Arts & Entertainment BEST SELECTION OF WINES BY THE GLASS A Taste of Monterey 700 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 646-5446, atasteofmonterey.com The only thing better than the selection of wines by the glass at A Taste of Monterey on Cannery Row is the panoramic view of the Monterey Bay, with the occasional parade of sea creatures passing by, whether sea lions or dolphins, like a circus cavalcade. And with an excellent selection of charcuterie and seasonal, shareable small plates, the experience of wining and dining at A Taste of Monterey is a feast for all of the senses. BEST MOCKTAILS Lalla Grill 654 Cannery Row, Monterey (831) 324-0891, lallagrill.com/location/ oceanside More people these days are opting for non-alcoholic refreshments. After all, when you are walking a highwire or lining up a trapeze catch, it’s best to be sober. Fortunately, there’s Lalla Grill. They serve the sweet and somewhat gingery Pineapple Mule and the minty and refreshing Nojito, as well as the classic semi-sweet Arnold Palmer and tropical virgin Piña Colada. They have booze-free options for all, and they are as beautiful as they are delicious. BEST BLOODY MARY Sandbar & Grill Wharf 2, Monterey (831) 373-2818 Legendary tightrope walker Charles Blondin was known as “The Great Blondin” for his daredevil highwire feats. He balanced draped in chains. He crossed over Niagara Falls pushing a wheelbarrow. It is even said that he hefted a stove, cooking an omelet as he navigated the line. Modern bartenders are the Charles Blondins of our day, at least when it comes to Bloody Marys. They crowd them with taquitos, sausages, coconut shrimp, tamales and all manner of vegetables, pushing the balancing act between cocktail and brunch meal to the limit—except at Sandbar & Grill, where celery and a couple of olives are enough. The simplicity allows guests to gasp at the housemade mix. So appreciative are they of the deft balance, Sandbar goes through five quarts of the mix in just four hours on Sundays. BEST MARGARITA Baja Cantina 7166 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel (831) 625-2252, bajacantina.com Sometimes the end of the day just demands a visit from the Margarita fairy. Hell, sometimes it’s the middle of the day that demands it. You need a vacation but you’ll settle for feeling like you’re on one. With flavors like prickly pear and watermelon, all that’s missing is a beach towel and cabana boy. Take it up a notch with the High Class Margarita or the Ultimate Margarita with a float of orange liqueur. If you’re feeling especially spicy because Glen in accounting asked you why your client lunch budget was so high this month, go for the Jalapeño Cucumber Margarita. Drink one of each and you’ll be saying “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” 34 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof ’26 Best local white wine Bernardus Griva Sauvignon Blanc Tasting Room Hours 11am - 5pm daily | 5 West Carmel Valley Road 831.298.8021 | www.bernardus.com “Life is too beautiful to drink ordinary wines” Founder Bernardus Winery, Ben Pon ’26 ’12 ’13 ’15 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25
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