Wine , Food and History come together at Mission San Luis Opispo de Tolosa for SUNSET Magazine's SAVOR the Mission

California's Central Coast is well known for its Vineyards , Seafood , Agriculture and a long history of Spanish Influence that goes back over 200 years.










SUNSET Magazine brought all of these elements together under the  stars  in Mission Plaza at Mission San Luis Opispo de Tolosa for a very special evening to SAVOR the Mission.


Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded 1772 on the Central Coast of California  on a site located halfway between Santa Barbara  and Monterey . It was named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse. The Mission church of San Luis Obispo is unusual in its design in that its combination of belfry  and vestibule is found nowhere else among the California missions. The main nave is short and narrow (as is the case with other mission churches), but at San Luis Obispo there is a secondary nave of almost equal size situated to the right of the altar, making this the only "L"-shaped mission church among all of the California missions. The Mission is still active today 238 years after it was founded.

As you walk through downtown San Luis Opispo one can not help but feel this historic Mission's presence before you even see it.  This is a dinner that many were looking forward to from the minute SUNSET Magazine announced its events for this very special weekend.  Guests arrived looking forward to a dining experience that  featured the culinary talents of some of San Luis Opispo's best Chefs and a very impressive line up of Vintners as well . Sunset Food Editor Margo True was on hand to enjoy the Food , wine and what should be interesting conversation at the long communal tables.

San Luis Opispo Vintners had a nice line up of their best waiting for the guests as they entered the plaza. Eleven  nearby wineries of Alapay , Ancient Peaks , Cerro Caliente , Chamisal Vineyards , Claiborne & Churchill , Edna Valley  Vineyard , Laetitia , Niven Family Wine Estates , Pithy Little Wine Co, Salisbury Vineyards , Saucelito Canyon , Sinor La Vallee , Talley and Tolosa  all took time out from a busy harvest to attend this historic event.

We have attended events in the past where guests are seated at long tables and we find this quite enjoyable. On this night , locals from San Lusi  Opispo , many from elsewhere in California and those who traveled many miles, all dined  together and in many cases made new friends by the time the event came to an end.

Music was a big part of the event . Once the guests were seated and the winemakers started making their  first visits to the tables the legendary Red Holloway and his Band took the stage . Red and his band provided the final ingredient for this one of a kind dining experience with the Mission serving as the backdrop.






Passed Appetizers :

Spicy Ahi " Tacos "
Native Restaurant and Lounge
Chef Sean  Faries

Sauced Cocktail Frites
Bel Frites
Fred and Joyce O'Toole

First Course :

Two Color Melon Gazpacho with Arugula
Big Sky Cafe
Chef / Owner Charles Myers



Main Course :

Grilled Lamb Loins , Potato Dauphinois  and Seasonal Vegetable Ratatouille
Et Voila
Chef Jose' Dahan

Salad Course :
Local Mixed Greens  with a Goat Mozzarella Tartlet
Cafe Roma
Chef Marco and Saro Rizzo

Dessert Course :

Bombe ( Quince Sherbert , Apple Mousse , Caramel Cigar with Rum Caramel Sauce.
Two Cooks Catering
Chef Russ Thomas



Bread by Hush-Harbor Artisan Bakery

 Many were in awe of this dining venue on  a perfect fall evening in the very alive and vibrant city of San Luis Opispo .  The Mission provided diners a venue with spirituality and history along with San Luis Opispo's hottest Chefs and of course wines from only a few miles away. The conversation at the tables was informative and lively and we are sure new friendships were  established.  SUNSET Magazine's SAVOR the Misson was an enlightening experience for all that attended this unique dinner.