Quick Bites: New Indian joint in Carmel, 7,777 tweets and beef-tongue empanadas.

Aabha Indian—aabha is Indian for "spark" or "light"—soft opens in The Barnyard Carmel by the end of this month, in the former Bahama Billy's.

Chef-owner Bhupender "BD" Singh formerly co-owned Ambrosia in Monterey for a solid decade.

"High-end modern cuisine with authentic [Indian] flavors," is how he describes what eaters can expect.

The New Delhi native learned the art of Indian food at the celebrated Bukhara in his home city.

While trained classically in French and Italian cuisine, he has toiled under several notable Indian chefs, including Madhu Wadhwani, Madan Lal Jaswal and Mohammad Naseem.

The official grand opening is slated for December or January.

Some of the dishes he's scheming include onion-spinach dumplings in yogurt-chickpea curry, tumeric-garlic scallops and Manchurian cauliflower.

Other eyecatchers include tandoori sea bass, avacado-masala rice and basil-salmon tikka.

Take a peek at the preliminary menu—emphasis on preliminary—at right.

More food news nibbles appear below:

• Approaching 7,777 tweets via @MontereyMCA.

• Epic arts benefit coalescing at Joyce Vineyards' Carmel Valley Road tasting room (before it moves up the block to its big new space): Music from two-time world champ DJ Vinroc, sharp urban art from five edgy creatives, Joyce wine, Alvarado Street Brewery beer, Poke Lab and Nacho Bizness snacks, happening 7-10pm Saturday, Nov. 19. And it's free; a donation to Youth Arts Collective Monterey gets you a glass.

• The Poke Lab's (200-3474) smart phone app is now live and ready for orders-on-the-go.

• Checked in on Brad Briske's new spot Home (431-6171) in Soquel last weekend. The former Main Street Garden furnishes a roomy, functional and soothing space in a craftsman-style house with patios and a big backyard. Everything I tried was excellent, from the braised-tomato-pecorino meatballs ($7) to the lemongrass fried chicken ($25/half chicken) to the beef tongue empanadas ($9). I'll be back for the homemade agnolotti with truffle ricotta ($18), whole-roasted black gill rock cod ($24) and Soquel rabbit ($22). Open from 5pm Tuesday-Saturday at 3101 N. Main St., Soquel. 

• Back at Briske's former digs at la Balena (250-6295), owner Emanuele Bartolini is getting back to his chef roots and the results are promising, at least if the pork belly and beef tongue bruschetta at a victorious Big Sur Food & Wine are any indication. 

• Speaking of Big Sur Food & Wine, its first installment as a nonprofit with reconfigured leadership was a roaring success befitting the best qualities of the South Coast. The wine tasting panels brought discovery from independent labels who share the renegade BSFW spirit, the Pinot Walkabout was heaven by way of caviar bumps (Black River), super small batch Pinots (Fink Family's vineyard is 1.5 acres) and memorable food (Elizabeth Murray's marinated quail eggs) and the Wine & Swine and Hoe-Down at Henry Miller rocked. More soon. 

• When down the coast and facing down a deadline, Big Sur Taphouse (667-2197) is a haven for WiFi, and locals and road-burnt travelers too. That’s the power of a oak-cradled patio up top, around 10 beers like Firestone Wookey Jack, Humboldt Hemp Ale and Mad Otter Ale on tap, friendly charisma from peeps like beertender Lydia Holden and underrated food.

• The programming schedule for the 37th annual EcoFarm Conference coming Jan. 25-28 at Asilomar Conference Grounds is now out.

• Jeff Moses sighting: The man who launched Monterey Beer Fest now spends his time developing spirits and wine. One of his projects, Humphrey Bogart Vodka and Gina, just made its debut for Rok Stars, from Patron owner John Paul DeJoria, as did Moses' Graffiti Wine.

• Peace of Mind Dog Rescue's final wine tasting benefit of 2016 at the Hofsas House in Carmel is 5:30-7pm Friday Nov. 11 ($15 all goes to POMDR) for 2016. It includes wines from Scheid Vineyards in the poolside meeting room, small bites and a chance to adopt a little buddy. Monday, Nov. 7, was Hofsas' 70th birthday. Check out pics of one of only two (!) family-owned inns in Carmel online—it's a fun and unique place.

• The Beach House at Lovers Point (375-2345) has begun installation of innovative solar panels above its popular outdoor patio. The downstairs coffee shop opens any day now.

• Basil Seasonal Dining (626-8226) features a new fall menu highlighting Pajaro Pastures goat. The chef’s inspirations change daily from goat racks, braised goat belly, and a goat liver platter ($14). Other new dishes include pumpkin gnocchi ($12) and fall kale salad ($14).

• The Wharf Marketplace (649-1116) hosts Mingle with Magnums ($10) on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 4-7 pm. Featuring 10 local wineries, this magnum sale and wine tasting party offers great food and drinks at an affordable price. Please have ID present at the door.

• The Covey at Quail Lodge (620-8860) holds Vino in the Valley ($65/member; $80/non member) on Friday, Nov. 18, starting with a reception at 6 pm. Four-course dinner begins at 6:30 pm and includes pasta carbonara, roast pork loin roulade, seared beef short rib, and creme brûlée. Featuring wine by Otter Cove and Oh Wines. Call Edgar (620-8910) to register.

• Flavors of Pacific Grove has another robust lineup of restaurants—with 15 including Passionfish, Fandango and Crema—and a new venue, Asilomar Conference Grounds at 5:30-8:30pm Saturday, Nov. 19, plus Wildcard performing live ($50, 373-3304).

McKenna Sorensen contributed to this report.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the following correction. Bhupender "BD" Singh was a former co-owned of Ambrosia, not the sole owner.