Carmel restaurateur Ken Spilfogel dies at 75.

Ken Spilfogel was a longtime Carmel resident and presence on the food scene both as owner of Flaherty’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, and as an enthusiastic patron to other businesses. He died from pancreatic cancer on Thursday, April 2, according to a statement by his son Jerad. He was 75.

“Ken was a huge personality who filled Carmel-by-the-Sea with energy and life,” Jerad wrote in a message shared by Spilfogel's faith community, Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel Valley. "He was a complicated Brooklyn Jew, with a huge heart and a love for people and food."

Spilfogel spoke with a thick Brooklyn accent and enjoyed visiting many restaurants and bars in Carmel. He also served on several committees for the City of Carmel and as a board member for the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

“He loved Carmel,” says Jon Karlo Macias, a longtime friend. “What I admired most was his empathy.” 

Macias also says that although the Carmel economy is geared toward tourism, it is very much a local community run by hospitality professionals—something Spilfogel understood. Macias remembers the walks he used to take with Spilfogel late at night after tourists emptied from Carmel streets. “One of his favorite things to do was walk,” Macias says. 

Spilfogel is survived by his sons Jerad and Chris. His third son, David, died 19 years ago. Jerad posted a statement to his father’s Facebook page, expressing thanks to those who visited him while he was hospitalized at CHOMP. “Carmel and all of our lives will never be the same,” he wrote.