Summer 2023

LINKS CLUB ADDS COCKTAILS TO ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Since opening in 2021, Links Club owner April Montgomery has steadily added new attractions to her core business of virtual golf. “Carmel needs an entertainment venue,” she says. And the latest is her acquisition of a full liquor license. Always wanted to play St. Andrews or Pebble Beach? No problem. The club’s six wall-sized monitor simulators allow players to virtually play any of 250 bucket list courses. “It’s perfect for any skill level; someone who’s never touched a club or avid golfers.” True to Montgomery’s commitment, there’s something doing here nearly every evening, and live music has become a big draw. “I lived in Nashville and Knoxville where there’s live music every night,” the Tennessee native says. “I thought ‘why not here?’” So, she added a Tuesday open mic night and live bands Friday evenings. Wednesdays offer “Singo Bingo,” a twist on the traditional game of bingo.Thursdays are lively trivia nights, where teams test their knowledge for prizes. But the big news is, that in addition to beer and wine, Links Club now has a full bar and has added innovative cocktails to its menu, such as a Smoked Old Fashioned made with Whistle Pig Bourbon and smoked in the glass, and golf- themed signature offerings, such as the Bunker Shot and Caddie Cup. Links Club’s food menu is expanding. “Chef Allen Constant has added cheeseburger slid- ers and gourmet nachos and I would put our Brussels sprouts against anyone’s. People are surprised about how good our food is.” Links Club is located in the Carmel Plaza. For more information, visit www.linksclubgolf.com . THE SECRET TO BISTRO GIOVANNI’S TWO DECADES OF SUCCESS The home page of Bistro Giovanni’s web site states: “Pictures, words and descriptions are meaningless without integrity.” That aptly sums up the hospitality philosophy of longtime Carmel restaurateur Firok Shield. He and his staff have 194 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 Owner April Montgomery is bringing her love of nightlife and entertainment from years spent in Nashville and Knoxville to the Links Club in the Carmel Plaza, where she’s introducing a full bar, an open mic night and more. Photo: Kelli Uldall food for thought The Links Club Adds Cocktai l s to the Mix; Giovanni ’ s Celebrates Two Decades in Carmel ; and Hei r loom Pizza Adds a Sal inas Locat ion B Y M I CHA E L CHAT F I L ED