We always have such a delightful time at Full of Life. The food is amazing, the staff is friendly,…read moreand the whole atmosphere feels warm and welcoming. The menu changes with the seasons, and they use lots of local ingredients, including locally caught crab if you're lucky and locally farmed mushrooms. Everything always feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared. They have a huge patio along with plenty of indoor seating. I also love that you can watch the action around the wood-fired pizza oven which adds so much energy to the space. They offer a great selection of local wines and beers as well. This place can definitely get busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation.

Stopped by for lunch with my wife and mother in law. Solid flatbreads, thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe a…read moretad too greasy but honestly cooked to perfection. At time of review, Apple Maps times were not accurate, we almost didn't stop by cause we thought the location was closed.

Love the hotel and the restaurant had wonderful food and even better service (shout out Tina behind…read morethe bar) highly recommend!

We came here after checking in at our stay in Los Alamos, since it was the only restaurant open on…read morea Monday night. We made a reservation on Open Table just in case because we were VERY hungry. It is a cute place, on the smaller side and has a more modern take on seating. Some tables had couches and others were the traditional chairs/booths. After looking over the menu, we decided to order the focaccia bread, bates burger, and the mac n cheese. The focaccia bread came out with this delicious mascarpone cheese topped with honey and pepper on top. At first, we were a little worried but the blend of flavors were IMMACULATE! We contemplated ordering another one. Next the burger and mac n cheese came out. The burger was a bit dry, and it came out well done when we asked for medium (they ask how you would like it cooked when ordering). The potato wedges that come with it were very good, hot and fluffy. The Mac n cheese was the star of the show. We got the mushrooms on the side since we never had BBQed mushrooms before but they added such a complex flavor with the truffle cheese in the macaroni. We ended the night with their cookie skillet and it came with salted Carmel gelato (the menu says vanilla). She confirmed that the flavor was okay before putting the order in. Overall, we had a good night here and the view was beautiful. Side note: they have you park in the bottom lot if you are only coming for the restaurant and there is a number you call. They pick you up in the golf cart and drive you up! And they offer the same service to come back down! Thank you Alex (unless it was Ally we are arguing over your name) for such a positive energy and personality.

Here's a clean version that keeps your voice but tightens it up a bit:…read more We went to The Victor for Sunday brunch in Santa Ynez and it was kind of perfect. We started with Bloody Marys, which were insanely good. They were out of the Verde, but the bartender improvised and made us something even better. It came with what might be the best bacon I've ever had, which is a bold claim but I stand by it. He even came out to check on us and talk through what he was testing. We loved them. We ordered the deviled eggs with trout roe, which were to die for. Highly recommend. Then we split the breakfast sandwich. They divided it in the kitchen and brought it out with two side salads, which is always such a nice touch. Service was incredible, the atmosphere was lovely, and the whole thing felt a little indulgent in the best way. Exactly what you want on a beautiful spring day in Santa Ynez. Would absolutely go back.

I had the most expertly prepared sea bass I've ever had, and I typically order sea bass whenever…read moreit's available on the menu. It's my benchmark for good seafood. The skin was crispy but the meat was tender, and soaked with the broth that's drenched right at your table, the combination was mind-bogglingly good. Service was superb. The waiter even offered my dog a bowl of water. The outdoor patio seating was lovely, especially on a warm December evening in California. Experience an elevated dining nirvana here at Victor.

We stayed at the inn and decided to make it easy and make reservations at the Tavern. They give you…read morescones to start your meal and they were amazing! Savory and one of the best scones I've ever had! Didn't even need the sweet butter that came with it. We had the crab beignets for an appetizer. Very nice and light, fresh crab just missing a some salt. My fiancé ordered the burger with their version of fries and I had the scallops pasta. My fresh scallops were perfectly seared and paired with the beautifully blanched veggies and pasta. All fantastic, just missing a little salt. Burger was really well made and so were their fries. Service was ok, a little hands off for such a slow night. Well decorated inside and out with lots of plants. The whole place is dreamy!

A charming restaurant with a lovely, quaint ambiance that creates an immediately welcoming setting…read more The service was exceptional gracious, attentive, and genuinely personable. Our party was warmly greeted upon arrival and made to feel completely at home throughout the evening. The cuisine was very good, and the overall dining experience was thoughtfully executed. One minor note would be that one of the pasta dishes could have been drained slightly more prior to plating. Otherwise, the meal was excellent. I would gladly recommend this restaurant to others seeking a warm, inviting atmosphere paired with attentive service and excellent food.

We came in for SY Restaurant Week and enjoyed the price fixe menu of 3 course for $30. The Thai…read moreCoconut soup was very tasty and the pork loin was amazing. Really like the rice. And we finished the meal with a chocolate mouse. Normally during these events the portions can be a bit smaller but we were really full by the time we got to the dessert course. The staff were helpful and nice and Chef Budi stopped by to check on our table. If you find yourself in Solvang and you are looking for a bit of Asian fusion food, be sure to stop by The Gathering Table.

Beautiful ambiance. Great menu and wine list. Raw duck breast made me ill later that night. I get…read morethat duck breast is often served rare or medium rare with a pink center. But this was so rare it could not be sliced with a steak knife, and everything other than the skins can only be described as raw. I asked for it to be cooked a bit more and although they brought it back to the table with a heat warning as if the plate had been in a broiler, it was just warm and there was no real difference in the appearance of the meat. I have ordered duck breast other places and have not had this experience. Do not recommend. The noodles we also ordered were excellent as was the miso chocolate cake. Overall, the experience would have been fine if not for the duck. But that experience was so horrible we won't be back.

This place is right downtown and has a lovely patio and dining area, and is always popular, so when…read moreI saw a chance for a late lunch without crowds, I jumped into action - and I'm glad I did! For my first visit, I am now a fan. The ambiance is nice and comfortable, with lots of natural light. I was quickly seated by a large window that looked out onto an area with tables for a bakery next door. Ideas for dessert? The menu is varied enough for folks, and I focused on the Gold Coast Grilled Cheese sandwich (sharp cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, caramelized onions, parmesan crisp, The Baker's Table pain au levain vegetarian) with a choice of sides. I had also noticed a new offering, a creamy Fennel soup with local olive oil, and toasted almonds. I choose a cup of that soup for a side. The sandwich and soup came together, and the soup was steamy hot - literally! The sandwich has a side served up with grilled parmesan cheese, and the opposite side (or flip side, as I want to say) has the traditional grilled look. I have photos of both sides here. The soup was indeed creamy, and at one point I was trying to figure out how to answer someone who asks, "What does it taste like?" And I still don't have an answer. However, it does have a slight herbal licorice taste, but not at all overwhelming, and if you don't eat licorice, you may notice it but not be able to place it. However, if you don't like licorice, I think you would still enjoy this soup, as the flavor is very subtle. It was extremely delicious. The sandwich, with the parmesan crisp and mixed cheeses, was very cheesy, and I loved that. Overall, the food was outstanding and the service wonderful, with water refills on cue and quick service for ordering and closing out the bill. My server, Maggie, was top notch - thank you! If you are in Solvang and want a quality meal at a decent price (for Solvang) come here, and if they are less busy than usual, all the better!

My favorite restaurant in Solvang has to be our lunch at Peasants Feast, especially with the…read moreappearance of the horse drawn carriage from our patio table. The pastrami smoked salmon sandwich does not actually have pastrami but the pastrami spices are present in each bite of the smoked salmon. It worked so well, I wish I didn't have to share but with so much good food, unless my stomach is bigger, sharing allowed me to try more things. I was so happy that we had an option to have a cup of butternut squash soup with that sandwich making it the perfect soup and sandwich combo. The shaved Brussel Sprouts salad is so addictive that I couldn't stop eating it and was a great way to get more veggies in our diet. Even though I over ordered to try everything I wanted, shaved Brussels Sprouts salad, halibut tacos and pastrami smoked salmon sandwich with a cup of butternut squash soup, I regretted not coming back for dinner to have it all over again.

Came here for our last meal of a bachelorette weekend along the Central Coast, and it ended just as…read morestrong as it started. A couple of the drinks didn't quite hit, but the "Sunset and Chill" was a group favorite. The wedge salad isn't traditional, but it's delicious and a nice twist on the classic. The lasagna was a standout -- rich, decadent, and really satisfying. The portion looks small, but don't be fooled. Service was great throughout. They gave us semi-private seating, which we really appreciated, and the outdoor setup added a fresh, airy feel while still keeping things cozy for our group. For dessert, the toasted marshmallow torte was the clear table favorite -- definitely the one to try. The lemon tart was good too, but if you're choosing one, go marshmallow. A great way to wrap up the weekend.

This was a memorable discovery for me on a recent return visit to the Central Coast while dining…read morewith local friends. All dishes were given with care but not necessarily to overly impress, meaning that the portion size was generous rather than dainty. The experience of the place was considerably more sophisticated than I recall from the Central Coast of almost 20 years ago when I lived in the area. (Granted, time has passed, but still refreshing to see.) Staff also seemed happy to be there and engaging with diners, more than merely doing their jobs. Thank you Ember for raising the bar and impressing this out of town guest!

We stayed at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern this past weekend and had dinner at the titular Tavern, an…read moreupscale contemporary restaurant in a reincarnated central California stagecoach stop dating back to 1886. The inn leans into the old west aesthetic, but the tavern is just elegant and attractive, with leather furniture, a high vaulted ceiling, and a lot of windows. It was pleasantly bustling on a Friday night, with what seemed like a mix of hotel guests and other visitors. Los Olivos has a population that hovers around 1,000, so this restaurant, like the stagecoach stop, is there to serve travelers. Accordingly, service was first class. There was a full bar with elaborate cocktails and plenty of wine from the area. We ordered two rounds of cocktails, as we planned to drink wine all weekend, and they were all very good. The Vaquero Campfire was a refreshing mezcal drink with pink peppercorn, honey, and charred grapefruit. The Cigars & Horses was a boozy mix of bourbon, yellow chartreuse, and smoked cinnamon. Los Rancheros Vistadores was a pleasantly bitter tequila cocktail, with reposado, amaro, Aperol, and orange olive oil. And the Pinochle Punch was a smooth blend of milk-clarified rye, cognac, and orange. We ordered wines by the glass to go with our entrees, and these were both lovely, too. The Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine and the Racines Mattei's Cuvée, a Chardonnay that must have some connection to Mattei's Tavern. The food was delicious. We started with a half dozen oysters with mignonette and lemon and Gin's tuna carpaccio, topped with scallion, radish, ginger dressing, and cold-pressed California olive oil. Then we had Mattei's house focaccia, served with cultured butter and herb oil, and the country pâté, with cherry, tarragon, and sourdough. The entrées were both excellent. The Channel Islands rockfish was beautifully cooked, served in a vibrant tomatillo sauce with hoja santa, with sides of roti, grilled avocado, and grilled lime. The Colorado lamb was tender and juicy with a nice spiced crust. It came with couscous, vadouvan, mint yogurt, onion, and dates. For dessert, we shared the affogato: vanilla ice cream, Handlebar espresso. Hard to think of a better way to wind down a big meal. We charged dinner to the room and got $100 through a hotel promotion. This covered some of our drinks. The Tavern is not a cheap restaurant, but it is a great one, well worth checking out on your visit to Los Olivos.

We made a reservation at The Tavern to celebrate our one-year anniversary, so it was disappointing…read moreto arrive and learn that our reservation had somehow been canceled. We had specifically chosen this restaurant because we were traveling with our dog and understood that their outdoor seating area was dog-friendly. We were told that the outdoor patio was closed for a private event. Since we had made our reservation more than a week in advance, it would have been helpful if the restaurant had notified us ahead of time so we could have made other arrangements. Unfortunately, we ended up having to leave our dog back at the hotel. To their credit, the hostess did her best to accommodate us and found us a table in the bar area near the fireplace. However, the location wasn't ideal for an anniversary dinner. Guests frequently walked and stood in front of the fireplace directly in front of our table, and at one point other patrons even sat down at our table, making what was supposed to be a romantic evening feel awkward and disrupted. The food itself was excellent, and we genuinely enjoyed our meal. Had it not been for the reservation mix-up and the restaurant's lack of proactive communication regarding the patio closure, this would likely have been a much higher-rated experience. Unfortunately, the service and overall experience fell short of what we expected for such a special occasion.

The food is great. The service is very good and everyone is very friendly there. It is close in…read moretown. We have a large group go there and they accommodate everyone perfectly. Thank you.

Decor was very nice, We are had our HOW dinner in January…read more2026. The evening was a huge success! They are very accommodating. Super nice people My husband and I recently had breakfast there, DELICIOUS

Stopped here for lunch on Wednesday. What a fabulous place!…read moreFrom flatbread pizza to crudo, and to the wine selection, it was truly perfect. We sat outside as it was a really nice day and the great service, the menu options, and the music was all chill vibe we needed after a 4 hr drive. Thank you and I will be back! Cheers!

We enjoyed a nice lunch at Nella Kitchen & Bar on our way out of Los Olivos the Sunday before last…read more I made a reservation, but it didn't seem necessary, at least when we went at 11:30, right at opening. The vibe was pleasant and a little bit fancy. No lowly brunch menu here--we had raw fish, medium rare steak, and red wine. I suppose not everyone wants all that before dinner. Nella is an attractive restaurant at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. The dining room looked charming, but we opted to sit on the patio, which was comfortable and breezy. Service was great, attentive and prompt. We were in and out in an hour, as planned, but we could've lingered longer. The food was delicious, starting with the $9 bread and butter--French baguette with a bright yellow block of salted Bordier butter. The salmon crudo was fresh and silky, finished with Fresno chile, citrus, passion fruit, avocdao mousse, calamansi vinegar, and fresh basil. My favorite dish, though, was the spring salad, a vibrant assembly of Tutti Frutti Farms sugar snap peas, fava beans, kumquats, calamansi pickled red onions, arugula, pecorino, and rosé vinaigrette. I don't typically go for salads without meat, but this one was superb. For our entrées, we shared a Margherita pinsa and the filet mignon. The pinsa was an airy flatbread, topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, basil, and sea salt. The prime cut filet was flavorful and satisfying, cooked a tender medium rare and served with yu choy and green peppercorn sauce. We ordered two Italian reds by the glass, which went well with everything, but especially with the steak. The Grosjean Vallee d'Aoste, a Gamay , and the Clos Venturi Vin de Corse "1769," a Sangiovese Sciaccarellu blend. I'd been to SY Kitchen once before and plan to go to whatever restaurant the group is about to open up in Montecito. These people obviously know what they're doing. We had a lovely lunch at Nella Kitchen & Bar and would recommend it to anyone visiting Los Olivos.