Poppy Hall
589 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 204 9990, poppyhallpg.com
Long ago in days of yore, the local public house was the community gathering spot where townsfolk came together to talk and debate the events of the day, especially as elections drew near. Poppy Hall is as good as the Monterey Peninsula’s public house. Walk into the restaurant on a Monday night and you’ll see a place packed with a diverse crowd, all smiles, enjoying $1 oysters and $5 cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. This is a true gathering spot, one of the most popular in the area since the restaurant opened in 2018. That was the main goal of co-owners and chefs Philip Wojtowicz and Brendan Esons, to create a place for the community to gather. They’ve succeeded by hosting special events like pop-up doughnuts, Sunday brunches and price-fixe dinners. We hope the cava continues to flow at this public gathering place for years to come.