It just so happens that right behind our Paso Robles office sits a gem of a restaurant – opened in 2009 by an inspired local organic farm owner, Thomas Hill Organics has become a staple of the North San Luis Obispo County restaurant scene. A restaurant with a passion for farm-to-table that was established long before that distinction became “trendy.” Their food can best be described as culinary creativity at its finest – and paired with the most delicious of local wines. Every plate is designed with their mission statement in mind – creatively prepared, honest food with emphasis on organic and regionally produced food. From fresh fish, grass-fed beef, exotic meats to fruits and veggies the ingredients and their presentation obviously underscore the “straight-from-the-earth” freshness that is their signature.
THOMAS HILLS ORGANICS
PASO ROBLES:
1313 PARK ST
PASO ROBLES, CA
805.226.5888
SAN LUIS OBISPO:
858 MONTEREY ST
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
805.457.1616
http://www.thomashillorganics.com/
I chose to bring my 40th birthday party to lunch between wine tasting stops and we swing by every chance we get when in North County. And so the opening of their San Luis Obispo location was hotly anticipated and we dodged rain drops opening week to be one of the first to test it out. The ambiance is perfect – all at once clean lines and coziness – and the menu did not disappoint. We are so lucky to have not one but two locations just blocks from our offices!
We started with the Roasted Cauliflower and Truffle Tater Tots with a dipping sauce of Lemon Herb Aioli. These morsels even wowed my husband who is not a huge cauliflower fan. We next moved on to share a bowl of the Maple Roasted Squash Soup which was bursting with flavor from the chorizo, mint, Greek yogurt and chili flakes! My entrée was the Painted Hills Hangar Steak Salad – more than a meal that included roasted fall vegetables, arugula, chimichurri and was topped off with Point Reyes bleu cheese.
Since returning we have tried the “Market” wood oven pizza – arugula, walnut pesto, goat cheese, rapini, roasted red onion and pine nuts and the “Blanco” – white sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, roasted garlic and thyme. Although our visits have been for lunch so far we look forward to returning to try some of the dinner specialties including Mary’s Chicken and New York Steak to name just two.
We love to eat out like we do at home – with ingredients from our local CSA farmbox. Thomas Hill Organics is a treat where truly inspired chefs take our local farmbox ingredients and turn them into an event on our plates. If we could eat like this daily we would – but we will have to be satisfied with frequent visits – and we invite you to join us – we promise that disappointment is not on the THO menu!