Winter 2025

POP UPS, PLATES AND MORE AT AD ASTRA ATELIER When it was announced in April that beloved Monterey mainstay Ad Astra Bread Co. planned to open “a little cafe kind of thing” in mid-Carmel Valley, intrigue ran high, because “a little cafe” can encompass so much. A place to sit and linger is part of that. For more than a decade, Ad Astra has produced XVYP] QEKRM½GIRX FVIEH FYX WMRGI QSZMRK XS downtown Monterey, there hasn’t been much seating—nor an ability to expand the menu. “We also don’t have the capacity to make food in our original location. At Atelier, we can utilize our products and offer more relaxed, sit-down dining,” says Ron Mendoza, who, prior to founding Ad Astra, worked in the kitchens of, among others, Patina, Sona and The French 0EYRHV] ±- GSQI JVSQ ½RI HMRMRK ERH - PMOI XLI idea of making some really tasty food with the breads we’re making.” In mid-October, Atelier hosted two nights of sold-out pop-ups. Also in mid-October, Mendoza told Carmel Magazine that Atelier is just a few weeks away from obtaining its beer and wine license, which will enable Atelier to have a small wine bar and offer craft beers to go with the expanded food offerings. “We want to start doing special dinners,” he adds. “I know we have a great food community here, and we have chefs ready to come and do kitchen takeovers.” Ad Astra Atelier is located at 319 Mid Valley Center. For more information, visit www.adastra- bread.com or Instagram.com /ad.astra.atelier.cv . THE BRASS TAP BRINGS THE FUN TO FALL IN MARINA Karl Waller grew up in Marina, the son of a Fort Ord soldier. He married a woman he 154 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 Ad Astra Bread Co. owner Ron Mendoza (second from left) with Chef Cody Alias (left) and line cooks Frank Morales and Beth Ann Simpkin at Ad Astra Atelier, Mendoza’s newest location in Mid Valley, which offers an expanded menu and lots of seating. Photo: Kelli Uldall food for thought More Than Bread at Ad Astra Atel ier ; A Hidden Beer Gem Draws Fans in Mar ina; A Yogurt Pur i st ’ s Dream Tang at Schoch Fami ly Farmstead B Y MAR Y DUAN