"There aren’t many places where I can eat anything on the entire menu!”

Pitmaster Gary Nana had been up all night tending to his smoker, preparing meat and some 300 of his signature baked potatoes for a charity event in Marina. When we dropped in that afternoon – a Saturday – he had ribs on the smoker, timed for another event, a retirement party that evening.

You may look at me funny when I tell you that Thanh Loi Noodles is no different than any American diner. But consider the glittering neon lights outlining the edges of the windows. There are some random paintings on the wall and knick-knacks that don’t really signal any specific cuisine. The…

It’s hard not to come away from Evelin’s Restaurant pleasantly… well, confused might be the right word.

Fast. Casual. Affordable. Healthy. Laidback Hawaiian surfer food translates surprisingly well in a world where everyone is go-go-go. Poke can also afford to be affordable, with a kitchen of only rice, veggies and some fish. And with such simple, fresh ingredients, each meal is the definition…

Nothing ever changes at The Sardine Factory, right? The abalone bisque was President Ronald Reagan’s favorite. The veal cardinal – well that’s been on the menu since 1968.

1180 Forest Ave. # A, Pacific Grove

Dolores between Ocean and Seventh