THE BREAK is opening very soon in the former Central Coast Meat Market in Pismo… billing itself as a sports-themed beach bar and grill: wait, isn’t that what the thing under Oyster Loft is? On the same block, MORENO TAQUERIA is indeed NOT closed as was the rumor, just some random spottiness. That’s quite the trifecta of tacos there at that intersection now, with TITO’S RED TACOS, EL GUERO, and MORENOS TAQUERIA all facing off from three corners. I had my second visit to Tito’s the other day and after so much chatter, broke away from my typical al pastor and tried the birria vampiros. It’s like a taco sandwich, a quesabirria sandwich, for instead of soft tortilla wrappers, everything is sandwiched between two crispy tostada shells. Tito’s is Roger Sharp’s best work–besides preserving Blue Sky Bistro pretty much in stasis. Put aside all the petty little crap you’re clinging to and go try this place. One of the best eateries in 5-cities and EVERYTHING from scratch.

BURRITOS EXPRESS did open in SLO and seems to be kinda a third location, as ROUTE 101 MEXICAN GRILL has opened in the Atascadero spot but all www’s still point to “Burrito Express” addresses. This is of course basically next door to the hottest new LatinX eatery up there: the AZTECA MARKET with all it’s Guatemalan treats.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CARRISA is opening NEXT FRIDAY, and slated to be open 2-10 on Sunday for brunch and 4-midnight every other day but Monday. How much did people love last year’s inaugural event??? When the Tock link went live last week 650 reservations were sold immediately. They’re still planning on taking walk-ins if there’s space, but you might wanna get on that.

Got into TACOS y BIRRIA SINALOA on the VERY quiet Broad street the other day. Typical downtown offerings: bland, poorly-prepared al pastor, ridiculously over-stuffed in barely-warm, raw tortillas. Good salsas though. The quesabirria tacos looked WAAAAAY better. Up the street, NOVO is doing a full-gut on the dining room. Tore out the bar and moved it alongside the north entrance. Looks like we’re going for a brick/copper look instead of the more-modern theme of the past decade. The patio is still open for dining, but you must enter from the rear along the creek. Don’t follow their signs down around Sidecar–turn around and go through Mission Mall. Not really sury why they’re sending people that way–especially considering the demo. Speaking of Mission Mall, a new outlet for BUEN DIA (yes, their third) is taking over the old Larder spot and is–again–going to be an *urban market*. Because… um… that worked so well for Larder…

Across the hall, work is hard underway on the “Concept Peruvian Bistro and Pisco Bar”. THREE Peruvian restaurants in one town???!?!? Can Sacramento or Fresno even say that? Across the street, STREETSIDE ALEHOUSE has been hard at work for a couple weeks doing some actual physical remodeling. Apparently the menu has already changed as well. Can’t wait to see that, and despite maybe some of the ho-hum things I’ve said about the Streetside organization over the years, this is the BEST thing to happen to downtown in some time. Turning Mother’s Tavern into a vibrant, predictable RESTAURANT is God’s work. First thing to go: LOSE THE “TAVERN”. This is 2023. Actually, the first thing needing to go is the SMELL. I have no problem with how Bull’s or Frog smell, but Mother’s OMG can’t take that one–especially eating. Too much line cleaner. Believe it or not MOE’S is open, but I haven’t been yet. Did I tell you Mint+Craft closed in the last Resty Gossip? And Big Sky? Oh, but we gots Wetzel’s Pretzels and FROYO SLO so it’s all good. Everybody going to city council meeting on parking tonight? Be sure and ride your bike and then go to a nice restaurant after. I know people who love downtown and want to invest SOOOO BAD but will not because it’s a BAD INVESTMENT. And it’s gonna get worse. Have you seen what they did to Chorro Street? It’s not just downtown: NOW they are attacking residential streets to eliminate cars. Guess what’s next: North Monterey! Work has already started. All the parking garages and bike lanes in the world won’t save downtown.

Headed over the grade, THE PORCH in Santa Marg has new owners, is calling itself a gastropub instead of cafe and I got in to see the difference. Nice, easy changes everywhere–not the vibe so much, but menu, ordering and presentation. And, they’re open for dinner. Up in the hills, I heard POZO SALOON is underging a full remodel and restoration. And it’s being documented. NOMADA does such great things to historic properties.

Finally got in to ETTO PASTIFICO BAR after several tries where I wasn’t able to bring myself past the horrible—but now typical–counter-ordering queue and vibe which is completely counter-productive to large tickets. Quite an impressive winelist of geeky Italians, but I can’t imagine selling too much of it: first of all there’s just NO WAY with that demographic and then there’s the fact you can’t sit down with the list. I would have spent double, meandering through the menu with some wines if it were not for boomer tapping his foot behind me for his flatbread. Ordered a bottle of still and it was produced alongside a carafe of tap, which is just so laughably California. Food is delivered–not served–by a stranger. Really dug the Caponata Messinese: a giant appetizer ofwonderful eggplant and sweet peppers. I was a bit iffy at first on the sauteed celery, but it grew on me. Take a toothpick. The pastas were adequate, nicely lunchtime-portioned offerings of good al-dente preparation and careful sauces. I, of course, had to get the pomodoro, as I continue *researching* this dish across the county and in my kitchen. And when you’re done… just stand up and walk out, leaving everything behind like you do at your mom’s house.

Down in AG, Bill’s Place is putting in a speakeasy next to that white Mexican place Villa Cantina and BURGERS & MORE has moved to Pismo over Oceano and I’m not sure where they were in Oceano–was that what took over for Beach Burger? No no no! Now that I see their logo, they were those people in the grocery store along 1 with the pink truck. I walked in and out once. Might have to check them out… I dunno: sketch marketing.