Joongchul Shin – from South Korea – wants to move to NYC and work in fashion. Here’s what he thought of Carmel Plaza.

The Carmel Plaza is a big shopping center in Carmel. There are place a lot of the shops. Unfortunately the most shops are for woman’s things. For example clothes, jewelry, interior, watches, bags and so on.

The Carmel Plaza consists of 3 floors. The First floor is a coffee shop (Carmel Coffee & Cocoa Bar) like Starbucks, a kitchen and home shop and an interior shop, a jewelry shop, a kid shop, and a cafeteria.

The Second floor has lady clothes shops – such as Anubee, Madrigal, J. Jill, Talbots – a vessel shop, an outdoor shop (outdoor clothe, footwear, hat, sunglasses), luxury brand shops – such as Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton – and a shoe shop.

On the third floor is a jewelry shop. In addition, there is a gallery. The name is Raskin. It has a famous artist pictures. There is not only shopping, but also experiencing the local culture.

It’s surrounded by trees, and flowers gave me a good impression. Most people said “Carmel is very clean and peaceful.” I think so too. This is my first time traveling to Carmel. If we had more time, we would go to more places. Carmel is a small town, and it is very peaceful place.

Address: Ocean Ave & Mission St Carmel, CA, 93921

Phone: (831) 624-1385

Time: Mon-Sat 10a.m.~6p.m.  Sun 11a.m.~5p.m.

Website: www.carmelplaza.com

A big thank you to Joongchul and the rest of our contributors!

Oscar Adrian Rojas Martinez – From El Salvador – is studying theology. Here’s what he thought of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Little Napoli.

Pepe’s Little Napoli: Dolores St & 7th Ave Carmel, CA 93923 (831) 626-6335.

Carmel is a special place and many people come to know beautiful historical places, restaurants, stores, bars and hotels. Everything is accessible for touristic people. Carmel is small town and a historical place that was founded in 1916 on Monterey Peninsula.

Carmel has a lot of restaurants and within it Pepe’s Little Napoli. It was opened in 1990 for Don Pepe Bistro Italiano. The food is prepared by chefs and they can to do a delicious food. The restaurant is very important because every day a lot of people looking for a place for take a lunch or dinner. The people find a great place in Pepe’s Little Napole because it has a good service, kind of worker, delicious food, peaceful and accessible for everybody.

The people working in this restaurant are from the United States, France, Mexico and Italy. However, everyday they are working together for attention and serve the people.

The workers are recommending some special food such as alforno, vongute and gugonzolo salad. However in the menu there are different kinds of food if you don’t like the special food. All the food is really delicious and the people love everything. Even if you want to drink Vino Napoli wine bar there are wines in different tastes such as reds, whites and Sparkling Wines. The cost of wine is accessible.

There are different kinds of food, especially Italian food. The most popular foods are Bolognese di Bari, garlic bread and lamb shank. The people love this place because when they finishing to eat they are feel comfortable, happy and satisfied.

The costs of the food depend on the kind of food. The most expensive cost $19- $24. It is enough for enjoy a delicious lunch with someone. Though for dinner, normally the costumers pay between $7- $32. The food is absolutely delicious and many touristic people come back again on vacation.

In the website www.yelp.com there are comments about this restaurant: The World According to Noelle Allergic Girl’s Guide to Life:  ”‘Little Napoli Bistro is definitely a Noelle favorite.’ Our most recent dining experience was at Little Napoli Bistro Italiano took place. Little Napoli has always been a favorite of mine (best meatballs west of Jersey), but with Vino Napoli I’ve found an entirely new hangout spot.  I love the Pepe red wine and the Silvestri.”

The restaurant is open seven days a week between 11:30am and 10:00 pm. Also, people can find information in local magazines and internet websites: amy@pepeinternational.com.

Thanks, Oscar!

Takaaki Ishii just returned to Yokohama, Japan to continue studying business. Here’s his take on Carmel Plaza.

The Great Shopping Mall named ‘Carmel Plaza’

Address: Ocean Ave between Junipero Ave & Mission St Carmel, CA 93923

The Carmel Plaza has a lot of good stores about shopping and eating. Also, the Carmel Plaza can make you happy. Ah! Now did you know how it can make me happy? If you’re going to go there, you can understand. So, you should go there!
Do you like to go shopping? —Yes! Do you like the garden? — Yes!! Do you like pretty places? — Yes!!! Do you like peaceful places? — Yes!!!! If you say yes to one question from these four questions, than you should go the Carmel Plaza. It has more than 35 fine shops and restaurants in a classy setting. It is for going shopping!
Next, could you look at the first picture? The Carmel Plaza has a lot of flowers and trees. So, if you like a flower or a garden, you should go there. Also, it is very pretty and cute place. So, if you like this, you should go there.

But, I want to say something for all men. All men must be resolved… It’s a very nice place but all shops or stores are for woman! So, if you want to buy some men’s clothes, maybe it was difficult to find… But, I think all girls will like this place. So, if you want to make her or your girl friend happy, you endure the tiresomeness feeling and you should go Carmel Plaza.
P.S. many people bring dogs in here. So, if you want to bring dogs or if you want to watch some dogs, you should go to the Carmel Plaza!

Thanks, Takaaki!

Mohammed Abdulmajeed- from Iraq on a special government initiative- wants to study business in the US. Here’s what he thought of Nielsen Market.

It is very important when going to Carmel that you go to Nielsen Market, because it is one of important markets in this town.

7th Ave. AT San Carlos, Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: 831-624-6441 Fax: 831-624-3170 Email: market@nielsenbros.com Web address: www.nielsenmarket.com

Nielsen Market is one of the old markets in Carmel town. It was founded in 1930 by Nielsen brothers. This market is very important in this town because it provides a good competitive service through the delivery of products to home. This process has made this market special in this town because it is easier for people to do shopping and also provide parties with various foods and alcoholic beverages.

This market offers different types of foods: canned foods such as legumes, spices, pickles, sauce and various kinds of fresh meat, such as beef, pork and lamb. And there are various kinds of cheeses from all over world.
There is also a section for selling of alcohol beverages and a place to taste wine. The customers can taste of alcohol on Saturday every week, and there also is a place for selling all kinds of vegetables outside.

There is also a place for eating snacks, where visitors can sit in an allocated place and ask for meals. The menu contains a lot of meals from different parts of the world, such as beef kabob, Italian sausage, chicken kabob and also there are fresh daily salads, antipastas, sandwiches, and in the market there is a place to provide meals from other places of the world, such as taboule, boereg, Greek dolma, vegetable cake, and Turkish baklava… etc.

As for working hours, the market is opening at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. during the week, except on Saturday it closes at 8:00PM, and there is also a parking place for free.

Thank you, Mohammed!

Fatma Alshamisi - from the United Arab Emirates – wants to attend an undergraduate university in the US and study economics. Here’s what she thought of Dametra Café.

Make Your Vacation Something Special in Dametra Café: “Like Nowhere Else”

Vacation days must be something unforgettable. After all, you want to spend this day happy and relaxing far from thinking about work or anything else that makes you uncomfortable. You want to spend this day with your family and friend whether by going to movie or eating in restaurant.

If you are of those people who prefer to go out to eat at the restaurant I recommend visiting Carmel. Carmel is a quiet and peaceful city. It’s perfect for having comfortable vacations, where there is Dametra Café.

The location of this restaurant is:

• Ocean Ave, between Dolores and Lincoln
• P.o Box 802 Carmel by the sea, CA 93921
• P:  831-622-7766
• www.dametracafe.com
• Opening time: all weekdays from 11a.m.  To 11 p.m.

The owners of this restaurant are Bashar from Syria and Faisal from Jordan. The name of the restaurant came out of the city Al mtek Damasks in Syria, and the city Petra in Jordan. They collected three characters of the word ‘Damasks’ and four characters of the word ‘Petra’.

This restaurant provides food from the Middle East, Italy and Turkey. They have a list of distinctive food as they fit the tastes of everyone, whether young children or adults. Most of the children like to have chicken shawarma.

And I quote the words of one of the visitors from Dametra web site, “Delicious warm bread upon arriving. Homemade spanakopita was killer, as was the rest of the meal and atmosphere. Very worthy of a repeat visit.”

The most famous food that they offer is:

• Ground beef kebab with Turkish spices $14.95.
• Spanakapita appetizer $10.95.
• Falafel warps $8.95.
• Chicken shawarma $9.95.

In addition, they offer various kinds of drinks too. This restaurant is very cool, including the staff. They are very nice people. They treat you very good. One of the visitors from Dametra website said – praising the staff – “Everyone who works here was incredibly friendly, even though the place was packed.”

Yes it’s right as I said that the staff is very nice. They work very hard just to make the customers happy. One of their methods is playing the Oud which looks like Violin, where each of Bashar and Faisal does that. Also they love to sing and dance with the customers.

In the end, I want to say that this place is very cool. I went there before and I had lunch with my friends. And that day cannot be forgotten for me.

Thank you, Fatma!

Rahma Al Ketbi – from the United Arab Emirates – wants to attend an undergraduate university in the US . Here’s what she thought of Artemis Boots:

“Rest Your Feet in Our Store”

Although Carmel is a small town it only takes you into historical and natural views. It located on the pacific coast. This location helps Carmel to be attractive to tourists.

I took look in Carmel, and I was amazed from many things. Such as shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. Although there are a lot of amazing things, I choose one thing to share it with you. It’s Artemis Boot or as they are known in “Artemis Collection Turkish Art Importe”.

If you need the warmth for your feet, if you want elegant in your appearance and if you are looking for warranty in the purchase, hurry up to the Artemis Boots. They have all boots that you want.

Artemis Boots have a lot of designed boots. Especially cowboy style. Of course with guarantee that you need. It will be with you for a long time, because it is made by hands.

I talked to Carolyn. She works there. She told me the owner of this shop is Erkan Demir. He is Turkish. He came from 2 years ago, from Istanbul the capital of Turkey to USA, for the purpose of opening the shop.

I asked her if they get a lot of costumers. “We have every day around 13 to 20 customers,” she said.

There are boots knee lengths. It costs $290 that one made by velvet, another one made by lather it costs $350. Also there is another style. But it not into yours knee. It is to your half leg. It costs $250. Styles include Cuban, Italian, Gypsy, Cowboy, and Style 2010. Each style featuring various toe and heel designs.

The great event that all people wait for is opening branches in the other states in the next year, such as Tennessee, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, etc.

So I hope you will be comfortable in this shop and find what you want. I will not hide my feelings of joy when you become special customer.

Address: Artemis Boots, Doud Craft Studios, San Carlos & Ocean
Mailbox: P.O. Box 5685
Location: Carmel, CA 93921
Phone: (831)-622-9242
Website: inquiries@artemisboots.com

Thank you, Rahma!

On a starry summer’s night, in the quiet Carmel woods, “Beetlejuice,” a la Michael Keaton, makes his revival on the big screen.

‘Tis a Wednesday at 8:45 p.m., far later than normal operating hours in Monterey County, and here I am surrounded by rowdy college students, children in colorful pajamas, and pet-friendly locals (yes, even at a theater).

But this isn’t just any theater; it’s Carmel’s Forest Theater. ”The oldest outdoor community theater west of the Rockies” projects classic and modern movies onto a big inflatable screen, which is flanked on either side by ambient, toasty fire pits. The movies are sponsored by the Forest Theater Guild and run all summer as part of the “Films in the Forest” event, taking place between play productions of “Treasure Island” (June) and “Alice in Wonderland” (July). Thus, the giant tea cup and mushroom onstage.

My friends and I arrived early, not really knowing what to expect. Maybe a dirt floor to spread our blankets on? A field? Not the case! The Forest Theater has stadium seating, with benches, a stocked concession stand, raffle drawings, and an enthusiastic crowd (clapping during the good parts!?).

Perhaps what was truly the “icing on the cake” was the fact that it was June 14th — Bastille Day — a French national holiday! In celebration of it, a local theater volunteer was kind enough to share a French culinary spread, with everything from imported cheese to sparkling champagne. For free.

Prizes in the form of Mrs. DeLish’s cupcakes, a local treat, were given out before showtime to those who were knowledgeable enough to know the history of this momentous day. Thankfully for me, I at least knew the country that was in question and got the first cupcake. Well worth the effort. And luckily for everyone else, Mrs. DeLish’s cupcakes were available at the fully-stocked concession stand.

Movie time came and went, as did the sandworms, and I left with a smile. All in all, cannot wait to go again. It always makes me angry when I discover the local gems a little too late in the game. Therefore, don’t miss out! Movies end July 29th!

Tamatha’s Top 6 Films in the Forest Tips:

1. Directions: Take the Ocean Avenue exit off of Highway 1. At Junipero Street, make a sharp left onto Mountain View Road (you’ll see the signs for the Forest Theater as you turn). Head down Mountain View for awhile into the forest and you will eventually see the entrance for the theater on the left. Guadalupe Street is too far.
2. Admission is $6… but free for children under 10 years old.
3. Movies start at dusk and last for no more than two hours. However… ARRIVE EARLY. The theater opens for business at 6:30 p.m. Yes, that does imply two-point-something hours of sitting around. However, with the right food, beverages (alcohol is permitted), and seat cushion, you’d be surprised how fast darkness falls. Plus, parking at the actual theater is limited… so arriving early saves you a walk through the gnarly backroads of Carmel.
4. Dress warmly. This is Carmel after all. I’d advise a blanket… maybe even a sleeping bag if you dare. Or colorful pajamas?
5. Feel good about going. After all, profits benefit the Forest Theater Guild and The Michel Willey Youth Scholarship Fund!
6. During weekends in July, check out the Forest Theater’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.” If the onstage set is an indicator of the actual performance, then I have a feeling it’ll be pretty good.

For a list of movie showtimes and ticket information for “Alice in Wonderland,” check out http://www.foresttheaterguild.org/.

About the Author:

Tamatha Roman is an English-as-a-second-language teacher, recent MIIS graduate, avid “couch-surfing” host, world traveler, and a frequent VisitCarmel.com research-mission companion.

Check out more of Tam’s adventuresome contributions:

Vacation Karaoke: Because Nobody Knows Your Name

Four Ways to Watch: The Peninsula’s Best Movie Theaters

We Found the Carmel Nightlife, Baby

The MIIS Talent Show: Video Highlights

Carmel, California’s Elusive Public Restrooms