Fall - 2022

pair brought stateside. “Having missed some traditional British food when we arrived in Pacific Grove in 2014, we decided to bake some of Lesley’s grandmother’s ham and egg pies,” Swainson says. “We discov - ered our American friends loved them too.” Now the couple is opening their first brick- and-mortar location in Salinas, and naming it The Great British Bake Shop, which will open as a bakery with to-go items. There will also be fun British cultural items for sale, inspired by “Paddington Bear, Mary Poppins, Beatrix Potter, maybe even a little Beatles music and of course royal celebrations and events,” he says. “We find people are often so interested in the U.K. and London and often have visited or want to visit,” Swainson adds. “We are really looking forward to hearing their stories and sharing as much about our wonderful culture as possible, even if it’s just our accent that people want to hear!” The Great British Bake Shop is located at 8 W. Gabilan Street in Salinas. For more informa- tion, visit www.thegreatbritishbakeshop.com or call 831/251-1488. CHEF TODD FISHER LAUNCHES A ROADSIDE EATERY IN CARMEL VALLEY Chef Todd Fisher describes his latest endeavor as a “modern approach to the iconic California roadside eatery.” Bear + Flag Roadside is a place “where we smile a lot, make kick-ass food, and offer an outstanding selection of road-friendly refreshments along with a con- noisseur’s cooler full of excellent beers and delicious wines,” Fisher says. The restaurant has great sandwiches, top-quality beer and wine selections, breakfast burritos, salads, picnic items and a retail section. “I have always worked on sourcing the highest quality, well-practiced, environmentally responsi - ble ingredients for all of the restaurants I have ever been associated with,” Fisher explains. “Our meats are sourced and prepared at our sister restaurant, The Meatery, in Seaside. All of our sandwiches and salads are made with the inten- tion of being one of the best parts of your day!” Salads are made with local, organic and sea - sonally appropriate ingredients. “The goal is not to mask their tremendous flavors but enhance them and serve them as fresh as possible,” he says. “We craft all of our salads to be craveable, satisfying and healthy. Our dressings are all prepared in-house and add the right amount of creaminess or acidity to make the salads really sing!” Bear+Flag Roadside is located at 7152 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel. For more information, please visit www.bearandflagroadside.com or call 831/293-8608. LAST BITES Gusto Mobile Kitchen is now catering spe - cial events with a food truck that emphasizes delicious pizza and pasta—visit www.gusto1901. com…BreadSong/SteakCraft is open in the Carmel Crossroads, offering the options of baked goods, coffee, salads, sandwiches, wine and steak—Follow thebreadsong on Instagram…Promesa Tapas Kitchen offers small plates like olives, patatas bravas, oysters, cheeses and more—go to www.promesacarmel.com … The California Seltzer Company at Lovers Point offers takeout seltzers like pineapple lemon, hibiscus lime, blood orange and berry rush— visit www.californiaseltzerco.com . 160 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 2 Bear + Flag is Todd Fisher’s newest venture. Located in Carmel Valley, the roadside eatery and wine bar is the ultimate spot to stop and grab gourmet to-go items, including meats from one of Fisher’s other ventures, The Meatery in Seaside. Photo: Randy Tunnell