36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY april 25-may 1, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com Taking over a restaurant with an established menu and a cadre of loyal regulars does not seem so daunting—that is until you realize that there are always the little things, and they mount up. When restaurant veteran Mike Karaki and his family took the reins at Cafe Luna in January, they had to learn the recipes, spruce up the dining room and organize the details of a small business, all while serving customers seven days a week. “Getting everything together, it’s a lot of work,” Karaki says. “We need a nine-day week.” The family has plans for the cafe anchoring a corner of Carmel Plaza. Their intention is to leave the existing menu unchanged, with an exception. Over the past three months, Karaki and his wife Linda have been testing traditional Mediterranean fare as daily specials. Instead of sifting out menu items, the goal is to expand offerings to include kafta, shawarma and other dishes, all made from scratch. “We’re keeping the homemade potstickers and ramen,” Karaki explains. “They are very popular. You don’t want to take away something people like.” Cafe Luna has been an indoor-outdoor dining haven for many years, thanks to their touch with Asian comfort foods, breakfast dishes and baked goods. Yet the Mediterranean specials have proven popular, as well. The restaurant often sells out of items, and Karaki says the feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive. Linda Karaki, a talented chef, knows why. “It’s really authentic—homemade sauces, homemade everything,” she says. Mike agrees, explaining, “I like everything made fresh. It’s always better. People love authentic flavors, even if it takes longer to prepare.” They make baklava step by step, pampering each frail layer as they build. It’s a task the Karakis take on themselves rather than turning it over to an employee without the same history. “We know the flavors,” he says. That ethic applies even to maamoul, delicate cookies dusted with powdered sugar that are considered holiday treats. The rich date filling in one version reveals a lilting floral note over the natural earthy-sweet comfort of the fruit. Linda seasons the filling with rosewater and blossom water, and the combination leaves your palate in an exotic quandary. In pistachio form, the mellow savor of the nut filling underscores the meltaway sweetness of the cookie. The couple are Lebanese and both insist on proper ingredients. Linda’s skill in the kitchen is what led the couple into foodservice. She would share dishes with friends, who then encouraged her to open a place. “That’s where we got the idea,” Mike points out. “If people love the food, let’s do a restaurant.” They opened a venue in Egypt and it was an instant success. After 14 years, the couple sold the restaurant and moved to Monterey County with the goal of again owning a place. But the Karakis are exceedingly patient. They worked in area restaurants for more than two decades, absorbing the different styles of cooking and becoming part of the community as they raised a family and bided their time. “You cannot open a restaurant when you have kids at home,” Mike reasons— especially at a place like Cafe Luna, which is open every day. The couple applied that same patience as they tested—and continue to test—Mediterranean dishes. Their years of experience in professional kitchens and their trove of family recipes gives them a lot to try out. “We wanted to see how people react [to each special],” Mike explains. What the new owners are bringing to Cafe Luna is an opportunity for guests to explore. They can order their usual breakfast or lunchtime ramen. But when the Karakis settle on Mediterranean additions—which will include new vegetarian and vegan options—it will be possible to break up the routine with a shawarma. And that seems like a winning recipe. “This is their regular spot,” says Sara Serrano, the couple’s daughter, of Cafe Luna’s following. “Being part of the community means not rippling the waters.” Cafe Luna is in the Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Mission, Carmel. 250-7815. First course Linda and Mike Karaki are fulfilling a long-time dream of again running a restaurant. They’re keeping customer favorites at Cafe Luna, and adding Mediterranean fare. Lunch Launch…Nicolas Cocina de Herencia is expanding its repertoire. The restaurant is now open for lunch and brunch daily from 11am-3pm. This gives us more incredible offerings, like the pinole French toast—and more time to enjoy them. Ocean and Mission, Carmel Plaza, Carmel. 574-8802, instagram.com/nicolascocinadeherencia. Watch Out…The final episode of Check Please! airs on Thursday, April 25 and Wild Fish is hosting a watch party. The Pacific Grove restaurant, along with Salinas favorite Villa Azteca, will be featured on the show, which airs at 7:30pm. 545 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 3738523, wild-fish.com. Blue Beers Bingo…Head to The Otter’s Den on Saturday, April 27 for an evening of bingo to benefit Surfrider Monterey. From 5-7pm, dive into pints of blue beer…wait, what? OK, have blue beer, and play a few rounds of bingo with great local prizes. Cards are $5 each and all proceeds from bingo go toward efforts to protect local beaches and seas. 3155 Vista Del Camino Circle, Marina. 883-1227, bar831.com. Happy Night…Sock hop back in time at Hidden Valley Music Seminar’s 50s Fling fundraiser event on Monday, April 29. From 5-8pm, guests will enjoy vintage treats like root beer floats, while twisting and shouting on the dance floor. There is also a silent auction as well as prizes for best dressed. Tickets are $50 per adult, $15 per child. 104 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 659-3115, hiddenvalleymusic.org. Spring Fling…Dating in this area (slash era) can be challenging, but Other Brother Beer Co. is giving singles the opportunity to mingle at their upcoming speed dating event. On Sunday, May 5 from 6-8pm you can chat your way through several singles and hopefully find your spring fling, or maybe everlasting love. Tickets are $30 per person and include one drink. 877 Broadway Ave., Seaside. 747-1106, otherbrotherbeer.co. Sea Sip…If you love drinking wine and being on boats as much as I do, there’s good news. Galante Vineyards and Dawn’s Dream Winery are setting sail on the MMAD CATTER, and you can join them. Don’t miss out on this intimate, wine-filled excursion on Saturday, June 8 from 11am-1pm. Tickets are $159 and include wine and a light lunch. Space is limited, so RSVP (at 624-3800 or events@galantevineyards.com) ASAP. By Jacqueline Weixel morsels Send a bite to eatanddrink@mcweekly.com “It’s really authentic— homemade everything.” Eat + DrinK Daniel Dreifuss Adding On The new owners of Cafe Luna won’t change a thing. They’ll just expand on a good thing. By Dave Faries
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