Affina - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Upon arriving at the restaurant, we had to wait before being greeted. We were then told that they had overbooked reservations and Open Table kept allowing more reservations to be made. As a result, we had to wait an additional 30 minutes past our reservation time to be seated. The menu was expensive and had limited options. A $20 dish of grilled vegetables did not come with rice or side dishes, and had to be sent back because it was served cold on a wooden cutting board usually used for steak. Despite the restaurant offering us free dessert due to the reservation mix-up, both the main course and dessert were disappointing. Overall, the dining experience was unsatisfactory and we would not recommend this restaurant.

I thoroughly enjoyed the clam chowder and the salad, however, the fried chicken was rather average. The dessert, death by chocolate, was lacking in a robust chocolate taste.

Good food, served hot! Kevin was a very good server.

I recently dined at Affina for my 26th birthday and felt compelled to leave a review on how great the experience was. The restaurant is cozy, modern, and in a perfect spot in downtown Carmel. It's the perfect mix between casual and elegant. Andreas, our guide for the evening, was energetic, fun, and knowledgeable he gave us excellent service despite a very full dining room and many other tables to attend to. We started with the burrata which was very fresh and delicious. I had the carbonara and my girlfriend had the steak. The carbonara had one of the better sauces I've ever tasted on any carbonara and the pasta was cooked perfectly. The steak was also well cooked and came with its own delightful sauce with tasty side veggies that had a very distinctive, original cook and flavor. Two common dishes that the chef put a refreshing and flavorful take on. Mark the piano player took the evening to the next level by leading the restaurant in singing a happy birthday for me. This might embarrass some so know that my girlfriend specifically asked for this and not only did Mark accommodate her request, he was gracious, genuine, and professional about it. The little things like Mark's personal touch are what made the meal, night, and restaurant so memorable. I've dined at a lot of restaurants in Carmel, where there are many fine ones, and Affina was among the best dining experiences I've had. Thank you Affina! Cheers, Evan

I found the food at this restaurant to be delicious. The service was excellent and I really enjoyed the cozy interior. However, I was not a fan of the musician and piano player. She was very talented, but the music was too loud for the small space. If I had known there would be live vocals, I would have chosen a different location. This is just my personal preference, so if you like lively music during dinner, this place would be perfect for you.