Santa Barbara, CA, Restaurant Reviews
Written: Oct 24 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great food choices in the area.
Cons: The best restaurants are expensive.
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| onequest's Full Review: Santa Barbara |
Santa Barbara has more good restaurants than days in the year. If you prefer fresh seafood, authentic Mexican, Italian, Peruvian, French, or Californian cuisine, you can find a restaurant to match your mood.
San Ysidro Ranch's Stonehouse is located in Montecito, just south of Santa Barbara. When my husband and I want a decadent meal complete with impeccable service we go there. We started the meal with Beluga caviar and lemon blinis that were flown in from San Francisco that day. Complimentary Russian vodka complimented the caviar. For dinner, my husband had a succulent lamb shank served with seasonal vegetables. I had a vertical dish, where the entire entree is shaped like a mountain. We drank Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin champagne to compliment our meal. We spent over $400 for 2 people including champagne.
When we want to have decadent but lighter fare, we eat at Montecito Bistro. I normally order the stuffed pasillo chili with balsalmic vinagrette dressing for an appetizer and their Grilled Moroccan Lamb Sausage with Black Pepper Fettucini for dinner. My husband orders the grilled Muscovy duck breast for the entree, and whatever the waitress suggests for the appetizer. We compliment the meal with Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne. We normally spend $100 for the two of us.
When we want to walk to dinner, we visit Aja for fusion Hawaiian/Asian cuisine. The menu changes every season, and we have never been disappointed. The restaurant is located on the Mesa, and is a local's secret. We normally spend about $70 including the recommended wine.
For Sunday brunch, we have a few recommendations. For an extra special treat, we either go to El Paseo or the Biltmore.
El Paseo, a historic Mexican restaurant is located in downtown Santa Barbara. Their brunch includes traditional breakfast fare plus a carving station with roast beef, turkey, and ham. It also includes an aisle of delicious Mexican specialties such as enchaladas and chile rellenos. There is also a salad aisle and a decadent dessert bar. For drinks, you can choose between unlimited champagne, sangria, or margaritas. During the meal, you are serenaded by the men playing guitars. Be sure to have a few of your favorite Mexican song requests ready for when they come to your table. This is the best deal in town, only $40 for the two of us for brunch.
The Biltmore Hotel has the other delicious brunch. The hotel is located on Butterfly Beach in Montecito. Everything about this brunch is upscale and larger than life. The champagne is a better quality than what is normally served with a brunch. The food is served buffet style and it is placed in several rooms. The menu changes all of the time, but trust me, it is always impeccable. Be prepared to pay $30 per person for brunch.
For a family get together, we visit Palazzio. There are two locations: one on Coast Village Road, and one on State Street. The menu is all Italian and mostly pasta. The waitstaff all work together, so if you want something, ask anyone. The Chianti is located in barrels throughout the restaurant, and is self serve. The portions of food are huge. One order will feed 2 to 3 people. I recommend the Penne al Fuomo, a delicious blend of smoked gouda, roasted eggplant, and fresh basil mixed with penne pasta. Our average bill is $25 for 2 including a glass each of wine.
There are also less expensive places to eat that are quite good. Pierre La Fond delis are located in Montecito and downtown Santa Barbara. The food is all freshly made and the salad bar is extensive.
For fresh seafood and a lively atmospher, we go to Brophy Brothers at the harbor. Try their mussels and clams steamed in wine or the fresh fish of the day. This is a casual restaurant, so feel free to wear shorts and t-shirts.
I only mentioned a few restaurants in the area, but they are our favorites. When you visit Santa Barbara, feel safe to visit any establishment and have a great meal.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
onequest
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Member: Monique Littlejohn
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Reviews written: 45
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
My journals are on my travel adventures and on products that I have tested.
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