42 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 27-AUGUST 2, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com CHILL Despite their renewed popularity, cocktails of the gilded yore can still suggest stiff collars, French cuffs, cigars—a certain level of masculine formality. But not at The Whisky Club. The Vieux Carré waltzes across your palate, the rye whiskey twirling in step with a sensation of candied citrus trailed by a ribbon of bitter zest. An Old Fashioned feels like privilege. Awakened by a dose of coffee, the “mocha” version of the classic cocktail takes you back to the ballroom, only this time the step is more dreamlike—a blur of sensations. Such imagery comes from cocktails crafted with delicate balance from a stock of fine whiskeys, as well as a willingness to play around the fringes of tradition. For the stately New Orleans cocktail—the Vieux Carré—Mitchel Sawhney and his team put bénédictine aside in favor of a house-made simple syrup. It would seem a notch down, but instead the swap allows for flavors of mellow oak and the hoarse bite of grain to fall in with the vermouth and zest. The bar’s Signature Old Fashioned uses Buffalo Trace bourbon and has a sweet disposition with prominent notes of vanilla and toasted caramel. The cherry is—well, you know. But they can push boundaries further. In the mocha Old Fashioned, coffee becomes the cocktail’s pivot point, its maypole, a fixture almost—but not quite—lost as whiskey and opulent fruit stream around it. Again, it is a smooth, balanced and intriguing sip. The Whisky Club, 425 Alvarado St., Monterey. 241-6713, twc11.com. Rye Smiles Cocktails at The Whisky Club strive to balance flavors without losing the whiskey itself. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DANIEL DREIFUSS Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink Indoor Dining & Take Out Nightly from 4:30pm – Featuring Signature Tapas, Paella, Seafood & Specials Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30-6pm Nightly Food Specials, Spanish House Wine, Beer, Seasonal Sangria, and Well Cocktails 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ Indoor dInIng & Take-ouT daIly, 4:30pm 620 Ocean View BlVd. Pacific GrOVe 831-375-2345 • beachhousepg.com lovers poInT Beach cafe Is also offerIng Take-ouT daIly, 9am-4pm 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’22 OPEN FOR INDOOR DINING AND TAKE-OUT Everyday 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS We’re Open! Come In or Carry Out! Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’08-’22 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 5PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 5-6PM & 8-9PM Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’22 Best Steak and Martini KALI GOLD EXTRACTS Locally grown cannabis, locally extracted shatter • sugar badder • crumble GET YOUR LOCAL GOLD RUSH LIC#: C11-0001324 AVAILABLE AT: Canna Cruz SALINAS 1156 Abbott St Higher Level SEASIDE 1440 Canyon Del Rey Blvd Element 7 MARINA 234 Reservation Rd
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