It was on a recent Saturday afternoon that my husband, Bill, and I realized we had no plans and no reservations, but we really wanted an evening on the town.  And we just couldn’t make up our minds where to go.  So I decided a progressive dinner was in order. 

No, I’m, not talking about some obscure eating initiative from Barack Obama’s campaign platform.  What I mean by progressive is, as you progress from place to place, you eventually end up with a full meal.

It seems to me that progressive dinner parties were all the rage in the 70’s.  I remember my parents inviting a group of friends over for appetizers, then the group continued on to someone else’s house for a main course and finally they all ended up having dessert at yet another person’s house.  It looked like a lot of work and a transportation nightmare. 

It was definitely a concept that could stand some improvement, which I tried without much success in my college dormitory.  The girls had visions of creating a sophisticated gourmet event, but somewhere between salad and dessert, the guys downstairs decided to introduce a game of quarters, and things just fell apart from there.

Determined to make a go of this progressive dining concept, we set our sights on downtown Ventura and embarked on a walking culinary tour of lower Main Street.

FIRST COURSE: APPETIZERS

We started at Westside Cellars, where they were having a wine tasting special, just as they do every Wednesday and Saturday night.  But on Saturdays, you have to get there early, because they shut it down at 6:00 p.m. to get ready for the dinner rush.  We arrived a little after 5:00 and bartender Chaney Noyes was pouring 5 different wines and had a selection of hors d’oeuvres available; all you could eat and drink for just $10 per person.  We fixed ourselves a plate of brie and marinated beef skewers and took a seat at the bar.  I’m usually a little leery of these wine tasting events because we always seem to get stuck with the swill they are trying to get rid of.  But this was a pleasant surprise.  Every wine we tasted was amazing.  And I got a look at the retail prices – the cheapest wine was $48 per bottle and the priciest was $90.  My favorite was the Tandem Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley.  We left there knowing we had stumbled onto an incredible value.

Westside Cellar, 222 Main Street, 652-7013, www.westsidecellar.com, open daily for lunch and dinner.

SECOND COURSE: SOUP AND SALAD

The next stop was J’s Tapas and Martini Bar, part of Jonathan’s Restaurant next door.  They are known to shake up a mean martini, so I threw down the challenge to see how they would do with a traditional gin martini, a little on the dirty side, and they did not disappoint.   I ordered the soup of the day, a spinach pesto cream soup, and Bill ordered the Mediterranean Chopped Salad; both were delicious and were served with their fresh baked focaccia bread, which comes with a tasty tapenade and could very well be a meal in itself.  Thanks to the top shelf gin, this stop set us back $30, and had we come on a weeknight we definitely could have gotten off cheap with happy hour pricing, which they offer Tuesday through Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00.

Jonathan’s, 204 E. Main Street, 648-4853, www.jonathansatpeiranos.com, open daily for tapas and dinner.

THIRD COURSE: ENTRÉE

We wandered up the next block in search of a main course.  We soon found Riviera Bistro, and took a spot at the bar.  Their menu mostly features French cuisine, with a few pizzas and pastas offered for good measure.  Shortly after we sat down, we were served an amuse bouche, an eggplant crostini, which was a nice touch.  We weren’t quite hungry enough for a full entrée, so I ordered the lobster cake, one of the appetizer specials, and Bill had the penne tequila with a pink sauce and fresh cilantro.  Both arrived with a sliced French baguette and herbed butter.  The wine list revealed several French varietals, and I was happy to find a $6 Bordeaux.  Not that the $40 check crushed our budget, but had we come in on a Wednesday night, the pastas are 2 for 1. 

Riviera Bistro, 394 E. Main Street, 667-2120, www.rivierabistro.com, open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

FOURTH COURSE: DESSERT

Across the street we found our last stop.  Palermo has coffee and sweets as well as an eclectic collection of home décor items.  After ordering a scoop of green tea gelato and a cup of coffee, we browsed the candles and soaps before settling into a table on the sidewalk, just in time to enjoy the parade of chanting Hare Krishnas making their way down Main Street.  We considered the $5 tab a bargain, and the chance to soak in the local culture priceless.

Palermo, 321 E. Main Street, 643-3070, open daily “6 or 6:30 a.m.” weekdays, 7:00 a.m. weekends, until 7:00 p.m. (till 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night), wireless internet available.

Four courses, four restaurants and three blocks later, I’m happy to report that the progressive dining concept has been perfected in downtown Ventura.  It’s a great way to spend an evening, way more fun than settling into one spot for a couple of hours, and I feel like I’ve not only gotten a taste of the downtown restaurants, but a taste for the downtown culture as well.  Ahem, chanting Hare Krishnas notwithstanding.

Tips - the nuts and bolts of being progressive:

Take it to the streets.

If you are going to enjoy a four course dinner, get out of your car and plan to stretch your legs between courses.  Normally, you drive to dinner and drive home without getting to know your surroundings.  This way, you can work up an appetite and then walk it off!  It’s also a great way to extend a leisurely evening.

Wear comfortable shoes.

You will be on the move, perhaps walking several blocks, so leave the stilettos at home.

Forget the reservations and plan to belly up to the bar.

This allows for a certain amount of spontaneity.  I’m also told some restaurants frown on taking up a table during prime dining for just one course.  Besides, some of the best conversations I’ve had have been with the bartender.  They are the ones in the know and can tell you the best places to go around town.

Go early or go on a weeknight.

You will avoid the crowds and can be assured a great seat.  You will also be able to take advantage of happy hour specials.

Mix it up.

Start off at your favorite dive bar, then finish up at a fine dining establishment.  Your dollar will go further and you’ll get a variety of tastes and experiences.

Other Suggestions for Downtown Progressive Dining:

Start at Dargan’s for fish and chips, end at 71 Palm for crepes nutella.

Small plates at Tutti’s, steaks at the Sportsman, capped off with tiramisu at Café Fiore.

Empanadas at Café Bariloche, followed by cappuccino mouse cake at Bernadette’s.