When you’re asked to name California cities with great food, you’d probably mention San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego. But you don’t have to give up good eats just because you’re buying one of our Visalia new homes. The following are some food havens to try nearby, as voted by the users of TripAdvisor. Check them out and let us know what you think.

The Vintage Press
Providing an elegant experience among stained-glass lamps and wood paneling, The Vintage Press has been serving deliciousness downtown since 1966. Its wine list is one of the best in the world, says the Wine Spectator, while Fodor’s calls this institution “the best restaurant in the Central Valley. Go with a hearty standard like Grilled Rib Eye Steak with herb butter, something more exotic like Crispy Veal Sweetbread in port wine and jalapeño, or pistachio-crusted King Salmon.

For a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into each dish, visit the monthly Recipe Club events for lunch or dinner. Chef David Vartanian demonstrates how he prepares a special dish and takes your questions as you dine on the results.

Quesadilla Gorilla
At the opposite end of the price spectrum and with a far more casual ambiance, Quesadilla Gorilla serves up creatively concocted quesadillas. At their prices, you can afford to buy two or three to taste, although if your stomach isn’t so expansive, go with friends, so you can share different kinds. The Evan Boling combines hard and soft flavors with its cilantro lime chicken, crisp bacon mixed in with a white cheese blend and jalapeños. Vegetarians will enjoy Veggie, which includes Anaheim chilies, red bell peppers, black beans, red onions, and freshly made pico de gallo.

You can also get creative by putting together your own quesadilla using a protein like shredded beef or chile verde as a base.

Cafe 225
Making you feel welcome and comfortable, the staff at Cafe 225 specialize in healthy and flavorful Mediterranean-fusion dishes. The Chicken Lettuce Wrap works as an appetizer or light repast by tickling your tongue with marinated chicken, vegetables, and coconut curry, wrapped in lettuce. For something heavier, the Marinated Lamb Kabob includes couscous, spiced yogurt, and grilled vegetables. Another good option is the Asian Beef Noodle Salad, which puts a grilled cafe steak on top of rice noodles, Napa cabbage, and red bell peppers in a spicy sesame lime dressing.

Kids aren’t forgotten, having such choices as a Kids Burger, Chicken Breast Strips, or Mac and Cheese. End your meal with desserts like the Pizooki, a chocolate chip cake piled with ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce and caramel, or the PBJ Monte, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that’s fried in beer batter and topped with powdered sugar.

Sequoia Brewing Company
The name clues you in that this is the place to grab some fresh-brewed crafted beers. The Sequoia Brewing Company quenches your thirst with such selections as the Half Dome, a wheat ale full of lemon and orange grown in the San Joaquin Valley; the Black Oak Porter, which uses imported English flour, malted barley and black malts; and the German-style Tamarack Amber Ale, which blends Pilsner and Vienna and Munich Malts into a Marzen lager.

The food here is just as enticing. Among the expected pizzas and burgers, get a taste of their Salmon BLT, which puts fresh Salmon with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, on wheat bread or BBQ Tri Tip on sourdough and house made BBQ sauce.



If you want to know more about the delights of the Central Valley or want to take a tour of our developments, please contact us.