Taking a family trip from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Any recommendations for good/interesting restaurants along the way?

Paso Robles:

Artisan is very good...maybe not ideal for an entire family, though.

San Luis Obispo:

Ciopinot is amazing. Great seafood, steaks, atmosphere, and a VERY reasonable, extensive wine list. No corkage.

Buona Tavola has fabulous Italian food. Maybe a bit cramped if you have more than 4 of you...

Avila Beach:

Olde Port Inn is excellent. Great seafood and amazing views...located at the very end of a pier, with see-through tables to the water below

Pismo Beach:

Giuseppe's is a nice family place to get a solid Italian meal.

Big Sur - Nepenthe

Cambria - Moonstone Beach Grill, Robins, The Sow's Ear, Sea Chest

Avila Beach - McPhee's, Sycamore Springs Resort

Los Olivos - Los Olivos Cafe

Santa Barbara - La Super Rica, Playa Azul, Paradise Cafe, Downey's, El Encanto, The Wine Cask

quote:

Originally posted by Deryl1:


Santa Barbara - La Super Rica, Playa Azul, Paradise Cafe, Downey's, El Encanto, The Wine Cask

Is The Wine Cask still around?

quote:

Originally posted by dannyk8232:

quote:

Originally posted by Deryl1:


Santa Barbara - La Super Rica, Playa Azul, Paradise Cafe, Downey's, El Encanto, The Wine Cask

Is The Wine Cask still around?

I thought it closed in Feb.

Hoppe's in Cayucos kicks butt!

Like Villa Creek and there is a Buona Tavola, also in Paso

The Madonna Inn for a bathroom stop... outside SLO...

Do not miss the Passionfish winelist in Pacific Grove (Monterey).

quote:

Originally posted by Whine-oh:
Hoppe's in Cayucos kicks butt!

Never heard of it. What's it like?

quote:

Originally posted by Whine-oh:
Like Villa Creek and there is a Buona Tavola, also in Paso

The Madonna Inn for a bathroom stop... outside SLO...

They are both fantastic. Villa is one of my faves anywhere. BT is owned by the same guy as Robin's in Cambria. But Paso is not on your way from Carmel to Santa Barbara if you're going down Hwy 1.

There's also a BT in SLO.

quote:

Originally posted by Deryl1:

quote:

Originally posted by Whine-oh:
Hoppe's in Cayucos kicks butt!

Never heard of it. What's it like?

Upscale bistro food. Ate there once and it was decent. It gets a B- because they ran out of foie gras before our reservation at 8:00.

Unacceptable...........

Wine Cask in SB is gone but being reopened in a new location by the original owner this fall.

We ate at Passionfish twice (recommendations are needed for most nights). Delicious food and very attractive wine list.

Pacific's Edge at the Highland's Inn. We went on a Saturday night and dined at their cocktail lounge area. Food, cocktails, and views were great. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Fog (apparently heavin in July and August months) obscured some of the views, but the experience was still great.

Sow's Ear in Cambria -- we enjoyed our meal here. We had a tilapia, macaroni & cheese, and a cinnamon bread pudding. It was just a long drive back to Carmel after dinner.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleD:

Sow's Ear in Cambria -- we enjoyed our meal here. We had a tilapia, macaroni & cheese, and a cinnamon bread pudding. It was just a long drive back to Carmel after dinner.

I second that recommendation

You guys have obviously overlooked a Central Coast classic - the Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe. Great Santa Maria style BBQ with a western style decor. Steer heads, cow hide curtains, horse shoes, etc. Great steaks and a fun place.

for an excellent steak in an unpretentious setting, hard to beat Jocko's in Nipomo, will rival most any fine steakhouse cut and quality.

we went to ca d'ario in santa barbara for lunch and it was spectacularly good. I would have loved to have been there for dinner.

quote:

Originally posted by kumazam:
for an excellent steak in an unpretentious setting, hard to beat Jocko's in Nipomo, will rival most any fine steakhouse cut and quality.

Absolutely true...although not on hwy 1

quote:

Originally posted by wet:
You guys have obviously overlooked a Central Coast classic - the Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe. Great Santa Maria style BBQ with a western style decor. Steer heads, cow hide curtains, horse shoes, etc. Great steaks and a fun place.

Good call.

Forgot one:

Windows on the water in Morro Bay.

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Originally posted by dannyk8232:
Forgot one:

Windows on the water in Morro Bay.

Where are we going to dine?

I'm at Laguna beach.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by dannyk8232:
Forgot one:

Windows on the water in Morro Bay.

Where are we going to dine?

I'm at Laguna beach.

Hmm...not really a Laguna Beach expert (although I would like to be )

More importantly, what are we going to drink?

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by dannyk8232:
Forgot one:

Windows on the water in Morro Bay.

Where are we going to dine?

I'm at Laguna beach.

In Laguna:
Sorrento Grill
or
Brussels Bistro
or
Lumberyard