paso_gurl_100's Profile
Porto's Pina Colada Cake- does it have rum in it?
Does anybody know? I am thinking of getting a pina colada cake for a Puerto Rican friend as a surprise. She claims that an "authentic" pina colada cake has rum. I don't want to go to all the trouble if it's not similar to the one she likes. And all this time I thought pina colada was an American invention!
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Pinas Cafe
875 W 9th St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Dinner in Paso Robles
If you are familiar with downtown Paso, Chico's is on the park right next door to Lombardi's. It's a small, informal place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have some limited patio dining out front. For dinner, they usually have great fish specials. Since it's small, and the food is good, it fills up quickly. Park Grill is a "hole in the wall". Totally. The owners have a Touch of Mexico in Templeton, and I think one other restaurant in this area. It is a favorite of locals for the huge portions and low corkage.
Sandwich anyone? SLO- No. County
Another great sammy yesterday at Saigon Eggroll on Creston Rd. in Paso Robles. The Vietnamese sandwich. You can have it with pork, shredded chicken, ham and pate or barbequed sausage. It is served on a crusty French roll with mayo, pickled vegetables, and if you like, jalapeno slices. I had the pork and it was delicious, well seasoned, juicy and satisfying. Next time I am going to try the ham and pate, they were out of ham yesterday.
A-Ru sushi: Buellton
Ken, that's a great review, thanks for taking the time. I hope to take my husband there for our anniversary in August on your recommendation. Happy Anniversary.
Dinner in Paso Robles
The "must do" of the three that you selected would be Bistro, second choice would be Artisan, though lately I have heard a few disappointments, I have never been disappointed at Artisan myself. Chico's (on the park) is good and their corkage is only $10. I would consider them informal. For super informal, and $5 corkage, go to Park Grill on 15th and Park. You can get anything from a huge pasta dish (enough for 2 to share) to a sirloin steak , all homemade, no ambience but clean, and you can see right into the kitchen. Bistro and Artisan were both $15 corkage last time I checked. If you are not confined to downtown, go to Kelly's at Hunter Ranch golf course. They also have a great Sunday brunch. Mc Fee's in Templeton would be another "must do" if you can get there. Have fun and don't let the hot days fool you, it's been in teh 60's at night, so bring a sweater. :-)
Sandwich anyone? SLO- No. County
I have recently discovered two yummy sandwiches. The first one was a bit spendy, but so worth it in Atascadero. You might have heard about it on the news several years ago, when Oprah Winfrey had it. The Art Cafe and Bakery chicken salad sandwich. Art Cafe is now located in the Carlton complex on El Camino. Hubby and I went for lunch and split the $9 sandwich (comes with a side salad), and we both wished we had just gotten our own. We are very cheap people, so that doesn't happen too often. They bake their own bread and the chicken salad, called the "O"riginal, comes on a pepperjack loaf, kinda like a brioche with pepper jack cheese infused through it. Our daughter had a BLT on wheat, which was also yummy, the bacon thick and tasty. They have lots of yummy bakery items and frozen bread to take home. They slice the bread about 3/4" - 1" thick.
The second sandwich was much more in our price range, $2.99 a tri tip sandwich at the deli counter in Albertson's Paso Robles. The meat was cooked perfectly medium (I usually prefer rare), but it was well prepared on a soft french roll with Miss Odette's barbeque sauce. I am planning on picking up several of these next time we go wine tasting, with the sauce on the side so they don't get soggy, it would be great to throw in the picnic basket.
We also tried Colby Jack in Atascadero, the club sandwich on a croissant was a bit disappointing. Also $9, but it just did not seem to be worth the price, not much meat and the croissant was really crumbly. Not sure if we will go back there.
San Juan Bautista: Matxain Etxea Basque; Joan and Peter's German; Dona Esther Mexican; upcoming Dia de Los Muertos celebration
Thanks for the post. We actually made a special trip just to visit this restaurant about 4 months ago. We did end up having the family style meal, I had the lamb, DH had NY steak, IIRC, and our little daughter had the chicken. The service was great, we had a nice conversation with the owner's father, and he spoiled my little girl. Sitting on the patio, sipping wine from drinking glasses, we felt like we were somewhere Europe. The owners are indeed Basque, the gentleman we spoke with has an interesting background: born in Spanish Basque Country, emigrated to Mexico City where he lived for like 30 years, then returned to Spain, now lives with his daughter here in CA. My impression of the place, given our pleasant experience and the not so good reviews I have read is that they have tried different things over the years.
Vineyard/Inn/Restaurants - North and South Central Coast
There aren't very many place in town that have lodging AND food. Justin does, but, it's far from simple, IMHO. If you stay at either the new La Quinta Inn on Hwy 46 E, you can visit several really nice places very close to your lodging. Or Courtyard by Marriott, they don't have an exec chef anymore, but there are lot of nice restaurants in town, and they have a pretty decent local wine selection. We recently had dinner at Enoteca, the restaurant at the Bella Sera hotel. We brought our own wine ($20 corkage), and had a FABULOUS meal. Great stuff, a pineapple curry halibut, lamb chops, filet mignon, a delightful thick pork chop. I had scallops which were served with a homemade gnocchi. The whole bill was $210 for 6 of us! The Bella Sera might be what you are looking for.
Reco for Wedding at Paso Robles Winery?
I think it's great that you had a good experience. It would probably be a good thing for you to share more about it here in the open forum, particularly for all our friends who are shopping for caterers in the area. I particularly would be interested in hearing about what you served? how it was served? what your venue was? did they drop food off, or stay and serve for you?
McPhee's Grill in Templeton
Too bad you had to skip dessert. The sundae is to die for- ask for both the homemade caramel AND hot fudge, served with chopped macadamias- mmmmm it's TO DIE FOR!! glad you had a good meal.
Paso Robles/Cambria Trip - Recs Please!
Oh,about that wild boar at Artisan! It's outstanding! not gamey, incredibly tender, served in a fabulous ragu with home made orechetti pasta. DH had his usual flat iron steak- can't go wrong with that one either. Served with wilted greens and pommes frites. They rock with the corkage- $10 bucks, 2 bottle max. We enjoyed it with a 2003 Le Cuvier syrah from our library...Love Artisan...
Paso Robles/Cambria Trip - Recs Please!
ooh, that's tough one. I might have to say Vic's though. Had some for breakfast yesterday. Good stuff. OH! I have heard that Cregor's on Spring and 6th has b & g as well! I will check into it and advise. ;-)
Old Vienna in Shell Beach - Any comments?
They do a big Oktoberfest deal throughout the month of October, where they have a special menu. IIRC it was German specialities like brats, saurkraut, potatos and such. It sold out every weekend last year. The beer is good too, they had a booth at the Oaktoberfest in Paso Robles last year. They had several different varieties of Paulaner brews which they said they brought in special for the 'fest.
Paso Robles/Cambria Trip - Recs Please!
I emphatically agree about Vic's for trout and eggs, or liver and onions for dinner. My daughter's favorite is the cinnamon for breakfast. The restaurant has been open for like 50 years, and has only had 2 owners. They are the only people who know the recipe for the beans served at the town bean feed on Pioneer day in October (feeds like 5,000). I also love Hoover's for down home breakfast. Both places have top-notch gravy, but Vic's is "country" gravy and Hoovers is what my grandma would call "brown" gravy, which just like country gravy only the flour is browned a little and it has bits of bacon as well as sausage in it.
However, if you are looking for brunch. I do like Artisan, but I think it is expensive for what you get. For the price, Panolivo would be a better choice. I haven't been recently, but I have heard that P.R. Inn has a good brunch. An out of the way, lesser known place is Kelly's at Hunter Ranch golf course. You can get her fabulous club benedict overlooking the golf course. By far, my favorite breakfast in the county is Bon Temps in SLO.
restaurants in Paso Robles
Yeah, I think I was a little slow on the uptake there with the 5-er. I was really in the mood for my over-easy (how'd you know, TJ?). I have switched my weekend breakfast venue to Hoover's in Templeton. REAL COMFORT FOOD. Yesterday i had the two eggs with biscuits and gravy accompanied by a side of hash browns for $6.75. I was in HOG HEAVEN. I had been doing Panolivo's organic free-trade coffee for so long, I had forgotten how good Farmer Bros. could be on a Saturday morning (well, afternoon) after a too- late Friday night! ;-)
wineries and biking through Paso
WOW! you rock! I'm exhausted too. It sounds like you and your friend had an adventurous weekend. I'm feeling a little motivated to get off this couch I haven't moved from in the past 2 hours. I think the food at Downtown is actually pretty good for bar food. On Tuesday you can get a nice (albeit small portioned) steak dinner for 2 for $13 bucks. We've had it several times and it's been consistently good served with fries and veggies. I think the SLO location offers it as well. So, did you end up trying Vin Fuzion, or were they closed?
Paso Robles/Cambria Trip - Recs Please!
Oh, I LOVE Bistro Laurent! I think you will too. I haven't looked at the current menu (changes very often, seasonal). You can always count on his exquisite filet of beef with green pepper corn sauce, and the rack of lamb is consistently good. The salads are always daring, different and showcase seasonal ingredients. He does these mini tartes, like pizettes that you pair with a salad for a light meal. The last time I was there, he had escargot. I am sure you will not be disappointed. Laurent is a simple guy who just LOVES to cook. I usually let the maitre d', Kevin or my server suggest a French wine with my meal if I'm doing the tasting menu (which I usually do).
BTW, all your winery choices sound good. Check out Vin Fuzion while you are at Lone Madrone. I would like to know what you think....
restaurants in Paso Robles
I'm relieved to hear you had a good time. I haven't been for a while. One thing I will say, and I think this goes for most places in town, is that during the "off' season (Sept- Mar), you might run into the type of experience BeachGrub mentioned, lack of professional service staff. It could be that our servers move around to more "active" areas during those months, or they just start slacking because it's so slow. I dunno. I would be lying (and no one would believe me) if I said I wasn't more forgiving than most people when it comes to restaurants in Paso. I did have a revelation the other day, that I want to be careful to not be "overly positive" with my opinions about local dining. (of course, I have an agenda, I am here all year long and these places rely on tourist dollars to stay open). Now, having said that, I have to say that I have been disappointed with my past few weekend breakfasts at Panolivo. I decided to walk in there and take off my rose colored glasses. We usually go there on Sunday, but the past few times we have been on a Saturday. I was a little disappointed on one visit that we sat down at 11:02 and the kitchen was inflexible about serving us breakfast. Of course, it might have been the way the server asked them, she said "your not serving breakfast anymore, right?" she could have advocated a little for us. Anyway, the service has also gotten slow and organized. Also, the portions seem to be getting smaller. That $7 ham and cheese croissant just seems to be getting more and more expensive.
SD- Mrs. J. Trimmer's?
I am going down to San Diego this weekend. Has anyone heard of this restaurant in Old Town? We are on a quest for something new and exciting, but since we are only going to be there a few days, I'm kinda reluctant to take any chance with bad chow.
Central California must visit wineries?
Okay, read: I STAND CORRECTED.The Goldbergs do NOT source their grapes. They have gone from producing about 300 cases to 1500 cases on their own property. I had them confused with another winery on the West side (pinot doesn't come from the Valley anyway) I still stand by the rest of my post, thier wine is exceptional commands a higher price. Thank you.
Central California must visit wineries?
"I guess I found it as preposterous as you that they'd be used in any central coast wines, much less those of the Windward family"
PB- it's not preposterous, it's a fact! Many, many central coast wineries source grapes from the Valley. Tobin James' very popular sparkling "Dreamweaver as well as a lot of other sparkling wines sold here, come from Fresno, Doce Robles' earliest vintages were from Fresno, in fact, they were farmers there before coming here. What have you got against Fresno, anyway ? aren't you from there? :-P
wineries and biking through Paso
Yeah, today it was in the 90's. As I write this, it's 5:30 pm and there's a nice cool breeze. I think if you stay hydrated and don't over exert yourselves you guys will be fine. If you're over at the Black Oak? You can go over to J. Lohr and there are some new place over there, it's pretty flat too (off Airport Rd.)
wineries and biking through Paso
That is doable on 46 w. It's not too terribly hilly. But it has been pretty hot the past few days. Grey Wolf and Midnight are neighbors, so that's not tough. On the east side, you can take Creston Rd. all the way down and visit Cass, Still Waters, etc. out there. It's pretty flat as well. Where are you staying?
Paso Robles Wineries to avoid
The first winery to charge a tasting in this area was Justin. They charged $2 and I had to scrape my jaw up off the floor when they told me. Everything just kinda' went downhill for Justin in my mind from then on. I do remember that Martin Bros. (now Martin & Weyrich) coined the term Hwy 46 Happy Hour, because the same people would come in week after week for free unlimited tastings and they were open until 6:00 while everyone else closed at 5-5:30. As a consumer, I am all for paying a tasting fee of any amount, if there are more than 3 wines to taste and as long as it is applied toward a wine purchase. If you are not visiting wineries with the intention to buy (even if it's just one bottle), then I don't really see the point of tasting. As a tasting room attendant ( I volunteer occasionally), if someone doesn't want to pay for tasting, because they really just want to try one wine or something, I will give them a free pour. After a while, you can kinda pick out the moochers in the crowd. They really ruin it for honest tasters and take the fun out of wine tasting.
restaurants in Paso Robles
I'd say just about everywhere here is "easy to get into" by L.A. or Bay area standards. Except Bistro Laurent, unless you want to eat late. I wouldn't recommend Matthew's, but I would add Gaetano's or Buona Tavola for awesome Italian. Bernick's is also really fun and they have a good wine selection. Level 4 is super fun on the weekends, good food and great bar. I don't think Panolivo does dinner. They do tapas on Fri & Sat nights with a guest winemaker.
Picnic Catering Suggestions in SLO?
I have had Popolo and have used cateringunlimited.com several times. I was just curious where you were planning on having the dinner? CU.com has two venues in the area with outdoor seating available. I think the barbeque runs about $15-17 pp. If you wanted to pick up, I highly recommend Cahoots Catering in Paso Robles. Check out their prices, and the food is incredible.
Paso Robles Dining
The sad thing about that is that Matthew is a very talented chef. I think he really just needs a good manager. Maybe we should try to get him on Kitchen Nightmares??
Reco for Wedding at Paso Robles Winery?
I would recommend Midnight Cellars for your budget. They have a gorgeous lawn that is perfect for a small wedding, they can recommend caterers too. I have had good food there.
Paso Robles Dining
Matthew's is hit and miss at both locations. I go way back with Matthew from his Busi's on the Park days, and unfortunately the service at both of his namesake restaurants suck. I have been to the airport restaurant several times. One Valentine's day we had an awesome meal, but of course we waited a SUPER long time. The next time we visited, a few months later, we had the lobster cheesecake or something (starter) and it came out burnt and over-salted. Although, I am usually not one to complain, we did. Even though we didn't eat it, we were still charged for it. I had a great meal last spring with my sisters at his downtown location and it was fabulous. The last two times we went, the food and service were a huge disappointment. I have not been back since my husband ordered a $28. lasagna that came out with big chunks of ground beef and the cheese was not melted I could have prepared a lasagna meal for 10 for the same price, and much better quality. In short, don't waste your time. At the most, sit at the bar and paly it by ear with an appetizer and a glass of wine. I would recommend Gaetano's, Buona Tavola, Bernick's, and, if you like wine the tapas nights (Fridays and Saturdays) at Panolivo. Of course, you could always go back to Bistro Laurent, I guarantee you will not be disappointed....
Can you name this near-SB steakhouse/ranch?
Are you sure you are not talking about Harris Ranch, which is WAY past Santa Barbara, and inland off Hwy 5? Is it a big place or smaller?
