88409 Mon Nov 21 17:55:21 -0800 2005 8 3 California 0 487040 A slightly un-houndy question, but here goes: We're shooting a show for the Travel Channel in Pismo, and need a restaurant where a couple can pick up their meals to go and then eat them on the beach in their RV. The food itself is sort of immaterial (hence the un-houndiness), but the restaurant has to be adorable -- or at the very least, romantic-looking -- from the outside. No strip malls, plain-jane architecture, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks, Heather Mon Nov 21 17:55:21 -0800 2005 0 heathmitch 1 487041 Well, Heather, DiPalo's Deli isn't a real restaurant, but it is chock full of delicious looking food, artfully arranged...I think it would be photogenic. And it has the attribute of making marvelous to-go food. Giuseppe's, with its wood-burning oven, might be a good choice, too. Steamers is right on the coastline - I haven't been inside but the view is spectacular, I know. Mon Nov 21 18:08:18 -0800 2005 487040 0 Snackish 2 487047 We go up to the central coast a lot and we love getting take out from Dipalo's. They have a great wine selection and the deli has lots of choices. It would be great for a picnic on the beach at pismo. Which we have done. It is really cute and the staff is very helpful. That would be my first choice. There are lots o' cute places up on the coast, I guess it just depends on what you want. Another choice would be the deli in Avila village. Dipalo's would be my choice over Steamers. Mon Nov 21 22:40:20 -0800 2005 487041 0 littlestevie 3 487056 See though, when you said the food doesn't matter, that should be the tip off. You want what LOOKS good, not what is REAL, right? DiPalo's is certainly very chi-chi, very LA, but it caters to a whole different crowd than our typical beach-campers. It depends on how authentic a central coast feel you want to portray. If you are going to CREATE an ambiance that doesn't exixt, then by all means have your campers buy their overpriced 'gourmet comestibles' at highly-stlyed DiPalo's (plain steamed shrimp at $17.99 #). If you're looking to get a real, funky beachy flavor, you want to have them go to one of the weekend church-run bbq pits along Grand Ave (corner of Brisco and Grand) in Arroyo Grande where they can get a great tri-tip dinner to go, or the Philly BBQ at 4th and Grand. Or have them get great (made from local, fresh-caught UNFROZEN) fish & chips at Pete's Pierside on the Hartford Pier in Avila. This is certainly more about the central coast than DiPalos, which caters to multi- million dollar ocean-view condo owners from across the freeway, not beach campers. Or go to one of our fine local Farmer's Markets where the campers can get everything from organic range-fed beef, to oyster mushrooms, local hertitage apples, fresh veggies of all kinds, fresh seafood and citrus, olive oils, artisan breads and cheeses. Pick up a copy of New Times, our weekly news and entertainment paper, or check the san luis obispo dot com site for a schedule. I'd recommend the Thurs nite market in SLO for 'flavor' (it's a real circus), or the Wed or Sat Arroyo Grande market. Los Osos has a good one on Mondays, and Cambria on Fridays. All the north county towns have one too but that'd be a stretch for your campers. Do some homework and you'll get a real picture of our area, one that you don't have to create "just for looks." What makes this area special in the first place is gradually dissapearing and it's a shame to let it get covered up by a pastiche of faux, tourist appeal. It would be great if you'd celebrate the true charachter of our area, rather than creat something to suit your demographics. sorry, end of rant. for all I know you have good intentions. But it really burns me when outsiders make stuff up about us. I hope the weather cooperates for you. If it has been raining, don't get stuck in the creek! Tue Nov 22 08:41:11 -0800 2005 487047 0 toodie jane 4 487060 I lived in San Luis Obispo for 20 years, always on less than $25k a year, and I ate many fine meals from DiPalo's. I had no idea they weren't catering to me. Tue Nov 22 11:21:13 -0800 2005 487056 0 Snackish 5 487063 my sister has lived in SLO for 30 years first told me about DiPalos. I enjoy the farmers markets up in SLO but I did not think that was what the poster wanted. Since I too live in a tourist area of San Diego, I can understand the horror of summer crowds but that is a small price for living in paradise. Tue Nov 22 12:33:48 -0800 2005 487060 0 littlestevie 6 487091 nothing to do with tourists per se; just overpriced/ mostly unremarkable, except for the adorable factor. synthetic feeling. to each her/his own; this forum is for discussion, and i'm grateful for so many diverse opinions. I was giving mine and by doing so, do not mean to negate the opinions of others. sorry if anyone has taken offense at my suggestion of alternatives to DiPalo's. happy turkey/tofu day! tj Wed Nov 23 15:03:33 -0800 2005 487063 0 toodie jane 1 487085 For location and decent food, I say Fins, at the end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. Their website sucks on ice, unfortunately (linked below). Fins 25 W Grand Ave Grover Beach, CA Phone: (805) 473-3467 It is RIGHT at the water. It's located at one of only two direct vehicle access points on the shore. Honestly, I don't think you'll find anything better for what you're looking for. Although it's not 'romantic' per se, it is a place people grab some grub and hit the beach in their R.V. Places in Pismo Beach proper are really not ideal to maneuver an R.V., so it'd be a misconception to portray that illusion. And there is NOT R.V. beach access in Pismo Beach, so that'd be another lie if you portrayed that. I'm not even gonna comment on the 'tourism' aspect of the posts . . . I'm just offering a place to shoot. Link: http://www.fins.com/ Wed Nov 23 13:29:06 -0800 2005 487040 0 5CitiesGal 1 487105 I think the Pismo Fish and Chips on Cypress St. is cute and they do have great fish and chips. My daughter works at Chele's Food and Spirits and it has a great old bar. Wed Nov 23 22:13:14 -0800 2005 487040 0 Carol in California