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the back page of a world traveler's passport. The accomplished chef and sommelier— who developed his skills at his father's restau- rant on the island of Capri—offers something for all tastes. "Food that is varied and affordable," says Rusciano, who calls his new breakfast-lunch-din- ner concept California fusion. Rusciano spent 10 years running a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, so Mexico is well represented. Diners will also find Asian influences (including sushi), Spanish-style tapas, hearty American food and (of course) rustic Italian classics. Rusciano runs the kitchen and wine cellar, while his restaurant partner, Ken Ipsen, handles the business side of the U-shaped, mixed-use development that includes Talbott's new wine tasting room, and two upscale apartment rent- als that overlook a 36-seat heated courtyard. "This is something new and fresh for Carmel," Ipsen says. The Pocket is located on Lincoln Street, 5 NE of 6th Ave. in Carmel. For more information, call 831/920-8064. SEASIDE'S BUTTER HOUSE A COMFORT FOOD SHRINE There's no pretense behind Seaside's new restaurant The Butter House. The concept? Plate heaving, flavor forward, homemade com- fort food—with no side of guilt. Opened in August by Benny and Susan Mosqueda, The Butter House serves breakfast- and-lunch diner classics with nods to Polynesia, Mexico and the Philippines. "We felt this community was dying for a refreshing new restaurant, one built around hearty comfort food," says Benny. The couple scrubbed down and renovated the former Nifty '50s space and went to work nar- rowing down Benny's lifetime collection of recipes. Born in Monterey and blessed with Filipino and Polynesian heritage, Benny learned at the apron strings of his grandmother. Lifelong hos- pitality workers, the couple left bartending jobs to slather the butter. "We wanted to cure the hangover, not give the hangover," he says. That "cure" comes in the form of breakfast adobo fried rice with pork belly and eggs, Benny's Benny (his play on eggs Benedict), fried chicken and waffles, chocolate banana bread French toast and other butter-rich creations. "We have all the American classics for break- fast and lunch," he says. "We just added the flair." The Butter House is located at 1760 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. For more information, call 831/394-2887. LAST BITES At its essence, beer is really just bread in a glass, yet Other Brother Beer Co. in Seaside gives baker Ron Mendoza space in the back to run Ad Astra Bread Co., where he bakes loaves, flatbreads, pretzels and more… Restaurateur Rich Pepe and Carmel city council member Bobby Richards have taken over Monterey Regional Airpor t's iconic restaurant Golden Tee, with their revised concept up and running by April…Jason and John Coniglio plan to rekindle family histor y by launching Coniglio Brothers Italian Deli on Canner y Row, reminiscent of their uncle's iconic, long-closed Mediterranean Market in Carmel. 180 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 Benny and Susan Mosqueda opened The Butter House in Seaside last year, centering the menu around breakfast and lunch comfort food with influences from Polynesia, Mexico and the Philippines. The couple formerly worked as bartenders. Photo: Kelli Uldall