April 2, 2024 – Just in time for the Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival later this week, the Pebble Beach Company has reimagined one of its signature spaces.
Walking into the elegant sunken lobby of the Pebble Beach Lodge had always reminded me of aristocratic ladies drinking dainty cups of tea. Beautiful for sure with glorious views overlooking the 18th hole and Stillwater Cove, but a relic of formal times gone by and often empty.
Managers noticed, however, that a temporary bar installed in the lobby during major golfing events livened up the space considerably and decided to transform it into the inviting new Terrace Lounge.
The space got a post-pandemic makeover with new carpets and furniture, and last month also debuted a permanent marble, brass and walnut bar, where customers can walk up and order a cocktail or enjoy a drink at one of the tables or comfy sofas.
In addition, a new menu of shared plates and entrées from Stillwater Bar & Grill chef de cuisine Alex Ramirez can be ordered in the lounge and there is live music from 6pm to 9pm Thursday to Saturday. The result is a much more welcoming, California casual vibe.
On a recent sparkling spring afternoon, the lounge was buzzy. Open seating is first come and outdoor patio tables are also available without reservations from 3pm to closing. We enjoyed a light lunch of crispy calamari with sweet chili ink and a crab cake on avocado crema, accompanied by sunshine glinting off the ocean and a spicy Bloody Mary with bacon salt rim and a chilled prawn.
While shared plates like shrimp rolled tacos, ahi crisps and Salt Springs mussels make up the bulk of the dining menu, burgers, a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and Maine lobster sandwich are available for heartier appetites.
Sixteen creative specialty drinks on offer include tempting craft cocktails like the Berry Grove with raspberry, blackberry and cranberry, the Puebla Old Fashioned with Ancho Reyes liqueur and Aztec chocolate bitters and a Candied Ginger Mocktail, as well as The Lodge’s full wine list and ample beer selection.
All the improvements have converted an under utilized asset into one of Pebble Beach’s most inviting new spots. The Terrace Lounge is a perfect place to stop in for lunch or a light dinner, or just to catch the sunset on a beautiful evening, without worrying about a lot of advance planning.
The Terrace Lounge | Open 11am-10pm daily | pebble beach.com/dining/the-terrace-lounge
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
