Blog

July 14, 2020 – It’s been an interesting week for Gennica Cochran. She’s the Bernardus server who’s become something of a viral legend, and a GoFundMe rallying point after she interceded when Michael Lofthouse launched a racist attack on an Asian family dining at the resort’s Lucia Restaurant July 4.

“Get out of here!” says Cochran, stepping between the family and the man, who just resigned his post as CEO of tech firm Solid8 in the fallout that would ensue. “You are not allowed here! You don’t talk to our guests like that! You need to leave right now! Get out! You are not allowed here ever again!”

One intriguing element of her week: three GoFundMe campaigns started in her … Read More

July 14, 2020 – When Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the closure of indoor service to slow the spread of coronavirus—for the second time—it was added fuel for change. Or maybe it was a spark that lit accumulating fuel that helped inspire the creation of the Pacific Grove Restaurant Association. (Indoor wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, zoos, museums and card rooms were also included in the order.)

“Restaurants are in such a hard situation,” says Rachel Thompson. She’s director of community outreach for Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant and chief of the newborn PGRA. “We had been discussing forming a … Read More

July 14, 2020 – There is a lot going on with the Spanish Bay, a bacon-wrapped hot dog with garlic, nacho cheese, tomatoes and grilled jalapeños. Same for the Peeks dog—we’re talking pulled pork, kimchee, pimento cream cheese, tangy slaw and special sauce.

But that’s only appropriate at Lucy’s on Lighthouse, because Lucy’s itself has a lot going on at its location in the former An Choi Restaurant, at 1120 Lighthouse Ave., near the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf course. Here’s a rundown of the key ingredients as opening day arrives Saturday (hours are 7am-7pm):

Local identity

Like the Spanish Bay and Peeks, each of the 18 hot dogs at Lucy’s is named for an area … Read More

July 14, 2020 – Storrs Winery has been working diligently to make its Corralitos location an even more lovely destination for outdoor wine tasting. Pamela Storrs tells us they are now offering tastings every Saturday and Sunday, 12pm—5pm at the Quarry, through August. Book a reservation via their website, which uses Tock as the reservation platform.  For same day reservations, you can call the winery at 831-724-5030, to assess availability.  

Tables can seat parties of up to 6 members of the same household. On the website you will find a page detailing new safety efforts as well as what you can expect during a visit to the winery. Wine club members have received a number of passes to use for complimentary tasting. 

Three new experiences are presently available at the … Read More

July 7, 2020 – There are many takeaways—some crushing, some overwhelming, some uplifting—from the recent race-laced outbursts of violent speech and action in high-end restaurants on both sides of Monterey Bay, namely Alderwood in Santa Cruz and Lucia Restaurant at Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge.

These are not isolated incidents is among the most important takeaways for Paul Suniga, 26, the Filipino-American chef who was targeted by racist language that led to an attack that saw both parties expelled. Suniga, who was dining on an off-night with friends, declined to give many specifics of the incident, citing potential pending legal action. After speaking with a range of staff present that night, June 18, Edible Monterey Bay has assembled a multi-witness version of events.

The ugly incident has received waves of renewed … Read More