La Bahia Mexican American Restaurant to occupy former Persian Grill in New Monterey.

The bad news: With Persian Grill and Amir's Grill and Bar closing last month, and Maha's Lebanese shuttering a while back, Monterey County is serious short on Middle Eastern flavors.

The good news: Persian Grill and Amir's, which sit a block apart on Lighthouse, already have new tenants.

The former Amir's will welcome in Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse.

And La Bahia Mexican American Restaurant has taken possession of the Persian Grill property as of Feb. 1, bringing some impressive experience along with it.

Co-owner Jesus Duenas will run the front of the house while his uncle Gerardo and his dad Jesus Sr. take command in the kitchen.

The brother have worked as cooks at wildly popular Pacific Grove spot Peppers—a frequent winner of our annual readers poll for Best Mexican thanks to its stylish Americanized Mexican approach—for 30 years apiece.

They're planning a departure from the Peppers formula based on their own recipes and a healthy serving of handmade authentic salsas.

They'll draw from two neighboring cultures, doing both enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas and Micheladas plus things like pork chops, New York steaks, burgers and roasted chicken. 

"The best of both," Jesus Duenas Jr. says. "We will bring a different flavor to the Monterey Bay."

When asked what it's like to open his own restaurant after so many years in the industry, Jesus Sr. doesn't hesitate.

"Realizando un sueño," he says.

Realizing a dream. 

Look for a preview of the menu and more photos on the Food Blog soon.