Family
La Famiglia è Tutto
“Noi siamo Italiani.” The Pèpes are a proud Italian-American family that came to America in 1902. Growing up in a large Italian neighborhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, Pèpe appreciates the richness of his heritage. Arriving on the Monterey Peninsula in 1974, Pèpe immediately made his impact on the region’s culinary scene through his restaurants, bakery, winery and hospitality ventures. Today, Pepe’s sons Christian, Gian Antonio, and wife Sandra are an integral part of the business and it is their passion to share their family lifestyle and traditions with their guests.
Roots
Napoli to Hoboken to Carmel-by-the-Sea
He was welcomed by the local Sicilian fisherman families. On the Monterey Peninsula you are never far the sea, which reminded Pèpe of growing up in Hoboken along the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan and also of his grandparents’ hometown of Napoli. For anyone interested in nature, agriculture, the arts, sports, exotic cars and great food and wine, this is truly the west coast’s Shangri-La.
Andiamo a Mangiare
Our Italian Restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea
No Luggage, No Passports, No Travel Agents. All you need is an appetite! Enjoy a brief trip to Italy with Italian country cooking and warm hospitality as you remember it. A tribute to Italian culture and cuisine and lively as a festa, Chef Pèpe’s restaurants feature his Italian grandparents handed down family recipes reminiscent of Napoli with a side of Pèpe’s gutsy New Jersey roots. Chef Pèpe’s restaurants have been considered the iconic Italian places to “eat, drink and be merry” on the Monterey Peninsula since 1990. Come visit soon, but if you do as Pèpe says, “Come Hungry”.
Carmel Bakery
Coffee, Pretzels, and History
In its earliest days, Carmel-by-the Sea was known as a Bohemian artist colony. The seaside village consisted of Leidig’s grocery store, Slevin’s stationary store, the Pine Inn, and Carmel Bakery, established in 1899. Owned by the Pèpe family since 1986, he says, “I am so proud to own this piece of Carmel history”. Pèpe started working in a family bakery in New Jersey at the age of 14, and likes to state, “I’m a baker first, a chef second”. No stranger to getting up early, the motto for Pèpe and his bakers is “we bake while you sleep”.
It is said that “all roads lead to Rome”…but before you go, you better make a stop at Ask Mr. Italy. Italians know how to live “la dolce vita” (the sweet life) and it is my goal to help you make the most out of your Italian journey. Here on my website you will find helpful tips on all you travel needs, plus find useful information on the culture, cuisine, art, and lifestyle of Italy and the Italian people.