Next week, a few of Carmel’s exclusive restaurants will open their doors to patrons at a reduced rate. Participating restaurants usually offer a three or four course fixed menu ranging in price from $25-$45. Often the package includes wine pairing – definitely an added bonus.

Our neighbor, Carmel Food Company, is including wine pairings on the menu. CFC is a promising newcomer to Restaurant Week and the culmination of a lifelong dream for head chef Sven Hoffmann. Hoffmann comes to Carmel from Napa’s prestigious restaurant and resort, Auberge d’ Soleil, to which the San Francisco Chronicle awarded the honor of being one of the top 5 places to dine in the San Francisco Bay Area. There is little doubt that Carmel Food Company will live up to expectations. Simply take a look at the Restaurant Week menu.

With so many locals already talking about Monterey Bay Restaurant Week it’s sure to create a vibrant atmosphere at the participating spots. Locals aside, this is a great opportunity for San Francisco Bay Area folks to come down and experience great dining at great prices during one of the best times of year. For more information on Carmel’s world class restaurants please visit the Tradewinds Carmel concierge page.

Carmel has long been defined by its forested residences, white sand beaches, addictive eateries and quaint shopping scene. Now, though, the wordsmiths at Mirriam-Webster are  updating the definition of Carmel to include the phrase, “outright eventful.”

(They already had Tradewinds Carmel locked in, by the way: Tradewinds Carmel, proper noun: Boutique luxury hotel dripping with all of the character of Carmel and its own unique appeal that helped earn it the 2011 Excellence Award from Trip Advisor.)

The Carmel definition needs adjusting because the tide of world-class events around here simply refuses to ebb. The wealth of stimuli this season starts with this weekend’s Monterey Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Fest has made its name—which happens to be as good as any going—with arguably the most impressive perennial lineup of genre stars in the galaxy. This year’s no different.

Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins with Glen David Andrews, Huey Lewis and The News, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band and Terence Blanchard are just a few of the dozens of artists appearing. These guys collect Grammys like most collect parking tickets.

This high pedigree doesn’t stop with the Monterey Jazz Festival, as a cursory peek at the upcoming lineup reveals rather rapidly. Bob Weir, Jerry Seinfeld and Thomas Friedman are among those arriving who can call themselves the very best in their field.

Some highlights:

Sept. 15
The Temptations at Sunset Center

Sept. 16
Pinotfest Monterey at Del Monte Beach House

Oct. 15
Jerry Seinfeld Live at Golden State Theatre

Sept. 29
Thurston Moore and Cass McCombs at Henry Miller Library

Sept. 29
The Bacon Brothers at Sunset Center

Oct. 7
Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack at Sunset Center

Oct. 7-8
Further With Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead
at Monterey County Fairgrounds

Oct. 7-9
Robinson Jeffers Fall Festival at various locations throughout Carmel

Oct. 9
Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii at Sunset Center

Oct. 12-16
Carmel Art and Film Festival at various locations throughout Carmel

Oct. 13
Alt-country rockers Ryan Adams and Jason Isbell at Henry Miller Library

Oct. 20
Howie Mandel at Sunset Center

Oct. 23-24
Monterey Symphony Concert 1: Lisztomania at Sunset Center.

Oct. 25
The Miles Davis Experience at Sunset Center

Nov. 3-5
Big Sur Food and Wine Festival at locations throughout Big Sur

Nov. 3-5
12th Annual International Film Festival at Golden State Theatre

Nov. 10
MOMIX: BOTANICA Dance Company at Sunset Center

Nov. 11
Chamber Music Monterey Bay Presents Morgenstern Piano Trio at Sunset Center

Nov. 15
David Sedaris at Sunset Center

Dec. 2-3
Smuin Ballet’s Holiday Program at Sunset Center