A look at Monterey County's new restaurants of 2017.

Two of the more anticipated restaurants in a generation, Seventh & Dolores and Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, lead a wave of buzz-worthy restaurants that made their debut in the past year (and change) across Monterey County.

A number of popular chains debuted (concentrated in the Marina Dunes shopping center), including Smash Burger and Blaze Pizza, but this list focuses on locally owned non-franchise spots.

They appear here in alphabetical order. Look for my rankings in print and online later this year.

Aabha Indian Cuisine serves up upscale takes on typical Indian fare—think salmon tandoori, boti lamb kebab, prawn pineapple tikka and avocado masala rice—while sourcing consciously and prioritizing gluten-free dishes. 11:30am-9pm; 3690 The Barnyard; Carmel; (831) 250-5940.

Artemis Turkish Kitchen offers diners authentic Turkish with a twist, with everything prepared in house. A strong roster of wines (and a wine bar) complement plates such as the seared octopus salad, rich moussaka (stuffed eggplant) and kuzu si (marinated lamb). 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm; SW Corner Ocean Avenue and Mission Street; Carmel; (831) 574-8991.

El Pollo Rey is the Berrelleza family’s menu is their take on authentic Sinolan cuisine. The cash-only, counter-service menu presents straightforward satisfaction: charcoaled grilled chicken with sides such as the cactus salad, beans, rice and salsa. 10am-8pm; 1188 Broadway; Seaside; (831) 717-4744.

El Salvadoreño Pupusería’s signature revuelta (cheese, chicharron and refried beans tucked into a corn flour pouch) does the pupusa home of El Salvador proud. Other offerings include tamales and roasted chicken. 5-9pm Mon, 11:30am-9pm Tue-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat; 3056 Del Monte Blvd. Ste 107; Marina; (831) 747-2385.

Flying Artichoke specializes in fried artichoke hearts, but also features things like the choke burger, grilled artichoke salads and the fried artichoke po boy. Located in the Salinas Airport, the restaurant is open to the public, offers a full bar and does occasional pop-up dinners like prime ribs for the Airshow. 8am-3pm Mon-Sat; 40 Mortensen Ave.; Salinas; (831) 214-2587.

G57 enters the sparse local food truck scene with enthusiasm, offering sturdy street-food standards: Philly cheesesteaks, Chicago-style hot dogs, curly fries and gyro sandwiches. 6-9pm Thursdays, Post No Bills, Sand City; 10:30am-1:30pm Tuesdays, Harris Court, Ryan Ranch; (831) 224-2637.

Jacks Monterey’s sustainably sourced spread includes fried green tomatoes, quiche florentine with Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog and the swordfish BLT. The veal cheeks with celery root puree and the scallops served three ways represent other highlights from a menu that encourages sharing. 11:30am-4pm, 4-11pm; 2 Portola Plaza; Monterey; (831) 649-7830.

Mo's River Road Grill’s menu delivers American comfort food with pride in the former Element Wine Bar space. Dishes include things like tri-tip salads, spinach ravioli, a full rack of ribs, “wing pizza” with Sriracha chicken and blue cheese and fish tacos. Accessible stuff for an area that really needed a restaurant. 11:30am-9pm Tue-Sat, 11:30am-8pm Sunday; 275 River Road E; Salinas; (831) 995-7564.

Mulligan Public House with its classy polished wood and brick interior serves up comforting and stylish (and flavorful) pub selections such as the Mulligan steak, the lamb burger, kobe sliders and artichoke hearts and fritters. MPH brought its deep drink list, much of its staff and all of its regulars over from its former incarnation as Brophy’s. 11am-midnight Mon-Fri,9am-midnight Sat-Sun (kitchen closes at 10pm daily); 5 Dolores SE of Ocean; Carmel; (831) 250-5910.

Pescadero’s blend of Cali-Mex cuisine starts with a bowl of freshly-fried chips and an array of four house salsas, a sign of the handmade quality to come. Favorites include arrachera steak tampiquena, Baja style fish tacos, lamb T-bone with chimichurri sauce and the steaming queso con rajas (poblano pepper with mozzarella and queso fresco). 11:30am-3pm daily, 5-9pm Sun-Thu, 5-9:30pm Fri-Sat; San Carlos and Seventh; Carmel; (831) 624-7400.

Pho Fusion gives local pho lovers the goods with its house special: roasted tri-tip, roasted eye of round, tendon, tripe and beef meatballs mingling with the rice noodles, scallions and cilantro in flavorful broth. They also offer Asian fusion flavors like savory Vietnamese crepes, banh mi (Vietnamese street sandwiches) and a basic selection of sushi. 11am-8pm Sun-Mon and Wed-Thu, 11am-9pm Fri-Sat; 330 Reservation Road; Marina; (831) 384-7256.

Poke Time does fresh and clean raw fish favorites like albacore and salmon paired with options such as brown rice, mixed greens, edamame, tobiko, cucumber and seaweed salad. The rich variety allows for a great degree of creative freedom, though the house specials are a great way to go too. 11am-3pm, 4:30-8:30pm Mon-Fri, noon-3pm and 4:30-8:30pm Saturday; 484 Lighthouse Ave.; (831) 655-1823.

Saffron Cafe joins the local fast-casual boom with its vegetarian/vegan Mediterranean fusion offerings. The cafe items like eggplant and feta panini, Persian dessert platters and build-your-own rice bowls. The cafe’s menu bar is also sprinkled with small eats like the maast o khiar (cucumber mint yogurt) and the Persian potato salad. 11am-9pm; 316 Alvarado St.; Monterey; (831) 884-5268.

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette goes big and beautiful with its nicely renovated setting and seasonal menu, which mixes up classic wood-fired flavor with fresh seafood. With an oyster bar and live-fire kitchen at its center, the vibe is social. Whole-grilled fish, handmade bucatini pasta with confit duck leg, black truffle and wild mushrooms, and fried chicken with house biscuit and braised greens rank among the highlights from rising chef David Baron. Noon-10pm; 3295 Dunes Drive; Marina; (831) 883-5535.

Seventh & Dolores enjoys lots of natural light, elegant angles and vaulted ceilings, a raw bar (opposite the craft cocktail bar), and euphoria over steaks dry-aged in house via a first-of-its-kind partnership with Niman Ranch. Marrow-roasted scallops, hand-cut steak tartare with truffles (or foie gras) and an ambitious craft cocktail program help fuel the festive atmosphere. 11:30am-10pm; SE Corner Seventh Avenue and Dolores Street; Carmel; (831) 293-7600.

Siam Marina graces Marina with affordable and healthy Thai cuisine. Their eggplant dish pad ma keur with bean sauce and tender tofu showcases the earthy side of authentic Thai and their tangy tom yum soup ranks among the favorites. Other items include the delectably sweet sticky rice with mango and their Thai iced tea. 11:30am-3pm, 5-9pm Mon-Sat; 210 Reindollar Ave.; Marina; (831) 883-9399.

The Valley Grille and its vinyl tablecloths and wooden walls delivers a mom-and-pop ode to the beloved burger, with build-your-own choices beginning with beef, lamb, salmon or venison. There are popular items like the sloppy Joe on brioche and the prawn salad but the burger is the main event. 11am-8pm Mon-Sat; 315 Mid Valley Center; Carmel; (831) 624-3056.

Vizcaino Waterfront Food + Drink got a makeover when Joie De Vivre hotel group overhauled the whole property. From its perch four stories above the Pacific, it does three meals a day, with inventive Latin-leaning fusion offerings such as the poblano omelette, grilled watermelon-hydroponic watercress salad, tuna tartare tacos, molé chicken wings, Spanish-style cioppino and spice-dredged seared scallops. 7am-2-pm, 5-10pm; Monterey Tides Hotel, 2600 Sand Dunes Drive; Monterey; (831) 899-4544.

Charles Montesa contributed to this report.