BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2014
By Anonymous | |
Proquest LLC |
AROUND TOWN 23
ARTS. ENTERTAINMENT G NIGHTLIFE 40
RESTAORANTS 52
SPECIALTY FOODS 56
SHOPPING G SERVICES 60
EDITORS' PICKS 93
Each year we invite submissions for categories we can add. This year the most popular suggestions were Best Wealth Manager and Best Dog Groomer.
AROUND TOWN
"Selfie" famously earned its place as a word in the dictionary in 2013, and Word of the Year from Oxford along with it. Around Town honors dozens of places that were epic in the year gone by, but have also been practicing their definition of excellence for a lot longer than a few months.
BEST ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE
When the Great Depression brought America to its knees, we stood up and built, creating the iconic structures that would redefine our landscapes, our image of ourselves-the
BEST PLACE TO WALK THE DOG BEST BEACH
CanmlBMdi
Whiskey the Dog was always the coolest guy in the room-unless you pulled a tennis ball out of your pocket. Then he'd lose it. Whiskey would also lose it if his owners drove toward
BEST CLERGY
Dr.
(831) 372-1942
The words above the lectern in the sanctuary of this Science of Mind church read "God is Love." According to
BEST CONTEMPORARY/ MODERN BUILDING
Tanlmura A Anti*
100 Campus Center,
(831) 582-3733, http://library.csumb.edu
When the university opened in 1995, there was a library...of sorts. It was a set of old former munitions storage buildings that had been put together, a remnant of CSUMB's
BEST EVENT/FESTIVAL
The day before 10-time Grammy Award-winning, vocal gymnast
BEST FARMERS MARKET
(831) 655-2607
www.oldmonterey.org/farmers.html
With farmers markets all over
BEST GREEN/
Anything But Plastic
For those of you unfamiliar with the 1970s television commercial: An ostensibly Native American actor named Iron Eyes Cody (he was actually an ItalianAmerican) cried a famous tear that successfully awakened us into reducing litter by 88 percent with the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign. You'd think that emotional reaction would have a longer impact on us. It didn't. We continue to litter plastics that kill delicate the life in our gorgeous bay, or break down and ultimately get eaten right back up by us. Alternatives to plastic are out there. Readers vote yes to those.
BEST HANGOUT FOR SENIORS
(831) 624-1588, (831) 620-8717
The four houses making up this senior center and club, founded in 1950, were built with the
BEST HANGOUT FOR TEENS
Del Monte Center
1410 Del Monte Center.
(831) 373-2705, www.shopdelmonte.com
It's no surprise that the Del Monte Center was again chosen as the Best Hangout for Teens. Lets do the math... what do teens like...cheap food, shop- ping, technology and movies. Del Monte Center has 'em all. Food from Pizza My Heart, Chipotle,
BEST HIKING TRAIL
(831) 372-3196, www.mprpd.org
The dogs may have egged their owners on with this vote. Canines give it a "four dog bone" rating because there is a river to play in and they get to be off-leash (albeit under voice/visual control). Other great aspects of a hike in Garland: no fees, open dawn to dusk, feels like wilderness though it is right off
BEST LIBRARY
(831) 646-3932, www.monterey.org/library
For 2012-13, there were 500,000 items borrowed, 335,000 visits to the library or bookmobile, almost 10,000 people attended 224 cultural and informational programs, the help desk fielded 32,000 questions and volunteers gave 3,500 hours. "Over 800 people attended the multicultural Winter Celebration in one day," Burton says. "It was a busy day." But it was just another day in the life of the first library founded (in 1849) in
BEST LOCAL BLOG
Big Sur Kate
She lives, as she states, "on top of a mountain" the raw and bucolic south coast of
BEST LOCAL DO-GOODER
Boys ft
(831) 394-5171
(831) 757-4412
"*Our mission is to inspire and empower the youth of
BEST LOCAL PLACE TO WORK
(831) 624-5311, www.chomp.org
Say that you toil at
BEST POLITICIAN
U.8. Rep.
(831) 424-2229, www.farr.house.gov
Other local pols have publicly (and huffily) commented, "I'm not even going to TRY to win this year because Sam always takes it." And Sam does always take it-he takes his sensibilities about the environment, veterans, economic development and the poor all the way to
BEST PARK
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
(831) 624-4909, www.pointlobos.org
Criss-crossed with miles of trails, Point Lobos' landscape ranges from coastal scrub, cypress and
BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS BEST LOCAL WEBSITE
(831) 648-4800
The Aquarium has earned its nonnegotiable must-see status with eyepopping special exhibits (coming
BEST PLACE TO BIKE/ MOUNTAIN BIKE
(831) 394-8314, www.blm.gov
Eighty-three miles of trails set the stage for a biker's wild romp across everchanging terrain: golden grasslands, sticky monkey kingdoms, oak savannahs. It's a choose-your-own-adventure: pro or amateur, paved or dirt, hilly or flat.
BEST PLACE TO DRINK NEXT TO A CELEBRITY
(831) 624-6436
Well, let's just start with the owner, world's most eligible octogenarian and mega-celebrity
BEST PLACE TO EAVESDROP
Post Office
Various locations throughout
Some may think that a coffee shop or diner might be a better-suited choice for the category, but consider this: Everyone trusts their postal worker. After all, they handle some of our most precious cargo. When you trust someone, you tend to spill the beans to them. When you're waiting in line to buy stamps, drop a package off or pick up the vacation mail, chatter happens.
BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED
Oh, Point of Lovers, how I love thee. Let me count the ways. For your lawns and your rocks and your sands. For your volleyball court. For your picnic tables and barbecue racks. For your peninsular outcropping and insular Puritan history. (Lovers is short for Lovers of Jesus, BTW.) For your kelp. For your new
For your state marine reserve pristinity. In other words,
BEST PROFESSOR
(831) 646-4000, www.mpc.edu
BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links
(831) 648-5775, www.pggolflinks.com
From the Spanish moss-laden forest section to the wind-swept coastal final nine, there are more than 18 reasons these links get a write-up in this slot annually. It could be the ridiculously low price for a round; it might be the arrival of local culinary creative
BEST RADIO DJ/BEST RADIO STATION
102.1 FM, 1410 AM, www.krml.com
In the beginning, the
BEST PLACE TO READ THE WEEKLY
Anywtwre!
Behold the power of "all of the above." As in everywhere. Anywhere. Like the beach. The bocee ball court. The ball game. The bayside cafe. The cafeteria. The catwalk. The caboose. The catamaran. The cardroom. The doctor's office. The dentist's chair. The dive shop. The darkroom (with a head lamp). The dam... everywhere, anywhere, including the xylophone shop and the zoo. Each place works, whether via the web, mobile device or in print.
BEST PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN
Pebble B«acfi
Whether it's the
BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET
The Bench
1700
(800) 654-9300
There is an actual bench at The Bench, near the green on the I8th hole of the iconic
BEST SURF SPOT
Montmy State Baach
(831) 624 3407, www.parks.ca.gov
Surfers are a unique bunch. Rather than sharing their favorite surf breaks with others, they like to tell you about other spots so their own waves don't become crowded. I have a feeling that the locals of
BEST TV ANCHOR
BEST TV NEWS
Dan Oraan, KSBW
(831) 758-8888, www.ksbw.com
It's hard to compete with the likes of
BEST VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION
(831) 422-4721, www.spcamc.org
This is not just about snuggling with abandoned and injured kittens and puppies in need of a little TLC.
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
The selfie has its classic styles: the overhead ducklips-and-cleavage shot, the Gumby elbow shot in paradise, the flex-in-mirror pose. The best selfies take those conventions and make them their own with character and style. These spots do something similar, taking classic elements of creative work, fun times and social experience and giving them just the right punch of personality to make them inspiringly unique.
BEST
Carm«l
(831) 624-6176
Founded in 1927, the
BEST BAR FOR DARTS BEST PUB
(831) 658-0686
Seven plasma TVs are often airing the
BEST BAR FOR FOLKS OVER 50
(831) 624-6436
We're trying to figure out why the
BEST BARTENDER
NW corner of Sixth and Mission, Carmel (831) 624-6562, www.grasings.com
BEST BLOODY MARY
(831) 667-2700, www.bigsurriverinn.com
Hungover? Need the hair of the dog?
BEST CLUB DJ
DJ Hanlf Wondlr
(831) 320-8745, www.hanifwondir.com
Hanif Wondir isn't one of those Top 40 button-pushers whose catalog barely scratches the early '90s; he's the official DJ of
BEST CLUB FOR BLUES BEST CLUB FOR ROCK BEST PLACE FOR DANCING
Sty McF!y*s
700-A Cannery Row,
(831) 649-8050, www.slymcflys.net
If you're willing to pay, the bands will play. According to Sly's owner
BEST CLUB FOR JAZZ
Clbo Ristorant« Italiano .
(831) 649-8151, www.cibo.com
Working at
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
3720 The Barnyard, Carmel (831) 620-0844
(831) 626-8784
319 Mid Valley Center, Carmel
(831) 622-0787
(831) 920-1663
(831) 373-5601
They emphasize organic coffee and roast all their own beans in mid-
BEST DRINK WITH A VIEW
(831) 372-2628
"46 Reasons to Win" is a fresh take on a classic Manhattan-style martini created by shaking Makers 46 bourbon, ginger Stirrings (a natural ginger liqueur), handsqueezed lemon juice, a hint of maple syrup and ginger beer served up with a Luxardo maraschino cherry. It is one of the many reasons why
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Hula's Island GHII
(831) 655-4852, www.hulastiki.com
Most happy hours around town follow a similar template: fried food and beer for about a dollar off the usual menu price. Hula's does something different, and it's great. They offer truly tasty stuff (Hawaiian ceviche, crispy coconut shrimp rolls, their always terrific basket of sweet potato fries) and some potent, well-made cocktails (Mai Tais, Dark and Stormys) for just
BEST ICE CUBE BEST LATE-NIGHT HANGOUT
Restaurant 1833
(831) 643-1833, www.restaurantl833.com
Maybe it's the ice cubes so dope
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
(831) 655-0424
Sculptor
BEST LOCAL BAND
Fridays at Sly McFly's
(858) 752-3590, www.moneyband.org
From superstar Adele's explosive compositions to the vibrations of
BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN
Casey Frazter
(831) 238-5555, http://caseyfrazier.net
Twenty-five-year-old
BEST LOCAL THEATER
Pacific Itepartory Thaater
(831) 622-0100, www.PacRep.org
PacRep comprises two theaters. The bigger of the two is the renovated
BEST MARGARITA
Baja Cantina and Orill
(831) 625-2252, www.carmelcantina.com
A margarita can be a quick way to ruin an exceptional shot of tequila, or, worse, lead to a sugar-saturated hangover. Fortunately for us, the tequila gods have smiled upon Baja Cantina, which has swept this category for more than a decade. The operating concept behind each of the margaritas at Baja Cantina is fresh and clean, made possible by a house-made mix that contains no processed sugar and all-organic products, including fresh agave nectar. The Partida Organic Margarita (on the rocks, of course) is a crowd favorite loaded with an invigorating dose of 100-percent blue agave bianco, but margarita mixologists can get creative with BC's list of 200 different tequilas, the largest selection of craft tequilas on the
BEST MARTINI
LALLApalooza
(831) 645-9036, www.lalla-palooza.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Oslo Cinemas
(831) 644-8171, www.OsloCinemas.com
Osio gives downtown
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Crown and Anchor
(831) 649-6496, www.crownandanchor.net
The decor is a lush, saturated British nautical theme that feels awesome to sink into as you walk down the stairs. Expect authentic fare like curried potato wedges, corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips (of course) and bangers and mash, punctuated with daily specials and weekend prime rib. There are vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free options. The gorgeous full bar has 20 international beers on tap, but ordering a gin and tonic will score points for its reference to
BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
SuitMtCMltW
(831) 620-2048, www.sunsetcenter.org
Sunset Center is lucky to have someone like
BEST PHOTO GALLERY
Woston Gallory
(831) 624-4453, www.westongallery.com
Though their namesake family of photographic artists are represented continuously and nobly, they democratically share the marquee with many others. The space is divided into two rooms: The first one can feel cozy and close, the other one open and airy, but both are packed with significant photographic prints from the most important names in fine art photography. The gallery's collections are abetted by a fine selection of art books. And they represent the Golden State in big photography exhibitions and symposiums in
BEST PLACE FOR ADULT NOVELTIES
OohULa
(831) 375-6969, www.oohlalamonterey.com
Good Old Days is fine and dandy, but America's last hometown is also home to some good old nights-thanks to the addition of their first adult, sex-positive novelty shop. The friendly proprietors are quick to offer helpful hints and suggestions for the perfect gizmos, lotions and whatnot to lube up your love life (or your self-love life, as the case may be). From the tame to the more adventurous (it's a neck massage, I swear), they'll help you find the right item for your purchasing pleasure. Or so we've heard.
BEST PLACE FOR KARAOKE Britannia Arms
www.britanniaarmsofmonterey.com Don't stop beliieeeevinL.that the
can bring in your own tune to rock out to. So what're you waiting for? Grab the mic and hit those high notes. But in music, as in life, it isn't about where your voice is going. It's about the Journey.
BEST SPOT TO SHOOT POOL
Blu* Fin Cafe A Billiards
(831) 717-4280, www.bluefinbilliards.com
If the block of
BEST SELECTION OF BEERS
(831) 643-2722
www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com Despite the allusion embedded within its name, CRBC does not actually brew any of its own beer. And while it's not a brewery, it is nothing shy of a brew emporium, offering 73 assorted beers on tap (a draft selection that's touted as the largest in
BEST SELECTION OF WINES BY THE GLASS
A Tasto of Montoroy Win# Markot A Bistro
(831) 646-5446, www.atasteofmonterey.com
Just the vast and locally dedicated selection of Arroyo Seco Chards and Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots and
BEST SINGLES BAR
Th# Mucky Duck
(831) 655-3031
"Oh hai." "Hi." "You like draft beer? Me too." "Yes, the selection here is superb." "How did you know that trivia answer about
BEST SPORTS BAR T
KnuddM Sports Bar
(831) 372-1234, www.hyatt.com
Built-in beer taps and boar ribs on the plate, serenaded by the sounds of your favorite play-by-play announcer blasting through the table? Yeah, they got that, and then some. For more than 10 years, Knuckles has been the place to be when the competition is fierce and the need for exceptional edibles isn't expendable. With 24 flatscreen HD sets there isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether you're solo, sidled up to the bar shooting the shizer with the friendly 'tenders, or in a group of rowdy fans looking to catch all the action, Knuckles hits the spot with a wide variety of beers and hard-to-beat vittles. If you're looking for a quiet night out, take your night elsewhere.
f BEST TASTING ROOM
_
(831) 659-3500
(831) 675-0492
Forget about wine for a moment, and think about some of the best spots around town to take a selfie: Sunset viewpoints might come to mind, but there is some equally impressive scenery inside Talbott's newest tasting room in
BEST WINERY TO VISIT
Hahn Wintry
(831) 678-4555, www.hahnestates.com
The eyes start on the vineyards and then jump west to the
RESTAURANTS
One of the most impressive pictures on the Selfie Olympics feed online-where heroic people do absurd self-portraits balancing on gumball machines and doing handstands on countertops-is of a guy playing chess on his lap while hanging from the top of the bathroom door all while taking a picture. That's about the equivalent demand of running a restaurant, Jet alone a new one, or a bustling one, or one that can seat 250, six or seven days a week.
BEST APPETIZERS/ SMALL PLATES
Mundaka
(831) 624-7400, www.mundakacarmel.com
This year Carmel's popular Spanish tapas restaurant celebrates its fifth anniversary, and five years as a; readers' favorite. The upcycled decor, live music, impressive wine list and steady expansions-owner
BEST BREAKFAST
First Awakenings
(831) 372-1125
www.fi rstawa ken i ngs. net
Thick slices of cinnamon french toast, fluffy frittatas, eggs Benedict done classic or Florentine-style, and pancakes so big you'll probably need a to-go box are just a sampling of the breakfast menu at First Awakenings. They're also a testament to why this local breakfast institution has won this category for nearly a decade. First Awakening's hearty omelets are available in all the standard styles, plus a few original takes, like the Acapulco Express: a spicy chorizo, avocado, green chili and onion composition enrobed in melted cheese, sour cream and chives. Other egg creations include the nifty "crêpeggs" which combines crêpe batter with eggs to deliver a thin, crisp and fluffy treat stuffed with fresh ingredients. Expect a wait weekend mornings, but know that it's for a breakfast that will go down in the books as the best. Free coffee while you wait, too.
BEST BRUNCH
(831) 643-1060, www.redhousecafe.com
Crab Cake Benedict, baby. Cinnamon brioche French toast, toots. Smoked salmon on potato pancake with dill, crème fraîche and capers, Ke-mo sah-bee. Frittata with artichoke hearts, spinach and roasted red peppers, peeps. Trifle with berries, vanilla yogurt and housemade granola, governor. Chorizo and eggs, amigo. Saturday and Sunday-8am2:30pm-can't come soon enough.
BEST CHEAP EATS
Noodle Bar
(831) 384-6225
(831) 392-0210
Pho real, it is worth a trip to the affordable Noodle Bar for a true Vietnamese dining experience. The food is simple but never boring, colorful and aromatic, spicier or sweeter and always delicious. You'll find appetizers like spring rolls (four for
BEST CHEF
Cal Stamanov, Bamardus Lodga
(831) 658-3400, www.bernarduslodge.com/ marinus-restaurant.aspx
He believes in the connection of food to the land, that handcrafted and artisanal beats out mass produced or frozen any day of the week and that food is at its best when it's at its peak.
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
Tommy's Wok
and
(831) 624-8518
In
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT
Black Baar Dinar
Whether it's in
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Bistro Moulin
(831) 333-1200, www.bistromoulin.com
If you are gearing up for a trip to
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Ambrosia India Bistro
(831) 641-0610, www.ambrosiaib.com
The chefs at Ambrosia create a flavorful fusion of the classic continental cuisine found in Indian restaurants across the country (dishes like saag paneer, chana masala, and chicken tikka masala, to name a few), and they execute these dishes well, but they also make use of our coastal locale, fusing coastal and south Indian cooking techniques to deliver a selection of fish and seafood curries. Southern specialties like Goan fish curry and
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
II vsccMo
(831) 324-4282
11 vecchio takes old-school Tuscan trattoria casual charm and combines it with the sensibilities of the modem food movement and one hell-of-a-wine list to create the best Italian dining experience in
BEST JAPANESE/ SUSHI RESTAURANT
(831) 649-3474, www.crystalfishsushi.com
Ponder, if you will, the takoyaki roll: a warm, ricey tentacle of octopus, avo and crab topped with baked bonito, otafuku sauce and tempura crunchies. It's different from your standard American sushi fare, which leans so heavily on shrimp, salmon and tuna.
BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
Orlont Bxprsss
(831) 394-9494
The exterior of Orient Express isn't photogenic. The pink comer restaurant is part of a strip mall that neighbors a busy gas station. But it's not the aesthetics or architecture of the building that keep people coming back, raving and sharing the experience; it's the food that comes out of the kitchen. Big, heavy, hot iron pots filled to the brim with bubbling soups; box lunches anchored by sweet or spicy meats but balanced with white rice, salad and fried tempura; glistening glass noodles chock full of bright vegetables; crispy and chewy savory oyster or kimchi pancakes; black sheets of seaweed wrapped firmly around rice and a rainbow of condiments. And that's not even mentioning the seven to 10 little dishes ofbanchan accompaniment-marinated soy beans, radish kimchi, root vegetable, sweet black bean and others-that adds multitudes of dimension to the meal. The beauty of this place is where it belongsin the food.
BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
Damotra Cafa
Southeast corner of
(831) 622-7766, www.dametracafe.com
It's a Mediterranean mashup of upbeat oud and satisfying food that treat Dametra's diners to a truly unique dining experience. No, seriously, this Carmel gem recently ranked sixth in a national poll of Yelp-reviewed restaurants, thanks in part to authentic plates like the
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
(831) 373-6892
Of all the delicious Latin-infused eateries in the area, one might not expect the best of the best to be this cozy comer spot in sleepy P.G. Precisely why you don't judge a cantina by the paint job. The ever-crowded dining room is the first hint there's something good going on. But, any skepticism melts like pepper jack cheese atop a wet burrito after a taste of the local fried calamari platter with cilantro tartar sauce, or the super-spicy prawns
BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT
Amir's Grill A Bar
(831) 642-0231
Formerly Amir's Kabob House, chef and owner
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Btach House at
(831) 375-2345, www.beacbhousepg.com
The field in this category came more loaded than any in the 20-plus years there's been a Best of Monterey County Readers' Vote. Which means the Beach House is loaded with so many qualities it somehow swallowed the huge hype that preceded its much-delayed opening and spit it into Lovers Point Cove: nice values, a versatile menu, clever and fresh firecracker shrimp and bacon-wrapped meatloaf flavors, early bird bargains, locals love, super-friendly service, one-ofa-kind views, expert bartenders and two gorgeous young chefs making sweet harmony behind the kitchen doors.
BEST OUTDOOR DINING BEST RESTAURANT -
(831) 667-2345, www.nepenthebigsur.com
To dine outdoors in fresh and open air is divine. To spend a day in
An international and local crowd would say with conviction they've been sent to the clouds with a view of
BEST PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH
Tarpy1! Roadhouse
(831) 647-1444, www.tarpys.com
More business deals than anyone can count have been struck over a few glasses of wine and a nice flame-grilled cut of Black Angus steak. Over at Tarpy's Roadhouse, a lunchtime menu of grade-A cuts of meat and fish, a veritable garden of salads, and more sandwiches and pastas than days in the week ensure a something-to-please-everyone selection of noontime noshes perfect for sealing the deal. Whether you're meeting a client oneon-one or entertaining a group, the nine dining areas at Tarpy's offer any necessary combination of space or intimacy, and with the help of a wine list about as deep as
BEST RESTAURANT IN A SHOPPING CENTER (TIE)
(831) 625-5436, www.riogrill.com
Sure you can enjoy their wildly popular half-smoked chicken served with red potatoes and baby artichokes sauteed in chipotle butter, but if you haven't gone lately you've got to check out Chef
1200 Del Monte Center,
(831) 375-0143, www.pfchangs.com
Why did
BEST RESTAURANT -
Passionfish
(831) 655-3311, www.passionfish.net
When a James Beard Awardnominated restaurant and a host of hallowed local dining destinations are your competition, you can't take shortcuts on the path to being named Best Restaurant in
BEST RESTAURANT -
Roy's
2700 17-
(831) 647-7423, www.pebblebeach.com/ dining/the-inn-at-spanish-bay/roys-atpebble-beach
These multicultural flavors-think East meets West-were bom in
BEST RESTAURANT MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD BEST WINE LIST
Tho
(831) 373-3775, www.sardinefactory.com
How about Best Restaurant More Than 44 years old. When
BEST RESTAURANT - CARMEL
Casanova
(831) 625-0501
It's tempting to photograph your food (and yourself) in this beautifully decorated, definitively European-feeling restaurant, but it's just as easy to forget about technological distractions like your smartphone and go back in time. This is an authentic, old-timey French bistro with an elegant (and evolving) menu. It makes a meal into what we all long for: simple, with an emphasis on good hearty food, good wine, good conversation and a comfortable space with excellent service-no amount of selfies could quite capture the all-encompassing sensory experience. The Mediterranean-accented French menu envisioned by the Belgian family that owns the restaurant is executed finely by Exec Chef
BEST RESTAURANT -
(831) 659-4444
At this valley destination you can bring your family dog to accompany you on the pet-friendly patio while you enjoy a little sunshine and a delectable lunch. Thincrusted, wood-fired pizzas are quite the rave here, especially the Flammekueche (an Alsatian family favorite), with prosciutto, onions, fresh thyme and crème fraîche. Or go for the bolder Lorraine, covered with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, maple-smoked bacon and Italian parsley. For dinner you might be surprised to find Hungarian paprika-beef goulash, a stew served atop egg noodles, crème fraîche and roasted red peppers. But you shouldn't be surprised they've been named Best Of before, many times over.
BEST RESTAURANT -
(831) 883-9479, www.kula-ranch.com
Kula Ranch strikes just the right balance between a familiar island-themed restaurant and a local joint with mom in the kitchen putting together a pupu platter. Sure, you can get a fruity, adult beverage garnished with hunks of fruit and a tiny umbrella, but this place has the resources to pull off an expansive and multicultural dinner menu featuring Polynesian/
BEST RESTAURANT -
Restaurant 1833
(831) 643-1833, www.restaurantl833.com
They came to change the game. And the Coastal Luxury Management team behind 1833 has. No other spot in
BEST RESTAURANT -
Phil's Fish Markst
(831) 633-2152, www.philsfishmarket.com
Try going there on a holiday. It's something of a dare, and for many throughout the region, it's something of a tradition. The lines wrapping around the parking lot during Christmas attest to that. Part restaurant, part fish market, Phil's is a
BEST RESTAURANT -
Gino's Fins Italian Food
(831) 422-1814, www.ginospasta.com
The food here is flat-out crave worthy. From a blackened-chicken fettuccine in a thick, creamy Alfredo sauce to a manicotti featuring homemade crepes and deliciously, deeply crimson sauce, Gino's really does have something for everyone. The tender calamari strips are some of the best in the county, the meatballs are juicy and ingredients are handled with a deft touch that belie Gino's reputation as a red-sauce joint. If the line at the reservation desk or the jam-packed parking lot seem overwhelming, pick up the phone and order a family meal to go. (Or if you have a crowd to feed, order a few party trays.) The choices are almost overwhelming, but just almost.
BEST RESTAURANT -
SwMt Ilona's
(831) 393-2063, www.sweetelenas.net
Bring on a breath of freshly-baked, French-inspired air hiding quietly amid the warehouses of
BEST RESTAURANT -
Fishwife
(831) 394-2027, www.fishwife.com
Some swear they could live off the lobster bisque or clam chowder and supremely satisfying garlic bread that comes with it. One former Weekly editor would get crazy eyes when articulating the many virtues of the green cashew dressing-best ever, she said. The Weekly's publisher would have a mild, limérick-spewing meltdown if he couldn't hold business lunches there. But the rest of us, we just can't picture
BEST RESTAURANT - V
The Windmill
(831) 678-1775
www.soledadwindmiHrestaurant.com
This is no
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
(831) 622-5445, www.pacificsedge.com
A restaurant does not have to be small to create an intimate atmosphere. With Pacific's Edge's uncrowded newly remodeled interior, Chef
BEST RESTAURANT FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION
Aubsrgliw at L'Auberge
(831) 624-8578, www.auberginecarmel.com
Each plate here is a special occasion, what with the abalone raised in a tank in the kitchen and Miyazaki beef so carefully raised it comes with a birth certificate. In the hands of
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Monterey Fish House
<location>2114 Del Monte Ave.,
(831) 373-4647
Mahi-mahi, dungeness crab and artichoke seafood pasta are current specials that will make your flippers curl. But on any given day you can enjoy their beloved ginormous barbecued oysters, signature creamy crab cakes, shrimp spinach salad with a honey sesame vinaigrette, cioppino and the decadent bananas Foster which is a fiery tableside show. You may know that Chef/Owner
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Whaling Station
(831) 373-3778
www.whalingstationmonterey.net
r
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Thal Bistre II
(831) 372-8700, www.thaibistropg.com
According to the
BEST VEGETARIAN MENU
Tllll« Gort1»
(831) 373-0335, www.tiliiegortscafe.com
Who needs meat loaf when you can have a "no meat loaf"? Think about this satisfying and healthy combo: eggs, bread crumbs, yogurt, cheese, veggies, almonds herbs and spices, topped with a healthy dose of marinara. For the MoCo vegetarian crowd,
BEST TAQUERIA
197 Country Club Gate Center,
(831) 647-8654
(831) 884-2568
www.michaelsgriliandtaqueria.com
We're not sure who Michael's mama is, but she must know a few things about a proper meal, because customers don't get served anything that doesn't meet her standards. Or at least that's what Michael's slogan-"If it ain't good enough for
BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Chopttlx
(831) 899-2622
(831) 372-2622
The best way to approach a meal at Chopstix is to start small and heavy (popcorn chicken, fish balls, or calamari) and roll from there (spring, summer or egg). Then the choosing gets tough. The wide assortment of noodle soups are ever-popular and superbly satisfying, but the other entree options are hard to resist and showcase the full range of Vietnamese flavors and style. There's dry noodle dishes like BBQ pork and shrimp, lemongrass chicken or beef, and the always succulent char-grilled meatballs. And there are the rice plates, where the proteins get star, sticky sauce treatment: You can't go wrong with the shaken beef, chicken wings (lemongrass or mandarin), or barbecue (chicken or pork chops). Another thing you can't do: leave hungry. It's not possible.
BEST WAITRESS
Jackl« Trtjo
(831) 626-2599
When the managers at
SPECIAL FOODS
Selfies have become an indulgence of sorts, a guilty pleasure people take a lot more of than they're likely to admit. So it goes with many of the entries here-pizza, cupcakes, food on a stick. There are other similarities: Both selfies and specialty foods go well with friends. Both preferred selfie style and preferred specialty foods can tell a lot about an individual's identity. Both ourselves and specialty foods are among the top few things photographed in the world, period. Bonus: specialty foods go great in selfies.
BEST BAGEL
(831) 625-5180
(831) 649-6272
110 Northridge Mail,
(831) 449-1110
(831) 392-1581
If you can't find a bagel here to match your appetite, maybe it's time for a new appetite. We're talking breakfast bagel sandwiches with egg, jalapeño, cheddar and avocado; pesto-cheese bagels; chocolate fudge bagels with peanut butter; oat bran raisin with jam; super seed bagels with bacon, turkey, salami, hummus and sprouts; whole wheat bagels with herb cream cheese, capers, tomato and lox. These zeros turn you into a hero. These delicious O's give you the "O face." These holes give you holy-yum caloric fun. Bagel up, baby.
BEST BAKERY
(831) 646-1620
(831) 394-7798
Even if you're on a diet, you can still snap a selfie with the impressive pastry counter and make it look like you've been to
BEST BARBECUE
Henry*« BBQ
(831) 646-6999, www.henrysfamousbbq.com
The folks over at Henry's have been smokin' up some of the tastiest b-to-theb-to-the-q in town for nearly a decade. A plate of Hawaiian-style pulled pork dripping in its own smokey broth goes great with a heaping side order of potato salad and a basket of crispy fries. Other winners include a dry-rubbed sirloin slow roasted over oakwood and mesquite until fall-apart tender, and pork spare ribs-sold by the full, half and one-third of a rack-made all the more delectable by Henry's homemade sauce. Combo plates are available for the indecisive, including a meaty four-item smorgasbord for just
BEST BURGER BEST MILKSHAKE
r.g. Burger«
201
(831) 626-8054
(831) 372-4930
You have a choice of flame-broiled beef, chicken, turkey or even falafel. You have a smorgasbord of condiments: r.g. sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion and 5PEQMTY FOODS. continued on page 68 pickle. You have the mushroom-cheddar and the guacamole-Swiss and the blackand-bleu or the barbecue sauce-onion ring Western and the pastrami and the Cajun-spiced Firehouse with pepper jack and jalapeftos. You have the hickory bacon and the patty melt and the Hawaiian. You have the Bernaise and the Mediterranean and the Ortega. You have real ice cream milkshakes, more than 20 ail told, including chocolate peanut butter, orange freeze and root beer. You have to take a long and sumptuous nap.
BEST CHICKEN WINGS Buffalo Wild Wings
(831) 394-4483
(831) 449-2863
Yeah America! The Founders of BWW, unlike the Founders of America, consider the fried chicken wing to be "the greatest invention of all time," even if
BEST BURRITO
Chlpotle
(831) 899-1096
500 Del Monte Center,
(831) 641-9353
This place eats wimpy burritos for breakfast. Chipotle's burritos are so weighty, you could buy two, use them for training exercises, then eat them and not feel guilty about it. Their chicken, steak, and pork are never treated with antibiotips or hormones and their veggies are sourced locally, which makes scarfing this burrito on the agriculturally rich
BEST BUTCHER SHOP
Grove Market
(831) 375-9581, www.grovemarketpg.com
A man once asked a Grove Market butcher for exactly two slices of thickcut European bacon and was met with a logical reply: "You gotta have more than two slices of this bacon." Indeed, you do. Unless you are saving room in the shopping basket for the other bundles of blissfiil butchery that Grove Market will wrap up for you-sirloin and tri-tip steak, stuffed pork chops, ground beef and turkey, rack of lamb, chickens and kabobs. Any of it can be cut to order, and the guys and gals behind the counter know their meat well enough to answer any cooking questions that arise. As an added bonus, this butcher shop is located in the best neighborhood market in the county according to Weekly readers, so once that pound of pork shoulder is all wrapped up, head over to the Grove Market's lush produce section for the fresh ingredients needed to make that pig squeal with flavor.
BEST CAKES
Layer's Sensational Cakes
(831) 655-1544, www.layerscake.com
If you grew up with Sicilian neighbors then you know that Christmas time meant a basket of cookies. Not just any cookie, but a Sicilian, fig-stuffed cookie traditionally made with dates, a hint of orange zest, spices and nuts. It's then coated with a simple, almost iridescently white frosting and colorful sprinkles. If you miss them like Í do, you are in luck, as Layer's carries them year round. They offer numerous baked goods perfect to grab with a hot cup of joe, but their crowd-pleasing cakes are what makes them stand out. From their signature cakes with a sweeping bow and or gran- diose flower, you can choose from more than a dozen different styles-including the cookie cake, where you have your favorite cookies "tucked between chocolate layers and fresh whip cream." Or order a custom cake, where the possibilities are endless: a golf ball, a pig roast or pet's face may be a challenge to some. For them, it's a piece of cake.
BEST CALAMARI BEST CLAM CHOWDER
Old FtehMinait's Grotto
39
(831) 375-4604
When it comes to selfies, complicated doesn't always mean best. Sometimes simplicity is the winning ticket, and it's the same with many long-time family recipes at Old Fisherman's Grotto, including their signature clam chowder and crispy calamari. These two food items are defining elements of
BEST CAPPUCCINO/LATTE
Camt*l
3720 The Barnyard, Carmel (831) 620-0844
246 Crossroads B)vd., Carmel
(831) 626-8784
319 Mid Valley Center, Carmel
(831) 622-0787
(831) 920-1663
(831) 373-5601
With five locations in
BEST CATERING COMPANY
(831) 657-9790, www.aquaterraculinary.com
Sometimes the Best of
BEST CHEESE SELECTION
Th« Ch**M Shop
625-2272, www.cheeseshopinc.com
"We are about education here," cheesemaster
BEST CUP OF COFFEE
485-
393-9113, www.acmecoffeeroasting.com
For some, a cup of coffee is a simple, thoughtless task imbibed in the morning to wake up, but Acme Coffee in
BEST CUPCAKE
Mrs. Dsllsh's
(831) 612-1884, www.mrsdellshs.com
Oh Mrs. Delish, you make us crazy. Your light and fluffy little cakes, your sweet loft of frosting and adorable decorations, your wide array of flavors with names like "Hippy Tie-Dye" and "Fluffernutter." And your environmentally friendly packaging options (unbleached fiber made from a com product) is sheer genius. Your list of "cupcake occasions" is also charming, but discerning cupcake fans around the county know, you don't need a special occasion for a sweet little treat from Mrs. Delish. (Hey wait...is that coconut/coconut I spy in the case?)
BEST DELI SANDWICH
Compagno*« Market A Ddl
(831) 375-5987, www.compagnos.com
Owner-operator and sandwich creator extraordinaire
BEST DESSERTS
Ro«Im,i Restaurant
(831) 375-1400, www.rosinesmonterey.com
Hearty sandwiches, homemade soups and finger-licking-good pies are the norm here at this family restaurant which excels in comfort food. However, their unusually large cakes have been stealing the show for nearly two decades with countless awards. If you are a lemming, order the six-layer German chocolate cake. If that's too choco loco and you want to travel the path less traveled, then hit up the three-layer seasonal white cake made with local strawberries. Now for the kicker, Rosine's recently started serving up a two-layer carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting. Doesn't sound remarkable until you find out that it has no gluten. Not an easy task and much appreciated by many.
BEST FISH 'N' CHIPS
(831) 372-0581, www.lbpmonterey.com
BEST FOOD ON A STICK
(831) 372-5863
www.montereycou ntyf a ir.com
Before humans tried to get all civilized and started eating with forks and knives, or in some places, with sticks, we ate food on sticks. Goat legs, squirrels, yams, whatever we could get our hands on, we'd put it on a stick, hold it over a fire and, boom, food on a stick. It's a simple, primal pleasure, and the
BEST ICE CREAM/ FROZEN YOGURT
MYO ProiM Yogurt
(831) 375-3769
If it wasn't the idea of a healthy dessert that got you pumped for yogurt this year, it must have been the chocolatecovered marshmallows, dark chocolate raspberry cups or caramel sauce. Because knowing something is kinda good for you leaves so much room to be bad. Most options are naturally gluten-free and MYO keeps things fresh by switching up flavors like pink lemonade, maple bacon donut and angel food cake every few weeks. plus, they always have at least one dairy-free and sugarfree option available so just about everyone can enjoy.
BEST JUICE/SMOOTHIES
Jamba Jute«
Inside
(831) 655-9696
2160-
(831) 583-9696
1552-A N. Main St..
With locations scattered throughout the county, some even tucked into your favorite grocery store, you're never too far away from a cool, 100-percent fruit juice-infused treat. Enjoy their classic blends like the Banana Berry or Mangoa-Go-Go or get even more healthy with vegetable infused offerings like the Apple 'n Greens or Berry upBEET. Take the health benefits to the next level with a boost of soy protein after a hard workout or kick your desk job-sapped metabolism into gear with a shot of B vitamins. For those with a more simple take on life, try the fresh-squeezed carrot and orange juices or a blend of both.
BEST LOCAL BEER
Peter B's BruwPub
(831) 649-2699.
www.portolahotel.com/dining/brewpub
The Belly Up Blonde, Inclusion Amber, Stout Resistance,
BEST LOCAL RED WINE
Boekenoogen Pinot Noir
(831) 659-4215
With a score of 90 points for their 2009 estate Pinot Noir from Wine Enthusiast it only makes sense that this family-run
BEST LOCAL WHITE WINE
Bemardus Chardonnay
(831) 223-2533, www.bernardus.com/ winery
BEST PICKLE
(831) 373-4475, www.happygirlkitchen.com
Pickles were bom out of ingenuity and necessity, a way to preserve summer's bounty into the cold, icy months of winter. We ate pickles because we had to. Now, we eat them because we want to, because no other food enlivens the palate like a slightly acidic, delicately spiced pickle. And no one in
BEST PIZZA
Gianni's Pizza
(831) 649-1500
Just check the reviews: "This pizza was phenomenal, with fresh ingredients and a crispy crust"; "the pizza has the best sauce of any pizza place I've tried"; "excellent crispy crust and perfect amount of cheese"; "cooked to perfection and puffy on the edges. It tasted like it was wood fired, even if it was not. They are not afraid to load on the toppings, including the cheese. It was divine! Ooey, gooey and so yummy." Gianni's does specialty pies like the "Big Wheel," a quarter pepperoni, quarter Canadian bacon and pineapple, quarter veggie and quarter cheese. Their gluten-free pizza also scores big.
BEST PLACE TO CHEAT ON YOUR DIET
Lula's Chocolatas
(831) 655-8527, www.lulas.com
Here's how Lula's Chocolates came to be voted Best Place to Cheat on Your Diet. Lula,
BEST SALAD
(831) 649-4771
www.crazyhorserestau ra nt.com
Any time
BEST TAKEOUT FOOD
Whole Foods Marfcot
800 Del Monte Ctr.,
(831) 333-1600, www.wholefoodsmarket. com/stores/monterey
Picture yourself in a happy place, one of abundance, freshness and bounty for the belly. Imagine any food you want, already made and ready-to-go, and all you gotta do is reach out and take it. Salads, soups, meats and cheeses, they're all there waiting. Arancini, crab cakes, roasted artichokes, quinoa tabouleh, they have been prepared for you. Or you can go renegade, build your own salad or sandwich, and you're still out the door in a jiff. It's a foodie's paradise, it's
SHOPPING & SERVICES
BEST ACUPUNCTURIST
Rk VakntkM
(831) 663-0444
www.ricvalentineacupuncture.com
Dr. AshMgh Putnam, ND
Central Coast Wellness
350 Calle Principal,
(831) 601-4147
www.doctorashleigh putna
Dr.
BEST ANTIQUE SHOP
(831) 655-0264
Some stuff doesn't get old, it gets more awesome.
BEST ATTORNEY
J«ann«tt« Witten
490 Calle Principal,
(831) 375-3151
www.hudsonmartinwittenjune.com
They are big ideas: transparency instead of mystery, and being part of a team instead of a consultant to them. This works for Witten and her clients. Witten is a transactional lawyer, meaning she works with companies and small businesses, drafting contracts, negotiating and advising. She also works with individuals interested in estate planning. To all, she is approachable. In November, her firm merged with the
BEST BANK
Various locations
Welcome to the final frontier of banking. Since 1852,
BEST BIKE STORE
3600 The Barnyard, Carmel
(831) 655-2453, www.baybikes.com
A chillaxing gang of tourists taking selfies atop a surrey on the
BEST BOOKSTORE - NEW
Pilgrim's
"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."
BEST BOOKSTORE - USED
Bookbuyers
(831) 375-4208, www.bookbuyers.com
Put away your back-lit reading device. This a bookworm's treasure-hunting paradise, featuring an ever-rotating collection of literary gems, including plenty of classics-there's always a well-stocked Steinbeck section, including collector's editions that make great gifts-and the kinds of books you never would encounter in the world of search-term-driven f shopping. Bookbuyers invites browsing, an art in and of itself, and a luxury. If you've lost interest in whatever's collecting dust at home, bring it in; trade prices are especially fair.
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP - USED
(831) 648-9500, www.stahlmotorcars.com
Pre-owned can be a good thing. Especially when it's a cool car like a shiny red
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP - NEW
Victory
(831) 393-3020, www.victorytoyota.com
One afternoon I was out biking, miles from home, enjoying the beautiful day. Until my flat. I don't do flats. I started walking. A number of cars went by me. Until my white knight: a salesperson with a client test driving a Toyota RAV4. My bike and I got a lift home. There is a stereotype when it comes to car salesmen-that they are schemers out to make a buck at any cost. At Victory Toyota, it is all about customer service and taking care of any problem or concern, which in my case, extended to helping someone in need along the road. They went the extra mile in building their new facility too. It opened in
BEST AUTO REPAIR
Tom's Montoroy Auto Ropalr
(831) 372-5854. www.tomsauto.biz
Monterey motor staple have been fixing the clinks, clanks and clacks that drive drivers crazy. The goal is to get you in and get you back on these
BEST
*llstaro
(831) 373-1801
It takes lots of sponges and air fresheners to survive in car-wash land. No one has done it better or longer than
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
Dr.
(831) 657-0191
It's only fitting that this is a back-toback Best Of for ol'
BEST COMPUTER STORE
240 Del Monte Center,
(831) 647-4480
The following was a real conversa- # tion with artificial intelligence. Me: "
BEST DENTIST
Dr. J. Mark Bayhu
(831) 375-9232, www.drbayless.com
A magic show and a movie is not what you'd expect in a dentist's office, but we expect nothing less from longtime local dentist Dr.
BEST DISPENSARY
*thno Botanical
1-877 768-3354, www.potdeli.org
Their buds include
BEST DIVE SHOP
Aquarius Diva Shop
(831) 375-1933, www.aquariusdivers.com
Put simply, these guys get it. When "it" is an ocean the size of the Pacific, with all its curious harbor seals and surreal decorator crabs and sleek leopard sharks, that's no small statement. Come for cert classes, dry suits, dive advice, technical support, tour opportunities, tank refills, scuba stickers, fishing spears, expert conversation. Go away inspired.
BEST DOCTOR
Dr.
(831) 242-0110
The online comments about this internist, based at
BEST DRY CLEANERS
Vapor Suddon Sorvlco Cleaners
(831) 375-5221, www.vaporcleaners.net
Keeping clothes clean while keeping the Earth green is a noble commitment, and Vapor Cleaners has been following through on that mantra for more than a decade, earning a host of accolades for their environmentally conscious service that stamps out stains without leaving a nasty toxic footprint in our backyard. This family-run dry cleaning shop will tackle all of your laundering needs, be it a quick clean of your best suit (same day service if turned in by
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESS
Bco Cannai
(831) 624-1222. www.ecocarmel.com
An impressive diversity of products is packed into this modestly sized space: building supplies, non-VOC paints, flooring, baby clothes, mattresses and more. Owner
BEST ETHNIC MARKET
Ml PimMo Food Center
(831) 751-9713
(831) 233-5929, www.mipueblo.com
Corn tortillas made fresh all day, every day. If you want to spice things up, you can get 'em flavored too, with cactus, chipotle or jalapeño. There's also fresh chips, tamales, and masa to take home and make your own (which also comes in various flavors). The cremería is chock full of enticing cheesy offerings, from panela and cotija to
BEST FLORIST
Swenson and Silacci
www.swensonandsilacciflowers.com
The window displays of Swenson and Silacci-bursting with seasonal colors and lush bouquetsprovide the first hint how they've won this category seven years straight. And while they excel at the single-bouquet scale, it's for big events that you really need an exacting florist who chooses only the healthiest, most vibrant flowers. They account for shape, height, color and aroma to complement wedding decor and attire, so you can pay attention to other things that day-like taking selfies with beautiful arrangements in the background.
BEST FOOT SPA
(831) 655-3132
(831) 375-7878, www.comfootspa.com
It's quite possibly the best deal of any kind anywhere on the
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Mum1« Place
(831) 372-6250, www.mumsfurniture.com</a>
The experienced, knowledgeable staff are eager to give honest opinions and suggestions to make the furniture shopping part of the home decorating adventure pleasant and relaxing. The owners of Mum's, Mr. and Mrs. Terskyan, follow trends in design and fashion and travel all over to stay a step ahead with their inventory selection. They know their clients and visit their houses to offer them design advice and choices they will truly enjoy. Customers want to "live" in their homes, not make them into museums, and the Mum's staff aim to help them do just that. Great service, great value.
BEST GOLF SHOP
(831) 583-1000, www.thegolfmart.com
Indoor distance, swing and putting areas scream legitimacy. A huge selection of the latest and greatest in golf gear means no need to shop around. But all the state-of-the-art golf goodness doesn't mean much if the staff can't help elevate your game to the next level. Good thing these guys get it. Not only does
BEST GOURMET/ KITCHEN SHOP
(831) 393-1042
Eaters, drinkers and cookers: This is the place. The place to grab some of the best snazzy deli food around (the curry chicken salad on raisin bread is the bomb). The place to grab a reasonably priced bottle of vino (although the local microbrews keep the hops a-popping too). And the place to grab that kitchen gadget or set of wine glasses you have to have for your next dinner party. The lines at lunchtime can be a little chaotic, but the congenial and extra helpful staff will get you in and out.
BEST GROCERY STORE
Trailer Joe's
(831) 656-0180, www.traderjoes.com
Whether you're a cuisinier or simply eat to sustain yourself, you best get to know my bro Trader Joe. From frozen pizzas and taquitos for the hungry college student, affordable kid-friendly cereals for busy parents, to a delectable truffle oil and salt which can raise the bar in any home kitchen* they carry the stuff of life, including health-craze coconut oil, great wine bargains and potted orchids.
BEST HARDWARE STORE
Ace Hardware
(831) 646-9144
(831) 372-3284, www.acehardware.com
Has your father-in-law ever been over on a Sunday morning and then started fixing things only to break them? Speaking from experience, both of
expert hardware know-how, but also an intimate knowledge of the local climate and how it may affect your home projects. They'll take no responsibility for your in-laws, however.
BEST HEADSHOP
Nor Cal Smoke Shop
(831) 645-9021
They've been in the county for nine years, recently remodeled to pack in more while keeping their clean bewitching look, and take pride in their deep selection. That includes stuff like water pipes, grinders, papers, tobacco, drug tests, cigars and bowl pieces; stuff we've heard of, like vape pens, scales, ash-catchers, down stems, wraps, steamrollers and extractors. But despite the vast array of products across price ranges, the three new cigar humidors, the 20-plus cases of merchandise, it's their customer service that readers respond to most.
BEST HEALTH CLUB
(831) 646-3730, www.Monterey.org/ sportscenter
It can't be coincidence that the place that sculpted my pecs was voted Best Health Club. The public knows that guns like mine don't just happen unless you hit the happening that is the
f BEST HOTEL
(800) 334-3999, (831) 646-1700
Readers love the Plaza. Let us count the ways: 1. Binoculars in your hotel room to spot seals, sea otters and the glistening moon over the Monterey Bay. 2. Beach access adjacent to the fountain plaza and terrace. 3. Rooftop fireplace and oceanview Jacuzzi, hot-stone couples' massage, oxygen-infused facial, or the live, jazzpiano melody including the crackle from the flames and ocean waves. 4. Surprise gifts like chocolate-covered strawberries, possibly a free breakfast, or discounts to a romantic dinner at the
BEST INTERNET PROVIDER
Comcast
Various locations
Zing! Pow! Zap! That's the sound of Comcast zooming back to top pick for fast-acting, butt-kicking Internet. The company pairs good deals with quick service, and with its strong ties to media giants like
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Pejmani of
(831) 300-0900, www.pejmani.com
Pejmani of
BEST LAUNDROMAT
Suds Cyber Laundry
(831) 324-4920, www.sudzpg.com
Dirty clothes are usually a hassle. With this place, they're a ticket to kick it with a 55-inch high def TV with 170 channels, sip free organic coffee and tea, use free high-speed WiFi and clean up your act. If you don't love it, go for fluffand-fold wash-and-dry for
BEST LOCAL PET SHOP
Stone's Pot Shop
(831) 659-5317
(831) 375-4471, www.stonespetshop.com
Stone's Pet Shop might not be the oldest continuously operating pet store in the nation, but it's pretty close. Since 1957, Stone's has been the premiere place on the
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
Sallyaiut Forzani
Vista
400 Cannery Row Monterey
(831) 646-1700
It's no secret
BEST MEN'S CLOTHING SHOP
Khaki's Men's Clothier of Carmel
(831) 277-4975, www.khakisofcarmel.com
"Clothes make the man." which makes me, at best, an underdeveloped hermaphrodite. But now, with the public's choice of Khaki's of Carmel, I have no excuse. Considering themselves "thinkers, tailors and bold merchandisers," Khaki's of Carmel is the triple threat of fashion. From sportswear to fully custom tailored suits, they have you covered.Jiterally. Moderate prices. Covered. Luxurious brands. Covered. Hornback alligator belts and four-ply cashmere sweaters. Covered and covered. You can even ask for the owner,
BEST
Sion« Creek Nalls
(831) 394-8199
Leave smudges and smears behindthen add glitter! The bubbly staff at Stone Creek Nails says the secret to their success is a friendly, welcoming environment, and palate of more than 300 colors. They have a passion for nail art and can do justice to emblems like team logos, cupcakes and Disney, all in a day's work. Their gel nail polish means nails will shine for weeks and stay chip-free. But it's not just polish they offer, the salon also does waxing, eyelash extensions and paraffin dips.
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET
Grove Market
(831) 375 9581. www.grovemarketpg.com
Grove Market feels so right for a place like
BEST NEW BUSINESS
(831) 649 1116
When the fragrant salt air coming off the harbor inspires an appetite for delicacies from the deep, many are faced with a common conundrum: not enough duckets. Enter
BEST NURSERY
(831) 626-0680, www.griggsnursery.com
The best kind of nursery is like a botanical garden, a fragrant space to wander amid flora and become intoxicated by the beauty of it all, the myriad life forms that nature gifted us. The best kind of nursery is Griggs. With more than two f acres of inventory, the nursery teems with what seems like every plant under the sun, from
BEST OIL CHANGE
Jiffy Lube
(831) 375-5823
No appointment necessary. Acecertified mechanics will perform the following warranty and car-saving services at your convenience: Jiffy Lube Signature Service* Oil Change, service air conditioner, air filtration, cooling system, drivetrain, electrical, engine, fuel, transmission, tire rotation, and windshield.
BEST ORGANIC PRODUCE MARKET
800 Del Monte Center,
(831) 333-1600, www.wholefoodsmarket. com/stores/monterey
Getting organic celery root ain't easy. Or blood oranges. Or fingerling potatoes.
BEST PHARMACY
(831) 333-0751, www.pharmaca.com
The white coats aren't just for show. There's a good chance the cashier ringing up your
BEST OUTDOOR GEAR STORE
REI
(831) 883-8048, www.REI.com/Marina
Any outdoor shop can sell gear, but what sets a good outdoor shop apart is the ability to get the right gear to the right customer. REI does this deliriously well. Whether it's fitting you for the perfect boot, bike or pack you'll get what you need for your specific adventure, with the opportunity to get annual refunds by becoming a member. They stock the best gear you can buy including Mountain Hardwear, Osprey, JetBoil and Petzl with frequent sales and specials. Ample classes then teach the uninitiated how to get the adventure(s) going.
BEST PHOTO/CAMERA STORE
Green's
555 Del Monte Center,
(831) 655-1234
Fifth and
(831) 624-8880, www.greenscamera.com
Yes, they still do film. Green's sells film at all three of their locations and processes slide film, 35mm black and white negative film and medium format film. Green's also stocks a full selection of digital cameras and lenses for the proud parent photographing their kids to the seasoned professional shooting
BEST PLACE TO BUY ART/CRAFT SUPPLIES
Beverly's Fabrics
(831) 646-5141
It's been a long day and you haven't even finished cooking dinner when your kid tells you that she has to bring valentines for her classmates. And they have to be homemade. You could cut some lazy hearts out of old magazines and call it a day. But you, m'lady, are no quitter. No child of yours is gonna half-ass a holiday. You holster your hot glue gun, grab the shopping bag you sewed from an old sweatshirt and head to Beverly's. Rows of purty papers, sequins, ribbons, stickers and glitter later and you've got the makings of some heartfelt goodies.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A MOTORCYCLE
Monterey
(831) 731-5066
www.montereyharleydavidson.com
(831) 731-5067
Forget Saturday Night Live-check out Friday Night Live in
BEST PLUMBER
A and R Plumbing
(831) 394-7221
You might not be happy when you need to call them but you'll sure be glad you did. This
BEST REAL ESTATE OFFICE
Junípero between Fifth and Sixth, Carmel
(831) 622-1040, www.apr.com
From a high-end
BEST REALTOR(S):
Joy A Jon Jacobs Tho Jacobs Team
(831) 236-7976, (831) 241-1598
In a market where inventory is unusually low, the mother-daughter team of
BEST ROOFER
BEST
(831) 384-3900, www.scudderroofing.com
BEST SALON
Oya
(831) 656-0570, www.oyasalon.com
It's a sexy, sleek place meant to make you feel that way too. Oya has some of the best trained stylists in
BEST SEAFOOD MARKET
Sm Harwit Pish Market
(831) 626-3626
(831) 633-8300, (831) 728-8686
Where else can you snatch a catch of trout or red snapper or rock cod or catfish or halibut or prawns or salmon or tilapia or sea bass or scallops or swordfish or tuna and take it over the counter to roast/grill/saute/bake/broil wrap at homc-or have them prep in-house with a choice of clam chowder or salad, fries, rice or baked potato, plus steamed vegetables? Nowhere 'round here. These folks rule on the affordable-and-fresh fronts. Enough said. Buen provecho.
BEST SECONDHAND CLOTHING STORE
Goodwill
(831) 233 7767
(831) 649-6056
(831) 394 1212
2269 H Déla
(831) 237-6987, www.scgoodwill.org
As if a few bucks for a shirt or sweater isn't cheap enough, a third of Goodwill's clothing goes half-off every Sunday. That means you can buy a sweet Hawaiian shirt for all of
BEST SELECTION OF LIQUOR BEST WINE MARKET
B«vMoI
(831) 250-0621
(831) 442-2411, www.bevmo.com
Albarino to Zinfandel, with every Barbaresco, Barbera and Barolo in between. Chianti and
BEST SHOE STORE
H«dl*sShoM
(831) 624-5580
3630/3646 The Barnyard, Carmel
(831) 625-2055
440 Del Monte Center, (831) 641-0780, www.hedi.com
First there was one location, founded about 27 years ago at the Barnyard by one
BEST SHOE REPAIR SHOP
Fradwtco'i Drive In Shoe Service
(831) 649-3322
Frederico's is more than the local place to get your flip-flops fixed or heal your heels. With embroidery and printing services, Frederico's could repair your local softball team's cleats, outfit them in jerseys and create a trophy for your big playoff win. They'll also work on larger items like horse blankets and boat covers. The family-run business even has a nifty drive-in window.
BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT/ CENTER
1410 Del Monte Center.
(831) 373-2705, www.delmontecenter.com
It flickers through the trees off the Soledad-Drive-and-Munras-Avenue exit like a shining beacon of consumeristic hope. You feel your cash and credit cards itching to be set free. Retail therapy never looked so good. A plethora of shops and restaurants like the
BEST SPA
Unfug«
(831) 620-7360, www.refuge.com
The big, four-tiered Finnish sauna and the su per-steam room bring the sweat. The plunge pools bring the insane circulation. Dozens of
BEST STORE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
(831) 372-5893, www.facebook.com/MusicUnlimitedMonterey
If you buy an instrument from
BEST SURF SHOP
On lb« Beach Surf Shop
(831) 646-9283
Back in 1986,
BEST TATTOO PARLOR
Creative Visions Tattoo ft
(831) 649-1882
This tattoo parlor is different from what our minds may conjure. The artists smile and greet you and answer questions in a conversational manner, with an ease that comes from impressive longevity, having each worked there five years or more. The new space is just a month old-clean, comfortable and bright. They do realistic tattoos, old school tattoos, customs and cover-ups. They do piercings of just about anything except for surface anchors, and if they don't want to do it, you don't want it.
BEST THRIFT STORE
Y«llow Brick Road B«n«fft Shop
(831) 626-8480
www.yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org
Just shy of 25 years in business and almost
BEST TIRE SHOP
Sullivan's Tir« Pros G Auto S«rvlc«
(831) 394-6561, www.sullivanstire.com
When the rubber meets the road, tires get the worst of it. Fortunately, close to the highway in the
BEST
Thinker Toys
Seventh and
(831) 624-0441
480 Del Monte Center,
(831) 643-0907, www.thinkertoys.com
While big-box stores line their aisles with nearly disposable doodads, Thinker Toys stocks new products of old-school quality. Imagination blossoms in the presence of sturdy instruments, dolls, kites and puzzles, many of them made with eco-friendly materials. Big this year among 10-to-15-year-olds: the Rainbow Loom, allowing kids to create colorful bracelets and necklaces out of rubber bands. Legos still reign among littler siblings; check out the architectural bent in the Creator series. Your kid will have so much fun, she won't even realize how much she's learning.
BEST TREE TRIMMER
Tope's Tree Service
P.0. Box 51964,
(831) 373-7765, (831) 596-6969
Topes is tops. They've branched out into crown cleaning, crown raising, crown thinning, crown restoration, view enhancement, shaping and structure clearance, tree removal, stump bumping, cabling, bracing, lot clearing, storm damage clean-up, wood splitting, tub grinding and-oh yes-crane service lifting as much as 23 tons 135 feet tall.
BEST VETERINARY
(831) 659-2286, www.carmelvalleyvet.com
If your pets could speak, their sentiments would echo ours when it comes to a trip to the doctor: It's for the birds. Still, the caring staff at
BEST WOMEN'S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
(831) 624-2129, www.anthropologie.com
Miniature green hot air balloons are hoisted in storefront windows; a grand antique birdhouse emerges from behind hand-painted teacups and colorful linens; scattered candles flicker like fireflies and exude exotic scents.
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary
(831) 899-9642
Like a cleansing breath, these yoga studios keep expanding: from
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Vital Signs: Births to Teens Aged 15-17 Years – United States, 1991-2012
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