Monterey County's new restaurants of 2016 (and 2015).

Like Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

So it goes with the exploding Monterey County food scene.

What strikes me most about the boom in new restaurants, though, isn't so much the quantity as the quality. 

As this list demonstrates, a vast majority are here to stay.

Here they are, in alphabetical order, followed by the preceding year's debuts.

•••Monterey County New Restaurants of 2016•••

Aloha Cafe and Coffee welcomes mornings with Kona coffee, a range of tea options, tropical-leaning smoothies and popular açaí bowls. For more of an indulgence, their signature waffle gets the brain moving with customizable toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream and macadamia nuts. Bananas, strawberries and blueberries are available on pretty much anything.

7am-6pm; 1098 Del Monte Ave., Monterey; (831) 884-5350

Alvarado Ramen brings joy to (patient) noodle soup lovers in downtown Monterey. In a traditional Japanese style, the broth spends 11 hours simmering pork and chicken bones, along with onion, ginger, seaweed and katsuobushi, or fish flakes. The pork belly broth tastes electric—addictive umami uplifted by ginger, garlic and jalapeño. The 11-seat bar (to go with approximately seven two-tops) allows diners to look in on the open kitchen and aid appreciation of all the from-scratch soup. These guys are already selling more than 400 ramen orders a day.

11am-11pm; 487 Alvarado St., Monterey; (831) 643-9566

Bakai Wine + Tapas, while it is scheduled to close at the end of the year, joins Monterey’s increasingly vibrant downtown with a vast selection of wine from across the world, and plenty from California too. In a serene little corner with warm ambiance, the food leans on the chef’s home of Chile, with a focus on small plates like abalone ceviche, quinoa causas and lamb empanadas. (The food menu has since been scaled back after struggling to attract eaters.)

4-11pm Tue-Thu and Sun, 4pm-midnight Fri-Sat; 420 Tyler St.; (831) 233-2286, www.bakaiwinebar.com

Billy Quon’s Sur, the 10th restaurant from its owner, offers chic coziness and comfort food like tempura artichokes, glazed bacon with cheese bread and crab wonton “puffs.” Other signature items: fried chicken and waffles, slow-cooked prime rib and the Big Sur fish fry, along with a solid list of local wines. Find this new hot spot at Carmel’s trendy Barnyard Shopping Village.

11:30am-9pm Tue-Sun; 3601 The Barnyard, Carmel; (831) 250-7188, www.surcarmel.com

Cali’s Finest’s sparkling new establishment surprises the public who wander into its gas station convenience store home. But don’t judge a book by its cover. Local ingredients are used in the unique variety of Swiss sausages, burgers and robust sandwiches—all named after local spots (like the burly Lockwood)—and Grandpa King City pink bean soup. Worth a stop next time whether you’re gassing up or not.

7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat; 601 Broadway St., King City. (831) 210-3100

Crepes of Brittany exceeded all expectations since their first iteration opened in a tiny coffee shop on the Wharf. Now, six years later, this gem has finally found a home on scale with its French authenticity. The new menu adds soup, sandwiches and sides to their beloved list of crepes and galletes. Virtually everything is made from scratch, and the ingredients are largely imported from France. For breakfast, lunch, or just an afternoon pick-me-up, this is the place to go.

7am-4pm daily; 211 Alvarado St., Monterey; (831) 649-1930, www.crepesofbrittany.com

Crab House has a name that fits thanks crab-and-shrimp burritos and enchiladas, crab-and-shrimp mac ‘n’ cheese, crab-stuffed mushroom caps, whole Dungeness crab and king crab legs (market price), shrimp-crab quesadillas, shrimp-and-crab nachos and the coup, a fresh salmon and crab “Wellington,” with a salmon filet stuffed with crab meat and sundried tomato, wrapped in puff pastry and baked with Béarnaise sauce.

11am-9pm daily; 60 Fishermans Wharf #1, Monterey; (831) 717-4898,

www.crabhousemonterey.com

Cultura Comida y Bebida’s arrival calms the many souls who had been desperately awaiting the youthful and creative new Carmel addition. The menu focuses on adventurous dishes—fried grasshoppers, anyone?—with precisely sourced ingredients like Black River Siberian caviar and Monterey red abalone. Especialidades include mushroom empanadas, oak-roasted steelhead trout and brick-pressed half chicken to go with a gorgeous setting, a deep selection of artisanal mescals and well-curated wines.

5pm-midnight Mon-Tue; 11:30am-midnight Thu-Sun. Dolores between Fifth and Sixth, Carmel-By-The-Sea; (831) 250-7005, culturacarmel.com

El Volcan’s food truck isn’t exactly new to the area, but there’s now an extra set of wheels parking in Monterey. The wait may be longer than anticipated, but worth it for loyal followers and newcomers alike. A jampacked menu includes the most unique tortas in town, like the “Philly volcan” (jack and cheddar on carne asada), the torta erupcíon (several meats, jalapeños and pineapple) or the Cubana with milanesa and sausage.

11am-8pm daily; 848 Del Monte Ave., Monterey; (831) 595-2191

Fin and Field at Monterey Marriott impresses with their newly renovated lobby and restaurant/bar, featuring locally-sourced foods that are affordable, too. The menu changes seasonally, but the price shift from lunch to dinner stays the same—meaning dinner for under $13. Early favorites include the beer-battered cod and chips, carnitas-and-fried-egg sandwich, mushroom flatbread and (from the bar) designer drinks like the Watson-tini with local strawberries.

11am-11pm Sun-Thu; 11am-midnight Fri-Sat; 350 Calle Principal, Monterey; (831) 649-4234 x1115.

Fujiyama Sushi and Hibachi may not look like much from the outside, but disguises a welcoming, even celebratory, atmosphere inside. The dining is fine without the price tag, via a menu filled with options like noodles, sushi, dinner and lunch specials, hibachi entrees and teriyaki that fill a total of eight big pages. Featured items include the tempura or yaki udon, beef negimaki and the chef’s special sushi roll, the godzilla.

11am-2:30pm, 4-10pm Mon-Thu, 11am-2:30pm, 4-11pm Fri-Sat, noon-9:30 Sun; 1000 N. Davis Road, Salinas;

(831) 422-6888, www.fujiyamasalinas.com

Islas Marietas Restaurant devotes most of its menu to Mexican seafood dishes—with a boatload of magnetic ceviches—but delivers veggies to succulent meats too. Highlights include the ceviche tostada mixta, the molcajete ranchero chicken and the platters (chicken, carne asada, chile verde or carnitas); old favorites like tacos, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas abound in the colorful space too.

11am-4pm Mon, 11am-8pm Wed-Thu, 11am-midnight Fri-Sun; 330 Main St., Salinas. (831) 757-4165

Lalla Oceanside Grill shows off unimpeded views over McAbee Beach. Fresh flowers on every table, funky contemporary chandeliers and other chic lighting appointments give the place an elegant yet festive ambiance. The cuban mojo sandwich, spicy fish tacos or the brick half-chicken represent a tiny sliver of the massive range of choices— over 90 total menu items all told. Like its sister restaurants, Lalla Oceanside also brings exciting, quirky cocktails.

11am-10pm Sun-Wed, 11am-11pm Thu-Sat; 654 Cannery Row, Monterey; (831) 324-0891, www.lallaoceansidegrill.com

Mediterranean Restaurant, Dametra Cafe’s new little sister, sets a comforting yet classy mood that’s flexible enough for a family dinner or a first date. While regional options dominate the menu—kebabs, lamb shank, moussaka—the wider offerings include pizza, pasta and sandwiches (like Dametra, its identity jumps around). Hefty wine pours and friendly staff make you want to keep going back.

11am-10pm daily; Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde, Carmel, (831) 624-5659

Nacho Bizness takes a tiny menu and a tiny amount of hours and a tiny place and packs in massive flavor. Its three items are nachos ($8), guacamole ($2, though many nachos come with it) and drinks like Jarritos sodas. For nachos toppers it means a choice of cheese (jalapeño cheddar, chipotle jack or a special offering), meat (pollo, carne asada or al pastor) and finishers (pico de gallo, habanero relish, lime crema, guacamole and peppers).

7pm-3am Fridays and Saturdays (or until they run out of ingredients); 615 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey; 601-2424

Namaste Indian Bistro provides an easy atmosphere and attentive service with a smile to go with tasteful creations from the back. The affordable plates help inspire customers to come back for more, with traditionals like chicken tikka masala, lamb biryani and baingan bharta (tandoori roasted eggplant) and the classiest of lunch buffets.

11:30am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm daily; 538 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey; (831) 641-0130, www.namasteindiabistro.com

Nuernberger’s German Sausages honors its name with traditional bratwursts are created by hand with natural casings, and their other meaty features—frikadellen, schnitzel and smoked pork—come fresh off the pan and transcend expectations in freshness and flavor. Their recipes are spot-on, their cooking is skillful and their rotating specials include all-day breakfast items.

9am-6pm Tue-Sun; 398 E. Franklin St., Monterey; (831) 717-4168, www.wurstfranz.com

The Original Stonies fries up sweets for local devotees of America’s decades-long carnival food craze. Think funnel cakes, deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried crustless PB&Js. Besides the sweets there are hot dogs, hand-cut French fries, loaded baked potatoes and seafood tacos served on hand-pressed tortillas with housemade sauces.

10am-9pm Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm Sun; 1594 Northridge Shopping Center (food court), Salinas; (831) 710-1009, www.alejocatering.com

Pacific’s Edge relaxes visitors with soul-stirring ocean views, where a huge wine list and award-winning California cuisine make for a memorable evening. The remodeled Hyatt Carmel Highlands restaurant presents a four-course plant-based tasting menu for $40 with goodies like foraged mushroom steak and chocolate almond cheesecake. From the main menu, splurges like yellowfin tuna with tempura avocado and aged ribeye with Peruvian yellow pepper sauce leap out.

6-9pm daily; 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel; (831) 622-5445, www.pacificsedge.com

Pastability’s fast casual concept, from the family behind Gino’s Family Restaurant Group, is in full swing. Guests pick one of six pastas, from rotini to gluten-free penne, then select a sauce from a run down of nine like Angelina’s pink sauce, pomodoro naturale and Gilroy garlic alfredo. They also present specialty plates with garlic bread included, like the blackened chicken Michelangelo and the Donatello with sautéed shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes and creamy Alfredo.

11am-8pm Mon-Sat; 11 W Acacia St., Salinas; (831) 998-7715, www.pastabilitys.net

The Perfect Crumb isn’t a full restaurant, but it’s a new bakery worth mentioning for its surprisingly diverse selection. Owner and pastry chef Susan Carter built a solid following at local farmers markets with decadent key lime pie, puffy almond croissants and her best-selling cookies. Now she delivers those along with other sweets and savory panini.

6am-6pm Tue-Fri, 8am-4pm, 6-9pm Sat, 8am-4pm Sun, closed Monday; 301 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey; (831) 241-6269, www.theperfectcrumbbakery.com

Poke House gives Marina and the CSU Monterey Bay crew sushi-grade fish over greens or rice in the Hawaiian-style tradition, with a choice of stylish sauces and add-ons like edamame and avocado. Poke nachos too.

10:30am-8:30pm daily; 266 Reservation Road, Suite S, Marina; (831) 384-7898

Poke Lab ranks among Monterey’s most exciting (and busy) recent openings. In the Hawaiian tradition of raw fish salad, there are two basic ways to go: choose one of Chef James Anderson’s pre-designed signature bowls or build your own. Either way you get a choice of sushi white rice, brown rice or mixed greens as a base; then toppings like cucumbers, onions, bean sprouts, daikon radish, ginger, edamame, masago fish eggs, green onions, wasabi and furikake mix.

11:30am-8pm Thu-Tue; 475 Alvarado St., Monterey; (831) 200-3474, www.thepokelab.com

Revival Ice + Cream isn't exactly a restaurant, but it has quickly earned a manic amount of business for small-batch, handmade, super creative and flavorfully intuitive ice creams, milkshakes and sundaes. The introductory tastes included mint with eucaplyptus and chocolate fudge; “bees knees” with beeswax, honeycomb candy, burnt honey and bee pollen; and sweet potato with burnt marshmallow and Speculoos spiced cookies;

11am-9pm Sun-Thu, until 10pm Fri-Sat; 463 Alvarado St., Monterey; (831) 747-2113), www.revivalicecream.com

Roux runs the gamut on California-Mediterranean style cuisine, but features many Spanish-leaning dishes. Interesting plates include the Spanish morcilla (pig’s blood sausage) over caramelized onions and goat cheese, or the Dungeness “crabbeignedic”—filling, crabby eggs benedict. The great service, generous portions and elegantly rustic ambiance extend a warm invitation.

11:30am-9:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat-Sun; 6 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley; (831) 659-5020, www.rouxcarmel.com

Scales Seafood and Steaks offers a seating capacity of 150, gorgeous harbor views and a bunch of menu options. From the “linguini” Isabela to the filet mignon, the firecracker prawns to the Cajun crusted halibut, every corner of the menu brings seafood and steaks with no shortage of style. A great addition to the wharf, complete with a retail shop and a quicker-service cafe.

10:30am-9:30pm Mon-Thu; 11am-10pm Fri-Sun. 30 Fisherman’s Wharf #1, Monterey. (831) 375-1331, www.scalesmonterey.com

Siam Marina presents a fine dining martini bar and restaurant of thai deliciousness. Crowd favorites include pineapple fried rice, spicy noodles and curry panang. For the more adventurous, there’s an endless list of unique dishes from “Kinky Boots” frog legs curry, Thai banana curry duck or spicy lemongrass scallops and shrimp to weekday specials like cilantro lime tilapia and spicy lamb chops.

11am-3pm, 5-9pm Mon-Sat; 210 Reindollar Ave., Marina; (831) 883-9399, www.siammarina.com

Tricycle Pizza remains as excellent as fans from Pacific Grove Farmers Market will remember. Their new permanent home offers delicious thin-crust pies like the chicken pesto, fennel-mushroom, vegetarian and pepperoni-jalapeño. Enjoy fresh ingredients, expert texture and a nice char at the backyard picnic tables or in the converted garage dining room.

3-9pm Wed-Fri, noon-9pm Sat; 899 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey; (831) 204-0730, www.tricyclepizza.com

Wave Street Cafe and its inviting Spanish courtyard vibe offer a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Sample one of many egg Benedicts, or try the Palermo Bakery brioche French toast for something sweet. Interesting burgers and sandwiches abound, like the black bean chipotle burger and the New York steak or calamari steak sandwich. Luscious, tempting big-bowl salads are aplenty too, like the beets and greens, the grilled salmon and the shrimp Louis.

8am-3pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat-Sun; 550 Wave St., Monterey; (831) 718-8171, www.wavestreetcafe.com

•••2015’s Restaurant Crop•••

Arigato Sushi

Birriería & Restaurant Estilo Coalcomán

Blue Aces Bake Shoppe

Boardwalk Sub Shop

The Cork & Plough

Coconut Thai*

The Crab Bucket

Dametra Fresh Mediterranean

DeMarco’s N.Y. Style Pizzeria

Dim Sum Inn

Ginger Thai Kitchen

Gusto Gourmet Pizza & Pasta

il Grillo

Il Tegamino

Harborside Deli & BBQ

Keoki’s Hawaiian Barbeque

La Bahia Mexican American Grill

Lucia at Bernardus

Melville Tavern

Mrs. Delish’s+

Namaste India Bistro

Namu Fine Korean+

Pupuseria Marleny’s

Salinas Brickhouse

Ticino Coffee Shop & Deli

Zab Zab Thai

Züm Sushi

+now defunct

*changed owners