Red Soles Winery on Oakdale off of 46 West has been doing more than just making great wine. They have done some pretty fun things with their beautiful new still, affectionately named ‘Patience My Dear’. They started with a wonderful brandy (made from grapes) concoction called California Hooch. This led to the creation of the yummy Limoncello which is infused with Meyers Lemons for 40 days and – of course – 40 nights. These clever and fun loving Red Soles folks have even
created some cocktails from their brews so stop by and be entertained! PS – the wines are fab also! www.redsoleswinery.com
restaurants
Fun New Eatery and Bar in Paso
Love having more outdoor dining choices for our great summer evenings! Owners of Pappy McGregor’s just opened a new ‘Baja style’ Mexican food at the corner of 13th and Pine. They are focusing on fresh fish and vegetables much like you would see in Cabo or San Diego. That bar looks like it will be quite a lively place as well…..Tequila flights with over 85 to sample! I am going to try the ceviche but I bet my son’s is better! http://www.fishgaucho.com/
SLO County Pet Friendly Guide
For the pet lovers out there…….San Luis Obispo County has put together a Pet Friendly Guide. For the link to this go to http://gallery.mailchimp.com/b0628bb247031f6d4c3b47709/files/PetFriendlyGuide.1.pdf. 
Paso’s Newest Restaurant
Second Press Wine Bar and Eatery – Paso’s newest restaurant – has a special option for special events such as football night with friends or maybe a smaller holiday or birthday party……a separate room for 7 to 15 people at no additional charge! Lovely and modern in style, this classy restaurant is downtown across from the park on 11th. I am told that the things people are raving about are fried brussels sprouts (yes, they tell me that patrons are raving about brussel sprouts!) and stuffed flank steak. Check out the full menu at www.secondpress.biz.
Historic Corner in Paso Gets a New Look
One of my favorite restaurants for special lunches and dinners is Artisan. They have recently relocated to the renovated Northeast corner of our special downtown Park. The fun gift and clothing shop known as Firefly also moved a bit closer to the heart of town along with a new business known as the General Store. Love the new look and wish these businesses great success!
Templeton’s 15Degree Wine Bar Re-opens Downtown
Downtown Templeton isn’t big but it sure is mighty. And there is always a certain healthy vibrancy and energy in the air plus plenty of darn good places to eat and drink in the few short blocks. 15Degrees Wine Bar recently re-opened in their new location at 624 S Main. You can’t miss it…..typically Templeton in design, it looks like a chic barn with a pleasant outdoor patio area and plenty of seating inside. I always enjoy their tapas and can’t wait for the warm weather to return for outdoor happy hour!
Wine Bar Music in Paso!
Music lovers thrill to find cozy, relaxed places to hear live music. Last Sunday at Lombardi’s wine bar on 11th and Park in Paso was one of these special settings. Wally Barnick brought his handsomely fluid voice, obvious love of music and his guitar in from Big Sur. From old-time cowboy tunes to Buffalo Springfield and John Sebastian, Wally knows music. Perfect evening but then something extra special occurred about halfway through the evening when the deep and dreamy voice of Monte Mills could be heard in harmony. Of course it didn’t hurt that we were sipping yummy local red wine and spoiling ourselves with the comfort of Liz’s fab food….my favorite is the Gorgonzola Pesto Pizza with her house salad. Don’t know if this evening can be repeated but Wally will be back this Thursday (12/13) from 5:30 to 8:30 and Sunday (12/16) from 5 to 8pm. Call (805) 237-7786 for more info.
Paso’s Culinary Arts Academy
Our little hamlet is full of surprises….my recent stumble takes me to the Culinary Arts Academy who a personal chef friend of mine routinely goes on and on about. The main function is as a training academy for local high school and college students to obtain a taste of what it is like to work in the food industry. They serve breakfast (8 to 10:30am) and lunch (11:00am to 2pm) Tuesday through Friday from the large, clean and friendly location at 1900 Golden Hill Road. The Academy caters large and small groups from weddings to RV groups to business meetings and events. They also provide school meals for 4000 – 5000. During my visit, my attention was immediately drawn to a huge platter of generous cookies that can be ordered the night before for $2.50 a dozen……. Then I was treated to the days special of Jamaican Curried Pork……..rich, well spiced, made from scratch and simply delicious! I am going back for breakfast soon and a crazy sandwich called the Shrimp Club (only $6.25!) They acknowledge that they are a well-kept secret as they can’t advertise through the standard avenues. This is a place that is definitely worth checking out!!!
Events worth Attending
The Central Coast has no shortage of special educational events, festivals, fairs, and farmers’s markets. This weekend is no exception and offers two events worth attending: The Olive Festival in Paso Robles and the Tomato Extravaganza in San Luis Obispo. Since I’m constantly driving between Paso and SLO, I might just make it to both. Of course, I can have the best of both communities by attending the Cooking demo with Chef Joe Thomas of Thomas Hill Organics from 10-11AM at the Tomato Extravaganza!
1. Paso Robles 9th Annual Olive Festival: Saturday in the Downtown Park from 10AM-5PM
2. Tomato Extravaganza, SLO Master Gardeners: Saturday at the Garden of the Seven Sisters from 10AM-2PM
Savor – Santa Margarita Ranch rides into Sunset (the magazine)
Santa Margarita Ranch hosts ‘Savor the Central Coast’ put on by none other than Sunset Magazine this weekend. Foodies, wine enthusiasts, history buffs, and the socially concerned will all find something to appreciate. The event is two days but visitors can go either Saturday or Sunday. Santa Margarita Ranch is a special place that plays a large part in the history of the Central Coast. Tours of the ranch and the history will be on display. But this is more than a wine and food fest as the timely theme appropriately considers how we get our food as well as how it is prepared. I plan to head straight to the ‘Sunset Kitchen Garden’ which is a two acre display garden that is both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional as it provides essentials for the cook. There are many demonstrations and educational events from local chefs, farmers wine makers and Sunset Magazine editors – From Market to Meal; Chickens, Chickens and More, Fresh from the Fields – California Breakfast, just to name a few. Find out more about this world class event at http://www.savorcentralcoast.com . This something not to be missed!