Cal Stamenov | Lucia Restaurant & Bar at Bernardus Lodge
415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley | (831) 658-3400, bernarduslodge.com/wine-cuisine
Cal Stamenov is the eminence grise of Monterey County cuisine, a man of dry and wry wit and succulent, sensual food that he can dial up for the haute cuisine set or dial down for the diner just looking for great, accessible eats. What’s his secret? The menu at the elegant Lucia says it best: healthy, seasonable, sustainable, yet decadently prepared food, via artichoke-basil ravioli, lamb rib-eye and a Sonoma duck burger with foie gras and black truffle mustard. Someone give that man a star or two—Michelin stars, that is.