04-11-24

34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 11-17, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com CHILL Celebrity chef Marc Murphy urges guests to try a salmon dish. But there is barbecue nearby—from Texas, no less. At one table they are pouring Caymus wines. At another are glasses of champagne from Mumm. However, the lineup of bourbons from Garrison Brothers Distillery is worth a look. A First World dilemma, certainly. Yet festivals large and small that celebrate dining and drinking can be difficult to navigate successfully. They happen throughout the year, with events such as the Castroville Artichoke Festival, Festa Italia, Salinas Valley Food & Wine, Monterey Winemakers Celebration and more. Pebble Beach Food & Wine, which returned April 4-7 after a four-year hiatus, stakes out an elevated space. And the Tasting Pavilion experience burdened the senses—this year 50 restaurants, close to 50 distilleries and about 175 wineries showed off their talents as guests juggled plates, stemware and cellphones. There are limits that are reached all too readily. As food and wines pile up on the palate, fine distinctions wash out. Try a cocktail and forget about following up with a Cabernet. After the Pebble Beach experience, we came up with a plan to get the most from future events. Target wine first, white to red, and cut yourself off after four or five. Move on to the food vendors then find some water. You will then be reasonably set to tackle spirits or cap the day with sparkling wine. Either that or just go on a purely hedonistic binge. Either way works, especially with a designated driver in tow. Good Taste Learning something about the flavor of wines is possible at a food festival, if you have a plan. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DANIEL DREIFUSS Indoor and outdoor dInIng and takeout Eat + Drink 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 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 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 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 ’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! 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 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 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 ♦ 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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