The Hitching Post II

The Hitching Post II Restaurant Review:

Prime beef is king at this Santa Ynez Valley barbecue joint, which means filet mignon, New York and top sirloin cooked over an open oak-wood fire. To-go-withs include shrimp cocktail, green salad, garlic bread, french fries, a relish tray (remember those?) and, this being California, a bowl of salsa. Chef/owner/vintner Frank Ostini also features seasonal favorites like fresh salmon and tilapia, smoked duck, ostrich and game, as well as savory grilled artichokes for dipping in roasted ancho-pepper mayo. Desserts change nightly, but may include fresh Key lime pie or a whimsical Almond Joy tart. Ask for one of the chef’s own handcrafted bottles of Pinot Noir to accompany dinner. This is wine country, after all. And if you’re the designated driver, you get a reward: a complimentary artichoke or mushroom appetizer and non-alcoholic beverages.