SLO Food and Beyond
Please note that while we make every effort to keep this informtion updated, it's always a good idea to visit the Web site for the event to confirm dates, times, etc.
Top Local Lunch Spots
These are Leah's favorite local lunch eateries because the food is good and the cost reasonable (not ranked-- they're all special in their own way). Some offer extras and little surprises.
Scroll down and you'll see Mike's recommendations for Central California (he gets around more than Leah and enjoys a double income).
1. Buona Tavola: http://www.btslo.com/paso.html
Northern Italian. Located in downtown SLO on Monterey next to the old art deco Fremont Theater. Although the interior is tiny, there is a charming courtyard behind the restaurant, equipped with heaters. My favorite dish at this Zagut-rated restaurant is an amazing pasta: pumpkin-stuffed ravioli with a marscapone cheese sauce, accented with toasted walnuts. While lunch here may cost you a wee bit over $10, you will pay that much for a chain-quality pizza and salad at the California Pizza Kitchen downtown. BT also has a new location in Paso Robles but I haven't visited it because it's not open for lunch on the weekends.
2. Taco Temple: http://centralcoast.citysearch.com/review/761213
Baja Mexican and California Fusion. With an ocean view, this restaurant may sound like a Taco Bell, but it's dishes are amazing. Located in Morro Bay on 2680 Main Street in a shopping center off Highway 1, this is the real thing. Your fish tacos will likely be made with halibut, not tasteless cod. Their carne asada anything is terrific. But my favorite is the crab cakes, best I've had this side of the Chesapeake Bay. Sides are unique and tasty. Beware: Get there early, especially on weekends – well before noon – or you will stand in a long line. Expect no ambience or happy waiters who sit down at your table to chat. This place is all about the food. I skip the desserts, but many people don't. Like everything else, they taste freshly made, I'm told. The prices are a bit higher than the Baja-type chains, but oh, so worth it.
View from Dorn's in Morro Bay
3. Dorn's Breakers Cafe: http://www.dornscafe.com/
Seafood and more. High atop a cliff overlooking Morro Bay harbor, above Embarcadero Street, this venerable old restaurant has the best views in town plus great food. I usually opt for the fried Washingtn State oysters – always plump, fresh and coated with a light crispy batter. While you can sit outside on their balcony, which has a wind screen, I typically wind up inside. Definitely ask for a seat near the window, and you might catch a singing seagull.
4. Splash Café/SLO: http://splashbakery.com/
Seafood Plus. The original Splash Café is in Pismo Beach, but the new one on the corner of Monterey and California Boulevard in SLO sports a vibrant façade a la Provence, a fabulous bakery, and a hand-made-chocolate shop! The chocolates are produced by a Cal Poly professor who teaches the only undergraduate chocolate production class in the U.S. First, sample the rich signature Splash chowder (it's even sold by CostoCo). For dieters, the ahi tuna salad in excellent. But if you've blown your diet anyway, have a latte and some of the wonderful chocolate treats. Parking can be tough, so be prepared to make a couple of trips around the block before you find a space. And pray you can fit your car into the tiny parking spaces. If you're already parked downtown on at one of the motels on Monterey Street, take the trolley. In fact, you can even stay next door at the Provence-styled Petit Soleil B&B.
Colby Jack's made-fresh-daily pastries
5.Colby Jack's, Atascadero, El Camino Real www.colbyjackcafe.com
9700 El Camino Real, Atascadero - (805) 460-6455
Opened by two chefs, who happen to be married, this upscale cafe in Atascadero features wonderful made pastries made fresh daily. Until 3 p.m., you can enjoy all their dishes, including an array of gourmet burgers on exquisite homemade ciabatta buns, other fabulous sandwiches, quiche, salads and breakfast items. A lovely patio lies behind the restaurant, with umbrella-covered tables and a sun-dappled dolphin fountain. Dogs are welcome on the patio. Closed Sundays.
Patio at Colby Jack's in Atascadero
6. Frank's, SLO, at the intersection of California and Monterey streets
Burgers & Dogs. Alas, Frank is like Betty Crocker, a fictitious persona. But the food is real. Although the real owner has passesd away, his son is carrying on. The crowning triumph here is the breakfast sandwich (and the breakfast burrito.) If someone enters the building where my office is located with a Frank's breakfast sandwich, I can sniff it out instantly and start drooling! For the health conscious, Frank's does their fries in rice bran oil, and they have a really good marinated chicken breast sandwich. During the school year, you want to arrive for lunch before noon, to beat the students.
Seafood. Owned by the friendly folks who ran the successful Olde Port Inn at Avila Beach, this new seafood restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo is immensely popular, so go early to get a seat. The food is wonderful and the service is terrific. Their extensive wine list features white and red Pinots from around the world. Sit by the indoor waterfall, or outside on the patio, as we did.
8. Cafe Roma, 805.541.6800 • Fax 805.786.2522 1020 Railroad Ave. • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.caferomaslo.com
A local favorite, this "cucina rustica italiana" ristorante excels in all areas -- quality, atmosphere, service, and easy parking. From its delightful canopied patio to its cozy bar, it captures the best of old World charm and nouvelle cuisine. You can even make your reservations online. It's a great place to sample local wines. Their extensive cellar offers a large number of Central Coast wines by the glass and half bottle, as well as champagne and sparkling, French, Italian and other California wines. A different winery or wine-growing region is featured each month, with wine available by the glass wine and at reduced prices by the bottle.
Mikes Eats
Reading the menus for the Bakersfield Wine society dinners will give you an idea of Mike’s “palatial” preferences – from homemade wild boar ravioli to kobe beef.
- Cafe Roma - www.caferomaslo.com
- Buona Tavola - http://www.btslo.com/paso.html
- Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar - superb French-California fusion.
- Luigi's, classic Italian with a great deli next door. www.shopluigis.com
- Uricchio's Trattoria, among the finest Italian eateries anywhere.
- The Lie-N Den (maybe the best burgers in California, but for sure in Central Cal).
- JM's Rosedale Cafe - everything's good here.
- The Knotty Pine (superb pastrami)
- The Hitching Post (the original) - www.hithingpost1.com
- Olde Port Fish Co. on the Avila Beach pier - fresh as it gets, steamed mussels and clams, splendid
- Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe - www.farwesterntavern.com
- Mrs. Olson's Coffee Shop at Hollywood Beach
- 71 Palm Restaurant in Ventura, fabulous French - www.71palm.com
- The Vintage Press - legendary - www.thevintagepress.com