Ember catches fire 

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There’s no doubt that San Luis Obispo has its fair share of yummy local dining, with generally pleasing atmospheres and hearty menus. But one new restaurant in Arroyo Grande, Ember, offers local foodies a concise selection of foods inspired by cuisine around the world.

Open barely a month and a half since Feb. 5, Ember combines a heavily Mediterranean style with a Spanish flavor, tossed with Italian and Greek influences. Keeping up with seasonal ingredients, the hidden gem’s March menu has a little something for everyone.

From their smaller options to large portions, diners can enjoy an eclectic selection of appetizers, entrees, and deserts to keep even the pickiest of eaters satisfied.

Because Ember knows that anything wrapped in pork is absolutely delicious, they offer both bacon wrapped scallops and prosciutto wrapped artichokes as starters. Either of these will gear up the palate for the restaurant’s pride and joy: the pizzas.

Cooked in an Italian wood-burning oven, the featured pies are made with hefty toppings and cheeses from around the world. This small selection will leave pizza lovers conflicted, anxious not to make the wrong choice. Chorizo? Margarita? Mediterranean? Even the cheese pizza beats the average, loaded with ingredients like squash and caramelized onions.

For those lighter eaters feeling left out of the delicious pizza frenzy, or who feel the need to opt out of steak or duck, there’s something for you, too. From the avocado salad, with blood oranges and beets, to their burrata soup with split peas, going down the greener path will also leave daintier diners’ heads spinning.

And because the dessert shelf-portion of the stomach is scientifically known to voluntarily expand, feeding into the sweet-tooth disease, a chocolate tart and some crème’ brulee will make a nice home right next a pepperoni or a red onion.

Although still very new, the community is buzzing about a restaurant that is a breath of fresh air. Recent diner and SLO resident, Baily Brogden, says the experience was more than what she had hoped for.

“The pizza was amazing and the vibe was very welcoming,” Brogden said. “Everything looked and tasted really fresh.”

Visit Ember at 1200 E. Grande Ave. in Arroyo Grande. Hours run from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday; open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sadly, Ember’s doors are closed Monday and Tuesday.

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