Famous writer John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California which is very close to CSUMB (California State University Monterey Bay) where I attended college. My Mom and I recently went to the Monterey area to visit some of my friends from college. I knew that John Steinbeck was from Salinas and as I was searching for good places to eat I saw that the Steinbeck House Restaurant was highly recommended. Since I am an avid reader and love visiting unique places I thought that it would be really fun for my Mom and I to go to lunch at Steinbeck’s childhood home. This beautiful victorian house served as the birthplace and childhood home for John.
You can dine at the Steinbeck house Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30am to 2pm. I made our reservation for 11:30am and we had the place to ourselves for a good fifteen minutes. On Saturday they offer tea and snacks for $25 per person. They take reservations which I would highly recommend making to ensure that they will be able to accommodate your party. There are three rooms that have tables set up for lunch. Members of the Valley Guild are volunteers at the Steinbeck House restaurant which has been open for visitors for 40 years. According to the Steinbeck House website Oprah visited the house with some members of her book club in 2003 and even filmed in front of it. In 1995 the house was designated a literary landmark.
Every week the menu is a little different and the choices are all very fresh and delicious. My Mom ordered the quiche lorraine entree that came with a soup or salad. Salinas is the salad bowl capital of the world and one of the two soup options was lettuce soup. I had a bite and thought it was very good and the crunch from the lettuce was a nice touch. For my lunch I had a monte cristo with fresh fruit. We split the frozen chocolate charollete for dessert which consisted of chocolate ice cream, heath bar bits, chocolate syrup and lady fingers. This is such a great choice for a mother daughter lunch or an outing with your girl friends. Of course men are welcome too and I think any fan of John Steinbeck’s would find it an interesting place to visit.
We had a quick look at the other dining rooms which were all adorable. In addition to dining in the house you can also visit the gift shop “The Best Cellar” where you will find a nice variety of gifts. This place is a gem that I wish I would have known about sooner. I first read one of Steinbeck’s novel, The Pearl, in middle school and during my time at CSUMB I saw The Grapes of Wrath movie based on his book. Having lived in the Monterey Bay area during college I would love to read Cannary Row. This area had such an influence on Steinbeck’s writing and I am so thankful for his work which will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
I am so happy that my Mom and I made time to visit the Steinbeck House during our trip. We were in no rush but because we were the only ones there for the first part of our lunch are food came quickly. Even after taking our time to enjoy the house, take pictures and look around the gift shop we were only there for an hour. That worked out perfectly since we had a lot we wanted to try and fit in during our short trip. You can also visit the Steinbeck center which is located close by to the house. I highly recommend this charming restaurant while in the Monterey area.
Interested in going to the Steinbeck House restaurant? You can visit their website for information on making a reservation: http://steinbeckhouse.com
My school went to the Steinbeck house at least three years in a row for a field trip, yet other than the outside, I barely recognize it. Interesting enough, his former home is down the road from ours.
So cool that this place has a restaurant in it. My mom would love to visit this house.
The food looks amazing! I want to visit there :)
This place looks so cute. Wish it was close enough for me to go. Maybe I’ll visit there one day and check it out. Thanks! Great post and site! I found you on FB GYB page. Let me know if you’d like to collaborate, be a guest writer with links back to your blog (or vice versa), or get together to do a giveaway with some other bloggers, just support each other in some way. My site is http://www.4hourbodygirl.com.
All the best,
Heather
I would love to visit! The food looks delicious, and the setting is so pretty.
YUMMMMMMM nom nomwow that food its made me seriously peckish as I wait for my Friday night out mates. Looks like a wonderful place to visit this Steinbeck house and I shall check it out next time I am in Southern California! Thnaks for sharing
It looks like a lovely place to spend some time. Makes me want to visit myself.
The place is really amazing. Interesting place to visit. This is the first time i heard that there was an author who made a house for him to made it a business.
Love the decor both inside and out! So darling. Also sounds like a great price for tea service. We pay quite a bit more than that at our favorite local joint that offers tea service!
What a cool and comfy restaurants and they serve a good food, I really want to go there and try their food, I’m so glad you share this
It would be awesome to be able to dine their. John Steinbeck was one of the authors I looked up to. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience there, the food looks so good.
Steinbeck house seems like a great place to visit! Love the design and these food photos! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring post! :-)
I would love to go to the restaurant .I think it would be amazing to get to California, lol! :)
My my my, that house has a colonial feel to it. It’s pretty, no erase, it’s very pretty. It’s insanely cute. You are so lucky. Ka
Everything looks so amazing! I really love the desserts. I think my wife would love staying here!
What a pretty and peaceful atmosphere to eat at! Very quaint and the food looks great!
I remember reading Steinbeck in school! This looks like such a fun experience.
How fun to eat where John Steinbeck grew up. The food looks great. I’d love to visit a place like this just to say I’ve been there.
I love this. The food looks good too. It’s a fun and unique way to enjoy a lunch date.
those food are amazing, never thought that this restaurant has in it.
What a wonderful place to visit I like the range of food especially the desert. The frozen chocolate charolotte sounds good!
I have lived in this area almost my whole life and never visited here. It is on my list now for sure. Thanks for the share.
Love this! It looks like a regular family dinner but in a really nice restaurant!
what a beautiful house. I have head of the Steinbeck house. The food looks wonderful. :)
my mom would love to visit this house, and the food looks amazing!