food, the fine atmosphere and the on-point service. No weird lags between courses, no twisting your head around trying to find a server who refuses to make eye contact. Foray’s level of hospitality is unique and not just for the area.

Next, we had family in town and decided we would risk going a second time. We even joked about how bad our luck had been taking family to restaurants that we really loved. Again it was an amazing experience.

At this point we have visited many times and each time was better than the last. We would highly recommend this restaurant for a family gathering or intimate evening.

Looking forward to going back again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Monterey Bay Red Abalone Risotto, Scallops, Earthbound Farm Lacinato Kale Salad, West Coast Oysters, Foraged Huckleberry Pie, Steak Tartare, Masami Ranch American Wagyu Tartare, Wagyu Steak, Terrine

I’d like to give Foray 4.5 stars but think the overall experience deserves to be rounded up. my husband and I went for dinner on a Saturday night and got the 3 course dinners with wine pairings. He started with the scallops (very good) and I the tartare (excellent!) then he had the tuna (very good!) and I the risotto (good). We finished with the bread pudding (excellent) and the dark chocolate tres leche (very good). The service was very good although they could never quite keep up with my water consumption
(which I recognize is very high). The pairings were good but I did not feel they truly lifted the food to a new level. I felt the risotto could have been better—it needed chunks of mushrooms cooked inside it with a deeper umami punch rather than just raw, foraged mushroom on top (although that’s is very fun). Every course was presented absolutely beautifully. We did have a lovely evening and enjoyed the ambiance.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

I’m a couple years late but I was thinking about my experience and thought I needed to write a review about their wonderful hospitality.

I had made reservations for 10/26/23 for me and my husband to enjoy a nice restaurant after our elopement day. I revived a phone call the morning of my wedding day informing me the restaurant had some water line issues in the kitchen and unfortunately the whole restaurant wouldn’t be able to open that day.

I had made a note that we were coming in after our elopement. The lady on the phone (unfortunately I don’t remember her name) told me the whole situation at their restaurant was very apologetic. What blew me away was she informed me that she had reservations held for us at 2 different Michelin Star restaurants in the area for us to choose from for dinner.

What hospitality! They knew this was a special day for us and they went above and beyond to make sure we had a nice dinner to celebrate.

Unfortunately we never had a chance to eat here but whenever I’m back in the area this will be the first restaurant I go to. I’ve worked in fine dining for almost 10 years and was amazed with how they treated this situation.

Thank you Foray!

What

What a wonderful experience! The service was exemplary and the food excellent. We opted for the 3 course menu. Each course was inventive, with wonderful combinations of flavors and textures. I am still dreaming about the kale salad. I had not planned to order it until the couple sitting next to us said it was the best salad they had ever had. I’m so glad that I did, as I completely agree with their assessment. Kudos to Chef Michael Chang!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had the pleasure of enjoying a three-course tasting menu with add-ons (oysters, cheese board, and brioche), and I was impressed. Coming from New York, where some of the world’s best restaurants are right at your fingertips, I didn’t expect to find a dining experience of this caliber in Carmel. From the moment you walk in, the experience begins—the staff is warm and welcoming, the ambience sets the tone, and even passing the kitchen you can see how spotless and well-synchronized the team is. Every detail—from napkins and silverware to plates and glassware—felt intentional. The ingredients were high quality, bursting with flavor, and paired perfectly with the wines recommended by the sommelier. Chef Michael even came out personally to greet us, which made the evening feel extra special. This restaurant is truly world-class. 5/5, without hesitation.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had the pleasure of dining at Chef Michael’s restaurant, and it was truly a treat. From the moment we arrived, the service and attention to detail stood out. We opted for the three-course meal, beginning with the scallop — not just a starter, but a true work of art. Each dish that followed was both visually stunning and absolutely delicious. The entire experience was thoughtfully curated, making for a memorable evening. We would gladly return to Foray again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We dined at Foray with a big group in their private room, and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the presentation of each course was beautiful.

I went with the three-course menu and loved every bite—from the accompaniments of oysters and brioche with house butter, to the beef tartare, perfectly cooked dry-aged steak, and a peach cobbler to finish. The wine and cocktails were just as impressive, rounding out the meal perfectly.

Service was flawless—attentive without ever feeling rushed—and made the whole evening feel effortless. Foray is the kind of place that transforms dinner into a memorable experience, and I’d gladly come back anytime.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Foray was such a wonderful surprise for us!
The space is warm, natural, and inviting, with an elegant but relaxed atmosphere that immediately made us feel comfortable.
We each chose the three-course tasting menu with accompaniments, and it was such a treat. We started with a cheese board, oysters, and the most incredible brioche bread with house butter. For my courses, I had the scallops (my favorite of the night!), a creamy summer vegetable risotto (soooo delicious), and a refreshing fruit sorbet trio.
Everything was absolutely delicious--beautifully prepared without feeling fussy.
What really stood out, beyond the food, was the hospitality and culinary creativity curated by Chef Michael. The team explained things in a way that was easy to follow, so even though the menu was creative, we never felt out of our depth. The wine pairings were fantastic too, and added so much to the experience; we had a white burgundy followed by a Pinot noir.
Definitely looking forward to our next visit and would highly recommend to all of our friends and family. 5 out of 5 experience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5