allegro805's Profile
source for dried crystallized kumquats?
I fell in love with these in Italy a few years back and I just had a gracious friend bring me back a tiny back from her trip. However, does anyone know of an online retail supplier?
I can check my local (small) Asian market, but I don't think I've seen them there. The only sources online that I've seen are large wholesale firms direct from China or Taiwan. Help!
Uni in Santa Barbara area?
I'm not speaking with any absolute authority here -- I enjoy Uni, and I only assume that any I get at local restaurants is harvested locally (that would make sense, but I guess you never know). For lunch, you might want to try:
- Deli Sushi A Go-Go, VERY casual place just under Brophy Bros at the Harbor. Not sure they have Uni on the menu daily (or at all) even though it's just steps away from where they unload the Uni from the boats.
- Ahi Sushi on Upper State (south side of street betw. San Roque & Hitchcock Way); this is an excellent place.
- Sushi Teri House on Bath Street betw Carrillo & Figueroa. Basic place, nice atmosphere if you sit on the deck on a nice day, but not 5-star.
I'd recommend calling any of these places on the day in question just to make sure they'll even have Uni on the menu for lunch. It's never guaranteed. Find phone numbers from the listings at http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/.
A couple other sushi places I would recommend (Arigato, Edomasa) don't serve lunch.
great pizza in santa barbara ?
It depends on what your baseline is for "great pizza" -- there's no equivalent of the "cheap but excellent" slices you can get on every other block in the Northeast, but some suggestions:
* Agree on Gino's on Figueroa being pretty darn good.
* I actually really like California Pizza Kitchen's thin crust Neapolitan-style Margherita
* Petrini's is not half bad and a sort of fun old-fashioned family-style atmosphere.
* Good to know that Paesano's is still there... I only tried it once about 8 years ago soon after it opened.
Debate: tea at your workstation?
That teastick looks fabulous! I may need to splurge on it at some point ($18 seems a bit steep). I often use a mesh ball stick infuser at home, but the ball is a bit big for some of my work mugs. I bring a thermos of (loose leaf, strained) tea in the morning and if I need another bev in the afternoon, I either use a high quality bag or get coffee.
New to Santa Barbara - What's fine and what's cheap?
I believe Tio Alberto's hasn't been in IV for many years now.....
seeking succulent rabbit in SB
Forgive me, but this reply is more or less useless, though the sentiment is appreciated. "You'll know it when you see it"? I actually can't imagine what you might be referring to at all.
In any case, I don't have any recommendations from personal experience, but you may want to call Bouchon, Square One, Sage & Onion, or Petit Valentien, which are the most likely to ever have braised rabbit as a special or on one of their changing, seasonal menus.
Cieveche in SB
Thanks for the report. From their web menu, looks like their ceviche is halibut and salmon -- I'd be curious to try it, though I think I prefer white fish to salmon for ceviche. I've wanted to check out Bay Cafe for quite some time, and this prompts me to check it out in the next few weeks.
Cieveche in SB
I get it most often at Los Arroyos, so I'm glad that worked for you, though yes, the fish is more flaked than chunks.
I haven't had it there, but I'd check El Bajio on Milpas, and if they don't have ceviche, the shrimp cocktail is pretty good. If you get out to Goleta, there's a little place tucked in the Kmart center (closer to Storke Road though) called "La Carreta" which specializes in seafood and used to have ceviche on the menu. I believe it was made with fish, shrimp, and octopus.
Santa Barbara (need Rec.'s) [Moved from Los Angeles Area board]
Did you have a price range in mind, and how old are the kids?
Italian:
- Pascucci is great for a simple dinner with kids, and the food is perfectly fine but not spectacular (certainly not "terrible"). However, I would avoid Palazzio. You might also enjoy The Chase on State Street if you're not expecting top tier cuisine.
- More upscale with better food, but probably not great for young kids: Ca' Dario & Olio e Limone (both on Victoria St.).
Other:
- Natural Cafe on State is good casual, inexpensive dining with a wide-ranging menu, no table service (order at a counter).
- Paradise Cafe is one of the best places for out of towners, and consistently good (but simple food). I absolutely disagree with glbtrtr that it's unremarkable. Almost everyone loves it.
Breakfast, etc:
- There's a place just above the freeway on State called I think Beachbreak Cafe. Perfectly OK.
- Kids might love breakfast and/or lunch at Shoreline Cafe on Cabrillo; simple burger/grill food right on the beach (or on the deck overlooking).
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch...yuck
Like glbttr, I enjoy the Ranch now and then for quick and easy take-out also. I'm not sure what "not very fresh" means if one can see them grilling the dozens of chickens and tri-tip right there behind the counter. As far as I know, the chicken burritos are made with hacked chicken from the grill -- not a stewpot in sight -- but I could be wrong. No, it's not "dining", and I wouldn't compare with La Super Rica or El Bajio on Milpas... but I don't think the Ranch is going for an "authentic" Mexican cuisine in any case. Sorry to hear you didn't like it at all.
Regaring El Pollo Loco -- I wouldn't compare anything to a place if I had to "imagine" what the comparison is like.
One night alone in Santa Barbara. What should I eat?
What's your beef? I'll tell all my food savvy friends that they're totally deluded.
So, while we're at it, what IS the best restaurant in SB currently, pray tell?
Everyday luxuries?
If it's truly an everyday habit, I say no sense skimping on tea (my drink du jour) or coffee. Life is too short to sip American Lipton or Folgers.
I usually make mine at home, but I can sympathize with those who order $4 lattes!!
Unfortunately, most of my other foodie habits also feel like "everyday luxuries" as well, but I'll stop with tea/coffee.
Food gifts for Zurich friends from northern Calif.
I'd go with some beautiful artisanal olives or olive oil (though that may present the same problem as wine -- potentially breakable and heavy?). Nuts are a great idea -- especially nuts that are typically American like pecans or pistachios. I'd also recommend locally-produced farm honeys (something that's only avail in California, such as Sage, Avocado Blossom, or Star Thistle honey).
If your friends are into Chinese duck, maybe there's an Asian market where you can pick up condiments and things they can't get in Switz.? Hard to tell what they can't get now that all kinds of ingredients are so widely available.
I personally think anything that's locally produced and labeled as such makes a thoughtful gift. If you have a farmers' market or food shop that stocks such things near you, I'd browse there for good ideas.
One night alone in Santa Barbara. What should I eat?
Not sure if you've come and gone from SB yet, but if I had to recommend just ONE place to have a single dinner, it would be hard to choose between the Hungry Cat and La Super Rica. They're VERY different experiences: one is hip, urban dining (but not intimidating or full of attitude) and the other is a very simple, paper plate taco bar, but VERY Californian. If you could manage both at all, I'd recommend the Cat for dinner and a lunch at Super Rica (I'd never walk to Super Rica -- it's not "dangerous" but would be confusing and a long walk; very easy to taxi to/from if you call a taxi to arrange pickup).
The Hungry Cat is easily the best restaurant in Santa Barbara right now, with a seasonal menu, great seafood, and excellent drinks. A seat at the bar would be a perfect experience. Table service can be just slightly inattentive, but at the bar, you should be well taken care of.
There are many other options and I agree with several of the recommendations already posted, but
Dessert Santa Barbara?
I personally enjoy the dessert menu (different every day) and coffee/tea at the Soujourner on Canon Perdido (near Santa Barbara Street). They have everything from vegan fruit crisps to nice pies, puddings, and cakes. Would be excellent to share a couple. They veer toward the more healthful than totally decadent and buttercream-laden, but it's really not as "granola" as you might think. My favorite place for lingering over dessert.
Other favorites:
- Cafe Buenos Aires: Panqueque de Dulce De Leche or Panqueque de Manzana.
- Pacific Crepes dessert crepes (check with them regarding closing time)
- Chocolate Bread Pudding at the Hungry Cat is EXCELLENT (it's the only dessert they serve): you might be able to snag two seats at the bar just for dessert & coffee depending on what time you get there.
- Via Maestra, 42 on upper State St also has good desserts and selection of gelato (gelato is not made in house) and it's a very cozy setting.
New to Santa Barbara - What's fine and what's cheap?
Still out there? There are a lot of places to discover even though this is a small town that's lacking some of the "ethnic" menu diversity in the Bay Area & LA (could really use some good Ethiopian, affordable Middle Eastern, etc.). Feel free to ask for more specific requests. Glbtrtr gave some good ones, and I would add my faves below:
Indian: Naan Stop in Isla Vista is suprisingly good and CHEAP; I also like Spice Avenue on State Street better than the other places in town.
Vietnamese: Saigon In-and-Out on Milpas.
Mexican: so many places. Super Rica as mentioned is a MUST. Also, Del Pueblo on Hollister (Magnolia Shopping center betw Turnpike & Patterson, near UCSB) is good, as are both locations of Los Arroyos (downtown-Figueroa and Montecito-Coast Village Rd).
Sushi/Japanese: my favorite, and very affordable, is Edomasa on upper De La Vina (near Alamar). Takenoya on Calle Real (near Fairview) in Goleta is also good, and both have large menu selections, especially "izakaya"-style appetizer small plates. Arigato is the high-end Japanese place in town and worth the prices for a 'splurge'.
My favorite hidden gem recently is "Le Bon Cafe" on Canon Perdido & Santa Barbara Sts.: it's sort of no-frills counter service (but also no attitude), but the food is absolutely excellent, especially the fish dishes, and the cakes on offer for dessert are pretty great too.
Feel free to ask for any specific recommendations. There is a lot here to explore, and we haven't even gotten into fine dining yet... if you're a newcomer, I'm happy to recommend just about anything you want to know about.
Company Holiday Dinner, SB
Replied to you on the other Blue Agave thread, but now I'm curious: What are "all the usual places" you've been to in past years? I can only guess (this isn't a big town), but give us something to work with here ;-)
What's Killer in Santa Barbara? [moved from Los Angeles board]
Also, for Mexican, I'd highly recommend Los Arroyos on Coast Village Road in Montecito (this is not the downtown SB Figueroa St. location). Nice setting and good basic mex menu, with good specials and full bar.
What's Killer in Santa Barbara? [moved from Los Angeles board]
Not sure whether you or your son have dined at all in SB yet, but the following would be excellent:
- Paradise Cafe is a great setting (outdoor & indoor seating) with consistently good grilled meats, fish, and some pasta dishes. Everyone should go here at least once, and I like to take out of town guests there as it is "typical Santa Barbara", but very tasteful and good "basic" simple, well-prepared food.
- Ca' Dario & Olio e Limone get high marks for Italian and definitely in your price range, though both are quiet (not super formal, yet not very casual) settings.
- For seafood, I'd highly recommend Brophy Bros at the harbor. Fun, popular, and consistently good seafood specials and also basics like cioppino. Get there early; typical 30-60 minute wait for a table; they don't take reservations.
- Steakhouse you may want to hit either Chuck's or Holdren's, though Holdren's gets pricey.
To check prices, I'd recommend looking up menus on the internet if available.
Blue Agave SB?
Like I said, I haven't eaten at Blue Agave for a couple years, but you should drop in for a meal before you book a party. Depending on the size of your group, Bouchon has a small private room that would be excellent, and I'm not sure what the quality of the Sage & Onion is lately, but that's another option very close by which has gotten consistently high marks in the past.
From LAX to PDX - My week in Portland
Your post was extremely helpful for my very, very brief weekend in Portland. Just updated with a report on my great dining experience as well (link below). Viva Portland!
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/451049
[PDX] 3 days - Downtown Recommendations?
UPDATE: Just a quick update on our brief, two-night trip.
SAT: dinner at Pok Pok was excellent, and so glad we went there. As I had never been to Portland, I wasn't sure how easy it would be navigating between downtown and the east side, but it was so easy and non-stressful getting around. We had the broken crepe with mussels, papaya salad, roast chicken, and curried pork belly/shoulder (this last dish was sublimely tender and flavorful). Everything was delectable, and the cocktails were great and original (I had the tamarind whisky sour). Condensed-milk ice cream/coffee affogato with doughnut was a perfect dessert.
SUN: Enjoyed good, basic breakfasts (apple french toast & brie/mushroom omelette) at Besaw's on Savier/NW 23rd and it was a good jumping off point to explore that neighborhood.
Dinner that night at Clyde Common was quite sublime, and I'll echo the raves it's gotten (to SauceSupreme: I agree that it evokes the aesthetic and menu of the Santa Barbara branch of The Hungry Cat). I couldn't resist trying the delicious beef tongue hash with poached egg, and we also had the butternut squash/gorgonzola ravioli and seared black cod with eggplant puree and roasted peppers. The fish was absolutely perfect, as was dessert: a divinely silky vanilla panna cotta with a light apricot/cherry compote.
We hit Jam's on Hawthorne for an average, but very tasty breakfast with super-friendly service before leaving town Monday. I was sorry not to get to Silk/Pho Van or Toro Bravo, but I'm definitely looking forward to a return visit. And I'm again with SauceSupreme in terms of being very tempted to check out the rental listings. The city -- at least at brief glance -- was incredibly accessible and enjoyable, so I'm envious of all you lucky Portlanders.
Blue Agave SB?
Haven't been there for a couple of years. It's definitely somewhat of a cocktail "scene", but it's a nice space, and it's generally busy, so I have a feeling the food is still consistently good (it's been around 10+ years now -- which can say something in this town), but probably won't blow you away (depending where your home base is).
[PDX] 3 days - Downtown Recommendations?
OK, I've definitely done a bit of my own research, but I'm just fishing for a couple more suggestions. 2 late 30s guys, neither has been to Portland, (one from SF, one from Santa Barbara) will be coming up Saturday-Monday. Staying at the Downtown Hilton (SW 6th) and hoping to find food/drink within walking distance of the hotel (we're urban walkers, so a generous 1-mile radius is easily walking distance).
Thinking of dinner one night (Sat or Sun) at Clyde Common and lunch Sunday at Silk.
Need recommendation for (A) one more dinner & (B) breakfasts (bakery/cafe ok)
- Curious about Toro Bravo & Pok Pok, but is it worth attempting either drive if we don't know our way around?
- In downtown, considering Pazzo, Murata or Hiroshi
- Any great tapas downtown?
- dinner price range: we want to keep our second dinner kind of reasonable (
Thanks in advance.
Santa Barbara N. Italian gets competition
"Ersatz"? Really?
I'd love to try Capriccio, if only because I'm tired of spending $17 for a plate of pasta.
Best Bean & Cheese Burrito in Santa Barbara?!
I've only been there for breakfast a couple times and enjoyed it. I thought I remembered reading that their crepes were actually more in the tradition of the galette de Bretagne -- a buckwheat crepe. The service, however, is trés European: not a smile cracked or a (fake?) greeting chirped, ever. This reminds me that I want to make a return visit, because I do like the food for a change of pace.
Best Bean & Cheese Burrito in Santa Barbara?!
In addition to "El Bajio", I really enjoy "Los Arroyos" (2 locations: downtown Figueroa betw State & Chapala and Montecito far southern end of Coast Village Road). I'm sure they have bean/cheese burritos.
At Super Rica, your niece might enjoy the plain gordita -- just beans wrapped in corn dough (no cheese though).
And yes, Pacific Crepes is still on Anacapa (1 block parallel to State) between De La Guerra & Cota (across from Paradise Cafe).
Notable names in cooking show history?
Her name was actually Kathy Hoshijo. Would be interesting to see her recipes 20 years later! I like the fact that she always imparted some pearl of wisdom at the end of each show, voiced over a visual of her walking on the beach. I think that show was ahead of its time.
See link here: http://www.oasistv.com/screeningroom/kathy-holiday.asp
Central American in Santa Barbara?
I was sad to learn the Salvadorean place "Cuzcatlán" (upper De La Vina) closed a couple months ago. It was a great place for things you can't normally find here in SB: pupusas, fried yuca, fried plantain, refresco de marañon...
Good Mexican food definitely abounds here, but does anyone know of other places that serve any Central American dishes -- especially pupusas? I really grew to love pupusas, and I'm sad Cuzcatlán couldn't make a go of it.
Also, any news on what is planned for the former Hibachi/Las Brisas on Milpas? Is Hibachi coming back?
Quick- best little eats in Santa Barbara?
Went back to Sushi Teri on Bath for the first time in years this past weekend (to take advantage of the GREAT outdoor dining). It's good. My favorite for Japanese is still Edomasa, which has some great dinner specials as well. Very reasonable and I find the food great.
