Page 44 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2023

Pismo Beach, Shell Beach & Oceano
It’s simple and laid back at Ada’s Fish House
Doug MacMillan was destined to be a chef and restaurant owner. Parents, Rosa and Bill Mac- Millan, started the original Rosa’s Ristorante Italiano in 1961, later opening the Pismo Beach Rosa’s
in 1988. Doug learned the craft
by working for his parents and at family restaurants in Italy, where he apprenticed in 1992.
Ada’s Fish House came about in 2019. “We saw an available space across the street from my parent’s restaurant and decided to open our own,” said Doug. “Mom was born in Bonito, Italy and delivered by a midwife named Ada. She became known as Ada Rosa.” Ada is the name Doug and his wife, Shannon, chose for Ada’s Fish House.
The Italian apprenticeship paid off and when planning the menu for Ada’s he also benefited from his father, Bill’s influence. Bill hailed from Boston where Maine lobster
is king. Ada’s lobster roll is most favored among the restaurant’s loyal following.
After de- ciding to open Ada’s, Shannon took over renovating
and decorat- ing “It’s her brainchild,” said Doug, “ev- erything from the decor to the menu. We work together on this.”
Macmil- lan was
instrumental
in launching
the culinary
program at Ar-
royo Grande
High School. Ongoing support for the program includes a scholarship program from the family restau- rants and often hiring culinary
program students to work at Ada’s. “I want to give these kids the
tools to be successful.” No matter what the job, whether it is busing tables or washing dishes, everyone is an important part of the team. MacMillan feels it is his job to
make sure his teams are successful. This requires having a good teacher and more importantly, a good com- municator. The MacMil- lan kids also help out, carrying on the fam-
ily business tradition.
Reserva- tions are best, but walk-ins can be seated if space is
available. Wine, beer, and liquor are available with meals. Take-out and curbside pickup are available.
TWO GREAT SHOWS THIS SUMMER
www.AmericanMelodrama.com
family fun
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED
44 SUMMER 2023
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