There’s just something about that hot crusty bread, gooey melted Gruyère cheese, thinly sliced ham and béchamel sauce that makes a croque monsieur irresistible, along with the French accent that’s served with it. And how about eating freshly grilled Greek halloumi cheese with lemon at the edge of the Mediterranean sea? I also miss melty Swiss raclette with potatoes and cornichons and roasted Spanish piquillo peppers. In fact, one of the things I miss most after traveling is the food.
Finding the tastes I miss most is easy in San Luis Obispo! Meze Wine Bar & Bistro near the old railroad station is the best Europe-centric eating and drinking place around. Owners John & Lisa Schiltz have created a menu that makes decisions difficult: which country board should we eat our way through and how do we pick between the aforementioned best-sandwich-in-the-world Croque Monsieur and the Grilled Prosciutto di Parma sandwich?
The cheese list is well-rounded and amazing. With Holland, Vermont, France, Greece, Wisconsin, Spain and Italy as options, you’ll have to come back many times to try everything. The charcuterie list too is exciting: duck salami, chorizo auténtico, sopressata, speck. A dozen delicious-sounding sandwiches plus a weekly special make up the bulk of the lunch menu, along with daily soup, salads and the country boards – platters chock full of specialties from France, Spain, Italy or Greece.
European wines are also a focus, where you can find interesting choices on tap, by the glass and by the bottle. Choose from Portuguese sparkling wine, French and Italian classics and even Greek wines. There are local wines too, and I suspect they are also lighter-bodied food-pairing wines that would make even the French proud.
The only thing you’ll miss is the French accent.
Meze (meh – zay): n. A small portion dish that is served to complement and enhance the taste of the drink and to provide the backdrop for a social gathering.
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