L'Auberge Carmel

The three-story, wood frame and stucco building was designed by a San Francisco architect with an old-world, European touch. Built in 1929, the crux of the simple, yet luxurious coastal retreat is a landscaped courtyard resembling a French-country estate. Blooming flowerboxes decorate nearly every window. Enclosed by the resort, the courtyard is shielded from ocean breezes. The brick floor provides a colorful contrast to the manor's white-walled exterior and dark rooftop. The quaint, village-style venue can accommodate 100 standing and 60 seated. A small, private affair can be held in the Aubergine Dining Room for up to 28, offering tapestry-curtained windows to view the passers-by. A wine cellar holding the restaurants 4,500-bottle collection is also a more intimate option.