Les Petites Canailles — Restaurant in Paso Robles

I have heard great things about this place, We went last night (Mon night) had a reservation for 7pm. The place was packed. We were politely greeted by a nice young lady. Upon sitting Tim got us waters right away.

It's a small place but quite a few people can fit into the restaurant. Very intimate. Our 7 top was front and center right when you walk in. It is loud in the restaurant since there are no buffers to help with the noise.

Kirby was our waitress. She was polite and friendly. Told us the specials of the night and got our orders in. It took a bit to get the starters but it was packed.

We had bread and steak tartare for the starters. The bread was just bread and butter nothing special for $9. The steak tartare was great. There was some citrus and the egg drops on top were silky. Great flavors and highlight of the meal as it was the best of what we had for the night.

Then came our entrees. I got the Steak Au Poivre, which is an Australian Wagyu steak with French fries, I had it medium. It was tough and chewy. Nothing that you would expect a high end restaurant to serve. Plus the fries were over salted. Not worth the $48 it cost. I've had better at a cheaper price! My BF got the Spring Lamb Two Ways. The pork belly was just okay. The lamb loin was tender but both lacked flavor. And wish there were more veggies. Again not worth the $48. The kids got the burger special which was the Iberia ham and steak blended patty with onion rings. There was a funky sauce that I felt overtook the burger flavors. There were mixed reviews with the table but majority were not into it. Another got the mussels. Again the funky sauce took away from the mussels in my opinion but others liked the sauce and not the mussels.

The service during the meal was just okay. Majority of the table didn't have waters for over 20-30 minutes which for a high end restaurant is unacceptable. We had to ask to get more water. She came and checked on us two bites into it but then felt we never needed checked on again until the end.

Unfortunately most of us will not want to go back as we felt was not worth it. But there were a couple that liked it and...

What an experience. If you're looking for a fine dining journey that leaves your palette craving more, look no further. Owner and Chef Julien does not disappoint. Our server, Ryan, was detail oriented and knew all the explicit details of the menu to cater to our every need. Ask for him if he's available for a truly remarkable experience.

After a day of wine tasting in Downtown Paso, a sommelier suggested we try Il Cortile and were fortunate to be able to make a RSVP at the bar right when they opened on a Sat evening. So glad we were able to try this gem before heading back home.

We started with the Steak Tartare and Spanish Octopus, both of which were exquisite. The tartare was perfect for two and the beef tasted amazing with the raw egg and hints of horseradish. The octopus was complimented perfectly with the in-house, fresh made hummus, and black garlic on puffed tapioca.

Next we had the Escargot Risotto and the special of the day, White Truffle Risotto (half portion $50). The Escargot was paired with a delectable parsley garlic butter and disappeared quickly. The White Truffle was to die for. If you are a truffle fan and they happen to be offering this dish, I HIGHLY recommend trying it.

Lastly, we had the Moules-Frites and a side of Cauliflower Gratin. The mussels were cooked to perfection and the broth was delish. I practically wanted to drink the magical concoction from the bowl. The fries were fresh cut fried potato, crisp and flavorful. The cauliflower rounded out the pairing beautifully and tasted wonderful.

We finished off the meal with Creme Brulee. Can't go wrong with a staple dessert and it was the finish we needed to round out this amazing meal.

Only local beers and wines are served at Les Petites (no cocktails). I missed the opportunity to try KiloKilo Brewery while we were in town so I took advantage of their West Coast Pale Ale and was impressed. Their wine list is quite extensive but we were 'wined out' and stuck to brews...

Les Petites Canailles offers an exquisite fine dining experience in downtown Paso Robles. As the name suggests ("little rascals" in French), the atmosphere is lively with a bit of playful mischief. The interior is modern and hip, though it does get noisy at peak times. However, the food and service make up for any issues with ambient volume.

My wife and I recently enjoyed an incredible meal here. To start, I had the Dry Aged Duck Two Ways, consisting of beautifully roasted breast meat alongside a decadent duck confit cannelloni. The fatty, tender duck was perfectly complemented by the bittersweet cacao jus and tangy fermented blueberry purée. Crispy chestnuts added a nice textural contrast. My wife loved her Seasonal Pasta - delicate trumpet-shaped noodles in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce with plump shrimp.

We also shared the ratatouille, a fresh take on the classic with al dente vegetables in a bright, herbal marinara. And we couldn't pass up the legendary creme brûlée, a smooth, set custard with a crackly burnt sugar top. The supporting cast of a pistachio financier (a sort of mini cake) with berries, cream, and tart Greek yogurt ice cream put it over the top.

The attentive staff guided us through the menu and provided spot-on wine pairings, like the Site Red from Larner Vineyard that accentuated the rich flavors of my duck duo. With Chef Asseo's immense culinary talent and passion for local ingredients shining through, Les Petites Canailles is a must-visit for fine French dining in Paso Robles...