Call Center Company in Salinas, CA

Certified Philly’s features New American cuisine and fresh seafood, flavored with popular compound butters

Salinas Californian

The latest addition to the Salinas restaurant scene is a dream come true for young chef, Philip Pasalo.

Known locally as "Chef Philly," the 29-year-old food entrepreneur has made a name for himself at local pop-ups and as the creator of "Certified Butter" compound butters.

Pasalo has added another accomplishment to his résumé, owner of Certified Philly's, located at 1544 N. Sanborn Road in Salinas.

"This is like a dream come true," said Pasalo a week before the restaurant's grand opening on April 19. "This is something that I have always been talking about and now that it's right here, it is hard to believe."

'It's a universal language'

The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity for the new business owner — securing permits, hiring staff and getting the new location ready for diners.

"It's a whole different experience than managing people," said Pasalo, who spent years working at the Stillwater Bar & Grill in Pebble Beach — most recently as the sous chef.

"I learned a lot at Pebble Beach — the chef would encourage me to experiment with new dishes and develop new flavors," Pasalo said.

Certified Philly's aims to be a manifestation of Pasalo's love of food and flavor, a platform to showcase his unique, New American cuisine, he calls a "melting pot" of influences.

"I am developing new flavors all the time," Pasalo said. The restaurant's initial menu is heavily influenced by Asian and Hawaiian cuisine and features locally sourced and sustainable seafood including salmon, prawns and ahi tuna.

Pasalo's Certified Butter is also worked into the menu, adding richness and flavor to the chicken wings, garlic noodles, garlic fries, garlic shrimp and cheese rolls — made with rolls from Salinas artisan bakery, Otto's Bread Company.

Pasalo said the small menu will allow him to run regular weekly specials.

"I just love making people happy with food," Pasalo said. "It's a universal language."

Passion rooted in family, community

Cooking is a lifelong passion for Pasalo.

Born in the Philippines, Pasalo came to the United States when he was 3 years old.

"Growing up in a Filipino family, we used to cook everything at our parties, nothing was catered," said Pasalo, who as young as 5 years old would sneak into the kitchen to watch his mom and grandmother cook.

"Eventually they started letting me help out," Pasalo said. Later, the young chef would fall in love with grilling.

"At our family parties, the cousins were usually in charge of grilling all the meats," Pasalo said. "I would set my alarm super early so I could help because that is when they would start cooking."

Pasalo received his formal training at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa and started working at Pebble Beach when he graduated.

The dream of having his own restaurant was always with him. To make extra money, he took on a second job at a retirement home, putting in 80-hour weeks.

Then came the popular pop-ups and compound butter business.

"Butter was always something that I used for my dishes, whether it's making pastas or mashed potatoes, or just even finishing off the steak with it — but the thing is, it would take so long to make because I like cooking the garlic real, nice, and slow," Pasalo said. "So, one time I thought — I'm just going to make a big batch of it."

After trialing the butter with friends and family and getting positive feedback, Pasalo decided to make it a business.

"It is so versatile and convenient to use," Pasalo said.

It was around the pandemic when the pop-ups really took off.

"Every time I would do a pop-up, my neighborhood would be so filled with cars," Pasalo said.

At the restaurant's soft opening, family and friends were there to show their unwavering support.

"That's why I picked this community for the restaurant — I want to build here," he said.

SALINAS, Calif. —

Newly hatched Peregrine falcons are now calling downtown Salinas their new home after the first pair of falcons hatched Monday afternoon.

The parents, Alice and Sal, named after their location on Alisal St., were first spotted in the downtown area back in 2021 when volunteers and the Predatory Bird Research Group at U-C Santa Cruz discovered an unhatched egg.

In hopes of keeping the falcons coming back to their familiar spot, the falcons were provided a nesting box fit for incubating fertilized eggs. This allowed for a few successful egg hatches, but for the first time, the falcons' newest hatching has been all caught on live camera.

"So far everybody loves it. I think it's the best thing in the world. Everybody is really excited to see it. The bird, the bird people love it. I guess this link has already gone out in the wild where some of the schools in Santa Cruz are already looking at this camera live for their classrooms," Greg Hamer, volunteer for the Peregrine Falcon camera said.

The footage can be found on YouTube under ‘Salinas Falcon Cam’. Footage shows when the Falcons laid a clutch of four eggs a month ago, with the first pair “pipping, “also known as hatching, on Monday. The third falcon can be seen making its first appearance early Tuesday morning, while the parents are still waiting for the fourth and final egg to hatch.

Researchers say this camera allows for a more intimate sighting of wildlife, which allows the community to learn more about the species and to connect with animals living among them.

They also want the public to know that fledgling season will happen soon, so if you see any of the banded offspring on the ground, give Salinas Animal Control or the Bird Research Group at U-C Santa Cruz a call.

The parents Alice and Sal, pay homage to their location on Alisal St.

Peregrine falcons are known to be the fastest animal in the world. Previously endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1971, conservation and recovery efforts helped remove the species from the Federal list in 1999 and the California list in 2009.

So, to catch sight of this species on camera or in person is an exciting sight to see.

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Salinas, California, has the perfect blend of agriculture and literary history. It is the hometown of Nobel-Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. The National Steinbeck Center features many exhibits, artifacts and film clips looking back into Steinbeck's life. In addition, only two blocks away is The Steinbeck House, where John Steinbeck was born. It is now a restaurant and gift shop that visitors can enjoy. Beyond its literary legacy, Salinas is nestled in the heart of the Salinas Valley, known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" for its rich agricultural production. The valley’s fertile soil produces a significant portion of the nation's fruits and vegetables.

Downtown Salinas is a growing hub for local businesses, restaurants, and popular attractions. It’s the perfect place to explore murals painted by local artists and experience the vibrant energy this area offers.

The California Welcome Center Salinas is located at the historic Southern Pacific Freight Depot in the Intermodal Transit Center of Downtown Salinas. It is a regional heritage center that provides detailed information on places to eat and stay and houses a variety of artifacts and collector's items that highlight the history of the Central Coast.

Stay

Salinas offers a variety of comfortable and convenient places to stay, whether it's for business, leisure, or a weekend getaway. From cozy, independently owned inns to well-known hotel chains, there are accommodations to fit every need. Many local hotels provide easy access to downtown, so there are plenty of opportunities to discover the gems downtown has to offer. For those seeking a more unique experience, there are also charming bed and breakfasts, such as Vision Quest Ranch at the Monterey Zoo. At Vision Quest Ranch, guests have the opportunity to stay in an authentic African-style bungalow just yards away from roaring lions and tigers. It is a unique experience that cannot be missed! See more options and find the perfect place to stay here.

Eat

Salinas offers a variety of dining experiences, from casual eateries serving farm-to-table dishes to upscale restaurants showcasing international cuisine. Whether it's for fresh seafood, authentic Mexican fare, or innovative fusion cuisine, the local restaurants in Salinas cater to all tastes.

Villa Azteca is located in downtown Salinas and offers traditional Mexican food with a twist. This restaurant has made waves for its lively atmosphere and delicious dishes like the lobster enchiladas bathed in a creamy swash blossom sauce or their fish tacos.

Alvarado on Main is another great restaurant to check out. There are 48 taps featuring beers from all three of Alvarado Street's breweries and delicious pub fare using local ingredients. Looking for more breweries? Check out La Cantina Brewing Company, one of Salinas' newest breweries, offering craft beer inspired by its Mexican roots or Brew-N-Krew Ale House, a women-owned brewery serving beer in a lively atmosphere.

Looking for fresh sushi and authentic Japanese food? Check out KoKoRo Japanese Restaurant and try sashimi, hand rolls, noodles and more.

A must-visit spot is El Charrito. Established in 1981, first starting as a grocery store, it has evolved into a popular burrito spot known for its hand-stretched flour tortillas made fresh in-house daily.

There is a lot more food to explore in Salinas. Check out the full list of places to try here.

Explore

Wine tasting in Salinas Valley is a must! Along River Road, the Monterey Wine Trail offers stunning views while sipping on award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other local varietals.

The giant farmers standing 20 feet high in the fields off Highway 68 mark the entrance to The Farm – a great escape hatch for families. Crafted by local artist John Cerney, these larger-than-life statues of packers, trimmers and irrigators are a tribute to the hard-working men and women of The Farm. Here you can stroll the working farm that unfolds with rows of lettuces, strawberries, tomatoes and flowers. For a hands-on experience, book a custom tour which includes one-on-one time with a farmer and visit various parts of the vegetable faming operation while taking part in the daily routine of a real farmer. On your way out, don't forget to stop by the bakery to pick up some delicious pies!

Traveling down to South County, there is more to explore. Such as the Agricultural and Rural Life Museum in King City's San Lorenzo Park. This is a great activity to do with the family to discover artifacts and stories from the late 1800s through World War II. There are seven buildings within the museum: the Exhibit Barn, Olson Blacksmith Shop, Tractor and Harvester Shed, the History of Irrigation Museum, the Historic Spreckels House, La Gloria Schoolhouse and the King City Train Depot. There is plenty of history to explore here!

For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, visit Pinnacles National Park. The park is famous for its striking rock formations, towering spires, and dramatic cliffs, offering stunning hiking opportunities with panoramic views. Visitors can explore a variety of trails, from easy walks to challenging climbs, and even venture through cool caves. Pinnacles is also a top destination for birdwatching, particularly for spotting California condors soaring overhead!

Looking for more outdoor recreation and relaxation? Lake San Antonio is a serene oasis perfect for that! Surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes, the lake offers ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Its clear waters and peaceful atmosphere make it an ideal spot for camping, picnicking and hiking along the scenic shoreline.