We visited on a Sunday evening and Chef Federico greeted us with a smile and waited on us the entire meal. We had four delightful courses and chef paired amazing wines with each course!! Thank you for the fantastic dining experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heather Dirksen
Everything was simply fantastic! Our high standards were exceeded. This has got to be the best restaurant in Monterey. From the service to the food to the ambiance - there is nothing that left us wanting more. You can truly feel the love the owners and staff put into their work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Escargots Au Beurre a Lail Et Aux Noisettes
Ryan Caracciolo
Food was fantastic - get the gnocchi!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spinach Gnocchi Au Gratin Parmesan Cream Sauce
Paris Richardson
Had a great experience here. The food is fantastic, I had the scallops and we also got the spinach gnocchi as an appetizer and it was phenomenal! Blew us out of the water. Only thing I would say is it’s not good for a big group, pretty tiny space, limit your party to 4.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi Aux Epinards
drobin333
I have been a customer of Bistro Moulin for several years. I travel to Monterey Bay three or four times a year. During my stays Bistro has been a favorite location to dine. The owner/chef was very friendly and of course and Excellent cook. Excellent food and outstanding service was the trademark. The ambiance was romantic, perfect low lighting and French decor. The entrees always delicious no matter the choice. My Favorite appetizer was the escargot, served very hot and cooked in an amazing sauce. Always cleaning the dish with the bread! I would go there so often I was given a gift card from my family.Although the name of the restaurant is the same, Bistro Moulin, the ownership has changed. After the change I noticed the food was not quite the same. The escargot was not as meaty and the sauce not like before. Before when you would take a bite you're struck with an amazing flavor, now no amazement. I had the rib eye and it was over cooked, ordered medium rare and it came a little more then medium. Knowing the ownership change I asked if I could use my gift card. The server stated she had to ask the owner, later returning indicating they would not honor the card. At first, I thought, ok its new ownership and paid the $233 check. But after returning to my hotel room I got to thinking. The new owner kept the name, I am sure to have the old clientele return. This would be a great way to keep the cash flow. If that was the case they should honor the gift cards so the old clientele(myself)would remain a loyal returning customer. The incident upset me to the point I decided to write a review on a link sent to me from Bistro Moulin. I voiced my displeasure with the fact the gift card was not honored. Within two hours of my post the owner telephoned me. He explained to me that the gift card was purchased from the old owner and that the old owner should have given refunds to customers that had purchased cards, not him. He also stated, if he honored the card he would be losing money and he is not in the business to lose money. I explained to him he was using the same restaurant name to bring back the old clientele, thus making more money. And by honoring the card he would have a repeat customer who would always return and he would make even more money. He disagreed, stating again he would be losing money. I believe in any business there is always going to be some, "give and take," its business. Well, according to him, he's about making money. We did not come to any agreement, I told him I disagree with his logic and there are many other quality restuarants in Monterey where my business would be appreciated. He became frustrated and hung up the phone.After reading this I am sure your thinking my food review is going to a bit bias. The food is not the same as the old Bistro Moulin.After my experience with the owner, if he were to offer to honor the gift card ($300) I would not return.Fortunately, there are still restaurants where its reputation and customers are important. Old Fisherman's Grotto, on the Wharf is one.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Adam Garrett
I have fond memories of this restaurant (and the sushi place that was here before, that I used to go to I was a child) and I went back to Bistro Moulin for the first in 10 years recently.Unfortunately, our service was sub par. We didn’t get served bread or the special complimentary appetizer from the chef that the other tables received. Also, when we asked for bread shortly before the food arrived the waitress seemed to be aware we didn’t get bread and begrudgingly brought some as the entrees were arriving. The canelones were good, the appetizers good. The steelhead trout was unimaginative and not what I expected and tasted like the typical salmon i make once a week at home - I would not recommend as it costs $50.Would recommend Gusto, Café Rústica or Patria, in Salinas as they have the same quality of food and are a lot cheaper and don’t have waiters that serve some tables bread and complimentary appetizers and do not do so to other tables.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Shawn Reilly
Pricey but worth it. Seafood risotto was $62, but my partner loved it. Would go again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Arthur Book
pretty nice little
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Josh lawson
Grabbed some dessert here, was very nice. Had a terrific selection of wines
The service was ok although a bit short with me, the bussers were very nice though. The soup relied on salt and cream mostly for flavour, very overprised. Cesar salad also mostly cream, nothing special. The bread was stale, not yummy french. They took the wine i didnt like off the bill which was cool but didnt have change so i ended up still paying for it in my tip. Champagne was great, but hey, champagne is just delicious. Overall medium experience
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
chuanming sun
The tablecloth is spotless white. The service is particularly good. The portions are extremely large.
Erica Mann
If you are visiting Monterey, do yourself a favor and get off the wharf for a night and have a memorable meal at Bistro Moulin. The understated elegance of the interior and food keeps us coming back every time we visit from West Texas. Run by a sweet family, you are likely to meet at least one of them during your dining experience. If you enjoy wine, their list is reason enough to go, and you must have their tartufone chocolate for dessert. Bon Appetit!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alina B.
Owner and chefs have changed and place was remodeled - painted white. Appetizers were good. Entrees were ok and pricey. Exceptional service! Super attentive staff. Cute, but no longer has the rustic feel.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Soup, Escargot
Daniel Siegenthaler
Wonderful little stylish restaurant a little away from the hustle and bustle, but all the more
Best restaurant in Monterey hands down!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited on a Sunday evening and Chef Federico greeted us with a smile and waited on us the entire meal. We had four delightful courses and chef paired amazing wines with each course!! Thank you for the fantastic dining experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was simply fantastic! Our high standards were exceeded. This has got to be the best restaurant in Monterey. From the service to the food to the ambiance - there is nothing that left us wanting more. You can truly feel the love the owners and staff put into their work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Escargots Au Beurre a Lail Et Aux Noisettes
Food was fantastic - get the gnocchi!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spinach Gnocchi Au Gratin Parmesan Cream Sauce
Had a great experience here. The food is fantastic, I had the scallops and we also got the spinach gnocchi as an appetizer and it was phenomenal! Blew us out of the water. Only thing I would say is it’s not good for a big group, pretty tiny space, limit your party to 4.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi Aux Epinards
I have been a customer of Bistro Moulin for several years. I travel to Monterey Bay three or four times a year. During my stays Bistro has been a favorite location to dine. The owner/chef was very friendly and of course and Excellent cook. Excellent food and outstanding service was the trademark. The ambiance was romantic, perfect low lighting and French decor. The entrees always delicious no matter the choice. My Favorite appetizer was the escargot, served very hot and cooked in an amazing sauce. Always cleaning the dish with the bread! I would go there so often I was given a gift card from my family.Although the name of the restaurant is the same, Bistro Moulin, the ownership has changed. After the change I noticed the food was not quite the same. The escargot was not as meaty and the sauce not like before. Before when you would take a bite you're struck with an amazing flavor, now no amazement. I had the rib eye and it was over cooked, ordered medium rare and it came a little more then medium. Knowing the ownership change I asked if I could use my gift card. The server stated she had to ask the owner, later returning indicating they would not honor the card. At first, I thought, ok its new ownership and paid the $233 check. But after returning to my hotel room I got to thinking. The new owner kept the name, I am sure to have the old clientele return. This would be a great way to keep the cash flow. If that was the case they should honor the gift cards so the old clientele(myself)would remain a loyal returning customer. The incident upset me to the point I decided to write a review on a link sent to me from Bistro Moulin. I voiced my displeasure with the fact the gift card was not honored. Within two hours of my post the owner telephoned me. He explained to me that the gift card was purchased from the old owner and that the old owner should have given refunds to customers that had purchased cards, not him. He also stated, if he honored the card he would be losing money and he is not in the business to lose money. I explained to him he was using the same restaurant name to bring back the old clientele, thus making more money. And by honoring the card he would have a repeat customer who would always return and he would make even more money. He disagreed, stating again he would be losing money. I believe in any business there is always going to be some, "give and take," its business. Well, according to him, he's about making money. We did not come to any agreement, I told him I disagree with his logic and there are many other quality restuarants in Monterey where my business would be appreciated. He became frustrated and hung up the phone.After reading this I am sure your thinking my food review is going to a bit bias. The food is not the same as the old Bistro Moulin.After my experience with the owner, if he were to offer to honor the gift card ($300) I would not return.Fortunately, there are still restaurants where its reputation and customers are important. Old Fisherman's Grotto, on the Wharf is one.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
I have fond memories of this restaurant (and the sushi place that was here before, that I used to go to I was a child) and I went back to Bistro Moulin for the first in 10 years recently.Unfortunately, our service was sub par. We didn’t get served bread or the special complimentary appetizer from the chef that the other tables received. Also, when we asked for bread shortly before the food arrived the waitress seemed to be aware we didn’t get bread and begrudgingly brought some as the entrees were arriving. The canelones were good, the appetizers good. The steelhead trout was unimaginative and not what I expected and tasted like the typical salmon i make once a week at home - I would not recommend as it costs $50.Would recommend Gusto, Café Rústica or Patria, in Salinas as they have the same quality of food and are a lot cheaper and don’t have waiters that serve some tables bread and complimentary appetizers and do not do so to other tables.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Pricey but worth it. Seafood risotto was $62, but my partner loved it. Would go again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
pretty nice little
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Grabbed some dessert here, was very nice. Had a terrific selection of wines
Restaurantji Recommends
The service was ok although a bit short with me, the bussers were very nice though. The soup relied on salt and cream mostly for flavour, very overprised. Cesar salad also mostly cream, nothing special. The bread was stale, not yummy french. They took the wine i didnt like off the bill which was cool but didnt have change so i ended up still paying for it in my tip. Champagne was great, but hey, champagne is just delicious. Overall medium experience
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
The tablecloth is spotless white. The service is particularly good. The portions are extremely large.
If you are visiting Monterey, do yourself a favor and get off the wharf for a night and have a memorable meal at Bistro Moulin. The understated elegance of the interior and food keeps us coming back every time we visit from West Texas. Run by a sweet family, you are likely to meet at least one of them during your dining experience. If you enjoy wine, their list is reason enough to go, and you must have their tartufone chocolate for dessert. Bon Appetit!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Owner and chefs have changed and place was remodeled - painted white. Appetizers were good. Entrees were ok and pricey. Exceptional service! Super attentive staff. Cute, but no longer has the rustic feel.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Soup, Escargot
Wonderful little stylish restaurant a little away from the hustle and bustle, but all the more
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5