New Summer Flavors at Restaurant 1833 in Monterey

The season of warm weather, longer days and more importantly, patio drinking is quickly upon us and nowhere is more prepared than Restaurant 1833. The historic Stokes Adobe in downtown Monterey has been quenching thirsts with unique craft cocktails on their popular onyx bar for the past few years and is now stepping up its game for the summer months ahead.

Today, Restaurant 1833 launches its new summer cocktail menu full of interesting concoctions created by mastermind and bartender Josh Perry. Not one, not two but eleven new summer spirits line the menu with names as interesting as their ingredients.

The Big Guns packs a punch with rye whiskey, coffee liqueur and orange bitters while the Hummingbird offers softer flavors with cana brava reserva rum, honey syrup and lavender sprig picked directly from the restaurant’s garden.

Looking to share? Try the tropical Coconut Milk Punch for two which serves as an instant vacation and presented in a copper pineapple chalice. The Suzie-Q is nice choice for those looking for a refreshing potion with suze, vermouth, prosecco and fresh cucumber slices.

The adobe’s expansive patio and deck is the perfect place to post up with one (or four) of these crafty cocktails. Complete with rousing fire pits, daybeds for lounging and pumping background jams- there’s truly no better place to spend your summer nights!

Soak up the sun, and those drinks, with delicious noshes and desserts that are sure to pair nicely with your sweet libation(s). Executive Chef Jason Franey continues to amaze guests with his contemporary cuisine while Pastry Chef Ben Spungin proves that dessert is easily the most important addition to any meal.

Be sure to try one of their new pizzas including the luscious mushroom pizza with gooey fontina cheese, spring onion and roasted broccoli rabe and their short ribs wrapped in phyllo with an Asian fusion kick.

Wrap up the night with a tantalizing dessert, the trifle even comes with a flaming dose of rum!

4 Reasons to Love Melville Tavern in Downtown Monterey

"If you get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least.” This quote by Herman Melville (also author of Moby Dick) sparked what is now one of Monterey’s newest dining establishments, Melville Tavern.

The brick building at A.G. Davi Court on Washington Street is just a façade of the charm and comfort foods awaiting you inside. The wood laden floors and maroon painted walls play up the tavern’s old timey décor which makes you feel as though have stepped inside a secret British pub. Antique books and frames scatter the walls which eventually opens up to spacious kitchen and charming brick oven where the true star of the show is cooked up.


There are many reasons to love this new eatery but here are a few to get started.

1.    Comfort Food with a Twist of Sophistication

The self-described “Creative American Food” menu is exactly that. American classics like burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and salads are available all with their very own tasty spin. The sophisticated gastropub dons a juicy lamb burger complete with hunks of melted feta cheese and refreshing yogurt sauce while the fall-of-the-bone pork shoulder is accompanied by irresistible creamy polenta.

2.    Friendly Atmosphere

The expansive bar and cozy set up creates the perfect ambiance for get-togethers with old friends while making new ones. Locals have taken notice of the casual and friendly atmosphere since opening late 2015 while welcoming visitors into their lair. The outdoor patio is a bonus and uber-popular during weekend brunch.

3.    Beer and Wine of the Week

$3 beers are hard to come by, especially after Happy Hour. Melville Tavern not only serves a $3 beer all day long but it’s actually a delicious one at that. Each week the tavern rotates a weekly beer and wine special where a specialty beer such as Long Board and Deschutes are served for $3 and a house glass of wine is $6. For those looking for something else, the tavern also has quite the expansive beer and wine menu sure to wet your appetite.

4.    Great Value

Aside from an unbeatable beer of the week, the tavern also hosts a Happy Hour offered weekdays from 4pm-6:30pm serving up appetizers ranging from $3 to $7. The mushroom quesadilla and fried artichokes are particularly tasty! Entrée options also come at a steal for both lunch and dinner starting at $10.95 for a gourmet, and filling, meal.

5 New Restaurants You Need to Try in Monterey & Carmel

Monterey County has seen an explosion of new restaurants in some of the area’s most popular hot spots. Whether you’re looking for fresh seafood, good old comfort food or an uber-authentic Mediterranean meal there is a new tasty addition here that is sure to please the palate.

Melville Tavern: Downtown Monterey

Located in downtown Monterey, Melville Tavern is one of the newest eateries hitting the dining scene. Its cozy brick facade is just the beginning to the classic comfort foods being divvied up inside.  Lunch and dinner brings cozy dishes with a twist of sophistication like their pork shank with creamy polenta and au jus and lamb burger with feta cheese and yogurt sauce. Great food aside, the tavern lives up to its name with an incredible selection of beer and wine including a $3 beer of the week!

The Crab House: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey

Panoramic views of the Monterey Bay, margaritas for $3.95 and a plethora of seafood dishes- need we say more? The Crab House, towards the end of Monterey’s iconic Old Fisherman’s Wharf, stands out from its neighbors with a unique south-of-the-border inspired menu. Every guest is welcomed with a basket of addicting tortilla chips and tantalizing menu option like seafood infused burritos, tacos and enchiladas.

Mediterranean Restaurant: Ocean Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea

Local Carmel visitors and foodies have been flocking to Dametra restaurant for years for unbelievable dolmas, lamb shanks and Greek Moussaka. Just down the street from this popular eatery is its new sister storefront the Mediterranean Restaurant serving up the same authentic cuisine, live entertainment and family friendly atmosphere. The only difference here is its location and beautiful wall décor.

Lalla Oceanside Grill: Cannery Row, Monterey

Among the hustle and bustle of Cannery Row lays a sanctuary complete with crashing waves, tantalizing treats and mind-numbing craft cocktails. Lalla Oceanside Grill is one of Cannery Row’s newest attractions offering some of the best views of the Monterey Bay. Let the views, or their insane cocktail menu, wet your palate for delicious California coastal cuisine.

Scales Seafood & Steaks: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey

Love Monterey’s famous Old Fisherman’s Grotto? Then you are going to love the new restaurant owned and operated by the same family. Scales Seafood & Steaks just across the way features a convenient grab-and-go café, cozy bar lounge, a spacious dining room with views for days and a wide variety of menu items including seafood, steaks and pastas.

Bonus- Sovino Wine Bar: Downtown Monterey

Before indulging at one of these new eateries, build your appetite at the Sovino Wine Bar located in the esplanade near Custom House Plaza. Here you will find a wide selection of California produced wines with a large range of Monterey County wines. Be sure to pair one of your libations with one of their lovely cheese and charcuterie plates.

Why dining at Bay of Pines is like going to a Fantasyland

For those looking for more than just lunch, Bay of Pines is exactly what you need. While their organic cuisine is reason enough to make this gem a must-try, its surroundings are what really makes this place somewhere to pilgrimage to.

Located upstairs from the MST building in downtown Monterey, the prime corner location is super convenient from nearby attractions like Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the Monterey Conference Center and Custom House Plaza. Whether you choose to take the elevator or stairs, once you are inside you will simply not believe what you see.

Dining at Bay of Pines is like dining in an underwater art gallery. The lofty space boasts floor-to-ceiling murals depicting images of the Monterey Bay just out yonder. The hand-painted masterpiece showcases everything from scenic Carmel River, migrating killer whales in the bay to a mystical take on our celestial system.

Not only is the wall art something to behold but the restaurant is also home to an array of incredible sculptures of marine animals and tall ships. Speaking of ships, the eatery’s bar and main focal point, is exactly that. A larger than life-sized ship with Captain Jack Sparrow guiding the way.

Before sitting down, be sure to mousy upstairs to the private dining room where there are even more visually stunning pieces of artwork waiting to be discovered. Artifacts from around the globe are revealed in this intimate space overlooking the mystical pirate ship down below.

Now that you have soaked in your surroundings its time to focus on the food! Restaurant owner and operator Dana Mills Helman proudly grows most of the dish’s ingredients from her sustainable ranch off of Highway 68 and sources from other organic providers in the area.

The menu is best put as Coastal California cuisine with an international twist. Their wide variety of juices is the perfect way to kick off any meal with freshly pressed options including orange, carrot, vegetable and cactus.

Appetizers are from land and sea including a zesty ceviche and lamb lollipops. Be sure to try their smoked chicken wings which are house smoked and topped with a sweet chili glaze and the Portobello mascarpone with slices of meaty mushrooms, sautéed bell peppers and crispy prosciutto crowned with a creamy mascarpone cheese.

A variety of salads, sandwiches, burgers and pastas are sure to satisfy your hunger. The Crow’s Nest Burger with hummus spread, crunchy apple wood smoked bacon and gooey gruyere cheese is a crowd-pleaser while the Lover’s Deck Avocado Salad is fantastic vegetarian option with avocado and pear over a bed of California greens with homemade mango vinaigrette.

Save room for dessert and savor every last second in this fantasyland; I mean how often do you get to dine next to Jack Sparrow? The chocolate chip bread pudding and vanilla bean creme brulee are sure to twist your arm. Ahoy!

Bay of Pines is open daily from 11am-3pm and open for dinner for groups with 12 or more. The restaurant also hosts several monthly theme and international parties including quite the Irish St. Patrick’s Day bash.

Food with a View at The Crab House on Old Fisherman’s Wharf

A trip to Monterey is never complete without soaking in the relaxing views of the Monterey Bay, spying on playful sea otters and savoring crispy calamari. Now you can enjoy all three of these quintessential Monterey staples at the brand new Crab House restaurant on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Taking over the former Isabella’s restaurant towards the end of Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the Crab House offers some of the most spectacular 360 degree views of the Monterey Bay complete with bobbing sailboats, incoming whale watching ships and spirited sea life just below the deck.

The seafood grill’s nautical décor is inviting and much appreciated, although the real showstopper is the view just outside its walls. Whether you prefer to dine on the outdoor patio or the upstairs deck you are bound to have a seat with an incredible outlook.

If you thought choosing a seat was hard just wait until you get a glimpse of the mouthwatering menu. All of Monterey’s classics like fried calamari, crab cakes and cioppino are offered along with a few other favorites like fried artichokes, blackened tilapia and a shrimp & crab Louie.

What truly makes this menu standout from the other wharf restaurants is their south-of-the-border flare. Every guest is welcomed with a basket of addicting tortilla chips and authentic salsa and can choose from other seafood infused menu items like burritos, tacos and enchiladas.
The Crab House also has a killer Happy Hour which is offered all day every day, Happy Day if you will, with selected drinks like margaritas and bloody Mary’s for just $3.95!
For starters the truffle parmesan fries are a slam dunk. You can smell the appetizing truffle scent before the crunchy spuds hit the table.

You simply cannot come to the crab house and not order crab. The crab stuffed whitefish is exactly what one would want it to be. A hefty piece of sole is overstuffed with luscious crab meat and sautéed mushrooms all topped with a savory lobster cream sauce; even the accompanied vegetables are seasoned to perfection!

If the food and views aren’t enough the service is impeccable where every guest is treated like family. Great for families and large group gatherings as well!