As you will quickly learn from a stroll down State St., Santa Barbara has quite a number of dining and drinking establishments to choose from. However, as in any other city, not all of these establishments were created equal--we learned this the hard way via a couple of deeply suspect salads at a restaurant whose name we won't disclose here. As a precaution, we've assembled the following rough dining guide to keep you from wasting your few opportunities to dine out in the area on food that makes you wish you didn't have functioning tastebuds.
Breakfast
If you're looking for a hearty breakfast at a slightly more sanitary version of a greasy spoon, you can't do much better than the Cajun Kitchen (901 Chapala St.), where their motto is, "If you're in a hurry and can't wait for the best, then try somewhere else and settle for less!" Clumsy catch phrase aside, the Cajun Kitchen has been voted the best breakfast in town for ten years running. Plus, the breakfasts are BIG, while the price tag is pretty small by SB standards ($10 and under per person).
If you're craving something a little more upscale but still a bit downhome, then you might want to give Tupelo Junction (1218 State St.) a try. Bon Appetit touted Tupelo Junction as one of the restaurants not to be missed in SB, and while they're known for their Southern-influenced dishes, it was the crabcakes benedict that blew our minds. True aficionados of Southern cookin' may want to pass up the beignets (ours were more like sweet hush puppies) in favor of the biscuits and gravy, and if anyone needs a hair of the dog, the bloody marys are supposed to be pret-ty damn tasty. Prices here run about $10-$20 a person.
Finally, if you're just in the mood for a continental breakfast, but the stale Entermann's danish sweating among its brethren in the lobby of your hotel isn't doing it for you, then we've heard D'Angelo Bread (25 W. Guiterrez St.) has truly excellent coffee, breads and pastries. They also serve European gourmet breakfasts BUT the prices are pretty steep for what you get with these (prices range from $10-$20 a plate). We'd suggest hitting somewhere else if you want a big breakfast, and trying this place if you want a good croissant and coffee you can't see through.
Lunch
All of the above restaurants serve lunch as well as breakfast, but, as any Julia Childs devotee will tell you, the sine qua non of the SB mid-day meal will be found at La Super Rica (622 N. Milpas St.). To look at it, you'd never guess at the fanaticism it inspires among its patrons, but that line that winds out the door and around the corner is there for a reason (don't worry--it moves quickly). We particularly like to grub on the tocina especial (this is essentially bacon and melted cheese with a side of guacamole), but they are also justly famous for their adobado (marinated pork), gorditas (thick corn masa pockets filled with spicy beans), and chile pasilla (a stew made with the pasilla pepper). Make sure you check the daily specials: Sunday's is usually pozole, a stew of pork and hominy in a red chile sauce, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it's usually freshly made tamales. However, if you are lucky enough to be there on chilaquile day, GET THEM! Also, always make sure you ask for extra (handmade) tortillas! Prices here range from $4-$10 dollars, so... it's worth a trip over to the East Side of SB.
If you don't have wheels or aren't feeling the Mexican food, the Natural Cafe (508 State St.) is kind of like the opposite of La Super Rica, offering vegan entrees as well as fare for omnivores at very reasonable prices (entrees are under $10). The folks at the Natural Cafe are green to the teeth, and from the taste of things, they care about dishing up killer fish tacos, turkey burgers and smoothies as much as they care about the planet. If you're a bit hungrier, Pascucci (729 State St.) offers a range of Italian/Californian cuisine that's not too hard on the old wallet (their lunch menu tops out at $10.95 for the specialty entrees), plus they source all their ingredients locally--their meats, seafood and produce are all delivered fresh daily.
Dinner
On Friday and Saturday nights, we will be doing our best to fill your bellies with all varieties deliciousness, but should you be hanging around SB either before or after the wedding, or should you find yourself particularly hungry one evening, you may want to check out the list below. We've divided the list into three sections: "Mellow Eats" for laid-back, casual dining; "Schmancy" for places that are, well, kind of on the fancy side; and "Mid-Range" for places that, oddly enough, fall right in the middle.
Mellow Eats
Carlito's Cafe y Cantina (1324 State St.) offers regional Mexican cuisine and Blue Agave margaritas on a beautiful outdoor patio (indoor seating is also available). If you like Vietnamese food, or have never tried it and would like to (California Vietnamese food blows East Coast Vietnamese food away, both in preparation and quality of ingredients), then maybe the budget-friendly Saigon In And Out (318 N. Milpas St.) will be your bag. Or since Thai food is also better on the West Coast, maybe you'd rather check out Your Place Thai (22 N. Milpas St.), widely considered the best Thai restaurant in SB. Finally, if you're part of the microbrew crowd, The Brewhouse (229 W. Montecito St.) is a great place for a burger and a beer, and, though we can't promise you'll be into it, they do have live music on the weekends.
Mid-Range
A locally favored bistro with a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, Opal (1325 State St.) serves up an eclectic range of California cuisine, often with an Asian flare. If you like sushi, Arigato Sushi (1225 State St.) is supposed to be the best in town, offering creative rolls and very fresh sushi and sashimi. Try the Sunny Side Up Scallops, or, if you dare, ask for the "Local's Special." Speaking of fish, The Hungry Cat serves up fresh seafood brought in daily from the harbor, and the menu is determined by whichever fresh ingredients are available at the Farmer's Market. They even make their cocktails with freshly squeezed fruit--which makes a HUGE difference. Sojourner Cafe (134 E. Canon Perdido) also buys its ingredients locally, supporting local growers, brewers and vintners. Serving up vegetarian and vegan as well as omnivore fare, Sojourner is a healthy gourmet restaurant that recently adapted its menu so that you can order according to how much you plan to eat. And if you're in the mood for Italian food, Trattoria Vittoria (30 E. Victoria St.) is a livelier, less expensive alternative to the also excellent Ca' Dario, and has a reputation for hearty, authentic Italian fare.
Schmancy
If you're looking for a delicious, intimate and authentic Italian dining experience, Ca' Dario (37 E. Victoria St.) is your spot. And if you're really looking to wine and dine, Bouchon (9 W. Victoria St.) is the perfect place. Consistently voted one of the best restaurants in California, Bouchon provides "an education in the best of the region's agriculture... and viniculture," according to Bon Appetit. Diners rave about the rack of lamb, the venison loin and the tarte tatin.
And Of Course... Beverages
Milk & Honey (30 W. Anapamu St.) mixes up fancy drinks like coconut mojitos and lychee martinis, and they serve tapas. What's not to like? But if you're someone for whom a night on the town means throwing on some ratty jeans and playing pool at a bar that feels like an old friend's house, maybe Elsie's (117 W. De La Guerra St.) would be more your speed. The Press Room (15 E. Ortega St.) has got the market cornered in the English pub department, and Soho (1221 State St.) is the place to be for live music every night (you can find show listings by picking up a copy of the Santa Barbara Independent or by checking the calendar section of the club's website).
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