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 Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Volume: 22, Issue: 50
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New Times / Special IssueBest of 2008After Hours
BEST SAN LUIS OBISPO BARMcCarthy’s Irish Pub 600 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo “You can go to the rest, or come to the best.” That’s Jerry Bender’s motto, and he’s been a bartender at McCarthy’s Irish Pub for 22 years. Founded in 1952 by Joe McCarthy, the bar is, according to Bender, a plain ol’ people’s bar, where patrons enjoy themselves and have fun. “If you’re a stranger to McCarthy’s and come in for more than five minutes without having a conversation, then there’s something wrong with you,” Bender said, “because we’re very people friendly.” Forced to move out of its long time home on Court Street in San Luis Obispo in 2007, McCarthy’s has been serving regulars and newcomers alike at its new digs for more than a year now. —Jen Ingan runner up: Mother’s Tavern
BEST NORTH COUNTY BAR
1122 Pine St., Paso Robles This Paso Robles pub is a popular North County spot for either dancing or calmly enjoying a Central Coast evening on the patio. Owners Troy Larkin and Donovan Schmidt change the menus frequently, and the flow of live musical acts keeps the pub fresh. And of course, the pub goes all out for a certain holiday. “St. Patrick’s Day has always been an interesting day for us,” said Christy Muir, a Crooked Kilt bartender. “It’s just such a full day, we open up at 5:30 or 6 in the morning. ... You get businessmen before work, doing shots of Jameson and Irish Car Bombs, then you get the lively, younger crowd throughout the afternoon and evening. You just get everything that day.” —Jeff Kendall-Weed runner up: Level 4
BEST NORTH COAST BAROld Cayucos Tavern 130 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos Liquor in the front, poker in the rear. With a slogan like that, it’s no wonder the Old Cayucos Tavern won for Best North Coast Bar once again. Located a block from the beach and stocked with a dozen draft beers, live musical entertainment, a card room, a dance floor, shuffleboard, and pool tables, the Old Cayucos Tavern is truly unique. “You don’t have too many bars like this anymore,” said bartender Dan Propst. “You can come in here have a beer, a shot of whiskey, and get on with your day—or you can stay all night.” Although it opened more than a century ago, the Tavern doesn’t show any signs of slowing down at all. “It’s a place for the people,” Propst said. “Tourists, locals—it attracts everyone, and we’re gonna be here for another 100 years.” —Kai Beech runner up: Schooner’s Wharf
BEST SOUTH COUNTY BARHarry’s Night Club and Beach Bar 690 Cypress, Pismo Beach No, we don’t mean the world famous Harry’s bar in Venice—the supposed birthplace of the Bellini and a Hemingway hotspot—though Pismo’s version is just as steeped in lore and love. John Madden met his wife there. But all you should truly care about is the entertainment Harry’s is always ready to throw your way. The formula is simple. “We have bands and dancing and people have been enjoying us for 30 years,” said Joan Bailey, owner of Harry’s. “We also have great employees.” Like Joe, a bartender of more than 20 years who is always a friendly face ready to serve you a vodka soda and a basket of fresh and salty popcorn. —Christy Heron runner up: Mongo’s Saloon
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
990 Industrial Way, San Luis Obispo Since 1975, The Graduate has provided the largest dance floor on the Central Coast. And for as long as General Manager Bob Kuntz can remember, The Graduate has been on New Times’ Best Of list. “I think it’s great we’ve won it so many years in a row,” Kuntz said. “But we are the only true dance venue in the area.” With line-dancing, a Latin explosion, and even “hump” night, The Graduate continues to be readers’ choice for best place to get low in San Luis Obispo County. —Angela Marie Watkins runner up: Mother’s Tavern
BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A FIRST DATENovo 726 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo We here at New Times don’t know—or care—that much about first dates, but manager Steve Hawley said, “If you’re trying to impress someone, then this is the place. The food and service is excellent.” And the creekside dining doesn’t exactly hurt matters when you’re trying to be romantic or impressive. Novo screams lovey dovey—but tastefully. We didn’t actually talk to anyone who was a on a first date for this brief write-up, but why not just take our voters’ word for it, take advantage of the setting, and woo your soon-to-be better half? —CH runner up: Windows on the Water
BEST PLACE TO BREAK UPthe beach Pacific Ocean coastline The abundance of distinct beaches in SLO County makes up what New Times readers feel is the best place to end a relationship. The variety of beaches allows for a symbolic conclusion to any romance. Treacherous, tumultuous relationships break cleanly on the northern beaches. An enjoyable and fun, yet fleeting relationship breezes away on a sunny and calm evening at Pismo or Avila beaches. “It’s all over when the sun goes down, but at the end of the tunnel, it’s just another beginning,” said San Luis Obispo resident Kyle Wideman. Nobody likes to break up, but the beach makes the occasion a little more bearable. Plus, there won’t be a check and a tip to deal with at the end of the conversation. —JKW runner up: Pismo Pier
BEST OPEN MICMongo’s Saloon 356 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach Well known for its nightlife, Mongo’s provides a friendly microphone for the budding musician in all of us. Mongo’s introduced the Monday Open Mic Night shortly after a change of ownership. The new owner, Tom Rehder, thought it would be an interesting and necessary addition to the saloon and coffee house. Since then, the night’s popularity has only increased. “It’s a great thing for us and the community,” said Mongo’s general manager, Ethan Momburg. “It gets the voices out there that haven’t been heard yet. It really benefits everyone.” Guided by emcee Ku-Dog, who, according to Momburg, “is a really nice guy who does a great job for us,” the night is just another reason why the Central Coast is such a vibrant place to live. —JKW runner up: Mother’s Tavern
BEST DJDJ Josh Payne This DJ Payne is so underground I couldn’t find him. Seriously, I even put on my Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur, went out to the middle of Higuera on a Saturday night, and yelled, “DJ Payne, save my soul tonight!” All I heard were the sounds of people throwing up in a nearby alley when the wind whispered “shake your booty” with a heavy bass background, so he’s out there somewhere. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with words from his MySpace page: “Cedric Joshua Payne, also known as Dionysius, has been creating music since 1997 and djing since 2000 under the name DJ Payne.” Hey Mr. DJ, SLO loves you. —AMW runner up: DJ Rico Mambo
BEST GARAGE BANDSiko No band in town gets the crowd moving quite like Siko. Go to one of their shows and you’ll know what I’m talking about. From the first chord of their opening song, the Atascadero-based quartet makes sure everyone in attendance is up on their feet, enjoying themselves. And they don’t let up. But enjoy the sounds of their danceable groove rock while you can, because the best garage band on the Central Coast is set to embark on a two-month nationwide tour that kicks off on Memorial Day weekend. After that, frontman Ephraim Sommers is headed down south to pursue a graduate degree in creative writing at San Diego State. “It means a lot to us that people out there like what were doing,” Sommers said of being voted Best Garage Band in the county. “But we’re at the stage where it’s about taking the next step and creating a buzz in other towns.” Though the future of the band is unknown, the music they’ve created in the past will remain danceable. —KB runner up: A Binding Epidemic
BEST PLACE TO DRINK LIKE HOMER SIMPSONMcCarthy’s Irish Pub 600 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo What if Homer Simpson walked into McCarthy’s? “We definitely give that Moe’s feeling, so he’d fit in perfectly,” said McCarthy’s bartender Colin Wenzl. “But he’d probably have a Pabst since we don’t carry Duff.” According to Wenzl, McCarthy’s—just like Homer’s favorite bar in Springfield—has always been the pub that attracts all walks of life. It’s common to see off-duty attorneys, real estate barons, and the unemployed rubbing elbows and shooting the breeze over stiff cocktails and cheap cans of beer at SLO’s favorite Irish pub. In addition to the comfortable ambience, Wenzl said McCarthy’s even provides a quality substitute for the ever-popular Flaming Homer: the Mexican Car Bomb. It’s a shot of Jose Cuervo tequila topped with Kahlua and dropped into a half pint of Tecate. D’oh! —KB runner up: Bull’s Tavern
BEST PLACE TO DRINK LIKE FRANK SINATRAKoberl at Blue 998 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.” Frank Sinatra said it best when it came to imbibing. Now why not take a cue from ol’ Blue Eyes and nestle into one of Koberl at Blue’s distinguished barstools or sit at one of the tables and kick back with some insightful conversation, a stellar beer, a martini, or do it like Sinatra did and simply order his “gasoline of choice”: Jack Daniels. —CH runner up: Giuseppe’s
BEST PLACE TO DRINK LIKE JIMMY BUFFETTThe Cliffs Resort 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach When I first started brainstorming about how to write this column, I thought, “Who the hell is Jimmy Buffett? Is he still alive? He must have lived way before my time.” After Googling him, I found that he is still alive—sorry if you’re reading this, Jimmy. Mr. Buffet coined the term “Margaritaville,” from a “state of mind” to a “state of being.” He's known for his island escapism lifestyle, so I could see why this singer, songwriter, businessman, and author would get his drink on at The Cliffs Resort. First of all, the bar and restaurant look over the Pacific Ocean, providing that tropical feel. And secondly, they serve up all kinds of margaritas—like strawberry, peach, and Midori—and tropical drinks, including their specialty, The Blue Lagoon, made of pineapple juice laced with rum, coco rum, Hypnotic, and Bicardi Silver. To get your drink on like Jimmy Buffet, check out The Cliffs Resort bar. It’s 5 o’ clock somewhere, right? —JI runner up: Mr. Rick’s
BEST HAPPY HOURThe Cliffs Resort 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach After a long, hard day at work, people who’ve clocked out—or who are fortunate enough to escape a little early—can get their sip on at The Cliffs Resort’s Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Happy Hour at The Cliffs offers tasty ethanol drinks sure to create a buzz. And it's legal. In addition to their collection of cocktails, beer, and wine, they also offer drink specials and complimentary tacos for your munching needs. Don’t forget your designated driver! —JI runner up: Applebee’s
BEST BAR MENUKoberl at Blue 998 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo There are many changes in store for the springtime at Koberl at Blue, according to owner Erich Koberl. Upgrades to both menus, drink and food, are in the works. And—drum roll, please—Koberl will now feature absinth, complete with a water urn, sugar cubes, and special spoons. “It’s very popular,” Koberl said with a laugh. And it's legal! In the meantime, enjoy seared sea scallops, artisan cheese, sautéed white asparagus, brushetta, hoisin marinated chicken lettuce wraps, crispy snow crab “chinois,” beef filet carpaccio, or sautéed veal sweetbread and shrimp. And those are just some of the appetizers listed on a recent menu. —CH runner up: Black Sheep
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCHFarmers’ Market Thursday nights on Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo San Luis can be a pretty dry place. People are polite and nobody makes too much fuss about anything, but man, do the freaks come out at Farmers’ Market. The truth is that San Luis supports all walks of life, from the doomsday guy to the masked anti-Scientology contingent, and they’re all out on Thursday nights, just mingling with all the moms and strollers and attractive hetero-Anglo couples. It’s wild. People watching is a perfectly decent pastime; it basically involves watching people you don’t know, and based on their expressions, their gestures, style, or speak, you try to guess things about them, like who’s their favorite pro wrestler? Or do they prefer decaf or double cappuccinos? It sounds easy enough, but people watching is sort of an art. Here are a few pointers on how to people watch: Do go with a friend. Don’t sit and look over the top of a book or free alternative paper—it’s creepy. Do keep moving. Don’t get busted. If you do, don’t tell them I sent you. —Kylie Mendonca runner up: downtown SLO
BEST LOCAL RED WINETalley Vineyard 3031 Lopez Dr., Arroyo Grande When it comes to Pinot Noir, Talley’s flagship wine, this winery is world renowned. Yet very few people, even locals, realize that this winery has a sister line of value-priced wines labeled Bishop’s Peak. The Talley family is just as committed to making a line of excellent wines that are affordable for every budget. Vintner Brian Talley was pleased to hear the news of their first Best Of win, and said he was appreciative that New Times readers named their red wines the best in the county: “I feel honored and I assume it was for our Pinot Noir, but I’m proud of our complete lineup of red wines, from Rock Solid Red through Rosemary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir.” —Kathy Marcks Hardesty runner up: Edna Valley Vineyard
BEST LOCAL WHITE WINEEdna Valley Vineyard 2585 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo America’s No. 1 selling wine is still Chardonnay, and it continues to rank over every other white or red variety, no matter who made it. But it didn’t take a magic spell for one of our local Chardonnays to rank among the best known across the country. Edna Valley Vineyard’s Chardonnay has maintained its ranking among the best because it beautifully expresses the place where it’s grown, and it’s affordable for most Americans. There’s no trickery in their “other” white wines that are equally tasty and affordably priced. Of course, winemaker Harry Hansen reminded us: “We’ve got some pretty good red wines, too. We’re only as good as our last vintage, and you never know who may be coming up behind you.” —KMH runner up: Baileyana
BEST LOCAL BEERFirestone As the label states, “It’s what we drink around here.” Firestone is a Central Coast favorite and appears in the draught lineup of most local bars. “Everyone really enjoys the Double Barrel Ale, it’s one of the most ordered draught beers,” said Annika Sousa, a bartender at Bernick’s Steakhouse. And the Double Barrel Ale is especially popular with the younger crowd. “Anybody younger than 35 drinks the Firestone,” said Kim Byrge, bartender at the Merrimaker in Baywood Park. The Indian Pale Ale is also a popular choice among many locals. “It’s a good beer. It’s hearty, robust, locally made. Their IPA is the bomb,” said David Burbank, a Central Coast beer enthusiast. It’s still a bit of a secret on the national level, so impress your out-of-town friends with your taste, local savvy, and a cold pint of Firestone Ale. —JKW runner up: Downtown Brew
BEST BARTENDERColin Wenzl McCarthy’s Irish Pub
—KB runner up: John Harris (McCarthy’s)
BEST BARISTA
BlackHorse After nine years of slinging java at Uptown Espresso—now known as BlackHorse—Eric said that he knows most of his customers by name. He even knows their kids’ names. And, maybe most importantly, he knows what people drink. He makes a good cappuccino and a handsome-looking mocha, sans the whipped cream, but ultimately, Eric’s a simple man. He prefers an Americano. —KM runner up: Justin Oglesby, Starbucks
BEST LOCAL COFFEE SHOPBlackHorse BlackHorse, formerly Uptown Espresso, is still the home of the velvet foam, as well as New Times readers’ favorite barista. So if you’re wondering—hey, why change up the name on such a good thing?—here’s the scoop: Uptown is loosely associated with a couple of cafés up in Seattle, and when owner Randy Coates wanted to branch out from the Higuera Street location, he had to disassociate himself from the name. So now it’s BlackHorse, and you guessed it—there’s another location on the way. But there’s still just one Eric Pettif. —KM runner up: Linnaea’s Café
BEST TASTING ROOMEdna Valley Vineyard 2585 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo “Edna Valley Vineyard is all about making sure our visitors have a great time,” said tasting room and hospitality manager Jim Griffin, “and that they leave saying, ‘They taught us about the Edna Valley region, about pairing food with our wines, and we had a great time.’” Griffin explained that there’s nothing stuffy or snobby about this winery, and he only hires people with great people skills to maintain the comfortable ambiance found here. Besides the great wines, he noted that they offer beautiful views of wine country and collectible lifestyle items. “After 27 years of serving SLO County, we love being here,” Griffin finished. “Our roots run deep into SLO County’s soils.” —KMH runner up: Tobin James
BEST DRINK WITH A VIEWThe Cliffs Resort 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach Sweeping the titles for Best Brunch, Happy Hour, Place to Drink Like Jimmy Buffett, and Drink with a View … The Cliffs is on a roll. There’s nothing like kickin’ back and soaking up the sight of the Pacific Ocean on a sunny day while sipping your water, juice, milk, or favorite alcoholic beverage, and The Cliffs is New Times readers’ choice for the place to do just that. Nestled above the Central Coast’s shoreline, The Cliffs’ view of the deep blue at will make you feel like you’re on vacation in Hawaii—except you’re not. —JI runner up: Windows on the Water
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUEDowntown Brewing Co. 1119 Garden St., San Luis Obispo Downtown Brew is basically your best bet when it comes to seeing live music on the Central Coast. That’s ’cause you can actually see the bands that come through. From hip-hop acts like Zion-I to aging punk-rockers like Guttermouth, DTB brings more live music and more variety than any other club in SLO. The downstairs is casual and intimate, there’s great beer, a full bar, and plenty of room to shake your stuff. There’s even a locals' night now, every other Tuesday. “Grassroots” night pairs live local acts with $1 home brews. —KM runner up: Pozo Saloon
BEST PLACE TO PLAY POOLDowntown Brewing Co. 1119 Garden St., San Luis Obispo Don’t get me wrong, DTB is a great place to play billiards, but a first-rate happy hour and daily specials are the best reason to hang out and play some pool. They have $2 well drinks and $2 home brews every day from 3 to 6 p.m. to get you through the workweek. And in addition to their regular menu, they have a lunch special every day—like 25-cent hot wings on Wednesdays, and separate dinner specials, too, like half off all appetizers on Thursdays. So rack ’em up. —KM runner up: HotShots
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