50 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Visit Traps this December and you will realize that we’ve been misled. No one is walking through a winter wonderland. Instead, they are gathering under gleaming ornaments, laughing and sipping. Which brings us to the next little misunderstanding. The menu of seasonal cocktails crafted by Meg Nielson and her team will tell you that the correct phrase is “holiday spirits,” with an s. “The decor suits the menu,” Nielson says of the cocktail lineup. “Elevated whimsical—this is an opportunity to have fun.” The Santa Clausmopolitan is a concoction of vodka, blood orange aperitif and unsweetened cranberry juice—the sheer tartness of which might scrunch one’s face. However, Nielson gives the cocktail a milk punch treatment. What results is stunning in appearance, a shimmering crystal with a tinge of ruby. The trick is using milk to clarify the cocktail, which mutes sharp flavors. “Milk punch is something cocktail connoisseurs want to see—cocktails and science,” Nielson says. Although weighted by bourbon, Bah Humbug is also fresh and easy to drink. Fruits and a splash of ginger beer brighten its disposition. The richness of Gingerbread Rock comes from a syrup of spice and molasses that presents a gingerbread warmth that eases into rum. Of course, it would not be the holidays without eggnog. Nielson’s take is refined, with sensations of nougat and soft winter spice. That’s elevated whimsical. “A little bit over the top,” Nielson explains. “But not tacky.” Traps is in the Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. 800-877-0597, pebblebeach.com. So Bright Traps celebrates the season with cocktails for a winter wonderland. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 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 ’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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ’24 Best Italian Restaurant FREE WIFI Dolce Mornings Sat & Sun 8am-2pm Featuring Captain + Stoker Coffee & Ad Astra Bakery Open Daily. Lunch 11:30-2pm. Dinner 5-9pm 831-324-4282 110 Central Ave, Pacific Grove www.ilvecchiorestaurant.com SEASIDE’S FINEST THIN CRUST PIZZA SOURDOUGH PIZZA SALADS &CALZONES • • DRAFT BEER • • DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE
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