Santa Barbara Restaurants
 

We will be spending a long weekend at the 4 Seasons in Santa Barbara for my 50th birthday and are looking for special restaurants in the area. Romantic, local food, great service, etc. Also, any advice on restaurants for lunch to stop at on our drive from San Francisco airport to Santa Barbara would be great (ie Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur). Thanks.

One of my favorite places in SB is the Palace Grill for Cajun/Creole food. I think it's on Cota, just a block off State St.
For great food and a great wine list with nice atmosphere, try the Wine Cask...can't go wrong.
Also the Enterprize Fish Co, on State near the train station.
A short drive south will bring you to "Cava" in the Coast Village area of Monticeto.
I've been impressed with the food of the places on Stearns Wharf, but the view is great.

The Stonehouse at the San Ysidro Ranch is a top choice with a great outdoor setting, make sure you make reservations well in advance. The Ranch is only 10 minutes away from the Biltmore.
http://www.sanysidroranch.com/dine1.cfm

My wife and I enjoyed the Biltmore
last August. Another choice is sitting outside at Bella Vista at the Biltmore as you will have a great view of the ocean.
Downey's is suppose to be another top restaurant. We never ate here because of the average menu and atmosphere.

If you drive through Carmel around breakfast time I would highly recommend eating at Katy's Place as its the best breakfast in Carmel.
http://www.katysplacecarmel.com/

The Wine Cask in Santa Barbara is very nice for a celebratory restaurant. In the Carmel area, check out the California Market @ the Highland's Inn for lunch, in Monterey we like Schooner's Bistro @ the Plaza and in Big Sur, Cielo at the Ventana Inn & Spa.

Enjoy your trip! ***kim*** ((f))

I second the recommendation for the Palace Grill - food was excellent, service was great. http://www.palacegrill.com/

For a restaurant in a unique location, check out Cold Spring Tavern – 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara - highway 154, The San Marcos Pass, about a 15 or 20 minute drive from Santa Barbara.
http://www.coldspringtavern.com/
I discovered this place in a magazine and what a find – it’s an old stagecoach stop on a pass – we thought we were lost trying to find it and then stumbled upon cars lining the streets all around it. We actually had a thirty minute wait at 2 in the afternoon!

Have fun!

Another former stagecoach stop outside of Santa Barbara (35 miles, 45 minutes):

http://www.matteistavern.com/

This one's in Los Olivos where a good portion of "Sideways" was filmed. Cute little town with a few shops and wine tasting rooms. Beautiful scenery in the area.