Hotel San Luis Obispo, Piazza Hospitality’s newest property nestled in San Luis Obispo’s vibrant downtown slated to open June 2019, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Fancher as its executive chef. Returning to his roots in California’s Central Coast from Northern California Wine Country, the acclaimed chef will oversee the hotel’s two onsite restaurants: Piadina, a fresh California take on Italian cuisine based around the wood-fired oven, and Ox + Anchor, a modern spin on the classic steakhouse.
“The hotel’s dining venues will showcase the best of San Luis Obispo’s agricultural roots and proximity to the sea, while maintaining a welcoming, approachable, playful personality,” said Paolo Petrone, co-partner of Piazza Hospitality. “Ryan’s innovative and intellectual approach to cooking, as well as his deep appreciation for the local community, winemakers, and purveyors, makes him the perfect candidate to lead the hotel’s food and beverage program.”
Fancher began his restaurant career at the young age of 15 at Chuck’s Steak House in Santa Barbara. There, he held various roles from dishwasher, cook, butcher, and busser to waiter, bartender, and bookkeeper, affording him a rounded background on all aspects of the business. After an informal apprenticeship at The Ballard Inn in the Santa Ynez Valley, he moved to Northern California’s Napa Valley to test his culinary skills among some of the country’s best chefs, including Richard Reddington at Auberge de Soleil and Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. Fancher’s expertise earned him the role as the opening team sous chef at Per Se in New York. Years later, Fancher returned to Northern California, graduating to a leadership role as the opening chef at El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma. He most recently led the culinary team at Barndiva in Healdsburg, where he gained praise and recognition for his culinary creations and imaginative use of ingredients.
“I am excited for the opportunity to cook for the local community and our hotel guests,” said Fancher. “Hotel San Luis Obispo feels like the culmination of all my culinary experiences coming together in a perfect environment of the beach town I grew up in and the world class Wine Country restaurants and hotels where I honed my craft. I am committed to earning the respect of the community by not only cooking amazing food, but also serving as a mentor and friend to the staff and locals alike.”
Guests will be able to indulge in Fancher’s creations at Ox + Anchor, a relaxed fine-dining restaurant that draws inspiration from the hills and sea that surround San Luis Obispo and features a carefully-curated list of Central Coast wines. Private dining is also available in the restaurant’s thoughtfully designed wine library. Fancher will also create and manage Piadina’s menu of casual farm-fresh fare.
Hotel San Luis Obispo will be Piazza Hospitality’s first property on the Central Coast. The forthcoming hotel will feature 78 luxurious rooms and suites that showcase the historic downtown buildings, hotel gardens, and surrounding mountains, along with dedicated space for meetings and events for groups of up to 330 people. Reflecting the Central Coast’s rugged ranch and coastal influences in its architecture and interior design, Hotel San Luis Obispo will utilize natural materials, such as rusted Corten steel, light woods and blues in the room pallet, and plant selections like Heritage Olive trees and succulents in a modern design.
A short block away from the historic Mission San Luis Obispo, the hotel will be the perfect home base for visitors to explore the attractions of the Central Coast, as well as a lively social hub for locals. In addition to the two onsite restaurants, Hotel San Luis Obispo will provide exceptional amenities for its guests, including a 50-foot garden terrace swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a lobby lounge complete with the S.Low bar, fireplace, and an adjacent garden courtyard serving all-day refreshments, a full-service contemporary spa, a spacious fitness center, and valet parking.
For more information on Hotel San Luis Obispo, please visit hotel-slo.com.
