Fall 2023

58 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 Photo: Kelli Uldall F or two decades at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley, Ian Penniman was one of the Monterey Peninsula’s favorite bartenders. Now, at Melville Tavern, he’s become a well-respected local restaurateur. He began his hospitality career as a busser, then waiter at a Chili’s, then moved on to bartending and management with TGI Fridays. He joined Baja in 2000, then purchased the established Melville in August 2019.Then came the ultimate test: the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. “We were one of only a few restaurants that didn’t close,” he says. He relied on take- out orders and an expanded outdoor patio. The gregarious Penniman learned valuable lessons.“I realized the responsi- bility I had as an owner, not only to the business, but also to the employees and their families. “They depend on me…the whole weight is on my shoul- ders. Now, the forefront of my style is to make sure the employees are happy.” And that shows in the high level of friendliness and service evinced by his staff. Penniman recently revised his menu, bringing it back to the “big variety” he had pre-COVID. “This menu is humongous,” he says. It’s always fun to dine at Melville.“I’m not comfortable unless the energy is high.” And Penniman sees to it that it consistently is. For more information, visit www.melvilletav.com or call 831/643-9525. — Michael Chatfield HOS P I TAL I TY PROF I L E Ian Penniman