Newcomer Food Critic Moves In

Drinks a bit much – super concern over lack of bars. What were you expecting?

I never imagined moving to the 93950, the land of Monarch butterflies, grenade-dropping seagulls and the ubiquitous red-faced, short-sighted nimby. But a few weeks ago I left Monterey and landed in Pacific Grove, a bit wary yet eager to explore “America’s Last Hometown.”

The first oddity: There are no bars in Pacific Grove (the city currently allows on-site consumption of alcohol only at full-scale restaurants — requiring at least 70 percent of seating reserved for dining).

The second oddity: Driving downtown after 8 p.m. is like riding into Tombstone before a gunfight. There are a few folks spilling out of the movie theater (great theater experience, by the way), and more than a few hospitality folks bellied up to the wine bar at Jeninni. But that’s about it. Carmel has a frustrating parking problem. P.G. can only wish for such a problem. A responsible, classy bar (even as part of a downtown restaurant) would help extend the nightlife past sunset. And it would also provide me with a home office.

Newcomer Food Critic Moves In