Page 51 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2021 REDISCOVERING CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST

Joe’s Cafe keeps this diner-of-yore spirit
alive, offering all those dishes and more
designed to please the palate and wallet of
most any hungry customer. Although
prices have increased with time and costs,
a diner can have an excellent meal here for
the price of today’s fast food drive
throughs. A giant bowl of Joe’s delicious
New England-style clam chowder is less
than ten bucks. And they don’t skimp on
fresh clams.
Impressed by our chowder first course,
we then savored two exceptional entrees.
Mary enjoyed sea bass perfectly cooked to
stay succulent inside while slightly crisp
and golden brown on the exterior. Ron or-
dered one of his favorite dishes, Vongole
(clams with spaghetti). The addition of
Italian sausage took this traditional dish to
a new level of flavor and richness. Ron was
in heaven.
By the end of the evening, we agreed
this was fine dining in diner clothing. The
quality and skilled preparation of our
dishes matched those in many foodie tem-
ples around the world. And while three or
four choreographed servers didn’t hover
over us, we appreciated the friendly expe-
rienced server who met our needs with no
fuss or folderol. It was a lovely evening
from beginning to end.

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