Issues / 2011
Café Rustica
10 Delfino Place, Carmel Valley 659-4444, www.caferusticacarmel.com A cozy and charming atmosphere, delicious wood-fired pizzas, creative salads and California-infused European comfort food make Rustica Carmel Valley’s little gem. A great wine list, locally sourced produce ...
Cannery Row Brewing Company
95 Prescott Ave., Monterey 643-2722, www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com Buzz. Crowds. Slick design. Rockin’ music. Cool indoor and outdoor spaces. Seventy-three beers on tap, 30 small batch bourbons. A menu of both classic and modern American entrees, as ...
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove 655-3311, www.passionfish.com All the sustainable ethics, farmers market freshness and fiendishly wise wine finds in the sea wouldn’t mean much if Passionfish didn’t create tastes like these: Gorgonzola salad with ...
Fandango Restaurant
223 17th St., Pacific Grove 372-3456, www.fandangorestaurant.com On any given day, Fandango’s dining room is filled with locals (and visitors) of every stripe, there to celebrate just about any occasion – from the white-haired couple ...
Nepenthe
510 Highway 1, Big Sur 667-2345, www.nepenthebigsur.com The family-owned-and-operated coastal spot made lasting impressions on Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while filming The Sandpiper in 1963 and has been doing the same to visitors ever ...
Kula Ranch Island Steakhouse
3295 Dunes Road, Marina (at Sanctuary Resort) 883-9479, www.kula-ranch.com Consisting of equal parts all-American steakhouse, tropical Tiki lounge and destination sushi bar – a veritable mirror of mellow Marina – Kula Ranch is a culturally ...
Cantinetta Luca
Dolores between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel 625-6500, www.cantinettaluca.com Executive Chef Jason Balestrieri brings out bold, authentic Italian flavors – grilled octopus, wild arugula and roasted beets, grilled king prawns with corona beans – using fresh, ...
Valerie Arveson
The Crown & Anchor 150 Franklin St., Monterey 646-6496, www.crownandanchor.net It’s 5pm on a Thursday afternoon, and patrons circle the bar at Monterey’s Crown & Anchor Pub. In a dark “Crown” sweatshirt and black shorts, ...
Montrio Bistro
414 Calle Principal, Monterey 648-8880, www.montrio.com Whether it’s an after-work drink and a snack or a fancy celebratory dinner, Montrio Bistro delivers for every occasion. It’s easy to tear through Chef Tony Baker’s “Small Bites” ...
