116 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof SPECIALTY FOODS BEST MILKSHAKE Lucy’s on Lighthouse 1120 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 920-2006, lucyspg.com The 1080 is considered the Holy Grail of skateboarding tricks, having first been completed in a half-pipe competition in 2020, breaking Tony Hawk’s record of a 900-degree rotation in 1999. The 900 is still special—it’s literally defined as such in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Lucy’s on Lighthouse splits the difference with a 1020…flavor, that is. It serves up the Marianne’s Ice Cream flavor (caramel, Oreos and fudge swirl) in its extensive lineup of milkshakes. Sure, Lucy’s specializes in hot dogs, but no hot dog is complete without a refreshing shake to pair with it. BEST DESSERTS Rosine’s 434 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 375-1400, rosinesmonterey.com Remember the cakewalk? That classic carnival game where participants walk in a circle to music, and must sit or stop on a marked spot as soon as the music stops? Where at the end of the game, just one person walks away with a cake? There’s no such suspense at Rosine’s, where the fresh-baked desserts on offer include an extensive list of cakes, cream cakes, cheese cakes, cream pies and more. If you want cake at Rosine’s, you’ll get cake at Rosine’s— and it’ll be the best. BEST CHEESE SELECTION The Cheese Shop Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Junipero, Carmel (831) 625-2272, thecheeseshopinc.com What is the best board game? The question is impossible to answer. There are, after all, so many different options—which makes it like The Cheese Shop. One person loves Cabra Romero, another prefers Fourme d’Ambert, but then there is Dolomíten König to consider. Just want to settle on cheddar. Well, which one? Old Quebec? Smoked? Infused with Guinness? Once again, it’s impossible to answer. Fortunately, The Cheese Shop stocks what seems like a thousand different cheeses from around the world, cut to order. And if you are not sure what you like, they will give you a taste. As owner R. Kent Torrey says, “Eat cheese, drink wine, live a happy life.” Now that’s the correct answer. BEST CATERING COMPANY Kleinfeldt Family BBQ 1 Harris Road, Salinas (831) 225-0447, tacafespreckels.com They turned the game show Family Feud into a board game because it’s just fun to guess what people like. But the team at Kleinfeldt Family BBQ seems to know. After starting their catering business in 2016 with just a custom BBQ trailer, word got around, a fan base grew and eventually the business moved into a brick-and-mortar at T&A Cafe. That success has been driven by an attention to detail—important for winning most games—that keeps clients coming back time and again to Kleinfeldt Family BBQ, knowing that every dish for their event has been prepared with the care and passion that comes from a family with a dream. BEST FOOD TREND OF 2025 Blue Zones-Inspired Dishes montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com If there was ever a food trend to be made into a game, it could be Blue Zones-themed. The concept of Blue Zones, first coined in 2004, refers to a study of areas that have higher numbers of people that live longer, and healthier, lives. Each location has its own set of daily habits, lifestyle choices, dietary patterns, which together form an informal blueprint for longevity. Over time, these habits have become a guide for those looking to improve their health—or maybe even extend their lifespan. For the competitive type, the game might be called “Who Can Be the Healthiest?” For the health-curious, Blue Zones-inspired dishes could simply add a new dimension to their diet. Look for the veg-forward, low-carb options flagged on menus. Best Local Red Wine | Wrath Pinot Noir
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