restaurants seen some vitality restored thanks to parklets. Wild Fish was a leader back in 2020, embracing outdoor dining by investing in an attractive and sturdy structure that includes heaters, shade and flowers. On Fridays and Saturdays the restaurant features a small jazz band outdoors for added ambiance. The investment has paid off with a loyal clientele and being voted Best Parklet by Weekly readers each year since the category was established in 2021. No simple meal of beans here: Wild Fish offers sustainably caught seafood served in a fine dining experience. BEST PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH Tarpy's Roadhouse 2999 Highway 68, Del Rey Oaks (831) 647-1444, tarpys.com A short drive west from the Pastures of Heaven lies Tarpy’s Roadhouse. Housed in a building constructed when Steinbeck was a teenager, Tarpy’s remains the county’s most popular choice for a business lunch. Equidistant from the bustling hospitality business on the Peninsula and the ag giants of Salinas, Tarpy’s is the perfect place to meet for a great meal in a convenient location, either indoors in the classy dining room, or on the charming stone patio. Originally opened in 1992, Tarpy’s offers a versatile menu and a stable of choice steak options along with a great selection of wines, beer and cocktails. BEST RESTAURANT FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION BEST RESTAURANT FOR ROMANTIC DINING Pacific's Edge 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel (831) 622-5445, hyatt.com “The Pacific is my home ocean; I knew it first, grew up on its shore, collected marine animals along the coast,” John Steinbeck wrote in his famous travelogue, Travels with Charley. “I know its moods, its color, its nature.” You too can become intimately familiar with the moods, color and nature of the great Pacific as you sit high above it, looking out to the horizon, from Pacific’s Edge. No matter the mood, there’s no better backdrop for a special meal. And the dishes and drinks served here are indeed special. Just as you long remember favorite lines from Steinbeck, you will forever remember a meal at Pacific’s Edge. BEST RESTAURANTFISHERMAN’S WHARF BEST RESTAURANT MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD Old Fisherman's Grotto 39 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 375-4604, oldfishermansgrotto. com Any stroll down Fisherman’s Wharf is bound to include a series of clam chowder samples from seafood restaurants in an everlasting battle. For 72 years, Old Fisherman’s Grotto has reigned on the wharf. The quintessential Monterey restaurant keeps its legacy going with classics like calamari, crab cakes and bread bowls of what is claimed to be the original Montereystyle chowder. It’s a must-visit spot for all seafood lovers—unless, however, they happen to be small children. But hey, kids weren’t allowed at those Pacific Biological Lab bashes, either. BEST BAKERY Paris Bakery 1232 Broadway Ave., Seaside, (831) 3947798 271 Bonifacio Place, Monterey, (831) 646-1620 parisbakery.us When it comes to baked goods, you can’t beat Paris—the city or the bakery. This first fact is one we’re sure John Steinbeck would confirm. The author found himself living in the city of lights (and eating lots of croissants, we hope) in 1954. Our own Paris—Paris Bakery—traces its roots to Doué-laFontaine, France, where founder and baker Jackie Jegat was born. From there he made his way to Samur, then Paris. From there, in 1985, he moved to Monterey. We’re lucky to have him, and the cookies, cakes and breads these two bakeries keep turning out. 84 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2023 mcweekly.com/bestof ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 Thank you for voting us Best Restaurant in Sand City and Best Pie 465-D Olympia Ave, Sand City SweetElenas.com 831.393.2063 PIECE ON EARTH Show Us Your Pie Smile Tenant Ad Space 4.5" w X 4.125" h EXPERIENCE THE Best Seafood Market IN MONTEREY COUNTY! Carmel • 100 A Crossroads Blvd • 831-626-3626 SEA HARVEST FISH MARKET AND RESTAURANT Fresh Seafood Daily 1999– 2023 Voted Best Seafood Market
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