Paso Robles - Taking Local Food and Local Wine to New Levels
Paso’s certainly got it going on when it comes to the right location, dirt and climate to support and sustain a network of growers for both quality-driven food and wine production. The high-end products of both fresh food and premium wine are ultimately combined with the personal passion of many of the region’s top chefs and winemakers to unapologetically stack the culinary cards in Paso's favor on several critical foodie fronts. The restaurants in Paso Robles are well partnered with the local wine industry, bringing another phase of the local food, local wine phenomenon one step closer to a new wave of New World consumers. The region's top eats consistenly draw complementary wine components into authentic culinary relationship with their own flavor of regional California cuisine.
Top Restaurants In and Around Paso Robles:
Artisan is on the downtown Paso square. A very hip dining atmosphere welcomes guests, where they serve up contemporary American Cuisine with lively, fresh, seasonal flavors, and post a tip top wine list to boot. Check out Artisan's abalone with avocado, spring onion and valencia orange - delish!
Villa Creek caters to a seasonal menu, inspired by the regional dishes of California’s early Spanish settlers, dubbed Rancho Mission Cuisine. A laser-like focus on local, organic and sustainable sources for their ingredients, sets Villa Creek apart. Their entire lineup of beef cuts are out of this world.
Il Cortile is Paso’s authentic Italian hotspot, just off of the downtown Paso square. An open, inviting atmosphere, traditional and specialty dishes paired up with both an impressive international selection as well as Paso’s premium wines; make Il Cortile the perfect stop when you’re craving hearty Italian favorites.
The Cass House is an inn and restaurant set in a charming, historic home that faces the Cayucos coastline, just off of Highway 1. If you are into “pretty food” (and I am), then this is the place for you. About a 45-minute drive from Paso Robles, the Cass House is named after Captain James Cass, Cayucos’ founding father.
Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro and Wine Bar brings the ultimate in farm to table fresh, as Joe Thomas also owns the picturesque organic farm just outside of town, that provides his bistro with the freshest bounty around. Thomas Hill features contemporary American cuisine with meat sourced from organic producers in the area and highlighting sustainable vineyards on their wine list. The food is gorgeous gourmet, seasonal, clean, whole and altogether captivating to the mind, eye and palate.
If you are looking for a totally laid-back, yet full flavored and super fresh, taco experience then check out Taco Temple, just outside of Morro Bay. Serving up the tastiest fish tacos with full throttle mango salsa, the Taco Temple is well worth the stop.
However, if you are a "dessert first" type of diner, or just need a quick snack while on the coast, then you'll want to pop into Cayucos's Brown Butter Cookie Company - baking an unbelievably simple, yet altogether enticing spin on the traditional sugar cookie. This one starts with lightly browned butter and ends with a sprinkle of sea salt - for that "have your cake (or...cookie) and eat it too" salty-sweet sensation in every mouthwatering bite.
Nope, Paso Robles doesn't have to try too hard to climb California's culinary ladder, but it does. Time and again, the restaurants and wineries are busting outside of California's cuisine box and setting their own trends, tastes and happy tables. Bon appétit.
