DINE LOCAL GUIDE

These businesses all emphasize local ingredients, and they advertise in Edible Monterey Bay. Please support them with a visit and pick up a complimentary copy of EMB while you’re there.

Big Sur

The Restaurant at Ventana 831-667-2331 • www.ventanainn.com

A peaceful fireplace setting and rustic wood interior give way to a legendary terrace with some of the most amazing views Big Sur has to offer. Chef Truman Jones’s cuisine uses fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients sourced from local farms and foragers and reflects his memories of growing up on a farm and his experience working in some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants. The restaurant’s menu changes frequently and its wine list is award–winning. The Ventana Bistro is available for private events. Open daily for lunch 11:30am–4:30pm, dinner 6:00–9:00pm.

Boulder Creek

New Leaf Community Market 13159 Highway 9, Boulder Creek • 831.338.7211 • www.newleaf.com

The perfect place to stop for made-to-order sandwiches, trail mix and picnic supplies for hikers on their way up to Big Basin or Castle Rock State Parks. All ingredients are fresh and natural, meats are hormone-free, produce comes from local growers. Open 9am–9pm every day.

Carmel

Carmel Valley Ranch 1 Old Ranch Rd., Carmel • 831.625.9500 • www.carmelvalleyranch.com

A soaring ceiling and picture windows framing coastal oaks bring the outside in at Carmel Valley Ranch. Chef Tim Wood describes his cuisine as “sophisticated rustic.” He takes freshness to lofty heights, sourcing vegetables from the Ranch’s own organic garden and Swank Farms at the height of ripeness—and often enough that he never has to refrigerate it, thus avoiding the flavor-flattening that occurs when the sugar in refrigerated produce turns to starch. The restaurant also features local olive oil and wines and house-made ice cream and honey. Open for breakfast M–F 7am–11:30am, lunch M–F 11:30am–5pm, dinner Su–Th 5–10pm and F–Sa 5–10pm, and brunch Sa–Su 11:30am–3pm.

Earthbound Farm’s Farm Stand 7250 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel • 831.625.6219 www.ebfarm.com/OurFarmStand

Organic is essential at Earthbound foods. In addition to fresh organic produce, prepared foods and gourmet groceries, the farm stand has a colorful salad bar and a certified organic kitchen that turns out homemade soups and bakery goods daily. Take out or eat at outdoor tables set in the garden. Open M–Sa 8am–6:30pm, Su 9am–6pm. “(See back cover of this magazine for Earthbound’s special offer of a free small organic ice cream or homemade organic frozen yogurt.)

Grasing’s Sixth Street & Mission, Carmel • 831.624.6562 • www.grasings.com

In an ivy-covered Carmel house lit by enormous wrought-iron chandeliers, Chef Kurt Grasing serves ultra-fresh coastal cuisine and upscale bar food for sharing. The dinner menu features chop house favorites, local farm-raised abalone and an eclectic variety of California wines at reasonable prices. Open M–Th for lunch 11am–3pm and dinner 5–9pm, F–Su for brunch 10:30am–3pm and dinner 5–10pm.

Mundaka San Carlos Street between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel 831.624.7400 • www.mundakacarmel.com

A convivial Spanish restaurant and tapas bar hidden away at the back of a Carmel courtyard, Mundaka is named for a coastal town in the Basque country and has a loyal following of locals. A surprisingly authentic kitchen led by chef Brandon Miller produces organic specialties to share like patatas bravas, croquetas, tiny lamb chops and paella. Open for dinner 5:30pm–late every day.

Carmel Valley

Bernardus Lodge 415 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley • 831.658.3400 • www.bernardus.com

Chef Cal Stamenov oversees the kitchen for two restaurants at Bernardus Lodge. Elegant Marinus features starched white linens and gleaming crystal in a Tuscan yellow dining room. The menu changes daily and blends top California ingredients with decadent French preparations. Private parties can book dinner in the award-winning wine cellar or at the chef’s table in the kitchen—where Julia Child and dozens of celebrities have dined. Next to the croquet lawn, Wickets is a more casual option with simpler preparations of exquisite local ingredients and produce from the lodge’s own organic garden. Sit next to the fountain on the sunny patio and try a brick-oven pizza topped with wild mushrooms or duck confit. Marinus: Open for dinner W–Su 6–10pm; Wickets Bistro: Open for breakfast 7–11am, lunch 11:30am–3pm and dinner 6–10pm, with light all-day menu from 2–6pm.

Capitola

New Leaf Community Market 1210 41st Ave., Capitola • 831.479.7987 • www.newleaf.com

The New Beet Café at the entrance offers great alternatives to fast food, serving economical daily specials, wraps, pizza and homemade soup and smoothies—with free wi-fi in the dining area. Inside, a full deli has made-to-order sandwiches, healthy takeout salads and entrée items. Open 8am–9pm every day.

Whole Foods Market 1710 41st Ave., Capitola • 831.464.2900 • www.wholefoodsmarket.com

An inviting hot food bar offers Asian, Middle Eastern, Mexican and vegan dishes, as well as several kinds of soups made fresh daily. Stop in for picnic supplies, takeout or eat your meal at the sidewalk tables surrounding the store. Open 8am–9pm every day.

Felton

New Leaf Community Market 6240 Highway 9, Felton • 831.335.7322 • www.newleaf.com

New Leaf offers the best fresh food made and grown here on the Central Coast. Made-to-order sandwiches, salads and hot foods are all-natural. No nitrates, no hormones, antibiotics or artificial ingredients. Open 9am–9pm every day.

Half Moon Bay

New Leaf Community Market 150 San Mateo Rd., Half Moon Bay • 650.726.3110 • www.newleaf.com

Green plate specials offer healthy natural lunches for $5 daily and full dinners for $9.99. Lunches like Diestel turkey wraps and tri-tip sandwiches change daily. Hot dinner specials include classics like meatloaf with mashed potatoes and Smart chicken Parmesan. Open 8am–9pm every day.

Monterey

Monterey Bay Aquarium Café and Restaurant 886 Cannery Row, Monterey • 831.648.4870 www.montereybayaquarium.org

Sweeping views of the Monterey Bay are the focal point of the upscale restaurant inside the Aquarium. Executive Chef Jeff Rogers prepares sustainable seafood approved under the Aquarium’s seafood watch program. Preparations range from New England clam chowder to Thai-style mussels, with child-friendly options as well. Complimentary binoculars offered for viewing sea life in the bay. Open 11am–5pm. A selfservice café is open 10am to 5pm. Aquarium admission required.

Stone Creek Kitchen 465 Canyon del Rey Blvd., Monterey 831.393.1042 • www.stonecreekkitchen.com

A glass-walled kitchen in the middle of a spacious cookware shop turns out imaginative Mediterranean deli treats and sweets to take away or eat under the market umbrellas outside. Petite baguette sandwiches—like grilled chicken, artichoke hearts and Boursin cheese—are little works of art. Don’t miss the pistachio/cherry chocolate bark or the paella Fridays. Open M–F 10am–7pm, Sa 10am–4pm, closed Su except during November and December.

Whole Foods Market 800 Del Monte Center, Monterey • 831.333.1600 • www.wholefoodsmarket.com

This busy market at the Del Monte Center has everything needed for a picnic at the beach. Fresh to-go sandwiches, salads and dinner entrées all made with natural or organic ingredients can be eaten at the café tables outside or taken with you. Open 8am–9pm every day.

The Wild Plum Café, Bistro and Bakery 731 Munras Ave., Monterey • 831.646.3109 • www.thewildplumcafe.com

Tucked away in downtown Monterey, the Wild Plum is a local favorite for its fresh breakfast pastries and takeout entrées, like lasagne, sesame chicken and sustainable seafood. Everything is homemade on the premises and owner Pamela Burns haunts three farmers’ markets each week for the most delicious seasonal, local produce. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tu–Sa 7:30am–8:30pm, Su–M for breakfast and lunch 7:30am–5:30pm.

Grove Market 242 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove • 831.375.9581 • www.grovemarketpg.com

Golf lovers should come by just to see the collection of antique clubs and tournament memorabilia that adorns the walls. Food lovers will enjoy the deli counter with sandwiches, breakfast burritos, sliders with caramelized onion, vegetarian lasagne, and a different homemade entrée each day. Open M–Sa 8am–7pm, Su 9am–6pm.

Happy Girl Kitchen Co. 173 Central Ave., Pacific Grove • 831.373.4475 • www.happygirlkitchen.com

The menu changes daily at Happy Girl’s airy and bright Pacific Grove café, but the food is always delicious, organic and reasonably priced: The sandwich of the day is $5.50 and a bowl of the soup of the day is $4.50. To drink, you’ll find kombucha on tap and Blue Bottle Coffee brewed fresh. Homemade baked goods include a daily scone, cookies and turnovers. When it’s time to go, take home some famed Happy Girl preserves or another local artisan food product from the café’s wide selection. Open daily 8am–3pm.

Santa Cruz

Charlie Hong Kong 1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.426.5664 • www.charliehongkong.com

Charlie Hong Kong has been providing the Santa Cruz community with healthy, fresh, high-quality food since 1998. The restaurant’s fusion of Southeast Asian influences and the central coast’s local organic produce is what has made it a neighborhood favorite. Its slogan is “love your body, eat organic,” and its cuisine is proof that fast food can be good for you. Open daily from 11am-11pm.

Companion Bakeshop 2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz • 831.252.2253 • www.companionbakeshop.com

After five years on the farmers’ market circuit, Companion has opened its own bakery/café. It has a brick oven, where organic sourdough bread is baked throughout the day, and a long communal table for sharing a coffee with your neighbors. Eight kinds of sourdough bread and seasonal pastries are made with local, organic ingredients. Open Tu–F 7am–1pm, Sa–Su 8am–2pm, closed M.

Gabriella Café 910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz • 831.457.1677 • www.gabriellacafe.com

One of the city’s most charming dining spots, Gabriella Café serves a California-Italian menu starring organic produce from local growers and the nearby farmers’ market, as well as humanely raised meat and sustainable seafood. There is a candlelit patio and a cozy dining room that showcases the work of local artists. Open for lunch M–F 11:30am–2pm, dinner every day 5:30–9pm, brunch Sa–Su 11:30am–2pm.

New Leaf Community Market 1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.425.1793 • www.newleaf.com

New Leaf’s headquarters in an old bank building on Pacific Avenue is a worthwhile stop for all foodies. Crowded with gourmet natural foods, it also has a deli with sandwiches, salads and hot entrées. A dining area out front is great for people watching and listening to street musicians. Open 9am–9pm every day.

New Leaf Community Market 1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.426.1306 • www.newleaf.com

The Westside New Leaf has a large deli counter and coffee bar, with a big selection of sandwiches, salads, bakery items, soups and other hot foods. You can eat at an instore counter or at tables outside. There is a community classroom here for frequent cooking classes. Open 8am–10pm every day.

Penny Ice Creamery 913 Cedar St., Santa Cruz • 831.204.2523 • www.thepennyicecreamery.com

Lines out the front door of its converted Spanish bungalow are evidence of Penny’s popularity. All ice cream, including bases, is made from scratch on the premises using local organic ingredients when possible. Flavors change seasonally, but two favorites are bourbon bacon chocolate and strawberry pink peppercorn. Open Su–W noon–9pm, Th–Sa noon–11pm.

The Picnic Basket 125 Beach St., Santa Cruz • 831.427.9946

Across the street from the main beach, owners of the Penny Ice Creamery have opened an alternative to boardwalk fast food. Sandwiches, organic salads, coffee and beer, all from local food artisans and of course the Penny’s popular ice cream are all on offer to eat in or eat outside with your feet in the sand. Open 7am–midnight every day.

Ristorante Avanti 1711 Mission St., Santa Cruz • 831.427.0135 • www.ristoranteavanti.com

A popular Mediterranean-style neighborhood bistro with a warm wood-paneled dining room. Food is prepared naturally and simply using local organic produce, wholesome oils and real Italian cheeses and meats. Avanti’s reputation is deeply engrained in the sustainable farming practices of the area. Hidden in a strip mall, this is a real gem. Open for lunch M–F 11:30am–2pm, for dinner Su–Th 5–9pm, F–Sa 5–9:30pm.

River Café 415 River St. Suite K, Santa Cruz • 831.420.1280 • www.rivercafesantacruz.com

A popular spot for breakfast and lunch at the Old Sash Mill, the River Café now serves dinner on Thursday and Friday nights. All meals are made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients, prepared with a Mediterranean flair. Homemade granola and quality panini. Dining inside or on their redwood deck. Open M–W 6:30am–6pm, Th—F 6:30am–10pm, Sa 6:30am–6pm, Su brunch 10am–3pm. Come by and visit their new organic produce and flower stall on Tuesdays 11:30-4:00pm.

Verve 816 41st Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.475.7776 • www.vervecoffeeroasters.com

Award-winning baristas and carefully selected coffee beans, hand-roasted on the premises, make Verve a must-stop destination for coffee connoisseurs throughout the Monterey Bay area. A short walk for the surfers at Pleasure Point, the café is bright and modern and always smells great. New locations opening in Seabright and downtown. Free cuppings offered on Fridays. Open M–Th 6am–7:30pm, F–Sa 7am–8:30pm, Su 7am–7:30pm.

Vivas Organic Mexican Food 1201 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.425.8482 • www.vivasorganic.com

A splashing fountain suggests an old Mexican patio but the food is a modern, organic and delicious take on south-of-the-border classics like tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and burritos. All meats and vegetables are organic. Local juices, organic white and brown rice are available, as well as vegan options. Open M–F 10am–10pm, Sa–Su 9am–10pm.

Whole Foods Market 911 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz • 831.426.9901 • www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Too busy to cook? Head for the prepared foods section of Whole Foods Market, where everything is natural or organic and as much as possible is locally grown. There are ethnic specialties, salads, soups, fresh pizza and a coffee bar, with tables out in front of the market. Open 8am–9pm every day.