Press Releases
The Sardine Factory Opens the Cannery Row Lounge
MONTEREY, Calif. -The Sardine Factory Restaurant, according to critics, has "once again taken the lead" with the introduction of its fresh, contemporary dining concept, the Cannery Row Lounge at the Sardine Factory. Newly opened in 2004, the Cannery Row Lounge at the Sardine Factory, which offers an entirely new menu, is an affordable, flexible and fun variation on the fine dining experience the Sardine Factory has come to embody.
The Cannery Row Lounge is the latest Sardine Factory innovation, and is destined to become a home away from home for longtime guests and new customers alike. Adjacent to the Factory's bar area, the Lounge provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before the stone fireplace. Leather armchairs and over-stuffed couches replace the traditional tables and chairs formally featured in this area. The new environment is "clubby" in its feel and was designed by acclaimed interior decorator, Charles Gruwell, known for his work at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, as well as many Pebble Beach homes. Gruwell's work has received great recognition and been featured in the pages of Architectural Digest.
Perhaps the most exciting news concerning the Lounge is the introduction of its new menu. The same genius and flair behind the Factory's full dining menu has gone into creating an extensive selection of lighter fare dishes, including a tapas menu, grilled items, sandwiches, pizza, shellfish and dessert. Specialties include a "Kobe" beef hamburger or lettuce wrap, basket of Monterey Bay Calamari, lightly smoked sardines, finger sandwiches, low-carb fried yucca chips, oysters, a selection of cheeses, and desserts ranging from crème brulée to an indulgent banana split. The Cannery Row Lounge is open from 5 p.m. daily. Live piano keeps the place humming Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
In its 35-year history, The Sardine Factory has been the recipient of virtually every major restaurant and wine award in the industry, including the prestigious Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award (1993-present), recognition by Epicurean International, American Automobile Association's (AAA) Four Diamond Award, Wine Spectator's Grand Award since 1982, four-star designation in Al Alessandri's 1997 Guide, Restaurant Hospitality's Top of the Table Award (first place, 1983), Nation's Restaurant News Hall of Fame Award (1981), Restaurants & Institutions Ivy Award (1980) and the list continues. The Sardine Factory was also honored as one of 50 restaurants in the United States to serve at President Reagan's inaugurations in 1981 and 1985.
The Sardine Factory is located at 701 Wave Street on Monterey's Cannery Row. For more information contact the Sardine Factory Restaurant at 831-373-3775 or visit their website at www.sardinefactory.com.
About The Sardine Factory
Established in 1968, The Sardine Factory is known for its impeccable service, wonderful décor, extraordinary wine collection, fresh locally grown produce, delicious sustainable seafood, and USDA prime beef. Over the years The Sardine Factory has hosted celebrities, movie stars, sports legends, and public figures from all over the world. The restaurant was also one of the locations for the first film directed by Clint Eastwood, Play Misty for Me. The Sardine Factory has received virtually every culinary, wine list and service award possible in the industry, including the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, Restaurant Hospitality's Best Wine List in America, voted the Best Restaurant in Monterey by readers of the Monterey County Weekly, Monterey County Herald, and Carmel Pine Cone newspapers, named Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants on the Central Coast by Open Table, in addition to many other honors and awards. For more information, please visit sardinefactory.com.