Continuing with our theme of weekend getaways, this past weekend we headed to Paso Robles and Santa Barbara. I’ve passed by Paso Robles numerous times on my way south, but I don’t think I’ve ever set foot in the town which is half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is lovely! I like it a lot more than Santa Barbara. It reminds me of Sonoma without the crowds. We had a great time wine tasting at Rotta, Turley, and Linne Calodo. The wines are yum!
We always like to ask locals for their opinion on what to do and where to go. Unanimously, everyone told us to go to Thomas Hill Organics for dinner. “It’s the best!” “You’re going to love it.” “I go there at least three times a week.” The restaurant was full of customers with tables inside and out. We ordered a cheese plate, duck ravioli, and lamb. Yuck. The food was so heavy and not good. We ate half of our entrees which is shocking since we typically lick our plates clean. It’s obvious that we’re spoiled by good food in the city since all of the locals were raving about their mediocre (almost poor) food. Very sad that that place is the best restaurant in Paso Robles.
Nevertheless, we would definitely come back for wine tasting. So many great wineries and we only got to try a few.
Opolo makes fantastic Zin. And Carmody McKnight has great everything. I recommend both wineries next time you go through the area. As for food, in the Central Coast in general it just doesn’t measure up. Even when I was going to Cal Poly I thought the restaurants weren’t very good – and this was before I became a hard-core Bay Area food snob! My family always takes me to the most popular seafood restaurant in Morro Bay when I’m down there and It Sucks but it’s always packed with people raving about the food.