Monday, October 31, 2011

Odyssey Word Cafe - Paso Robles, CA

While in Paso Robles, I had a day to myself - I ran errands and cruised into Downtown Paso and decided to give the Odyssey World Cafe a try. I had heard the fare was a little eclectic and not as popular as its neighbor restaurants. But, I figured I must try all restaurants alike to be a fair reviewer! Onward...

The French Dip on the menu caught my eye. I asked for my side to be a cup of Pea Soup and they delivered. You place your order at the counter, pay and then make yourself at home with a full beverage station. As I waited for my food I tested my knowledge with the Trivial Pursuit cards that rest on the table. My food came and I dug right in. Best French Dip I have had in as long as I can remember. Great jus, tender medium beef and perfect bun for dipping. The pea soup was good too, but I was so enamored by the sandwich I almost forgot i had eaten it.

I was very impressed and would return no question about it!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween all!
Can you guess what I am? Maybe a Flight Controller?


Maybe a pilot?!

My best guess is a chick who went crazy shopping online at Macys.com three years ago and hasn't had a chance to wear her RocaWear Jumpsuit she bought at half price. Yep! That is what I am! Just call me Ghetto Fabulous.

I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and all the food in between!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Springside Restaurant - Paso Robles, CA

The thing about Paso Robles is that there are really great places to eat, then there are fast food places without much for an "in between" meal. There is a place located off Spring Street that does meet the requirement for a quick, affordable meal so we pulled in there - the Springside Restaurant.

Turkey and avocado on wheat. Pretty basic but the fries were very good. Scott wanted something not too heavy and this was the perfect order.


And this hot mess was my order! The mexican Pizza was a bit excessive no? It was so much food! I am not going to lie, it did taste good but I could only eat a quarter of it. Beware if you order it, you better bring your appetite!

All in all, a nice place to go in for lunch. A table next to us ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad - that looked great, I will go for that next time!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cowgirl Melissa

Cowgirl Melissa got a new hat in the shade of "Gun Metal" - What do you think?

Basil - Paso Robles, CA

After eating a few meals of ho hum flavor I had the feeling some Thai food would kick our taste buds into high gear! In the quad in Downtown Paso Robles there is a restaurant named, Basil. Kathy and i made our way there!

Green Curry for me, extra spice served with fish, basil and bamboo shoots. The Lunch Special was a deals with a cup of soup (not pictured) the curry, salad, wonton and white rice for me. The curry was a thick base, not my favorite but it did the job for an exotic flavor.

Kathy ordered the peanuty Panang Curry with chicken. She raved about the salad dressing. Very refreshing!

If your in the mood for something different and affordable go and check out their Lunch Specials!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Il Cortile - Paso Robles, CA

This restaurant has been recommended for me to review for about six months now and I just had the opportunity to visit it. On a Sunday evening, after the cutting Kathy, Amy and I were banished to eat at the bar due to a full evening of reservations. The bartender (also known as wine pourer) was buzzing around and was a bit exasperated to take out order. Oops!

Our appetizer was the seared scallops on a parmesan fonduta with shaved black truffles. It was ok, did the job and filled our tummies. 

Duo of ravioli - Lobster and Asparagus. Simple - filling.

My special of of Sea Bass - It was cooked nicely, sweet potatoes fabulous and the vegetables spicy!

Now this, the Pork Osso Bucco with a side of parmesan rissoto. The pork needed salt and pepper, way too bland. The risotto tasty but man put some color of the plate. 

I thought the service was pretty pretentious, a little big for their britches. Be kinder, smile and welcome everyone. That is my advice.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Hearst Ranch Winery


I have eaten dinner at Robert's in Paso Robles three times in the past five nights. Robert's in delicious but we also go for the wine! They sell glasses, and bottles, of Hearst Ranch "Julia" - Sauvignon Blanc. It is just really delightful. I searched online to purchase some for my own private reserve and cannot find it anywhere! HELP. Does anyone know where a couple bottles might be found?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Simply Delicioso


Do you recognize her? That is Ingrid Hoffmann, host of Simply Delicioso on the Cooking Channel. I have seen her show before but never really paid attention, maybe I was distracted by blogging or something. Anyhow, I was up at 5 A.M. this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. On the episode Ingrid was making Mexican Corn Soup, Pulled Pork and an interesting "Dove Cocktail." I cannot wait to get home from this horse show and bring some more Latin cooking into my own home!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Tortilla Town - Paso Robles, CA

Hello Paso Robles! I will be your guest for a total of almost two weeks! Omg. I love Paso for many foodie reasons but a quick place to grab some bites has always been Tortilla Town. Fast Mexican food for a girl on a budget. 

You have to order the Carnitas Tacos. My oh my. Order with extra meat, sour cream, cheese, cilantro and both red and green salsa. You will cry on your last bite and wish for three more tacos!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Cafe Zack - Ventura, CA

 The surf has been huge and the weather warm. Just when I thought fall was here to stay, I am wrong and put my flip flops back on. After a day of errands we made our way to C-Street and Scott surfed off the pier in Ventura. He surfed until dark and he was hungry! I had read several reviews on Cafe Zack and so we decided to swing by for a quick bite. A couple glasses of Sauvignon Blanc later we were really starting to relax.


I ordered off the Specials menu. It was a beautiful dish of Scallops in a basil, tomato bread crumb medely. A perfectly refreshing meal on a warm evening.

Scott ordered the sautéed Lobster and Sweet Corn with black truffle oil, Mandarin oranges, butter with a light curry cream sauce. Wow! The photo does not do the dish justice! It was airy and light. We certainly ordered just right.

Next time we visit Cafe Zack we are going all out! From the wine and appetizers, all the way to dessert. This quaint cafe is one not to miss, and i think we may have found our little gem in Ventura! 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Going all out with lobster!

I ordered lobster two nights in a row while in Vegas. You know, I just figured I should. That is how you roll in the Bright Light City. My favorite dinner was the night at the Don Vito Restaurant within the South Point Casino.  They have a Lobster Milanese that is out of this world. Priced for under $30 you receive a large pan fried lobster tail with a killer butter sauce. It was worth every calorie and dollar!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Cava - Montecito, CA

I have been to Cava before this visit. It left a bad impression on me because of the outrageous bill we racked up just on a few appetizers, and a round of two of drinks. We wasted about a Benjamin on what seemed like so little. So, Cava - in my mind - was a bit pricey. Not a lot is open on a Monday night in Montecito, but Cava is so we found ourselves there after a surf board purchase.

Mango Margarita and Crayons to decorate my side of the table... Don't mind if I do! 

The Sea Bass Special was so good. It didn't have a delicious sauce to go with it, just a simple mango salsa. It was one of those meals you eat where you walk away feeling proud of yourself for eating so healthy. I felt like I was an athlete in training or a Hollywood starlit eating to fit into my next designer gown. I was impressed with Cava this go round, I wouldn't mind a return visit.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Shoals - La Conchita, CA

So how beautiful is that view? Omg. Pull off the 101 after Carpenteria and you will arrive at the Cliff House Inn. The rustic Inn has a slammin' location, right on the water! Within the hotel there is an ocean front restaurant - The Shoal's. This beautiful sunset was at seven o'clock, Mother Nature doing her thing!

Scott got the fish special - Seared Ahi with peppercorns. The cream sauce and lobster risotto was so good it should have been ordered as a side, to go! The asparagus was cooked al dente, just to his liking. 

Ok. Now here is mine and I loved it so much that describing it will not even do it justice. You know when you have a really good food day, and just everything you eat tastes good? This was one of those days. Mine was actually off the small bites menu and cost $14. Deal of the century? I think, yes! Anyhow, I ordered the Scallops in wine and butter sauce also, served with the lobster risotto and topped with fried onions. I am salivating just thinking about it again.

With two glasses or wine and a creme brulee (which I would pass on next time) this was a a very reasonably priced meal. The view alone is worth its weight in gold. I will be back for the prime surf location, beautiful view and fantastic food!

The Shoals - La Conchita, CA

So how beautiful is that view? Omg. Pull off the 101 after Carpenteria and you will arrive at the Cliff House Inn. The rustic Inn has a slammin' location, right on the water! Within the hotel there is an ocean front restaurant - The Shoal's. This beautiful sunset was at seven o'clock, Mother Nature doing her thing!

Scott got the fish special - Seared Ahi with peppercorns. The cream sauce and lobster risotto was so good it should have been ordered as a side, to go! The asparagus was cooked al dente, just to his liking. 

Ok. Now here is mine and I loved it so much that describing it will not even do it justice. You know when you have a really good food day, and just everything you eat tastes good? This was one of those days. Mine was actually off the small bites menu and cost $14. Deal of the century? I think, yes! Anyhow, I ordered the Scallops in wine and butter sauce also, served with the lobster risotto and topped with fried onions. I am salivating just thinking about it again.

With two glasses or wine and a creme brulee (which I would pass on next time) this was a a very reasonably priced meal. The view alone is worth its weight in gold. I will be back for the prime surf location, beautiful view and fantastic food!

Del Taco - Baker, CA


Deep Fried Cheesecake with Carmel Filling - Pretty much the best fast food dessert I have ever had. Two of these bad boys will set you back 430 calories,  I say enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! 

Del Taco - Baker, CA


Deep Fried Cheesecake with Carmel Filling - Pretty much the best fast food dessert I have ever had. Two of these bad boys will set you back 430 calories,  I say enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! 

Bay Roadhouse - Santa Barbara, CA


Hello friends. Meet the tastiest Clam Chowder I have had in a long, long time. It was not thick and all floury like most are. They concentrated on making it more of a soup so it had vegetables, other than the usual uncooked potatoes. I enjoyed this chowder very much. The bar was also fun - A couple glasses of Greg Norman pinot noir later... We got ready to watch the Jets game.

That is the face of hope and excitement for the Jets to win their big game! The first quarter was pumpin' and then we left. It went all down hill from there. Time to leave, but we will be back for the chowder! 

Bay Roadhouse - Santa Barbara, CA


Hello friends. Meet the tastiest Clam Chowder I have had in a long, long time. It was not thick and all floury like most are. They concentrated on making it more of a soup so it had vegetables, other than the usual uncooked potatoes. I enjoyed this chowder very much. The bar was also fun - A couple glasses of Greg Norman pinot noir later... We got ready to watch the Jets game.

That is the face of hope and excitement for the Jets to win their big game! The first quarter was pumpin' and then we left. It went all down hill from there. Time to leave, but we will be back for the chowder! 

The Galloping Hen - Ventura, CA

In Ventura there are several shopping malls that look a little sketchy. The home of the Galloping Hen is one of hose places. After running around searching for surf we declared ourselves famished and made our way in to score some breakfast. 

How about the Shrimp and Faux Crab Benedict? I tried it and actually was impressed. The krab was really good, I preferred it over the shrimp. The Hollandaise was not made from a mix so it was pretty appetizing.

Not much to say here but over easy eggs and home fries. Simple, basic, good.

The Galloping Hen was just what it was supposed to be. Good breakfast food on a budget. If you interested in eggs, potatoes and fresh coffee. Give it a go...

The Galloping Hen - Ventura, CA

In Ventura there are several shopping malls that look a little sketchy. The home of the Galloping Hen is one of hose places. After running around searching for surf we declared ourselves famished and made our way in to score some breakfast. 

How about the Shrimp and Faux Crab Benedict? I tried it and actually was impressed. The krab was really good, I preferred it over the shrimp. The Hollandaise was not made from a mix so it was pretty appetizing.

Not much to say here but over easy eggs and home fries. Simple, basic, good.

The Galloping Hen was just what it was supposed to be. Good breakfast food on a budget. If you interested in eggs, potatoes and fresh coffee. Give it a go...

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Brendan's - Camarillo, CA

I went shopping in Thousand Oaks and I was starving by the time I got to Camarillo. I pulled into Brendan's mainly because it was easy to spot off the 101.

I ordered the Beef and Guinness Stew because I thought it sounded interesting. It tasted like cat food. I think "Fancy Gourmet" should really pick up on this.

Last but not least, Curry Fries - Irish style. You all know how much I love curry these days. This was awful. I mean to the point of throwing up.

Good luck to Brendan's. It is a cool place serving great beer, but other than that... good luck.

Brendan's - Camarillo, CA

I went shopping in Thousand Oaks and I was starving by the time I got to Camarillo. I pulled into Brendan's mainly because it was easy to spot off the 101.

I ordered the Beef and Guinness Stew because I thought it sounded interesting. It tasted like cat food. I think "Fancy Gourmet" should really pick up on this.

Last but not least, Curry Fries - Irish style. You all know how much I love curry these days. This was awful. I mean to the point of throwing up.

Good luck to Brendan's. It is a cool place serving great beer, but other than that... good luck.