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Racing Themed Restaurant Revs Up Monterey I t wasn't as if Pat and Gina Phinny didn't have enough to do. With run- ning the popular Baja Cantina restaurant in Carmel Valley, plus its Southern California counterpart, being parents of two young men, and avid car and motorcycle enthusiasts, another restaurant wasn't necessari- ly on the to-do list. However, Gina explains, somewhat jokingly, "we had to accommodate the people who weren't able to get a table at Baja Cantina." The natural next step was to take an 8,000-square-foot building in downtown Monterey and turn it into a racing-inspired restaurant with well-priced menu items, timely service, delicious cocktails, and a 50-foot pewter bar embedded with tire treads. There's also a professional-grade racing simulator offered at no cost to patrons. "It's quite fun," Gina says. "I've had kids 4 years old and people 70 years old on it. We are going to start a Wednesday night competition with prizes." Classic motorcycles from racer Pat Phinny's private collection decorate the restaurant, as do historical photographs and tasteful racing art. Over the VIP table hangs a painting of the famous corkscrew turn at Laguna Seca. The restaurant space, which Gina describes as "modern and sleek," can accommodate large groups easily, who love feasting on fresh garlic bread, seafood, steaks, salads and burgers. "We offer American comfort food," Gina says. "It's what people really want to eat most of the time." Gina says the calamari is a hit, as well as the craft beers, wine and deli- cious cocktails selected by General Manager Eli Severson. "We don't use average alcohol even for our well drinks," Severson says. "There's not a bad product in the house. I encourage the bartenders to give out tastes of beers so it turns into an educational experience." Pat still races in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, both sons are racers, and Gina says the theme is perfect for the Monterey area. "There is a long history here with cars and racing," she says. "It's a passion." Turn 12 Bar and Grill is located at 400 Tyler St., Monterey. 831/372-8876 or visit their Facebook page. —Brett Wilbur 54 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Turn 12 Bar and Grill, which serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, pays reference to the famous 11-turn track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Racing enthusiasts and owners Pat and Gina Phinny opened the restaurant in Monterey last October. Photo: Kelli Uldall SHORTCUTS BUSINESS 046-76 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 1/26/14 2:14 PM Page 5