Dametra Cafe

Cuisine	Mediterranean
Price	$$$ (31-50)
Rating	4/10
Last Visit	March 8, 2025
Location	Other: Monterey

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General Notes

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According to Google Maps, this is a "cozy yet high-energy choice" -- this is very accurate. There were two birthday celebrations, and for each one the entire staff pulled out their instruments and kick-started a dance session with live music; they encourage everyone to stand up and start dancing mid-meal, haven't seen anything quite like this in a while. The food is ok (about what I'd expect from a restaurant in Carmel, where it's much more about the vibes than anything else), the portions are quite large though so it has that going for it.

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Dishes Tasted

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• ☆☆☆☆ baklava -- truly awful baklava, it's way too sweet but also not very syrupy (it's very dry). Don't order this, especially considering that you get free baklava anyways -- I saw a table next to me get 2 baklava for free at the end of their meal.
• ★☆☆☆ paella -- saffron rice, clams, mussels, shrimp, salmon, spicy sausages, chicken, peas, bell pepper, cooked and served in a skillet. The flavor is solid and the other components are ok, but this is _way_ too watery.
• ★★☆☆ lamb shank -- 6 hours braised lamb shank topped with lamb au jus, potato gratin, fresh vegetables. Lamb shank is braised excellently, au jus is pretty good,
• ★★☆☆ dolmas -- stuffed grape leaves with rice, herbs, lemon, and olive oil. It's served a touch too warm, which I think makes the flavor not quite as great.