www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 21-27, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 47 CHILL There is one way to sum up the concoction known as the Italian soda. “They’re fun,” observes Mike Durrant of Hops & Fog Brewing Co. Although a haven for craft beer, the Pacific Grove brewery also serves a lineup of sodas in flavors like orange, blueberry and raspberry. Instead of relying on prepared syrups, however, Durrant and his crew use juice or, when fresh fruit is available, creating a puree. The latter option—raspberry on this occasion—leads to a soda with intense fruit flavor. The sensation is of freshpicked berries, seeds and all, with a light sizzle of salinity and a drape of creamy richness. With the puree, it becomes a fountain drink with more heft, making it both refreshing in warm weather and of comfort as the cool rainy season begins. Durrant’s approach is true to the original “ice cream” soda, likely first mentioned in an 1856 Lowell, Massachusetts newspaper advertisement. Durrant blends in half-andhalf, similar to what was used in the Lowell soda fountain. In the 1920s, a San Francisco flavored syrup company added the Italian identifier and staked claim to inventing the drink. (The version marketed by the company, Torani, was merely syrup and soda; many shops kept cream as an option.) The Italian soda at Hops & Fog is basic: fruit puree or juice, simple syrup, soda water and half-and-half. But the result is colorful, deep in flavor and rich in nostalgia. Hops & Fog Brewing Co., 511 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 215-1658, hopsandfog. beer. Soda Splash A fountain favorite, only better— and it’s made by a craft brewery. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 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 ’24 Best Steak 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 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Live Spanish Guitar Music, Thursday & Friday 5-8pm Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari 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 ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! 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 BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove 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-’24 ♦ 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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