On the road (nearly home)

Cold Spring Tavern

Atascadero, California, April 23, 2012—

BREAKFAST AT THE CAFE, as we've done every morning for the last three days: Intelligentsia is by far the best coffee we've found in Pasadena, and their croissants are flaky and buttery, and they use Straus organic milk in their cappuccinos. Why would we go elsewhere?

LUNCH AT THE HEARTWARMING old stagecoach tavern off highway 154 north of Santa Barbara: we pulled in out of the fog on a cold morning at eleven o'clock, warmed ourselves in front of the fireplace, and cheered up with boar-and-venison chile, slices of piquant Habañeras on top; a glass of local Pinot noir alongside. Delicious.

DINNER IN A STEAKHOUSE in a shopping center: Martini; "Caesar salad" (lacking anchovies); chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy atop garlic mashed potatoes, requisite frozen vegetable medley alongside. Could have been a lot worse.

• Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, 55 E. Colorado, Pasadena; (626) 578-1270
• Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara; (805) 967-0066
• Guest House Grill, 8783 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California; 805-460-0193