Dinner at the New Mattei’s Tavern

September is non-stop birthday month! Yesterday: Mik-the-losh collected another year around the sun and we celebrated in high style at the all-new Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos. The last time we were there was for his birthday two years prior & oh how things have changed!

First, the decor: maintained most of the original charm, but has been updated to a more sophisticated & chic design. Stainless steel lamps hang around the open-air kitchen in the middle of the restaurant, the furniture is a mix of rustic wood and modern plastic, while the table decor perfectly blends elegant stemware with country cutlery.

The menu: highlights the fact that they’re trying to maintain some of the previous incarnation of the restaurant alongside the remodel. They have split the entree options between 1886 (the year they originally opened) and the new 2013 version.

The 1886 entrees are more of the steak, chicken and whole fish variety, while the updated menu is a little more edgy with octopus, crunchy sea creatures and a hamchop. We opted for a rotisserie chicken and the fatty brisket with a side of sweet potatoes, grilled figs and fresno chiles and were in foodie heaven!

Since we were there on a special birthday occasion we went out to the bar for an additional dessert and had a glass of Au Bon Climat’s Clendenen label Pinot Noir with a birthday beignet, but somehow they didn’t have a candle in the entire joint. Bumz.

Overall: fantastic! Now I can’t wait to try out their lunch menu options on the weekend… Our server also said that they’ve opened up a little tasting room in the back that’s pouring South African wines (and some other wine, she lost me at South Africa) as well having games in the yard to stay and play!

2350 Railway Ave
Los Olivos, California 93441
(805) 688-3550
Lunch: Friday – Sunday 11AM-2PM
Dinner: Wednesday – Saturday 5PM-10PM / Sunday 5PM-9PM
Bar is open until midnight Friday and Saturdays