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BRIGHT IDEA… Wow, daylight is gone. Those late afternoon tee-times are history. I’m gonna see if my boy Jon Magnusson (Bistro 211 owner) will take me with him to Iceland (where he’s from) next time he goes so I can take advantage of the all day sun—or is it the other way around this time of year? Let that be a lesson to all you kids out there…stay in school (but, wait, I kind of stayed in school, and I’m still a dolt).

LOCAL TALENT… First off, there has been a change in RICH PEPE’s wonderful Pep Talk, at the Salud Classroom adjacent to Whole Foods. On Thursday, Oct. 27, Rich will be featuring Roy’s great CHEF YOICHI SAITO from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Chef Saito is a master whose reverential approach to the preparation of his Pan-Asian specialties has to be seen up close to be appreciated. There’s no up closer than in the intimate setting of Salud.

If you want to catch RICK EDGE, who’d been previously scheduled, you’ll have to go to Boston…he just took the head job at Clio Restaurant there. Bad for us…good for Boston.

I’ve been a little distracted lately, a lot on my mind (go ahead, take your shots). I’d like to congratulate Doug and Doug…DOUG AHLSTRAND and DOUG MCCALL, both of Henry Wine Group. They were celebrating their honeymoon the night of the hurricane relief event at the Aquarium…they’re gonna kill me for that one…actually, they just both happened to be wearing the same kind of light blue jeans shirt and jeans pants, both have that same silvery-haired look and I thought, what a cute couple. I’m sure their wives would agree (go easy on me guys, it’s all in good fun).

STARS IN CARMEL… Go see the Queen of Junipero, MARIA MURRAY, at Buon Giorno Bakery & Café, across from Bruno’s Market, where the King of Junipero, FERMIN SANCHEZ, reigns. You could actually live quite a good life just shuffling back and forth between the two businesses, hanging out, eating, buying things, eating, drinking stuff, talking to the King and Queen, eating…you get the picture. And try Buon Giorno’s Supper Club menu. Each night is a different item with wines chosen by Master Sommelier CATHERINE FALLIS. Call 624-0221 for more, or stop by, pick up a copy of the Weekly, turn to this page, sip a little coffee and eat a nice bakery item so you’ll have something in your stomach when I make you throw up.

Was lurking…er, walking around KRML and the Eastman, uh Eastwood Building…actually, was on my way to eat lunch at Carmel Bistro, which is right across the street, when a madman inside the glass KRML sound booth started waving me inside. Turned out it was the one and only DON BOWEN, longtime Saturday morning host at the station and all around restaurant guy. Oddly enough, he invited me to come down to do a live interview with him…obviously, he’s completely run out of guests. Don’s a very cool dude and I’m looking forward to jawboning face to face about the biz.

Speaking of Carmel Bistro, the lunch was excellent. Turns out that it was only the second day they had opened for lunch and were already starting to draw a decent crowd. Alberto, our jovial waiter, said the joint’s been hopping at dinner ever since FIROK (just Firok), owner of Da Giovanni (on Lincoln, upstairs) took over a few months ago. The attention to detail, exceptional ingredients and hospitality are obvious the moment you walk inside, just like at Da Giovanni’s. I’m really happy Firok has Carmel Bistro….now GARY and GEORGE and SHAELA from KRML won’t have to venture too far for a delicious meal.

Speaking of Da Giovanni’s, I was on www.nascar.com the other day (hey, I’m a well-rounded guy) and I caught an interview with former Cup Champion RUSTY WALLACE. When asked what his favorite food was, he said Italian; favorite restaurant, some place in Atlanta where he lives. Then he said that the best food he ever tasted in his life was in a little restaurant in Carmel, California called Da Giovanni’s…

SCARY GOOD… Don’t forget Friday, Oct. 28 at Peppoli in Spanish Bay. Make a reservation for any time during dinner and you may order the special four-course duet presentation between Peppoli Chef ARTURO MOSCOSO and visiting Chef CHRISTOPHE HILLE from A16 Restaurant in San Francisco. They’ll be featuring specialties from the region of Campania—I think that’s near Naples (my Italian friends are gonna be pissed—hey, I’m lucky I can find Monterey on the map). Will be a good time and a good gustatory treat…call 647-7433 right now.

This Sunday, Oct. 29 it’s at Taste of Monterey in Salinas, right near the Steinbeck Center, KEN “THAT’S NOT A MASK” RAUH is throwing his annual People’s Choice Challenge, where you get to judge the entries. So put on your best scary face, get down there and help judge 15 local Syrahs. Prizes for best costumes are on tap, as is ridicule if you don’t wear one…751-1980 ex. 10.

Speaking of scary, you know TED and CINDY WALTER from Passionfish, right? Well, their son Kevin, a strapping young man who helps out occasionally at the restaurant when he’s not being chased by pretty girls, just finished climbing El Capitan, which, if I’m not inaccurate, is some giant rock in Yosemite. To prove that he wasn’t nuts (huh?), he climbed the Royal Arches the next day…I always knew that boy was gonna rise to great heights. All right Kevin, we’re impressed, now stay on the ground, that’s why God created elevators.

QUICK FIXES… The slick chicks (how many socially reprehensible inferences are there in that moniker?) who own Elkhorn Farm and Mercantile, JANE E. BEDNAR and HELAINE TREGENZA, are rocking the old barn on Highway 1 in Moss Landing. Make sure you stop in there on your way to and fro to check out all the really top quality items they carry, from artisanal jams and coffee to wonderful gift ideas and things for the home to fresh, organic produce, all types of well-made stuff that is friendly to the Earth and good for the soul.

Jane sent me an e-mail to check out Acme Coffee Roasting Co. at 485-B Palm Ave. in Seaside (393-9113). Proprietors LARRY and JACKIE are artistic, unpretentious, a couple of originals and deserve some attention. So, here’s some attention. Give ‘em some more and tell them Jane sent you.

Lugano’s Swiss Bistro in the Barnyard is now open on Mondays, serving lunch and dinner, and they’ve added Monday Pasta Night for only $9.95. Choose from an array of pasta dishes, plus get all Rex Goliath Wines for only $15 per bottle and desserts at half price. Also, enjoy live music every Thursday night, beginning at 6pm with accordionist Richard Denier and his friends. Look for the amazingly talented MIKE MAROTTA JR., along with DAVE DALLY and/or SHARON JONES to join in playing your favorite European and American standards. Call 626-3779.

Look for SPARKY’S ROOT BEER featured on an episode of America’s Best Product on the Travel Channel on Thursday, Oct. 27, check your listings…GALANTE VINEYARDS is out with its 2003 Merlot. Only 200 cases, plus the 2002 Red Rose Hill Cab; both on Nov. 1. Go see Kerry WINSLOW at the tasting room near the former Toots Lagoon…Congratulations to Il Fornaio in Carmel, just celebrated its 10th year in business, not an easy task in this restaurant loaded town, go in and say hi to JOHN…don’t forget PUMPKIN PANDEMONIUM at Del Monte Center on Oct. 31…trick or treat, y’all.