Patio Blues and Anthony Vitacca Up the Game at Spanish Bay

August 6, 2024 – For Warriors fans, this would be like the summer Golden State signed Kevin Durant. 

For pizza partiers, it might evoke Woodstock’s Santa Cruz adding a full-on bar with designer drinks.

For Swifties, this could be analogous to the surprise songs Tay Tay included during her Eras Tour.

You get the idea. 

Something already quite good got better. 

The difference here is that it happened twice over. 

Spanish Bay’s patio and its sweeping views, worthy food and drink, fire pits and bagpiper serenades have long made it one of the area’s best places to enjoy sunset. 

The fact they’ve added “Patio Blues” live music for the summer—happening 2-5pm Saturday afternoons through Aug. 31—provided fresh motivation to stop by.

So did 1) a media invite, 2) the dog friendliness that meant we could bring Traveling Charlie, and 3) the fact we were also riding with 3-year-old Cole, who’s still workshopping the front half of “sit-down dining.” The rolling lawns between the wide terrace and The Links at Spanish Bay provide a dreamscape for him and his contemporaries to perfect their tumbles.

The music didn’t disappoint, thanks to the charismatic vibes of seasoned guitarist Al James, who charmed the 100+ person comfortably full house with easy-going covers like “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Fire and Rain” with an assist from bassist Jesse DeCarlo. They’ll also play this upcoming weekend and the last Saturday of the month.

Meanwhile an updated menu came strong as well. The new Cajun-spiced Blues Burger with thick bleu cheese and generous bacon and the incredible wood-fired Szechwan ribs earned the most enthusiasm, and super crispy wings and a sesame-soy grilled chicken salad held their own as well.

Then there was the bonus surprise: Five-star spirits smith Anthony Vitacca—a shoe-in for a Monterey Bay Mixology Mount Rushmore if it existed—now directs Spanish Bay’s four bars as its food and beverage director.

The move represents an intriguing shift for a 20-year veteran of independent restaurants like Montrio Bistro and Vesuvio, but he reports he’s digging the structure and Pebble philosophy—”Exceed the expectations of every guest”—feels more cosmic than corporate because it echoes his own.

“My previous experiences…will all play a vital role in how I approach the creation of a dynamic, thought provoking cocktail experience,” he says. “Our Pebble Beach motto is the same approach I have always taken when creating and crafting new cocktails. I don’t believe in destiny, but it seems I was destined for my new role.”

Vitacca’s leadership made deciding on an adult beverage from the list of craft cocktails easier, as he’s the architect behind the new Double Bogey Blues. (James went for a Cosmo, his bassist tried the “PB Signature” Manhattan with an exclusive single barrel of Knob Creek.) 

It tastes as well-rounded and savory as it sounds, with Buffalo Trace bourbon, blueberry jam, Amaro Montenegro, peach bitters, and a squeeze of fresh lemon, all pulled together with a hickory-smoked salt rim.

Besides, after the music and the burger it was only proper to complete the bluesy trifecta. 

Life is mo’ betta’ with blues.

More at pebblebeach.com/events.