Les Petites Canailles

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A French Table in Wine Country

Les Petites Canailles brings French cuisine to Spring Street in Paso Robles, California — a fitting address in one of the Central Coast's most wine-saturated towns. The team behind the restaurant includes owner Aliah Zihni, Executive Chef Naomi Rhee, General Manager Edric Coates, and sommelier Riley Schwartz, with a sister restaurant, S'Aranella, offering Spanish cuisine just steps away.

The Wine List as a Statement

Wine Spectator recognized Les Petites Canailles with its Best of Award of Excellence in 2022, and a look at the list explains why. At its heart is what the restaurant calls "Lara's Library" — a deeply personal collection assembled over years by Lara Liu and her husband Charles, who purchased top Bordeaux, Southern Rhône, and California wines en primeur, aging them in careful conditions. The tribute on the list is quietly moving: Lara passed away in 2020 after a six-year battle with ALS, and every bottle poured from her collection is raised in her honor.

Beyond the library, the wine program leans into family connections. A section called "The Family" features bottles from Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure Winery — identified as Julien's father — alongside wines from brothers-in-law Arnaud Fabre of Benom and Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solène, both in Paso Robles. A Saint-Émilion from Julien's uncle and Alsatian Rieslings from Hugel, in honor of his godfather, round out a list that reads less like a commercial selection and more like a gathering of people who matter.

French Cuisine Meets the Central Coast

The by-the-glass selection reflects the same dual identity: Chablis and Menetou-Salon Sauvignon Blanc share space with Paso Robles Vermentino and Santa Maria Valley whites. The farm-to-table approach, outdoor seating, and proximity to the region's vineyards make Les Petites Canailles a natural stop for anyone exploring the Central Coast wine corridor. The French cuisine here is rooted in place — shaped by the land, the producers, and the people who built this list bottle by bottle.