Farm, Brew, Distill, Explore: Taste the Emerging Flavors of San Luis Obispo County

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Long touted as "the place" to enjoy fresh farm-to-table culinary experiences, San Luis Obispo (SLO) County continues to celebrate Golden State bounty with a uniquely Central Coast twist. With an inventive restaurant scene on the rise, rolling vineyards dotted by hundreds of wineries, craft breweries upping the game, emerging distilleries serving up creative cocktail culture and one-of-a-kind agritourism adventures perfect for the whole family to enjoy, there's never been a better time to sip, nosh and explore San Luis Obispo County's fun flavor profile.

Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California's Central Coast, we invite you to explore the trends below and much more this coming January during San Luis Obispo County's Restaurant Month.  Plan your trip today and book your lodging at www.VisitSanLuisObispoCounty.com.

Not your mother's brunch
From trendy avocado toast and zesty chilaquiles topped with runny egg, to breakfast salads of kale, local quinoa and pickled beets, brunch has never been better (or bolder) in SLO County. Swap your average mimosa for a bright Edna Valley or Paso Robles rosé, a retro sparkling wine cocktail made with local spirits or a Bloody Mary bolstered with homegrown accouterments. Don't forget to wash it all down with the region's finest third wave coffees, distinctly roasted for a palate-pleasing awakening.

Fresh, fishy, fabulous
Taste the real catch of the day in one of the coastal towns and cities. Thanks to SLO County's close proximity to the Pacific, local fishermen haul in fresh catches each morning, including native lingcod, rockfish, sea bass, halibut and more (just ask, "What's local?"). You can also find flavorful farmed Morro Bay oysters or Cayucos abalone on many menus, alongside a splashy new trend: tender Octopus imported from Spain.

Toast to the craft revolution
With many local craft breweries growing their own hops, experimenting with native yeasts and blending local fruit into the mix, a beer is never simply "just a beer" in San Luis Obispo County. The same goes with local hard cider, which ranges from bone dry, to fruit-infused, to dry hopped.  With hundreds of ultra-boutique wineries utilizing cutting-edge growing practices and techniques—plus a happening distillery scene offering up a fresh take on gin, vodka, whiskey, brandy and more—there's always a reason to toast good taste.

Beyond farm to table
When the land is this fertile, chefs have license to paint with nature's brightest and most breathtaking seasonal flavors. Vibrant edible flowers, earthy foraged mushrooms and local, site-specific heritage breed meats come together to elevate San Luis Obispo County cuisine to new heights of farm-to-table artistry. Carefully curated entrees aren't just good for the earth: this ultra-conscious plating gives more love to your taste buds, too. We'll take seconds of that!

The new comfort food
Warm, cozy and filling, comfort food gets a fun, funky twist in San Luis Obispo County. Crave-able classics are reinvented with fresh ideas like swapping beef for a tender portobello mushroom topped with goat cheese and garlic aioli, and tacos made with southern-style barbecued pork are topped with a Latin lineup of spicy adobo and crunchy cabbage. Wake up starving? Taste a spin on an a.m. icon with the region's famous Cowboy Benedict—two biscuits topped with ham, eggs and country gravy.

Agritourism adventures abound
By all means, taste the wonders of San Luis Obispo County—but don't forget to take it all in with your other four senses, too. Sample luxurious local olive oil, smell the sweetness of nature's bountiful lavender farms or sign up for educational hands-on farm excursions. When you know how that delicious food goes to your plate, it only tastes that much better.

Taste these delicious offerings and much more during Restaurant Month, January 2-31, 2017. Explore more than 50 San Luis Obispo County restaurants featuring prix-fixe menus of three courses for $30 or three courses for $40 and other special offerings. Participating cities include Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Grover Beach and Cambria. Restaurant Month is also celebrated at local Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Wineries with "Go Local Wine Deals," wine pairings and more. More information can be found at VisitSanLuisObispoCounty.com/Restaurant-Month.

About Visit San Luis Obispo County
Visit San Luis Obispo County is the non-profit countywide destination marketing organization. Its goal is to promote San Luis Obispo County through marketing, advertising, public relations, group sales, promotions, events and sponsorship branding the region as a choice destination for regional, national and international travelers alike. Visit San Luis Obispo County works in partnership with tourism industry-related businesses including lodging properties, restaurants, wineries, activities, golf courses and retail stores to create a unified marketing approach that promotes the Culinary, Coastal and Cultural assets of the County. For more information, visit www.VisitSanLuisObispoCounty.com

SOURCE Visit San Luis Obispo County