Barbareno

Great food, good service, ok ambiance. Better options out there for the price but you won’t be disappointed. Food: 5/5 From appetizers to entrees to dessert, everything was fantastic. The wagyu entree is rich and filling despite small portion size, especially with appetizers. The menu features enough interesting options to pique even the most seasoned, adventurous eater’s interest, and the presentation is impeccable. Really appreciate the creativity there. Did not have any problems with cold food or timing like some other reviewers. Service: 4/5 Friendly and prompt service, though there was an allergy scare when a waitress said there wasn’t an ingredient in a sauce when there actually was. Could be concerning for someone with a more severe allergy that staff aren’t fully aware of what’s in dishes. Ambiance: 3/5 It gives quintessential California. Very typical, nice but nothing special or even memorable. Certainly more on the “casual” end for an “upscale casual” restaurant.

How do I start. I just came back from this restaurant utterly disappointed. I am giving it one star only because some of the servers were kind. That’s about it. I do not know where to start with my complaint because there are so many. If you read this, please avoid this restaurant, go to La Paloma or Loquita or even McDonald's. We ordered Avocado, Chicken wings, Santa Maria BBQ, Acorn Tagliatelle, and a side of market vegetables. The dishes were coming out so quickly we didn’t even finish our entrees, the table still had our menus on it when we had our mains come out. Aside from rushed service(we got everything within 30minutes or less), the food was… a lukewarm atrocity. You can tell that this food has been sitting out for quite some time before coming out to us. Nothing was made to order. The BBQ came out almost cold, the tagliatelle was INEDIBLE, the flavour was awful; pasta was a soggy mess served in a soup. The market vegetables were served on a bed of an olive ‘babaganoush’ that overpowered everything, half of the vegetables were lukewarm the other raw and tasteless. This was the worst dining experience in the US, with an unjustifiable hefty price. Avoid at all costs.

This is hands down the next restaurant I've eaten at in 2021 so far. The food is exceptionally flavors and fresh - we got the avocado and wings for appetizers, and then the acorn tag and Santa Maria bbq for the main. There is so much care given to each dish - and each ingredient on the dish. It's only a matter of time before this restaurant earns its deserved Michelin stars. In addition to the amazing food, the service is top notch. The restaurant is also a block or two from the main streets and the atmosphere is great. I can't wait to go back to Santa Barbara just to eat here!