More great cocktail lounges in Monterey County (on top of Top 10).

There are quite a few ingredients that go into a great cocktail that never make it into the glass.

Like ambiance, live piano and fireplaces.

That inspired the recent Top 10 list of "Best fireplace lounges for a cocktail in Monterey County."

Here appear four others that could've easily made the list, and represent revelations all their own.

(Send your nominations to edible@mcweekly.com.)

Rocky Point Restaurant

New ownership and dramatic upgrades have given the landmark RPR the quality grub it deserves, and enhanced places to enjoy it with the prodigious view. It can be a little breezy on the patio overlooking waves crashing on the point—and on the new second patio and expanded lawns, complete with picnic table—but there are fire pits on new deck number two. Exec Chef Herman Hernandez specializes in comfort food, with secret-recipe fried chicken, superb prime rib and a vanilla bean creme brûlée to rival any in the area. And the bar does old-school cocktails with class. The updates continue, too, with a new gift shop space being added on the north side of the sizable property. 

11:30am-7pm daily. 36700 Highway 1, Carmel. 624-2933, www.rockypointrestaurant.com

Esteban at Casa Munras Hotel

No fewer than three different fire environments help cozify this place, including two indoor fireplaces plus a firepit and torches outside. Popular veteran artisan bartender Anna Vindiola has come over from Schooners to make sure all her ingredients are freshly squeezed and such; her Balestreri Manhattan and Spaghetti Hill martini honor local history and classic flavor profiles with smart twists. Exec Chef Thomas Snyder adds in Spanish-spun comfort with dishes like pulpo confit, snapper ceviche and chorizo-wrapped quince. The rich Monterey Bay seafood stew is a keeper too.

5-10pm. 700 Munras Ave., Monterey, 375-0176, www.hotelcasamunras.com/esteban-restaurant

Cafe Beach at Monterey Tides

This semi-secret spot proves a discovery thanks to the fireplace and cocktails like the Walk on the Beach (with Silver Patron, pomegranate liqueur, pomegranate, blue agave nectar, orange bitters and ginger), which come with a fourth-floor view of the Pacific and the lights of Monterey across the bay. The long space was recently updated with rough-hewn wood, soft leather seating and a smart (albeit overpriced) new food menu. Joie de Vivre just acquired the hotel, and the level of service and quality has risen with the move.

11am-2pm, 5-9pm. 2600 Sand Dunes Drive, Monterey. 394-3321, www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/monterey-hotels/monterey-tides/

Fandango Restaurant

Iconic owners Pierre and Marietta Bain make sure a whole Peninsula's worth of French- and Spanish-leaning comfort food piles onto the menu, from the escargot to the steak frites to the signature paella. Less celebrated than the award-winning food (and award-winning wine list) is the full bar, a rarity in the former Methodist retreat that is P.G., and general warmth of the whole place, despite its large square footage, with a fireplace in the back of the dining room next to table eight.

11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-close. 223 17th St., Pacific Grove. 372-3456, fandangorestaurant.com