Insider: Monterey County for dog lovers

When traveling with a popular four-member band, going out in public can get complicated.

Especially when each of the band members has his or her own quirks, qualities and preferred scratchy spots.

[...] she lives for moments out with all four of her French bulldogs.

Monterey County resident Marci Bracco, owner-operator of Chatterbox PR, has plenty of names for the group, but #BulldogParkingLot gets the most play.

“Baby” Hugo, the biggest and the youngest, rides shotgun in the car and in Bracco’s lap at dinner.

The dog-rescue nonprofit has become a passion for Bracco, who donates about 100 hours a year to supporting their efforts placing older and abandoned dogs in loving homes.

The since-1951 Fisherman’s Wharf spot has mastered a boatload of calamari presentations, including marinated, “pico-de-gallo,” Buffalo-style and chipotle.

Great all-day-long deals on the house margarita and the robust antipasto bar make it a favorite among locals.

The relatively new outdoor harbor-view patio welcomes the canine crew with dog menu options plated on a frisbee that they get to keep.

Snacks by her in-house executive chef/husband Brandon Miller (Mundaka, Barmel) — last New Year’s it was caviar and bellinis, truffle deviled eggs, cheese and his own charcuterie — help the mood too.

[...] there’s her favorite element: “He always makes the #BulldogParkingLot a plate that rivals mine!” dinner daily, 415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, (831) 658-3595, www.bernarduslodge.com/wine-cuisine

Rombi Wines’ tasting room comes first, for some of the best big reds in the county from a tiny 11/3-acre estate vineyard that dog-loving owner Sal Rombi tends by hand.

From behind the wine tasting bar he produces peanut-butter treats from Raw Connection that Hugo eats in one huge bite and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A few hundred paces away at Twisted Roots, Julie Ruiz pulls out Milkbone biscuits and delivers them with an extensive back massage, love and kisses.

In less than three years, the Oldtown Salinas hub has earned a large and loyal following with Euro-countryside ambiance and comfort food like veal scallopini, house-smoked pork loin and rabbit with braised cabbage.