Stokes Adobe: Monterey’s Historic Restaurants and Their Tales
As California’s First City, Monterey holds a rich history inside of its many buildings and adobes. On our Monterey Bay Food Tours, we highlight how many of these first structures pulled double- or even triple-duty over the years as the city rapidly changed, existing as banks, jails, stores, and restaurants.
This blog will explore one of Monterey’s unique restaurants housed inside a historic building, giving you a fascinating (and maybe spooky!) appreciation for our culinary hot spots.
How Stokes Adobe Began
Stokes Adobe is considered one of the most historic old homes in Northern California, but it began as a large, luxurious one-bedroom home for fur trapper Ambrose Tomlinson in 1833. At the time, this home stood as a symbol of prosperity for successful Tomlinson. However the building received its name from the infamous James Stokes, who bought the house four years later.
Stokes holds a mysterious past, often rumored to be a British sailor who deserted his crew and stole chests of medications from his abandoned ship. The story goes, Stokes used these medications to open a pharmacy in the adobe. His fraudulent medical supplies led to prosperity for Stokes as well, eventually even treating governor Jose Figueroa.
Stokes married and welcomed several children, expanding the home to a second-story and adding the balcony and several interior rooms.
After several family tragedies, Stokes succumbed to alcoholism and depression. He took his own life by poisoning in Stokes Adobe in 1864.
Notable Moments
After James Stokes, the adobe evolved to house several practical uses for the next 100 years. The historic home operated as a bakery, kiln for making pottery (you can still see artifacts of this today), and a print shop where California’s first newspaper was printed.
Stokes Adobe also served as a private home through the years, including to socialite Hattie Gragg. Gragg threw memorable parties in the adobe until her death in 1948.
After Gragg’s ownership, Stokes Adobe once again rose to a place of prominence in downtown Monterey in the 1950s. Now operating as the upscale restaurant called Gallatin’s, the adobe began to attract movie stars, moguls, and other celebrities. Gallatin’s marked the building’s long-time reputation as an elegant, destination restaurant.
The building still operates as a restaurant in its contemporary history, including today with the restaurant named, appropriately Stokes Adobe. Offering dinner, happy hour, and after dinner menus, diners enjoy seasonal California cuisine and craft cocktails at this Old Monterey gathering place.
Is This Restaurant Haunted?
For the believers in this blog, several people have claimed to see ghosts floating around the historic 7,000 square foot restaurant.
Because the Stokes era of this building’s past contained so much tragedy, ghost stories have been passed around for generations. Some visitors to the adobe claim to see James Stokes or his wife Josefa still floating the halls. High-profile spirits from Gallatin’s also may be seen here.
Our Recommendations
We often start our Monterey Bay Food Tours with dessert first, so we love the “after dinner” menu at Stokes Adobe, featuring both indulgent desserts, the perfect espresso or a craft cocktail to finish your meal.
Be sure to ask questions about the various ingredients featured on the menu, as they will most likely have a local connection. Stokes Adobe offers a rotating, seasonal dinner selection, including an array of pizzas, fresh pasta, and several hearty entrees.
Sardines? Sugar beets? Stolen cheese recipes? What is your favorite piece of Monterey foodie history? Join the conversation in the comments below.