Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1, Big Sur
667-2724, www.esalen.org
Much of the endless greens are grown on the property, as is the philosophy that lets a kitchen brew of interns, amateurs and students dish nearly 1,000 meals a day dependably and deliciously: Chef Phillip Burrus leads weekly check-ins where they take any turmoil and “turn toward” it. It can be a lot easier to turn toward his daily-shifting menus of three-bean chilis, vibrant pork posoles, flavorful quinoa, hot polenta and signature savory kale salad, but it’s the former practice that makes the incredible eats possible.