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| The little chocolate-toffee cookies are yummy -- don't think about the calories. |
Showing posts with label things to do. Show all posts
Showing posts with label things to do. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Outdoor seating coming to Cafe Trieste
Cafe Trieste will soon have an outdoor seating area, using the two parking spots right in front. This is a pilot project as part of the downtown Monterey revitalization plan. Awesome idea. We have the weather for it, so why not take advantage? Looks like they are just about ready to go.
Friday, August 9, 2013
What's happening in downtown Monterey?
The City of Monterey has released a new video describing the new development that is getting underway. Pretty exciting, downtown needs a little revitalizing.
When we arrived here last year, a large section of Alvarado Street was blocked by a large fence with a painted mural. We wondered what happened, but didn't think too much more about it. A few weeks letter we happened to be reminiscing about a restaurant we used to like, and we realized it used to be right there. Turns out there was a big fire in 2006 and the entire building burned down. Then the recession hit, and it was tough to rebuild.
Finally some new development is getting underway, as well as some other projects in downtown. One of the most interesting parts of the downtown plan is that they are going to add a bunch of residential units. Having people live in a downtown area really adds to its vitality, as well as attracting business. If something like that had been available when we moved here, we might very well have considered it. As we get older, maybe we still will. We've always liked living "downtown"...where the action is, with everything within walking distance.
Check it out. There's also some interesting history on how downtown Monterey got to this point.
I laughed when they guy talks about people complaining about the Trader Joe's parking lot -- I complain about it all the time. It's a tradition -- Trader Joes' always have bad parking lots. I've never been to one that didn't.
When we arrived here last year, a large section of Alvarado Street was blocked by a large fence with a painted mural. We wondered what happened, but didn't think too much more about it. A few weeks letter we happened to be reminiscing about a restaurant we used to like, and we realized it used to be right there. Turns out there was a big fire in 2006 and the entire building burned down. Then the recession hit, and it was tough to rebuild.
Finally some new development is getting underway, as well as some other projects in downtown. One of the most interesting parts of the downtown plan is that they are going to add a bunch of residential units. Having people live in a downtown area really adds to its vitality, as well as attracting business. If something like that had been available when we moved here, we might very well have considered it. As we get older, maybe we still will. We've always liked living "downtown"...where the action is, with everything within walking distance.
Check it out. There's also some interesting history on how downtown Monterey got to this point.
I laughed when they guy talks about people complaining about the Trader Joe's parking lot -- I complain about it all the time. It's a tradition -- Trader Joes' always have bad parking lots. I've never been to one that didn't.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday Market
A warm sunny day really brings out a crowd for the Tuesday Farmer's Market in downtown Monterey. I haven't been since last summer, so I stopped by. A few changes in the vendor lineup, and surprisingly--no Babaloo truck. Come to think of it, I haven't seen them for a while, and the website doesn't seem to be available (their Facebook page is still there though). I hope they haven't left the area.
As usual, the longest lines were at the India Gourmet, and rightly so. They're always offering free samples of several different curries. When the older gentleman is there giving out samples, you won't be able to resist. Literally, he won't let you. But he's a hoot and it's all in fun. Try everything...they're all good.
Other than street food, there's the usual assortment of crafts, jewelry, musicians playing for tips, take-home foods like jams and sauces, and of course, the produce stands. If you go to the farmer's market for cheap prices, think again. Most of what you see here is more expensive than at the supermarket. If you want beautiful and fresh, this is the place. Gorgeous trays of brilliantly colored fruits and vegetables. There must be some sort of agreement about prices though, because every stand charges the same price for produce. If you see something you want, just get it, you won't find it for less down the street.
The market runs every Tuesday from 4-7 (4-8 in summer).
As usual, the longest lines were at the India Gourmet, and rightly so. They're always offering free samples of several different curries. When the older gentleman is there giving out samples, you won't be able to resist. Literally, he won't let you. But he's a hoot and it's all in fun. Try everything...they're all good.
Other than street food, there's the usual assortment of crafts, jewelry, musicians playing for tips, take-home foods like jams and sauces, and of course, the produce stands. If you go to the farmer's market for cheap prices, think again. Most of what you see here is more expensive than at the supermarket. If you want beautiful and fresh, this is the place. Gorgeous trays of brilliantly colored fruits and vegetables. There must be some sort of agreement about prices though, because every stand charges the same price for produce. If you see something you want, just get it, you won't find it for less down the street.
The market runs every Tuesday from 4-7 (4-8 in summer).
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Outlet shopping is a bust
Another gorgeous day. Weather forecast says 70, but it feels hotter. Not a cloud in the sky.
We usually for for a walk on Sunday, so today we decided to go for it ...all the way to Cannery Row. It was loaded with tourists, of course. The Aquarium was super busy with a line all the way out the door, up the street, and around the side, zig zagging through those rails they put up to form an orderly queue.
Just past the Aquarium is the American Tin Cannery, which is supposed to be a outlet mall. Attempting to play, I guess, on the whole Cannery Row imagery. When we lived here back in '99, this wasn't a bad mall. I remember buying some things there. But now....it's dead. There are only five actual "outlet" stores, plus a few places to eat, and a GIGANTIC candy store. (Seriously, the place is huge. And it's not even good candy. If you're going to blow a bunch of calories on sugar, it should at least be chocolate and not brightly colored taffy and lollipops.)
Anyway, the mall is kind of sad. All those tourists nearby on Cannery Row, and they can't attract them over to the mall. There's a major outlet mall in Gilroy, so maybe they just couldn't attract good outlets here. Maybe they should give up on the outlets idea and recruit some other type of stores. For now, I'm sorry to say, the Tin Cannery is a miss.
We usually for for a walk on Sunday, so today we decided to go for it ...all the way to Cannery Row. It was loaded with tourists, of course. The Aquarium was super busy with a line all the way out the door, up the street, and around the side, zig zagging through those rails they put up to form an orderly queue.
Just past the Aquarium is the American Tin Cannery, which is supposed to be a outlet mall. Attempting to play, I guess, on the whole Cannery Row imagery. When we lived here back in '99, this wasn't a bad mall. I remember buying some things there. But now....it's dead. There are only five actual "outlet" stores, plus a few places to eat, and a GIGANTIC candy store. (Seriously, the place is huge. And it's not even good candy. If you're going to blow a bunch of calories on sugar, it should at least be chocolate and not brightly colored taffy and lollipops.)
Anyway, the mall is kind of sad. All those tourists nearby on Cannery Row, and they can't attract them over to the mall. There's a major outlet mall in Gilroy, so maybe they just couldn't attract good outlets here. Maybe they should give up on the outlets idea and recruit some other type of stores. For now, I'm sorry to say, the Tin Cannery is a miss.
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