There’s more whales in the Monterey Bay this summer than we can remember! Come out to Sand Rock Farm and take an ocean adventure with Sanctuary Cruises.
Whale Watching Package is $ 87 above room rate. Plus – extend your stay and take 30% off your third night!
Available any available nights in August & September. Subject to availability.
So excited! Fab new restaurant right around the corner. Smoque serves wood-fired barbeque and pizza in a casual environment about three minutes from Sand Rock.
The pulled pork is absolutely first rate – smokey, tender, moist… I got it with apple coleslaw and a ciabatta role (that was toasted on the grill) and the spicy bbq sauce – honestly can’t think of a way to make it better. I thought I was ordering the pulled pork sandwich, but the way it worked out was even better!
We also tried the babyback ribs – they’re a bit dry (you add sauce of your choice, sweet-smokey or spicy-hot), but incredibly flavorful. True slow cooking – lean and smokey.
Max had Quattro Formaggio Pizza cooked in the wood oven – flavorful crust, tender, crisp enough. There was too much cheese; next time we’ll ask for “light cheese” and it will be ideal.
The ambiance is nice – they’ve done a good job creating a warm, casual, young, energetic environment that’s got a touch of class. It’s not a “pizza joint” – cloth napkins, nice art – nor is it “fine dining.”
Here are a few more pix:
Italian wood fired oven
Diverse menu - focus on BBQ & pizza
Nice details
Taelyn said:
hi my name is taelyn im really glad you like smoQe; the owner, in fact, is my uncle and he’s an excellent cook — i agree pulled pork is to die for!!!
enjoy.
sharon said:
The food at SMOKE is good, service is not so good. Our last visit resulted in several items being “out”. Is this place going to survive? They need to improve their service and availability of items listed on the menu to “make it”.
Steve S said:
I think Smoqe straight up rocks. I keep reading these snarky reviews about Smoqe and I can’t help but wonder if these people have actually been there. This place should be on food network for the ribeye steak w/ chipotle butter alone…so damn good. I had the pulled pork…AWESOME! The King burger…HOLY CRAP! The lemon meringue pie…TO DIE FOR. I can’t think of another place that I would rather go to.
admin said:
Hi Steve – we like it too. Been back several times – pulled pork still favorite. There are some things we don’t like:
- First, parking is a hassle. Don’t recommend going during peak dinner hours.
- Salad dressing is very harsh – basically vinegar.
- Some issues between order-taking and delivery, e.g., asked for roll to be toasted, order taker said, “of course, that’s how we do it” and, sigh, roll came untoasted. Not a tragedy, but not all it should be.
So — I think it depends on expectations. You want a “fancy” restaurant with great service, probably not for you. You want to chow on some flavorful, smokey food – you’re in the right place.
Jen said:
I love this place! Personally, I go for the brisket (mild sauce), avocado salad, and Mary’s Cookie with milk for dessert. Amazing! I agree that parking is a hassle, but they are rarely out of things these days. I think they were surprised at how amazingly popular they would be straight out of the gate. The place is always packed to the rafters! That has to be a sign that they are doing something right.