New owner, Jennifer Loewen Nicolds.
Savory, sweet, and satisfying, must-try menu choices for every preference
—For an elegant, yet casual place to enjoy dinner with the family, look no further than Paso Terra Bistro in Paso Robles. Located just steps from the downtown city park, this charming eatery is owned and operated by Jennifer Loewen Nicolds, a long-time local with a passion for serving others in her community.
“When people walk through our door, my goal, and the goal of my team, is for our customers to have a great meal and leave with a good feeling,” she says. “We take pride in treating people with kindness, serving amazing food, and making our customers and friends feel like family.”
Many will remember Paso Terra, a well-known seafood restaurant, that operated in the same location where Paso Terra Bistro now exists. After working there as the manager for five years, Loewen Nicolds jumped at the chance to purchase the business when former owners, Andre and Christina Averseng, decided to sell. She revamped the menu, did an extensive remodel of the interior and patio areas, and opened Paso Terra Bistro in late July of 2025.
“I gained so much experience when I was managing the former restaurant, and I had the full support of the previous owners to move forward with my vision; they are both still dear friends of mine,” Loewen Nicolds said. “Chef Andre stayed on as a consultant, helping with some training and menu ideas, and he fills in when needed. Everyone has been so supportive, and I was able to bring back all of the employees.”
Classic favorites meet local flavors
Loewen Nicolds kept some of the seafood dishes from the previous menu as a way to honor the past, while also bringing something new, and the team is also offering catering and private parties. Appealing to locals and tourists alike, the menu now features a wide variety of options and a kids’ menu. There truly is something for everyone at Paso Terra Bistro, from appetizers, soups, and salads to sandwiches, pasta, and seafood.
Head Chef Michael Taft has a vast repertoire gained from working at various restaurants and oversees a five-chef team. Together, they craft each dish using fresh, locally inspired ingredients to create delicious and visually stunning meals and weekly specials.
“Chef Michael is definitely multitalented, and he does an amazing job of ensuring our back-of-the-house team works smoothly together,” Loewen Nicolds said. “He comes up with various recipes, including all of our soup specials, and he’s always working to make things better in the kitchen.”
Some of the more popular items at Paso Terra Bistro are the beef empanadas, crab cakes, Cali elote quesadilla, and beef Bolognese. Customer favorites include the shrimp linguini – tender shrimp tossed with linguine in a rich, creamy basil Alfredo sauce, and Cajun chicken pasta – flame-grilled Cajun chicken served over penne pasta. Be sure to try the classic cheeseburger or the guacamole burger, and check social media to learn about the burger of the month.
One of the newest dishes on the menu, the herb roasted chicken, is already gaining popularity. Cooked in a brown sugar sage sauce, it’s sweet and savory. The grilled salmon is the eatery’s most popular seafood dish. Flame-broiled, it’s served with mashed potatoes and a warm spinach sauté. Another favorite is the seafood paella, a colorful blend of shrimp, mussels, red snapper, and sausage with aromatic saffron rice.
Enjoy a sweet ending to your meal, or stop in to share a dessert with a friend. Choose from Vincenza’s Homemade Ice Cream, apple empanada with caramel, lemon cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and more.
“Our Sous Chef, Vincenza Zenobio, is a huge asset to our team,” Loewen Nicolds said. “She plates all of our salads, makes all of our dressings, and all of our desserts.”
An array of local wines, SLO Cider, and beer from Barrel House and Firestone are available, and the beverage menu includes soda, tea, and coffee.
A passion for food and hospitality
Loewen Nicolds takes pride in her team and says they are professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and family-oriented. The chefs work together to provide quality food, and the front of the house staff delivers exceptional customer service. “I definitely feel supported by my team, and I love that they care as much about the customers as I do,” she said.
Her husband and children are part of that teamwork as well. John Nicolds frequently works behind the scenes, fixing anything and everything, and her daughters fill in as servers when available. Daughter Jayden Askew runs social media accounts for the restaurant, oversees, and will eventually take on more of a management role. Twins Jacey and Jenelle Loewen both attend Azusa Pacific University and help out when they’re home.
“When people come in, and we’re all there, they see it really is a family affair here at Paso Terra Bistro,” Loewen Nicolds said.
Feeding the community through fundraising
In addition to providing quality food and service, a big priority for the team is giving back to the community. The team has already hosted several fundraisers, and their goal is to hold monthly fundraisers to benefit local charities, sports teams, and more. Just a few of the ways they regularly contribute are by taking food to Paso Cares, Echo Shelter, and Loaves and Fishes.
“Our fundraisers are a chance for people to not only enjoy our food, but they can also help out somebody else,” Loewen Nicolds said. “In this way, everyone can give back and be a part of this community we all love in a positive and uplifting way.”
Paso Terra Bistro is located at 1032 Pine St. in Paso Robles. Open 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, visit pasoterrabistro.com, call (805) 286-4002, or follow them on social media.
—Meagan Friberg
