more fun to share with your date anyway, like creamy and bacon-y stuffed mushrooms. If you really love your partner, the decadent French onion soup is worth a shared moment. If sharing soup is too much, the chicken fettuccine alfredo rivals the best. This is a place to stay for dessert. Try the New York cheesecake or tiramisu—both made in house, both drizzled with raspberry coulis, and both a delectable way to end your meal. Growers Pub, 227 Monterey St., Salinas. 754-1488, growerspub.com JAPANESE Some say the food over at Sushi Daruma is slightly better, but the vibe is important on date night. And at Kokoro Sushi, that atmosphere makes up for any minute flavor differences. Here the lights are a little dimmer, and you can snuggle into a cozy booth lit by (pretend) candlelight. The service is friendly and the sushi list is long. If your significant other is apprehensive around raw fish, consider breaking up—or don’t be that drastic and compromise with the crowdpleasing Monster Lobster Roll filled with avocado and imitation crab and topped with baked langostino, sweet unagi sauce, fresh green onion, tobiko and delicious spicy mayo. If you’re really a meat and potatoes person, opt for the Texas Holdem Roll, with rib-eye steak, deep-fried asparagus and cream cheese topped with unagi sauce—a simple choice while you watch your date eat some lemony albacore and amaebi. Or share it all. Finish with deliciously toasty deep-fried rice pop ice cream or refreshing green tea mochi ice cream. Kokoro Sushi, 36 W Gabilan St., Salinas. 424-7553, orderkokoro.com ITALIAN Upon entering Mangia, you feel like you’re in exactly the right spot for date night. Smiling servers walk you into a large room lit by fairy lights, a 14 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® EAT + DRINK 2025-2026 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM DINNER FROM 4PM DAILY CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING OVERLOOKING LOVERS POINT BEACH Experience one of the Monterey Peninsula’s most enchanting dining destinations. Voted Monterey County’s Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ ’24 OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH & DINNER ONLY THE FINEST ANDTHE FRESHEST Order Online at HarumiSeaside.Menu11.com (831) 899-9988 Harumi_1-3s_ED24_KB.indd 1 4/22/24 10:51 AM
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