Pangaea on Ocean Ave

Review summary

1. M

   Mei

   Orange County

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   The host forgot us after we checked in 5 minutes before our reservation time. I had to repeatedly asked for our table and she was confused of the number in our party. The restaurant was busy but wasn’t packed. Our server was good. The food was no too good. The rice was so hard in a chunk that I had to use knife to cut it. We had a good experience here a few years ago, but won’t be back here again!
   

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2. R

   Robert

   Central Coast

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 21, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   This was my first dinner, my wife's third dinner, eating at Pangea.  I had had an amazing lunch there and wanted to go back. Unfortunately, the food was less than up to par. I ordered the short ribs, which came sliced with the bones:  although the flavor was good, the meat was so tough I could not chew it, and there was a lot of gristle. The rice that came with it, probably was supposed to be sticky rice, was hard as a rock in the center as if they had microwaved it to reheat. the bok choy and kimchi were fine. But overall, this dish was pretty bad. My wife had raved about the Sandabs that she had had twice before: they were definitely not up to standard. They were dry, and the lemon caper sauce was too thick and had solidified on the top of the fish.  The roasted cauliflower seemed as though it had been microwaved to reheat. The brussels sprouts were boiled and mushy. The mashed potatoes were medium warm, and flavorless.  We shared a beet salad that came on a bed of maybe 2 tablespoons of arugula. The beets were average and pretty bland. The best part about the meal was the server who was very personable and attentive, and the club soda that we had to drink. I don't know if it was a replacement, but In hindsight, I should've asked to speak with the chef.  For a fine dining establishment in Carmel, this was a poor excuse for a meal. We are locals, and this dinner makes me not want to ever recommend or come back to this restaurant. Ever.
   

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3. R

   Russell

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   38 reviews

   5.0

   38 reviews

   Dined on December 18, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our server was Yvette and she ensured a great experience for us.
   

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4. B

   Bruce

   VIP

   Central Coast

   71 reviews

   5.0

   71 reviews

   Dined on December 17, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely atmosphere Lovely wine Lovely food Amazing service
   

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5. E

   Erik

   Tulsa

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 15, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Great place, great service (👍 Juan) and very good value especially considering where (Carmel) it’s located. Will recommend to everyone.
   

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6. C

   Cherie

   San Francisco

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on December 12, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Our server, Sergio was the best. Personable, knowledgeable, not pushy, good sense of humor and very welcoming. We had the early dinner specials. I usually order the East West KAlbi-style ribs and they are always delicious. This time I tried the Sandabs dinner and was disappointed in how bland the sandabs tasted. My husband ordered the Chicken Parmesan with pasta and it was delicious. We were sitting up front in front of the windows and near the front door and we should have asked for the door to be closed if possible as it got quite cold. Except for my sandabs and getting quite cold (even a server was wearing a coat), I would have given 5-stars.
   

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7. D

   Daisy

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on December 8, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Our Server was amazing! He was very upbeat, gave honest recommendations and was on top of our needs. The food however was a different story. One person ordered a filet cooked medium, which arrived very well done. Server was great & got a new filet. Second try - half the steak was medium & the rest was bloody and the texture of the steak did not seem like a filet. Again - server was amazing and comped that dish. The eggplant appetizer was really good and had good flavor. Two people got carribean bass and the flavor was bland. Two others got the grilled salmon - flavor was good but mashed potatoes were cold. Totally NOT worth the prices on the menu overall. Hate to give bad review because our server was truly amazing but you come to a restaurant for the Food first, service second.
   

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8. L

   Lori

   VIP

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 7, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Uber delicious tofu soup with pork belly and mandu. Spam kimbap was awesome and their skirt steak sandwich was to die for. And we got to sit at the Mayor's Table, which was apparently where Clint Eastwood used to sit back then. We keep coming here every time we visit Carmel by-the-sea. Very highly recommended!
   

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9. J

   Janet

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 5, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   I took my sister here for her birthday. This was our first time here with the new owners. We went about five years ago, and it was OK. It is MUCH better now. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was upgraded. I liked the hanging lights and fireplace. I gave the service four stars because our server wore a ski jacket the entire time. It was so strange. Did he spill something on his shirt? It felt like someone off the street was serving us. He was friendly and attentive, but getting past the down jacket was hard. I would recommend this restaurant, but I do not think I will go for a special occasion again.
   

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10. J

    Jessica

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Our experience was wonderful from the moment we walked in, our host Sergio which was also our waiter was very friendly. He made us feel like family. He gave my husband and I a few menu suggestions which were delicious, the seafood pasta was amazing and the sea bass with the Caribbean sauce was divine. The restaurant has a very nice ambiance as well and situated in the heart of Ocean Avenue. We couldn’t have picked a better restaurant to celebrate our anniversary.
    

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