Michelin-starred chef to revamp 3 food and drink spots in Paso Robles. Here’s how
The historic Paso Robles Inn is embarking on a major renovation project of its drink and dining destinations with help from a Michelin-starred chef.
Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer is revamping three food-and-drink spots at the inn and its sister property, The Piccolo in downtown Paso Robles, the hotels announced in a news release Friday.
His hospitality group, the Charlie Palmer Collective, will oversee the reinvention of the restaurant and bars.
Palmer will be the visionary behind the soon-to-be revamped menus and venues, he told The Tribune.
He’ll aim to emphasize “Paso Robles’ rich agricultural roots and close-knit community while highlighting the craft of renowned local winemakers, farmers and artisans,” the release said.
Erica Fryburger, general manager of Paso Robles Inn and The Piccolo, said Palmer’s vision will tap into the essence of Paso Robles while elevating the food-and-drink spaces “up a few levels,” she said.
Who is Michelin-starred chef revamping food and drink spots?
Palmer has earned more than 20 Michelin stars over the course of his career in the restaurant business.
He grew up in upstate New York on a dairy farm where he often worked in the family’s vegetable garden, developing an early passion for fresh produce, according to his website.
In 1988, Palmer opened Aureole, a New York City restaurant that nabbed 13 Michelin Guide stars and two James Beard awards over the course of 32 years.
He has led his hospitality group, the Charlie Palmer Collective, for more than 35 years. During that time, the collective has opened restaurants in cities including New York City; Reno, Nevada, Washington, D.C., and Healdsburg.
Palmer said Paso Robles is the group’s next stop due to its world-class wine and storied agricultural community, adding that the city still has room to grow into a dazzling food and drink destination.
“I’m thrilled to be creating three new concepts that not only reflect the spirit of this region but also aim to put Paso on the national map as a true culinary destination,” Palmer said in the release.
What updates are coming to Paso Robles Inn restaurant, bar?
The restaurant and lounge at the Paso Robles Inn and the rooftop bar at The Piccolo will be completely redone over the next year, according to Peregrine Hospitality, formerly known as KSL Resorts, which owns the two hotels.
The upcoming projects represent the second phase of a sweeping $25 million renovation that wrapped up at the Paso Robles Inn in September after eight months of construction.
The 135-year-old inn now boasts 98 updated rooms with new floors, furnishings and high-end luxury products, The Tribune reported in October.
The hotel’s next move involves updating Paso Robles Inn bar Cattlemen’s Lounge and renaming it Cattlemen’s Bar, the news release said.
The space will be redesigned as an upscale Western bar and lounge that heavily draws on the area’s cattle-ranching roots.
Food and drink options will range from handcrafted cocktails to “hearty, straightforward fare,” the release said.
“What I can envision is this real, true Western cowboy bar, which means to me, classic cocktails, probably a lot more brown liquor,” Palmer said.
He joked that guests should be prepared to throw on their boots and cowboy hats to attend the revamped drink spot once renovations are complete.
Paso Robles Inn’s classic steakhouse — known simply as The Steakhouse — will be reinvented as The Pass by Palmer.
“A play on words, The Pass celebrates both Paso Robles and the final stop in every kitchen, where each plate is perfected before reaching the table,” the Paso Robles hotel said.
The transformed culinary spot will be a “modern tavern” with “no pretension,” Palmer said.
Great cuts of meat will still be on the menu, he said, along with fresh seafood from the coast and dishes filled with seasonal components and local produce.
“I want it to be excellent ingredients prepared perfectly and presented with a big smile,” Palmer said.
The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Paso Robles Inn said.
Rooftop bar in downtown Paso Robles will get new name, menu
The Charlie Palmer Collective plans to make over The Piccolo’s rooftop bar overlooking Paso Robles’ town square and transform it into a happy hour destination.
Tetto Rooftop Bar will be renamed Salina Rooftop: At the Piccolo.
According to the hotel, the new name is a nod to the Salinas River, the critical source connecting water to local agricultural workers.
The redesigned space will be “a laid-back, open-air spot built for golden hour, where craft cocktails, local wines and unfussy bites come with a view,” the release said.
Palmer said the redesigned space will be more festive, with a rooftop garden and a live music program.
When will restaurant renovations be finished?
Facelifts at The Piccolo’s rooftop bar and Paso Robles Inn’s lounge are expected to be complete by the end of the summer, according to the release.
Once those updates are finished, work will begin on The Steakhouse at the Paso Robles Inn, Fryburger said.
However, locals and guests will still be able to dine at the Paso Robles Inn while renovations are underway.
“We won’t be completely shut down,” Fryburger said. “We’ll still be open for business, just in different outlets.”
The restaurant may move to the hotel’s grand ballroom, she said, or the gardens when weather is suitable for outdoor dining.
The restaurant renovation at the inn is forecast to be finished in spring 2026.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM.
