A Good Start

Happy 2011

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

Pfeiffer Beach, south facing

Famous purple sand

Obligatory photo of Pfeiffer Beach rock formation

Sunset

New Year's Day Brunch, Big Sur Bakery

Baked Goods, Big Sur Bakery

The Big Sur Bakery was a pleasant haven on this rainy New Year's day.  Though overpriced, a cup of drip coffee is locally roasted at Acme Coffee Company and refills are free.  Fresh pastries beckon to blurry eyes patrons from a lit display counter.  After sufficient caffeine infusion and sugar spike from a chocolate croissant, I had a perfect brunch: fish salad.  Though an unusual order for breakfast, this lovely meal featured local Monterey Bay halibut on butter lettuce with shaved fennel and Meyer lemon dressing.  The delicate fish and fresh vegetables were just right for this slightly hung over localite.  Okay 2011, let's see what you've got!

Halibut Salad with Shaved Fennel and Meyer Lemon

New Year's Eve Beer Paired Dinner, Big Sur River Inn

The Big Sur River Inn hosted a New Year's Eve beer paired dinner featuring The Beer Geek.  "The Beek Geek" is actually married couple Chris Nelson and Merideth Canham-Nelson who collaborate on their love of beer.  The great thing about a New Year's Eve party in Big Sur is that you don't really need to worry about being dressed up.  Just put on your dress up Uggs and join in.

Menu

BBQ Shrimp on Pineapple Planks

Bear Republic Red Rocket

Scallops wrapped in Bacon with Grilled Endive Salad

Rodenback Amber Ale

Spicy Apricot Wings paired with Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Beef Filet with Grilled Vegetables

 Chimay Red Label

Stout Beer Float

Rogue Chocolate Stout

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Malheur Brut Reserve

"Champagne" Beer Midnight Toast: Malheur Brut Reserve 

Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur

Nepenthe Restaurant veranda, south facing 

Another local blog writer recommends a list of must-dos in her book, including "Share a truffle omelette with your lover."   While I admire this writer for her sophisticated and worldly food experiences, I am a more at home type of gal.  However, spending New Year's Eve locally isn't without its own rich experiences.  Big Sur is home to a world class marathon course, a bohemian/hippie aesthetic, and gorgeous scenery no matter how you sophisticated (or unsophisticated) the visitor.

Ambrosia Burger, half basket of fries

Today I enjoyed a late lunch at Nepenthe Restaurant, an icon in Big Sur. If you only eat once at Nepenthe, be sure to sit on the veranda to maximize your pleasure of the breathtaking views.  If the scenery doesn't take your breath away, the price of a burger might......but no matter.  The well known Ambrosia burger is worth it, particularly if you have it Angus-style (that is, the way staff member Angus orders it: with blue cheese).  So, with a nod to more acclaimed bloggers, add this on your to do list in Monterey County:  Share an Ambrosia burger with your best friend. 

Nepenthe Restaurant veranda, west facing

New Year's Eve Eve Party, English Ales Brewery, Marina

Available on tap, in bottles, and to go.

Not for the faint of heart or hearing,  English Ales Brewery hosted a New Year's Eve Eve party with all night happy hour prices and a karaoke machine.  English Ales Brewery, locally and  family owned,  has supply accounts all over the peninsula and beyond. If you are a beer drinker and out and about,  look for their beers on tap or in bottles (see link).  My favorite is Fat Lip Amber Ale (pictured), but you will also find names like 1066 Pale Ale, Dragon Slayer IPA, Big Sur Golden, and Monterey Bay Wheat.  Corkscrew Ale commemorates the track at nearby Laguna Seca Raceways and satisfies mightily after a long day of bird watching.  Home brewers find English Ale bottles desirable for re-bottling their own brews since the labels come off easily.  Also interesting is the little menu of Hoang's Delights found tucked back in the booth.  If you don't feel like standard pub fare, order dumplings created on the premises by their chefs (according to our server, they are all Vietnamese).

Need another reason to visit?  English Ales Brewery is a strong supporter of CASA of Monterey County and other local agencies.  If you haven't purchased a calendar for 2011 yet, check out the Ladies of English Ales version, all proceeds of which support Salinas Animal Services.  Stay tuned for a behind the scenes tour.   This neighborhood bar is not high brow, but you'll be drawn in the minute a regular sees you coming and invites you to sing.  Um.........no.

Phil's Fish Market

Artichoke Provencale, Squid Platter, Fat Lip Amber Ale

While on vacation, I cherish my lazy, lazy days.  At long last I had one of those days today, so you can imagine that it took a lot for me to get out of bed and emerge from my cocoon on a blustery winter day.  The motivation: lunch at Phil's Fish Market.  What can I say?  I am easily swayed by food.  My favorite on the menu: Artichoke Provençal.  Once a special taped onto the bottom of the menu, this garlicy, brothy soup includes scallops, shrimp, tomatoes, and (of course) a Castroville artichoke.  I always order this when at Phil's, and whomever I'm with usually does, too.  Here it is, along with the squid platter ordered (ahem) for "research purposes."  And new news to me: Phil's now serves English Ales on tap, locally brewed in Marina.

Andrew Molera State Park and Big Sur Coastline

Hello readers, and sorry for the lapse in posts.   Localite started a new job and went back to school.  To atone, here are some photos from a recent hike in Andrew Molera State Park and the drive home.  Though I grew up in Monterey County, this was my first trip to the home of the oldest structure on the Big Sur coast and Molera Point.  Enjoy!

Molera Point

Molera Point

Looking out from Bixby Bridge