RESTAURANTS dish is just like they had it the last time they were here, they come back. And that equals success.” Weekly readers concur. BEST BAKERY Ad Astra 479 Alvarado St., Monterey 319 Mid-Valley Center, Carmel Valley adastrabread.com Gambling—it’s all about getting the bread. But in Monterey County, if we were counting currency, we might just count it in loaves from Ad Astra. And it that case, we’re all rich. Take a stroll down Alvarado Street in Monterey on a weekend (or weekday) and you’ll likely see a line wrapped around the corner—all for a shot at one of their legendary loaves or pastries that melt like gold leaf in your mouth. A new cafe in Carmel Valley has also quickly drawn a following. And loaves can’t stay on grocery shelves. Everyone’s a winner, now let’s get this bread. BEST BREAKFAST First Awakenings 300 David Ave., Monterey. (831) 372-1125 171 Main St., Salinas. (831) 784-1125 firstawakenings.net Seven days a week, the staff at both First Awakenings locations gear up to serve the masses what they really want: biscuits and gravy, cinnamon French toast, waffles, burritos weighing as much as a newborn, and of course, pancakes. The famous pancakes are the size of a trophy edition Monopoly board and they’re usually served spilling off the plate. It might be just enough to make a morning person out of most people, but it’s definitely enough to win best breakfast (again). BEST BRUNCH Red House Cafe 662 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 643-1060, redhousecafe.com For when it’s too late to have breakfast but too early for lunch, just combine them into brunch. It’s the best of both. Kind of like Monopoly Scrabble, which is an actual game. At Red House Cafe, brunch is served from 8am to 2:30pm Fridays through Mondays, with a menu that includes buttermilk pancakes, burgers, French toast and Caesar salads. Is it breakfast or lunch? Who cares about labels. Just savor the meal, and start off the midday right. And look up Monopoly Scrabble. BEST VIETNAMESE BEST CHEAP EATS Chopstix 1244 Munras Ave., Monterey. (831) 372-2622 1868 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. (831) 899-2622 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Suite D-2A, Carmel. (831) 625-2622 624 Northridge Mall Shopping Center, Salinas. (831) 442-2622 chopstixboba.com For Americans who grew up in a certain generation, they kind of-sort of learned to use chopsticks when they played Operation, a game where you have to use tweezers to remove objects from body cavities. It’s a weirdly fun game, and helps hone one’s dexterity in a similar way as using chopsticks. But whether or not you can use chopsticks is immaterial at Chopstix, a local institution with locations from Salinas to Carmel, all of which have forks if you need them. Chopstix is Vietnamese food for the people— affordable, approachable, tasty and fun. BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Rosine’s 434 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 375-1400, rosinesmonterey.com It’s hard to imagine a better family restaurant than Rosine’s, a fixture in downtown Monterey since 1986. The menu has something for every taste, every age, every time of day, and the food tastes like it was cooked at home in the best kind of way. It’s a place where the vibes are happy and fun, like a game of Uno, where the winner is the first one to play all their cards. But good luck being the first to clear your plate at Rosine’s—the portions are generous, like any good family restaurant. And like Uno, there will probably be some trading between plates. 84 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY OPEN Mon-Thurs at 4pm, Fri at 3pm, Sat & Sun at 12pm 725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey www.giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 INDOOR DINING, Takeout & Delivery! Voted Monterey County’s Best Pizza Place BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT (TIE) ’17, ’20 ’15 Grazie mille! We are honored that since 2008, you’ve voted us as Best Pizza in Monterey County. We are truly overwhelmed! These awards wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication from our staff and managers. Since we opened in 1974, the community has welcomed us with open arms and has continued to support our family-owned business. We hope to continue to serve delicious pizza, pasta, gelato, breadsticks and everything in between for years to come. Thank you again! - Gianni 2008– 2025
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