Published September 30, 2026
BY OLIVIA FORT
Local chef Matthew Zimny and his family are bringing their longtime vision to life with Gather, a new Carmel Valley restaurant that blends Polish roots, Japanese influence and local farm-to-table ingredients.
Having opened Aug. 6, the space reflects the combined work of Matthew, his sister Heather and his wife Michelle, who have spent years in restaurants from Alaska to Monterey County. Their backgrounds range from Polish home cooking to wine service and hotel management, shaping the direction of the restaurant.
Gather, which opened last year, focuses on community‑driven dining with a rotating menu and locally sourced ingredients. Photo by OLIVIA FORT
The Zimny siblings grew up in Hamtramck, a historically Polish neighborhood in Detroit, where food and family traditions shaped Matthew’s early cooking. He began working in the restaurant industry at 18, cooking in Michigan before moving through kitchens in Minneapolis and Chicago, including time at Charlie Trotter’s, then moving to Alaska for eight years, where he eventually met Michelle.
“I was the sous-chef there and she was hired as a front-of-house supervisor,” explains Matthew.
The two later moved to northern Alaska, where Michelle transitioned into hotel management. She now manages Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, but has remained involved in Gather’s operations. Matthew later cooked in several local kitchens, including Mission Bistro, Casanova, Affina and Corkscrew Cafe.
Heather, a certified sommelier, oversees front-of-house operations and brings years of experience from restaurants in Alaska, Hawaii and New Zealand. After moving to Carmel, she worked at La Bicyclette before joining her brother in opening Gather.
“I want the wine list to reflect the eclectic feel of the space,” Heather says. “And I want a bit of everything for everyone.”
Since opening, Gather has focused on house-made pierogi, placki and dishes incorporating miso, mushrooms and wagyu, reflecting Zimny’s Polish upbringing and Michelle’s Japanese heritage. Local ingredients such as Carmel Valley Creamery cheese, Ad Astra bread and locally grown heirloom tomatoes are also featured across the diverse menu. The wine list also highlights Monterey County producers, selected carefully to complement the menu.
The family‑run restaurant Gather occupies the space that previously housed Roux. Photo by OLIVIA FORT
“We’re not taking Polish and Japanese food and morphing it all together,” explains Matthew. “I’m elevating Polish dishes and integrating Japanese ideas where they make sense.”
The unique blend has set the restaurant apart, offering diners something new while still full of local seasonal produce.
As Gather moves through its first month, the team continues refining pacing, service and seasonal dishes while keeping the focus on approachability, with their main goal being to maintain a welcoming atmosphere as the restaurant settles into its place in Carmel Valley’s fine dining scene.
