Came here for some pre-dinner cocktails and sat at the gorgeous bar. Our bartender was so wonderful…read morein explaining certain things about their extensive and fun cocktail menu & made great recommendations. I could've stayed here all night!

Beautifully crafted drinks and classy appetizers along side with perfect customer service that is…read morevery professional and personable. Each drink has a story and glasses are said to be made in Italy.

We went back to Caruso's for a gratuitously nice end-of-summer date night, this time getting a 6:30…read moretable with a prime view. For some reason, the only option for that time slot was the chef's tasting menu, though I wonder if we could have plead down to the four-course if we'd called ahead. The restaurant wasn't especially busy, and I'm sure there was some flexibility in the bookings. The chef's tasting was pretty decadent for a Wednesday. It was also a wonderful experience, a long dinner looking out at the beach, through sunset on a summer evening. Service was immaculate. Our waiter was fantastic, as was our sommelier Tre, a young guy with a clear passion for wine, who gave us handwritten recommendations for our upcoming trip to Paso Robles. We got the regional California wine pairing, and it was fun and educational, featuring several great wines that went well with our food. Dinner started with the house antipasti, a spread of small, delicate dishes. My favorite was probably the spot prawn open face sandwich with kimchi and finger lime, though I also loved the compressed melon topped with uni and Tsar Nicoulai caviar. There was a Baja kanpachi cigar, garnished with caviar, a super-thin toast with prosciutto and fig, and a shot's worth of sour plum juice flavored with cinnamon. Real Michelin star stuff here, both in the ceremony and the execution. Honestly, everything we ate was superb. The first larger course was the refreshing Cavaillon melon gazpacho with melon salad, feta snow, and an intricate melon rind tuille. Then we had a colorful Baja kanpachi crudo, silky raw fish arranged with shaved rhubarb, cucumber, avocado, pickled radish, pickled strawberry, and finger lime, with a strawberry aguachile sauce touched with serrano pepper. Next, we had Iron Chef tomato: tomato salad and tomato with panzanella; a sidecar of buffalo mozzarella and a "martini" of cool tomato water. Summery and light, with intensely concentrated tomato flavor. After that, bread service, house sourdough with ramp butter and Buellton olive oil. Two pastas, both very Caruso's, Italian cooking extruded through Montecito. There was casoncelli alla Nerano, crescent-schaped pasta with crispy fried zucchini, provolone del Monaco, and pine nuts. Then spaghettini with Stephanie's uni (thank you very much), burrata, and a lush tomato sauce fortified with shrimp consommé. We had the option of switching out our entrée courses for salmon and beef, for an extra charge. I don't know why one would do this with Channel Island white bass and Liberty duck as the default choices. Both were excellent, perfectly cooked. The bass came with Brentwood corn, chanterelles, and corn beurre a la nage, the duck--breast and sausage--with plum, in various forms, and sour prune sugo di cottura. There was a vibrant green palate cleanser of basil sorbet with candied pistachios and pickled and fresh blackberries, exactly my kind of dessert. Then a more decadent brown butter cake with marinated Santa Barbara peaches, pine nuts, and fig gelato, finished with vinegar infused with peach and fig. Finally, an array of mignardises: a chocolate hazelnut bonbon, a fig tartlet with goat cheese, a strawberry pate de fruit with Thai chili, a chocolate truffle with raspberry powder, and a Tahitian vanilla cigar with coffee. This was a special dinner, one I'd love to repeat in another few years. Next time, maybe we'll save Caruso's for a special occasion, but I'm glad we made the most of this lovely date night.

We had a memorable evening at Caruso's tonight. Their location is stunning. The restaurant is…read morelocated right on the beach. You cannot find a better oceanfront dining experience in Santa Barbara/Montecito. The hostess team was super friendly and chatty. Great first impression. One hostess took a photo of our group when asked. The wait staff team were very professional, knowledgeable, and fun. Vincent, Arturo, Ali, and Olive were just a few of the standouts making our evening unforgettable. We had at least another 5 or 6 other service team members that assisted throughout our culinary journey tonight. With the chef's tasting menu, we had a 4 hour dining experience. My only critique is that 80% of the time we had to pour our own wine. This is very unusual for a restaurant the caliber of Caruso's. While I don't believe the responsibility should rest entirely on our sommelier, Trey. However, he should be the one leading the charge on rectifying this service oversight. The lack of attentiveness on pouring our wine and cleaning the crumbs off the table were the two reasons I couldn't give Caruso's 5 stars. The unique, creative, and amazing food preparations that our group enjoyed all evening certainly wasn't the issue. Okay, so let's talk about the food. In a word...Amazing!!! Chef Massimo and his kitchen brigade are flexing their world class culinary gymnastics with local produce, seafood and proteins that scream Michelin experience. Each tasting course was beautifully presented on unique 'plates' or serving vessels that enhanced the artistry of Chef Massimo's tasting experience. We ate seasonal and local preparations that represented Santa Barbara farm and coastal cuisine incredibly well. Caruso's is a dining experience worth the every penny we spent. If you appreciate great food and service, treat yourself, your best friends, and your family to a chef's tasting dinner at Caruso's. It will be an amazing experience that will leave a lasting memory.

A warning: don't come here…read more If you come here, your expectations for any future plate of expertly and carefully prepared crudo will be extinguished forever in the aftermath--the afterlife--of a crudo so delicate, so beautifully presented that few plates could compare. There was life before this crudo plate, and there is life afterward. Burrata? You haven't *tasted* burrata. A plump burrata seeming to bloom amongst hefty slices of speck resting on a bed of some of the sweetest peaches I've ever eaten, grains of oil-kissed mustard seed divinely adorning its crown. I'm light-headed writing this. My queendom for burrata of this caliber. Now, the service. Exquisite, warm, intelligent. Lindsey (Lindsay? Please tell me how to spell thy name!) was incredible. From the moment we walked in, to the moment we left, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our dining experience. I was merely passing through on my way back home to Claremont from Monterey (on a research trip; you didn't ask, dear reader, but this context is essential as research takes its toll on one's nervous system and sometimes only a glass of wine and delightful aperitivos will do to calm thyself) and decided to stop here on a whim. Don't come here, lest you find some excuse to drive 2.5 hours out of your way from the Inland Empire to Santa Barbara to taste not only these delights again, but to feel welcomed so wholesomely into a space where it is clear (from service to food prep) that the art of the aperitivo is not lost, not shallowly puppeteered for an unknowing diner, but ALIVE, and vibrantly so. Thank you to everyone there for one of the best dining experiences of my life. I will be back. Don't come. Turn away. Do not embrace the internal shifting of one's sense of self. Like Stephen King warns his Constant Reader at the end of The Dark Tower: "Should you go on, you will surely be disappointed, perhaps even heartbroken...Endings are heartless. Ending is just another word for goodbye. Would you still? Very well, then, come. (Do you hear me sigh?) Here is the Dark Tower, at the end of End-World. See it, I beg. See it very well. Here is the Dark Tower at sunset." Here, at Aperitivo, is a materialized sunset that you can taste in every bite. Like many, I read beyond Stephen King's warning to see the truth of what lay at the culmination of his most famous series. I want the truth, however painful it may be. If you are strong enough to embrace a shift in what a truly special dining experience *can* be, then come, at your own peril. Oh, and they have txakoli. Long days and pleasant nights, dear reader.

Not the first and definitely not the last we'll be here. Stumbled upon Aperitivo a few years ago,…read moreand it was some of the best and most authentic Italian food I'd ever had (even before knowing what real Italian food tasted like). Now that I've come back from Italy, I have a greater appreciation for Aperitivo and what it stands for. Definitely fell in love with the concept of aperitivo in Italy, and this restaurant really embodies that concept. Sat down and got myself a Negroni. It was pretty damn good and close to what a real negroni would taste like if it had Campari. Was pleasantly surprised that they gave us snacks on the side (in true spirit of aperitivo) and then proceeded to crush some crudo and mortadella sandwich. Afterwards, ended the night off with delicious affogato. Really brought me back to my time in Italy. The menu is always fresh and seasonal, so there's always something new to look forward to. Will definitely be back.

Came in on a lovely Sunday, to grab a drink before our nearby dinner reservations. We had our eye…read moreon BarLou previous Montecito dates. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. Hot or Not? Spoiler! it's a NOT. What a coincidence, it's happy hour . . . YAY ! Upon arrival, we were the only party on our end of the patio. (aside from a group of women on their way out.) We ordered our drinks promptly, but over the next 30m 3 small parties arrived, placed their drink orders, then their food orders, and were served well before us. disappointing. Despite being reassured multiple times over 30-40m period that our drinks were "on the way" they hadn't arrived long after having ordered--far before all the surrounding parties had arrived. We were checked in on plenty and added Ratatouille to our order. My Spicy margs finally arrived and (1) glass had visible lipstick stain on it. Luckily Bf double ordered for HH deal so I had the clean one while we waited to be checked in on to no avail. Beau had to wave down a server but 20m after a manager/owner ((it's unclear) she was casually dressed not in uniform like the servers.) but This woman came by and checked in we told her about the stain, she took the dirty glass, asked our drink and we get brought the wrong drink. Spicy Marg : 2/5 sips light refreshing and with a hint of spice not too overpowering. ($12) Bloody Mary: Beau thought it was ok would not order again.($10) Overall the experience felt dismissive and disorganized. We love to go for an experience, the ambience/atmosphere was great but the service we received ruined the experience, as the Idiom goes, IT LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. Ratatouille never arrived, we gave plenty of time and grace, decided to Cancel our order and request the check. Note: When we arrived the hostess said "it's just us two" so I gave the benefit of the doubt, on another occasion I would have left to avoid a situation like what we experienced, I understand. But we only came in for a Drink ?? :((

Food was delicious We requested patio, we were seated on…read morethe side overlooking Coast Village Road ,had our dogs with us and they were very accommodating, even brought a water bowl Glad we picked Bar Lou for our birthday dinner , all our dishes were memorable and will definitely go back . Inside is very cozy and modern.

Despite our long wait, I'm still giving this place a 5-star... because they deserve it…read more Came here at the recommendation of a local friend and loved it! To me this place gives you that "Santa Barbara" experience - - beautiful building, relax and elegant vibe, and of course, great food! Though we had to wait a long time, the surrounding area is quite nice, with shops and other eateries so you can take a walk up and down the street. They also have a coffee shop right next door so you can get some snacks and drinks while you wait. The area is also great for people watching... as well as dog watching. We saw so many cute dogs while we were outside. They definitely contributed to the high rating! Friends who dined with me liked their lamp sandwich (was a special that night), the French dip, and the salads. I personally thought their smoked salmon appetizer was the best -- it's like a meal all by itself.

Where to start? Food…read more-- Five Stars Service -- Five Stars Ambiance -- Five Stars People Watching -- Five Stars This was my first visit to The Honor Bar and it definitely will not be my last! When we walked in, the Hostess, Maya, greeted us with a smile, answered all of our questions and helped us find the perfect table for enjoying the perfect 80 degree with a cool breeze Montecito weather. Once seated, our waiter, Sean took over, explained the menu (food/cocktail) and struck the perfect balance between being attentive and allowing us the privacy to really enjoy both our email and the perfect day in the perfect setting! The General Manager, Ali, touched base briefly to make sure we were happy with our Hugo Spritz's and one of the Managers, Kevin, stopped by at the end of our meal to make sure we were completely happy. What makes the staff of The Honor Bar special is you can tell they really care... If attention to detail is important to you, you will love the fact the presentation of every dish was as good as the taste! I can strongly recommend both the Macho and Kale salads with roasted/rotisserie chicken! The Honor Bar is a must stop for lunch whenever you are in the area!

My husband and I visited on May 22, 2026. The views from this second floor tasting room and patio…read moreare wonderful. While the patio isn't covered, there are a handful of umbrellas for the dozen or so tables. The staff were friendly and remembered where we were on the tasting journey. The wines were tasty - I focused on the reds while my husband tasted white and red. The 2023 Ganache was my favorite of the reds. We look forward to our next visit.

Went on a day trip with my wino tasting friends and had to stop by here. Not only is the wine…read moredelicious the views of the ocean are breathtaking and also very peaceful. We ordered the basic wine tasting and still delicious. I would recommend more umbrellas to cover us from the sun and actually be outside. We remained inside for much of the time but other than that, all good.

I'm really bummed to see the State Street location close, but I'm excited for more events at the…read moreFactory space. Satellite has always been such a gem -- the live music outside, the patio, and sipping some of the best natural wine in town is something my friends and I genuinely look forward to. Their cheese board is my go‑to: easy to graze on while you relax, chat, and enjoy a glass. One of my favorite memories was when my dad called from a Michelin‑star restaurant in Chicago, telling me he'd tried a Santa Barbara small‑batch natural dessert wine. He was visiting the next weekend, and I was determined to find it. Of course, Satellite had a few bottles left. Being able to surprise him with it was such a fun moment -- and honestly, a testament to how thoughtfully curated their wines are.

The ambiance is the best thing about this place. Cool vibe with outside seating…read more However, the servers were not very friendly. Also, one of us had to wait at least 15 minutes for our dish (Charred Broccolini) after the rest of the table had already been served, and another 3 minutes to get utensils to eat it. With respect to the food, the Yoga Pants salad was the best item. Most of the food we got (Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, Ceci Bean Ragu) was very oily, including the Charred Broccolini dish which also lacked flavor. Overall, our experience wasn't terrible, but was disappointing. We would not recommend or revisit Satellite.

Beautiful outdoor courtyard at this nice winery where I asked for a whole flight just an hour…read morebefore they were expecting to close. They were happy to oblige and were very knowledgeable about everything they served. The Grenache was delicious, and their best seller red blend was of course, too.

Second place we visited this week to try some wine…read more Great outdoor patio with lots of seating, nice vibe. I am not a white wine fan, but we did like some of their whites. Red wine was decent, we had a grenache, a syrah and some blend. Not blow your socks off kind of wine, but decent and fun vibe and staff were pleasant and seemed happy to be there. Would recommend to friends visiting the SB area.

If you can eat somewhere else, you should. We eat dinner in Montecito at least once a week and we…read morehad never tried Ca Dario. We did last night and at least we now know where not to go. My wife ordered the carbonara pizza. The egg was more than over hard. I had the salmon pasta. Cheap penne swimming in a cream sauce. The overwhelming flavor of the night? Salt. Everything was salted heavily for flavor. Low quality food seasoned to be acceptable. If Walmart opened an Italian restaurant, this would be it. The table behind us checked out early and left without eating hardly anything because it was so bad. Ambience is also nothing great. Too bright. Minimal decor. It was very hot inside on our visit. Both tables on the sides of us were fanning themselves as well. EXTREMELY loud. Between the kitchen noise and general customer noise, you could not have a conversation. We even asked our server about it and he said that yes eventually you get used to it but it's always very loud. I will say that the bathroom was very clean AND well maintained. Those are not the same things. One solid star for the bathrooms. When I went to write this review, I thought I would take a look at the other reviews and see what other diners had to say. I noticed that the owner has a habit of commenting back on the reviews rudely without addressing any of the issues raised. He clearly can't recognize an opportunity to improve and lets his hubris dictate his actions. No reason to go back. Please save yourself and eat somewhere else. Many other wonderful eateries in Montecito that are deserving of your dollar.

Our first time dining here, and it was a great experience! We were able to get a last-minute dinner…read morereservation for a party of five to celebrate our dear friend's birthday. The staff was kind and welcoming, and we received excellent service from our servers. The food we ordered was delicious, and everyone enjoyed their meals. We were seated on the outdoor patio, which was especially nice with the beautiful weather. If I'm back in Montecito, I'll definitely want to dine here again!

Pure pleasure and local treasure. Warm. Welcoming atmosphere and owner (Patric) Lots of charm…read more Great food and wine - especially the owner's own wine, developed as a tribute and appreciation for the local fire fighters. It's a second generation love note to his father and grandfather.

This specific experience is from a few months ago, and is a part of a growing frustration with what…read morehas become of this formerly wonderful sandwich shop. This isn't about public shaming, hopefully it's clear this is about flagging to management that their staff requires more hands on training around food handling, product quality, tidiness and presentation. We ordered four sandwiches around 1:00pm mid week, nobody else was there and there were no tickets ahead of us--just two teenaged boys who looked seriously confused and undertrained and even openly joked about how slow things had been that day--which was an odd comment for a restaurant that looked like it hadn't been bussed yet after a lunch rush. It took both of them about 40 minutes to make four sandwiches in an extremely haphazard manner that inexplicably required them leaving to the back room a lot and returning empty handed--they both weren't familiar with the ingredients of the specialty sandwiches and they joked shoulder to shoulder as they both fumbled through completing the order. I was pretty shocked at how unkept the entire food prep station appeared and the counters and tables hadn't been bussed and were attracting large horseflies from outside --why weren't these guys bussing tables if it was so slow? Why was there A LOT of yellow mustard smeared across the low boy fridge doors? Where was the supervision? Why was it taking so long to make sandwiches that were on the menu with zero modifications? Why was the music so loud? Why was the kid who was just counting cash out of the tip jar, now handling food without washing his hands or wearing gloves? It was a barrage to the senses and a bizarre vignette into an ever-declining understanding of quality service and hospitality standards coupled with an ever-rising high cost of goods. When we got to the park down the street and opened the bag none of the sandwiches had been wrapped properly, no tape, no restrictive folds, just loose sheets of hand crumpled parchment paper, barely restraining the food inside with 360 degree wet condiments covering the OUTSIDE of every sandwich parcel--if you can even call them that. It was a disaster inside that bag. You couldn't reach your hand into the bag without it coming out covered in misc condiments. That same day I called the restaurant to ask if I could speak to the owner and share our observations, the person who answered said that person wasn't available. And before I could ask for an email, the kid hung up on me--but I can't blame him for that, he probably couldn't hear me over the insanely loud music playing on his side of the line.