BEST OF from page 24
BEST MARGARITA
Pepe Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant
1601 MONTEREY ST., SLO
Here’s the thing: Margaritas are great. That is an absolute fact. What Taco Tuesday is complete without that sweet and salty beverage? The answer: No Taco Tuesday is complete without a margarita. Absolutely none! I mean, I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that margaritas make the world go round. And Pepe Delgado’s has got what you need for one that truly kicks butt. With good service, a fun atmosphere, and delicious strawberry margaritas, this place has all you need to eat your tacos in style.
—Adriana
RUNNER UP: VENTANA GRILL
BEST BLOODY MARY
Sidecar
1127 BROAD ST., SLO
Pickled Brussels’ sprouts, spicy bacon, and chipotle-infused vodka: These are the trappings of an above-average (dare I say overachieving) Bloody Mary. “We really like taking tried-and-true cocktail recipes and tweaking them a bit,” said Sidecar Co-Owner Josh Christensen. “It’s fitting we won two Best of SLO drinking categories since we drink quite a bit ourselves!” Like I always say, never trust a mixologist who doesn’t drink. Brunch is now hotter than ever thanks to the meaty Caveman, jalapeño-spiked Bang! Bang!, and revamped Classic Mary (swimming with assorted pickled veggies). Because spice is nice, but bold is better. And that’s what a #SundayFunday is all about.
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: THE CUSTOM HOUSE
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Mongo’s Saloon, Restaurant & Sports Bar
359 WEST GRAND AVE., GROVER BEACH
What makes a way happier happy hour? Just head over to Mongo’s Saloon in Grover Beach and belly up to the bar.
You’ll find inexpensive, stiff drinks from 3 to 7 p.m. every day and $1.50 Hump Day drinks starting at 9 p.m. every Wednesday (featuring DJ Drumz). But that’s not all, folks! Veterans can take advantage of Military Mondays with a special Burger and Beer happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., too. When it comes to taking the edge off, these folks do not mess around. Whether you order an award-winning bloody or just want to watch the game with a cold one in hand, Mongo’s means “me-time.”
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: LUNA RED
BEST SPORTS BAR
Firestone Grill
1001 HIGUERA ST., SLO
Walk into Firestone Grill any time between noon and 10 p.m., and you’re likely to see the following scene: crowds of men and women glued to TV screens, beers before them, and a spirited raucous of cheers and jeers. This is what any ideal sports bar should be, and this is what Firestone Grill excels at. For the past 20 years, it’s been a central hub for sports enthusiasts due to its high-def broadcasts, affordable drinks, and, most of all, its finger-lickin-good barbecue. If only competitive tri-tip eating were a professional sport. Firestone would place first every time.
— Jessica
RUNNER UP: BUFFALO WILD WINGS
BEST LOCAL RED WINE
Talley Vineyards
3031 LOPEZ DR., ARROYO GRANDE
Spreading out a picnic blanket at Talley Vineyards and popping open a bottle of award-winning pinot noir is a local pleasure that people the world round wish they could enjoy more often. As SLOcals, we are ridiculously lucky to have an incredible array of Talley Vineyards estate-grown pinot noirs at our fingertips 365 days a year. Ranging from smoky and spicy to bursting with berry-licious flavor, there’s a pinot for every occasion. Just like a mood ring, these reds can accommodate everything from a romantic anniversary to weeknight feast and every little occasion in between.
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: OPOLO VINEYARD
THE
FLAVOR ISSUE yummy
26 • New Times • May 14 - May 21, 2015 • www.newtimesslo.com
BEST LOCAL WHITE WINE
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 BIDDLE RANCH ROAD, EDNA VALLEY
Edna Valley Vineyard proves that the “SLO Life” isn’t just for people; its worldfamous grapes enjoy a slower pace of life, too. The winery’s celebrated white offerings—including its world-famous chardonnays—reflect more than three decades of winemaking tradition in the AVA, which boasts the longest growing season in California. That fact, combined with rich soil, cool ocean fog, and reliable sunny weather, makes for elegant wines and grapes that “aren’t in a hurry” to ripen. That’s right. In SLO, even our grapes are Zen. As winery marketing rep Blythe Conaway said, “When it comes to making wine, the Edna Valley Vineyard team cares about one thing: offering a true expression of California’s Central Coast.”
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: BAILEYANA WINERY
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
1400 RAMADA DR., PASO ROBLES
You have to be pretty darn gutsy to proclaim that your beer is “what we drink around here.” Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has had no trouble with making this vast blanket statement, however, as it just so happens to be true. From Grover Beach to San Miguel, you’ll find Firestone beers clinking among friends, family, and coworkers. Whether Double Barrel Ale, 805, Union Jack, or a seasonal offering, this beer is as much a part of the landscape as oak-studded hills, Morro Rock, and flip flops-with-everything. As Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s David Walker said, “When you get a pat on the back from an old friend, you know you are doing something right.”
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: TAP IT BREWING COMPANY
BEST TASTING ROOM—NORTH COUNTY
Tobin James Cellars
8950 UNION ROAD, PASO ROBLES
Pretentious. Fancy. Stuffy. These are not words used to describe Tobin James Cellars. This Paso Robles hot spot is all about relaxing, having a laugh with friends,
and sipping on killer, unpretentious wines. Winemaker Tobin “Toby” James may continuously churn out award-winning zinfandel, syrah, and cabernet sauvignon (to name just a few), but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Fans who religiously attend the winery’s barbecues and events know what I’m talking about. Tobin James gives that cliché “live, laugh, love” stuff a run for its money. That’s just how the James Gang rolls.
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING CO.
BEST TASTING ROOM—SOUTH COUNTY
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 BIDDLE RANCH ROAD, EDNA VALLEY
Established in 1980, Edna Valley Vineyard has truly earned its old school status. The pioneering winery is known for its awardwinning chardonnay, as well as its incredible setting, which has been captured in the form of countless envy-inducing Facebook and Instagram photos. “The tasting room showcases the most picturesque view in the county,” Winery Media Representative Blythe Conaway said. Considering the rolling hills, sweeping vineyards, and plenty of picnicworthy spots at which to sip fine wine in the sun, I would have to agree with that statement wholeheartedly. Sorry in advance for making you wish you weren’t in a cubicle right now.
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: TALLEY VINEYARD
BEST WINE BAR
Luis Wine Bar
1021 HIGUERA ST., SLO
Beyond being a swanky place to sip on more than 50 incredible local and regional wines, Luis Wine Bar is multitalented to the max. Experience an extensive wine list while savoring the hangout’s modern, stylish atmosphere, or pepper your visit with a worldly craft beer, interesting cocktail, or delicious gourmet meat and cheese plate. Ever-changing monthly wine flights focus on one white and one red varietal hailing from three different regions of the world (sure to impress your friends and enemies). Just don’t let all these killer options go to your head. All you have to do is walk through the door. The folks at Luis Wine Bar will make sure you get what you came for.
—Hayley
RUNNER UP: THE WINE SHED BEST OF continued page 27
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