These were the restaurants we visited while in Central CA on Oct. 28-Nov.4,
2006.

Ballard Inn in Ballard CA on Oct. 28
Pan Roasted Black Mussels with Spicy Tomato-Lime Broth
Ballard Sesame Caesar Salad
Roasted Duck Breast with Sweet Potato Puree and Balsamic Reduction
Sesame Crusted Venison with Sauteed Corn, Shiitake Mushrooms and Lemongrass
Mashed Potatoes
Food:SG90 Service:SG90
Cork Fee:$10/bottle

Brothers Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos CA on Oct.29
Puree of Kaboucha Soup
12 oz.Prime Rib with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Au Jus
Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes with a Red
Wine-Cherry Sauce
Food:SG91 Service:SG88

Bistro Laurent in Paso Robles CA on Oct. 30
Cold Soup of Tomato Cucumber
Warm Potato and Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Pine Nuts
Braised Veal Cheeks in Red Wine with Potatoes, Mushrooms and Pearl Onions
Filet of Beef with Puree of Potatoes and Black Peppercorn Sauce
Food:SG92 Service:SG90
Cork Fee:$20/bottle

Villa Creek in Paso Robles CA on Oct. 31
Squash Soup
Corn Chowder Soup
Grilled Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb with Bocolini, Fava Bean Puree and
Garlic Vincotto
22 oz. New York Strip Steak with Garlic Mashed potatoes
Food:SG88 Service:SG90
Cork Fee:$10(I think)

Ristorante da Gaetano in Paso Robles on Nov. 1
Calamari Fritti-Squid lightly floured and fried, served with spicy tomato sauce
Seafood Cannelloni
Vitello Marsala-Thinly pounded, delicate veal sauteed in sweet Marsala wine
with assorted mushrooms & fresh herbs
Food:SG85 Service:SG85

Marinus at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley CA on Nov. 2
Portobello Mushroom Soup with goat cheese, white truffle oil
Veal Roasted Loin, salisfy puree, mousseron, shallot-tarragon jus
8 oz. Filet Mignon-mesquite-oak grilled with garden bean, torpedo onion
Food:SG91 Service:SG92

The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco CA on Nov. 3
Blue Fin Tuna Tartare with tomato gelee, avocado, shiso oil, hearts of palm
salad
Slow Cooked Veal Cheeks with grilled pear, persimmon ginger salad, zinfandel
grape reduction
Lamb Chops-elephant garlic puree, artichokes, cauliflower, abalone mushrooms,
thyme infused lamb reduction
Milk-Fed Veal Tenderloin-kabocha squash puree, sweetbread ravioli, crispy
salsify, tawny port
Chocolate Caramel Mousse Cake-dark and white chocolate mousse, almonds, poached
pear
Food:SG94 Service:SG93

Ate at the Ballard Inn 4 nights ago - what a great wine list - all local and well priced.
Santa Barbara County Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Viogniers are great.

I wish more wine country restaurants would feature the local wines. A big gripe with our most recent Napa visit.

The E&J Gallo family started an Italian restaurant here in Modesto called Gallettos(http://www.galletto.biz/home.htm)Has reasonably good food at better prices than the SF area.

The best restaurant on the Central Coast in California is Hoppe's Bistro in Cayucos, 30 minutes West of Paso Robles.

Give it a try the next time you are in the area -- you won't be sorry.

For a great steak, try Jocko's in Nipomo, 9 miles north of Santa Maria. The atmosphere isn't much, but the meat is to die for! Oh, and corkage, if they even charge you, is a few bucks. Bring your own glasses.