By Robin Nebenfuhr
How does a dry cleaner become a prestigious award-winning restaurant? By vision, hard work and a desire to bring food, wine and art together in an atmosphere to complement any dining experience, explains Deamer Dunn.

Deamer and Lisa Dunn created Pajaro Street Grill, located at 435 Pajaro Street, Salinas, from an overlooked and underestimated Salinas icon, the former Claytonís Cleaners. They spent some time searching for a place to unite their passions with the public and when they discovered the vacant building, complete with above ground concrete storage facilities, they knew they had found a home.

Utilizing his contractorís vision for details, Deamer removed the cleaning equipment, added an open kitchen, changed the shape of the interior and transformed the concrete buildings, perfect for maintaining a cool temperature even on the warmest days, to a wine cellar housing some of the best wines of Monterey County. The vision has paid off; Pajaro Street Grill was recently honored as a recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award from more than ten thousand applicants worldwide, a first for Salinas.

The Dunnís developed their culinary expertise from years of working side by side in restaurants and from traveling to major dining centers around the world, including Switzerland, Turkey, New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, Seattle and New Orleans. Sharing each new experience allowed them to exchange ideas and create "Central Coast Cuisineî, a combination of local vegetables, herbs, seafood and farm-raised meats and seasonings.

"We have a very special cuisine that is unique to this area. Major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans have flavors unique to their areas. Central Coast Cuisine is a combination of the salad bowl, great fishing stock and meats, seasoned with spices of an Italian and South American accent."

"We like to prepare food in a way that allows the flavors to season. We offer a variety of vegetarian dishes. Weíre more health-conscious in this area. In other areas, you just couldnít sell it, but you can get great flavor without piling on a lot of fat," he added.

Pajaro Street Grill offers a relaxed dining experience that can fade the troubles of the day. Vibrant colors capturing the creativity at work, in and out of the kitchen, are displayed throughout the restaurant, painted by Dunn. Softer watercolors depicting the more rural nature of the area, painted by Dunnís mother, Marian Dunn, generate a sense of appreciation for the beauty sometimes overlooked in the everyday running of life.

Open only for dinner, the menu features favorites of bronzed salmon (dusted with brown sugar and Cajun spice) for $14.75, the Pajaro Street Mixed Grill (1/4 slab of ribs with blackberry barbeque sauce, chicken breast with a southwestern crust and º barbequed duck) for $19.95, meal size seafood and Cobb salads (with or without meat) and pastas ranging from $10.75 to $14.75. In addition to the food, about 35% of the wines featured are from Monterey County.

"We open just for dinner so that we can do it right, all the time," Dunn stated.

Not to be turned down is the dessert menu, featuring generous squares of apple bread pudding with cinnamon stick caramel served warm with French vanilla ice cream or the almond cheesecake with itís ginger snap cookie crust and Amaretto syrup. Stay for a meal or stay for dessert, either way, the Dunnís and their staff will make you feel welcome.

"I have a passion for food, wine and art. Itís a great combination for a restaurant. When you have a passion for these things, you want to share it and what better way than in a restaurant, especially for dinner? You open your mind and mouth, forget about the nine-to-five troubles and enjoy it," Dunn stated.


What: Pajaro Street Grill

Where: 435 Pajaro Street, Salinas

Phone: 754-3738

Hours: Monday ñ Saturday 5:00 p.m. ñ 9:00 p.m.

Payment: Visa, MasterCard, local checks

Online: www.psgrill.net

Price: $9.75 - $20.00
Dessert: $4.00 ñ $5.50

Specialties: Bronzed Salmon, Southwestern Crusted Chicken Breast
Grilled Veggie Tower, Apple Bread Pudding

Insiderís Tips: Take out available
Banquet facilities available
Catering and banquet menus available online
Parking in building next door
All artwork can be purchased, ask for portfolio to view more