50 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com EATS What makes a Christmas cookie perfect? In all honesty, homemade cookies almost always win—especially if it’s based on an old family recipe, passed down through the generations. There are exceptions, of course. If you decide to do a Christmas cookie crawl (no, it’s not an official event), here’s a bit of what you can expect in terms of traditional Christmas treats. In Monterey, Alta Bakery will soon start serving its signature gingerbread bears, and Parker-Lusseau’s display cases are always merry this time of year. Sweet Reba’s in Carmel decorates a number of festive cookies. Paris Bakery has two locations, in Monterey and Seaside. The Monterey location is a spot for traditional Christmas cookies in the shapes of Santa, gingerbread men and a holiday wreath. And that—along with the colorful decorations—is what defines the modern Christmas cookie. At Sweet Elena’s in Seaside there are cookies in the shape of trees, stars and snowflakes, candy canes and reindeer and snowmen. You can even get cookies cut to resemble the belt on Santa’s red suit. The Christmas cookie, as we know it, originated from Medieval biscuits, flavored with ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, dried fruits and almonds. It was the Dutch who likely introduced Christmas cookies in the U.S., but the real cookie mania came with the invention of a first biscuit cutter patented in America—in 1875, by Alexander P. Ashbourne. By the 1930s even Santa became a cookie monster, now demanding cookies and milk. Treat Time The holidays call for all kinds of special baked goods, especially cookies. By Agata Pop˛eda 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 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 Store CloSing 40% gifts for the Holidays [everything goes] The Garden Song 225 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove [across from Grove Market] 1-831-656-9771 11:30 - 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday off Sale
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