Old Monterey District Blog

Our next call for art is live at The Pearl Works! It was so much fun to curate our current installation with Emerging Artists' Alliance that we're going to do it again. Selected art will be exhibited at The Pearl Works for 6 months. Submission deadline is August 1, 2022.

The theme for this exhibition will be In Situ. "In situ" means something in its original, existing, or natural place or position. It is also used to describe a piece of artwork that has a direct relationship to the place where it is created and displayed.

This will be a juried exhibition of emerging artists from across Monterey County, using any medium that the space may accommodate. Accepted works will center on themes of belonging in one's community, hyperlocality, and the relationship between something and its original or indigenous place. Large submissions are encouraged (max size: 40" x 50")

Please create your artist profile here to begin the application process. Questions? DM us on Instagram.

The Pearl Works is a community co-working space located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is offering three specials in summer 2022. To make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Summer Specials

Summer Glow Facial
$170 for 60 minutes
A brightening and preventative facial that includes a Bilberry Marine mask to cool off from the summer heat. You'll also receive a sample of Image SPF.

Ocean Salt Glow
$230 for 95 minutes
These fine salts are mixed with essential oils to exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Includes a bath, Vichy shower, & 50-minute Symphony massage. Also receive a sample of pure Fiji Lotion.

Beach Ready Waxing
Bikini & underarm wax: $70
Brazilian & underarm wax: $90

Monterey County Youth Museum is happy to announce our new summer music program with Jessica Bunn from The Farm in Salinas. Join us on Thursdays at 10:15am for a half hour of singing, dancing, and more! Children have a natural love of music and exposure on a regular basis helps them become more creative when problem solving and stimulates healthy brain development.

Program is free for MY Museum members, and covered in the regular price of admission for non-members.

Om Studios invites you to join us for a new weekly yoga class, Mellow Flow, taught by Angel Lupo on Tuesdays, 7pm-8pm. Please register on our website.

Mellow Flow is meant to warm you from the inside and out, but not burn you up like our lives can sometimes do. This practice is chill, focusing on reducing stress and deepening the practice with juicier sequencing, deep breath work, and elements of restorative yoga.

The class isn't always easy, but it isn't built to make you sweat either. Come nourish your mind, body, and spirit and get grounded. Angel Lupo's classes are fun and creative, focusing on connecting the mind, body, and breath while letting go of tension and stress.

Chef Mario Garcia at Esteban Restaurant, located at 700 Munras Ave in Downtown Old Monterey, has announced innovative changes to the restaurant's seasonal menu, which combines Spanish-influenced cuisine with farm-to-table ingredients.

Esteban can accommodate a romantic dinner for two or a celebration for up to 20 people in our private dining room. To make a reservation, please call 831-375-0176.

STARTERS MENU INCLUDES:
Datiles
sweet California Medjool dates stuffed with Point Reyes bleu cheese and wrapped in Baker’s bacon

Pan con Tomate
olive oil toasted Ad Astra ciabatta served with Borba Farms fresh tomatoes, torn herbs, pounded garlic and drizzled with Carmel Valley extra virgin olive oil finished with sea salt

Durazno y Jamon
fresh Kashiwase Farms organic peaches wrapped in jamon serrano and Genovese basil leaves

TAPAS MENU INCLUDES:
Empanadas
house-made eight-hour braised Niman Ranch pork shoulder and feta cheese inside a flaky puff pastry served with fresh salsa verde

Carpaccio Montaditos
thinly sliced spice-crusted seared Mishima wagyu beef atop olive oil toasted milk bread with creamy pimento cheese, lightly pickled piquillo peppers, and Spade and Plow Farms baby arugula

Pulpo Frito
lightly fried Spanish octopus with a tangy remoulade sauce served atop crispy Yukon potatoes tossed with Silva Farms chorizo and drizzled with rosemary chili oil

Verduras a la Brasa
a seasonally changing selection of grilled farmers' market vegetables marinated in our sherry vinaigrette, grilled to perfection, and served with creamy romesco and mojo verde sauce

DINNER MENU INCLUDES:
Coffee Rubbed Ribeye
45-day wet-aged certified Black Angus beef, lightly fried bechamel, jamon serrano fritters with farmer’s market vegetables, rioja shallot butter, and demi-glaze

Pesca del Dia
Basque-style catch of the day and clams with salsa verde broth

Westholme Wagyu Bavette
grilled and sliced Wagyu steak over crispy artichoke hearts, blue cheese, harvest local greens, citrus yogurt, pickled red onion, and rosemary oil

Pollo a la Parrilla
grilled chili-rubbed Fogline Farms half chicken with mojo verde, patatas fritas, farmer’s market vegetables, and milk aioli

Paella del Mar
wild Gulf prawns, P.E.I. Mussels, little neck clams, and fresh chimichurri sauce

Fideua (Pasta Paella)
Silva Farms chorizo, Red Argentinian...Read More

East Village Cafe, located at 498 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey, invites you to stop by and try our amazing macaron ice cream sandwiches made by Mavens Creamery in nearby San Jose. They’re perfect for the sunny weather!

Some of our staff's favorite flavors are: lemon cheesecake, cookies n’ cream, salted caramel, and chocolate cheesecake.

The Monterey Museum of Art is proud to announce our participation in Museums for All, a national initiative to expand access to museums. At Monterey Museum of Art, individuals and families who present a CalFresh / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card will receive free admission for up to four people! We invite you to visit us at 559 Pacific Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

A fan favorite is returning to Revival Ice Cream in June! Our campfire s’mores ice cream is a fun way to usher in the summer. Using our classic Theo dark chocolate ice cream base, we add in house-made toasted marshmallow fluff and some speculoos crumbs which are just like graham crackers. It reminds us of summer nights with friends and family.

But campfire s'mores ice cream is only available in June, so visit us soon at 463 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. You can even pre-order it on our website for store pickup.

Venture Gallery presents the work of Linda Elling, our featured artist for June, whose paintings celebrate the incredible beauty of the Monterey Peninsula and Central Valley.

There is something magical in the quality of light in these paintings. Linda is captivated by scenes from California's Central Coast. Her work, in turn, has inspired collectors throughout the U.S.

Venture Gallery is now open daily, 10am-6pm. Linda Elling's artwork will be featured through June 2022. We invite you to meet the artist on Monday, June 6, 2pm-6pm or on Sunday, June 26, 10am-2pm, at the gallery. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

Terra Superfoods, home of plant based bowls and good vibes, has a new item on our menu: Terra Butter. This nut and seed butter contains cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds. Add it to your acai bowl for extra protein. It's delicious!

Terra Superfoods is located at 570 Munras Avenue, Suite 50, in Downtown Old Monterey (near Trader Joe's).

This could be your meeting room! The Pearl Works, a community coworking space in Downtown Old Monterey, believes that nothing quite replaces being with people in person. Our Eden Room is perfect for small, intimate, vaccinated meetings and brainstorms. Rent a meeting room from us and let your creative collaboration soar.

Fee for the Eden Room is $30 per hour or $200 per day. Dog not included. To book the Eden Room or the larger Asilomar Room, please visit this page and click on "Book a Meeting Room." The Pearl Works is located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey.