www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 19-25, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 31 CHILL It doesn’t make sense, yet it does. The tiramisu latte at Manasiri Crepe is not a double-shot latte with dessert flavoring. No, it’s a coffee drink with a slice of tiramisu dunked on top—a drink that you eat, a cake that you sip. And since owner Abdallah Manasiri added it to the creperie’s menu in November, the unique creation has become wildly popular. “We posted a video and it got 30,000 views on TikTok,” he says. “We’ve never had this kind of business.” If you think of the tiramisu latte as a gimmicky affront to Italian tradition, consider that the concept is not a new one. However, it started more reasonably, as a latte with tiramisu-flavored syrup, a dollop of mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa powder. More recently people began adding the real thing. “We saw video of a cafe in Italy doing it,” Manasiri explains. “We stole the idea from them.” Of course, the downtown Monterey spot is known for crepes, not tiramisu. That’s where Chef Rudolfo Ponce of Rudolfo’s in Pacific Grove comes in. He prepares the dessert and sends a few trays over to Manasiri’s. The crew at the creperie take care of the assembly. And the dessert drink works. After all, tiramisu starts with ladyfingers dipped in coffee. The creamy, bittersweet cake takes kindly to an iced latte, lending a richness and plush texture. The latte and dessert become one, with smiles all around. Oh, and they also prepare a matcha version. Manasiri Crepe, 321 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 917-8293, manasiricrepe.com. Eat Drink You need a fork or spoon when you order Manasiri Crepe’s most popular latte. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES 146 12TH STREET • PACIFIC GROVE SUN. MARCH 1•3PM Doors open at 2:30pm AdvAnce tickets AvAilAble At www.celticsociety.org $30 AdvAnce / $35 door $12 AdvAnce / $15 door, kids St. Mary’s recognizes Celtic Society discounts Call or text 831-224-3819 for more info. www.stmarysbythesea.org Spectacular guitar player, Jordan Tice, will be joined by the extraordinary fiddler Patrick M’Gonigle, in a show that will be a bit of an evolutionary journey from Celtic, to present day Americana to “Newgrass.” The concert is in collaboration with Otter Opry. 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 INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari
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