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    San Setto

    4.4 (13 reviews)

    San Setto Photos

    SAN SETTO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Lychee martini
    Christopher D.

    My wife and I stayed the weekend at the Ritz Carlton Bacara as our first small trip since our son was born in November. We were seeking a restaurant for Saturday night that would allow us to feel like it was a date night but also be baby-friendly. The pool bistro didn't meet our first criteria and the steakhouse didn't meet our second. As such, we decided tenuously to try San Setto. I say "tenuous" because finding honest, thorough reviews for San Setto is difficult (at least at the time of writing this). We arrived before our reservation and were quite surprised to be sat quickly, despite the bookings appearing full online (they said a system issue caused this). We were given a perfect spot for our little family--in a warm cozy corner. I'll note the location of the restaurant is quite bizarre and you actually have to walk through the steakhouse (Angel Oak) to arrive at it. With that said, the ambiance feels markedly different. With regard to service, our waiter and the entire waitstaff were fantastic, attentive, and remembered all our requests. Starting with drinks, my wife and I ordered a few mixed drinks (a lychee martini and a play on a whisky sour). Both were very good, but perhaps a bit light on alcohol. We then moved to a Junmai sake, served cold. The sake was delightful and so-slightly floral, as it is everywhere I have had it. Moving to food, the headline is this is not your absolute top quality sushi, but... it is good and the other positive aspects of San Setto that I note above offset it. My wife and I ordered a variety of items: wagyu steak, yellowtail sashimi, steamed rice, a blue crab hand roll, spicy tuna roll, and tuna/salmon nigiri. The fish quality was generally okay. The fish tasted fresh-ish, but the yellowtail was particularly dry before the pour-over and the tuna nigiri tasted a bit stale. The rolls, were delicious however, mainly due to the fixins. The wagyu was very good and the veggies under it really tied the dish together. I would generally say the food was good, but not next level. And that brings me to the conclusion: considering the price, location, service, drinks, and ambiance, I give San Setto a four. The restaurant should ensure it's sushi quality gets upgraded to the next level, but the variety, drinks, and service offset the sushi to create a desirable experience overall.

    Ana T.

    Amazing experience! Stayed at the Bacara and decided to have dinner here what a great choice. Service was top tier, the view was so relaxing and awesome. We watched the sunset eating outside with a clear shot of the ocean. The food was SO GOOD lobster roll made the mistake of only getting one . Our server Grant was the BEST we tried everything he suggested and he was spot on! We will be back

    Spicy tuna on crispy rice
    K B.

    Excellent Sushi and Sashimi. Our waiter was Grant, he was excellent, knowledgeable and friendly . We took his suggestions on what first courses, rolls and Nigiri we should get. Everything was so tasty and fresh. It was my first time having the spicy tuna on crispy rice which was outstanding. I also asked him his opinion on which Chardonnay I should get and he was spot on. My kids got the burgers and pasta they both were very good. For dessert my son had the chocolate ice cream which had pieces of chocolate in the ice cream and the cake with chocolate and hazelnuts was also very good .

    Environment

    This restaurant is in Angle Oak of the Ritz-Carlton. Every dish here is delicious! The tuna is very fresh, and you can choose Nigiri (with rice) or Sashimi. Roll is also delicious!

    Beautiful Pacific Ocean sunset views
    Richie D.

    Few people are aware that a new sushi spot by Sushi Chef Mitsutoshi Masuda has opened up in town. And I must admit, it is quite hidden being at the far reaches of Goleta, within the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort, down the corridor and through the doors of Angel Oak, then down a separate hallway to this destination. My partner and I came here to celebrate an early Valentine's Day with reservations easily made via OpenTable. We were greeted by the hostess named Erica who was extremely friendly. She set aside a table with the perfect view of the blue Pacific and sunset hues. After all, the meaning of 'San Setto' translates into English as 'sunset.' And that you will be given. The remainder of the evening was a breeze with waitresses Sofia and Justice. They took turns checking in on us with impeccable service. Given the high-end location and prices, we were impressed with the decent portion sizes. We ended up taking advantage of a pre-fixe dinner, with two additional sushi rolls and drinks. We kicked off our celebratory dinner with a sparkling sake which was a first for us both. Extremely refreshing yet provided a pleasant hint of rice flavor. We continued with chilled edamame (though I prefer steamed warm with less togarashi spice) and miso soup (average but a perfect palate cleanser). Next was the Yellow Tail Tradito which I believe every table in the house ordered. It was a large portion that could be shared, yet featured extremely fresh amberjack that melted in our mouths. The base of charred avocado really complimented the fish and lemongrass ponzu. The rolls then just continued to roll out one after another. Our absolute favorite roll was the Santa Barbara Roll with salmon and tempura shrimp. It was surprisingly and elegantly complex with a nice kick of spice from the jalapeño and sriracha. We also fought over the Crab Roll because it was noticeably not imitation crab and so smooth. While we did enjoy the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, the rice could have been more thoroughly crisped. It was more like a basic Nigiri due to this, though the tuna tasted extremely fresh and the spice level was ideal. Our least favorite roll was the most expensive baller: Wagyu Roll with Japanese A5 beef tartare, togarashi seared A5 tataki, toasted nori oil, caviar, miso aioli and 24k gold flakes. While the hint of smoke was delicious, it had almost too much going on. Some of the pieces were almost chewy and too rich for the palate. For $55, I would pass. Oku in downtown Santa Barbara has the Crazy Rich Asian roll which is more enjoyable in our eyes. We ended our dinner with an assortment of mochi ice cream. While two of the mochi were tasty (chocolate and strawberry), the other two tasted old and had a hard, dry exterior. In the end, we had a wonderful dinner at San Setto given the romantic ambiance, fabulous service and detailed meal. Side note: I do wish they would waive or provide a discount for the mandatory valet parking when dining since it was an additional $15 with plenty of available parking given its remote location.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    We loved San Setto! Its now relegated to the sun bar every weekend 5-730, no more restaurant. We love the spicy tuna on crispy rice.

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    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    A beautiful ambiance although a bit disappointing as an overall dining experience. Highly recommend their Uni and yellowtail sashimi.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Simple elegant sushi. Everything we had was good. The cheesecake was a hidden gem recommended by the server and loved it.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Marisella

    Marisella

    4.2
    (109 reviews)
    0.8 mi
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    Marisella in Santa Barbara was one of the highlights of our weekend trip at the Ritz Carlton. The…read morerestaurant is located along the coast, and the atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed. We had gone there to celebrate our anniversary, and it was such a great spot. We timed our reservation perfectly so that we were able to see the sunset over the ocean. As if that wasn't enough, we also spotted little bunnies hopping through the plants, which made my 6-year-old daughter's evening. She couldn't stop smiling! The meal started with complimentary fresh tomatoes served with an incredible seasoned salt for dipping. My daughter couldn't get enough of it. The house-made focaccia was easily one of the best breads I've ever had. Warm, fluffy, and paired with the whipped ricotta, it was absolutely amazing. If you come here, this is a MUST to order. We also shared the Festa Del Mar, which was packed with fresh seafood and was a very generous portion - perfect for sharing. The roasted carrots were also good. For drinks, we tried the Siren of the Sea, Intermezzo, and the Marisella Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned was served with a beautiful monogrammed ice cube featuring an "M." All the drinks were good and they did not hold back on the alcohol. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, friendly, and super nice throughout the evening. He even offered to take our picture at the table and did such a great job at it too. The service definitely matched the quality of the food. We'll definitely be back here the next time we're in Santa Barbara. I'm still craving that house-made focaccia and the whipped ricotta. Soooo good!

    Rating: 6/10…read more Ambiance is gorgeous, with a beautiful ocean view and great romantic lighting. However, service was severely lacking and slow, and the food was expensive for the portions and not the best. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta, crudo, spicy rigatoni, and clam pasta. The focaccia was warm and crispy and contrasted well with the creamy, cheesy ricotta. The crudo was the best item and was fresh and well-seasoned. Pastas were underwhelming. Super small portions (we probably had about 2-3 mouthfuls per person per dish) for the price point. The rigatoni was slightly bland and could've used more salt, but the spice was perfect as someone who likes spicy foods. The clam pasta was a good lighter option but could have used more umami taste. Service was also really slow, which staff did tell us was due to them being understaffed. Overall, we paid $140 before tax for this meal, and it didn't fill us up. Gorgeous venue but I don't think I'd recommend this place as a must-visit restaurant in SB.

    Photos
    Ambiance
    Ambiance
    Orecchiette pasta
    Orecchiette pasta
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    The Imperial

    The Imperial

    4.5
    (204 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    Oh boy the amount of times I have been inebriated here. Birthday parties, coming home celebrations,…read morecheeky post-work cocktails that accidentally turn into two in the mornings; New Years Eves, Potlucks, Aloha Sundays, Halloweens and everything in between. This is a great bar and there's just no way around that. The drinks are tough, the vibes are immaculate, the bartenders have teeth and the regulars are absolutely bananas. I love it here. It's probably the only bar you can roll into by yourself as a woman and feel comfortable. As if things couldn't get any better, there's a treasure of a human in there who spins vinyl on Friday nights (maybe Saturdays also, but don't quote me) and you really shouldn't miss that experience. Thank you Imperial and staff for your phenomenal service. You've truly cultivated something wonderful.

    What an amazing hidden gem in Goleta!…read more While visiting the town, we were looking for a lounge walking distance from our hotel. We found this cool spot via yelp. A for atmosphere. You are transformed into a tiki/tropical/ vintage/bohemian not sure what to call it atmosphere. Super mellow and chill. We sat at a corner couch across from the bar. Comfy and relaxing, and dim lighting. Drink menu was diverse. Great selection. From cocktails to all types of alcohol. With an average price range of $15. Bartender knew his craft. All drinks ordered were great! C for service. The service dept needs some help, and I get it, with one person serving 15+ people. It is impossible to provide a5 star service. Initially service was great with a smile when we first arrived @ 6 pm. But soon after the bar became super busy. The wait was 20-30 minutes for an order. It was time to leave. We asked for our check and it came non-itemized. If it was 2 or 4 drinks that would be fine, but we were party of 3 with over 10 drinks. Then we had to wait again after asking for an itemized check. Waiter stated they need to hand write as their "machine" was not working. That took more time than needed. Ahhhhhh.... Ah well.. you can't get it all. Hence the 3.5 stars. I recommend, to sit at the bar and maybe pay cash to avoid hurdles I experienced.

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    The Ellwood

    The Ellwood

    3.9
    (264 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$$

    A great experience overall that strikes the perfect balance of casual to elevated. I'm thankful…read morethat the staff was very nice and that when my friend accidentally left her credit card, they were quick to flag and kept it safe so we can come back to pick it up. Foodwise, dishes were good overall. Some like the Brussel sprouts were a bit on the saltier side but overall good portions. I love that it's close to the shore and has excellent views. Prime spot by the pier and parking is free as the very best part!

    What does The Elwood, Holiday Inn, truck stop coffee, and any movie with Kevin Bacon, have In…read morecommon? They're all meh. Are there worse restaurants, hotels, coffee and movies? Absolutely. But there are a lot better ones, and as far as The Ellwood is concerned, a better place is worth going to. The entire waitstaff looks like Abercrombie and Fitch models, which isn't a bad thing, but it's clear this is their first time working in a restaurant. Our waiter sat us, then returned when we were about finished and asked how everything was. It would have been better if I didn't have an empty glass of iced tea for most of my meal. Also, I have never seen smaller beverage glasses. 4 ice cubes and they're full. There was no salt, pepper, or any other condiment on the table, which is odd for a place where seafood is the main fare. Also, no bread or butter was offered. I got fish and chips which were pretty average, but the portions were small. My partner got a tuna melt which was better than mine, but still on the smaller side of average. If all you want is to sit at the bar and watch the surf with small drink, go to The Ellwood If you're 20 something and Tinder isn't ur thing, go to The Ellwood If you want a full meh experience, The Ellwood is the place But if you want good seafood brought to you by people who know how to serve, go anywhere else.

    Photos
    Golden Hour
    Golden Hour
    He couldn't stop eating the au gratin clam chowder long enough for me to get a photo.
    He couldn't stop eating the au gratin clam chowder long enough for me to get a photo.
    Where else can you see a view of a pier with this perspective while enjoying a bottle of Hundred Acre?!

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    Where else can you see a view of a pier with this perspective while enjoying a bottle of Hundred Acre?!

    San Setto - japanese - Updated July 2026

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