sbgirl's Profile
Opinions on Julienne in Santa Barbara
Thumbs up for Julienne, definitely. It sounds like you rkind of place. One place you might check out if you're here for lunch is the cafe at the Art Museum, on State Street. Lovely atmosphere and beautiful, thoughtful food.
Lunch in Santa Barbara
Hollister Brewing Company is close to UCSB and has great food (and beer). Stella Mare's is lovely, with delicious food but at SB/Montecito border. Those are two of our favorite lunch spots.
Santa Barbara must-try restaurants
We had lunch yesterday with our dog on the patio at Dargan's Irish Pub, downtown SB, they always welcome our pup. No pizza but their potato skins rock. Hollister Brewing Company (in Goleta, a little north of SB) has great food, excellent beer and dog friendly patio. Their pizzas are pretty good, too, although for some reason the dails special ones fall short. Their mussels app with chorizo added is my hands down favorite dish. For breakfast or lunch (cannot recall if they have a flatbread on the menu) Scarlett Begonia has great food and are very dog friendly. Since the rule about dogs on restaurant patios has relaxed recently you may have more options. Lazy Acres Market can make one of their pizzas for you and you can drive a little bit to Shoreline Park (VERY dog friendly, great views) and have a picnic. Have fun!
Santa Barbara in late March - need recommendations near the Bacara Resort
Hollister Brewing Company is a must if you are a beer drinker. Their mussels with chorizo app is my standby, their soups are amazing and the fish tacos are quite good. La Carreta is good for mexican seafood or their veggie breakfast burrito with hosue made chorizo is killer.
Central Coast- Need help with wineries... which ones am I missing out on?
Definitely Chronic, we love that place. Also please try Anglim Winery in downtown Paso Robles, at the old train station. Amazing wines, no attitude.
NYE Santa Barbara Solo
Please do not waste time at Rodney's! Good places with bars where you can eat on or near State street include Holdren's, Paradise Cafe (I used to dine there often when I was single), Petit Valentien, Intermezzo. It seems a shame to me to have dinner in an upper State Street motel...if you are going to drive, Stella Mare's has a lovely area around their fireplace where you could eat (no real bar), or their sister Le Cafe Stella does have a bar where you can eat. Also second Opal's bar, we've eaten there a few times. The bar at the Chase Restaurant on State is also a good option, great local flavor although perhaps not a gourmet must-go. But bartender Todd makes a rockin' martini! Being a 50s-ish gal myself, I think my choice were I in your shoes would be Petit Valentien. Nice atmosphere, good food at reasonable pricces (make dinner out of the apps) and an interesting wine list at very fair prices. Have fun!
Brunch on way to Santa Ynez wine tasting recs.?
My vote would be Stella Mare's. Lovely setting and terrific brunch items. If you like mussels you have to order the moules frites. I could bathe in the broth!
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Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Brunch at S.B. Biltmore - anyone been recently?
We haven't been in years and was wondering of any 'hounds can report on the current state of brunch. I called today to check price and it is at $72. I tried to make a reservation for tomorrow but nothing open until 12:30, and with it going to 1:30 I didn't think we'd have enought time to eat our money's worth. Probably a bad weekend anyhoo with the Kardashian wedding fiasco in town.
VERY small, intimate wedding at Paso Robles Winery... please help us find the right place.
We took our pup to Paso once and found a few wineries to be quite dog friendly. Tablas Creek even let him in the tasting room! If memory serves, Calcareous had a water bowl available, they have crazy views and serve food, although I do not know how late. The meal is going to be your sticking point, I think, as most do not serve food. If you wanted to put some energy into a picnic your options would be wider - DiRaimondos in Paso has great cheeses, charcuterie, etc., and the salt crusted baguettes are addictive. There is also a smalll bakery attached now. Mondo Cellars has great views and a B&B which is dog friendly only if you take the entire place over. They have full kitchen and BBQ if you wanted to cook. Toodie Jane has a good idea about local caterers. Or maybe pick up some food to go from Artisan en route? Congrats and have fun!
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Mondo
875 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476
Seagrass in SB - to go or not to go?
Julienne is a must. I have not been to the new Seagrass but friends whose recommendations I trust loved it. For Mexican, I might suggest Palapa. It is off the beaten path, but food is good and feels like you are in a small Mexican town. Also if you are up for more casual local spot Super Cuca's is always good. Another place that my friends love is Los Agaves...have not been but mean to every weekend. Would stay away from El Paseo, honestly. They have rested on their laurels for ages and while they have a talented new chef I have yet to hear of any locals who have eaten there. The cafe at the Art Museum has amazing food, although they close at 4:00. Would be well worth a lunch stop for their wine and tapas deal. We love Petit Valentien downtown, great food and incredibly reasonable and interesting wine list. Chef Robert is an interesting character, too. They have a Sunday prix fixe dinner that is supposed to be amazing for $24.95. Stella Mare's is lovely and their food is quite good, both for lunch/brunch or dinner. Great happy hour Sun-Thurs 5-6:00. Have fun!
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Super Cuca's
626 W Micheltorena St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Palapa Restaurant
4123 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Seagrass Restaurant
30 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
HELP! Need Central/ Southern Coastal California Recs!!
Nothing is really on a par with Julienne, agree with glbtrtr. That said, I would suggest you go to Stella Mare's on Tuesday early evening and catch their happy hour. The space is lovely, and their food is quite good. You could have a few apps at HH prices and add a soup or salad for a reasonable dinner. Also love Petit Valentien - excellent food at very fair prices. Wine list is remarkably well priced, not even close to the usual 3x retail. Another option might be to go to Lazy Acres or Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and get some righteous picnic fare and head to one of my favorites spots in town, Shoreline Park on the Mesa and have a picnic (be a little serruptitious about any alcohol).
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Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Santa Barbara weekend trip
Sure!
Julienne I had the foie gras torchon with cherry compote, the special asparagus soup (and it was indeed special) and for my main I had the charcuterie plate (I can't help myself). Hubby had the special cured salmon, frisee salad and the pork belly w/favas, spring onions in a vietnamese vinaigrette (subtly but good). We shared the ginger ice cream. It was a birthday dinner so we went a little wild.
For anyone reading who is unfamiliar with Julienne, they make all their oown charcuterie, cured fish and ice creams/sorbets on nitro.
I had the chopped salad at Gianfrancos, yummy but a little on the small side.
Have not eaten at Via Maestra but being Italian by marriage I must!
Santa Barbara weekend trip
Julienne, hands down. We had a terrific dinner there Thursday night, and the service is very good to boot. The young couple who own Julienne really know what they are doing. I appreciate that the menu changes every couple of days, too.
For your picnic you might want to try Lazy Acres Market, in the part of town called The Mesa. Great cheeses and deli selections, also sushi and by the seafood counter a seafood bar with killer ahi poke salad. C'est Cheese is another good call. They make sandwiches that I have not tried but look amazing, and are conveniently in the same block at a long time local bakery.
I know you said you have been to Stella Mare's but if you like mussels you may want to give them another try. I have ordered them the last 2 times we've gone and was in heaven.
Like glbtrtr, I also have heard great things about the new owners and chef at Seagrass, formerly Sage & Onion. Their menu looks interesting and may be a good choice for your seafood fix.
Petit Valentien is a gem of a place, run by Chef Robert who is a character who knows his stuff. We like to sit and eat at the bar. His wine list is very interesting and ridiculously affordable - last visit had a Jaffurs Viognier for what I recall waw a mere $30/bottle. No web site that I can find.
En route you could stop in Carpintera and go to Corktree Cellars or Gianfrancos. I have only had lunch at the latter but they get rave reviews. I have been to Ca Dario only once and although the food was wonderful the service was not, and once is all it takes for me.
You may want to poke around at this site for local restaurant news and reviews:
http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/
www.lazyacres.com
http://www.seagrassrestaurant.com/pdfs/DINNER_MENU.pdf
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Lazy Acres Market
302 Meigs Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Corktree Cellars
910 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Seagrass Restaurant
30 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Dinner in Santa Barbara Tomorrow Night (5/24/11)
So, do tell - where did you end up?
Dinner in Santa Barbara Tomorrow Night (5/24/11)
Pity. Petit Valentien is a couple of blocks away, one of our favorites. It may be less crowded than Wine Cask before the show. Enjoy Ricky Lee (and my husband's lighting)!
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Wine Cask
813 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara/Montecito: Julienne, Bouchon, where else? Criteria inside...
I don't think you'd enjoy Downey's - I found it technically capable but uninspired. Terrible ambience, important to me also, service OK but not up to par with the prices. However if yu want to feel like a young whippersnapper...
Your favorite places for breakfast in Ventura?
Thanks all. Now it has morphed into lunch at Cafe Nouveau, but will keep these suggestions for the future!
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Cafe Nouveau
1497 E Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001
Your favorite places for breakfast in Ventura?
Thanks, I used to like their Santa Barbara restos, so good tip.
Your favorite places for breakfast in Ventura?
Would love to hear where you like to go for breakfast on the weekend in Ventura. Hoping to meet with 2 other 50-something friendgirlfriends for breakast this Saturday. Thanks in advance!
Recommendations for restaurants in Paso Robles
Another enthusiastic vote for Artisan.
For picnic items, check out Di Raimondo's cheese shop in downtown Paso - and whatever you do, get the salt crusted baguettes (trust me, get an extra). The bakery adjacent looked really good, too.
Picnic at Mondo, great spot, nice vibe. Calcareous has a crazy view and new tasting room with food, tho cannot vouch for the food.
Sunday Brunch/Lunch between Cambria & Montecito? And eek, it's Easter Sunday.
and how could I forget Artisan in Paso Robles!?! I have not been for brunch but the menu always looks good. I think Ballard Inn or Root 246 in the Santa Ynez valley would be 2 other good coices.
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The Ballard Inn & Restaurant
2436 Baseline Ave, Solvang, CA 93463
Root 246
420 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463
Sunday Brunch/Lunch between Cambria & Montecito? And eek, it's Easter Sunday.
Stella Mare's in SB.Montecito is a lovely spot and has a great weekend lunch/brunch menu. My very hard to please parents always ask to go there when visiting.
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Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Downey's Santa Barbara
I wouldn't. I find it staid and stodgy.
Send them to Julienne or Petit Valentien instead.
Paso Robles Wineries
We were in the area recently and can happily recommend our repeat Paso favorites - Chronic Cellars, Anglim Winery, Tablas Creek, and in the Edna Valley Tangent-Baileyana + 3 new labels. They are making a Gruner Vetliner under one of the new label, one is Spanish wines and one just Pinot Noir.
BDay/VDay wekend in Santa Barbara. Any place we absoluetly must try?
Definitely second the recommendation for Julienne. Would add Petit Valentien to your must list too.
Amazing Destination Restaurant for Anniversary Dinner?
I would highly recommend Root 246, and the adjacent Hotel Corque has been nicely redone. You might want to see if you can get the table in the kitchen for a really special evening.
While we like staying at Sycamore Mineral Springs, I feel the food leaves a lot to be desired, and service has been less than stellar a couple of times. In SB, I second the recommendation of Julienne, terrific food and service. If you venture as far as Paso Robles, have a fabulous dinner at Artisan (there are a tons of B&Bs in the area or Hotel Cheval right downtown).
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Root 246
420 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463
Breakfast in Santa Barbara..
Beachbreak Cafe on lower State Street is a good local spot, as is Judge for Yourself on Santa Barbara Street, close to the courthouse.
I have not been but there has been much good press about Reynaud's for their croissants.
I second Stella Mare's for brunch, great food and lovely setting.
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Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Beachbreak Cafe
324 State St Ste B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Dog friendly in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland??
Reading this again, I forgot to mention Holdren's on lower State. We were able to have our dog on their patio. Also the Minnow Cafe at the harbor allows dogs at their outside-only tables.
Shoreline Park is a lovely place to walk your dog, lot of dogs and their people any hour of the day. It is another great picnic spot (grab some goodies at Lazy Acres).
.
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Holdren's
512 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Dog friendly in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland??
Brewhouse on Montecito Street is the dog-friendliest place in town on their patio. Great beer, good food, very casual.
Pierre LaFond on lower State allows your friend to be with you on the patio (I have seen dogs in chairs there).
Pacsucci on State allows your pooch to be on the sidewalk outside your table.
Palapa on upper State has patio in front that is dog friendly (unfortunatey, it is also their smoking area but not too many people here smoke anymore).
In Carp, I think your dog would be welcome at Padaro Beach Grill. I have seen many a dog outside Rudy's in Carp.
Dargan's Pub in SB allows dogs on their outdoor patio - good food and good beer.
Mesa Cafe allows dogs on their patio, last time we were there anyway.
You can always go to Hendry's beach, let your friend run loose on the beach and then picnic there.
Nordstrom is dog-friendly, fyi, if you want to shop, as is the Territory Ahead. Other pup-friendly stores are Juicy Couture, Coach, Wendy Foster.
have a great trip!
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Palapa Restaurant
4123 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Central Coast ...Brunch & Wine tasting?
I second the recommendation for Artisan in Paso, and the Santa Ynez valley has a couple of new places, most notably Root 246, Bradley Ogden'splace in Solvang. They have brunch, although I haveonly been for dinner. But they are so good consistenty, I cannot imagine bunch would dissapoint.
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Root 246
420 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463
