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"The book is noted on the cover as a 'food and wine lover's guide' and it delivers. The tone is personal but informative, and the authors recommend specific wines to try and menu items to order."
  - Daily Herald, Chicago

Monterey & Carmel-Eden by the Sea, 3rd Edition (includes Santa Cruz County)

Below is a sample restaurant entry in our Hill Guide to Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.  Loulou's is a hilarious, happening place, where oldtimers, fishers, and visitors eat and laugh together over some ever-so-slightly jazzed up plain food. 

Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle is the re-birthed baby of Linda Lou Freundlich, a 23-year full-time nurse at Community Hospital who bought the closed Elves Grill by maxing our her credit cards in late 2002, and turned it into an instant success. Located on the Fisherman’s Wharf pier you can drive on, the tiny restaurant has the best views around, with counter stools facing parked sailboats, and booths allowing guests to watch diving sea otters and crazy people who like to dive in cold water. Locals have their own coffee cups behind the counter, and local fishers come in and advise Loulou on what to buy for her “catch of the hour.” We have also heard her belt out “Meter Maid” at the top of her lungs, sending customers and talkers fleeing to feed their parking meters on the pier. Loulou sells great shirts and fishing bait here, in case you need either one, and provides dog biscuits and water for your best friends.

Loulou’s takes the prize for local ambiance and unadulterated all-American food, with plates of hot potatoes with tomatoes, green onions, and basil placed in front of you the minute you order. Don’t let the casual feeling fool you—the food gets serious but the prices don’t, with great crab, mushroom, and Monterey Jack cheese ($7.99) omelets, crab cakes or squid and eggs ($7.99), applewood bacon, griddle cakes with strawberries, chocolate chips or bananas, and cinnamon French toast ($5.15). Lunch brings creamy clam chowder ($3.75-$5.50), Monterey calamari or grilled tuna melt ($7.25), monster burgers, and a Shrimp Loulou’s salad of local shrimp, string beans, hard boiled egg, avocado, and champagne vinaigrette dressing ($8.25).

Loulou also offers “Up Close and Personal Cooking Lessons” at the counter, where she and her crew teach attendees how to make omelets, flip griddle cakes, and sauté those special potatoes, topped off with a glass of wine or beer and sampling each other’s creations.

Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle, Municipal Wharf #2, Monterey 93940; (831) 372-0568, www.loulousgriddle.com. Open from 7:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. daily, later in summer. Beer and wine. Dog friendly. Visa and MasterCard. Wheelchair accessible. No restrooms.