The Forge in the Forest, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

This is the only family style restaurant we have come across in Carmel that has a large, spacious patio dedicated to diners with their dogs. Unfortunately our experience in October 2006 was less than spectacular with mediocre food and poor service despite that fact that it has been voted the Peninsula’s “Best Outdoor Dinging” establishment each year since 1992! But they still welcome dogs and in sunny weather eating on the doggie patio is still a pleasure even if you have to select your dishes carefully.

The Forge in the Forest seems small at first glance, but it is a series of small, intimate garden areas that wrap around the main building which is also a series of small, intimate interior dining areas. The Forge in the Forest is a historic Carmel landmark having been in business since 1944.

This is basic American cuisine prepared fresh with appetizers and main courses from a chicken Caesar and other salads to ribs, burgers, filet mignon, pizzas, tacos, stir fry and seafood. Some are just fine as served; others are all gooped up with an excess of stuff. There are many vegetarian dishes for non-meal eaters such as Grilled Eggplant, Portabella Mushroom grilled with sesame seeds and seved on garlic crusted baguette, Garden Veggie Burger with mushrooms, grilled onions, roasted red peppers and Jack cheese. There is a marvelous Vegetable Steamer Basket filled with perfectly steamed fresh vegetables, rice pilaf, garlic butter and lemon.  There is a full complement of desserts involving various combination s of ice creams, chocolate chips, chocolate sauces, brownies, New York Cheese Cakes and on and on.

As long as the weather permits, the out of doors is the most appealing. But if you prefer white tablecloth dining there are three rooms inside. The Oak Tree Room has a French bistro ambiance with stone floor and mirrored walls. The Wine Cellar has hints of King Arthur with its large round table with an enormous wrought iron chandelier hung from a domed ceiling of hand painted clouds with, as the name suggests, wine racks wrapping around the walls. The Artists’ Gallery is more refined with artwork of local artists on the walls.

But it is their obvious love of dogs that most appealed to us. In talking to the staff (who bought the restaurant themselves just a few years ago), they explained that not only is Carmel itself a dog friendly town, but it broke their hearts to see dogs left in cars or tied up outside while their human companions got to have all the fun at restaurants. So they seceded to designate a section of their patio exclusively for fellow dog lovers. They even print a special menu for their K-9 guests. Called the “Dog Pound Menu” dishes range from a simple “Plain Ol’ Kibble” to “The Quarter Hounder” beef patty, “Hen House Chicken Strips Run, Chicken Run!” of white breast meat, “Hot Diggity Dog” which is al all beef kosher hot dog to the super deluxe “Good Dog” for very, very good dogs who deserve eight ounces of grilled and sliced New York steak. At $12.95 it was tempting to make Doogie share it with us! Giant bowls of water are automatically served each dog which usually get slopped over during doggie smellum meetings. Our kind of place!

So the Forge in the Forest is a place for the whole family and leads to conversations with complete strangers as leaches are untangled and unattended chairs that should have secured Towser are dragged across the brick courtyard towards the gorgeous beauty just out of reach.

The Forge in the Forest
S.W. Corner of 5th & Junipero
Carmel, CA 93921
Tel: 831-624-2233
Fax:831-624-1102
E-mail:  e-mail@forgeintheforest.com
Web site: http://www.forgeintheforest.com 

Open Daily from 11:30 AM
Fri & Sat: until 10:00 PM
Sun - Thurs: until 9:00 PM
Sunday Brunch: 11 AM-2:30 PM
Later during summer 

For full menu: http://www.restauranteur.com/forge/menu.htm