Stone Creek Kitchen
465 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Monterey
(831) 393-1042 www.stonecreekkitchen.com
Eaters, drinkers and cookers: This is the place. The place to grab some of the best snazzy deli food around (the curry chicken salad on raisin bread is the bomb). The place to grab a reasonably priced bottle of vino (although the local microbrews keep the hops a-popping too). And the place to grab that kitchen gadget or set of wine glasses you have to have for your next dinner party. The lines at lunchtime can be a little chaotic, but the congenial and extra helpful staff will get you in and out. Stone Creek also offers excellent cooking classes in its demo kitchen, teaching everything from soup making to traditional Japanese hot pot. Stone Creek’s paella Fridays are not to be missed either – they sell it by the pound or by the pan, every Friday.