Executive Chef Santos MacDonal raises the Culinary Bar at IL Cortile in Downtown Paso Robles .

 

Executive Chef Santos MacDonal, provides a vast array of locally sourced cuisine at IL Cortile in Downtown Paso Robles .After an afternoon visiting several wineries, we were fortunate enough to be guests at one of Paso Robles finest Italian Restaurants, with the reputation of garnering the best in local, sustainable ingredients into a feast for the eyes, a delight for the senses, while creating memories that will stand out in your  culinary journey. 

Chef and owner, Santos Mac Donal and his lovely wife Carole greeted us and gave us the background on the restaurant as well as their passion to create a space that embraces all the aspects of the Italian Courtyard experience.   They feature an experience that engages each person with the land, the people, and of course the social interaction of community all  coming together to relax, eat, and enjoy each other’s company.  We were made to feel right at home and ready to experience some of the best in local cuisine Paso Robles has to offer.

Before we indulged in what would become one of the best dining experiences we have had in the Central Coast we wanted to get to know the man behind all of the accolades. Santos MacDonal began his career in the highly acclaimed Italian Restaurant, “Giorgio” in Malibu California, mentored by Chef Giorgio Baldi himself. He has worked at many great restaurants in Los Angeles including Via Veneto, Locando de Lago, Koi, La Sosta and more. He worked his way to Executive Chef at Bridge Restaurant and L’Angolo Cafe in Los Angeles.

Razor Clams

Santos’ philosophy is simple and tasty!  , He strives to  use the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever available to create interesting and delicious dishes. He is constantly challenging himself to create new and tasty dishes that reflect what is available at any given time of the year.

Chef Santo’s “dishes are a feast for the eyes and palate” we remarked more than once with contented sighs as we progressed through our feast.  We began our dinner with a glass of refreshing Proseco  and we were joined by Chef and Carole. Looking over the menu we selected antipasti of grilled octopus, and local razor clams to get started.  Octopus and razor clams can be very difficult to cook, and often is a bit chewy, but Chef gave us the version that keeps the locals and visitors asking for seconds.

Housemade Ravioli

Grilled octopus with fresh vegetable marinati in a spicy vinaigrette

Chef was right on track when he brought out a very savory Beef short rib and his house specialty of homemade ravioli.  We enjoyed even more bounty from the sea with perfectly prepared scallops delivered with precision by our ever attentive server   .

We had dined in many restaurants in many cities over the years and we are often hesitant to “follow the heard” and seek to find out for ourselves and readers what a particular dining venue is all about.

Beef Short Rib

In this case, Paso Robles has a very special restaurant downtown that has raised the culinary bar higher than ever before.  For an added bonus, Santos and Carole have just opened a hip mixology bar “la cosecha Bar + Restaurant “just a few blocks away.

Why not spend an evening visiting both venues when in downtown Paso Robles, you won’t be disappointed!