02-29-24

32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY February 29-march 6, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com CHILL Tracking good mocktails in Monterey County is a special kind of fun. The more upscale the venue is, the more it feels obligated to have a “mocktail menu”—usually with no more than two entries. And while many mocktails are perfectly pleasant to drink, one rarely says: “Holy Mama! Let’s come back here next week.” But what if you already have a winning cocktail? First was the Shark Bite—blue waters (Curaçao) in a large glass also filled with grenadine (blood). Between icebergs swims a sizable gummy bear shark with a swizzle stick spear going right through its body. With rum, Shark Bite makes you feel like a shark harpooner. Even though Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa didn’t invent Shark Bites, its bar—The Bar at Sea Root—deserves credit for swapping out the rum. It’s a simple step, but it looks great and tastes even better. This version includes ginger beer, lime juice and cherry syrup; it might be the last one that makes the drink so seductive—sweet, but electrified by biting ginger beer. The shark may be dead, but its death is cherry sweet. Served on a black napkin and with a wide black straw, the drink stands out. The bar itself is worth visiting. Its surroundings are casual—a kiosk with beverages, groups of comfortable chairs and a few musicians playing jazz. The bar has one more mocktail in the menu. It contains passion flower, orange and guava. The Bar at Sea Root, Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. 372-1234, hyatt.com Bite Me Treat your real or inner child to a fun mocktail with a hint of danger and whimsy. By Agata Pop˛eda SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DANIEL DREIFUSS Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink 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 ’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! 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 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 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 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 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 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly SATURDAY and SUNDAY BRUNCH 9 am–1:30 pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play

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