My Most Requested Intimate Dinner Menu
As a private chef in Carmel-by-the-Sea, I’ve been honored to cook for many intimate gatherings—romantic anniversaries, milestone birthdays, small weddings, or simply friends celebrating around the table with good wine and better food. And while I always customize each experience to the client and the season, there’s one dinner menu that consistently comes up in conversation. Elegant, balanced, and deeply satisfying—it’s become my signature offering for private, in-home dining.
Here’s a look at my most requested intimate dinner menu:
First Course
Local Artichoke & Spinach Ravioli
With a light saffron-Parmesan cream sauce
We start with something delicate and soulful: fresh handmade ravioli filled with local artichoke hearts and tender spinach. The sauce is gently infused with saffron and finished with aged Parmesan for a silky, aromatic opening to the evening.
Why it’s loved: Light yet luxurious. A beautiful way to begin without overwhelming the palate.
Second Course
Beet, Citrus, Avocado & Feta Salad
With Champagne vinaigrette
This salad is all about contrast—sweet roasted beets, bright segments of citrus, creamy avocado, and salty feta, all tied together with a crisp Champagne vinaigrette. It’s colorful, vibrant, and perfectly refreshing between courses.
A crowd favorite for warm-weather events and al fresco dining.
Main Course
Filet Mignon “Au Poivre”
With French peppercorn sauce & asparagus
The centerpiece: a seared, tender filet mignon finished with a bold green peppercorn sauce, just as you'd find in a Paris bistro. Served with seasonal asparagus—grilled or roasted, depending on the time of year.
This dish always delivers. It's refined, deeply flavorful, and hard not to love.
Dessert – The Great Debate
Grandma’s Chocolate Mousse vs. Pavlova with Vanilla Whipped Cream & Fresh Berries
For dessert, guests are often divided—and I don’t blame them. Some can’t resist the rich, nostalgic elegance of my grandmother’s chocolate mousse (made the old-fashioned way, with whipped egg whites and love). Others fall for the light, crisp pavlova topped with barely sweetened vanilla whipped cream and seasonal berries.
When clients can’t decide, we serve both—and no one complains.
A Menu Made for Intimate Moments
This menu has become the heart of many of my most memorable dinners as a personal chef in Carmel and the surrounding coast. It’s designed to feel elevated but not fussy—classic European technique, rooted in California ingredients, prepared in your kitchen, and served with care.
Whether you’re planning an anniversary, elopement dinner, or a quiet evening with your closest people, this four-course experience offers all the warmth and flavor of a fine restaurant, without leaving your home or vacation rental.
Let’s Cook Together
If you're planning an intimate dinner in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, or Carmel Valley, I’d love to help create something personal and unforgettable. As a private chef, I handle everything—from sourcing ingredients at the farmers market to plating the final bite—so you can simply enjoy.
Reach out today to reserve your date.