Altalena Vinoteca

This sunny, civilized corner spot is a welcome reprieve from the Wharf’s dated chowder houses and tourist traps. The wine bar and full-service deli is run by AJ and Amanda Sanchez, the same couple behind Carmel Pizza Company on Jones Street. The menu spans salads, bruschetta, panini, cheese and charcuterie, and sandwiches; the wines hail from France, Italy, Spain, and—of course—California. (Glasses are half-off during happy hour, which runs every weekday from 5pm to 7pm.) Wood-fired pizzas can also be ordered from Carmel Pizza Company. The art is in the dough, made by hand daily using only yeast, Antimo Caputo 00 flour, water, sea salt, and Sanchez’s secret starter recipe. Save room for the house-made cannoli, filled to order with sweet ricotta and topped with roasted pistachios.