Page 69 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer/Fall 2020

Paso Robles
Outdoor dining is creating downtown al fresco charm
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN PASO
Wine Tasting • Bars & Eateries • Breweries
Lodging • Shopping • Arts and Activities
805-238-4103
Stroll • Shop • Socialize www.pasoroblesdowntown.org
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SUMMER / FALL 2020 69
Al fresco dining isn’t new to Paso Robles restaurants. Many have been offering private patio and street front seating for a long time. But recently, to help restaurants stay open so locals and visitors alike can enjoy their favorites and discover new food experiences, the city has relaxed restrictions on outside food service.
The response by the public and restaurants is creating an entirely new experience for Paso Robles dining. More restaurants are mov- ing seating outside and the city is creating street-side spaces, called parklets, for food service.
Everything tastes better outside; that’s why picnics are so popular. There’s something old world about sipping morning coffee in the early sunshine. Freshly made sandwiches and crunchy salads taste fresher and dinner under a sky fading into twilight doesn’t get much more romantic.
Added to the street-side café atmosphere, the city has also opened up a section of the Downtown City Park dedicated to enjoying good food and good company. Pick up food to go from your favorite restau- rant and enjoy a casual meal in the shade of trees, listening to singing and chirping birds.
The free dining area in the park is the result of an alliance between Travel Paso and its #SavorPaso
campaign, the City of Paso Robles, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Main Street Association and the Paso Wine Country Alliance. The area seats 164 diners and follows new COVID-19 rules that include wine and cocktails.
Reserve your table in the fenced area just west of the Carnegie Library through Yelp at www.yelp. com/biz/downtown-city-park-paso- robles. Then pick-up dinner at one of the local restaurants and take it to your table.
Downtown City Park Dining
is open from Thursday – Sunday beginning at 5:30 each evening. Alcohol consumption is permitted. A concierge service staff provides se- curity and accommodates the diners. A sanitation team cleans the tables after each dinner party leaves.
When you are finished eat- ing, take a leisurely stroll around downtown.
Most stores are
open for indoor
shopping and
browsing and
many of the
downtown wine
tasting rooms
are serving
outside, too!
The city plans
on keeping free dining in the park open through Labor Day.
Scan for outdoor dining reservations