A brief look back at the names and places that made the year so exciting.

It’s that time, the end of December – when we put 2018 on a plate. Here is a snapshot of the year that was.

Lighting up Lighthouse

Think nothing happens in America’s Last Hometown? Well, in 2018, Pacific Grove suddenly became a dining destination when three hotspots opened in as many months. First was Wild Fish with a focus on local seafood. Then came The Monarch Pub & Restaurant, a proper pub that made history in the notoriously once-dry town. Finally, Poppy Hall brought Big Sur titans to town with what they call “California soul food.”

Things foaming up in Carmel

With the opening of Carmel Craft Brewing Company in the Barnyard and Yeast of Eden’s soft-opening debut in Carmel Plaza, the community has tasting rooms of a different sort.

Culinary upheaval

It was a rollercoaster year for Captain + Stoker in downtown Monterey. When the coffee shop opened in March, it quickly gained notoriety as a spot too hip for the city. It shuttered in just three months, only to open again after employees bought out the founding partners.

Revival Ice Cream, with famed pastry chef Ron Mendoza offering his fine dining finesse, had gained a following. But an eager investor pushed the focus to “healthy” ice cream. In September, Mendoza was dropped from the shop he founded. Mendoza’s unceremonious departure has left a not-so-sweet taste in the mouths of many locals.

The arrival of PigWizard’s long-anticipated deli and sandwich shop was just a sidebar to a curious dust-up. Owner Jonathan Roberts tried to ban media from covering the shop’s opening, even though it was a matter of public record.

Saying goodbye

Monterey County’s culinary community lost agriculture titan Rick Antle, former Pèpoli chefArturo Moscoso, renowned restaurateur Jim Gilbert and Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill server Parker Hook, who all passed this year.

Memorable new arrivals

A number of new restaurants opened this year. But one stands out from the pack: Poppy Hall. The menu from Philip Wojtowicz and Brendan Esons features memorable California comfort foods.

Other new spots also earned our critical acclaim, including Wild Fish, PigWizard, and Etats-Unis French American Bistro.

Aabha Indian Cuisine presented a second location, this time in Monterey. Carmel Bouchée reopened – sort of. It’s the old Andre’s Bouchée, with a familiar chef. The Meatery became a destination for prime cuts in Seaside. Stationæry, a new breakfast, lunch and coffee shop tucked away in one of Carmel’s courtyards made a mark with effortlessly elegant food. Plates Com Tam introduced home-style Vietnamese dishes to Seaside. And with a new full menu,Folktale Winery became a place to dine.

Finally, Sardine Factory celebrated 50 years in fine style. That’s five decades – in the same location, with the same ownership. Stability like that tends to stand out in a year of change.