I'm so grateful for this area where we live. I've loved Carmel ever since my first visit in 1994 and it's been wonderful to have the opportunity to live here since 1998. No matter where we end up next year, living here has been a dream come true.
I love it so much that it was the only place I wanted to spend my birthday morning. Mr. T was working all day so I took myself off to my beloved Carmel for a solo breakfast trip, which is kind of perfect for an introvert like me. I was exhausted from having to be social at work all week (along with trying to learn a whole bunch of stuff that just isn't clicking yet in my brain) so a quiet morning in my favorite place was exactly what I wanted.
I love Carmel on weekday mornings before the tourists have taken over. This is the headquarters of the Carmel Heritage Society, which was my workplace for about a decade. Isn't it charming?
I think that's one of the things I love most about Carmel, all the charming buildings and unique architecture. Many of the most charming buildings were built in the 1920s which has become my favorite decade to research. Hopefully one day I can do something with all that research but whether that happens or not, I've spent many happy hours immersing myself in the '20s. The building above was the first Tudor/fairytale commercial building in Carmel and was used as a weavers studio and ticket window for the theater that used to reside behind it. Nowawdays it's a very popular candy store...they make delicious fudge!
My favorite spot in all of Carmel - the Tuck Box. Built (by my favorite research subject, Hugh Comstock) and opened in 1926 (as Kay's) it has always been a breakfast and lunch spot and was my destination for birthday breakfast last week.
My favorite table, off to the side. Our local paper (in print since 1914) comes out each Friday so I grabbed a copy and prepared to entertain myself during my meal. The dining room was fairly empty which is kind of unusual for this place but I wasn't complaining.
The avocado and jack cheese omelette was particularly delicious that day but the real star of any Tuck Box meal is the scone. It's unlike any scone I've ever had anywhere else. It's not your regular biscuit-type scone, it's unique. The recipe was introduced in the 1940s and is supposed to be of nothern English or Scottish origin but I've never seen or tasted anything like it. It's especially good with the homemade jams and marmalade that the Tuck Box has made for them and I never turn down a little whipped cream. Just looking at the picture makes me want to skip work and go back today for more.
The dining room is cozy and adorable. Most people enjoy sitting in the front bay window but I prefer my little table off to the side.
I did spend the rest of the day being more social but my solitary breakfast in Carmel was the perfect way to start the day. Carmel will always be my hometown and I'm so grateful to be able to spend so much time there.
