90 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 food chef sources local ingredients and makes the dough from scratch—for pizza, bread and pastries. 541 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 920-1381, rudolfoscafe.com Vivolo’s Chowder House Seafood, Italian You would expect to see a place like this on a New England cove. It’s simple and homey, with a centuries-old feel and they probably would like to pronounce chowder with an “ah.” 127 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 372-5414, vivoloschowderhouse.com Wild Fish Seafood The emphasis here is on “wild.” Plates feature freshly caught, local seafood and regional farms provide much of the rest. With this game plan, the menu can change frequently, but the emphasis on quality is unchanged. 545 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 3738523, wild-fish.com Winston’s Breakfast, Brunch A brunch hangout, foremost. You can find staples—pancakes, Benedicts, buttermilk fried chicken—as well as go old school (remember egg salad?). And there are some upscaled surprises. 602 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 324-4162 Delis, Markets and Shops Forest Produce Market The colorful haven of produce stocks fruits and vegetables not commonly found in grocery stores. There are also global spices, local goods and more. Tip: There’s parking in the back. 1169 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 747-1119 Bakeries, Ice Cream and other Treats Bagel Kitchen The dough is boiled in kettles and then baked in the early morning hours (as in, still dark outside) to be ready for the morning customers. 1132 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 3244330, bagelkitchen.wixsite.com Pavel’s Backerei The butterhorns, the wild cherry dainties, the bear claws. They might still be on the racks. Breads, however, are plucked by happy customers not long after the place opens. Limited hours—they close when they sell out. 219 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Patisserie Bechler Classics like Napoleons, opera cakes, gateaus and more are on the menu from a baker steeped in French tradition. Quiches, crepes and sandwiches dot the lunch menu. 1225 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 375-0846, patisseriebechler.com The Bagel Bakery One of several locations in Monterey County. On offer are bagels with spreads and toppings, of course, but also sandwiches and sweets. 130 Country Club Gate Center, Pacific Grove. (831) 649-6272, thebagelbakery.com Coffee, Tea, Juices BookWorks There is still a local coffee shop adjacent to a local bookshop. A popular study spot and place to gather. 667 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (831) 372-2242, bookworkspg.com. Captain + Stoker See listing under Monterey. 206 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. captainandstoker.com Pebble Beach Hay’s Place Mexican This is Mexican with inspired touches and a bit of American fun (like tin can nachos). Because Tiger Woods designed the golf course it sits on—and because he loves fajitas—Tiger’s fajitas are on the menu, too. Inside opens out to a great patio. The food is as good as the views. 3253 Stevenson Drive, Pebble Beach. (800) 877-0597, pebblebeach.com Peppoli Italian Peppoli features a menu ripe with Tuscan-style choices or a T-bone carved tableside. The decor and scents of Italian herbs and spices enlighten the air and an extensive wine list deepens the deliciousness. 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (831) 647-7500, pebblebeach.com/dining/peppoli Porter’s Grill & Pub Pub, Breakfast Like the golf course it sits on, Porter’s is committed to sustainability—even with a menu heavy on sandwiches and small bites. 3200 Lopez Road, Pebble Beach. (831) 622-8237, poppyhillsgolf.com Roy’s Hawaiian, Japanese This one’s a tough fit under any category given its achievements in its own genre that could be called Japanese-Hawaiian-contemporary— and must be called delicious. 2700 17 Mile Drive (in The Inn at Spanish Bay), Pebble Beach. (831) 647-7500, pebblebeach.com/ dining Sticks American, Pub Sticks is a sports bar, so the menu offers burgers, flatbreads and the like. But it’s a sports bar Pebble Beach style. You know—filet mignon, soba noodle salad. 2700 17 Mile Drive (in the Inn at Spanish Bay), Pebble Beach. (831) 647-5000, pebblebeach.com/ dining Stillwater Bar & Grill Seafood, American The spot for brunch, although lunch and dinner stand out, as well. There’s a lot of great seafood options on the menu and a raw bar with caviar, but there’s more to the menu and some clever presentations. 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (800) 647-5000, pebblebeach.com/dining The Bench American Uncertain just what “upscale casual” means? Drop by The Bench and you’ll find just how comfortable elegance can be. Views of the famous 18th hole and a menu that is familiar and appealing. 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (831) 647-5000, pebblebeach.com/ dining The Tap Room Steakhouse A great spot to hang out at the bar with a scotch, wishing you could have a cigar. The Tap Room is a steakhouse with an old-school tavern feel. And the steaks are all prime. 1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (831) 647-5000, pebblebeach.com/dining Salinas Aloha Hawaiian BBQ Hawaiian No, you’re still in Salinas. The menu, however, is straight from some island joint. There are plate lunches. You can start with some musubi. Or perhaps lau lau is your thing. And yes, there is Spam. 921 N. Main St., Salinas. (831) 758-8028, alohabbqsalinas.com Altura Italian The menu is short, but long on Italian tradition, with staples like lasagna, linguini and clams, fettuccini alfredo and pizza—good enough to distract you from the elaborate and amazing cocktails at the bar. 66 W. Alisal St., Salinas Alvarado on Main Pub There’s a raw bar, shared plates, tacos, a lineup of burgers as well as pizza. All are perfect alongside the brewery’s rotating array of beers. And they make an ice cream sandwich for dessert—made with beer. This is the popular Alvarado Street’s third location. 301 Main St., Salinas. (831) 356-0219, asb.beer
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