New Italian restaurant opens near downtown city park

Team behind Il Cortile opens new restaurant

– Parchetto (Park-ett-o), Italian for “Little Park,” is Paso Robles’ newest downtown restaurant by the culinary team Carole and Santos MacDonal.

After 15 years of owning and operating Il Cortile, the duo was inspired to bring another restaurant concept to the heart of Paso Robles. Now open, Parchetto is located at 1234 Park Street, less than one block from the Downtown City Park in what was formerly Hemingway’s Steakhouse.

“The park has created so many lasting memories for us and this space brings us back to the heart of the community we fell in love with years ago,” said co-owner and sommelier of Parchetto, Carole MacDonal.

The California Bistro’s ethos is “garden-to-table, offering menus that celebrate each season with ingredients sourced from local farms and the MacDonal’s home garden.” The menu brings together the rustic charm of Italian tradition with fresh, bold flavors that define California cuisine. Enjoy the rich flavors of in-house dry-aged meats and freshly harvested vegetables. With an emphasis on innovation and a core value of sustainability, the elevated dining experience is the latest addition to the vibrant Paso Robles dining scene.

“From the land to the sea our menu showcases aged and expertly prepared meats and fishes with a delicious twist on familiar flavors,” Co-Owner and Executive Chef Santos MacDonal said.

The MacDonals’ took this historic downtown space and transformed it into a fine dining bistro, with a relaxed atmosphere. The décor combines elements restored from a century ago, with contemporary design that exudes elegance without pretense. Adorning the entrance is a multi-panel abstract painting by Amy Holland, an internationally shown and collected artist from Santa Monica.

The bar, a focal point in the new space, is open seating and features classic cocktails that pay tribute to tradition and celebrate the timeless elegance of the space. Indulge on tasty bites from the bar menu or the entire dinner menu as you sip cocktails or enjoy a glass of wine. The wine list, curated by Carole MacDonal, features the finest vintages from the renowned Paso Robles wine region and beyond.

Open Tuesday – Sunday at 5 p.m. daily and, coming later this summer, lunch service will be offered from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Upon arrival, diners will be greeted by General Manager Brenda Jesmery Alcaraz and Bar Manager Nathan Dorsey.