Seventh Dolores - Carmel-by-the-Sea

We even decided against dessert because it took 45 minutes from the time the waiter brought the dessert menu until he returned to take our order. Our meal for two, with an automatic 20% gratuity added, totaled nearly $500. I don’t drink alcohol, and my husband only had two drinks. I'm shocked by the number of positive reviews this place has received! I've noticed that many of the reviewers seem to be local guides, which makes me question the credibility of their reviews. Just be warned, this was a learning experience for us. There are definitely better dining options in Carmel!

What really frustrated me was the automatic 20% tip included in the bill, regardless of party size. While I believe in tipping my server—20% is a standard amount—it should be up to me to decide, not enforced by the restaurant. It diminishes the incentive for servers to excel since the tip is guaranteed. The service was decent, but not exceptional. From the start, even the drink menu mentioned the added 20%, which was acceptable, but the most aggravating part was when they presented the bill along with a postcard explaining that the 20% tip is shared among the staff and suggesting that we tip our waiter additionally. That's outrageous! A better approach would be to pay your employees fairly rather than squeezing every dollar out of customers, especially when a meal for two—with mediocre food—cost $350. I used to work as a waiter and bartender during college, and I understand the importance of tips in this industry, especially in this area. However, the tipping culture has become excessive. I won’t return or recommend this place to anyone. Address the mandatory 20%, remove the card asking for additional tips, and cook the steaks correctly. Perhaps then you’ll see an improvement in business that doesn’t rely on overcharging customers. We dined outside, and judging by the conversations around us, it seemed like most patrons were tourists. They’re easy to capitalize on since they’re unlikely to return. This is certainly not a spot I’d recommend for locals.

That said, I felt the presentation of the dishes could use a bit of restraint. A little less garnish, less sauce, and fewer ingredients would help highlight the flavors of the individual components. I also noticed that some of the items served in bowls had food dripping down the sides. Given the price point, I believe that everything should be presented perfectly. A little attention to detail could go a long way in enhancing the overall dining experience. The service was generally good, though at times it felt a little too attentive, with waitstaff that were very eager. I suspect that patrons in this area might prefer that level of engagement, but personally, I favor a more unobtrusive approach. Nonetheless, the staff were friendly and skilled at their jobs. The atmosphere, despite the restaurant’s beautiful building, felt somewhat lacking. While I may not personally return, I think it’s worth a visit for those who enjoy this type of cuisine.

Everything was amazing. The best twice baked potato I've ever had. Perfectly cooked steak. Delicious cocktails. Fantastic service. It was a little drafty inside which made the indoor dining area pretty cold. Ambience was nice but a little loud, not too bad though and after a few minutes it actually added to our sense of privacy.

I’m going to write this review because I care about this place as an institution because among my circles here in town, that’s how it’s regarded. First, the actual restaurant floor. Too loud, the music is too loud and steals away from the experience. I’m at a restaurant not a disco, please make that experience come to life. The food was decent but it was not special, specially considering the price. Our medium well done ribeye was well done. Unacceptable to be honest. The wine list is extensive and I appreciate that. However, for the price and prestige that this place holds an updated list is the bare minimum. If a bottle isn’t available, print a new menu for the night. Overall, disappointing. This was a place I had looked forward to and it failed. There are better options in Carmel and in Monterey. I won’t list places out of respect for the staff and the owners but as a customer you’ll find them. For $500, I expected more — a lot more.