Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1047605
C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 159 Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs f Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs i Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs ' Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs C Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs i Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs fi Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs f Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs i Chef Rich Pepe's popular downtown Carmel restaurant Vesuvio has a happy hour at the first floor bar, and also upstairs on the rooftop. The Italian-based menu is inspired by local ingredients and specialty cocktails abound. on the rooftop. The Italian-based menu is inspired by local ingredients and specialty cocktails abound. Warhol's "Marilyn." It is the rare place where one Warhol's "Marilyn." It is the rare place where one can pair a Brazilian caipirinha with a roasted can pair a Brazilian caipirinha with a roasted Chile Poblano bisque. It is where you can enjoy Chile Poblano bisque. It is where you can enjoy a Cuban sandwich with a nopales salad, washed a Cuban sandwich with a nopales salad, washed down with Spanish beer from down with Spanish beer from Barcelona, or a squash blossom Barcelona, or a squash blossom flauta and a glass of sangria made flauta and a glass of sangria made flauta and a glass of sangria made with Spanish cava. One could easi- with Spanish cava. One could easi- ly imagine writer Ernest ly imagine writer Ernest Hemingway sitting in a corner, Hemingway sitting in a corner, drinking and typing away on his next story. drinking and typing away on his next story. drinking and typing away on his next story. Outdoor Ambience Outdoor Ambience Vesuvio restaurant, located at the corner of Vesuvio restaurant, located at the corner of 6th and Junipero Street in Carmel, is well known 6th and Junipero Street in Carmel, is well known to locals, and for good reason. While the happy to locals, and for good reason. While the happy hour at the downstairs bar is certainly enjoyable, hour at the downstairs bar is certainly enjoyable, it is the roof top lounge that is the real jewel. it is the roof top lounge that is the real jewel. Concealed within the cozy walls are fire pits and Concealed within the cozy walls are fire pits and Concealed within the cozy walls are fire pits and heat lamps each surrounded by comfortable heat lamps each surrounded by comfortable chairs. It is a place to relax with friends, or a per- chairs. It is a place to relax with friends, or a per- haps a lover, under the stars while sipping one of haps a lover, under the stars while sipping one of the barrel-aged cocktails, of which they do so the barrel-aged cocktails, of which they do so the barrel-aged cocktails, of which they do so very well, or perhaps a glass of wine. The actual very well, or perhaps a glass of wine. The actual bar top is small, with only about six stools, but bar top is small, with only about six stools, but that matters not as it is the entire roof top that that matters not as it is the entire roof top that makes this such a memorable place. The food? makes this such a memorable place. The food? Well, is Italian food ever disappointing? With Well, is Italian food ever disappointing? With dishes like boar Bolognese amongst many oth- dishes like boar Bolognese amongst many oth- ers, it would be difficult indeed to leave ers, it would be difficult indeed to leave ers, it would be difficult indeed to leave unsatiated. unsatiated. Whether these five locations have the Whether these five locations have the Whether these five locations have the best happy hours or not is completely best happy hours or not is completely subjective. Each has something unique to subjective. Each has something unique to offer that differentiates it from the others. offer that differentiates it from the others. In the end, only you can be the judge. This of In the end, only you can be the judge. This of course requires some effort on your part, but hey, course requires some effort on your part, but hey, wouldn't it be grand if all work was this pleasura- wouldn't it be grand if all work was this pleasura- ble! In fact, for us, the hunt begins anew for anoth- ble! In fact, for us, the hunt begins anew for anoth- er handful of happy hour destinations to try. er handful of happy hour destinations to try. Regardless of its genesis, happy hour has become tantamount to time with friends and colleagues over food and drink.