Trattoria Uliveto

Rural charm, gourmet Italian, wood fired pizzas and a micro brewery next door. Pinch me!

Trattoria Uliveto in Old Town Orcutt, a setting a like no other and combined with it’s ambience, cultured cuisine and friendly staff it’s destined to be your next destination spot for lunch or dinner. It is for me, anyway.

I’ve had Uliveto on my list of must stops for nearly four months,having heard nearly every foodie and wine person I know spoon heaps of praise on this little trattoria in the movie-set-charming town of Orcutt.

You would feel equally at home sauntering up on your pinto pony of gliding in aboard your Prius.

We started off with their Parmigiana di Melanzana; baked egglplant, tomato sauce and mozzarella. If I didn’t know Id be getting plenty o’carbs from the pasta dish I was eyeing I would of ordered their appy, Rollino Veneto; rolled pizza with braised radicchio, onion, smoked mozzarella. Served with tomato, basil and garlic.

The pizzas coming out of their wood fired pizza oven were mighty tempting but I had my heart set on the Linguini Mare Monte pasta made with garlic, olive oil, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, tomato filet and white wine. Speaking of which, the Kenneth Volk Chardonnay from Uliveto’s great wine list was the perfect pal di vino for this dish.

The entrée hit every note my palate had anticipated and more. I was thrilled with the dish. We then split a chocolate flourless cake with espresso sauce. It certainly wasn’t calorieless or caffeineless. Perfect combo of sweet tooth appeaser and mild to jolt to help me out of the chair and back to our travels.

If not for the wine and chocolate I would have made my next stop Orcutt Brewery right next store.

Gourmet relaxation in picturesque, pastoral surroundings and right down the road for most lucky residents of the Central Coast. The rest of y’all will just have to salivate while planning your next wine country vacation.

Trattoria Uliveto
285 S. Broadway St.
Orcutt, CA 93455
805.934.4546
http://www.trattoriauliveto.com

Contributed by Cliff Stepp, Marketing Manager for the Central Coast Urgent Care Medical Group. He can be reached at cstepp@ccurgent.com.

Costa de Oro Winemaker Dinner with Gary Burk at Central City Market

At CENTRAL CITY MARKET
Featuring Winemaker Gary Burk
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010, 7:00 PM

First Course
Local Artisanal Cheese Plate
Paired with 2009 Pinot Noir Rose

Second Course
Ahi Tuna Crudo, Grilled Pineapple, Avocado Mousse
Paired with 2009 Santa Barbara Country Pinot Grigio

Third Course
Balsamic Cherry Glazed Quail, Black Pepper Polenta
Paired with 2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

Fourth Course
Beef Tenderloin Medallions, Cabrales Blue Cheese, Roasted Potatoes
Paired with 2008 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

Dessert
Santa Maria Strawberry and Rhubarb Napoleon
Paired with 2006 Syrah Dessert Wine

$65 per person including wine pairings
Space is very limited; please make reservations at 805-925-7766

Gourmet Central – aka Central City Market in Santa Maria’s Town Center Mall

The word is spreading like wildfire through the Central Coast Grapevine about the great dishes and pastries at the relatively new Central Market that opened in the freshly remolded Town Center Mall in Santa Maria.

You first enter a thoroughly modern deli with the aromas of baked veggies and rosemary infused beef mingling with faint hints of cheeses and chocolates. As you approach the “Order Here” zone you’ll discover the large, sunny atrium with lots of cafe tables and live plants.

If you’re dieting you might want to bring your support group; the pastries are some of the finest looking and tasting I’ve experienced anywhere on the Central Coast.

Michael & Nova

How did this all come about? I really don’t know the whole story, except that I discovered that the cuisine is in the capable hands of Chef Michael Wood, who has a devoted following. And they have a Pastry Chef, Nova Bevier, that must have “magician” listed in her resumé.

I first learned of this new tasty jewel because three of the last five wine events I attended were catered by Central City Market. I liked the name because it sounded like some place Batman might go to lunch.

Be that as it may, at lunch my heart leapt into my throat when I found that they serve illy coffee at the table a la French press.

I had their Bistro Steak sandwich with grilled balsamic onions, provolone, spicy greens and horseradish peppercorn sauce. My friend had the BBQ Chop Salad that was a medley of chopped greens, grilled corn, smoked cheddar, marinated beans, crispy onions, chipotle BBQ ranch with your choice of chicken, steak or shrimp.

On Saturdays they have a Prime Rib Special for $16 that includes an 8 oz. portion of very slow roasted, herb crusted Prime rib, scalloped potatoes, fresh market vegetables, horseradish cream and au jus.

Sundays they do Wine Barrel Smoked Baby Back Ribs served with southern style creamy cole slaw, corn bread and house-made BBQ sauce for $14!
They also do “Grilled Cheese Sunday,” from 5:30 – 9:00pm; grilled cheese sandwiches with your choice of tomato soup, house-made French fries or salad.

Speaking of wine barrels; they have a great wine list (featuring local faves) at some of the best deal prices I’ve seen in any restaurant in the area.

I grabbed a flyer for the Winemaker Dinner with Kenneth Volk Vineyards they’ve got coming up April 6th at 7pm. The menu looked absolutely amazing.

There is nothing I can say that will do justice to Nova’s pastries and dessert creations. Truly a case where one photo is worth 1,000 licks.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Central City Market is on the first floor of the Town Center, near Macy’s.
805.925.776

Contributed by Cliff Stepp, Marketing Manager for the Central Coast Urgent Care Medical Group. He can be reached at cstepp@ccurgent.com.

SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAUNCHES SPRING “DINEOUT WEEKS” TO COMPLEMENT STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

“DineOut: Santa Maria Style”
Offers Special Reduced Price Menus at
Participating Santa Maria Valley Restaurants
From April 12 through April 25

Santa Maria, CA—Locals and visitors alike are invited to savor and save as eight participating restaurants in the Santa Maria Valley offer special reduced price menus from April 12 through April 25 under the banner of “DineOut: Santa Maria Style.”

The fixed menu prices start at $10.10, and continue with the “2010” theme at $20.10, $30.10 and $40.10, depending on the restaurant and meal (see below for full menus listing).

“The event dates were chosen to coincide with an established culinary event, the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival, in order to encourage locals and visitors to experience a taste of the Santa Maria Valley,” said Gina Keough, manager of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau, which is coordinating the promotion.

The participating restaurants are The Hitching Post in Casmalia, Trattoria Uliveto, Far Western Tavern, Garden Room Restaurant at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Vintner’s Bar & Grill at the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, Portabella at the Holiday Inn and Suites, Quizno’s on South Bradley Road and Adelina’s Bistro at the Monarch Club at Trilogy Central Coast.

For example, the Historic Santa Maria Inn is offering a Grilled Salmon Filet atop grilled basil polenta for $20.10, which includes choice of soup or salad, tomato bruschetta and a dessert featuring vanilla ice cream, seasonal berries served in a caramel basket. Prices do not include tax or tip.

Diners are encouraged to make reservations in advance, and to mention the “DineOut: Santa Maria Style” promotion when dining or making a reservation as regular menu items will also be available.

Says Keough, “’DineOut: Santa Maria Style’ is a great way for people to affordably experience the variety of our local flavors.”

“DineOut: Santa Maria Style” Details

What: A two-week promotion featuring eight participating restaurants offering special prix fixe menus featuring entrees and extras.

When: Promotion runs from April 12 through April 25, 2010

Cost: Prices range from $10.10 to $40.10, depending on restaurant and menu

Menus: See below. These same details are available online at Hot Travel Deals at http://www.santamariavisitor.com, or phone (805) 925-2403 x814.

THE HITCHING POST
3325 Point Sal Road, Casmalia
(805) 937-6151 or (866) 879-4088
http://www.hitchingpost1.com
Open Monday – Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DINNER
Steak & Shrimp $30.10
Australian Lobster Tail $40.10
Complete dinners include: bay shrimp cocktail, dinner salad, potato
or vegetables, entree, coffee/tea and ice cream.

FAR WESTERN TAVERN
899 Guadalupe Street/Highway1, Guadalupe
(805) 343-2211
http://www.Farwesterntavern.com

http://www.opentable.com/single.aspx?rid=33841&restref=33841

Open: Tuesday – Fri day 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
LUNCH $10.10
Spinach Steak Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
DINNER $30.10
Petit (6 oz) Filet, Jumbo (9oz) Lobster Tail. Served with reduction of Syrah, polenta, roasted garlic and choice of soup or salad.

TRATTORIA ULIVETO
Menu pending

HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN
801 South Broadway, Santa Maria
(805) 928-7777
http://www.santamariainn.com
DINNER
-Salmon Filet $20.10:
Served with grilled tomato bruschetta, choice of house made soup or salad,
grilled basil polenta garnished with a citrus salad, and vanilla ice cream and seasonal berries served in a caramel basket

-Black Angus Rib Eye Steak $30.10:
Served with grilled tomato bruschetta, coastal greens salad, creamy mashed potatos, grilled baby vegetables and crème Brulee.

-6oz Bacon Wrapped Black Angus Filet Mignon $40.10:
Served with risotto lobster cake, baby spinach salad with wonton skins, strawberries and mandarin oranges and cheesecake with vanilla bean ice cream.

QUIZNO’S SUB SANTA MARIA
2202 South Bradley Road- ONLY
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 928-4280
LUNCH OR DINNER
Large sub, chips, cookie & drink retails for $10.10

PORTABELLA BAR & GRILL (Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites)
2100 North Broadway, Santa Maria
(805) 928-6000
Open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly
DINNER
-Seafood Pasta $20.10:
Scallops, tiger shrimp and Atlantic salmon sautéed in garlic, butter
and white wine then served over a bed of fettuccini Alfredo.

-Beef Short Rib $20.10:
Slow cooked with a flavorful demi-glaze, served with choice
of two sides. Also served with a fresh garden salad or cup of soup.

-Atlantic Salmon $20.10:
Grilled with sun dried tomato pesto or Cajun style with herb butter.
Served with roasted asparagus and cheese-filled tortellini.
Also served with a side of scampi style shrimp.

-Steak & Ribs $30.10:
A juicy char-broiled Rib Eye and 1/2 rack of mouth watering ribs.
Served with two sides and choice of garden salad or a cup of soup.

VINTNERS GRILL (Radisson Hotel Santa Maria)
3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria
(805) 928-8000
Served 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. only
DINNER
-English Cut Prime Rib $20.10
-Champagne Chicken Picatta $20.10
-Blackened Snapper $20.10
*Served with house glass of wine and scoop of ice cream for dessert

Pandee Pearson, Executive Chef, Adelina’s Bistro

ADELINA’S BISTRO AT THE MONARCH CLUB
1645 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo
(805) 343-7501
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
DINNER
Chef’s Selected Entrée $30.10
Four course menu changes nightly to include amuse bouche, choice of soup du jour or bistro salad, chef’s selected entrée, and featured dessert. Call for menu details.

Adelina’s Bistro at Monarch Dunes

One of our area’s favorite, world class chefs, Pandee Pearson, can be found plying her culinary skills at luxury resort hidden away on the “Mesa.” Lucky for us, most locals have no trouble taking the drive (since it’s kind of like going to Guadalupe) and her menu is “bistro” priced with an exotic flair.

Windows on the Water in Morro Bay drew tourists and locals in droves to sample Pandee’s artful creations during the years she was at the helm.

It’s no wonder anyone who’s ever tasted dishes by Pandee crave more. Her career kicked off at Napa’s famed Mustard Grill, then she helped open Eureka in LA with Wolfgang Puck and Rox in Beverley Hills with Hans Rockenwagner, later working at Granita in Malibu, and Restaurant Lulu in San Francisco before sailing down the coast to Windows on the Water.

In 2009, Pandee was written up in one of nation’s premier gourmet publication, Food Arts Magazine.

Adelina’s Bistro more of an inland adventure, perched atop the Nipomo Mesa at the luxurious Monarch Club at Trilogy Central Coast. And I suggest doing what I did when relatives were visiting from northern California; take a scenic drive down Highway 1 for a leisurely Sunday brunch at Adelina’s.

It’s hard to beat the tony resort setting and a fantastic brunch menu that ranges from $7.50 to $12. Of course, their wine list features a bevy of the Central Coast’s finest. Even their dinner menu is modestly priced: $17-$28!

And, no, Adelina is not Pandee’s mom’s name or anyone else’s living relative. The restaurant’s moniker pays tribute to Captain William Dana, considered the founder of Nipomo, whose beloved daughter was named Adelina.

I’ve included a photo of the restaurant’s exterior since the geniuses at Trilogy seem to think,
“it doesn’t need no stinkin’ sign.”

1645 Trilogy Parkway
Nipomo, California, 93444
805.343.7500
www.adelinasbistro.com

SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU

BREAKFAST BURRITOS
Spicy Chicken: Egg, Hash Brown, Avocado, Mozzarella, Salsa, Crème Fraiche $7.50

Chorizo: Egg, Hash Browns, Avocado, Mozzarella, Salsa, Crème Fraiche $7.50

Vegetarian: Eggs, Roasted Peppers, Avocado, Spinach, Salsa, Hash Browns, Mozzarella Cheese Crème Fraiche $7.50

EGGS & BEYOND
Two Eggs (any style)
Hash Browns, Potato Cake or Biscuits & Gravy Peppered Bacon or Italian Sausages $10.00

Fried Egg Sandwich
Fontina Cheese, Avocado, Pesto, Sliced Sour Dough, Choice of Peppered Bacon or Sausage $11.00

House Made Brioche French Toast
Fresh Berries & Whipped Cream & Choice of Bacon or Sausage $9.00

Monarch Burger
100% Kobe Beef, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Onion, Whole Wheat Bun, Aioli $12.00

Wild Mushroom Omelet
Mozzarella Cheese, Spinach, Fresh Herbs, Avocado, Potato Cake, Hash Browns or Biscuits & Gravy $10.00

Chicken Fried Steak
Two Eggs Cooked Your Way, Hash Browns, Potato Cake or Biscuits & Gravy $12.00

Italian Sausage Omelet
Tomatoes, Provolone Cheese, Avocado, Potato Cake, Hash Browns or Biscuits & Gravy $10.00

Roasted Turkey Sandwich
Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Sprouts, Aioli, Provolone Cheese, Multi Grain Bread $10.00

Grilled Asparagus with Poached Egg
Crispy Rustic Bread, Prosciutto, Frisee & Arugula, Pesto $10.00

Traditional Eggs Benedict
Canadian bacon, Soft Poached Egg, Hollandaise, English Muffin, Potato Cake, Hash Browns or Biscuits & Gravy $12.00

Plus, a selection of Brick Oven Pizzas!

Contributed by Cliff Stepp, Marketing Manager for the Central Coast Urgent Care Medical Group. He can be reached at cstepp@ccurgent.com.