Gnocchi. Ricotta Gnocchi. Ricotta Gnocchi atop a bed of gently sautéed Bloomsdale spinach. Gnocchi in a brown butter sauce. Gnocchi with a dusting of artichoke fritti. This is a glorious dish and I hope it remains as a revolving item on the menu at Ember. But you never know what inspired new dishes might arrive…
Category: Five Cities
Arroyo Grande
Book Review: When Is It Going To Rain My Favorite Flavor?
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•One of the best gifts we can give to our children these days is to turn off the technology, shut out the daily chaos, focus on them and share a fantastic skill and pleasure: the value of a good read. Jack and I love to cozy up with a good book and now we alternate reading every…
Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Produce, Retail, Speciality Food, Yummy things to do in Pismo Beach
Harry & David – Pismo Beach
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•Five Cities, Gym & Fitness, Pismo Beach, Retail
We LOVE Pismo Beach Athletic Club
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•American, Bar, Dining, Pismo Beach, Restaurants, Sandwiches, Yummy things to do in Pismo Beach
Cool Cat Cafe – A Multi-State, Multi-Location Experience
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•Arroyo Grande, Dining, Five Cities, Produce, Retail, Yummy things to do in Pismo Beach
Talley Farms Fresh Harvest
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•American, Bar, Dining, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants, Uncategorized, Yummy things to do in Pismo Beach
The Boardroom
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•Cocktail Competition, Events, Five Cities, Grover Beach
The 3rd Annual Chemistry of Cocktails – Nov 3rd, 2013
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•On November 3rd, 2013, 2-5pm we are having our 3rd Annual Chemistry of Cocktails fundraising event, where chemistry and cocktails collide! The public is invited to the Exploration Station to enjoy an afternoon of food, live music, fun activities, a silent auction, and cocktail tastings. Local mixologists from the area’s top restaurants and social gathering…
Business Phone Systems, Cellular Phone, Five Cities, Pismo Beach
Phone & Wireless – Your Local Verizon Store
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•The best place to buy/order your new iPhone 5S/5C! My relationship with Phone &Wireless has been an evolution. When we returned to the Central Coast 12 years ago we had became At&t clients because our employers were, and so followed the herd without thinking of researching our options (not something we would recommend!) So while…
American, Arroyo Grande, Dining, Five Cities, Ice Cream, Ice Cream, Restaurants, Retail, The Village, Yummy things to do in Pismo Beach
Best Ice Cream in San Luis obispo County – Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab
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•Bar, Dining, Five Cities, Hotel & Resort, Mexican, Pismo Beach, Restaurants, Shell Beach
Marisol at The Cliffs Resort
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•Five Cities, Pediatric Dental, Pismo Beach, Service
Five Cities Pediatric Dental Group & Orthodontics
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•American, Avila Beach, Dining, Restaurants, Sandwiches
Avila Beach Hawaiian-Style
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•The theme this Summer has been “Stay-cation” for our little Central Coast Family. Since we are lucky enough to live where many people vacation we are playing backyard tourists and enjoying all that the Central Coast has to offer within 20 minutes of our doorstep. One of our absolute favorite day-off activities is to pack…
Arroyo Grande, Clothing & Handbags, Five Cities, Gym & Fitness, The Village, Yoga
A Little Yoga in the Village
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•Events, Festival, Five Cities, Pismo Beach
Fireworks at the Pismo Beach Pier
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•Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in Pismo Beach was ruined by the weather: Low Coastal Fog obscured the entire 770 shell show. People come from all over the country to experience our nation’s independence day on the 1200′ Pismo Beach Pier. With nearly 100,000 people on the beach and in downtown Pismo, its a…
Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Events, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Wine
Roll Out the Barrels Wine Weekend
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•The 23rd Annual Roll Out The Barrels summer celebration has set the pace for good times, good vibes and good wines in San Luis Obispo County. The festivities began with a Thursday evening “Barrels in The Plaza” grand tasting adjacent to the historic Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo. Here, the wines of SLO Wine…
Car Show, Events, Festival, Five Cities, Pismo Beach
The 28th Annual 2013 Classic at Pismo Beach Car Show
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•Five Cities, Pismo Beach
Spanish Springs in Pismo Beach moves forward but is delayed …
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•We arrived at the Pismo Beach Vet’s Hall to attend the Pismo Beach City Council meeting to witness the vote on Spanish Springs development and were greeted by hundreds of concerned citizens here to listen and make public comment on the project. We had to leave at 9:30pm, but as we arrived home we immediately…
Avila Beach, Dining, Five Cities, Restaurants, Seafood
Pete’s Pierside Cafe and Fish Market
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•AmpSurf, Charity, Dining, Events, Five Cities, Hotel & Resort, Pismo Beach
Wine, Waves & Beyond — Barrel to Barrel in Pismo Beach
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•There are a few icons that define the Central Coast of California and this past Friday all of them were on display at a great event I had the opportunity to attend for the first time. This past Friday evening was the Barrel to Barrel night during the annual four day Wine, Waves & Beyond…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Hospital, Service
Great Community Luncheon at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
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•Today, we attended a “Community Luncheon” at the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital with the Hospital Administrator Kenneth Dalebout. The invitation was interesting as we didn’t have much exposure to the hospital other then a couple of visits to the ER over the past 12 years. During lunch we had a discussion about the history and…
Arroyo Grande, Events, Five Cities, The Village
The Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival
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•This year we celebrate the 30th Annual Strawberry Festival. Every year Memorial Day weekend brings thousands of people to the Village of Arroyo Grande to celebrate summer and our wonderful locally produced strawberries. Some people say the central coast produces the best strawberries in the world. Yum! 🙂 This year was amazing with hundreds of…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Retail, Salon & Day Spa, Service, The Village
Arani Salon and Day Spa
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•American, Arroyo Grande, Dining, Five Cities, Pizza, Restaurants, The Village
Rooster Creek Tavern
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•I have to admit that while I scrolled through some of the reviews for Rooster Creek, I found myself nodding my head in agreement… some were spot-on. I will say that the service left much to be desired in the beginning, however they seemed to have listened to the feedback and have made adjustments —…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Service, Window Washing
Walrus Window Washing
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•Nothing sells a house like a spectacular view — and nothing distracts from that fantastic attribute than dingy windows. That’s why it is critical that a Realtor have in her arsenal of referral resources a skilled and professional window washer. Dwayne makes the windows literally disappear! Extremely detail-oriented, he attacks each job with gusto and…
Dining, Events, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants
The Taste of Pismo Beach 2013
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•My memory may be fading (I am turning 40 this year after all) but of the many Taste of Pismo events my hubby and I have attended I think this year was unequivocally the best. Maybe it was the great “Farm Fest” Farm to Fork event that ushered in the Taste the Friday night before.…
Carpet Cleaning, Five Cities, Grover Beach, Service
Jones Janitorial
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•My family has known Dan Jones for as long as I can remember … the unassuming name of this family company — Jones Janitorial and Carpet Cleaning — downplays how well they do what they do. They are carpet and tile cleaning magicians! I knew Dan was great when I was new to real estate…
Dining, Five Cities, Grover Beach, Restaurants, Thai Food
Sister Kitchen Thai Food in Grover Beach
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•There aren’t many restaurants that take a break during the holidays and go on holiday themselves… and there aren’t many restaurants that when they do take a break make my grown husband cry. It was so bad I even drove by during their break once to make sure they hadn’t returned early. This is what…
Five Cities, Mortgage Lenders
Justin Stearns – Mortgage Lender
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•Justin and I first had the opportunity to get to know one another while he was working with another company within our office in Pismo Beach. He started with what appeared to be no leads from his parent company and not only won over the realtors working all around him, but simultaneously went out and…
Clothing & Handbags, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Retail
COACH in Pismo Beach
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•Be still my beating heart …. the Coach store finally arrived with great anticipation throughout my circle and has sprinkled handbags everywhere! This is truly the dawn of a new day on the Central Coast. Ok, ok, I grew up here so I have a little more history with the shopping void that existed just…
American, Dining, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants, Steakhouse
Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach
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•Being the Past President of the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities that has met for a decade in the beautiful banquet room downstairs at the now Ventana Grill, our little group of 60+ members had the unusual opportunity to watch the current management go through an extensive remodel of what had become a slightly…
American, Bar, Dining, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants
The Lido Restaurant in Shell Beach
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•Well I have never written a review of the Lido at Dolphin Bay because it had all of the makings of a fantastic restaurant … without the food, in my opinion. Partly because it was trying to be a little too “metropolitan” for the area, and partly because it ignored what is going on all…
American, Avila Beach, Dining, Five Cities, Restaurants
Woodstone Marketplace in Avila Beach
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•Woodstone Marketplace has become our regular pit-stop as we chase our speed-demon four year old son down the Bob Jones Trail — either on foot, bicycles or scooter. It is like an oasis when we come up from under the bridge that gives us safe passage to the other side of San Luis Bay Drive…
Avila Beach, Five Cities, Hotel & Resort, Salon & Day Spa
Sycamore Mineral Springs and Spa in Avila Beach
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•Being in my profession, you learn a great deal about amenities and upgrades in a home and their true value. Meaning, no matter what the price, if you don’t use it, it was too expensive. My parents’ trash compactor is just such an item …. a hot ticket in the 80s and 90s featured in…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Insurance, Service, The Village
Osty Farmer’s Insurance in Arroyo Grande
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•Linda Osty has been a cornerstone in our community for decades — even recently recognized as such this year by the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce as it’s “Outstanding Citizen” award. She participates as an active member of our Rotary — as International Service Chair — and on many different organizations that send care packages,…
BBQ, Dining, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants
Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ in Pismo Beach
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•Mo’s is one of those “hang-out” type places, decorated with old photos and rusting signs, and of course an amazing variety of pigs out of various materials, in various sizes. It is a no-nonsense rib joint, with a few other notable items on the menu. My husband loves the Philthy Phil’s Ribs and the Sampler…
Dining, Five Cities, Grover Beach, Pizza, Restaurants
Doughboy’s Pizzeria in Grover Beach
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•Growing up on the Central Coast, we’ve had our share of Pizza Places come and go … but in the past few years there hadn’t really been one that stood out from the crowd. Then one night when Gather Wine Bar was just getting started — maybe even during her “Soft Opening” — Kari ordered…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Service, Termites
MoJoe Termite in Grover Beach
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•As a real estate team with a combined 33 years of service on the Central Coast, we have gathered a team of trusted inspectors, contractors, escrow and lending professionals. Although sometimes we are compelled to use another company by a request from the other side of a transaction, it only serves to solidify in our…
American, Bar, Dining, Five Cities, Hotel & Resort, Pismo Beach, Restaurants
Sea Venture Resort in Pismo Beach
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•I have to admit that I am a fan … just like the four stars says. Right on the beach, this is a fantastic little boutique hotel that we often use for “Staycations” to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Birthdays and Anniversaries. From the moment you pull into the covered parking, you feel appreciated and well taken…
Arroyo Grande, Chinese Food, Dining, Five Cities, Restaurants
Chinese Food in Arroyo Grande
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•I’m a Central Coast Native and small business owner… so there are very few restaurants in our area that I haven’t visited. However the owners at Golden Moon and their fantastic Chinese offerings are what keep me returning! Jack and his wife remember us by our phone number — even if it’s been months since…
Five Cities, Grover Beach, Retail, Salon & Day Spa, Service
Salon & Spa Services – Grover Beach
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•When Tutta Bella Salon opened it’s doors in our area I couldn’t believe my eyes… it was a salon like those I had enjoyed living in Newport Beach during my ten years away from the Central Coast. I gave that type of full service salon with spa-like atmosphere up when I decided to return —…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Performing Arts
Professional Performing Arts Center – Arroyo Grande
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•I am an AGHS alum, so I remember the days when the Clark Center was just a grove of pine trees and grass with a large wooden thermometer sign showing how much more money was needed before a professional performing arts center would materialize in that spot. When I returned to the area after college,…
Dining, Five Cities, Grover Beach, Restaurants, Sandwiches
Best Sandwiches in Grover Beach
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•If you don’t know what “show us your stacked” means, then you obviously haven’t sampled the scrumptious handcrafted sandwiches at this South County gem. I heard the rumors a few years ago that the “best” sandwiches were at Stacked. When I finally made it in, I fell in love! I have a tendency to always…
American, Dining, Five Cities, Mexican, Pismo Beach, Restaurants
Great Breakfast in Pismo Beach
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•Nestled in the heart of Shell Beach, right on Shell Beach Road, you might drive by any day of the week and see a line on the sidewalk for this popular cafe. Originally just open for breakfast and lunch, they now serve dinner … which is always a great place to find yourself on a…
Arroyo Grande, CPA Tax Advisor, Five Cities
Tax and Business Advice in Arroyo Grande
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•Brian Portesi is a CPA. We have been working with Brian and his staff for many years. Brian brings a fresh approach in working with individuals and businesses to provide great tax and business operational advice to all of his clients. Whether you are in need of a full service CPA firm to handle all…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Hospital, Service
Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
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•While I may not have the names of everyone that has helped me on our thankfully few visits, I can say that this entire hospital and it’s staff has grown and evolved with our community. I truly appreciate that we have this facility and it’s caring staff so close at hand. After returning to the…
Arroyo Grande, Five Cities, Grover Beach, Hardware, Retail, The Village
Amazing Hometown Service – Hardware
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•Having grown up on the Central Coast, Miner’s is a fixture in our family. My parent’s have been loyal Miner’s customer’s for years, through projects large and small. My dad has always marveled at the wealth of knowledge found in the Miner’s staff. Men and women who seem to have every washer, nut, bolt and…
Arroyo Grande, Dining, Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Restaurants, Sushi
Great Sushi in Pismo Beach
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•As a busy family we frequently have to rely on take-out when the day becomes a little bit too hectic. Luckily, we have Yanagi just a few blocks from home and office. They are awesome when it comes to speedy and fresh take-out — everything from the true, quality Sashimi that my husband and son…
Five Cities, Pismo Beach, Service, Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary Clinic – Pismo Beach
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•Growing up in a small town, it’s difficult to break the cycle of “going to the same vet your parents always did” etc., etc. However lately I was beginning to feel that no matter what was needed, a trip to my previous vet meant a $300 bill every time. It was beginning to be a…
Five Cities, Grover Beach, Nursery & Home Decor, Retail
Home Decor and Nursery – Grover Beach
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•Ron’s Nursery is aptly named after it’s owner, Ron Carlock. This man is the human definition of why I love living and owning a small business here on the Central Coast. You will notice that many of my Yelps revolve around Customer Service. I believe that in many cases, great customer service is under-valued and…