Cibo Ristorante Italiano
301 Alvarado St., Monterey
649-8151, www.cibo.com
Offering live jazz six nights a week (and two Sunday afternoons per month as well), this downtown institution sets the standard for jazz music on Alvarado Street. A funk/soul/R&B dance groove prevails on Friday and Saturday, while local jazzbos like Lee & Joe, Roger Eddy, sultry songstress Andrea Carter, the Ben Herod Trio and Dizzy Burnett lay down the licks Sunday through Thursdays (except Monday), 7-10pm, amid Italian cuisine classics like pomodoro Caprese and costoletta di vitello. There’s rarely a cover charge. And don’t forget the $3 well, wine and beer happy hour from 4-7pm every day, with the engaging Ms. Carmela behind the bar Tuesday to Saturday.