Los Olivos
Los Olivos Grocery Store
2621 W. Hwy 154
(805)-688-5115
It’s more than a grocery store! Stop in for lunch, a snack, great gelato, or pack a picnic to enjoy at a local winery. Literally, this small upscale grocery stocks everything from soup to nuts. The cheese counter offers artisan cheeses from around the world. European hearth style breads, fragrant local olive oils, and zesty tapenades make the perfect accompaniment to your vineyard gourmet snack. The ready made California-Mediterranean foods in the deli counter are varied and delicious. Dishes such as Sonoma Orzo Salad, Venetian Veggie served on massive ciabatta, and quinoa stuffed eggplant adorn the glass case. On weekends, the BBQ is fired up, turning out ribs, chicken, and tri-tip in the Santa Maria tradition.
2621 W. Hwy 154
(805)-688-5115
It’s more than a grocery store! Stop in for lunch, a snack, great gelato, or pack a picnic to enjoy at a local winery. Literally, this small upscale grocery stocks everything from soup to nuts. The cheese counter offers artisan cheeses from around the world. European hearth style breads, fragrant local olive oils, and zesty tapenades make the perfect accompaniment to your vineyard gourmet snack. The ready made California-Mediterranean foods in the deli counter are varied and delicious. Dishes such as Sonoma Orzo Salad, Venetian Veggie served on massive ciabatta, and quinoa stuffed eggplant adorn the glass case. On weekends, the BBQ is fired up, turning out ribs, chicken, and tri-tip in the Santa Maria tradition.
Brothers Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern
2350 Railway Avenue
805-688-4820
The Brothers Restaurant, currently located in the historic Mattei's Tavern (which dates back to the stagecoach era), will be re-locating in March 2012 a couple of blocks over to the main hub of Los Olivos. Although it's location will change, the food and wine will still reflect the best of the region. Fresh local ingredients, and a wine list spotlighting the area's award-winning wines, is the heart of a welcoming experience. Their rustic fare, from great steaks, venison, and pork chops to house-cured salmon, comforts the weary wine taster at the end of the day. I recently had a grilled pork chop to die for, so thick and juicy in a brandy glaze with honey butter, and accompanied by applewood smoked bacon mashed potatoes. With the great service, I was restored for the long trek home, still dreaming of that pork chop!
2350 Railway Avenue
805-688-4820
The Brothers Restaurant, currently located in the historic Mattei's Tavern (which dates back to the stagecoach era), will be re-locating in March 2012 a couple of blocks over to the main hub of Los Olivos. Although it's location will change, the food and wine will still reflect the best of the region. Fresh local ingredients, and a wine list spotlighting the area's award-winning wines, is the heart of a welcoming experience. Their rustic fare, from great steaks, venison, and pork chops to house-cured salmon, comforts the weary wine taster at the end of the day. I recently had a grilled pork chop to die for, so thick and juicy in a brandy glaze with honey butter, and accompanied by applewood smoked bacon mashed potatoes. With the great service, I was restored for the long trek home, still dreaming of that pork chop!
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe
2879 Grand Avenue
805-688-7265
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe, made famous in the movie "Sideways", prides itself on being a micro-casm of the Central Coast. Affordable, wine-friendly, seasonal food, sourced from local, wild, and if possible, organic ingredients paired with a great regional wine list, of which some bottles are very difficult to find elsewhere, make for a great local hangout, and a temple of wine for wine hunters to peruse. Open for lunch and dinner, they offer a Mediterranean-themed menu. Dining among the wine, you can't resist the urge to shop for a special bottle. Many of the wines are not easily found in other retail outlets. They truly stock a great assortment, indeed, the elusive unicorn of Central Coast Pinot, Sea Smoke, has been seen peeking through their shelves. Small producers have a special home, Alban, Samsara, Curran, Di Bruno, Fiddlehead, Flying Goat, in fact too many to mention grace their shelves.
2879 Grand Avenue
805-688-7265
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe, made famous in the movie "Sideways", prides itself on being a micro-casm of the Central Coast. Affordable, wine-friendly, seasonal food, sourced from local, wild, and if possible, organic ingredients paired with a great regional wine list, of which some bottles are very difficult to find elsewhere, make for a great local hangout, and a temple of wine for wine hunters to peruse. Open for lunch and dinner, they offer a Mediterranean-themed menu. Dining among the wine, you can't resist the urge to shop for a special bottle. Many of the wines are not easily found in other retail outlets. They truly stock a great assortment, indeed, the elusive unicorn of Central Coast Pinot, Sea Smoke, has been seen peeking through their shelves. Small producers have a special home, Alban, Samsara, Curran, Di Bruno, Fiddlehead, Flying Goat, in fact too many to mention grace their shelves.
Petros Los Olivos (inside the Fess Parker Inn)
2860 Grand Avenue
805-686-5455
This new restaurant, featuring a blend of California and Greek cuisines, has a mouth-watering menu of Greek specialities, from grilled octopus and calamari, to saganaki, roasted eggplant, moussaka, lamb, Greek sea bass, shrimp and chicken souvlaki, just to mention a few. While I haven't had the opportunity to dine there yet, the menu looks promising and certainly worth a try.
2860 Grand Avenue
805-686-5455
This new restaurant, featuring a blend of California and Greek cuisines, has a mouth-watering menu of Greek specialities, from grilled octopus and calamari, to saganaki, roasted eggplant, moussaka, lamb, Greek sea bass, shrimp and chicken souvlaki, just to mention a few. While I haven't had the opportunity to dine there yet, the menu looks promising and certainly worth a try.
