40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The floor is new and the walls have been painted. Still, May Alrshaidat apologizes for the new restaurant’s appearance. “I’m going to add more decorations, but opening was not cheap,” she says. “At least we are open now.” Habibi’s Kabab opened at the beginning of April after a renovation of two months. Although the space came prepared—a kitchen with all the appliances in working order—it took Alrshaidat and her husband Mahmoud some time to undo a notable feature of its previous existence. “We spent nights and nights taking hooks from the ceiling,” May explains with a chuckle. The hooks once held the prized beer mugs of regulars at English Ales, the longstanding Marina brewpub that closed in November of 2025. Alrshaidat says they were fortunate to find an established location. Former customers of the pub have been peeking in, while others are excited to have a Mediterranean kitchen in the neighborhood. “On the third night, people were lining up,” she adds. The real attraction is on the plate. Baba ghanoush spreads an earthy, smoky savor with a faint tangy counterpoint over nutty pita. Cubes of beef perched on rice and a salad offer a swarthy, fire pit notion that stands out against the sweet bite of the dressing and calm of basmati. The menu features fava beans flavored with lemon and olive oil, gyros, dolma and crispy falafel with a mellow, grassy sensation. Another welcome menu item is lentil soup, a hearty, cozy homestyle staple. It suits the restaurant’s purpose nicely. “We cook food just like we do at home,” Alrshaidat says. “You should try our shawarma.” Mahmoud—who goes by Mike—handles the cooking. He’s a restaurant veteran who stepped away from the kitchen a decade ago, frustrated by the slow pace of Capitola winters. Yet he never lost any of his passion for food service. Habibi’s is still in the process of becoming. The couple have applied for a beer and wine license. A belly dancer will entertain guests every other Friday, beginning on May 1. And there are some other finishing touches planned. “We haven’t done breakfast yet,” Alrshaidat points out. She says this with a smile. A visiting son checked in on the restaurant one morning, so the couple prepared a family breakfast. “Now people are asking,” she observes, laughing. “But we’d have to sleep in the restaurant.” Habibi’s is a family affair. One son designed the menu, other family members helped throughout renovation and opening. Alrshaidat’s husband works the kitchen, while she is responsible for baklava—in pistachio form the pastry layers nutty, malty notes over the palate with a delicate sweetness, but she also prepares a version with walnuts. There are nods to the restaurant’s previous life. One can order onion rings or garlic fries alongside fresh tabbouleh or lamb shank bamya, with its sharp tomato and okra broth. The menu also features wings, burgers and other pub fare. “The old customers are so happy to come back, but with our food,” Alrshaidat says. “That helps us.” That English Ales was a Marina landmark was not a concern to the couple. They saw value in a location with strong public recognition. The new restaurant is brighter. There is nothing to indicate that the space spent a few decades as a wood-paneled English pub. “We’re lucky,” Alrshaidat says of the location’s features. They had been searching for real estate before it became available, but each place they inspected needed a new hood or other repairs. “It’s a good size, a good opportunity.” From the start, the Alrshaidat’s had settled on the name Habibi’s. The suffix, however, is a compromise. Habibi’s Mediterranean was the first choice. But a place called Habibi Mediterranean Cafe looks ready to open on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey after well over a year of promise. Alrshaidat has even been asked if they were behind both (they are not). But with a lineup that includes beef, lamb and chicken skewers, Habibi’s Kabab is equally apt. Either way, Alrshaidat says, “My husband is excited to be cooking again.” Habibi’s Kabab, 223 Reindollar Ave., Marina. (831) 9013695, linktr.ee/habibis.kabab. FIRST COURSE The plates at Habibi’s Kabab are both comfortingly homey and ample, such as this presentation of beef. QQ&A…QQ Noodle will be closing its current location at the end of May, but that’s not the end for the restaurant. Owners plan to find a new location, so stay tuned for where QQ’s next chapter will take place. 330 Reservation Road, Marina. (831) 384-7256. GETTING TASTY…Pair beer, wine, food and a view, you get Taste of Monterey Bay. Hosted by Bayonet & Black Horse, the event features 10 craft brewers, 11 area wineries and 13 food vendors—which are good numbers—plus live music. The fun takes place Saturday, April 25 from noon-3pm. $80; $150/ VIP; $40/food only. 1 McClure Way, Seaside. (831) 899-7271, bayonetblackhorse.com. QUITE A PAIR…Patria on Main is hosting a five-course wine pairing dinner on Saturday, April 25 featuring wines from a pair of local wineries, Puma Road and Passagno. The evening will start with a glass of bubbles from Puma Road, followed by plenty of food and wine. $135. 228 Main St., Salinas. (831) 424-5555, patriaonmain.com. TIDBITS…Stroll through King City while learning about the history of different landmarks and sampling bites from restaurants around town on Friday, May 1 starting at 9am. Make reservations for the Historic Walking Tour by Saturday, April 25 by calling or texting (831) 5943740 or emailing Karenjernigan2007@ gmail.com. $40. Facts and snacks start at Vanderhurst Commons, 209 South Vanderhurst Ave., King City. DINE TO IMPRESS…Have lunch in style at Estéban Restaurant on April 30 as IMSA hosts a fashion show bene- fiting SPCA Monterey County. The significant others of IMSA race car drivers show off couture from Pamplemousse, with 20 percent of ticket sales going to the SPCA. Lunch is served on the restaurant’s stunning patio and drivers will be on hand to mingle with guests in advance of the Monterey Sportscar Championship. The event starts at 11:30am. $82. 700 Munras Ave., Monterey. eventbrite.com. LINE UP…La Casa Del Sazón 2 now offers a breakfast buffet on Sundays from 9am-noon. For $25 you can eat your fill of huevos different ways, chilaquiles, pancakes and classic sides. They also have mimosas and chavelas available for $15. Not a bad way to start a Sunday. 438 Salinas St., Salinas. lacasadelsazon.com. By Jacqueline Weixel MORSELS eatanddrink@montereycountynow.com “We spent nights and nights taking hooks from the ceiling.” EAT + DRINK DAVE FARIES Sticking It Habibi’s Kabab brings a new and welcome flavor to a familiar space in Marina. By Dave Faries
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