October 29, 2021 – About this time last week, beneath an ancient oak in the courtyard of Cooper Molera Adobe in Old Monterey, I witnessed the most intense lay-it-on-’em smooch I can remember.
It’s hard to blame one Sarah Elizabeth Thornton for going in with gusto. After all, she waited through multiple COVID surges, two postponed wedding dates and more than two years to make it official with Stuart Thornton.
I consider myself lucky to have officiated the ceremony and enjoy a ringside seat for the big kiss.
Stuart considers himself lucky to have found Sarah. As he said in his vows, “I look into your eyes and I know that I am in the right place…You are my best friend, my confidante, my muse, and my b.s. detector. You are also my honey, my little tank, and my baby boop.”
But I also believe Sarah, me, Edible Monterey Bay readers and, truth be told, all visitors to the West Coast are lucky that Stuart has also found his professional destiny as a travel author with Moon Books (and a tour guide/ranger with California State Parks), because he’s a walking Found Treasure brimming with insider tips.
In fact, the subject of my very first Found Treasure column was unearthed on a Thornton-led adventure.
No human has given me more money leads on art, music, travel, hiking, food and drink.
In lieu of a giant smooshy kiss, I’m thinking the best wedding gift I can give my readers is a taste of his recent discoveries.
These dishes center in and around Monterey Bay, but his books navigate the wider west. If you’re thinking about doing an epic Las Vegas-Los Angeles-Grand Canyon loop, he’s got you covered. Northern California Road Trip, he’s got that too. And a bunch of other adventures await—from Santa Barbara to Cambria—seemingly everywhere in between.
When I asked him for a few of his current favorite foodie finds earlier this week, the response was quick and extensive. He uncorked a quick top 10 right off the top of his head, which appear here with some turbo tasting notes. I will add…I had the Sriracha chicken biscuit at his bachelor party, and it has to be the best $5 sandwich I’ve had this century:
Chile verde skillet • Turn 12 Bar & Grill, Monterey • “Super-flavorful, super-satisfying.”
Fried chicken biscuit • The Butter House, Seaside • “A comfort food favorite with Sriracha honey sauce.”
Gyro bowl • Zameen Cuisine, Aptos • “It was hearty but not heavy, and it feels healthy-ish. Great post-surf.”
Chocolate peanut butter mousse cake • Tarpy’s Roadhouse, Monterey • “Maybe even better than it sounds.”
Lil pep slice • Slice Project, Watsonville • “Detroit-style delicious, with cupping pepperoni for the win.”
Sunrise tacos • Wild Plum Cafe, Monterey • “Better than they should be, at a super underrated place.”
The burger • Stationaery, Carmel • “It’s a memorable burger, man.”
Salad with skirt steak • Oswald Restaurant, Santa Cruz • “Great for the middle of the day, not that bad price wise.”
Ad Astra Weekly Pizza Nights • Other Brother Beer Co., Seaside • “Outstanding pizza to go with a strong social scene and good craft beer. It’s fun.”
Seasonal teas • Alta Bakery, Monterey • “Rotating crazy tea drinks are a specialty—they had a great watermelon matcha recently.”
It’s all enough to make me ravenous and thirsty right about now.
Those hungry for more food insight or similarly sharp travel intel can find lots more of it at Stuart Thornton’s official website.
Congrats to the newlyweds, who, appropriately enough, are getting back from a mini-moon road trip as I type.
May your adventures be full of life and your life full of adventures.
About the author
Mark C. Anderson, Edible Monterey Bay's managing editor, appears on "Friday Found Treasures" via KRML 94.7 every week, a little after 12pm noon. Reach him via mark@ediblemontereybay.com.
