Most imbibers have learned that wine can transform a meal into a delicious whole bursting with flavors beyond the sum of its ingredients. In a bid to showcase the fine dining scene on the Central Coast, as well as the merits of pairing wine with food, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and five area chefs will host a restaurant week featuring multi-course meals at irresistible prices.
Slated for April 20 to 26, the first-ever DineOut: Santa Maria Style offers both foodies and the merely hungry a chance to indulge their senses, whether they decide to try out a new eatery or visit an old favorite. Throughout the entire week, participating restaurants will offer lunch and dinner menus featuring fresh, local ingredients, and created to match regional wines.
“This promotion gives everyone an affordable opportunity to savor the renowned flavors of the Santa Maria Valley,” said Gina Keough, manager of the Santa Maria Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau. “Some of our local restaurants have been featured in Gourmet, Sunset, BBQ with Bobby Flay, and elsewhere, and this is a great excuse to come out and taste what all the fuss is about.”
At the Vintner’s Bar and Grill at the Radisson Hotel, enjoy a lavish dinner of English cut prime rib, Champagne chicken picatta, or blackened snapper every day from 4 to 6 p.m. Each dish includes two sides, your choice of soup or salad, and ice cream for dessert, all for $14.95.
The Vintner’s Bar and Grill maintains a well-rounded wine list that favors producers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. For a treat, try the Costa de Oro Pinot Noir with the prime rib, a Lucas and Lewellen Chardonnay with the chicken picatta, and a Firestone Gewurztraminer with the spicy, blackened snapper. And for dessert, either alongside or after the ice cream, consider sipping a rich, tawny port.
The Garden Room Restaurant at the Historic Santa Maria Inn offers both lunch and dinner specials ranging from $35.40 to $44. Working in his newly remodeled, state-of-the-art kitchen, Chef Alex Araizaga whips up three DineOut options: shrimp scampi with tomato bruschetta and tiramisu, prime rib of pork served with golden brown brie cheese and lemon cheesecake xango, and filet mignon flanked by lobster and crab cakes and finishing with hazelnut crème brulee.
At the north end of town, the Portabella Grill at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites serves up two elegant dinner choices as part of DineOut Santa Maria Style. The first opens with a shrimp cocktail appetizer, followed by cheese-filled tortellini and fresh veggies tossed in creamy pesto sauce, and concludes with a luscious slice of cheesecake ($22.99).
A rib eye steak and half-rack of ribs comprise the second meal, which comes with two sides, a sampler platter of hot appetizers, and chocolate lava cake ($32.99). Pair either of these main courses with a Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, or maybe a bright Viognier and a bold Syrah, respectively.
On the outskirts of Santa Maria, the Casmalia Hitching Post weighs in with three dinner options ranging from $25 to $40. They include top sirloin, top sirloin with scallops, and Australian lobster tail, all generously accompanied by shrimp cocktail, dinner salad, baked potato or grilled vegetables, garlic bread, ice cream, and coffee.
Chef Bob Ostini suggests pairing any of these meals with Pinot Noir, especially those crafted by Alta Maria Vineyards and Riverbench Vineyard, and those made under the Hitching Post’s own, eponymous label.
In Guadalupe, the Far Western Tavern plans to quell hunger pangs with a different lunch special each day, Tuesday through Friday. For $6.50, you’ll get a main entrée and satisfying side, Santa Maria pinquito beans, and homemade salsa.
The Far Western’s dinner special, priced at $30, begins with your choice of a shrimp cocktail, soup, or a fresh salad made with local greens. The mouthwatering main course consists of barbecued prime top sirloin steak, grilled polenta and slivered sweet onions, pinquito beans, salsa, and garlic toast, and finishes with a chef’s seasonal strawberry dessert selection.
For a memorable experience, the Far Western’s manager, Barbara Abernathy, recommends pairing the dinner menu with the Flying Goat 2005 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir.
“This promotion is designed to support our member restaurants during the off-season,” the bureau’s Keough said, “and to make it easy for locals to enjoy a special meal with family and friends.”
Prices don’t include beverages, tax, or gratuity, but they do give diners plenty of savory bang for the buck. So fire up your appetites and prepare to experience the wonder of pairing wine with fine food during the festive week of DineOut: Santa Maria Style.
No need for reservations with K. Reka Badger’s food suggestions. E-mail comments or ideas to rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Apr 16-23, 2009.