Quick Bites: New Thai spot opens Monday, flood ruins two Carmel eateries, new Bernardus restaurant hosts fundraiser.

Ginger Thai (422-THAI) opens in the former Bahama Grille on South Main in Salinas Monday, May 25.

That means whole fried soft shell crab fried rice ($13.95), coconut soup ($4.95), basil fried rice lunch special ($8.95), pineapple curry ($8.95), papaya salad ($8.95), pad mama ($8.95), tamarind fish ($14.95), sour pork ribs ($12.95) from the same family that built a dynasty at D'Anna Thai in Marina.

Tons of options, with a lot of it under $10 and more under $15.

Great news for Oldtown Salinas and Thai food fans.

(Meanwhile, Bahama Grille owner Michael Lipe declines to return calls to help illuminate why seveal employees were surprised to show up and find the restaurant closed without warning, final paychecks or, in one case, chef’s knives. The Weekly number is 394-5656.) 

• Patria in Oldtown Salinas (424-555) rolls out a complimentary spread of smoked meat, pickled vegetables, potato salad, roasted beets, grainy mustard and more 3pm-close daily. Worth checking out.

• The reportedly Japanese restaurant taking over for 22-year local fave Thai Bistro II on Central Avenue in Pacific Grove is scheduled to open by the end of this month.  

• The Cheese Shop (625-2272) and Bistro Beaujolais (624-5600) in Carmel Plaza are still reeling from a Mother's Day flood that fouled thousands and thousands in inventory. "The store is currently in the rip out and rebuild process," Cheese Shop owner/icon Kent Torrey writes on the website. "Unfortunately, we will not be open to celebrate our 40th Anniversary in the Carmel location (42 years in business) on Memorial Day. But we will keep you updated as our progress in the store continues!"

• Lucia Restaurant pours Vino for Veterans for an all-day fundraiser Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25. On Sunday, guests can enjoy live music noon-2pm and an a la carte barbecue. $10 from each wine bottle purchase goes to nonprofit Monterey Bay Veterans.

• Pèppoli at Pebble Beach celebrates 15 years a with four-course prix-fixe dinner created by Chef Angela Tamura paired with Antinori wines. Happens 7pm Wednesday, June 10 ($150, 647-7490).