Locals and visitors alike will enjoy an evening in Carmel Valley Village and two not-to-be-missed destinations are The Village Wine & Taproom and Roux Carmel. Together, they make a special date night.
Tucked away in the corner of Carmel Valley Village, The Village Wine and Taproom is as comfortable as possible. The owners opened after seeing a market niche for offering beer and wine in one space. Local beers are on tap, along with a tasty, iced tea-like option: Mead! The Village W&T boasts local beers, some from Paso and San Diego, rotating once a month. A wide variety of wines are available–something for everyone.
Open until 8:00 p.m., live music fills the space on designated nights with unique events such as Sip and Succulent. Follow their Facebook feed to get the most up-to-date information on their events and ensure you take advantage of the next fun outing.
Once you’ve quenched your thirst, walk to Roux Carmel. Parallel to Olive & Quail, look for the sign; otherwise, you could miss it. When booked solid, the dining room is manageable yet has enough space to accommodate 40-50 guests. It’s a feeling of being in your good friend’s living room, with a fireplace, tall arches, and the imaginary backdrop of a snow-filled mountaintop outside the windows.
With its excellent front-of-house service, Roux provided us with a menu that Gordon Ramsay would be proud to choose from. The truffled deviled eggs arrived first, with its crème fraiche and smoked salmon, surprisingly light. From the scallops to the beef entrée, no plate was left uncleaned. French Onion soup is a staple at Roux, and I was pleasantly surprised when it was not oversalted or extremely hot when served.
Roux is a hidden secret in Carmel Valley Village. Chefs here make dishes with heart and finesse, which is a rarity. Carmel Valley Village is known for its many tasting rooms during the day, but stopping by at night is now mandatory for locals.
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