36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY july 11-17, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com One day a couple of years ago, a tip came by email about shawarma. It was said to be the best in Monterey County. Finding the place proved something of a challenge, however—at least on the first pass. Shawarma King & More is still tucked into the back of the same Castroville gas station. The temporary banner that is easy to miss as you navigate the procession of trucks along the main drag is still the only indication—and not a promising one— of what waits inside. The namesake Mediterranean street favorite, the falafel, even the cheesesteak are arguably tops along the Central Coast. All should add up to a classic hidden gem. But it only took a few months after it opened in 2022 for Shawarma King to gain a following, with regulars happy to drive from Salinas and the Peninsula for the privilege of dining in a Chevron parking lot. And the place remains popular. The phrase hidden gem no longer implies a place largely unknown. Indeed, Carmel’s Hidden Gem restaurant celebrates the concept. And with online maps highlighting businesses, it’s difficult for an establishment to remain concealed. Yet it is still possible for places to slip out of sight, out of mind. So this list of the county’s “hidden gems”—and it’s not a comprehensive one—will be familiar to many, but hopefully a revelation to some people. Shearwater Tavern. 3665 Rio Road, Carmel. 624-1841, carmelmissioninn.com. Management of the Carmel Mission Inn’s dining room would prefer not to be hidden. They brought in a chef of outstanding international pedigree, Fabian Di Paolo, and he can turn the lowly skirt steak into an object of desire. The milanese is traditional—bone in, the crust seasoned with pecorino. The burger, not so much. Di Paolo dresses it with chimichurri and plates it alongside yucca fries. Duffy’s Tavern. 282 High St., Monterey. 6449811. This spot has a comfortable patina. Although steps away from a Presidio gate, it is also part of a residential neighborhood and wears the aura of familiarity. Any of the burgers—eight different with meat, two vegetarian— reward your palate with that bittersweet savor scored into the patty by a well-seasoned grill. Paluca Trattoria. 6 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. 373-5559, palucatrattoria.com. Call it “hidden in plain sight.” Away from the bright signs and beckoning samples of the Fisherman’s Wharf midway sits an Italian restaurant where the gamberoni, puttanesca and other dishes recall Old World family dinners. Like many places on the wharf, the kitchen can call on local fishing boats for the morning’s catch. Baum & Blume. 4 El Caminito Road, Carmel Valley. 659-0400, baumandblume.com. Beyond the strip of wine tasting rooms and its crowds sits Baum & Blume. Although the team here stands on their takeaway and catering business, from spring to fall they open the patio for weekend lunch. The menu draws on many culinary traditions (it’s doubtful any other kitchen has featured Southern come back sauce). Woody’s at Del Mesa. 500 Del Mesa Drive, Carmel. 624-1854, woodysmontereyairport. com. Few people are going to wander off the well-beaten path of Carmel Valley Road into a gated community to see if there is a restaurant around. You have to know Woody’s is there. And many people know Chef Tim Wood very well. The menu will be familiar to regulars at his airport location—simple fare prepared with good ingredients. Coastal Kitchen. 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. 645-4064, coastalkitchenmonterey.com. Not every hidden gem serves comfort fare. Chef Michael Rotondo serves a multi-course tasting menu that is like an art gallery—each plate with its own canvas, some rich and contemplative, others playful, all with moments that capture your senses. It is one of the finest restaurants in the county. Yes, it is also in a busy hotel. Coastal Kitchen is hidden in that Schooners, the daily restaurant adjacent to Coastal Kitchen, gets the attention. Shawarma King & More. 11601 Merritt St., Castroville. 633-3333. It ticks all the hidden gem boxes. Beef and lamb give a swarthy richness to the signature dish, with the zip of tahini. Between the two rides a streak of sparking heat, sweet cucumber, sharp peppers and more. It’s a happy cacophony, and a messy one. There are no tables here. The juices and sauces are ample. You’ve been warned. First course No one stumbles upon Duffy’s Tavern. Diners either know of the place from word of mouth or live in the neighborhood. Groceries Can Wait…Elroy’s Fine Foods is mixing up the role they play in your usual dinner routine and is hosting a dinner series at the store. Join them on Saturday, July 13 for an evening of deliciousness put on by Chef David Hardie. The seasonal, prix-fixe meal will start with passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by rhubarb-glazed pork chop and beets and berries, and will conclude with Blueberry Fool for dessert. $175 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $50 per person. 15 Soledad Drive, Monterey. 373-3737, elroysfinefoods.com. Finer Things…It’s not a revelation that sparkling wine pairs with caviar. No, it’s a celebration. Talbott Vineyards has released their latest sparkling brut and in honor of the event, they are pairing a flight of wine (yes, including the sparkler) with caviar and potato chips (yes, the two work well together). The event is 11am-6pm on Saturday, July 13. It’s a daylong bash, so maybe come back later to see if it’s as good as you thought the first time. $75 ($60 for wine club members). Lincoln between 5th and 6th, Carmel. 659-3500, talbottvineyards. com. Get Hooked… Meals On Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is partnering with Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust to put on a benefit event on Friday, July 19 from 5-7pm. Indulge in a wine reception and a multi-course dinner featuring freshly caught local seafood, followed by dessert. Ticket sales benefit MOW’s home delivered meals program and MBFT’s community seafood program. Check online for more info. MOW at 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4454, mowmp.org. MBFT at 233-3101, montereybayfisheriestrust.org. Party In The Plaza… Get your groove on at the Carmel Plaza every Friday from 5-7pm now through July 26 at their summer concert series. Enjoy complimentary live music and optional food and beverage packages for $25 with wine and small bites from local restaurants and wineries; $5 from each package sold will go to the featured non-profit for the week. On Friday, July 12 dance to The Legendary Chicano All Stars, eat from Platter Perfection and Café Carmel, and drink wine selected by Lady Somm Wine Tasting Saloon. Ocean and Mission, Carmel. 624-0138, carmelplaza.com. By Jacqueline Weixel morsels eatanddrink@montereycountynow.com The phrase hidden gem no longer implies unknown. Eat + DrinK Daniel Dreifuss Seek, Find Monterey County’s hidden gems are rarely concealed from view for long. By Dave Faries
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