Grasing's

Grasing’s can be found in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, a couple of blocks off Ocean Avenue. The entrance leads into a series of dining rooms, each with its own mix of tables and booths. Toward the back, a landscaped patio stretches out. That patio is set up for dogs: water bowls, beds, and even a separate menu just for them. Most guests with pets head straight there, especially when the weather holds. The kitchen keeps a steady rhythm from morning through night. Breakfast brings out huevos rancheros and cappuccinos, with coffee circulating through the early hours. Lunch shifts to sandwiches – grilled chicken or vegetable – along with salads and lighter seafood like calamari. By dinner, the menu turns to heartier plates: ribeye (sometimes a cut for two), beef short rib, duck breast, scallops, and whatever halibut special is running that evening. Appetizers stick to classics – albacore, house-made potato chips, onion rings. Sides like beet salad or a simple chicken breast can be added to most orders. Desserts rotate but usually include a fruit tart, apple crisp, and crème brûlée. The bar sits just off the main room, mixing cocktails – old fashioneds are a staple – and the wine list fills its own binder. Inside, the setup works for both quick lunches and drawn-out dinners. Some tables get dressed up for birthdays or anniversaries if requested ahead of time. The patio feels tucked away, with enough greenery to keep things private. There’s no dedicated parking lot, so most people walk in from the surrounding streets. No real signage or historic markers – just a straightforward spot that covers the basics, stays open through the week, and makes room for both regulars and visitors with dogs in tow.