Mark C. Anderson

January 21, 2020 – It can be challenging to describe the level of luxury GourmetFest brings to the table.

Here is one way: Its organizing parent Relais & Châteaux is so exacting in its international hospitality approach that it’s not enough to cater to every guests whim—with services like personal shoppers and customized cupcakes—but to do it in one-of-a-kind majestic properties that by definition cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Money isn’t really the object with singular experiences like the ones its members craft, but a room at a R&C can run $6K a night.

Only the most rigorously on-it small-scale “hotels” around the world apply to be members in the Relais & Châteaux club. Some are carved into mountains; others are tiny lodges built from beautiful historic … Read More

January 14, 2020 – With upwards of 50 eateries in a square mile, Carmel-by-the-Sea has one of the highest restaurant-per-capita rates on the continent. But among such a deep reservoir of restaurants there is nothing remotely like Carmel Belle and its mix of counter convenience and organic-ingredient-driven fare, which is precisely why Meghan Rasmussen and her family have been loyal customers for years.

Now, with former owners Chloe and Jay Dolata training their focus on Elroy’s Fine Foods, a forthcoming upscale boutique grocery just over Carmel Hill in the former Monte Vista Market, Rasmussen and Dolatas are finalizing a deal for the Doud Craft Studios spot. 

“We had other offers,” Jay Dolata says, “but this one was the best for [Carmel Belle].”

While Rasmussen does mention … Read More

January 14, 2020 – Holy compost pile it’s actually 2020. For those asleep on the tractor that means EcoFarm has been evolving its farmer-to-farmer education juggernaut for no fewer than 40 years. (Or, poetically enough, 20 plus 20.) 

This year’s theme, unfolding at Asilomar Conference Center Jan. 22-25, is “20/20 Vision.” There will be a lot happening and no shortage of vision. 

To wit: Attendees could sit in on a movement meditation with Kalita Todd called Seven Pointed Star Awakening; join Asilomar Environmental Resources staffer Amanda Peece for a walk and talk on Asilomar birds and their habitats; listen in on “The Past, Present, and Future of Organic” keynote from Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, director of Ecdysis Foundation and CEO for Blue … Read More

January 7, 2020 – There will be wild animals paired with tacos, a church with its own craft taproom and salads with soul. There will be old favorites making brave new plays and historic properties finding modern relevance. And there will be a garden-to-plate legend expanding his game and an anti-farm-to-table chef peddling fried chicken.

With ongoing climate turmoil intensifying, technology moving with unprecedented pace and a presidential election that might be the nastiest in U.S. history, 2020 is guaranteed to be a crazy 12 months. Fortunately it will also be flavorful one, for a range of reasons. 

Here are some of the reasons we at Edible Monterey Bay are most excited:

Mentone makes a ballyhooed debut in Aptos.

David Kinch has done just about everything worth doing in the … Read More

Don’t get me wrong. I love a deconstructed cashew-cranberry-duck confit tamal or squid ink micro seafood chimichanga as much as the next guy.

But there is something to be said for a Mexican restaurant concerned less with inventiveness or Instagram imagery than doing its job with straightforward menu items, fair price points, quality and consistency—a place that checks all the boxes in an approachable way with enthusiasm for service. 

So it goes with brand new Seaside spot Las Cazuelas Taqueria, which presents an upgrade for Seaside City Center and fast-improving Broadway Avenue/Obama Way. It’s locally owned by three veteran hospitality pros, a nice swap-out for meat-heavy Dicky’s Barbecue chain and open 9am-10pm hours across from popular Other Brother Brewing Company, which opened late last year.

The first box Cazuelas checks—upon … Read More