Quick Bites: New patio and locals deals at Rocky Point, Bernardus' new boss and speakeasy stuff.

Breaking news: Rocky Point Restaurant (624-2933) enjoys a decent little perch there on the Pacific.

After a well-overdue ownership shift, chef changes and GM switches, that hasn't changed.

And as longtime local restaurant man Bill Lee now settles in as GM, with his ally Herman Hernandez in the kitchen, things are steadying appreciably across from Palo Colorado on the Big Sur coast.

(Yes, Bill Lee came to mind with the reopening of Lucky's as Gusto. Last year Lee helped generate a ton of buzz around Lucky's only to be on the way out seven months later.)

"Just coming down to this as my office every day is pretty amazing," he says. "The thing I like the most is the guests are so happy when they sit down."

Some updates down at the Point:

• A new patio on the northern end of the sizeable space, with firepits and even closer proximity to the passing whales. A new 50-person event space sits adjacent to the 50-capacity patio.

• A new lawn area for weddings on the south end beneath the original deck with new Adirondack chairs and picnic tables where sourdough chowder bowls, beer and wine will be available at a service bar come spring.

• Thursday fried chicken day with free-range Petaluma chicken marinated 24 hours for Hernandez's "famous" Southern recipe he won't even let Lee observe ($24 includes kickin' coleslaw and rotating potato sides).

• Prime rib ($36) from 1pm daily.

• A brand new three-course locals-only meal 11:30am-close with entrees like the cioppino, jumbo tempura crusted prawns or aforementioned prime rib ($35).

More food nibbles follow:

• So this GourmetFest thing contends for swankiest shindig to ever hit terrestrial tastebuds. Coming March 5-8.

• Founder of Carmel Lavender and bee enthusiast John Russo presents “A Bee’s Life and Society” and demystifies common misconceptions about these insects 11:30am-1:45pm March 4 at Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Club House. Guests also enjoy a honey tasting ($35, contact Carmel Valley Women’s Club, 659-0934, to register).

• Stephanie Yee, Hannah Weinronk and Sunny Kim of the CSUMB’s Farm Club won the unite4:inspiration $75,000 prize to bring more fresh and sustainably-farmed food to the school through the Real Food Challenge Program.

• The Aquarium’s Seafood Watch just drew a $10 million grant from a Google exec. Glorious.

• Bernardus Lodge & Spa has a new vice president and general manager: Sean Damery, previously of Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado and Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, and is closing in on reopening its landmark restaurant Marinus after an ambitious remodel.

• The Perry House hosts a Speakeasy open house mixer 5:30-8:30pm Wednesday, March 18. There will be wood-fired pizza, a live grill station and of course lots of cocktails. In true Prohibition-style, guests to this invite-only event must speak the password.

• Chefs Steve Johnson of TusCA Ristorante, Annie Hobbs of A Taste of Elegance, and Brandon Miller of Mundaka converge at the Hofsas House for the fifth annual fundraiser for The Food Bank of Monterey County 5:30-7pm Thursday, March 26. That means great appetizers. Also enjoy Scheid wines, Lula’s Chocolates, Alvarado Street Brewery beers and Monterey Meringues cookies. $50, RSVP (624-2745).

• Ticino Coffee Shop & Deli opened this week in 201 Main of Oldtown Salinas.

• The turbo burrito with soy butter shrimp and sustainable tilapia from El Zarape in Seaside is as good as it sounds.

• Tassjara Zen Center lines up deep slate of classes on health, spirituality, cooking for its upcoming guest season to go with the wholesome and unrivaled vegetarian fare. 

• Salinas Rotary unleashes Pigs, Pinot & More at Salinas Armory ($85, 758-0725) at Salinas PAL Armory, Salinas come Saturday, Feb. 28, 

• Margarita Mania splashes down 6-10pm Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Fairgrounds, offers a variety of margaritas and tequilas to sample, crunchy nacho pairings and margarita recipes. It’s for a good cause too. Tickets are $35 in advance (available through Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation) and $45 day of.