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5 Things to Love Big Sur Restaurants WHEN IT'S HOT here in Silicon Valley, you know it's cool, foggy and beautiful in Big Sur. If you're making a weekend getaway, be sure to check out some of these fine dining establishments. Central Texan BBQ Restaurant: OK, it's not Big Sur but it's on the way in Castroville as you're headed south. It's definitely worth a stop, especially for the ribs and brisket. Open 4-8:30pm Tue and 11am-9pm Wed-Sun. 10500 Merritt St., Castroville. 831.633.2285. Cielo: Located at Big Sur's famed Ventana Inn, Cielo's stunning mountain and ocean views, outdoor dining and great food make it a superb dining destination. Open daily noon-3:30pm and 6-9pm. Hwy. 1, Big Sur. 831.624.4812. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn: These woodsy cabins evoke the rustic romance of Big Sur, and the inn's restaurant is great for breakfast. Hwy. 1, Open 8am-noon weekdays and till 12:30pm weekends. Dinner 6pm-close. Big Sur. 831.667.2377. Nepenthe: Ten bucks is a lot to pay for a cheeseburger but with ocean and mountain views like this, Nepenthe's "ambrosia burger" and a cold beer are hard to beat. Open daily 11:30am-10pm. Hwy. 1, Big Sur. 831.667.2345. Sierra Mar: If there's a restaurant in a more stunning setting on the West Coast, I'm not aware of it. Located at Big Sur's understated but sybaritic Post Ranch Inn, Sierra Mar is at the end of a long climb of stairs perched atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The superb food and 20,000-bottle wine cellar are fitting accompaniments to the natural beauty. Open daily noon-3:30pm and 6-9pm. Hwy. 1, Big Sur. 831.667.2800. Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]