December 15, 2020 – In an era of endings, there’s a new beginning at work in Old Monterey.  East Village Coffee Lounge, which closed mid-pandemic, is being reborn as East Village Cafe. Longtime neighbor Ryan Lama has owned and operated the

December 15, 2020 – It’s time to raise a glass to all those who toil endless hours in the vineyards and in cold, dank cellars, making wine while drinking their body weight in beer and tequila. Yes, John Benedetti, we’re talking

Anxiety. Camaraderie. Anger. Resilience. Fear. Sadness. Hope. Frustration. The owners of local eateries, bars, breweries and wineries are feeling a lot of emotions right now. But one they almost all share? Uncertainty. With the surge in coronavirus cases across the state

December 8, 2020 – The nation’s largest producer of Pinotage and the most spectacular winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains has a new owner. Founded by the late Paul Kemp, a personal injury lawyer, and his wife Amy Wiler Kemp, herself

December 8, 2020 – God bless…rolling blackouts. At least that’s what Monterey native and burgeoning entrepreneur Amy Aubuchon thinks, as they were an impetus for what’s becoming a cult hit business as popular as her Instagram feed is eye-catching. She was

December 1, 2020 – Fisherman Skylar Campbell stands on the aft of the Ocean Warrior and clears his throat from behind a face mask.  A woman stands in a line numbering around 30 adults, two dogs and one kid. When she

December 1, 2020 – The realization lands like a slap to the face: Wait, I’m not going to order the chilaquiles!?  Chilaquiles—the Mexico-born breakfast dish that makes magic from stewed tortilla chips, queso fresco, over easy eggs and incredible green salsa—are

November 24, 2020 – Talented Santa Cruz chef Brad Briske is set to open his second restaurant in January. Briske, who with his wife Linda Ritten, owns the farm-to-table Home restaurant in Soquel is set to take over the restaurant at

November 24, 2020 – Can we all agree that everything takes a bit more effort during this pandemic? There are more layers now to what were once-simple tasks, like going to the store or getting gas. Where is my mask? Did

November 17, 2020 – Service has always been important to Orlando Osornio.  The new city councilmember-elect for Salinas’ District 4 is a familiar face for locals who seek out his Tortas Al 100 food truck around town. The truck has grown