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We are still in Paso Robles this week—day #2 of our long weekend away.
Day 2: Breakfast at AMSTRDM Coffee House
Start your morning early with breakfast, a cup of local joe and a map of where we are headed.
First stop is AMSTRDM Coffee House—a downtown favorite with a loyal following, featuring beans from Paso Robles Coffee Co. I chose the AMSTRDM Sando, a fresh, buttery and flaky croissant layered with eggs, cheddar and avocado, ($12) while my compatriots leaned more toward an AMSTRDM Burrito with egg, cheese and protein of choice. ($12).
The space feels easygoing, filled with natural light and an outdoor seating area perfect for a little morning people-watching. A fun local twist: Corey Jordan—the standout pianist from last week’s set at Libretto Jazz Lounge—is now one of the owners. A real renaissance man – one who can obviously make both the piano and the espresso machine sing.
Discover Downtown
After breakfast, walk through the heart of Paso Robles and settle into the town’s laid-back rhythm. Centered around the historic Paso Robles City Park, the square is framed by tasting rooms, boutique shops, and inviting cafés, all shaded beneath a canopy of towering oak trees. Pop in and out of wine bars, sample local olive oils, and browse a mix of charming, independent shops. Compact, walkable, and full of little surprises—enjoy this delightful neighborhood in the day, but make sure to come back again after dark, when the square glows with soft lights and a lively energy.
Olive Oil Tasting at Kiler Ridge Olive Farm
We jump in the car for a short drive south of town and the landscape shifts quickly. Vineyards start to give way to rolling hills as the road climbs steadily upward. At the top, we arrive at Kiler Ridge: a family-run farm perched high above the valley, with sweeping views that stretch in every direction.
Kiler Ridge is one of only a handful of olive oil producers in the region, and even more impressively, one of just fifty working olive mills in California. Every olive they press is grown on their 14-acre property, giving the entire experience a sense of terroir you can actually taste.
Book a formal tasting and you’re guided through a curated lineup of extra virgin olive oils—some pressed from trees that have been producing for over twenty years (Well-tended olive trees, we learn, can thrive for a century or more.) We sample five distinct oils, each with its own personality, and begin to recognize the markers of quality: vibrant freshness, balanced flavor, and that signature peppery kick at the back of the throat. That pleasant burn comes from polyphenols—plant compounds packed with antioxidants, known for supporting everything from inflammation to gut and brain health.
Throughout the tasting we picked up practical takeaways too. Heat, light, and air are the enemies of good olive oil. Choose dark bottles to protect against light and resist the urge to cook with your best oils—save those for finishing, where their flavor can truly shine. For storage, think twice about using the cabinet above your stove. Rising heat makes this spot one of the worst places to store oil.
Lunch at Niner Wine Estates
Lunch at Niner Winery offers an immersive taste of Paso Robles’ farm-to-table ethos, and the experience begins before you even sit down. Start with a stroll through the Chef’s Garden—many of the ingredients on your plate may have been harvested just hours earlier. From there, settle onto the expansive patio, where sweeping views frame Heart Hill, its iconic oak-lined silhouette shaped in 1950. And don’t miss the perfectly placed patio camera—set up to capture the moment.
Encircling the heart are 100 acres of estate vineyards planted with 12 varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Syrah. Niner’s commitment is clear: every bottle is made exclusively from grapes they grow themselves. The winery is also 100% solar powered, LEED certified, and deeply rooted in sustainable farming practices—values that carry through to every dish.
It’s no surprise the restaurant was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best Winery Restaurants in America. In a region with more than 200 wineries—only a handful serving lunch. Even on a Thursday, the patio hums with energy, offering a seasonal menu that leans thoughtfully plant-forward. A standout charcuterie board features local goat’s milk and cheddar cheeses, handcrafted Italian salami from Alle-Pia in nearby Atascadero, house-made plum jam, garden greens, and whatever the kitchen can source from the farmers market. At $55, it’s generous, vibrant, and beautifully composed.
Niner Winery is open daily for reservations or walk-ins. Tastings are $40, waived with a two-bottle purchase.
Afternoon Tasting at LXV Wine Lounge
A tasting at LXV Wine Lounge is where Paso Robles takes a unexpected turn. Owners Neeta and Kunal Mittal have reimagined the traditional wine flight, pairing their wines with spices—an homage to their East Indian heritage. “We love Paso Robles,” Neeta says. “It reminds me of India. But don’t get me started on pairing Indian food with Riesling—I’m so over that.”
Neeta brings out an individual plate of “tasting cubes,” handcrafted spice blends inspired by global flavors and matched perfectly to each wine. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Their bright 2024 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon comes alive alongside Khmeli Suneli—a fragrant mix of fenugreek, marigold, garlic, mint, hyssop, and honey. Then there’s The Secret—a rich Cabernet–Merlot–Petit Verdot blend paired with Butter Chicken, Neeta’s mother’s garam masala recipe blended with chickpea flour, mango powder, tomato, ginger, smoked paprika, and Kashmiri chili.
Another standout: a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot served with Smolder Notes—a smoky, complex combination of lapsang souchong tea, sarsaparilla, marjoram, rosemary, fennel, and paprika.
It’s one of the most distinctive tastings you’ll find anywhere—not just memorable, but genuinely educational, deepening your understanding of how flavor, aroma, and texture connect food and wine. LXV even extends the experience beyond the lounge, sending club members curated spice blends and culinary kits with their wine shipments, so the exploration can continue at home.
The Classic Collection tasting runs $35. Add the Flavor (spice) Pairing for an additional $15. Tasting fee waived with a 3-bottle purchase or wine club sign up.
Eleven Twenty-Two Speakeasy & Cocktail Lounge
After a refreshing swim and a relaxed dinner back at Allegretto, the night takes a turn into something more secretive. We make our way to Eleven Twenty-Two a speakeasy that feels like Paso’s best-kept secret. Tucked behind Pappy McGregor’s Pub, getting there is part of the ritual—through the dining room, out to the patio, and finally, a single, deliberate press of an unassuming doorbell.
Step inside and you’re transported into a candlelit 1930s dream, where low jazz drifts through the room and bartenders work with calm, practiced precision. The air is layered with citrus oils, torched herbs, and the deep warmth of aged spirits. With just a handful of seats, the space feels intimate, almost cinematic—like you’ve wandered onto the set of a film.
The cocktails are as much performance as they are drink. They arrive smoking, foaming, and artfully composed, crafted tableside from a rolling cart stocked with an array of unexpected ingredients. Each one feels like a small, inventive masterpiece—easily some of the most memorable drinks you’ll find anywhere.
Next week we finish our trip to Paso Robles with a stop at DAOU Winery and a well needed hike after all this wonderful food and drink. Please join us.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort: 2700 Buena Vista Dr, Paso Robles
Kiler Ridge Olive Farm: 1111 Kiler Canyon Rd, Paso Robles
Niner Wine Estates: 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles
LXV Wine Lounge: 1306 B Pine Street, Paso Robles
Eleven Twenty-Two: 1122 Pine St, Paso Robles
- photos courtesy of LSIC unless noted
