Melville Tavern
484 Washington St., Monterey
643-9525
There aren’t many places where you can find as much quality and taste per dollar. The one-page menu runs long on starters and sandwiches that fill up without emptying wallets, honoring the Herman Melville quote that inspired the maritime-style ambiance and the new tavern’s name (“If you can get nothing better out of life, get a good meal”). The pork and polenta small plate that constitute a whole meal at many upscale establishments, is just $7.95; the duck sandwich with cherry compote is one of the highest-dollar items, and still comes in under 15 bucks. With rotating taps featuring premiere microbrews and imports, plus a rotating $3 bottle for the people is always available, it has quickly earned the loyalty of Monterey’s overeducated and underpaid. And they just added superb pizzas hot from the brick oven.