Mission between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel

624-8518

www.restauranteur.com/tommyswok/

We don’t know what other restaurant could get away with calling an appetizer the “Flaming Pu Pu Platter,” but its little-bit-of-everything goodness, from barbecued spareribs to paper-wrapped chicken to cheese crab puffs, has us hooked. So does the dim sum, mu shu, spicy green beans and hot-and-sour soup (yes, jicama!) that deserves its own award. Finding the tucked-away Carmel nook is a bit of a treasure hunt, but the fast, friendly service and consistently flavorful dishes—reasonably priced, natural and fresh—makes Tommy’s feel like a locals’ secret worth sharing.