PortaBella

Our cuisine features beautiful specialties from France, Italy and Spain. The dishes are rich in color and flavor.

PortaBella is picturesque: awarded First Prize for Beautiful Flowerscaping from the Carmel Garden Club.

The ambience is stylish and romantic, the setting historic.

We feature delectable selections of Lunch and Dinner specialties inspired by the country kitchens of the Mediterranean. All the dishes we prepare for your table are rich in color and flavor. The executive chef and cooks in our kitchen have fun preparing them and we offer them to you with pride.

Lunch Menu

Appetizers & Soups
Fresh Goat Cheese Ravioli    11.50
Hazelnut beurre brun, sweet basil, aged balsamic
Bruschetta di Pomodori    8.75
Tomato and Kalamata olive tapenade, ricotta
Terrine Campagnarde    11.75
Country style duck and veal paté, cornichon
Roasted Corn and Crab Bisque    7.50
Sourdough crouton and chives
Soup du Jour    6.75

Salads
Baby Spinach, Red Grapefruit and Apple    8.95
Spiced pecans and red onion vinaigrette
Organic Arugula and Carmel Valley Greens    7.50
Balsamic vinaigrette
Classic Caesar Salad    8.95
Petit hearts of romaine, asiago
Salade Niçoise and Seared Rare Tuna    17.50
Champagne vinaigrette
Seared Scallops, Prawns and Citrus Salad    17.95
Organic spinach, citrus fruit, ginger dressing
Warm Chicken Salad    15.50
Organic greens, nectarine, walnuts, raspberry vinaigrette

Main Plates
Fusilli Giardiniera    15.50
Freshest seasonal vegetables, Portobello mushrooms, marsala
Angel Hair with Mussels and Rock Shrimp    18.95
Mushrooms, leeks, spinach
Duck and Feta Ravioli    15.95
Sundried tomatoes, sage, Romano cheese
Grilled Scampi Provençale    19.95
Grilled vegetables, thyme, risotto
Bistro Filet Mignon    21.50
Red pepper polenta, demi glacé, fresh vegetables
Free Range Chicken Paillard    16.95
Spinach timbale, crisp potato galette
Monterey Bay Sand Dabs    17.50
Lemon capers, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes
Fresh Grilled Salmon    18.50
Putanesca sauce, bell pepper polenta

Sandwiches
Tartina alla PortaBella    13.95
Grilled Portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, homemade pizza bread
Grilled Chicken Pita    13.75
Avocado, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, Feta cheese
Focaccia Steak Sandwich    18.95
Top sirloin, tuscan spices, grilled shallots, country fries
Provolone Burger    11.95
Lean beef, Provolone cheese, Roma tomato, sweet onion, country fries

Desserts
all à 7.75
Crème Brulée with seasonal berries
Warm Apple Tart
Roasted almonds, ginger caramel sauce, vanilla bean ice cream
Espresso Chocolate Mousse Cake
Tiramisu fresh berries coulis
Brioche Bread Pudding
Apricot and cherry compote, nougatine ice cream
Floating Island caramel and crème anglaise
Fruit Sorbets in almond tuile

Dinner

Tapas and First Courses
Tapas Plate    11.50
Daily variety of light appetizers, arugula and fresh greens
Warm Wild Mushroom Napoleon    12.50
Dungeness Crab and Roasted Pepper Cakes    12.95
Smoked Tomato and Red Onion Relish • Garlic Aioli
Quattro Funghi alla Panna    12.50
PortaBella, Crimini, Porcini and Oyster Mushrooms, sauteéd with Marsala and Garlic • Walnut Biscuit
Porcini-Crusted Dayboat Scallops    13.95
Bosc Pear • Seared in Syrah Essence
Fresh Goat Cheese Ravioli    11.50
Hazelnut Beurre Brun Sauce • Sweet Basil

Soups and Salads
Roasted Corn and Crab Bisque or Soup du Jour    7.50
Organic Mixed Salad from the Valley    7.50
Balsamic vinaigrette • Gorgonzola
Classic Caesar Salad    8.95
Petit Hearts of Romaine • Parmesan Crostini
Rouge Salad    9.50
Radiccio, Red Oak Lettuce, Roasted Beets • Cabernet and Applewood Bacon Dressing • Feta Cheese
Rouge Salad with Chicken     14.95
Baby Spinach, Red Grapefruit and Apple Salad    8.95
Spiced pecans and red onion vinaigrette

Main Plates
Monterey Sand Dabs    22.95
Lemon-caper, tomato, green beans and mashed potatoes
Capellini di Limone al Sapore di Mare    25.95
Lemon-scented Pasta • Scallops, Mussels, Lobster • Prawns
Scampi al Diavolo    27.95
Picante Sauce, Chardonnay, Shallots, Garlic, Peppers • Saffron Risotto
Coq au Vin    23.95
Chicken Breast • Applewood Bacon • Cippollini Onions, Pinot Noir Sauce
Paella Valenciana    29.95
Shellfish, Chicken, Chorizo, Organic Vegetables • simmered in Saffron Rice
Grilled Halibut, Citronelle    26.95
Citrus Confit • Almond Rice Pilaf • Asparagus
Côte de Veau    29.95
Grilled Veal Chop • Pink Peppercorn Sauce • Cauliflower Gratin • Roasted Potatoes
Rack of Lamb Provençale    33.00
Herbes de Provence • Pistachio Persillade • Spinach • Whipped Potatoes
Filet Mignon aux Poivres    34.00
Three-Peppercorn Crust • Vegetable Terrine • Potato Galette
Grilled Pork Tenderloin    24.95
Apple Polenta • Red Cabbage • Grain Mustard Demi Sauce
Seared Ahi Tuna    27.95
Rice Timbale • Roasted Cauliflower • Lemon-Ginger Sauce
Grilled Salmon    23.95
Vegetable Ratatouille • PortaBella Mushroom Risotto

Desserts
all à 7.75
Crème Brulée with seasonal berries
Warm Apple Tart
Roasted almonds, ginger caramel sauce, vanilla bean ice cream
Espresso Chocolate Mousse Cake
Tiramisu fresh berries coulis
Brioche Bread Pudding
Apricot and cherry compote, nougatine ice cream
Floating Island caramel and crème anglaise
Fruit Sorbets in almond tuile

Coffee Drinks
Caffé Portofino    7.75
Sambuca, brandy, coffee, whipped cream
Tre Baci    7.75
Frangelico, Tuaca, Metaxa, coffee
Keoke Coffee    7.75
Brandy, Kahlúa, coffee, whipped cream
Cappuccino alla Tiramisu    7.75
Tia Maria, rum, cappuccino

Merlot

Merlot Bistro, Located in the heart of beautiful Carmel by the Sea, California, offers fresh fabulous new cuisine that complements our California world famous wines.

The cuisine is superb! offering the finest and freshest local produce, fish and meat, and an array of regional dishes for lunch including colorful salads, and a variety of sandwiches, pizzas and pasta dishes — lunch served until 5:00 pm!

Our dinner menu always includes fresh local fishes, Grilled meat entreés, gourmet pizza and vegetarian dishes. Some of our more favorite dishes include: San Joaquin Valley Rabbit with tamale dumplings and mango tequila relish, grilled free range chicken with organic vegetables, fresh Salmon with spinach and blackened Halibut. And as you have well guessed, we do have an extensive selection of wines to compliment our menu. We Look forward to serving you.

Lunch Menu

Starters
Coconut Shrimp Soup cup 5.25 bowl 7.50
Soup of the Day cup 5.00 bowl 6.95
Castroville Artichoke creamy mustard seed dressing / served chilled 7.95
Smoked Chicken Quesadilla Monterey jack cheese, mushrooms, black bean purée, sour cream 8.95
PortaBella Mushroom Risotto 9.25
Duo of Pizetta: Smoked Salmon and Prosciutto 10.50

Salads
Mixed Greens from the Valley mustard-madeira dressing 6.95
Caesar Salad 7.95 with Grilled Free Range Chicken 12.95
Spinach Salad with Smoked Pacific Salmon honey-mustard dressing 15.25
Warm Crispy Duck, Mango Citrus Salad solera sherry dressing 15.95

Pizza and Calzone
Four Cheeses Monterey jack, parmesan, mozzarella and goat cheese 12.95
Vegetarian fresh vegetables, roasted garlic, sundried tomato / with or without cheese 12.95
Three Mushrooms portabella, enoki and porcini / scented with truffle oil 13.95
Grilled Free Range Chicken and PortaBella Mushrooms calamata olives and mozzarella 13.95
Calzone with Rock Crab and Gorgonzola goat cheese, carrots, sweet and sour cucumber salad 13.95

Pasta
Fettuccine Alfredo with Asiago Cheese 12.95
Shell-Shaped Pasta with Fresh Shellfish marinara sauce 17.50
Gnocchi gorgonzola cream sauce, seedless grapes 12.95
Vegetarian Bow Tie Pasta fresh vegetables and arugula 13.95
Penne Pasta with Chicken-Apple Sausages light tomato sauce 14.50

Main Plates
Grilled Medallions of Pork caramelized sweet onions, apple-sauterne sauce, potato pancakes 16.25
Spicy Fried Chicken mashed potatoes and mango succotash 14.95
Monterey Calamari Steak lemon capers sauce, sundried tomatoes, risotto 14.75
Grilled Fresh Salmon Filet lemon tomatillo vinaigrette, steamed new potatoes 17.75
Petit Filet Mignon shallot mango sauce, french fries and organic vegetables 19.95
Mixed Grill Fajita chicken, beef and pork 16.25

Sandwiches
All-American Burger with cheddar, swiss or bleu cheese 10.95
Country Club smoked turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato 11.50
Steak Paillarde on ciabatta bread, stir-fried vegetables, ginger glaze, shallots 15.95
California BLT apple-smoked bacon, guacamole 10.25
PortaBella Mushrooms on Sourdough dijon mustard mayonnaise 12.50
Fresh Seared Ahi Tuna Sandwich on sourdough, citrus aioli 15.95

Desserts all à 6.75
Fresh Strawberry Tarte
Crème Caramel
Cheesecake with Port and Raspberry Coulis
Profiterole au Chocolat
Key Lime Mousse
Fresh Fruit Sorbet
Merlot-Poached Pear with Spumante

Early Bird Menu

“Early Bird Dinners”
$14.50
(Special 2-Course Dinners served daily from 11:30 am-6:30 pm)

FIRST COURSE CHOICES:

Organic, Mixed Greens Salad - Balsamic Vinaigrette
OR
Cup of Soup du Jour / or Coconut-Shrimp Soup

MAIN COURSE CHOICES:

Delicate SANDDABS, sautéed in a light lemon-caper sauce; organic fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes

THREE-CHEESE POLENTA, Asiago, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella; sautéed fresh vegetables

BEEF STROGANOFF, fresh mushroom sauce, fettuccine pasta

Grilled PORK TENDERLOIN, demi sauce, roast potatoes, red cabbage

Dinner Menu

Starters
Coconut Shrimp Soup cup 5.25 bowl 7.50
Soup du Jour cup 5.00 bowl 6.95
Giant Roasted Gilroy Garlic cherbed goat cheese, grilled sourdough 7.75
Escargot Ravioli wild mushrooms and tomato coulis 10.95
Home-Smoked Sturgeon Tartar horseradish crème frâiche, potato pancakes 10.25
Gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce, seedless grapes 10.50

Salads
Organic Mixed Greens from the Valley jicama, mustard-madeira dressing 6.95
Caesar Salad 7.95 with Grilled Free Range Chicken 12.95
Oriental Warm Scallops and Arugula mango and bell pepper confit, ginger dressing 15.95
Belgian Endives and Tomato Salad goat cheese, walnuts, cranberry vinaigrette 9.95

Pasta and Pizza
Fettuccine Alfredo with Asiago and PortaBella Mushrooms 14.95
Penne Pasta with Asparagus, Sundried Tomatoes and Arugula vegetable consommé 15.50
Linguini with Clams, Mussels and Shrimps marinara sauce 19.95
Four Cheeses Pizza Monterey jack, parmesan, mozzarella and goat cheese, truffle oil 12.95
Fresh Tomato and Basil Pizza 11.50
Roasted Lamb and Mango Chutney Pizza 15.50
Grilled Free Range Chicken Pizza mushrooms, olives and Monterey jack cheese, truffle oil 13.95
Filet Mignon and Gorgonzola Pizza 15.50

Main Plates
Vegetarian Plate a variety of grilled, steamed and braised vegetables and polenta, sauce provençal 14.95
Grilled Fresh Salmon Filet spinach, roasted potatoes 21.95
Seared Fresh Tuna candied orange zest, wasabe spiced succotash and rice 24.50
Roasted Citrus Chicken lemon grass sauce, potato pancakes, organic vegetables 18.95
Roasted Rack of Lamb herbs and mustard crust, rosemary potatoes, organic vegetables 29.50
Grilled New York Steak and Sautéed PortaBella Mushrooms merlot sauce, potato gratin 28.50
Braised Young Rabbit and Tamale Dumplings cabernet red cabbage, mango tequila relish 21.95
Vineyard Casserole of Tender Beef served in pastry shell, zinfandel sauce 19.50
Grilled Pork Chop (14 oz. cut) baked apple and cranberries, roasted garlic mashed potatoes 21.50

Desserts all à 6.75
Fresh Strawberry Tarte
Crème Caramel
Cheesecake with Port and Raspberry Coulis
Profiterole au Chocolat
Key Lime Mousse
Fresh Fruit Sorbet
Merlot-Poached Pear with Spumante