December 19, 2023 – As time goes on, it moves quicker and quicker.
That’s more than a saying popular among elders.
It’s a study in relative perceived reality.
Adrian Bejan points out as much on the TEDx stage, noting a year of life when you’re, say, 7 is a lot bigger chunk of your life than a year when you’re 57—1/57th of a moment flies faster than 1/7th.
“Mind time is not clock time,” Bejan says.
It’s a long way of forgiving everyone for thinking, Dang 2023 went fast, especially us old timers.
When a year zips by, Edible has your back, with a tradition to help slow down, look back, and give readers a big dripping, tasty, filling way to mark a year’s passing.
Come get you some of the Best New Openings of the Year, linked to the stories we published about each.
A final few notes pre-drum roll:
In the past, I’ve enjoyed developing a list of Best New Restaurants of the Year (here’s a peek at 2022’s top 11), Best New Non-Restaurant Restaurants of the Year (check out 2022’s most meaningful 18) and Biggest Stories of the Year too (2021’s installment is interesting given Cal Stamenov’s 2023 relocation to Cella).
This year we went with the best openings because it allowed us to include important non-restaurants.
Thanks for reading, and please hit me with any feedback, responsible and irresponsible alike, via mark@ediblemontereybay.com or @MontereyMCA on Instagram.
I’ll also complement this rundown with notes on honorable mentions, important non-restaurant storylines and more in my Found Treasures column on Friday.
17 • Jeju Kitchen A late entry to the dance (as far as 2023) jumps onto the list thanks to thoughtful Korean food like kimchi pancakes, spicy bulgogi chicken and jajangmyeon noodles, in a restaurant-heavy hamlet (Carmel) that didn’t dish them before. Carmel Plaza, Carmel
16 • Namaste Bar & Grill The inventive menu, the lively vibe, the Indian leaning cocktails and solid execution make for a beachfront spot that resonates on the mind and mouth. 303 Beach St. Santa Cruz
15 • Far East + Kitchen A flat out fun and high-quality sushi spot, spiked with great Korean- and Chinese-leaning dishes, is just what the Scotts Valley appetite ordered. Plus: robots delivering dishes is cool. 5600 Scotts Valley Dr. Scotts Valley
14 • Mad Yolks Simplicity done eggcellently ain’t as easy to pull off as it seems. Here twin brothers make it happen, with indulgent egg sandwiches on fresh baked buns that make the whole squooshy experiment pop. 1411 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz
13 • Sampa Brazilian If you’re not rooting for Sampa and its stylish take on Sao Paolo street food, maybe you’re reading the wrong website. The team is familial and focused, the energy is warm and the pao de queijo and coxinha are yum. 841 N. Branciforte, Santa Cruz
11 • (Tie) Tacos Al Fuego • Tacos Jalisciense It feels fun to pair these two because they’re 1) both family-run taquerias that became immediate community go-tos; and 2) are quite different. Al Fuego in Watsonville goes a little more creative/modern with a big complimentary salsa bar, while Jalisciense follows a straightforward model of strong recipes, solid value and fresh product. Tacos al Fuego, 45 Aviation Way, Watsonville. Tacos Jalisciense, 1390 Fremont Blvd. Seaside
10 • Honey B Market The ethics behind it are clear, as is the quality of the granularly made breads, tempeh and fermented everything. A true jewel nestled in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. 1005 Cedar St, Santa Cruz
9 • The Pizza Series New York style, Detroit style or California style, you’re in expert hands here. The operating prophecy—“Life is good, pizza is better”—is more than a bumper sticker, though they have those too. 226 Mt. Hermon Rd. Scotts Valley
8 • Woody’s at Del Mesa The new sister to Woody’s at the Airport occupies a surprising spot in mid-Carmel Valley. The smartly sourced comfort food, meanwhile, will register as right on time for people who follow titular chef Tim Wood. Dude knows how to do good food and welcoming energy. 500 Del Mesa, Carmel
7 • La Marea Café Reef Dog Cafe’s departure was a big ol’ bummer. LMC’s debut came as an even bigger comfort. Jayne Dough was a farmers market legend, now it’s an adored cafe with a new name and a lot more than its flagship sourdough pizzas. 311 Capitola Ave. Capitola
6 • Heirloom Salinas Arguably the best pizza on Monterey Peninsula now has a second act starring literal headliners (note the stage and ample room for live music) and more, including a knockout handmade cocktail program from Alex Mouzouris, who will oversee the forthcoming tiki bar upstairs. The deep dish adventure deepens, and boosts an ongoing Oldtown renaissance. 344 Main St. Salinas
5 • Ad Astra Bread Co. A bread shop cracks the top five because the loaves are that legendary, and Ad Astra does a lot more than bread. This marks a huge upgrade for Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey. 479 Alvarado St. Monterey
4 • Spotted Duck Chef Jerry Regester and GM Gayle Grammatico have been waiting their whole lives to realize their own restaurant. The Duck delivers on those dreams, by way of dishes like deconstructed split pea soup with smoked pork belly and sweet pea pesto, Chardonnay-steamed mussels and grilled Swank Farms asparagus with melted burrata. 542 Lighthouse Ave. Pacific Grove
3 • Trout Farm Inn The food and drink, plus the poolside scene, made TFI sensorial TMI, in a good way. Now that the restaurant-bar is popping with local-sourcing savant and comfort food clairvoyant Jon Dickinson, East Zayante Road has its glorious soul back, and perhaps better than ever. 7701 E. Zayante Rd. Felton
2 • Nicolas Cocina de Herencia The family heritage is in the name and in the kitchen. But while the dedication to farming and flavor is a family tradition, the creations here—think maitake barbacoa, passionfruit-hibiscus oysters, birria dumplings—are inventive and even cutting edge. Carmel Plaza has a new anchor in an impressive space. Carmel Plaza, Carmel
1 • Chez Noir The pre-opening hype was prodigious, and the heartfelt love note from Monique and Jonny Black and company met it, and then some. That’s (in short) how it became an instant required pilgrimage for area foodies—and foodies across the region—and a early Michelin star earner. The longer version: Well, that’s what the EMB fall feature ““Disarming Luxury: Chez Noir’s short road and long journey to a Michelin star” is all about. 5th btw Dolores & San Carlos, Carmel
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.
