Sean Lanham
Google
Proof that God blesses palates bold enough to wander beyond brisket.
So there I was, a Texas BBQ believer, wandering the rolling hills of Los Olivos with my sharp-witted bride and a mighty appetite, when we asked a local where to eat. Now, I’m a man of faith in smoke rings and char lines, but when that local uttered “Nella Kitchen & Bar,” I felt something shift in my brisket-loving soul.
We strolled up to this classy little gem tucked inside the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn just before lunchtime: no reservation, no plan, just a prayer and a pocketful of optimism. And wouldn’t you know it? We were seated immediately outside on their picture-perfect patio. Texans, you’ll understand the gravity of this: it was June, and we were happily sitting outside. In Texas, you’d be halfway to heat stroke by then.
Our server? A hospitality ninja. Friendly, fast, and more graceful than a longhorn ballerina. Wine country rules say you start with a glass, and who was I to challenge the law? I went with a red that tasted like it had been aged in oak barrels and angel wings. My wife, ever the class act, chose a crisp white that practically danced out of the glass.
Now, buckle up: the special of the day was fried artichoke hearts, and I mean fried to a golden crisp like they’d just come outta heaven’s air fryer. Creamy, crunchy, drizzled with something magical and shredded with enough cheese to make a cow blush. Hands down, our new favorite appetizer of all time. I didn’t even think I liked artichokes and now I would fight someone for the last bite of these.
And then came the bread and butter. Let me say this as clearly as I can: if you go to Nella and don’t order the bread, you need to rethink your life choices. The bread was warm, fluffy, and had a crust so perfectly chewy it made me emotional. That butter? So rich and golden I almost asked it to dance.
Now for the mains: my wife, adventurous as ever, ordered the Pulled Muscovy Duck Salad and folks, it looked like the cover of Fancy Lettuce Monthly. Frisée, apple, grapes, mushrooms, chile, walnuts, and a soy-lemon vinaigrette that made the whole thing sing like an Italian opera. She said it was amazing.
As for me? You already know. If there’s lamb on the menu, I’m ordering it before the waiter finishes saying it. The Lamb Chops Scottadito came perched over roasted potatoes, bell peppers, and earthy porcini mushrooms, all kissed with a bright, herby chimichurri. The chops were juicy, tender, and cooked so perfectly I might’ve teared up a little.
We didn’t make it to dessert. Not because we didn’t want to — but because we’d hit flavor capacity and needed a nap, a sunset, and a moment of quiet reflection.
TL;DR:
If you find yourself in Los Olivos with the sun shining and your stomach rumbling, Nella Kitchen & Bar isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a calling. From the first bite of artichoke to the last sip of wine, it’s where upscale Italian meets patio-perfected relaxation. We’ll be back. Heck, I’d book a flight just for those artichokes.