Place to eat: Nepenthe, Big Sur, California, United States

About this place:

Nepenthe literally means "the one that chases away sorrow" and it first appears in Homer's Odyssey... more loosely translated, it is the drug of forgetfulness.

However, the restaurant Nepenthe feels like entering a lair of one of Bond's arch-nemesis villains. Drive south from Big Sur and make sure you don't miss the turn off that comes around a quick corner. Lunch is slightly pricy, but it is definitely worth the view. If you want to stick on the cheaper side, grab one of their good burgers.

If you feel like self-serve, visit Café Kevah on the level below Nepenthe and enjoy the pretty much same view. Excellent lunch stop on the way down the coast!

Originally during WWII, Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles bought and renovated a cabin at this spot. They sold the cabing to Lolly and Bill Fassett in 1947. Fassetts conceived and developed the restaurant and their family has since maintained a commitment to exceptional caring service in a relaxed atmosphere.

Lolly added the Phoenix Shop in 1964 to share the wares and treasures she loved with the world, and in 1992, the Café Kevah opened.

All three businesses are still operated by their children and grandchildren. The traditions of family hospitality are a hallmark of the business.