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The cuisine in Ventura and Santa Barbara is every bit as eclectic as it is in California's bigger cities; fresh seafood is a standout. A foodie renaissance has overtaken the entire region from Ventura to Paso Robles, spawning dozens of restaurants touting locavore cuisine made with fresh organic produce and meats. Dining attire on the Central Coast is generally casual, though slightly dressy casual wear is the custom at pricier restaurants.
The Central Coast's abundance of organic and sustainably sourced bounty—veggies, seafood, meats, and breads—are creatively woven into innovative dishes at this brick-walled downtown favorite. The wine list celebrates local wines; with many by the half-glass, you can sample a good cross-section.
Determined to push the boundaries of farm-to-table, Barbareño combines Santa Barbara and Central Coast history and traditions with fresh local ingredients to create inventive dishes, for example, uni caesar salad, acorn tagliatelle, local black cod in a pinquito miso sauce with wild onion and blackberries, and crispy Brussels sprouts in a sauce infused with Bragg vinegar and Ojai honey. It churns its own butter; bakes its own breads; makes condiments from scratch; and forages mushrooms, eucalyptus leaves, and other ingredients from the wild.
This low-key, family-friendly eatery in the heart of town serves up made-from-scratch dishes that showcase seasonal local bounty sourced from trusted fishers and farmers. Feast on soups, beef-and-cheese smash burgers, and various salads and sandwiches in the casual interior or in the cozy brick patio.
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