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Artisan has been high on my list of places to eat at in Paso Robles, so when my parents, grandma and I found ourselves in Paso Robles for the Carina Cellars Futures BBQ on June 6, I knew where we would end up for dinner that night. Artisan is the result of creative efforts put forth by a lifetime of experimentation in the kitchen between brothers Michael and Chris Kobayashi. Their menu boasts of numerous local wines and the use of mostly local ingredients to create their unique American Bistro dishes. Appetizers run about $12-$16, and entrees are $24-$29. Although we had adequately stuffed ourselves at the BBQ at Rancho del Cielo earlier that afternoon, by the time we arrived at Artisan for our 8:00 reservation, our stomachs were growling from the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen. The restaurant was packed (it was Saturday night after all), so we sat at the bar and were served by Rick, who was incredibly attentive and talkative. After looking over the wine list, my dad and I decided on a glass of 2006 Adelaida “Version” GSM blend and a glass of 2006 Stephen’s Creek Pinot Noir (mom and Nana had had quite enough wine from earlier that day!) Rick recommended that we begin with the herbed meatballs with cow ricotta, gnocchi, and stinging nettles, which was an excellent suggestion and incredibly flavorful.
We stayed and visited at the bar with each other and our server Rick over coffee and tea, and left with promises to return soon (at the very least to try one of their many lovely-sounding desserts!) |
For
dinner we decided to order a couple entrees and split them amongst
the four of us. I ordered the summer truffle pici,
which is a hand-rolled pasta dish with piopinni mushrooms, peas
and goat cheese toast, and although this meal was delicious it was
also quite rich; I’m very glad I shared! We also ordered the
wild-caught Alaskan salmon with corn pudding squash,
fava bean succotash and apple wood bacon. The salmon was cooked
perfectly and was arranged beautifully! The portions here were healthy,
and once we’d finished we were too full even for dessert!