Page 72 - SLO Visitor's Guide - Winter 2023

Paso Robles
Chef Chico works culinary magic at Catch Seafood Bar and Grill
If you haven’t tried it, you don’t know what you are missing
Located in downtown Paso Robles, across from the Down- town City Park, Catch Seafood Bar and Grill is a popular destination for dinner. The restaurant features an open-style kitchen allowing guests to watch the busy staff dish up beautiful plates.
Owner and chef Chico Mora holds center stage and is clearly the star of the show. He greets guests, grills, sautés, broils, plates food, pours wine, serves picture-perfect entrees, all while in constant mo-
tion. Despite the fast-paced kitchen, Chico and his staff enjoy them- selves and are always smiling while chatting with guests.
Chico has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years, and many may remember his first res- taurant, Chico’s
Cafe, which was a small space next to what
is now Catch Seafood and Bar. Chico decided to expand to the larger and newly styled space and felt Paso Robles was ready for
its first seafood
restaurant. That
was clearly a
wise choice since
the restaurant
has a fantastic
reputation, drawing in both locals and visitors.
The seafood is sourced locally, and specials can be viewed on “The Catch of the Day” chalkboard. His menu features customer favorites like calamari steak, scallops, shrimp scampi combo, cioppino, and clams
linguini. Chico’s clarified butter and sauces like lemon caper or soy ginger are the perfect addition to a fish fillet. Although the menu is seafood-driven, there are plenty of pasta dishes, vegetarian options, and items for meat lovers. Beef
Stroganoff, steak dinners, and rack of lamb can all be ordered nightly. Chico even includes gluten-free op- tions. Needless to say, being in wine country, the menu includes a nice selection of local wines.
While the venue
appears mod- ern, there are many old-school
practices in play. Service begins with a complimentary breadbasket (although the menu does indicate there will be a charge when a third basket is requested) with the fresh bread nestled in a linen napkin and served with butter. Sitting at
Delicious and innovative works of art created by award winning French chef, Andre Aversang
Lean to cook with Andre!
Private cooking classes available
1032 Pine St., Paso Robles
Please reserve your table at www.pasoterra.com
72 WINTER 2023
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