LOCAL PARTNERS
Our Approach to Partnerships
The Lantern Room is supported by a network of partners who understand this region intimately. Local farms, trusted fishermen, and sustainably minded producers bring the level of quality that defines our menu. These relationships extend beyond sourcing; they reflect a shared commitment to the coastline we call home.
MEET THE TEAM
Behind the Experience
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Chef Jason Balestrieri |
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Chef Jason brings more than three decades of kitchen leadership to the Monterey Peninsula. His career was anchored at Cantinetta Luca in Carmel-by-the-Sea. He spent 11 years there as Executive Chef and Partner, returned to run the kitchen as Executive Chef, and ultimately took the restaurant over as Chef and Owner from 2023 through 2025. Few chefs know a room that completely. Much of his work has lived within the Mirabel Hotel and Restaurant group. He led the kitchen at Cantinetta Piero as Executive Chef, partnered on 400° Burgers, and served as Chef and Coordinator of the Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest in Carmel. As Executive Chef and Managing Partner of The Meatery in Seaside, he ran the full operation. Butchering, charcuterie, catering, staffing, daily service. The work sharpened a hands-on command of whole-animal cooking that still shapes how he leads a kitchen. He built his foundation in Los Angeles over more than 13 years, much of it with the Patina Group across five properties. He was Sous Chef at Café Pinot and Executive Chef at both Pinot Hollywood and Nick & Stef's Steakhouse. It started in Milwaukee, at the landmark Pfister Hotel, where he trained before completing his culinary education at Milwaukee Area Technical College. |
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Winemaker Ian Brand |
| Ian Brand, named "Winemaker of the Year" by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2018, has been dedicated to crafting wines from the hills and valleys around Monterey Bay since 2008. Passionate about the geology and history of the region, Ian is known for his unique approach, working with a diverse range of local vineyards. His Paysan label offers a Californian twist on European bistro wines, while La Marea explores the potential of Iberian grape varieties in the area's coastal climate. Operating from a modest warehouse in South Salinas, Ian's wines are celebrated for their honest, classic style with minimal intervention. |
Coastal Fisheries
Monterey’s fishing community is woven into the identity of our kitchen. We rely on seasoned fishermen who know these waters deeply and harvest responsibly. Their work ensures the seafood we serve arrives with clarity of provenance and unmatched freshness.
Sea Harvest Fish Market
Bringing the freshest seafood, from all over the world to the Monterey peninsula.
Local Farms & Growers
We collaborate with nearby farms that share our belief in thoughtful agriculture. These partners focus on quality, soil health, and flavor—producing vibrant seasonal ingredients that allow our dishes to evolve with the landscape.
Baker's Bacon
Sourced and cured, heritage breed pork that is fed a 100% vegetarian diet producing high-quality, hard to find cuts that provide an extra crisp crunch.
Fogline Farms
Raise and provide organic fed, pasture-raised chickens with integrity.
Swank Farms
Providing a variety of vegetables like celery, carrots, and tomatoes, grown in rich California soil.
Makers & Artisans
Our relationships extend beyond ingredients to the makers who shape the experience—local roasters, winemakers, and small-batch producers who bring a distinct Monterey point of view to the table.
Ad Astra Bread Co.
Fresh sourdough loaves baked daily.
Other Brother Beer Co.
Making the world a better place through the magic of beer.
I. Brand Wines
A small producer making some of the best, most interesting wines in California's central coast.
Captain + Stoker Coffee Roasters
Freshly roasting coffee twice a week.
Alvarado Street Brewery
Award winning craft beer; recently ranked #3 best brewery in the country.
Folktale Winery & Vineyards
A sustainably-farmed vineyard situated on 15-acres along the Carmel River.
Zum Zum Tea
Providing an assortment of tea sourced from around the world.