May’s Garden Restaurant - (Near Watsonville, CA)

Derrick In Bloom in Paso Robles delivered an experience that was both unexpected and exceptional. We visited during their Sunday “Fun Day,” a word-of-mouth offering on a day they are typically closed, where the restaurant focuses exclusively on a single dish: Pho Ramen. This thoughtful, pared-down approach immediately set the tone for something special. The dish itself was memorable. A deeply flavored pho-style broth formed the foundation, paired with ramen noodles and complemented by fresh bok choy and crisp sprouts. The balance was precise, comforting, and intentional, highlighting both technique and restraint rather than excess. We chose to sit at the bar and were served promptly, with an attentiveness that felt genuine rather than rehearsed. The space was lively and energetic, filled with a sense of purpose and enjoyment from both staff and guests. There was a palpable buzz in the room—an atmosphere that felt communal, welcoming, and distinctly confident in its identity. This experience stood apart from anything else currently offered in Paso Robles. It was not only about the food, but about the concept, the execution, and the willingness to do something different. In Bloom has created something truly unique, and this Sunday experience is absolutely worth seeking out.

Lisa Hardwick We really enjoyed our whole experience. Our waitress was so personable and spoiled us. The food was delicious. My husband and I had the TBA, turkey, avocado with cheese on grilled sourdough. Our friends had milkshakes with their grilled cheese sandwiches. Out of curiosity, we asked about the Aqua Freeze. Wow!! Those things are incredible!! It is a shaved, frozen fruit dessert.

Koko W Merced offers a variety of ethnic food. You can stay away from Hispanic food by trying Rei Teppanyaki a type of Chinese food with an amazing twist. Im getting addicted to this food. The veggies are good at the right tempature and a little crunchy. The rice is fully cooked then you add the meat and you have an exceptional food experience. And the chef does give you a generous portion for 2 meals. I just love this place.

Mom Evans What an amazing experience! Restaurant is Haunted Mansion themed with lots of hidden surprises in every detail. I ordered the mushroom pizza, which was beyond exceptional. I have never had a pizza like this before. The crust or bread is made fresh daily on site, and it was light and airy. The flavors were so well balanced. I also tried the Ghost Host drink. It was very tasty and even came with a tarot card. The service was excellent. Staff went out of their way and allowed us to roam around and take photos and explore each room. When you visit, be sure and ask the staff about the history of the building its pretty cool, but Im not going to spoil it for you.

Jeff Podvin We were able to get a table, without a reservation which was nice. It took a minute for the hostess (costumed-angry raggedy Ann) to acknowledge we were there. I got the feeling she did other jobs too... maybe server assistant. The restaurant was sufficiently quant, clean, and well-decorated. The star of the show was definitely the server. She was friendly and even ran upstairs to grab me some decaf. Now for the food- I got the ribeye and my wife ordered the steak medallions. Both were good- and the price was more than fair. My wife typically doesnt like steak- and always get medium-well- she said the medallions were still so tender/juicy. And for $32, I was pleasantly surprised at the flavor, presentation, etc. The Ribeye, $40- was prepared excellently and was prime ribeye. The flavor reminded me of a picanha steak; it came with compound garlic herb butter which complimented it nicely. There was a large party in the next room that shared the attention of the one server- she handled it beautifully. The bartender did appear slightly bothered to make the drinks for the large party (she had 7 folks on her side to worry about)- I wasnt too sure about a few things- I found it odd there wasnt warm bread or rolls- especially for a place called the Duke (which screams steak, potatoes, bread). But at the price point (low for such great food), this was not an unmet expectation. Then the costumed-angry raggedy Ann- its the week of Halloween and the hotel itself was decorated... Im not sure if she was angry, hated her job, or playing a character. Nonetheless, the service and food were on point- so it didnt diminish our experience. Well likely make a trip back sometime.

Perez. Family Delicious I ordered the rebel burrito it was delicious. I had avocado made even better. The rebels sauce really good And a shout out to Candace that’s the name on the receipt Saturday morning at 11:30 She’s a sweetie and help me out with my order I wish I would’ve taken a picture of my burrito, but I ate too fast