March 21, 2025 – Without a doubt, this is the most chaotic economic environment in decades. It’s also the most tumultuous and worrisome for the wine industry in 40 years. At the Central Coast Insights Conference, held in Paso Robles, March 12 and 13, members of
March 18, 2025 – An interesting paradox emerges in talking with new downtown Monterey restaurant-to-be Rice & Roots co-owner/operator Niki Nguyễn. She really wants to focus on the food, not herself or her husband-chef-restaurant partner Ty, or her fellow Vietnamese-American collaborator Hua Ho, who
March 18, 2025 – It’s the end of Chapter 2.0 of VinoCruz, the passion project of father and son team Chris and Matt Schofield who opened the wine bar in Soquel back in 2017. Back then, the idea was to feature local wines, just
March 14, 2025—Vital signs vary among real-deal neighborhood bars. Maybe there’s a brisk billiards scene, underrated food, stiff drinks, personality-plus regulars or all of the above. One key indicator ranks right up there, and proves mightiest for my money: Authentic connection between staff and
March 14, 2025 – Intending to participate in the Monterey County Blue Zones hike through the Smith Vineyard in Soledad, I arrived at the CRŪ Tasting Room (formerly Paraiso) last Sunday, after the Monterey Wine Competition wrapped up. There I found about two dozen
March 11, 2025—It’s beautiful. It’s delicious. It’s nutritious. It’s also compact, but complete, everything you need and nothing you don’t. Not unlike a fresh oyster. Those are all good points to start with the debut of Oystertown, an arrival welcomed with hunger after months
March 11, 2025 – At the end of last year, there was considerable buzz about the closing of Patria, the beloved Swiss-German restaurant in Oldtown Salinas that had been a mainstay for a decade. So the announcement that Patria would continue under new owners
March 11, 2025 – Driving to King City this year was a breeze compared to last year, when heavy rains had created some exciting alterations to the Salinas River. Green hills, clear blue skies, wildflowers just beginning to appear and a gentle breeze made
March 7, 2025—It can be healthy to question your own sanity. Or so I’m hoping as I take on new roles with Edible Monterey Bay and find myself doing precisely that. Chef Jerry Regester might identify. The decorated alum of spots like Highlands Inn
March 7, 2025 – Traveling through the Salinas Valley never grows old. It grounds you in the reality that someone has to grow all that gorgeous produce you take for granted every time you go to the market. Back in the early days of
