Restaurants Beringer as the hero singing cowboy takes back his order of sarsparilla once he’s realized he is in one of those tough Western saloons. “A warm gin, with a human hair in it,” Beringer says, changing his order. When he complains—“Where’s the hair?”—the saloonkeeper scowls. That’s something you will never see from Ana Gonzales. The Point Pinos server is noted for her genuine smile and warm, welcoming nature. And her personality suits a restaurant where seldom is heard a discouraging word. Great food, great cocktails and coffee drinks and the camaraderie of a golf outing (actual golf not required) make this the best. BEST RESTAURANT FOR TAKEOUT BEST CHINESE Tommy’s Wok Mission between Ocean and 7th, Carmel (831) 624-8518, tommyswokcarmel.com Despite facing discrimination, Chinese settlers played a critical role in developing the West. Without them, no Transcontinental Railroad. And without them, no Americanized Chinese favorites like chop suey. Tommy’s Wok draws more on Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin flavors, fortunately. That’s why it is a perennial choice for Monterey County’s Chinese favorite, and this year also snags the title for its top to-go meals. Perfect for when you have to work on the railroad all the live-long day. BEST RESTAURANT FOR GLUTEN-FREE Hula’s Island Grill 622 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 655-4852, hulastiki.com Locals, especially those allergic to the pesky protein found in what seems like everything these days, are simply spoiled for choice at Hula’s. While a growing number of restaurants offer gluten-free choices, no place can go toe-to-toe with Hula’s full-page menu of gluten-free options. The list includes many of the regular menu items like Jamaican jerk or blackened wasabi fish (of the customer’s choice), Hawaiian ceviche or Kingston crab curry. BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Monterey Fish House 2114 Del Monte Ave., Monterey (831) 373-4647, montereyfishhouse.com A family business with local roots will always win the hearts and minds of the community. The restaurant industry is notoriously fragile and seeing that the Monterey Fish House has been operating for 30 years is a sign that they’re doing something right. Owned by the DiGirolamo family—with nearly a century of history of fishing and entrepreneurship on the Peninsula—they carry on the tradition of their father, Angelo, who owned his own restaurant on the wharf and fished daily for the catch he’d serve for dinner. BEST STEAKHOUSE Whaling Station Steakhouse 763 Wave St., Monterey (831) 373-3778, thewhalingstation.com The great cattle trails from Texas to the rail lines of Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri fed America’s demand for steak. The old cowboy song “Git Along Little Dogies” lays it out in the last line: “You’re going to be beef steers, by and by.” The crew at Whaling Station treat steak with reverence. The cuts are dry-aged in-house. These are prime—ribeyes, New York strips, filet mignon, even a porterhouse for two. And it’s one of the few places where one can tuck into the classic beef Wellington. There are other proteins available, such as rack of lamb. But cattle and sheep ranchers never quite got along. And who ever heard of a chicken drive? This is the place for steak. 86 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof We Are Very Thankful To Be Voted Best Poke By the readers of Monterey County Weekly We are a small, locally owned family business, and we use only the best ingredients which keeps our customers coming back again and again. Come dine with us! Open Daily 11am-7:30pm 266 Reservation Road, Suite S, Marina www.MarinaPokeHouse.com • 831.384.7898 X [ /pokehouse831 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24
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