A Paso Robles Summer Food Tour is a quirky thing when it comes to the weather. In Paso Robles, we can often reach 100 degree temperatures; and let’s face it, heat is not your friend on a food tour. But our Summer in Paso Robles has been fabulous! We have had beautiful weather, nice breezes and plenty of our much loved sunshine.

Just this week, I led a tour of 8 woman which turned out to be one of our best! Eight is a big group for us, so we went all out to make sure every member felt special. Thomas Hill Organics is our first stop and we love the garden setting and super fresh greens and produce we get for our salad. Add to this a special wine paired with the salad and we have a good start to the day!

As a special surprise Debbie Thomas, the proprietor, of Thomas Hill Organics has brought on a new chef and we were treated to one of their new salads. Our salad was the “Bibb Lettuce Salad” and was as gorgeous as it tasted. Over the slice of Bibb lettuce, we found charred green goddess, almond caesar, smoked mushroom granola and pickled vegetables. All I can say is “WOW”! We all enjoyed this salad as we tried to figure out where all the lovely and different flavors came from.

Next up was a special tasting with Gail Todaro of Pasolivo Olive Oil. Gail, Clara and I have worked together for over a year now and I really appreciate the enthusiasm they share with their olive oil. You know you’re special, though, when Gail harkens you back to the hinterlands of Pasolivo for a private tasting.

Wow – how special! The oils, herbs, spices and vinegars were all much more than expected. We so enjoyed this tasting that we ended up 10 minutes late for our next stop – the Paso Robles Inn. Thanks Gail for a great time at Pasolivo!

Next up we headed to the most highly regarded Paso Robles Inn. The Inn is the center of the town’s history which goes back to 1854. Our tour is lucky to have the support of the Inn’s management, especially Hallie and Ryan, the manager and chef of the Steakhouse. Our usual offering is the coveted Prime Rib Sandwich (an overall 5 star sandwich) though Hallie just added their Grilled peach and arugula salad to our menu for vegetarians. OMG… Anything the steakhouse does is par excellence, but I have never seen a guest send back a half eaten plate of the prime rib. Yeah, it’s a bit of an “indulge yourself sandwich”. But why not: you’re on a food tour!

Most will be amazed that behind the 1940’s dinner facade on Spring Street, is a beautiful hotel with well bedded grounds that will take your breath away. The management has managed to preserve the hot springs water that made the town famous (it now is routed into several of the hotel rooms with balcony hot tubs.) This is one of only 2 hotels smack dab in the middle of down town Paso Robles and well worth the convenience.

What would a Paso Robles Summer Food Tour be if it did not include something cool and refreshing?  We got you! After our stop at the Paso Robles Inn we head down the town park to SLO SWEETS. Yep, you are not going to escape something sweet on this tour! SLO SWEETS hosts LEO LEO Gelato, where we enjoy a lovely dessert to our day of fine food.

Finally – yes,  we are almost finished: we end up at LXV Wine Tasting Room on 13th and Pine.

Here we enjoy a wine tasting that is paired with spices – yes! Spices! My guests are always surprised to hear about wines being paired with spices. They have heard about cheeses and chocolates, but never spices. Roll up your sleeves and open your mind to a wine pairing that is like no other. The wines are beautiful and lofty, worthy of a special occasion. The people behind and involved with the wine are equally wonderful. Owners Kunal and Neeta will win your heart in the first sentence. Chris, the tasting manager, shown here, and his staff are equally as special. You know you’ve got something quite special when so many quality people get behind the product.  But, I leave it to you! LXV is a stop on our tour and one I hope you will most enjoy.

Thanks for listening!

Good food, good wine and good thanks!

Laura