www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 9-15, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 31 CHILL For the 10 years he’s tended bar at the Sunset Lounge, Bryan B. has been whalewatching on the job. The bar offers the same fabulous view of the ocean as the upscale restaurant it shares space with, but offers a more accessible way to take it all in. “The green flashes are pretty crazy to watch,” adds B., who asks to be identified using only his last initial. That’s why there is a compelling case to be made that this bar is best enjoyed in the winter, when sunset arrives along with happy hour. Post up at Sunset Lounge this time of year at 2-5pm, and you can order from a relatively reasonably priced food and drink menu—with additional happy hour discounts from 3-5pm—and also take in an epic sunset. “I’ve never met a customer who is unhappy with happy hour, but it’s during winter you do get that sunset view,” host Elijah Evans concedes. The best-selling drink is the sous vide old fashioned, which the bar team prepares in 3-liter batches that sell out daily. The eight-hour slow-cooking process infuses the Bulleit rye-based cocktail. “It extracts the oils from the orange peels, and you get very robust flavors—it’s very nice,” B. says. It also has the advantage of consistency; with the large-batch preparation, every old fashioned should be equally strong, and taste the same. What changes daily, even hourly, is that view—so come all year, or come when the sun is low and sunset is during happy hour. Sunset Lounge at Pacific’s Edge (in the Hyatt), 120 Highlands Dr., Carmel Highlands. Bar menu 2-5pm daily. 622-5445, hyatt.com. See View Sunset Lounge at the Hyatt in Carmel Highlands offers cocktails with a stunning backdrop. By Sara Rubin SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com SARA RUBIN TASTEsavor. enjoy. pouring daily from 12pm SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM ESTATE WINERY & TASTING ROOM 1972 HOBSON AVE., GREENFIELD 831.386.0316 CARMEL TASTING ROOM SAN CARLOS & 7TH 831.626.WINE (9463) ’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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