Old Monterey District Blog

Peter B's Head Brewer Natalie Mika and her team are now working with a climate-smart perennial grain, Kernza, to create select brews like Peter B's Shrub Lite.

Extra crushable and extra sustainable, Shrub Lite is an American lager that smells lightly fruity with a touch of sweetness and a crisp finish. Visit us at Peter B's Brewpub at Two Portola Plaza in Monterey and try it!

Kernza is the first perennial grain crop that's a cousin of wheat and a long-time forage grass that was domesticated by The Land Institute in Kansas. As a perennial, Kernza regrows each year without needing to be tilled or replanted. This allows the roots to reach nearly 15 feet deep – 6 times deeper than regular wheat. Those massive roots sequester carbon, prevent erosion, clean and filter water, and prevent nitrogen runoff.

Peter B's Brewpub is happy to announce that we're offering Happy Hour all night on Wednesdays for college students with valid college ID and all night on Thursdays for active duty military with military ID.

Peter B's is located at Two Portola Plaza in Monterey. Please note: you must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Special offers cannot be combined. Discount is not applicable for takeout orders or during special events.

The Pearl Works, located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is seeking local artists to submit pieces for their next art show, Pathways. This show will be a juried exhibition of emerging artists from around Monterey County whose various forms of art address themes of interconnection and cross-pollination.

This diverse collection of mediums and styles will create an artist-inspired conversation around the exchange of energy and ideas between groups and communities. These pathways are fundamental to creative and social collaboration.

Create an artist's profile and submit your art here by Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is offering special Valentine's packages throughout the month of February. To make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Valentine's Specials

Cupid's Retreat
$310
Starts with a 30-minute shared private tub followed by two 50-minute rose oil massages. Complimentary glasses of champagne.

Romance and Roses
$335
Begins with an 80-minute rose remedy massage followed by a 60-minute rose facial. Complimentary glasses of champagne.

(Please note: chocolate-covered strawberries are available for an addition fee.)

The Feral Market now carries Sunpaxx WaistPAXX! Sunpaxx is a local company and we’re so happy to have their new line of fanny packs in our shop at 261 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Made from durable, water repellant recycled ripstop nylon, WaistPAXX have an adjustable waist/shoulder strap, a large main compartment with a front-facing mini-pocket, zippers with convenient cord pulls, and come in some very fun colors. They're designed to go everywhere you do.

East Village Cafe introduces our delectable vegetarian samosas - crispy and golden-brown pastry filled with a mouth-watering blend of seasoned potatoes, peas, and spices.

Perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness and served with our homemade sauce, these samosas are sure to please your taste buds. They're even air fried to make them healthier! Don't miss out on this classic South Asian delicacy at 498 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Paulina R Photography, based in Downtown Old Monterey, is offering $300 off photography services at any Monterey County wedding 8 hours or longer, May 2023 - May 2024. Must book by May 31, 2023.

Have every detail of your wedding day beautifully documented! A variety of wedding packages are available, starting at $4100. Please contact Paulina through her website for details and use code WEDDING23 to receive this special discount.

Paulina R loves to capture a blend of creatively candid shots and iconic posed photos, helping people to laugh and feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. The result is a dazzling collection of images that captures the essence of love and joy in her subjects.

In January 2023, Montrio is celebrating Happy Hour by honoring our building's historic past! Every day, 4:30pm-6pm, enjoy a featured cocktail or small plate for only $1.89 in remembrance of our historic firehouse, which was incorporated in 1890.

And we have lots of other happy hour drinks and dishes from which to choose. Arrive early, 4:30pm-5pm, and enjoy select wines for $5 and select beers for $4. From 5pm to 6pm, signature cocktails are $10, select wines are $8, and small plate appetizers are $8.

Visit Montrio at 414 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey.

Alta Bakery and Cafe is happy to announce our January drink of the month, the rosemary citrus latte. Come and try it - we're located at 502 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey.

Montrio, a restaurant located at 414 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey, is happy to continue its Pick It Up - Pay It Forward Program in 2023. When you order takeout food from Montrio, 10% of your order will automatically be donated to a local charity. (Please note: this offer does not apply to delivery orders.)

List of charities Montrio will be supporting in 2023:

January - February
CASA of Monterey County
Empowering children in foster care by training court-appointed volunteers.

March - April
Dorothy’s Place
Provides a bridge to services and compassionately assists everyone with a desire for a healthy and sustainable life into permanent housing.

May - June
Loaves, Fishes and Computers
Helps the community succeed by providing low-cost computers, computer literacy classes, and volunteer opportunities.

July - August
MY Museum
Provides an environment where curiosity and creativity flourish and where children and adults can discover the thrill of lifelong learning.

September - October
Monterey County Rape Crisis Center
Provides ongoing education, advocacy, support ,and healing for victims and survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse.

November - December
The Bridge Restoration Ministry in Monterey
A Christian-based substance abuse program for those who have made a decision to change their lives in a structured family setting.

Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine, serving authentic, delicious Chinese food, is happy to celebrate our 8th anniversary! We thank the community for your overwhelming support throughout the years.

Our restaurant will be open on Christmas Day, so don't hesitate to visit us for your holiday celebrations, large and small (dine-in or take-out). If you'll be gathering with friends and family over the holidays, we also offer catering and space for private parties. Please contact us at 831-333-1288.

Looking for a good gift for a loved one? We also have gift cards! Visit us at 429 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

I Will Repair, your locally-owned cellphone and computer repair and accessory store in Downtown Old Monterey, will be closing the doors to its brick-and-mortar store at 474 Tyler Street after almost five years in business and becoming a mobile unit, bringing our services straight to you in your home or business.

December 15-30, 2022, we will have a Transition Sale to liquidate items we won't need in our new incarnation as a mobile business. This includes desks, computers, working and non-working electronics, merchandising equipment, file cabinets, wall cabinets, lighting fixtures, alarm/camera systems, shelving units, color LaserJet printer, refrigerator, TVs, and more.

There's a lot on offer - come by anytime this month if you want to inquire about any specific items or want to preview items before they go on sale. But we advise you to phone or text Steve, the owner, at 831-290-8180, before you arrive to make sure he's not out on a service call.

If you need a reliable technician to address your computer or cellphone concerns in 2023, pre encourage you to phone I Will Repair at 831-290-8180 and check out our Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates.

Paris Bakery is now offering freshly baked Christmas cookies, which they're selling individually, in bags of 6, and in larger numbers on platters. These decorated cookies are a bright bit of delicious fun for the holiday season that's perfect for a gift or for a stay-at-home treat.

The bakery also has a full complement of special holiday baked goods including Stollen (German fruit bread), Pannetone (Italian sweet bread), candy cane shaped bread, and Buche de Noel (Yule log cake). Buche de Noel are available in four different flavors: chocolate, coffee, hazelnut, and Grand Marnier.

All of these items are available daily until Christmas Eve at Paris Bakery, a family-owned business located at 271 Bonifacio Place in Old Monterey, but ordering items in advance is always recommended so you don't miss out on your heart's desire. The deadline for Christmas Eve orders is Wednesday, December 21, 2022 - just call the shop at 831-646-1620.

Monterey Public Library is accepting food for fines all month long! December 1-31, bring in any non-perishable food donation for the Food Bank for Monterey County and the library will waive all fines on your library account. (Please note: this offer does not apply to replacement fees for lost or damaged items - only overdue book fees.)

Items recommended for donation:
Canned tuna, chicken, or salmon
Peanut butter
Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili)
Low-sodium canned vegetables
Canned fruit in its own juice or water
Olive or canola oil
Spices (cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, salt-free spice blends)
Canned foods with pop-top lids
Low-sugar, whole-grain cereals
Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
(Please avoid items packed in glass.)

Monterey Public Library is located at 625 Pacific Street in Downtown Old Monterey.