36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Passersby on Alvarado Street may have noticed the colorful new Italian cafe tucked into the Monterey Gallerie, Pazzo’s Italian Café. Alongside the splashes of radiant orange, blue, purple and pink paint, and strings of lights in the otherwise muted space, one takes note of the menu, with a range of classics like chicken marsala and pork shoulder brasato at head-scratchingly low prices. After indulging in the affordable dinner options with a glass of red or white, grab a gelato cup. Mocha Roma is a vanilla gelato with espresso and Guittard chocolate chunks. The Prince draws its character from balsamic reduction and strawberry puree. The lemon liqueur-flavored Limoncello gelato is notable for chunks of caramelized lemon rind that one could almost mistake for apricot in appearance, and which serve as a way to cut the bite of the liqueur with a touch of sweetness. The fruit bits are almost peachy in flavor and also serve as a welcome complement of texture to the gelato itself, which is smooth and velvety. The sensory experience may drive one into a brain freeze-inducing frenzy, but slow down, swirl the gelato on the palate, and wait for the gummy fruit to unfreeze in your mouth to get the full spectrum of its unique flavor. By the end, you’ll find yourself fat and happy, scraping the bottom of the cup, unsure if you’re feeling euphoric from the atmosphere of bright colors, the red you had with dinner, or the liqueur-infused delicacy itself. Pazzo Italian Café, 482 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 215-6247, gelatopazzocafe. com. Gelato Blotto Pazzo’s offers an assortment of unique flavors alongside its affordable food and wine. By Aric Sleeper SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com LANI HEADLEY Eat + Drink INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT 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 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 8am–12 Noon 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’26 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates 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-’26 ’26 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 Best Steak House & Best Restaurant Over 10 years old 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 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 Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’26 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’26 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 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BAD BEAT JOKER JACKPOT PAYS UP TO $45,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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