Excellent food and attentive table service at a beautiful location made this meal something we'd…read moredefinitely introduce to friends when they come to town as an essential Santa Barbara experience!

The Revere Room is the Miramar's casual all-day restaurant, and I'm guessing most of the people who…read moreeat there are guests of the hotel. We only went because we needed somewhere to get lunch for a party of six on Thanksgiving Day and the first couple places we thought to call were closed. We realized we might have better luck with hotel restaurants and were relieved when someone at the Revere Room picked up the phone. We said we'd be there in about half an hour and asked if we should make a reservation, and the person on the line said there was no need, as we should be able to walk in. I was pretty annoyed when we showed up as promised and the restaurant was completely full. Like I understand that the staff can't predict what will happen between noon and 12:30 on Thanksgiving Day, but this did seem foreseeable, and they should have taken our name down since we'd told them we were coming. I told the host what had happened, and she just kind of smiled and acted like she hadn't heard me. No apology, and we waited, with two young kids and their grandparents, for forty minutes. Service was fine once we sat down, and the patio setting was nice. The menu was basic California coastal, nothing exciting but something for everyone. I got the Central Coast Cobb, a hearty salad with Santa Ynez greens, grilled organic chicken breast, crispy bacon, Munak Ranch soft boiled egg, avocado, tomato, goat cheese, and honey dijon vinaigrette. I liked it, and it kept me full enough until Thanksgiving dinner. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back to the Revere Room, which feels like it mostly exists to feed hotel guests. I'm glad we had somewhere to go with my parents and kids, though, even if they were snooty about making us wait.

Stonehouse continues to be one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Santa Barbara area. Every…read morevisit reminds me why it's such a special destination. From the stunning grounds to the impeccable service and beautifully executed food, the entire experience feels luxurious without being pretentious. If you're celebrating a special occasion, it's hard to imagine a better setting. I chose Stonehouse for my birthday this year, and they made the evening feel incredibly memorable. Our server, I believe her was Amy, was absolutely fantastic. she was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made me feel celebrated throughout the meal. It's the kind of hospitality that elevates an already wonderful dinner into something unforgettable. I ordered the lychee mocktail which was refreshing with a perfect balance of sweetness, and my server smoked it table side for me. It was such a thoughtful gesture for my birthday. We started with the assortment of fresh breads served alongside really high quality olive oil, which were delicious on their own. Shortly after, we were treated to an amuse bouche which was a delicate whipped lobster nestled inside a slice of cucumber. It was light, elegant, and a wonderful way to begin the meal. The Grilled Yellow Peach and Burrata Salad was another standout. The sweetness of the peaches paired beautifully with the creamy burrata, creating a refreshing and well balanced appetizer that felt perfect for the season. For our entree, we shared the Beef Wellington for Two, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The pastry was beautifully golden and flaky, while the beef was cooked perfectly and remained incredibly tender. The sauce also made it very pleasant. Every component of the dish felt thoughtfully prepared. It also came with the Signature Mashed Potatoes. It was unbelievably rich and indulgent. At first it seemed a little watery, but after letting it sit for a few minutes, it thickens slightly and became perfectly smooth and velvety. By the end of dinner, I was completely satisfied, but they had one final surprise for me. The team presented me with a beautiful birthday dessert, a thoughtful gesture that perfectly capped off an already exceptional celebration. Beyond the food, the property itself is breathtaking. The beautifully landscaped grounds and elegant dining spaces create an atmosphere that's both romantic and timeless. Every detail feels intentional, making the experience feel truly special from the moment you arrive. Stonehouse consistently delivers one of the finest dining experiences in the Santa Barbara area. Between the impeccable service, outstanding cuisine, gorgeous setting, and thoughtful hospitality, it's a place I find myself returning to time and time again.

Matt B. and I went to Stonehouse the night we got engaged, back in 2012. The restaurant and…read moreproperty were beautiful, and we had a wonderful romantic dinner on the patio. We went back a few weeks ago, for Matt's 43rd birthday, and found a completely different restaurant. I guess at some point, San Ysidro Ranch went all-inclusive, and Stonehouse started serving a mostly captive clientele: hotel guests who've already paid for dinner. This is fine if you're staying at the Ranch, but if you remember The Stonehouse as a fancy special occasion restaurant with a high level of service, your impression is out of date. The astronomical prices may suggest otherwise, but keep in mind that most diners aren't really paying those anyway. We went on a drizzly Tuesday night and sat inside, missing out on the scenic patio. The dining room was nice, though, very stately, and as parents ourselves, we were not put out by the number of children in the room, the families sitting down for a casual weeknight dinner. We were surprised, though, when we tried to order drinks and our waiter asked to see our IDs. My husband presented his license, which showed very clearly that it was his 43rd birthday. The waiter had no comment on this, and instead turned his attention to me, Matt's 40-year-old wife. I didn't have ID on me, and he refused to take my drink order. We weren't about to have an expensive birthday dinner without alcohol, so we got up to drive home and pick up my license. But first, I decided to try my luck with a manager. Because look, I understand that I should've had my wallet, but also, I hadn't been carded at a restaurant in years. I told this to the manager, and suggested they tell customers in advance to make sure to bring ID. Instead of explaining that he needed to be careful because The Stonehouse served families with teenagers, he said it was the law, and that every restaurant should be carding aggressively. This was so disingenuous I more or less asked if he'd ever been to a restaurant. I also offered to show him a scan of my passport and the picture Matt and I took at The Stonehouse the night we got engaged in 2012, well after I turned seven. He relented, and we were reseated without having to produce my license. I didn't hold any of this against our waiter, but we were assigned a new one anyway, and received middling service for the duration of our meal. For one thing, we asked for help picking a bottle from the massive wine book, and it took the somm an actual half hour to pay us a visit. We were done with our appetizers and had checked in with our waiter twice by the time he made his way over. The other annoyance was that no one acknowledged Matt's birthday, despite the time we spent litigating birthdays, during which I mentioned quite pointedly that we were there for his 43rd. I even told a server who checked in on me before dessert while Matt was in the bathroom, and he said he'd make sure there was a candle in our tart. Not the end of the world, but this did not happen. The drinks, when we got them, were great, starting with cocktails, which almost tided us over until we received our wine. These were $33 a pop and kind of ridiculous, smoked tableside with a showy gadget. The Negroni Tropicale was made with grilled pineapple-infused No. 3 dry gin, Campari, Carpano Antica, and orange zest, then smoked with pecan wood. The French Quarter mixed Bardstown Ferrand Cognac-cask bourbon, Zaya 16-year rum, Benedictine, oloroso sherry, dry vermouth, and orange bitters, and was smoked with bourbon oak wood. For wine, we got a bottle of 2020 Vietti Monvigliero Barolo. This was excellent, and also a bit of a win. The bottle was barely marked up from retail, and we'll never know if The Stonehouse has exceptionally favorable wine prices or we were served the wrong vintage on accident. Food was solid, starting with Maine lobster salad in tiny phyllo cups, a nice welcome bite. Bread basket came with pumpkin seed lavash pumpkin seed, sourdough, and rice flour rolls, with olive oil for dipping. We enjoyed a half-dozen oysters with pickled Asian pear mignonette, and Japanese yellowtail crudo with pixie tangerine, purple radish, seagrass, and shiro dashi vinaigrette. Acorn squash agnolotti were lovely, with black truffle, toasted pecans, morel mushrooms, and a goat cheese fondue. The duck a l'orange came with a show, the sauce flambéed tableside on portable burner. A lot of magic tricks on this menu, perhaps for the kids. The duck breast was good, though, over barley pilaf with Tokyo turnips, herbes de Provence, Cara Cara orange, and Grand Marnier. The herb-crusted rack of lamb was decent too, served with lamb sausage, Tuscan kale, crispy polenta, and violet mustard. For dessert, we shared the orchard Meyer lemon tart with blueberry compote and wildflower honey and lavender Chantilly. The food was a strong A-, but not worth the money or the sub-par experience. Unless you're staying on property, avoid The Stonehouse.

Super great atmosphere! Even loved their Spotify playlist while enjoying some truly INCREDIBLE…read morefood! The hostess Elli is so kind and welcoming. The wife and I will definitely becoming back again!

The Shop Brunch is this interesting little restaurant that is located just off of an auto shop…read more Thus, their name, The Shop Brunch. The way this restaurant works is that you go up to the front window, you place your order, you go and sit down, and the order is brought out to you. Pretty simple. It's important to note, however, that this is a popular café. So, particularly on peak hours, you're probably going to have to wait to put in your order. That's just an FYI. In terms of seating, they have a large outdoor patio space. There's a lot of tables there, so you should have no problem getting a seat, weather permitting. This area has tarps over it, so you do have some protection from the sun. But, depending on the weather, you may or may not like sitting there. Personally, I always like to sit outside at this restaurant. They do have some interior seating. It's fairly limited, but they do have a few tables. So, if you're lucky enough, and you want to sit inside, you may be able to grab one of these tables to sit at for your meal. In terms of their food, it's basically Americana, with a little bit of a southwestern twist. Overall, it's pretty good. They also have all of the expected drinks: your coffees, your lattes, your soft drinks, and all of that kind of stuff. Overall, this is an interesting take on a café in the Santa Barbara area. If you're into a casual environment, this is a fun place to eat.

Fantastic first experience at Caruso's last month! The ocean view was beautiful, with the…read moreindoor/outdoor vibes, plenty of heaters for warmth, a live pianist playing, and the service was excellent. It is worth mentioning that it takes a little time and is a little challenging getting to the restaurant from the valet area, for those who might be a little physically challenged or slower moving. I do believe that they have an elevator to take you down to the restaurant level though! Reservation-wise they have two options, the four course Prix Fixe menu (which I chose) and a three hour Chef's Tasting Menu. For my menu, I was able to select from about 3-4 options in every course, and there were some available add ons as well. I loved the La Mora Messicana NA Cocktail, it paired nicely with all of my dishes and still felt fun and margarita-esque. Of all the dishes I ate during the evening, the standout for me was the Yolk Gnocchetti Sardi Risotti with Stephanie's Uni Santa Barbara Abalone, Yuzu, and Caviar. It somehow combined all of my favorite things and made what felt like a comfort dish, but elevated. The Chef's Bites at the beginning and end were also delicious, I loved the little blueberry tart. I would definitely return for another meal here, and recommend it to friends or family.

Came here on a Saturday night with my mom and overall had a really lovely experience…read more Even though we didn't stay at the hotel, the service throughout the property immediately stood out. When our Lyft arrived, employees rushed over to open the doors, and when we asked where the restaurant was, the front desk employee actually stepped away from the desk to personally point us in the right direction. The walk to the restaurant is a bit long since it overlooks the beach, but it was a beautiful night and ended up feeling relaxing and special. (Particularly on the way back when we were full from the tasting menu) I just wouldn't wear uncomfy heels. One interesting touch: we overheard the hostess offering another couple the option to put their phones away for the evening so they could fully experience dinner distraction-free. I ended up keeping mine away too and honestly enjoyed being more present during the meal. As a side note, another couple took photos of every meal and there didn't appear to be a stigma regardless. We did the tasting menu, and our waiter was fantastic with recommendations. All the staff was great, honestly. What stood out most to me compared to other Michelin-starred restaurants I've visited was the focus on seasonal ingredients and vegetables. That night featured Harry's berries and asparagus throughout several dishes. My favorite was probably the burrata with Harry's berries and rhubarb. There are quite a few optional upgrades throughout the tasting menu, including caviar and upgraded steak options, but we only added the chocolate bar selection at the end, which was excellent. I also appreciated the atmosphere. You could hear the waves crashing through the open doors, but it still stayed warm and comfortable inside. The noise level was lively without being overwhelming, and the recently added piano really elevated the experience. Some dishes seemed to sing to the symphony. Overall, I wouldn't say it was the best meal I've ever had, but I absolutely would return. Several dishes highlighted the ingredients so beautifully that I'd love to come back during another season to try a different menu. Solid experience and felt more or less felt worth the price.

We found this gem right on East Beach in Santa Barbara. There were both beachfront patio and…read moreindoor dining options and they somehow perfectly combined casual oceanfront dining with an outstanding menu. Make sure to make a reservation for outdoor seating. We were served by the lovely Harvey, who was warm, welcoming and made us feel right at home. Thank you Harvey! We ordered the deviled eggs which were out of this world, the best French onion soup in town, delicious miso garlic noodles and a Cobb salad. Every dish was delicious and full of wonderful flavors. In addition they had an extensive cocktail menu. We highly recommend this lovely casual spot.

Before I start this review, I wanna let you know that I was so looking forward to experiencing this…read moreestablishment. My friend who is a doctor in Santa Barbara and highly regarded and his wife made a reservation for us with my 7 pound dog because this establishment is dog friendly. I want it to be known that we are retired. We are not rabble-rousers. But from beginning to end the service and the food and everything was so poor including management that I had to write this review. But I wanted to put it in context so you would understand the situation. This is a beach restaurant and very popular. They were waiting lines to get in. And because it's so dog friendly, there are a lot of dogs there. I don't have any problem with the dogs who were there even though some of them were not well-behaved. My problem is with the management, the service, and the food. I would also like to mention that the bathrooms are public. So you can imagine the condition they are in by dinner time. Now maybe the restaurant does not control this as it is located on a public beach. But be forewarned. This is how I started my evening in a filthy bathroom. When we sat down, we ordered $100 bottle of wine called Austin Hope. It's a Cabernet Sauvignon that is particularly tasteful. When the waiter brought the bottle, it was the wrong one. Now when you order a 15 or $20 bottle of wine, I can see how you might make a mistake because there's probably so many of them. But when you order $100 bottle of wine, you expect someone to pay attention. We pointed it out to the waiter, and he returned with the correct bottle of wine. I ordered the cioppino and my companions ordered the short rib and the other one ordered a salad. I would say it was easily 150 $200 worth of food. When my Ciappino arrived, the waiter presented it with a napkin as if it were hot, but it was stone cold. I don't mean warm I mean cold. How could he make that mistake when he was picking it up with a cloth? My other companion's food was fine so I asked them to please eat. Finally, my food arrived, and when it did, I mistakenly thought they had microwaved the food to reheat it because it was so much hotter than the plate that I had before. I complained, and then I changed my mind after I tasted the seafood because it appeared to be fresh and not reheated. I apologized for my mistake and we continued our meal. Now the bottle of wine that we ordered was 1000 mL bottle of wine, which is unusually large. So it took us a minute to get through it. By the time we finished our bottle, we were just having pleasant conversation and beginning to wrap things up. The manager came over and asked us to leave as we had spent too much time at the table. When we showed our displeasure, he then backtracked and said oh that's not what I said you were mistaken. But everyone at the table heard him ask us to leave. Now I don't know about the average beach goer, but I bet they're not dropping $400 when they come in for a meal. But even if they all are, that's not the point. From beginning to end our service was horrible. The food was horrible. That management was horrible and I will never go back there again and I urge you not to go there again.

We come here a few times a year, food is always delicious, drinks on point and service is warm and…read moreunpretentious. The ambience is comfortable, casual and unpretentious as well. I always get the filet, he always gets the New York, we order the escargot (always yummy), delicious sides, and any yummy looking specials. My husband is an amazing chef and is the only place or person to come close to replicating Peter Lugers Porterhouse, but when he wants a night off from spoiling us at home, there are a few places that satisfies his palate for SB steaks. We come to Lucky's or Tee Off (yes I said Tee Off, deal with it). Only real criticism is that their steaks are way overpriced and you get less bang for your buck than places like Maestros or Boa, and dare I say, that I love Ruth's Chris too ( yes, I said it). But it's Montecito so the prices are to be expected, and we always have lovely time so just have fun and treat yourselves! See you all soon!

AMAZING experience from the entire staff and all the food was delish here!…read more Why Lucky's? Their steak is HIGHLY recommended (period) Parking: 4/5 There's valet parking or tons of street parking here Food: 4.5/5 Haven't had a filet mignon this tender and flavorful in quite some time! Their steak sauce almost like chimichurri is fire too Service 4.5/5 All staff was amazing throughout the entire experience

My favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but I really…read moreenjoyed sitting in their outdoor area! It was a cute area, and we could enjoy the nice weather! Loved the vibes here! All of the dishes we had here were a hit! They start you off with some complimentary Dill Pickle Popcorn. It's seasoned with allspice, turmeric, garlic, and chili flakes. A fun little appetizer to get your tastebuds ready! Dishes are meant to be shared, and four was a perfect amount of two people. We got the "Tutti Frutti Farms" Roasted Beet Salad. It had strawberries, whipped goat ricotta, salted pistachio, and nastrurtium. Such gorgeous presentation, and a nice bright and fresh dish to begin the meal. Next we had the Jidori Chicken Liver Mousse. Loved this! It had roasted blueberries, hazelnut praline, lemon thyme, and grilled sourdough. Such a perfect combination of flavors and textures! We also had Crispy Brussel Sprouts. These were probably some of the best Brussels sprouts I've ever had! The savory sesame and garum paired with sweetness from the dates, a crunch from the puffed wild rice, and some tartness from the lime were incredible together! Another amazing dish! Lastly, we had the Handmade Rigatoni Pasta. It had sugar snap peas, maitake mushrooms, piedmont white truffle butter, parmesan, and pea tendrils. While this dish was good, it did feel a little more ordinary than the other three dishes we had. Would recommend the Roasted Beet Salad, Chicken Liver Mousse, and Brussels Sprouts first! For a drink, I got the Tea Time, which has strawberry, peach, ginger, rosemary, and tea. It's under the "Free-Spirited"/Mocktail menu, and it was refreshing! Can't wait to come back on my next visit to Santa Barbara!

During a weekend getaway to Santa Barbara, a friend and I had dinner at The Lark after hearing…read moregreat things about the oysters and fried chicken. Those recommendations gave us an easy place to start, and neither dish disappointed. We were seated on the outdoor patio beneath the trees, surrounded by greenery and warm string lights. It felt comfortable and intimate, especially as evening settled in. This would be a great setting for a date night, dinner with friends, or anyone who prefers a lively restaurant without sacrificing conversation. A generous bowl of seasoned popcorn arrived first and disappeared quickly. It was crisp, savory, and a fun alternative to the usual bread basket. We ordered several rounds of the West Coast oysters, served ice cold with lemongrass and Thai chili granita. They were fresh and briny, with enough brightness and subtle heat from the granita to complement them without overpowering their natural flavor. Oyster lovers should put these at the top of the order. The fried chicken was another standout. The crust was deeply crisp while the chicken remained juicy, and the creamy grits underneath made it especially satisfying. Scallions and plenty of house-made pickles brought freshness and acidity to the plate, balancing the richer elements. This is a substantial dish and an ideal one to share. The menu lends itself well to ordering a few plates for the table, which worked perfectly for us. We paired dinner with wine and appreciated being able to take our time rather than feeling rushed through the meal. The Lark delivered exactly what we wanted from a Santa Barbara dinner: excellent oysters, a fried chicken dish worth sharing, an inviting patio, and a relaxed evening over good food and wine. I would gladly order both dishes again.

Loved The Daisy! Great spot for a wonderful lunch. The ambiance is relaxed and bright. Perfect for…read morea summer brunch with the girls. The patio is perfection. I ordered the tarragon chicken sandwich (it was delicious! It was flavorful and fresh- the perfect amount of mayo, on soft sourdough bread) and shared the hummus plate. The hummus is a MUST BUY! It was tangy, smooth, and the bread was garlicky and warm. Loved this appetizer! There was a summer spritz on the menu that was refreshing, ice cold, and not too boozy. Wonderfully balanced and completed the meal.

I have been to The Daisy many times and I am never disappointed! The food is so fresh and flavorful…read moreand the portions are generous! My favorites are: The little gems salad with chicken added. You have to get the green goddess dressing! They make it in house and it's the bomb!! The bahn mi sandwich. It has house made tender brisket, fresh pickled veg on a baguette. So delicious! You can also get it as a salad! You'll never even miss the bread! The Daisy burger. Big meaty patty, with melty cheese, piled high with lettuce, tomato and red onion with a special sauce on a buttery brioche bun! You can really sink your teeth into this one! It also comes with a generous portion of perfectly crispy on the outside tender on the inside fries! Mmm mmm!!! They get really busy so come early!! Definitely a must try!