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Cultura doesn't shy away from anything, includ- ing chapulines, those ubiquitous grasshoppers, fiery peppers or cocktail glasses rimmed with dried worm salt. Early favorites: local halibut ceviche with coconut water, lime and habanero, and the Instagram star, Queso Fundido Flaming Mezcal. The unique experience create one giant photo opp. But before you smile, just make sure you get the grasshopper legs out of your teeth. Cultura Comida y Bebida is located on Dolores between 5th and 6th in Carmel. 831/250-7005 MULLIGAN ANOTHER SWING FOR EAGER RESTAURATEUR In golf, a mulligan is a do-over, a chance at redemption. Not long after Erin Reimer lost her lease and turned out the lights on Brophy's Tavern in Carmel, she launched plans to tee it up again—this time on Restaurant Row on Dolores Street. The former Le St. Tropez is now Mulligan Public House, in the tradition of Brophy's and the long-closed locals watering hole Bully III. "We're doing it over for locals, our family," Reimer says. "We'd shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears." One of the oldest buildings in Carmel will adorn a 12-seat bar with as many taps, and add a long banquette and a kitchen three times larg- er than before. Reimer will retain the familiar golf theme (and 100 percent of the staff), and put a focus on comfor t food and cold ones. It's a major renovation, and the footprint includes an umbrella-covered, fire-heated beer garden behind the restaurant. Brophy's fans will recognize the menu, bol- stered by a pizza oven and delicious minds (think beer and bacon flights, Alaskan king crab feasts and huge prime rib roasts). "We've found the right place, for us and for Carmel," Reimer says. "The family is getting back together." Mulligan Public House is located on Dolores between Ocean and 7th in Carmel. For more information, call 831/250-5910. LAST BITES The Marriott in Monterey has ditched its sports bar Characters, launching an open-con- cept lobby restaurant called Fin+Field, offer- ing farm-to-table fare and specialty cocktails… Less than a year after opening their self-titled Roux in Carmel Valley, chef Fabrice Roux and his wife Jennifer plan an Asian-inspired restaurant using French cooking tech- niques…Jacks Restaurant and Lounge is undergoing major renovations inside Portola Hotel & Spa, and getting new menus from Executive Chef Danny Abbruzzese…Popular Poke Lab in Old Monterey has added online ordering and a roving food truck. Follow the fun at www.thepokelab.com. 160 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 6 Erin Reimer, previous owner of Brophy's Tavern, has opened Mulligan Public House in the former location of Le St. Tropez in downtown Carmel. Photo: Kelli Uldall