Paso Robles,California's fastest growing wine region is also getting attention for its culinary endeavors.
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Opolo Vineyards © Spaswinefood
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Prior to a Spaswinefood's visit to Paso Robles I researched the best restaurants in the area. I came up with the following three restaurants that not only top the review list but also serve great organic food:
1. Artisan
2. Thomas Hill Organics
3. Villa Creek Restaurant
All three restaurants are located in historic downtown Paso Robles (Artisan, Thomas Hill Organics and Villa Creek).
Artisan
Artisan 1401 Park Street was our stop for Sunday Brunch. The Artisan Restaurant team includes the creative Executive Chef/Owner Chris Kobayashi. The focus of this American bistro is on using locally grown produce and food.
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| Artisan © Spaswinefood |
For brunch we ordered a bottle of Chandon Champagne.
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| Time for Chandon at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Time for Chandon at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
To go with the Champagne we ordered a Cheese Fondue.
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| Fondue at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Fondue, Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Time for Chandon, Artisan © Spaswinefood |
They had quite a few brunch options on the menu. For brunch entrées we ordered:
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Burger © Spaswinefood
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Mushroom Omelet © Spaswinefood
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We then had a great dessert to share.
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| Time for dessert at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Time for dessert, Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Time for dessert at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
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| Time for dessert at Artisan © Spaswinefood |
With great brunches like this it is hard to do wine tasting in the afternoon.
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| Artisan © Spaswinefood |
Thomas Hill Organics
Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro and Wine Bar 1305 Park Street offers different menu items weekly depending on the season and availability. They serve organically grown produce and natural proteins from their farm and the local area. Paris born Chef Julie Simon does magic with these ingredients. They also offer unique wines from the area. The bistro offers both dinning room and patio settings.
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| Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
We had read that Thomas Hill Organics is busy so we had reserved ahead. We also inquired about their pet friendly policy. They said it was fine to bring a pet; so we brought Iris with us. We visited for late lunch on a Saturday. When we arrived we were seated in the courtyard and they brought water for Iris. She was happy!
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Yes, Iris we brought your organic lunch too. © Spaswinefood
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We debated a number of wine options. In the end we settled on 2009 Mountain Zinfandel from Opolo Vineyards. We had driven by Opolo Vineyards earlier in the day.
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| Opolo Vineyards, Mountain Zinfandel 2009 © Spaswinefood |
Our appetizer choice was:
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Spanish Olives © Spaswinefood
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Normally I do not comment too much on appetizers but these olives were good!!
For lunch we ordered:
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THO Burger with Smoked Shitake Mushrooms, Wakame, Sprouts, Haas Avocado, Shaved Carrots, Roasted Garlic Aioli and Field Greens Salad © Spaswinefood
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Grilled Shrimp Salad with White Quinoa & English Cucumber Salad, Nectarines, Basil, Mint, Feta Cheese and Harissa © Spaswinefood
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For dessert we shared this special chocolate -- sorry I did not get the name. It was great!
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| Dessert time, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
I ordered a French Press coffee and John ordered a port. It was a final touch to a great lunch.
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| Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
After feasting on wonderful organic food we took the afternoon to just rest!!
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| Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
Villa Creek Restaurant and Wine Bar
Friday night for dinner we visited Villa Creek Restaurant and Wine Bar 1144 Pine Street. The restaurant offers organic cuisine prepared by the talented Chef Tom Fundaro. Here the focus is also on fresh local ingredients.
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| Villa Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Creek © Spaswinefood |
For dinner we ordered a bottle of 2008 Zinfandel from Ancient Peaks.
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| Ancient Peeks, Zinfandel 2008 at Villa Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Ancient Peeks, Zinfandel 2008 © Spaswinefood |
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| Ancient Peeks, Zinfandel 2008 © Spaswinefood |
We both ordered the featured salad for the day.
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Green Salad with grilled nectarines, watercress and ricotta cheese © Spaswinefood
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Our entrée choice was:
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Butternut Squash Enchiladas © Spaswinefood
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We both agreed that both the salad and entrée were great choices! The dressing on the salad was great. We have had many types of enchiladas but this was our first Butternut Enchilada and we were quite pleased.
For dessert we shared:
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Trio of Creme Brulee © Spaswinefood
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It was a great dessert. As we left the restaurant, I noticed the wine bar was full. It sure looked like a great place to enjoy some wine.
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| Villa Creek © Spaswinefood |
The beauty of the California night was also settling in. The lights were on around the plaza.
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| Paso Robles at night © Spaswinefood |
With great restaurants like the Artisan, Thomas Hill Organics and Villa Creek, you will have fun exploring cuisine in the Paso Robles area. Sunset Magazine's article "Exploring California's biggest wine county" also lists some of the culinary highlights of this region. I invite you to join me in my travels in California and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
June 2011
El Paso de Robles, California
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