Restaurants BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY BEST WINE LIST BEST SOMMELIER - DAVID SIDENER Sardine Factory 701 Wave St., Monterey (831) 373-3775, sardinefactory.com What would Monterey County be without the venerable Sardine Factory? Like a circus without clowns, it’s difficult to imagine. The restaurant opened in 1968 when Cannery Row was a street of mostly abandoned buildings, and it was the force that attracted all that surrounds the restaurant now. Clint Eastwood has filmed there. President Ronald Reagan requested its abalone bisque. The first-ever Master Sommelier test in the U.S. was held there. And speaking of wine, Sommelier Dave Sidener oversees a wine list that includes everything from local favorites to dusty rarities—truly dusty; the cellar is a must visit. He can direct you to whatever pairs best with your meal (and bank account). By the way, Eastwood keeps a wine locker at Sardine Factory. BEST CHEF Tim Wood Woody’s Restaurant & Bar at Monterey Regional Airport 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey (831) 373-1232, woodysmontereyairport.com Woody’s at Del Mesa 500 Del Mesa Drive, Carmel (831) 624-1854, woodysatdelmesa.com Woody’s at the Carmel Valley Athletic Club 27300 Rancho San Carlos Road, Carmel (831) 624-2737, woodsymontereyairport.com For yet another year, Tim Wood stands out as a ringleader amongst an already insanely talented pool of local chefs. Wood has taken his years of experience working in some of the most demanding markets in the restaurant industry—New York City, Napa Valley and, of course, Carmel Valley at Carmel Valley Ranch and Bernardus Lodge—and channeled it into his restaurants and leadership. A mentor to the next generation of chefs and a champion of local produce, Wood deservingly takes the Best Chef crown for yet another year. BEST SERVER Pablo Ortega Sandbar and Grill, Wharf II, Monterey (831) 373-2818, sandbarandgrillmonterey. com Clubs, knives and rings are some of the tools of the trade for jugglers. For Pablo Ortega, his juggling is both physical and mental. Not only does he have to keep multiple dishes in rotation, he also has to remember which dish goes to which dining guest. It’s an exhausting task, but one this veteran server is very comfortable with. Between the juggling act, he’ll even take the time to share recommendations of new dishes and wine that will become your new favorite. 100 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof TRY OUR NEW Tapas Happy Hour & Mid-Week Specials 4:30 - 6:00pm daily #Tapas! A Happy Hour Beyond Compare. Adjacent to the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa | 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey Reservations Recommended | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com DELIGHTFULLY ALFRESCO 4:30 - 6:00pm daily . Adjacent to the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa | 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey Reservations Recommended | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com THANK YOU For Voting Us BEST Appetizers/Small Plates ’26 ’25 @thequailca
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