Ka-Cin W.
Yelp
We had an incredible dinner at Il Cortile Ristorante during our visit to Paso Robles and would absolutely return the next time we're in town. From start to finish, every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. Here's how our meal went:
ANTIPASTI
Grilled Octopus ($23) - 5/5
Amazing starter! The octopus was grilled to tender perfection, paired with fresh vegetables and a spicy vinaigrette that brought everything together beautifully.
Caprese ($23) - 5/5
A refreshing combination of fresh tomatoes, Bufala mozzarella, basil, pesto, and a drizzle of balsamic. The green sauce was so good we ended up dipping our bread in it until the plate was clean. Friendly tip: they do charge an extra $5 for more bread, but it was fresh and absolutely worth it.
PRIMI (homemade pastas)
Pappardelle al Cinghiale ($33) - 5/5
One of the best pastas we've had--hearty, savory wild boar ragu with perfectly textured pappardelle. The portion was generous and comforting.
Pasta Fava ($30) - 3.5/5
A lighter spaghetti dish with fava beans, pancetta, lemon, and cream. It had a subtle, plain flavor profile that might appeal to those who prefer simpler dishes, but it was the least memorable out of the four mains we ordered.
Aragosta Tagliolini ($35) - 4.5/5
The lobster and Mighty Cap mushrooms were excellent--fresh and flavorful. The only minor complaint was that we wished it had just a bit more champagne cream sauce to coat the pasta more evenly.
Special: Sea Bass with Seasonal Vegetables ($45) - 5/5
Hands down the standout dish of the evening. The sea bass was flaky, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, paired with light, non-overpowering vegetables. Elegant, simple, and done right.
DESSERT
Tiramisu ($14) - 5/5
As tiramisu fans, we were thrilled. Creamy, balanced, and classic--just how it should be.
Berry Tart ($14) - 4/5
Fresh, vibrant berries atop a crisp tart crust. A nice, lighter way to end the meal.
AMBIANCE & SERVICE
We sat indoors, which had a romantic, dimly lit vibe--perfect for a relaxing evening. The restaurant is on the smaller side, seating around 40 indoors and a bit more outdoors. We made a reservation for a Sunday night and were seated promptly. Parking wasn't too bad--we found street parking around 5:30 PM.
Shoutout to Ivan for the solid recommendations that really helped us pick some standout dishes for the night--thank you!
Il Cortile exceeded our expectations. The food was high-quality, the atmosphere was charming, and the service was smooth. Definitely a must-visit when in Paso Robles!