5 NEW Places Every Foodie Needs to Try in Monterey

As a mecca for all things food and wine it is no wonder why some of the best restaurateurs and wine makers are flocking to open up shop in Monterey County. New businesses are popping up all throughout the Peninsula and the latest five additions are sure to please the palate.

Boardwalk Sub Shop

470, Alvarado Street, Monterey
The Boardwalk Sub Shop is one of Monterey’s newest additions to the downtown dining scene. The Teplitzky brothers opened this one-of-a-kind east coast sub shop in honor of their strong Atlantic City roots and their killer talents in creating mouth-watering cheesesteaks and authentic Jersey sammies. Best of all, these comfort classics are offered up into the wee hours of the night, perfect for curbing those late night munchies.

Stave Wine Cellar

The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
Sticks, Roy’s and Peppoli now have a sister at The Inn at Spanish Bay. Stave Wine Cellar is the first, and only, wine shop and tasting room within the prestigious Pebble Beach gates and a prestigious wine collection to match. The luxurious lounge is much more than just a tasting room with over 30 wines and eight craft beers by the glass, 200 wines for purchase by the bottle, and an assortment of cheese & charcuterie plates. Bottles range from $15-$1,100 and be sure to ask the sommeliers and staff for their recommendations, they are spot on!

Il Tegamino

Ocean between Lincoln & Monte Verde, Carmel-by-the-Sea
It doesn’t get much more authentic than Il Tegamino. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s newest restaurant is the brainchild of the Panzuto brothers straight from Naples, Italy. The family run restaurant specializes in Italian comfort foods, who doesn’t like that, and focuses on flavors straight from their homeland. When you go be sure to try at least one of their many polpette, aka meatball, variations.

Carmel Road Winery

Lincoln between Ocean and Sixth, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Road Winery has been producing exceptional Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in Monterey County since 1999 and now there a storefront to sample these savory sips. The tasting room is nestled in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, near the Pine Inn, where you can try a variety of their favorites including a special blend made by famed actress Drew Barrymore!

Saturday & Tuesday Dinners at Captain’s Inn

8122 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing
The Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing has just added a new foodie favorite! Every Tuesday and Saturday the charming B&B opens its dining room for a night full of delicious food and savory wines in a fun and community type of atmosphere. Watch as Italian native chef Alessio Casagrande prepares your themed meal in the adjoining open kitchen. Come with an appetite and leave with a handful of new friends and a full belly!

Staycation at the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing with an Exceptional Dinner to Match

Whether you live in Monterey County or not, the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing is the place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and simply unwind.

Looking to do just that I headed for the peaceful hideaway just a short 15 minute drive from Monterey on Highway One. The cozy blue B&B is conveniently nestled in the charming fishing village of Moss Landing- known for the Elkhorn Slough, Salinas River State Beach and lots of sea otters.

I immediately started to unplug as soon as I arrived at the 10-room bed and breakfast. The friendly innkeeper quickly checked me in and gave me the run-down on the property and its amenities. The kitchen and dining room are open to hotel guests 24/7 and is fully stocked with coffee, tea and fruit.

After a quick tour of the property I was shown to my upstairs room in the boat house, just behind the main building.

The “High Seas” room was exactly what I was looking for, waterfront views, a luxurious bathtub, roaring fireplace and a cozy bed. The nautical theme and décor fit perfectly with Moss Landing’s abundant water adventures.

Looking for a little adventure myself, I ventured off to explore Moss Landing’s unique offerings. Just down the main road are several antique shops, gift shops and a unique art gallery at the Haute Enchilada.

On the way to the beach I crossed the bridge near the Moss Landing Harbor where several sea otters had culminated which is pretty common in the safe and sound waters of the harbor and the nearby Elkhorn Slough. For a closer view into the slough check out the Elkhorn Slough Safari or a guided kayak tour.

Just across the way is Salinas River State Beach which is one of my favorites. The expansive white sandy beach is a beautiful place to watch the crashing waves, enjoy a stunning sunset or set up shop for a relaxing picnic. For those looking for a real adventure scope out the epic stretch of coastline on horseback!

After a quick stroll on the beach I headed back to my room with a view and watched the sun set from the cozy comforts of my hot tub overlooking the waterfront, talk about relaxing!
New to the Captain’s Inn are their Tuesday and Saturday dinners featuring various foodie themes and local wineries. Tonight I was in luck since it was Spanish night featuring tapas and a seafood paella. Knowing that dinner was just down the stairs was an added bonus, no designated driver needed!
For dinner, the breakfast room was transformed into an intimate dining space complete with candlelight and a selection of local wines to start off the night while meeting new faces around the dinner table.

Italian born chef Alessio Casagrande started the night off with a plethora of Spanish tapas including prawns with garlic, Spanish styled cured ham and a Spanish potato tart.

The tapas alone could have served as an entire meal but the seafood paella was the main attraction. A generous amount of scallops, mussels, prawns and clams were piled on a luscious bed of saffron rice and fresh fire roasted tomatoes. The authentic flavors were spot on with the paella I have been hunting for ever since my time spent in Madrid a few years ago.

At this point I was stuffed but just had to indulge in a piece of the chef’s Spanish apple pie. Luckily, I was just a few steps away from my luxurious bed for an incredible night’s sleep.

Before checking out and going back to reality I enjoyed the B&B’s complimentary breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, fresh fruit and sausage- not a bad way to wrap up an incredible staycation in my own backyard!

Get a Taste of Naples at Il Tegamino in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Take a trip to the Amalfi Coast without leaving Monterey County! Napolitano brothers and co-owners, Salvatore and Giuseppe Panzuto share their passion for authentic Italian comfort foods and solid hospitality at the much anticipated Il Tegamino restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea.


The quaint eatery is tucked away in the charming Court of the Golden Bough, just off of the Ocean Avenue behind the Cottage of Sweets. This cozy nook is something out of a storybook with its simple and rustic décor, twinkling lights and homey atmosphere. The charming outdoor patio in particular is the perfect place for a romantic date or just a space to simply relax and unwind.


One glance at the menu and you know you are in for an authentic treat. Branded wooden planks showcase the night’s bounty of offerings, and don’t let the hard-to-pronounce Italian terms intimidate you, the helpful descriptions below describe the dishes in layman's terms.

The hardest decision you will have to make is choosing what to order. Dishes are broken down by course but feel free to mix and match as you wish. It’s best to do as the Italians do where sharing is strongly encouraged- when in Rome!

No matter how many courses you opt for, meals kick off with fresh slices of bread served with an addictive concoction of marinated zucchini. The ingredients are simple and light, the perfect start for a gluttonous food tour through southern Italy.

If you are not afraid of tentacles, the Polpo con Vellutata di Patate, or octopus and potato, is a must! Tender grilled and meaty tentacles are served over a bed of sautéed tomatoes and a luscious dollop of potato whip. The potato whip solely consists of potatoes and olive oil which makes for a surprisingly creamy combo.

Next up get yourself some fritters, which are far from the fritters found at your County Fair. The sea lettuce fritter is a unique stand-out prepared with fresh seaweed harvested by Giuseppe himself, talk about farm-to-table!

No Italian meal is complete without pasta and Il Tegamino’s Primi portion of the menu is dedicated to just that. Try the Paccheri al Ragu Napoletano, a tube noodle dish with a slowly simmered meat sauce that the Panzuto brothers frequently had during their family Sunday dinners. The fresh bits of basil are the perfect complement to the savory pork shoulder and short rib flavors.

For protein, try the Cotoletta di Maiale, similar to a pork schnitzel. The lightly breaded pork loin is crispy and not overly fried and greasy like its German counterpart.

Save room for dessert! Cap off your dining adventure with Tiramisu al Limon, a refreshing glass of lemoncillo soaked ladyfingers embedded in lemon and mascarpone cream. Bon Appetit!

Il Tegamino is open Thursday-Tuesday for dinner from 5pm-9pm. Reservations are highly recommended. Call (831) 250-5790 or book online.

East Coast Flavor Meets West Coast Locale at Boardwalk Sub Shop in Monterey

Downtown Monterey has a seen a recent resurgence in its dining scene and the Boardwalk Sub Shop is certainly one of the new shining stars. Located in the heart of downtown on Alvarado Street, this gut-pleasing gem is the place to sample classic East Coast sammies right here in Monterey.

Atlantic City natives Terry and JT Teplitzky decided to bring their passion for great food to Monterey as a tribute to their recently deceased brother. Their strong dedication to family roots is depicted throughout the restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and incredible eats.

The small storefront is just a façade to the huge space inside. Photographs and décor pay homage to the brothers’ East Coast heritage with bright lights reminiscent of the city and various black and white images from Atlantic City’s famed boardwalk.



The focal point of the eatery is the pristine open kitchen. Here you can see the meat masters at work; cooking up piping hot cheesesteaks, constructing cold subs and creating fresh salads just before your eyes.


The Boardwalk’s most popular item is the cheesesteak, and rightfully so. They offer not one, not two but four variations of the cheesy concoction including a Philly cheesesteak, a northeast Philly cheesesteak an Atlantic City cheesesteak and a pizza cheesesteak. The classic Philly cheesesteak is a true winner, oozing with homemade “cheese wiz” and fried onions - comfort food at its finest!


As any sandwich connoisseur knows, the key to a great sandwich is in the bread. The Teplitsky brothers have spared no expense over this crucial component by working with local companies to perfect the unique flavors they grew up with; they even overnighted bread rolls from the East Coast to compare. Let’s just say they nailed it with just the right amount of crunch.

What’s a good sandwich without a great side, or two? The Boardwalk Sub Shop has plenty of options to pair with your hot or cold selection including homemade coleslaw, pasta salad, macaroni salad and hot pretzels with cheese sauce. The garlic fries in particular are to die for. The key to these crunchy spuds are the pre-sautéed hunks of fresh garlic which really make the flavors pop without being too overwhelming.


Night owls can rejoice as these comfort classics are offered up into the wee hours, perfect for curbing those late night munchies!
The Boardwalk Sub Shop is open Sunday-Thursday from 10:30am-11pm and Friday-Saturday from 10:30am-1am. Stay tuned for a new delivery service!