Where to Eat: Il Cortile Ristorante

If you enjoy great food in Paso Robles you have either been to Il Cortile Ristorante or heard of it. We used to go quite often back when we lived a few blocks away but after moving out of the downtown area we got lazy.

A couple of weeks ago we decided to get over the laziness and get back in there. Here’s what we ordered:

Seared scallops on a bed of squid ink polenta and seasonal mushrooms

Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto topped with burrata and balsamic reduction

Grilled sea bass with heirloom tomato/caper sauce, mashed white sweet potatoes, white beets and carrot

We sat at the bar, as we always do regardless of where we go eat, and had great service, as usual. The food was absolutely amazing. I didn’t expect anything less just due to the fact that I’ve never had a poor meal there. I’ve heard some folks say the prices are high there but my attitude is you get what you pay for.

Another thing I love about Il Cortile is that, in my opinion, they have the best by the glass wine list in town…that I am aware of. Not only do they have a bigger selection than most other places but the wines they choose for their by the glass program are fantastic.

Wines we either tasted or had glasses of:

2012 Elena Walch Pinot Bianco

2010 Palmina Tocai Friulano

2011 Lohsa Morellino Di Scansano

2011 Kenneth Volk Pinot Noir

There were about 18 different white wines by the glass. I will repeat, 18 WHITE wines by the glass. That’s an impressive selection. The list of reds by the glass numbered about 14. As people that VERY rarely buy bottles of wine in restaurants this was heaven. I love being able to try different wines when we’re out. If I want the same glass of wine I will sit at home and open a bottle.

Santos MacDonal (the chef) and his wife, Carole, own Il Cortile along with La Cosecha across from the downtown park. We enjoy both restaurants so give them a shot and let me know what you think.

I wonder what restaurant I should talk about next time…