About
While the Pacific Coast is dotted with cliff-perched restaurants offering picturesque views, many are tourist traps with sub-par food. At first glance, Ventana Grill resembles one of these lackluster restaurants. But inside, it has renovated decor and, most importantly, an innovative menu.
"Ventana" translates from Spanish into "window," which you'll first experience entering the eatery. Wall-to-wall windows frame the ocean and sky, and the view will no doubt take your breath away. However, as mentioned, ambiance is only part of the equation for a successful dining experience.
The interior features simple lines showcasing modern yet comfortable furnishings that will make you feel at ease. While the atmosphere suits a romantic dinner, it's also family-friendly.
The cuisine at Ventana Grill is best described as Latino-Pismo Beach fusion and gets rave reviews from patrons. One reason for this success is that it is the sister of other prominent area restaurants, The Oyster Loft and the Custom House in Avila Beach. But rest assured, Ventana Grill is resting on its laurels or relying on family history to be successful.
When organizing your trip itinerary, put Ventana Grill at the top.
Vibe
While we've downplayed the ocean view, it moves to center stage when it comes to ambiance. Whether you dine for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you get unmatched panoramic coastline views. Toss in some seals, dolphins, and the seasonal breaching whale, and it's a dining experience you'll cherish forever.
Simplicity is the key to the decor, with wooden tables, chairs, and comfortable window booths. The painted wood ceiling adds to the California beach vibe, while the bar showcases top-shelf spirits with the Pacific as the backdrop.
The relaxed atmosphere makes it ideal for a meal after shopping at nearby boutiques like Pismo Beach Surf Shop. Come sunset, the setting is perfect for romantic dinners and meals with friends. The spacious room allows families with children to feel welcomed and not like they're bothering others.
The interior's subtle and minimal design is intentional, playing second fiddle to the tasty fare and ocean views.
Ventana Grill: Menu & Drinks
Since Ventana Grill serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and family meals, we can only explore some of their offerings. Instead, we will list the top dinner and family meal options.
A popular appetizer is the Calamari Frito. Chefs dunk the squid's tubes and tentacles into cornmeal and fry them until they are golden brown. The calamari comes with smoky chipotle aioli, a citrus cocktail, and lemon caper tartar sauce.
Dinner salads feature locally sourced produce and are plentiful, with the Ahi Tuna de Sesamo being a standout. A meat lover's paradise is the Chuleta al Pastor. Chefs sear a French-cut pork chop before baking until tender. Next, the meat is slathered with fresh pineapple salsa and served atop an al pastor marinade and guajillo sauce. Corn tortillas, rice, and beans come on the side to round out this mouthwatering entree.
Order one of the Ventana Grill Family Meals when famished after a day with Central Coast Kayaks and too tired to cook or go out. These bountiful feasts serve four, and there are four choices to ensure something for everyone. The Carnitas Seared-Braised Pulled Pork is perfect for those on a budget and comes with the following:
- 2.5 lbs Boneless Pork Carnitas
- 1 Quart Spanish Rice
- 1 Quart Seasoned Pinto Beans
- 1 Dozen Homemade Tortillas (6 Flour+6 Corn)
- 1 Cup Fresh Guacamole
- 1 Cup Four Chiles Salsa
- 1 Bag House Fried Corn Chips
- 1 Cup Salsa Mestiza
- Fixings Include Lime, Radish, Onions, Cilantro
Ventana Grill's Latin-inspired cuisine and picture-perfect ocean views catapult it over fly-by-night eateries dotting the California cliffs. When vacationing in Pismo Beach, add it to your to-do list.
Local Tips
- Reservations are highly recommended, especially for sunset and dinner.
- Take advantage of the walking trail from Seacrest Oceanfront Inn, which offers scenic views.
- Lunchtime visits provide a shorter wait, and the views are equally spectacular.
- Let Ventana Grill cater your next party or event.
