RESTAURANTS scampi, cioppino and some kind of fish and chip deal. Good players sweeten the deal with views and free samples. Great players do that—and then some. This year, Domenico’s takes the crown, accumulating points for originality (like adding marinara to liven up freshly caught sardines), boldness (like daring to swap a plain ricotta filling with ultra savory smoked salmon in their ravioli), and value (because cioppino and pasta should only be served in board game-sized vessels). Readers know the rules: The most points win. BEST RESTAURANT - MARINA Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette 3295 Dunes Drive, Marina (831) 883-5535, saltwoodkitchenandoysterette.com The upscale elegance of Salt Wood hits you immediately upon walking in—the lighting, the seafood-centric menu (scallop ceviche, moules frites or white sturgeon caviar, anyone?), the service. This restaurant is quite literally perched at the edge of the continent, nestled in the dunes, making it a draw for visitors and hotel guests—but also locals. Maybe you’re looking for a fancy night out, or just a drink from the well-appointed bar (try the happy hour, called “sunset sessions”). Mix and match, bring your dog too (they offer a special menu for pups), take in the scenery from the inviting patio or go big on a multi-course meal—all are winning hands. BEST RESTAURANT - MONTEREY Stokes Adobe 500 Hartnell St., Monterey (831) 264-8775, stokesadobe.com The historic adobe home that now houses Stokes Adobe restaurant was built in 1833—the same year Alfred Nobel, who would go on to create both dynamite and the Nobel Prize, was born in Stockholm, Sweden. These two moments in history have nothing to do with each other, but make a good piece of trivia to tuck away for your next game night. Today, the Nobel Prize, in categories ranging from literature to chemistry, is announced each October; at Stokes Adobe, you can enjoy old Monterey glamour, crispy potatoes and a stand-out cocktail any night of the week. BEST RESTAURANT - NORTH COUNTY Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery 10700 Merritt St., Castroville (831) 633-2152, philsfishmarket.com Whether picking up a whole halibut to grill up later or eating a hot bowl of cioppino, trying to play Go Fish at Phil’s Fish Market would result in a pretty short game because the hard work has quite literally already been done—and likely before sunrise. Do they have fresh in-restaurant seafood in the market? Yup. Do they have both Manhattan and New England clam chowder? Always. Do they have gluten-free crackers for your Mexican-style shrimp cocktail? Mhm. Do they have pre-cracked Dungeness crab with drawn butter? Hell yeah. In short, no one’s fishing, everyone’s eating and Phil’s is winning as the Best Restaurant - North County. BEST RESTAURANT - PACIFIC GROVE Passionfish 701 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 655-3311, passionfish.net Red rover, red rover, send Berk Guvenec right over—to Passionfish, the restaurant he purchased from founders Ted and Cindy Walter in 2024, when they decided to retire after 27 years. For many of those years, Weekly readers voted for Passionfish as the best. Guvenec vowed to keep all the favorite dishes created by Ted Walter, while infusing Mediterranean flavors here and there, reflecting his own Turkish heritage. The sustainably sourced seafood dishes remain, as does the duck confit and spoonable 12-hour lamb breast. Even Nancy’s buttermilk biscuit is still on the menu. Grateful readers noticed and kept Passionfish as number one. BEST RESTAURANT - PEBBLE BEACH Roy’s 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach (800) 877-0597, pebblebeach.com In Hawaii there’s a game similar to Simon Says called Kuma Hula Says, where a player is chosen as hula teacher to call out hula moves like huli (rotate while swaying your hips), ha’a 96 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof Best Dog-Friendly Dining | Terry’s Lounge
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