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!

“I live in Pacific Grove and had walked right past Pavel’s many times (in the afternoon, when smells weren’t wafting out…). My Minnesota family came to town last week, and we made a point to visit all of the local favorites; this highly reviewed little Bakery certainly lived up to all of your recommendations, so thanks, fellow Yelpers!!

Prices weren’t posted, which is a shame, because Pavel’s pastries are so cheap and generously portioned, we may have scooped up even more if we’d known! Our chocolate croissant, donut, mixed berry danish and cinnamon roll came in under 10 dollars, and easily fed my family of five.

We’d already had coffee, and didn’t pick up a $1.50 “recession-proof cappuccino”, but will certainly try it next time.

As for the quality of the goods — best I’ve tasted since moving to The Monterey Peninsula a few years ago. Really, if you haven’t visited this little spot yet, you’re missing out.

Rock on, Pavel’s!”

Mmmm... remember to share!

The upshot? I’m opening this space up to everyone else who loves, visits, or works in Carmel.

Do you want to rave about your favorite restaurant? Promote your business/service (for free!)? Write a “top-ten” article about Carmel Beach — just for the experience? Send along your text and photos, and I’ll edit and publish your content.

1. Articles/photos must relate to Carmel and the surrounding areas (Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey). I want site visitors to find what they’re looking for, not an ad for a completely unrelated business in Ontario.

2. This is a family-friendly site. Keep it PG.

3. I may edit your content, or even choose not to publish it, but will always notify you of my intentions for your work.

4. Please include your name and status as a local/visitor/business owner with your work; we’re all about transparency here.

Please send submissions to:

Editor@hotelmarketingstrategies.com

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Katie

Katie, At Your Service.

We use the word “visitor” to describe The Peninsula’s guests, but where did “tourists” get such a bad rap? Tourists learn, explore, relax, and appreciate local culture. They infuse sleepy communities with life, enthusiasm, and revenue. They notice things that locals take for granted, shamelessly document the unknown, and carry pieces of our home back to theirs.

And sometimes, when they fall madly, deeply, inescapably in love with our community, they stay.

Two years ago, I became one of The Peninsula’s permanent tourists.

Derek and me -- last day in Iowa

My optimistic fiancee and I, unaware of the impending economic crisis, uprooted ourselves from Sioux City, Iowa and ventured west, to The Monterey Peninsula, our “dream-community”.

Time to Bounce.

Our savings dried up fast, but the love we felt for the area grew exponentially. It didn’t matter that forgoing a car meant half hour walks to work. It didn’t matter that “work” consisted of hocking shrimp on Cannery Row for eight hours at a time. We were smitten with the coast and weren’t going down without a fight.

Our First California Apartment, 5 Blocks from Cannery Row

Six months in, we joined The Monterey County Youth Museum, just in time for its grand re-opening in downtown Monterey, and have been working and playing with The Museum’s wonderful guests ever since. I’ve sold and displayed paintings in Pacific Grove, participated in The Big Sur Marathon Relay and Half Marathon, spent a summer teaching private swim lessons, and painted murals for Dippin’ Dots on Cannery Row.

Team "Off in the Woods", after our first Big Sur Marathon Relay

I’ve hosted and advised a dozen international travelers through Couchsurfing.org, and have been lucky enough to forge close friendships with other locals, both perennial and freshly transplanted, like us.

Steffi and Daniella, from Germany. Our first "Couch Surfers"

Change has been the only constant. That, and my status as a “tourist”. If I ever stop exploring, wondering, being in awe of this amazing place, it’ll be the moment our coastal dreams are defeated.

You, fabulous visitors, keep the dream alive. Your enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and joy inspire the rest of us to open our eyes. We wouldn’t be the same without you, and The Visit Carmel Travel Guide is our ongoing thank-you note.

Wishing you the happiest of travels,

Katie

And sometimes, you wanna get tipsy and belt out a favorite tune in public without getting ribbed by your friends the next day. Welcome to VaKaraoke, where everyone’s friendly, and nobody knows your name.

Old Monterey’s Britannia Arms hosts karaoke Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday nights, starting at 9:30 PM. You can expect a 21-plus ID check at the door, no cover charge, and, on Wednesdays, $3 draft beers, of which there are 24 varieties. Please don’t try them all.

The Cannery Row Pizzeria consistently attracts a younger, rowdier night crowd, and hosts Karaoke Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 9:30PM. It’s a 21-plus environment, and there’s a small cover charge.

Tamatha Roman: a "Grad School Cool" Karaoke Veteran

MIIS Grad student and Karaoke veteran Tamatha Roman shows you how it’s done at “The Brit”, and shares ten selections that “won’t necessarily get you boo’d off the stage, but they’re too overplayed… and usually sung terribly.”

Tam’s Top Ten Played-Out Tracks:

1. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

2. Love Shack – B52’s

3. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

4. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi

5. Summer Nights – Grease

6. American Pie – Don McLean

7. Hotel Caifornia – The Eagles

8. I love Rock n’ Roll – Joan Jett

9. Hey Jude – The Beatles

10. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

A Few More Ways to Rock Responsibly

Tam's Crew Performing "Wannabe", Photo Courtesy of Xenia Martinez Lal

• Plan your safe-passage home, then dive into the drink specials.
• Be patient if the pub’s hoppin’. Larger groups may have to wait to sit together, though they usually opt to get cozy in a smaller space. The awesome servers will do their best to accommodate you.
• If you only know your song’s chorus, even if you know it really really well, you’re on the Midnight Express to Mumbleville. Don’t go. It’s awkward there.
• Shorter is better, unless you’ve planned an amazing dance routine for that two minute instrumental break.
• Silly, outrageous songs are fool-proof. “Like a Virgin”, “I’m Too Sexy”, “Baby Got Back”, and “What’s Up” are always crowd-pleasers.
• Still scared? Dip your toes in the karaoke pool with a group song. And finally…
• Own it. Sing with confidence, and if you’re terrible, own that too! Don’t be afraid of the crowd; get them involved. We don’t heckle, jeer or toss tomatoes around these parts.

Rock on, visitors, and share your favorite VaKaraoke Song in the comments.

What do you think?