Given the river of cars moving through its corridor daily—and the sizeable community behind it who has to drive into Salinas, Monterey or over the grade to grab groceries—the demand for a decent deli-market spot at Highway 68 and Corral de Tierra Road has been prodigiously pent up.
That makes the new Corral Market and Deli (676-3806) worth a heavy hallelujah: Ryan Sanchez, of the same family behind Bruno's Market (624-3821) and Surf N Sand (624-1805) in Carmel, is the long-awaited antidote to the turnover olympics across from Cypress Community Church.
The deli here is but the beginning—even with a juicy saucy tri-tip ($6.50-$7.50), which proves as good as its legendary equivalent at big brother Bruno's in Carmel—given the wealth of blue-collar and upscale snacks, a strong lineup of local wines, top-shelf tequilas, craft beers, specialty cheeses, imported meats, tasty steaks and wine tasting by the glass.
The crew has already catered upwards of 300 sandwiches for CCC, and informal Thirsty Thursdays fill the store’s three-table sipping spot every week, with winemaker tastings following each Friday.
We grabbed a bottle of Pessagno Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay ($16); Anthony Pessagno stops by this Friday, May 17.
“Getting to know another community has been fun,” Ryan says. “People have been very supportive.”
Another Bruno’s dynasty development arrives with their new Valley Hills Deli taking over the corner liquor store spot on the Baja Cantina strip in Carmel Valley—think deli, barbecue, snacks, food and wine, with a patio for picnicking and sipping.
That official opening is scheduled for June 1, with a soft opening before the end of the month.
In short, another upgrade on the way.