Fall 2025

Our bread is at the core of our culture—lit- erally.We serve our bread warm, with balanced crunchy crust, because it is the right way. It is a symbol of our standard that all things are worth the extra intention. Q: The style of the restaurant is inviting, cozy and somewhat irreverent. Coupled with the location just next to the Big Sur River, the beau- tiful trees outside dotted with hanging lanterns, and the fresh air, it feels like another world. What are some elements of the décor and location that guests most enjoy? A: Patrick continues to tweak the design but he definitely wanted to keep the Big Sur-ness of it all. Everyone comments on the pass, which was carved and dried from a 50-foot-tall sycamore tree that toppled in a storm—it also provided the dining room tabletops.The lighting plays such an important role in the dining room, the flames from the hearth, the flickering candlelight and, of course, the disco ball that playfully reflects both, reminding all of us to have fun. Q: Service at the restaurant is warm and impeccably orchestrated. Please discuss how the servers work together with you to ensure such a thoughtful and attentive dining experience. A: The Solstice team thrives on a shared dedication to elevating hospitality standards. Mutual accountability, cultivated passion, and a growth-oriented environment consistently deliver a service the team is proud of.This col- lective pursuit of excellence begins each day with a family meal, where the spirit of hospitality is embodied towards one another. Q: The flavors of the food are subtle, fresh and refreshing. How is that achieved? A: Simplicity is often the hardest thing for any chef.We are so fortunate to have such incredi- ble local product and we want those ingredients to take center stage, without being heavily manipulated. That is one of the reasons our menu changes so often as we are trying to uti- lize each ingredient at their peak and not to mask or hide any true flavor. Q: What do you most hope for when guests dine at Solstice? A: I hope they feel like they are welcomed into the temporal and spatial dimensions of the Big Sur experience—where they create memories in the moment. We want our restaurant to evoke the essence of time and place and capture the unique characteristics of Big Sur while simultaneously anchoring us in the flow of history. Q: Anything else you’d like to add? A: Yeah. Go Phillies. 156 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 5 156 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 5 For SPORTS, STORIES & SUSTENANCE! The Best Pub Fare In Town B R O P H Y S T A V E R N . C O M COLD BEERS • COCKTAILS • FINE WINES 4 TH AVENUE & SAN CARLOS