Editors , Picks Picks Curry Journey is specific. Thailand, with its satay and tom kha, but mostly curry. Khao soi is a chef’s favorite, but you can get yellow, green and panang—with the sort of possible additions travelers not actually leaving for anywhere enjoy (add a burger to your panang if you want). Curry is the journey. Meanwhile Lighthouse Bistro knows few borders. Himalayan momo, kibbeh from the Levant, English fish and chips, pizza Margherita, a take on paella, the all-American burger— this is a menu of many cultures. And while that could be trouble, the small kitchen prepares it all well, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes, you can also get curry to round out the journey of a few blocks of Lighthouse. BEST PHONE LINE TO NOWHERE Coastal Kids Home Care’s ‘wind phone’ project Four locations in Carmel Valley, Monterey, Marina and Salinas (800) 214-5439, papilloncenter.org/papillonwindphone Maybe you’ve had the feeling: I just wish I could call up so-and-so to share news about fill-in-the-blank. Then comes the sinking feeling: You realize you can’t call that person, because they are no longer living. The Papillon Center for Loss & Transition, a program of the nonprofit Coastal Kids Home Care, offers practical and creative strategies to coping with grief. Their latest innovation is the installation of four “wind phones” in various public places in Monterey County. They are vintage telephones, placed in beautifully painted old newspaper boxes, and wired to nothing. You are invited to pick up your end of the line and dial a number of someone you love and say whatever you need to say. BEST RESTAURANT FOR ELEVATED HOME COOKING THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ELEVATED HOME COOKING Nora’s 667 San Carlos St., Carmel (831) 250-7447, norascarmel.com The county’s only Michelin star restaurants are in Carmel, as are posh hotels. And then there is Nora’s, with a menu featuring such common fare as meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken pot pie, twice-baked potatoes and a bologna sandwich—all looking as if they had been prepared by mom or grandma…except that the chef is shared with Anton & Michel (see Best Restaurant - Carmel), so every touch is with a purpose, such as good mortadella instead of bland bologna, on brioche with a mustard aioli and skilled technique that yields just enough crackle from the grill. BEST RESTAURANT FOR HOME COOKING THAT IS TRULY HOMESTYLE— MEDITERRANEAN HOMESTYLE, THAT IS Habibi’s Kabab 223 Reindollar Ave., Marina (831) 901-3695, linktr.ee/habibis.kabab Meatloaf and grilled cheese are typical American comforts. But every culture has its own such foods. Habibi’s Kabab keeps it homestyle Mediterranean, serving plates of skewered meat over basmati rice, with hummus on the side or lamb shank simmered in a stew of tomato and okra. There’s nothing fancy in the cooking or presentation, but in the simplicity is a savor that has made people feel at home for centuries. Home cooking shows how food can set a familiar tone. Just like they say, it’s not a circus without popcorn. BEST CRACK DEALER—OR CHIP DEALER, FOR THAT MATTER Alan’s Auto Glass 1613 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside (831) 899-3117 Seriously, windshields on new vehicles these days seem to be made of sugar glass. Follow too closely to a dump truck on the highway, and you’ll likely hear that dreaded sound of a rock smashing into your window. It might look like a nick now, but by tomorrow, it could be a crack spreading across the entire windshield. Before it gets to that point, head on over to Alan’s Auto Glass whose staff can quickly fill it in before it spreads. But if the spiderweb starts to form, the crew can replace the entire windshield and make it look like it just rolled off the showroom floor. They’ll even discourage addons such as “windshield calibration,” which is mostly a waste of money. Now that’s looking out for the customer. BEST WAY TO WATCH THE WORLD CUP LOCALLY Salinas Regional Soccer Complex watch parties 1440 Constitution Blvd., Salinas salinassoccer.org Last summer, the 2026 World Cup came to 16 cities in North America, and to billions of television screens all over the planet. One of those screens was set up at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, which tested the concept during the opening weekend of the tournament, when there were still 48 teams in play. People showed up, happy to watch gathered with the community, so officials looked for sponsorships to show more games— sponsors delivered that support, and fans delivered the energy, so it became a tradition for USA and Mexico games. They hosted a total of 12 watch parties, drawing more than 10,000 people to set up lawn chairs, cheer and, eventually, watch both Mexico and the U.S. lose in the round of 16. At least they went out with a party. BEST USE OF TEA WHEN IT IS MONTEREY COUNTY SUMMER AND TOO HOT FOR TEA Revival Ice Cream 463 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 747-2113 revivalicecream.com Naturally, it’s never really too hot for tea in Monterey County or elsewhere; just have what you are usually having on ice, and the tea in the summer problem is solved. A taste of nicely brewed black tea with brown sugar 122 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof We are over the moon & under the sea! We are over the moon & under the sea! Thank you for voting Aquarius Dive Shop! Thank you for voting Aquarius Dive Shop!
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