Warming up in Carmel

SFGate's Christina Ducklow knows there's no better way to spend a blustery afternoon than cozying up by a crackling fire. Her column in today's San Francisco Chronicle rounds up the best places in Carmel to do just that. Here's a sample of my favorite on her list:

-- The Forge in the Forest: Even when it seems too chilly to enjoy a meal outside, this restaurant makes it possible with thick tree coverage, open-pit fireplaces and a multitude of patio heaters. Inside, it's rustic-casual, with more fireplaces and an American-food menu that leans toward comforting classics like baby back ribs, burgers, pizzas and pasta. The Forge Saloon, once a blacksmith's workshop, has copper walls and brick floors, with the original hearth as a centerpiece. The restaurant even has a private patio and full menu for dogs, provided, of course, that they are accompanied by their owners.