Arts & Entertainment slickers concocted the Bloody Mary, a mixture of tomato juice and vodka. No modern saloon in Monterey County does the classic cocktail better than the Sandbar and Grill, which makes its own Bloody Mary mix. There’s the classic recipe, or, if you like some kick, the spicy Bloody Mary is made with a green chile vodka. BEST MARGARITA Baja Cantina Grill & Filling Station 7166 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel (831) 625-2252 carmelcantina.com Folks have a lot of opinions about what makes the best margarita but most can agree that anytime tequila is involved, you’re off to a good start. When flavors like mango, pomegranate or raspberry join the party at this perpetual Best Of winner, you’ve got yourself a real shindig, although to be honest, these are not flavors you’d find at Rosa’s Cantina. More reserved cowpokes will love Baja’s Organic Partida Margarita on the rocks. Any of those options coupled with some cochinita pibil taquitos? Well shoooot—you ain’t in the west Texas town of El Paso anymore. BEST MARTINI C Restaurant + Bar 750 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 375-4500, thecrestaurant-monterey. com It is said that when Teddy Roosevelt rode into a dusty town in search of coffee, cowboys slinging drinks at the bar were not impressed. One wonders, however, if things might have been different if the future president could have ordered from C Restaurant’s lineup of espresso martinis. Purists might scoff, but the four different options pack a kick, both in caffeine and alcohol. And don’t worry, bartenders can shake a great traditional martini, too— gin or vodka. Oh, yeah. TR packed a punch, as well. The former Harvard boxing champion decked the drunken cowboy who came at him. BEST CLUB/PARTY DJ DJ Mario (831) 917-8137, carmeldiscjockeys.com DJ Mario works magic on the gramophone. Under his spell, those 78s get folks moving. His secret? “Taking requests,” he says. He’s from this neck of the woods, having lived in Monterey County since 1985. But he’s never been stuck in a musical period. DJ Mario is a true polyglot when it comes to rhythmic, railroad-like beats and beckoning whistles. He can read a room and has the tracks to lay down in just about any language. Forget the engineer’s bell—if you want to rustle up a crowd, just call DJ Mario. BEST LOCAL BAND Money Band (858) 752-3590, moneyband.org While it’s certain that the Money Band could do a solid cover of Dr. Brewster M. Higley’s “Home on the Range,” this cover band’s ultimate goal is to get folks on the dance floor. With regular gigs at Baja Cantina in Carmel, Sly McFly’s in Monterey, and other local venues, the quartet—fronted by Zoe Alexander and backed by Nat Shuirman on bass, Chris Miller on drums, and Steve Moseley on guitar— revives the big hits of past decades (“Little Joe the Wrangler” comes to mind) and puts their own danceable spin on them. BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN Dennis Murphy 171 Webster St., Monterey (831) 920-1310, dennismurphyschoolofmusic.com Ranch hands often sang to their herd. It was a simple joy and shared by both the singers and the shorthorns alike. But if there’s one person who deserves a more discerning audience, it’s Dennis Murphy. Not only is the threetime Grammy nominee an accomplished jazz musician, he also runs his own music school. He can perform the big hits like “The Days of 49” or fancy 36 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof The reimagined C restaurant overlooks a spectacular waterfront setting on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary The C restaurant + bar, where every table offers a blue water view. Serving breakfast and dinner daily. Located at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, a 208 room hotel on historic Cannery Row. Do you live an InterContinental life? 750 Cannery Row, Monterey 831.375.4500 www.ictheclementmonterey.com eets blue at the C restaurant + bar Located next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium 750 Cannery Row Monterey, California 93940 831.375.4500 www.ictheclementmonterey.com The reimagined C restaurant overlooks a spectacular waterfront setting on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The C restaurant + bar, where every table o ers a blue water view. Serving breakfast and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Located at InterContinental The Clement Monterey, a 208 room hotel on historic Cannery Row. Thank you for voting us BEST MarTiNi ’24 THANK YOU FOR VOTING US THE BEST! 867 Wave St. Monterey 831-333-1200 One block above the Aquarium www.BistroMoulin.com ’24 BR ee ss tt aFu rr eannc th
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