“Utah get me two!”

If you don’t get that I’m not sure you are allowed to read any further.  For the rest of you, welcome back to the second part of our three part series on Paso Robles Wine Tasting.  In our previous installment we broke down three different hotel options for your stay based on your pocketbook and needs.  You don’t have to be an FBI agent (Still with me?) or a former president (How about now?) to know that you also gotta eat. So let’s get to the Point of how not to Break your pocketbook while choosing a restaurant in Paso Robles.

Wine and food go together like Swayze and feathered hair (OK I’m done; I promise). One truly doesn’t reach its pinnacle without the other.  So you’ve spent your day tasting around the 101, from the hilltop winery of Justin to the east side spot of Sculptura and now you’re hungry.  Where do you go? 

Here are a couple ideas for you:

Pappy Mcgregor’s – There are plenty of foo foo spots to eat in Paso, and they have their time and place.  But sometimes you just want a pint and something fried that won’t bleed your bank account dry.  Pappy’s has your back.  A down home pub with wings, fries and all the kind of stuff that makes you feel good before you feel bad.  It’s the kind of place you eat to please your tongue not your waist and that’s OK. Don’t take yourself so seriously, loosen your ascot and eat a damn bacon tater tot. It won’t kill you. 

Editor’s Note: It may kill you.

Thomas Hill Organics – I can feel your eyes rolling from here.  This is the easy one everyone is going to have on their list. It’s like picking Ryan Reynold’s as handsomest man in America (Which he is). Sometimes things are obvious for a reason, and Thomas Hill is one of them.  Focusing on farm-to-table and organic food they also have vegan and vegetarian options.  Our personal experience here was quite nice.  We sat on the enclosed patio and had a wonderful dinner.  And I say this, and recommend it, despite sending my food back.  It is rare I have ever sent food back somewhere, but on this occasion my rice was undercooked. 

Now, in my mind, what makes a restaurant great is not perfection. If that is your standard be ready for a life of disappointment.  In my case, the server took my dish back to be corrected without any sentiment of resentment, the manager came over to update me that they agreed, and a new one would be right out.  It was corrected quickly with no issue or inconvenience to me, and that is more impressive than many other things restaurants do. 

In regards to the food, I highly recommend the duck if it is on the menu.  They crispy skin was crackling with flavor.  Like many places in Paso most of the wines are local so you have a good chance of making an informed choice on your pairing since it is likely you may have tasted some of the wines on their menu earlier in your day. Also, depending on your choice of wine, it may be cheaper for you to pay the corkage on your bottle you bought at the winery than pay the restaurant price on a bottle you already have anyway.  Weigh it out.

Albertsons– Yup! I’m recommending you a supermarket.  It just makes sense.  You are traveling hours to go to a beautiful area filled with rolling hills stocked with green grass and wildflowers, why not enjoy it? The simple fact of the matter is that no restaurant in Paso has a better view than almost every winery in the region.  You are robbing yourself of the experience if you don’t picnic all your lunches and maybe even most other meals.  Albertsons is a mile south of downtown Paso across the 101.  Stock up! Some places that we like to picnic: Denner for the views (By appointment), Bianci has a small lake, and Dover Canyon is dog friendly. Speaking of views, no one can beat DAOU vineyards, but it comes with a disclaimer.  They don’t allow outside food and drink.  So go for the views but don’t plan on picnicking there.

Mistura – This is a RIP shout out to a great dinner we had in Paso at a place that apparently is no longer around.  However, there does seem to still be a location in San Luis Obispo.  So if you are down for the drive or are going this direction in or out of Paso, try this spot.  It is Peruvian food done up scale.  It’s very unique and we would advise that you try the potato sushi.  No, that’s not a typo.  They serve something called potato sushi, and you kinda have to try it to understand what it is.  For the less adventurous try the Senor Lomo.  OMG it’s street food elevated, and you will be in heaven.

Missed Part One in our series? Check it out here: Paso Robles Wine Tasting: Part 1 (Hotels)