Have you read any reviews on Bouchon? We're considering that for our anniversary dinner. The Inn @ Spanish Garden (highly recommended on Tripadvisor) is offering a room with a $95 gift certificate there that sounds inviting.

Harbor View Inn also looks very nice with ocean views, right across the street from the beach. Any opinions on this place? ***kim***

JK,

I second the recommendations for Foxen and Sanford. My two personal favorites are Foley and the fantastic Richard Longoria, tasting room in Los Olivos.

Since I moved back to Utah a few years ago, I had to discontinue my club memberships to Longoria and Foley (TRAGIC!), as Utah is a no shipping state too. Recently, however, the stat changed it's laws, and while the winery can's ship to you - you CAN buy and ship it to yourself!!!!!!! Who hoo!!

You might check out the situation with AZ. Good luck!

We will be in that area the end of December for 2 days and one night.

Unfortunately since it is a holiday week we could not stay at a number of the places we wanted since they had 3 night minimums.

We will be staying at the Santa Ynez Inn - I hope it is as nice as it looks!

Keep this winery/food thread going - I can;t wait to go.

Is the Foley vineyard in Solvang? Here's a cool website for those interested: www.santabarbarawinecountry.com Cheers! ***kim***

This is going to become a more popular area to visit with the opening of the new movie SIDEWAYS.

Garymey,
Yes, when we ate at the Los Olivos Cafe, people were still talking about some of the filming that was done there and other places in the Valley for Sideways. Evidently, the movie featured many of the winemakers and the restaurants and their food. I'm assuming the movie was a documentary then? What can you tell us about it?

LOL, I don't think it's a documentary. www.foxsearchlight.com (Upcoming movies, Oct. 2O.) It's apparently an R rated movie about two men who drink wine and chase women on a trip.

I don't go to R rate movies, but this one may be an exception for the SB wine country scenery. ***kim***

LOL, yeah, I guess that's about as far from a documentary as you can get! No matter, I'll be in line for it too!

Foley is on the Alamo Pintado Rd., on the way to Ballard & Los Olivos.

Their website says it's right by Solvang. I'll never forget the day we drove to Cambria, had lunch at the Moonsotne Bar & Grill, drove to Solvang and walked around for a few hours. (I could then say I saw Solvang!), went back to the Moonstone Bar & Grill for dinner and drove home.

What a busy day that was! LOL ***kim***

Kimamom:
I would skip Citronelle. Over priced and not all that great.Yes, it is across from the ocean, but at night you cant see it. My recommendation is have dinner at Olio e Limone, it is excellent. Small-ish and lovely. Then go for a walk along the breakwater at the beach if you want a romantic stroll after dinner.
Olio e Limone has recently started serving lunch. Also very good.
And wineries...my pick is 'Gainey'.
minnie.

Thanks for the tip! I think our anniversary dinner will be at the Wine Cask with other dinners at Olio e Limone & Bouchon. I hope to try Brophy Bros. & La Playa Azul Cafe for Mexican.

Our room at the Harbor View Inn will come with a nice breakfast each am which will be great. I can't wait to visit SB for the very first time! ***kim***

kim, I've heard not so great things about Playa de Azul. Pedestrian Mexican, at best. If you miss it, I don't think you'll have missed much.

Where is another good Mexican place in SB? Any SB locals know of a really good place with great food? ***kim*** Any opinions on Brophy Bros? I want at least one really good seafood lunch, a view would nice.

Kimamom,
For authentic Mexican food, go to La Superica. Great! Family owned and operated, food is fantastic. Walk up window to order, then find a table on their patio. It may not be much to look at, but the locals all love the ambiance. It is on Milpas Street.
Also, a big Yes to Brophys.
minnie.

Thanks, minnie I need all the advice I can get on SB! I'll probably start my own thread, later. I hope jkgourmet has learned a lot, too! ***kim***

minnine17, have you ever tried Sage & Onion in SB and would you recommend it? ***kim***

Hi kim,
No, I have not eaten at Sage & Onion.
However, my brother eats there frequently and highly recommends it. I hear the cheese souffle is excellent.
minnie.

Brander makes exquisite reds. Put them on your list if you have the time.

When you get into town, grab a free copy of the Wine Country map.

The Wine Cask, Downey's, Opal, Sage & Onion, Olio e Limone are all excellent and all would be lovely for an anniversary dinner. I haven't eaten at Citronelle in quite awhile, but the food is excellent (IMHO). However, their service has been horrific of late. I've heard from two different people that they enjoyed the food at Bouchon but the servers were exceedingly snooty and pretentious -- enough so that neither will go back.

Tupelo Junction is a wonderful little place on State Street serving upscale Cajun/Southern food. Excellent.

We recently ate at Quantum, which is also downtown, in a weird location (not for strolling to/from) on Carrillo (not to be confused with Cabrillo or Castillo) Street. Aside from a bit of pretentiousness on the part of some of the staff, the need for valet parking unless you're a local and know what you're doing, and the fact that you absolutely must have reservations and confirm them several times (they lost ours after only 2 confirmations), the food is exquisite! It has sort of a tasting menu where you'll want to order several things to share and indulge in their excellent wine list.

Brophy's is at the harbor and it's a great, lively, casual place for oysters, clams and a glass of wine.

We like Playa Azul well enough but if you're after great, authentic Mexican food, you need to head over to Milpas Street. La Superica is really the best in town. This is not your rice-and-beans and cheese enchlada sort of place. Order at least one of the daily specials (Monday is chile relleno in cream sauce) and the #16 Superica Especial.

Down the street, Altamirano makes a great chicken mole and their tacos Altamirano is excellent too. In the heart of downtown, Los Arroyos makes a fabulous ceviche tostada.

Bon appetite!

Thanks for the great info, Harriet! Which place would say is the most romantic place in SB for a fine dining meal? White tablecloths, candles on the table, maybe even a fireplace in the dining room. ***kim***