32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 4-10, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com CHILL What draws you in first is the drape of velvet that folds over your palate, rich and cuddly. Yet by the finish, it sends you off with a glare of chile heat—not unfriendly, but with just a hint of scorn, as if the cocktail carries with it the essence of an amicable breakup. In between, the Lamparas Rum at Schooners in Monterey Plaza Hotel is a haven of welcoming comfort, casting a cozy glow and then gaining in intensity. The sensation of cured apricot vies with scorched toffee, soft leather soothes dry herbs and dusty spice, a nutty calm and honeyed sweetness stroll into that frowning flicker—the finish a contribution from Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur. Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario is the cocktail’s foundation, a blend of rum aged up to 23 years intended to be enjoyed neat. Yet the spirit is not obscured here. Indeed, its layers of smoky, spicy, fruity sweetness gain from the prickly liqueur with a complementary sweet side. Amaro Montenegro brings an herbal, floral note and there is a dash of bitters. Lamparas Rum is a deftly layered cocktail that takes advantage of the character of three ingredients that can easily stand on their own, and it does so without the pretenses of mixology. It’s a straightforward recipe that produces a sip worthy of contemplation. Like lamplight, it brings a glow that is cool blue, deep umber and rich orange. It’s a cocktail that is not so easy to leave. Schooners is in the Monterey Plaza Hotel, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. 372-2628, schoonersmonterey.com. Fire Light The Lamparas Rum cocktail at Schooners gives a full range of ambiance. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DAVE FARIES Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink 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 Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria 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 ’98-’23 ’23 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 BEST RESTAURANT IN mONTEREY! 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 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’23 OPEN FOR INDOOR DINING AND TAKE-OUT Everyday 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor, Outdoor Dining & Take Out Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly NOW OPEN FOR BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com 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 ’23 Best Steak and Martini 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 Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 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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