Page 21 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2026

slovisitorsguide.com SPRING 2026 21
she took a job as a server and bar-
tender. She was only 14 years old, but
she realized she wanted something
different.
“I loved serving food and drinks
to people and making them smile,
and dreamed that one day I would
have my own place.” It’s not surpris-
ing that when she left for university,
her apartment became the hangout
spot for friends. Even on a tight
budget, she would whip up me-
ringues, gratins, and, of course, her
mac ‘n’ cheese. Friends would bring
random ingredients, and she’d create
something new and delicious. It was
in this tiny apartment that she began
to experiment with her own mac ‘n’
cheese recipes.
“It was kind of my first restaurant,
where I was the host, bartender,
server, cook, and all, except it was at
my place. I thought that one of these
days I would actually open my own
place, and provide a beautiful haven
for all to gather and share meals and
drinks.” With that dream in mind,
she took pictures of beautiful bars
and bistros when she traveled in
France, England, Spain, and Italy.
Comfortable old-world with an
American twist
In 2000, she moved from France
to California. She thought she’d end
up in San Francisco, but after visit-
ing San Luis Obispo, she fell in love
with the Central Coast. In 2003,
the downtown San Luis Obispo
location became available, and it
felt like a dream come true. She’d
been waiting to open a European-
style bistro since that first job at 14
years old.
She exclusively hired local
artisans to create the bar and give it
“a comfortable European old-world
feel with a little American twist.”
She wanted people to feel like it
was a cozy home away from home.
Her childhood dream was realized
when Black Sheep Bar & Grill
opened in 2005.
She’s grown close to her staff
over the years. They affectionately
call her mama sheep, and she calls
them her baby sheepies. They even
crafted a signature Mama Sheep
cocktail on the menu as a sweet,
floral tribute to her with St Ger-
main elderflower liqueur, botanical
rose Kettle One Vodka, champagne,
and fresh-squeezed juices. Myriam
says, “We are known as the house
of heavy pours. We’re generous
with our portions, both food and
alcohol. But our key ingredients are
love, care, and daily consistency.”
Black Sheep Bar & Grill is lo-
cated at 1117 Chorro St. in San Luis
Obispo. Open daily at 11 a.m. For
more information and online orders,
visit blacksheepslo.com, or call
(805) 544-7433.
—Karen Lycan
San Luis Obispo
In the Heart of SLO: 21 Santa Rosa Street #100, San Luis Obispo • (805) 543-2172
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