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.

Service here is great, they did not have the bone marrow and steak tartare. I think it's because…read morethey had too many people over the weekend. The Independent magazine article on this restaurant so I think it drew a crowd. When they asked us if we wanted indoor or outdoor, the indoor was too toasty for us so we opted for the outdoor seating. I came here because I wanted their Tomahawk Tuesday. I guess you can say it's a fancier version of Taco Tuesday or better spin-off...just costlier than tacos. The Pull-A-Part rolls are not that bad. It reminded me of a Hawaiian bun with the everything bagel seasoning on top and they provided some butter that had a little bit of a herbal taste. The short rib croquettes were very tiny and the short rib was dry. But I like how the corn was fresh and had a nice snap and the sauce had a nice Chipotle flavor. The tuna tostadas were very tiny for the amount that they cost. The tuna was flavored but still had a slight fishiness. I would not order it again because it's so tiny for the price. I did like the Fresno chilies on them tho. The smoke mac and cheese was pretty good. I did like the chewy texture, but it was not super smokey. The smoked gouda and parmesan was a good flavor combo. The green beans were crunchy and the toasted almonds gave it a little bit of nuttiness. The wife felt like it should have had some garlic flavor. And for the star of the show, the tomahawk was cooked a little unevenly. But I do appreciate them cooking the meat near the bone and accommodating us for wanting less salt on the steak. This is the only places we've been to that has actually cooked the meat on the tomahawk so you can actually eat the meat off of the bone. They do offer some chimichurri and some other creamy sauce. But I really like the chimichurri. The knife they provide to cut the meat is actually fun to cut with. I used the big knife over the steak knife (on the cutting board). In terms of flavor, I still prefer the Willows tomahawk, but this place is closer and the tomahawk is cheaper. I did appreciate them adding the cooked cherry tomatoes and green onions. It added a nice color to the steak and also good flavor. Our waitress Jennifer was nice and personable and also gave us some caramel popcorn on the house, which she informed us they make in house. The caramel popcorn reminded me of cracker jacks with no nuts. I would come back, but mainly for their tomahawk Tuesdays.

This is a tale of two parts... Firstly, the food was wonderful! But pretty much everything else…read morewas a disaster! We arrived for a booking at 6:15. There were three people behind the bar, but none of them took any notice of us. We finally approached the bartender and told him we had a reservation, expecting him to take some action or find a member of staff to help us. All he did was slap two menus on the bar top and say, well, what do you want?! Not a good beginning! Finally, after asking a second and third time, one of the other people came out from the bar area and talked to us. It was horribly hot in the restaurant. Seems their air conditioning had been broken for over a week and no one was going to fix it for at least another week. Clearly, they have no concern for their customers. It was unfortunate that it was the hottest day in Santa Barbara for over 30 years! So we were left with no option other than to sit outside, right on State Street. We thought we were coming to a lovely restaurant dining experience, but instead we had a constant stream of traffic, hot-rods, motorcycles and traffic while we ate. Not the ambiance we wanted at all for a special birthday meal. All of that aside, the food was wonderful! So it is a sad story indeed that the management couldn't take care of their customers so we would want to return. I'm guessing this iteration of the restaurant for The Hotel California will go the same way as its predecessors... closed! But if you try it, the beet salad was lovely! The fish and chips were fresh and the fries were fantastic! Lovely and hot as they hit our table - very nice indeed. And we were served a surprise birthday dessert of 'Baked Alaska'. It was quite simple amazing! Highly recommend this!! If you do go to The Knock I hope they get their act together - it would be a shame to not give this place a chance... but they do have to get better for me to go back.

Came to Santa Barbara for the first time and this was the first stop my friend and I made. Holyyyyy…read moreeverything was so good! Great way to kick off the trip. We ordered the nachos with pulled pork, Mac and cheese with brisket, and two burgers. We underestimated how much food was coming out . Not only was it huge portions, everything also tasted so good. The people taking our orders were also super sweet.

Funk in Public…read more Family-owned and operated local chain of restaurants and butcher shops that's been serving the Santa Barbara community for over fifty years (ca. 1973). This location is in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone" district, which was formerly an industrial area that's turned into a wine and art district full of interesting places to gander. The Good: * Huge dog-friendly covered outdoor seating * Full lineup of their signature Shalhoob craft beers. They also have fermented grapes and liquor, if beer isn't your jam. * Service was friendly and welcoming. * Street Parking and City-owned lots, as well. The lots are your best bet, and they're free for a short while. * Prices are very reasonable for a BBQ place. * The Street Corn app might be the best thing we ate here as the corn was super fresh right off the cob, and the Chipotle aioli was superb. * BBQ Beans was more of a bean soup, but it was decent. * Mac & Cheese was also pretty good. Carrots enjoyed it more than I did, but I might've been grumpy from the shitty meats (more on that in a minute). The Meh: * Tritip was completely dry and tasted like it was cooked in the oven and then finished on the grill. But, I will say, at least it was edible unlike the ribs... The Ugly: * Maybe the worst ribs I've ever had. They were just completely hammered with salt and completely blew out my palate within two bites, which is a shame because they were tender and cooked well, but jfc, no amount of sauce or anything is going to save something this salty. Conclusion: Maybe we just caught them on a bad day because a place doesn't survive for over fifty years serving up meat like this. I'd be willing to give them another try someday, but I need my tongue to recover first.

If you are thinking of hosting your wedding reception here or hosting any other event, DO IT!!! My…read morehusband and I got married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in June and hosted our 70 person reception at State & Fig. We began communicating with Serina to begin the planning process in November of 2025 and even stopped by the restaurant to check out the venue during breakfast (the breakfast burritos and fig burger are delicious!). From the beginning, my husband and I could tell that Serina and Patrick are passionate about their work and want to ensure their clients have the best experience and day possible. Serina and Patrick made themselves available throughout the planning process to answer any questions that we had. They are great personable people and we are beyond happy we worked with them for one of the biggest days of our lives. We went with the braised short ribs and olive chicken for our main entrees as well as a chocolate raspberry cake (baked by Serina) for our wedding cake. Almost two months later, my husband and I have guests telling us how great the staff were and how delicious the food and cake were at our reception! It truly was the best day ever and we continuously talk about how we wish we could relive that day again! Thank you Serina, Patrick, and staff for your dedication and making our day so memorable for us and our guests!

Reached out to set up a brunch for my bachelorette weekend and was immediately helped online. Their…read morecustomer service is exemplary! When our group arrived we were met by a smiling server and our very own private table with personalized menus! Loved this little unexpected detail. I ordered the braised short-rib Benedict and it will be a breakfast I think about for a long time! The meat was braised perfectly and it was incorporated deliciously with the caramelized onions. My poached egg was velvety and the pesto hollandaise was *chefs kiss*! Finished with the peppery arugula and delicious muffin. The best way to start the day! Everyone was son impressed with their meal. Absolutely delicious.

Fantastic experience! We wanted to stop by a lunch spot on our way back from San Diego and decided…read morefor Industrial Eats. The food was very much to die for and at pretty reasonable prices, our meal came out to be ~$80. Lots of cute pictures done by one local artist for sale and TONS of cookbooks lining the self service area. Extensive menu. We got the: Escargo and Bread - Absolutely amazing, buttery, decadent. Nothing to complain about here. Mussels and Frites - Delicious and perfect for two servings. We took the sauce home and made a pasta with it. Fries are great. Brussel Sprouts - My least favorite as it was undercooked and not as crispy as I would've liked but still delicious. Only thing I would knock on is the bathroom. The toilet seat is quite industrial. Would definitely come back.

Been eating here for years. Sunday night ordered turkey sandwich and shrimp with bread…read more The woman behind the counter was wearing an offensive shirt, saying" I am a Fuc_ing Ray of Sunshine" ... Once we set down and receive the turkey sandwich, I was really disappointed. It was very small.. I shared it along with the shrimp and the bread. .....two days later went back to the resturant & spoke to the manager/ owner woman. I sat with her to explain how rude the shirt was for counter woman to wear..because there was families with kids .The owner seemed to not care..She offered me another turkey sandwich. IT looked normal size. I thanked her and AS I WAS LEAVING SHE HAD THE NERVE TO SAY..." Hope to See you Fuc_ing soon. This shocked me and proved that the woman was crude and extremely unprofessional. This place has gone downhill. She just lost a lifetime customer, and obviously she didn't care..

I came here for the first time to try some wine and snacks after dinner. We sampled some of their…read morewines from their very cool-looking dispensers. And we ordered the chefs charcuterie board. The charcuterie board was delicious! The bread was warm and obviously homemade. All the different cheeses tasted fresh and there were also candied walnuts which were fantastic. I was really impressed by their wine dispensers and how many varieties they had of different selections. I think overall we tried 4-6 different wines for less than $40. The ambiance of the inside reminds me a little bit of Squidwards house (but in a good way) with a high arched ceiling and classical decor. I would love to come back and try their other food and sample more wine.

Last December, a friend came across The Cave while looking for a place to have lunch in Ventura and…read moresuggested we give it a try. I'm really glad he did because it's the kind of place I probably wouldn't have found on my own. The first thing that caught our attention was the self-serve wine dispensers lined with bottles ready to sample. We had a lot of fun walking back and forth, looking over the different selections, and deciding what to taste next. Being able to sample wines by the ounce before committing to a full glass made the whole experience feel interactive. I especially liked that I could compare different Cabernet Sauvignons side by side, which isn't something you get to do very often. After trying a few different Cabernets, Chimney Rock ended up being my favorite. The dining room added to the experience. The cave-like ceilings, warm lighting, and comfortably spaced tables made it easy to settle in, enjoy our lunch, and catch up without feeling cramped or rushed. If you enjoy trying different wines, it's easy to lose track of time here. We started with a cheese plate, which turned out to be much more generous than I expected. It came with a nice assortment of cheeses, crisp apple slices, grapes, candied walnuts, crostini, and a savory relish on the side. It was a great dish to share with our wine. My friend ordered the tuna poke tower, and we shared the cheese flatbread and sweet potato fries. I went with the Original Cave Salad with salmon, which came with a generous piece of perfectly cooked salmon over fresh greens, apples, grapes, walnuts, and blue cheese. Everything tasted fresh, and the portions were generous enough that we left completely satisfied. One thing I appreciated was that we never felt rushed. Lunch naturally turned into an afternoon of catching up, comparing notes on the different wines, and deciding which pours we wanted to try next. Before we left, we wandered through the wine shop one more time. If you discover a favorite during lunch, you can pick up a bottle before heading home, which is a nice touch. I'm really glad my friend found this place. The next time I'm in Ventura, it'll definitely be on my list again.

Three of us stopped in for dinner on a July trip that included Santa Barbara, and the FisHouse…read moreended up being the highlight of the trip. Parking was easy, and having a reservation meant we were seated right away. The room has a warm, relaxed feel, and the staff were friendly and on top of things without hovering. I had the cioppino and it was excellent -- real depth to the broth and the seafood tasted about as fresh as it gets. The best surprise came with dessert, when one of the owners stopped by our table. She was genuinely engaging and shared some of the restaurant's history, including how a fire at Stearns Wharf led them to this location. That kind of hospitality sticks with you. All three of us left happy. Five stars.

Came for happy hour, staff got us seated right away even thought it was super busy! Loved the beach…read moreview, highly recommend sitting on the patio! Pork belly tacos were super yummy, had a good happy hour menu with lots of choices!

I love Rumfish! Went in late July (whoops, late review) and was very happy with the food and…read moreservice. They have great virgin mocktails and the wait staff was very friendly and doted on us all night. I got my favorite, their ceviche, and as always it was delish! I also just love the vibe in here, whether you're in their beautiful outdoor patio (reserve a table if you want to be there!) or inside.

Was lucky enough to get the table in front of the fireplace on the patio. All the food was…read morefantastic. Can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu. The margaritas are killer! Great bar. Attended a event there in their banquet space and that was also wonderful.

Yum! We came on Indian night and it was fantastic, the food and the service. I got the cauliflower…read morecurry which came with a side of rice and homemade naan. They have a great wine selection as well. Others should definitely come here!

I sat down outside, and it has been 7 minutes, yet no one has asked me if I need a menu…read more 10min... We shall wait and see how much longer it takes before I get noticed. Other patrons were asked if they needed anything.. twice. Finally, I flagged down the waitress for a menu and was guided inside to order my food. I opted for the anniversary special: potatoes, corn, shrimp, and a sweet wine. The owner was a little taken aback when he received a notification about my low-star review. I expressed that it was me, and to help him understand better, I explained the reason why. What was very unprofessional was that he verbalized this to the table next to me, revealing exactly what had happened and who had rated his establishment with low stars. Food 3/5 Music 5/5 Cleaningness 5/5 Customer Service 3/5 (May some improvement/ $7 tip for the Hostess,who finally attended me :) Sofie As I read the response from the owner I'm baffled..so from 3 stars to 1 stars . To say I used profanity, for what reason ?, however I did give a tip .Sir you have a bad temper. I didn't check in with anyone because no one was there and when I asked for a menu, 10 minutes later I was told the Menu for food was Inside. This is when you greeted me with a smile did you not forget. It's ok my review will stay and no I didn't just come to review, I wanted to yelp an eatery and I chose your establishment, I spent well over $40. Your passive aggressiveness shows.

Spent some time with a friend at Djinn, and even had lunch right there at the bar. Joe and Martin…read morewere so awesome, friendly and funny. The atmosphere is very light and fun, and I just loved being there. Fantastic spot to watch FIFA. The food was delicious.

Absolutely love the cocktails here. One of then best things about this property is how each bar has…read morea curated cocktail menu. This environment is so welcoming, it's the perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink .