Red Scooter Deli - Paso Robles, CA

There's a sleek square of streets surrounding a gorgeous green in the town of Paso Robles. Every restaurant is well-manicured, and it looks like fine dining all around. But it seems there are affordable places to grab a square meal, and Red Scooter Deli is at least in the top 3! 

I haven't even looked at the menu for any other restaurant, but I can say this with conviction because I've NEVER had anyone make a Turkey Club exciting. Turkey is my least favorite sandwich, but theirs is done really well. The meat is a juicy roast, the bacon is a chewy savor, and there's a thick layer of ripe avocado smeared across the top. The sour from the sourdough is a flavor that amplifies all the others. 

Their cold stuff is perfect if you're on the run, but the French Dip'n is a must if you have a moment to sit. The roast beef is medium rare in the middle and it melts in your mouth. Check out the stretch on the provolone, and pause to enjoy the au jus, which is basically French onion soup. Put your hand upon my dip, when I dip, you dip, we dip!

Even if you're not feelin' the food, they make a mean Latte all day. They have all sorts of flavors for your morning coffee, and the Berry Sunshine is one of a whole list of refreshing smoothies. If you're visiting Paso Robles or just stopping through, give Red Scooter Deli a try. They have a drink for every diner and sandwich for every palate.

NorCal Road Trip - Monterey - Asilomar State Beach, Cannery Row, Ambrosia Indian Bistro and Troya Turkish Delight and Baklava

We wanted to see the tide pools at Asilomar State Beach, but no one checked the tides. 

We arrived just in time to catch the highest tides still rising, on a dreary day of clouds and wind. Still, it was quite a sight, and we’re glad we sunk our feet into that silky sand, even if we didn’t linger. 

The afternoon is a lot more pleasant as we take a stroll along a well-known Cannery Row. The view of the ocean is nice,

and even John Steinbeck shows his face.

The highlight of this excursion? The photobombing seagull. 

We go to grab dinner at Ambrosia India Bistro, and I find the prices quite fair for Cannery Row. 

We did it. We got Butter Chicken. I'm sorry. They had a lot of good-looking dishes on their menu, and we went with the stereotype...the very enjoyable stereotype. A creamy tomato-based gravy with tender chicken chunks...what's not to like?

The Lamb Briyani is different from what I usually see. Their rice is heavily coated with a tomatoey sauce, and the spice profile has far less cardamom and cloves. It's a bit soupy so I wonder if they just didn't cook it long enough. That said, it's the first non-white rice the toddler willingly tried so apparently their briyani is a miracle. 

They make a nice, fluffy regular naan, and they have a Cheese Naan which is basically an Indian quesadilla. Densely packed with lotsa mozza, it doesn't really go with the curries/gravies, but it's a go-to for picky eaters. 

They got my kid to try their rice so I have nothing negative to say. I've had better Indian, but it could also be much worse. 

We found Troya Turkish Delight and Baklava a few doors down while we wait for our takeout. It's expensive but it's beautiful, and if it didn't cost a whopping $3 per PIECE, I would have tried every piece of baklava and Turkish delight they had. The store looked and smelled heavenly, even through the mask. 

The regular baklava is great, but it's the chocolate baklava you want. 

Like it, love it, dying to get more of it. 

NorCal Road Trip - Monterey Zoo and Villa Azteca, Salinas

 A visit to the Monterey Zoo, an entirely outdoor establishment displaying the cuter parts of the animal kingdom.

The animals are active in the morning, which is when we arrived. Not that we had a choice - they close quite early, shortly after the toddler's nap. Highlights include rambunctious monkeys, a devilish hyena, and an entire walkway of lion, tigers, and bears, oh my. No really, that’s what the sign said.

It's an easy day but the zoo walk has us primed for lunch. Villa Azteca’s menu makes the decision easy.

It's higher-end Mexican food, with plenty of tradition but they’re not afraid to add their own ideas.

Guacamole with Ribeye? Genius. Whoever decided it would be a good idea to pair a cool, sweet and limey mashed avocado with chunks of outside-crunch, inside-marble is a marvel. 

Two Tacos de Pollo Guisado are double the pleasure. Plump purses of shredded chicken are seasoned to perfection with chipotle spice and smoke, and they even make the tortillas by hand. Splash on some salsa - their smoke game is strong, and it’s so much more than just a side. 

Flautas flout the perceived need for meat. These handmade tortillas are fried to a golden crisp, and a simple stuffing of potato and mozzarella flaunts the savory corn. A green salsa adds a little spice to pull it all together.

The portions are generous and the food is filling, but you can still try the Mango Aguachile for dessert. It finishes like a smoothie-soup with soaking shrimp...which is a good thing...so much better than I'm making it sound.

I've always been loud and clear about my opinion of high-end Mexican food...more so than I should. But more and more often, I'm being proven so very wrong, and Villa Azteca is yet another exception to that rule. 

NorCal Road Trip - Monterey - Fujiyama, Salinas

A visit to the Dennis the Menace playground makes for a fantastic half-day. The playground is extensive, complete with a suspension bridge, a spine-smashing roller slide, and multiple jungle gym for kids of any age. Izzy went straight for the full merry-go-round, and I sat on it holding her while others made it spin. All the aerial hoop training was only for moments like this. 

There are paddle boats across the pond, my random, secret favorite thing to do on any body of water when paddle boarding can't be done. 

She's learned how to snap buckles this trip so she's trying on her own life jacket. 

It's a giant boat. In the shape of a duck. Izzy is a long for the ride, but let's be honest, this one is more for me. 

The next day starts bright and early, a race to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

It's a huge hit with babies and big people alike, a beautiful living ocean,

and my personal favorite, iridescent jellies lit up like a dream.

Izzy love the fishies, there's a lot of pointing and high-voice monologues that no one understands. 

For dinner we get Fujiyama, Salinas sushi vetted on Yelp. 

Though they're mainly hibachi, they do make some decent sushi. The Sushi for Two is made for two who are ravenous, with a sampling of every kind of fish and a couple of basic rolls. I'm spoiled by the South Bay, but this platter is just fine for its price point.

It's not hibachi, but they make a delicious Chicken Katsu Don for the landlubber. The chicken has some savor, the egg pulls it all together, and it's all quite light and fluffy to flavor the bed of rice beneath. 

A simple meal, and a meal I don't regret. I wouldn't go for the sushi again, as it may not be their forte, but the rolls look like fun, and I would try their hibachi anytime.

NorCal Road Trip - Castroville - The Choke Coach

It’s a picturesque drive through Big Sur, and the complete lack of cell service, however unsettling, forces you to focus on the view. 

Your concern is for naught as it’s impossible to deviate from the PCH so the only way to go is north. 

The bridges are beautiful, and there are peaceful little glamping hotels and rustic restaurants along the way. 

No stops this time as a toddler will only sit in a car so long, but no regrets when we get to Pezzini Farms.

There are artichokes as far as the eye can see, and The Choke Coach is everything I've ever wanted. 

Artichokes like this, artichokes like that. Artichokes every way you can think of, plus a couple more. 

Fried Artichoke is a must. A thick batter with a satisfying crunch gives way to a juicy sweet center. 

Artichoke Tacos are creamy and fresh, but they could do with less lettuce as the main event is overpowered. A shame, really, the artichoke is perfectly cooked.

The Artichoke Po'boy looks like a hot mess, and it is in the best way possible. The sauce is smooth and slathered all over, and what's not to like about more fried artichoke?

I'd skip the sandwich and keep it simple. Just get me a good Grilled Artichoke, though this one is a bit overcooked. 

Order anything you like, but don't skip Artichoke Soup. They make a creamy cup of comfort with a soul of artichoke that warms you to the soul. It's that perfect balance between creamy but light, sippable but hearty, veggie-ful but sweet.

They also make some sandwich staples like a burger and Tri Tip Sandwich for those who don't want all artichoke...people I don't understand. The tri tip is legit, though; tender meat, smoky and soft. 

A food truck full of artichoke, within walking distance, on an artichoke farm. If I had a heaven, it might look something like this. 

NorCal Roadtrip - Cambria & Ragged Point

It's 6 hours to our Cambria airbnb, where we meet the grandparents for a short family weekend. 

We pass a flaming tractor-trailer whose flames have spread up the arid hillside, but we get through it before they close the road. We didn't have to stop, though the last hour or so required a lot of Cocomelon. You're never so aware of your body parts as when you have to hear them every three songs or so.

The house is cute, and it's tucked away in an idyllic cliffside neighborhood, surprisingly similar to our back house in Santa Barbara. It feels even more remote than the lake - even Instacart and Ubereats don't reach. 

A quick meal at the Main Street Grill kicks off our first night. A simple cafeteria, they have a sizeable patio with barricades so you have time to catch your kids before they reach the road. The burgers are whatever, and the chicken tenders are solid. The fries are crisp and the onion rings are awesome. The baskets are made to share, and it's a good thing because Izzy alone ate at least 30 fries. 

The morning starts at Sandy's Deli & Bakery. A cappuccino scratches the coffee itch, and we keep it simple with a moist bran muffin and a flaky croissant. The sandwiches look pretty sweet for a lunch stop, and the main street is great for a morning walk.

More walking along the gorgeous Moonstone Beach Trail. The seaside paths are evenly paved, and a small staircase will drop you right on the beach. It takes a pretty picture if you can get over the weird-looking kelp that makes you see snakes.

Boni's Tacos will feed four for a few dollars, a sweet selection of street tacos with some serious salsa. The red salsa packs some heat, and the bright green hints of habanero. They put some color in your cheeks and a little sweat on your brow, and they take these tacos from good to pretty great. Carne asada is my fave, with juicy chunks of steak, 

Al pastor has a nice coat of chili paste, 

And the chile verde is a spicy green. 

The tacos line our stomachs for the evening libations that are to come. A wedding awaits us, a rare opportunity to put on our celebration best. I haven't dressed up in so long, I forgot how to do my makeup.

Ragged Point Inn. Nothing around it, just a cliffside from the PCH. This venue rocks, almost as much as the couple getting married. It's a good night, but I don't think they were prepared for Table 8. A bunch of loud lightweights, the evening is frequently punctuated by our antics. A moving mother-son dance is underway, and the man I married, whom I pretend not to know, asks, audibly, "Is this from Braveheart?" And this was the tamest thing we did.

We end the evening by bidding so many people goodbye. There's a med school crew I haven't seen in half a decade and a residency crew that has otherwise scattered. We get pulled over for (accidentally) high-beaming a police officer driving back, and he impresses us with his kindness. The not-so-small one is wide awake, but she's had a blast with her grandparents so a good night all around. 

Up the PCH for some goodbyes over breakfast, and Castroville, here we come.

Norcal Roadtrip - Green Valley Lake

Our first time truly travelling since the start of covid, a trip for us instead of others. We have tires instead of wings, surrounded by cars instead of clouds. Less leg room that economy, squished in the back of a Honda Civic. An impressively laid-back toddler in tow, this is the start of a long lesson in how to vacation with a wee one. 

The first leg is easy, a mere 3 hours to Green Valley Lake to join our fabulous friends. A petite place between the main events, sandwiched between the better-known Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, this one is no less picturesque. No swimming in after Labor Day, but we beat the crowds, and the walking beats the beach, IMHO. 

The lake is small, but the life is luxurious. The cabin comfortably houses two families, with plenty of privacy for both. Stocked with games galore, mine immediately builds the MegaBloks. There's plenty of downtime to cook and drink and soak in the extra-wide tubs, and it feels like complete isolation minus the delivery from Instacart. In my defense, he came from Big Bear with a vintage VW truck.

Few dining options nearby, but there's no need with those two cooking. Breakfasts are bountiful, French toast and fluffy eggs made every way. Lunches are wrapped burritos and sandwiches full of nutella and homemade jam. Dinner comes fresh from the grill, meats and veggies. Sliced fruits, plenty of ice cream, everything with cheese on top. We even have two birthdays, with an awkward surprise ("Come look at this rat-mouse!"...that we could totally see at 8 PM in the pitch-dark.) and a cake of tiramisu. 

The hours not revolving around food are spent exploring. The front yard is full of agates, and down the road, a short upward hike proves practical for two toddlers. I’ll take a moment to pat myself on the back for being able to hike while carrying a 27-pound child. 

There's plenty of time to appreciate the view of the valley. 

A daytime moon meanders above a mysterious formation we call "Rockhenge,"

and our 19 month-old shows us just how well she can walk. Hands held, she tackles the entire downhill at her own insistence. 

It's hard to leave here, but we must move on. Further north, a wedding awaits. 

Kotosh UPDATE - Lomita

I often forget how fond I am of Kotosh. Where else can you get fresh sushi, satisfying ceviche, stir-fry, pasta, and everything in between?

They do a solid ceviche here. Cebiche Pescado is cold and fresh, chunks of white fish squelching with lime. 

Cebiche Mixto is more of the same, with shrimp and octopus added to the mix. Both are good, but I'm partial to the pescado.

If you'd have your food extremely cooked, the Chicharron Mixto Al Ajo is the other end of the spectrum. Deep fried every kind of seafood, with a thick and pungent garlic-butter sauce that will stop you in your tracks. 

If you don't order Lomo Saltado, did you even order Peruvian food? Try their iteration of strip steak stirfry with wilting wedges of tomato and fries double-fried. Pleases all, offends none, ideal for picky eats and those with significant sensitivities. 

Shrimp Saltado is the shellfish variation. Same stuff, sub for shrimp, just as good, though I prefer the beef. 

Tallarin Verde is Peruvian pesto, made more robust with spinach in the mix. The spaghetti is al dente, the sauce is a noodle-clinging slurry, and the sauce is refreshing but balanced with cheese. Top with chicken katsu or beef for best results. 

Tallarin a la Huancaina is my favorite. Spaghetti in aji pepper cream with a topping of juicy steak. The pasta is perfect, and the steak cuts the cream. Didn't think this combination could work, but I love the balance. 

One-of-a-kind Kotosh, a little restaurant that does a lot. Another little Lomita gem, worth at least a long look.