After years staking the hilltop in Pacific Grove as a destination for Italian dining, Chef Soerke Peters and co-owner Amy Stouffer are handing off the keys to Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar.
“Now the next time we come to visit, it will be as tourists,” he says, adding that a visit to the restaurant would be a must, adding “hope we get a discount.”
Peters is not retiring. The pair will continue to operate their Mezzaluna Pasteria concept in Bentonville, Arkansas, intending to expand the restaurant’s offerings—although they do plan on some time off, visiting family in Germany and venturing to Italy for some culinary inspiration.
Instead, Peters is giving popular Mezzaluna General Manager Freddy Ortiz an opportunity.
“We told Freddy that if the restaurant ever becomes available for sale, we would let him know first,” he explains. Checking paperwork, Peters realized that 10 years remained on his lease for the Forest Avenue property—and that the Small Business Association requires a 10-year lease to provide financing. It was now or a lengthy wait.
“We threw it out there and he was excited to be an owner,” Peters says. “Otherwise we would have kept it for another 10 years.”
Stouffer and Peters opened Mezzaluna in the spring of 2019, filling a spot that had been home to longtime favorite Fifi’s Bistro Cafe and, briefly, Bistro Roux. They quickly developed a following for pasta and mozzarella, prepared in house.
Peters has previously helmed kitchens at Basil Seasonal Dining, Village Corner and Etats-Unis French-American Bistro, all in Carmel, as well as restaurants in New York. He also served as president of the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation.
He says they will definitely miss regulars and the restaurant’s staff. “These guys have worked with us for 13-plus years and they are our family,” he adds.
Peters indicates that Ortiz will change the name to Freddy’s, but keep the handcrafted Italian quality.
The restaurant is at 1188 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 372-5325, mezzalunapasteria.com.
Dining and Cooking