96 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof Best Restaurant - Pebble Beach Roy’s 2700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach (888) 990-1723, pebblebeach.com Roy Yamaguchi has won a James Beard Award and has celebrity chef status, and his namesake restaurant at Pebble Beach offers one of the most delightful fine-dining experiences. The suggested attire is “resort style,” which means a little more than removing the Stetson. Selections like prosciutto-wrapped sea bass or panko-crusted rack of lamb are inspired by Hawaiian cuisine and other international influences. No buffalo or fry bread here, although Roy’s could do some amazing things with both. Best Restaurant - Sand City Sweet Elena’s Bakery & Cafe 165 Olympia Ave., Sand City (831) 393-2063, sweetelenas.com It doesn’t matter that this town, Sand City, isn’t big enough for two such places. Sweet Elena’s would win any showdown. Known for its breakfast goods and pastries, it also offers sandwiches, quiches and salads. Grab a slice of olalliieberry pie and afternoon tea or coffee, or a fresh bread for tomorrow morning. The place is also a go-to for Thanksgiving and other holiday desserts. Best Restaurant - Seaside Gusto 1901 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 899-5825, gusto1901.com Italian cuisine just wasn’t a thing west of the Mississippi—or east of it, either. It came to the U.S. around the turn of the last century, just as Frederick Jackson Turner declared the frontier era had closed. And it came through New York City. “New York City?!” Gusto offers up traditional Italian flavors and preparations, with handmade pizza, pasta and more. The food transports diners to the Old World, but that’s just one piece of what makes it the best. Maybe it’s the friendly service, maybe it’s the wide bar that invites you to dine, or just grab a glass of vino or a cocktail, or maybe it’s the regular live music. Or maybe it’s an alchemy of all of the above—great food, drinks, service and ambiance make for the best. Best Restaurant - South County Luigi’s 346 Alta St., Gonzales (831) 675-7800, ginosfamilyrestaurantgroup.com The old bank building and safe that are home to Luigi’s look straight out of a Western film set. But luckily for hungry diners, the valuable goods inside today are well-prepared Italian classics. There’s pizza (including gluten-free options) and pasta, options for seafood lovers, meat eaters and veggie enthusiasts. The restaurant also offers a long cocktail and wine list (emphasis on local) to pair with your meal. Luigi’s is more than Italian food—it’s about tradition, the smells and the flavors you grew up with. Best Restaurant in Monterey County Passionfish 701 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 655-3311, passionfish.net Passionfish has been a popular destination for many years, in part for the commitment to sustainable seafood, in part for the stellar wine list, the service and more. Even the non-seafood plates stand out (it can be hard to choose between lamb so tender it’s spoonable, and duck confit). It joins a long list of legendary Western establishments, from The Buckhorn Exchange in Denver (liquor license #1) to Tadich Grill in San Francisco. Dining wasn’t always so dire in the Old West. The Sheridan House in the Dakota Territory put on a memorable Christmas dinner in 1880, with tenderloin and ribs, capped by plum pudding in brandy sauce, among other items. Yeah, there was also boiled pig’s jowl with cabbage. No chance Passionfish would stoop to that level. But rainbow trout drizzled with cardamom syrup, sure. Best Chef Todd Fisher The Meatery 1534 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 656-8810, themeateryseaside.com Do some of these sound familiar? Braised duck, wild goose, prairie grouse fricassee, saddle of venison. They were on the menu of an establishment in the old West. We’re betting Chef Todd Fisher has worked with all of these meats. At his butcher shop and eatery, he stocks game meats, as well as aged prime beef and pork from heritage breeds. He also makes sausage in-house and the very best brisket in the county. But if you think Fisher is stuck behind the counter, think again. This guy gets around more than Kit Carson. He can be seen cooking at festivals and other events, as well as creating recipes (like the vegetarian artichoke burger) for Bear + Flag Roadside in Carmel Valley. Best Sommelier Bernabe DeLuna Cella Restaurant & Bar 525 Polk St., Monterey (831) 920-1046, cellarestaurant.com As a sommelier, Bernabe DeLuna was in charge of some stellar wine cellars. He served at Pacific’s Edge and the Michelin-starred Aubergine, for example. That’s like saying one sheriff cleaned up Dodge and then did the same at Tombstone. Now, as general manager at Cella, DeLuna has helped to curate a wine list that, while not extensive, is broad ranging. In addition to standouts from Monterey County, the restaurant stocks wines from California’s overlooked regions, like Amador, as well as the famed vineyards. And the list is the same with international wines, featuring the varietals and regions people expect, as well as treats like a Riesling from Saar or a blend of Spanish grapes from Rioja. And it’s all selected with Chef Cal Stamenov’s flavors in mind. The wines are nice on their own, but heed DeLuna’s food pairing suggestions. Best Comfort Food | The Butter House
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