My partner and I came to celebrate our one year anniversary and we had an amazing time!! We chose…read moreto do the 4 course tasting menu which was out of this world and incredibly worth the price. Each dish was so flavorful and made with so much care. My favorite dish was the pumpkin style gnocchi we had and the branzino fish, he loved the bone marrow. The soup I forgot to take a picture of was potato and leek with truffle was amazing as well. The restaurant is also very cozy with great ambience and we had fantastic service.

We were super excited for our Saturday brunch reservation for 3 at 11:30. We were greeted by a…read moreyoung child at the host stand, and while I absolutely adore kids I was a little confused by the very nervous child seating us and getting us water. She was about 9 years old and shaking while she poured us water, which made us feel badly for her and not really understand why a child was working at this upscale restaurant but watching the only server/owner running around on the floor it seemed necessary to have this child working the host stand. I understand they were busy or understaffed, but we had a variety of issues throughout our visit that went unaddressed with what resulted in a very odd outburst. The wait for drinks was 20+ minutes, and the wait for a food order exceeded an hour. One drink came out incorrectly. 30+ minutes after ordering our bread came out cold and without butter, and of our party of 3, one guest's entree took an additional 10 minutes to come out without any acknowledgement from staff. Overall the service was really disappointing and there was no apology at any point throughout our meal even though it seemed clear the service was lacking throughout our visit. When the server/owner came to drop our check he asked how our experience was. I truly tried to be as polite as possible while explaining our frustrations. In addition to the long wait times, we had a drink come out the wrong flavor, a rude bartender, and one crepe came out without the Brie as described, which I didn't get a chance to explain. I also mentioned having a child greet us was unexpected to which he told us he was teaching his child responsibility and that's why she was working. He seemed set off by the feedback I was trying to give and he then threw my credit card onto the table and he told me he didn't want my money. I didn't want a free meal, I wanted to give feedback into our experience which I would classify as the worst restaurant service I have ever had. I keep replaying the whole experience trying to figure out what I could have done differently to have had a positive experience but as a long time server in Santa Barbara I'm having a hard time reconciling this crazy experience.

Can I give 10 stars?!?! From the moment I emailed the restaurant, I was completely blown away by…read morethe amazing customer service (THANK YOU MATT!), that I knew the restaurant experience would be just as great, and I can tell you it more than met my expectations. We had the final dinner of my bachelorette weekend here and everything was made to perfection. From the coconut shrimp (perfectly crispy and piping hot) to the mushroom tartlets (very mushroomy in a good way, and the cheese didn't overpower it at all) , the beet salad (fresh and flavorful) and the herb crusted filet (cooked exactly as requested- juicy and flavorful)- everything was wonderful. The best way to end an amazing weekend. Highly recommend!

When I want a real culinary treat or for wowing my friends and family, I take them to Opal!…read more The ambiance is on point, the staff inviting and the food is always amazing! They have the best filet mignon! Tender, juicy and flavorful! Mushroom cream sauce, scoop of delectable mash potatoes and some fresh veg. Soooo good! Extensive wine list and a full bar make it a must try spot! Top off that delicious meal with house made tiramisu or vanilla bean crème brûlée and you can that me later!

Marisella was easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Santa Barbara. The restaurant is…read moreinside the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and the entire atmosphere is elegant, sophisticated, and beautiful without feeling stuffy. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was so professional, quick, polite, and genuinely friendly that I honestly wondered if she was the manager. She had that fresh, confident energy where you can tell someone really knows what they're doing and actually enjoys taking care of their guests. And the FOOD... wow. The whipped ricotta with honey and black pepper was probably my favorite thing I tasted all night. Creamy, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced -- I could have eaten the entire plate. The black truffle Wagyu carpaccio was incredible. The steak practically melted in my mouth, and the truffle flavor made it feel so decadent without being overwhelming. The spicy rigatoni alla vodka was also SO good fresh, rich, full of flavor, and exactly the kind of pasta you keep going back And I have to mention my virgin "Gossip Girl" drink because it was delightful! fresh, refreshing, and honestly such a fun drink. Everything from the food to the service to the beautiful setting felt elevated. This is definitely the kind of place I would come back to for a special dinner. Marisella really delivered. Thank you

We came to Marisella to celebrate my child's birthday. First, I want to acknowledge that the staff…read morehelped us modify our reservation after it somehow changed from July 29 to July 30, and I appreciate that. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was very disappointing. We arrived around 8:30 p.m. and were seated around 8:45 p.m. We were immediately told that the kitchen was closing at 9:00 p.m., so we had to rush to place our order. Later, I asked for a glass of milk for my toddler. I was told the kitchen was closed. I then asked if the bar was still open, and the waitress replied, in a way that felt like she was making fun of me, "Usually we don't make food at the bar." I wasn't asking for food--I was simply asking for a glass of milk for my child. I even explained that if they could make cappuccinos, they should be able to provide milk. Unfortunately, my request was dismissed. The food was decent--about 7/10--but the portions were small. The biggest disappointment was the service. While we were still eating, staff were already taking plates and items away from the table. When they brought the dessert, they did not even clean the table first--there were still pieces of food left on the table, and they placed the dessert right there. It felt rushed and careless. For a Ritz-Carlton restaurant, I expected much better hospitality and attention to detail. Unfortunately, this experience felt like a waste of money, and I would not recommend Marisella.

After an afternoon of traffic from Pasadena, my husband and I enjoyed dinner at The Set inside the…read moreHilton Santa Barbara Beachfront on May 22, 2026. Because of their limited staff, we waited 20 minutes for a table when only a third of the tables were occupied and no party was ahead of us. The server was friendly and checked on us periodically throughout the meal. We decided to split a salad, a pasta entree and dessert. The kitchen was kind enough to split the Avocado & Citrus Salad for us - ripe avocado, crumbly & creamy goat cheese, bright citrus grapefruit, and pops of nutty pistachio. The Spicy Burnt Chili Shrimp Pasta did not disappoint! Flavorful and enough heat on the shrimp to water the nose but not sweat, and the roasted heirloom tomatoes added an acidic burst of freshness. And the dessert rounded out the meal - Lemon Ricotta Cake - wasn't too sweet, lemon lightness not tart, and a hearty ricotta cake crumb. Definitely order the pasta!

We enjoyed The Set for dinner this evening at about 8:15PM, as we were staying at the Hilton Santa…read moreBarbara. Our overall experience was very nice, with only slight oddity. We checked in with the hostess, and it was kind of an odd experience. The restaurant was about 60% empty, so I imagine the reason we were quoted 20 minutes for our party of two, is because they were short staffed. There couldn't have been any other explanation. This was happening with everyone that was appearing in person. However, once we were seated, our server was great. I forgot his name; however, he was very pleasant and worked very hard hopping from table to table and maintained his friendly demeanor. The restaurant is well decorated, and is a beautiful addition to the end of the lobby. They also have a lot of outdoor seating as well. We shared the Avocado and Citrus salad, the spicy burnt chili shrimp pasta and the Lemon and Ricotta cake. Everything we had was delicious. The salad they were able to split into two portions. It was so good with avocado, grapefruit, pistachio and goat cheese in a light vinaigrette. YUM! The spicy shrimp pasta was equally as yummy. It smelled and tasted so good. It had a smokey flavor and was surprisingly a bit spicy. The lemon and ricotta cake topped off the meal. The cake was dense, but had that light lemon which was a great complement to the heavy ricotta flavor. Very well balanced. Overall, a great experience with just a notch off for the weird entry experience.

Love this bar. Beautifully done. Great ambiance and customer service. My family and I came here to…read morehave some drinks and dessert. We ordered the churro and gelato. The churro was delicious but the gelato was runny and didn't taste good. The food looked so good so next time we will make sure to eat lunch or dinner here. It's a beautiful place.

We had a wonderful experience here! Everything--from the food and ambiance to the exceptional…read moreservice--was outstanding. Our server, Amine, went above and beyond to make our evening truly memorable. A special thank you to both Amine and Josh for their hospitality and for making our visit such a fantastic experience. We can't wait to come back!

**An Unforgettable Anniversary at Barbareno!**…read more Wow, what a night! My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Barbareno, and it was nothing short of spectacular. He had reserved a table weeks in advance, and even though we ran a few minutes late due to the fiesta madness and Uber challenges, the staff was incredibly kind and understanding. Seriously, they turned what could have been a stressful situation into a smooth entry! Our server, Sierra, was an absolute gem--probably the best server I've encountered in ages! She kicked off the evening by walking us through the menu and setting the tone for our culinary adventure. Talk about being in good hands! To toast our special day, she even surprised us with complimentary champagne. Cheers to that! Now, let's dive into the food! We started with the **bread and butter**--trust me, don't skip it! Next up was the **bacon date preserve**, which was nothing short of incredible. Then came the acorn tagliatelle, made with wild mushrooms and acorn flour. I've never tasted anything quite like it! Unique and delicious! But the real star of the show was the **Santa Maria barbecue tri-tip**. Juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor--it's hands down the best tri-tip I've ever had. I'm still dreaming about it! To wrap up our meal, we indulged in the **dessert wine flight**--a must for anyone visiting! Each sip was a delightful surprise, and we finished with the **avocado mousse**, a light and unique dessert that felt like a perfect ending after a rich meal. As a dessert lover, I was thrilled to find something so indulgent yet refreshing! As if the evening couldn't get any better, the chef himself came to our table to check in. He was humble and genuinely cared about the experience he was providing. It's no wonder Barbareno is Michelin-rated! We can't wait to come back and bring the kids next time. Thank you, Barbareno, for making our anniversary so special and unforgettable!

Barbareño is a well-known spot in SB serving up beautifully presented farm to table Central Coast…read morecuisine. Reservations are highly recommended here, so plan accordingly. Wifey and I stopped by for dinner with reservations and were seated inside upon arrival. They have an elegant dimly lit ambiance with seating inside or outside on their patio. We ended up getting a spread consisting of the Ranchero Scotch Eggs, Hope Ranch Mussels, Especial, and the Chicken & Ranch. Everything was delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal!

If you have not been to El Encanto restaurant (The Dining Room & Terrace) since the new…read moreowners/management took over, it is well worth a revisit. The service is top notch and friendly. The food has been upgraded, everything we ordered was outstanding. We are neighbors so always tried to patronize the restaurant but previously found it hard to keep going back to the overpriced, ho hum food and bad service. NOT NOW! The food is amazing and at a very reasonable price point, but the biggest standout is the service. Julie Best, the Assistant Manager could not have been friendlier and the servers were so personable, knowledgeable and just fun! We have happily put El Encanto back on the date night rotation.

*This is a review for the restaurant* The setting is beautiful, but unfortunately the service…read morereally took away from the experience. From the beginning, the staff came across as strangely cold and unwelcoming, and there were multiple interactions that felt unnecessarily rude and uncomfortable. It wasn't one isolated moment--it was the overall attitude that made me feel like I was an inconvenience rather than a guest. Good food and a beautiful location can only do so much when the hospitality is lacking. I came here hoping to have a relaxing, enjoyable experience in Santa Barbara, and instead I left genuinely surprised by how unfriendly the service felt. For a restaurant in this kind of setting, I expected much warmer and more professional hospitality. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return.

Our experience at Intermezzo for our anniversary dinner was disappointing. Upon showing up for our…read morereservation, we were taken to a table out front where it was cold and lacked ambiance. When we asked to be moved to one of the many open tables inside, we were told that they were reserved. They sat empty for our whole meal. We felt so bad for our server. I'm not sure if they were short staffed that night, but he was literally running between indoor and outdoor tables. Because he was spread so thin, service severely suffered and we sat waiting at every point of our meal. It was strange to find that a restaurant with "wine cask" in the title didn't have a wine list. We went with a red when our server verbally noted the small list of options. The food was fine, but not specifically memorable. We had the Cask Burger and the Lemon Caper Chicken but everyone around us seemed to be going with the pizza, so perhaps that's the way to go. We didn't end up ordering dessert to celebrate the occasion because we didn't want to prolong the experience.

The three different dining spaces were all very inviting. I've been in to eat and drink at the Bar,…read morewhich was fun to meet the staff and diners all around us. And so much fun to eat their delicious selection of pizzas, and pair them with some incredible wines and/or cocktails. Definitely looking forward to dining at their Sunday Brunch. For our recent dining adventure we had a table in the middle section, which was well lit and very comfortable. We were greeted by our server Elizabeth, who took very good care of us. From start to finish, she was there with some food suggestions, and along with her supporting staff, they took very good care of us. For dinner we shared the Mezzo Meatballs, Rosemary Beet & Strawberry Salad, my favorite, the Lemon Caper Chicken, and the Oven Roasted Salmon. For wine pairing we had a bottle of the Seghesio Zinfandel, quite possibly one of the best producers of Zinfandel up in Sonoma County. For dessert, the classic Banana Split Sundae, and the Traditional Chocolate Cake. Still so much more on the menu to endulge in, we are looking forward to visiting Elizabeth and Intermezzo By Wine Cask again.