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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
230 Stearns Wharf
966-6676
Located on Santa
Barbara’s historic
Stearns Wharf
overlooking the harbor,
the ocean, the
hillsides, and nearby
mountains, the
Shellfish Company has
been the destination for
fresh shellfish in Santa
Barbara for over 25
years. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is open for lunch
and dinner and specializes in steamed crab, local lobster and
ridgeback shrimp. Other popular items include New England
Clam Chowder, Lobster Tacos, Coconut Shrimp, and other
traditional seafood items.
OJAI
Ojai Valley Inn
905 Country Club Road (888) 697-8780
Inspired by the many
microclimates of the area
and the bounty they bring,
a rich California harvest is
served each day in its
restaurants. Rosemary,
basil, tarragon, thyme,
lavender and lemon grass
are harvested from the
Inn’s herb gardens. Local
farmers and ranchers
supply fresh, wholesome
menu ingredients for
which Ojai has become
famous. Dining at any of
the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s four distinctive restaurants is a
worthwhile endeavor, as would be a day on the links at the
excellent Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course!
VENTURA
Brooks
545 E. Thompson Blvd 652-7070
Husband and wife Andy and Jayme Brooks’s recent menu
included a choice of warm Mexican lobster sope, pan seared
New York foie gras, pan seared jumbo lump crab cake,
puree of carrot and orange soup as starters. Entrees included
24-hour marinated pulled short ribs, wood-grilled Shelton
Farms free range chicken breast with sautéed collard greens,
saffron Israeli couscous and sun-dried tomatoes, nut-crusted
California white sea bass, 16-ounce certified Angus Kansas
City strip steak, and more. Brooks also boasts signature
cocktails and a Wine Spectator 2008 award-winning wine
list.
WINERIES
Carr Winery
411 North Salsipuedes Street 965-7985
Carr Winery is a small
ten-year-old
handcrafted winery
located in a 1940’s
Quonset Hut in
downtown Santa
Barbara. It produces
2500 cases annually
and all of its
production is handled
at the downtown
location. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine in the grotto with
a view of the barrel room. Late night in the barrel room guests
can indulge in bottle service, wines by the glass, and library
wines in the candlelit winery until 11pm. Live music every
Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
Moby Dick
220 Stearns Wharf 965-0549
We all miss
the late
Sonny and Al
Steinman,
longtime
part-owners/
managers of
this quirky
but charming
eatery at the
far end of
Stearns Wharf that features spectacular views of Santa
Barbara’s harbor and coastline. Moby Dick is virtually
surrounded in glass, with views from every table, but when a
guest insisted upon a “window” seat and there simply were
none available, Al would haul out a portable window and set it
alongside the table. Moby Dick offers fish, lobster, clam
chowder, fish and chips and plenty more. A great place to
watch the sunset.
Olio e Limone Ristorante
17 West Victoria Street 899-2699
Olio e Limone (“Oil and
Lemon,” in Italian) is
the brainchild of the
husband-and-wife
team of Alberto and
Elaine Morello, who
rely on the integrity of
their ingredients and
the quality of the
preparation to offer
“Santa Barbara
creative, authentic Zagat-rated Italian cuisine served in an
inviting atmosphere with European hospitality.” Visible through
a glass wall is the dining room’s focal point, the wine cellar,
which represents the eatery’s 250-plus selection award-
winning wine list. Private dining in the Cucina Room is
available for up to 40 guests.
Renaud’s Bakery
3315 State Street, 569-2400
This authentic
French bakery,
with its absolutely
delectable
croissants, is
busy all the time
and the first-rate,
buttery, flaky
croissants are the
first to go, so get
here early for a
real Gallic treat.
Renaud’s is located in Loreto Plaza, and specializes in a
wide selection of wholesome French pastries. The
breakfast and lunch menu is composed of egg dishes,
sandwiches and salads and represents Renaud’s personal
favorites. Renaud’s brewed coffees and teas are proudly
100% Organic. Come smell the air and practice your
French.
Santa Barbara FisHouse
101 East Cabrillo Blvd
966-2112
Open daily for
lunch and
dinner and
located on
Santa Barbara’s
East Beach
waterfront,
across from
Stearns Wharf,
the Santa
Barbara
FisHouse is a
perfect destination for ocean-side dining, and features patio
seating by an open fire pit. Specialty drinks include a Lemon
Drop or Key Lime Pie Martini, Mojitos, Mai Tais, and more.
Along with an extensive seafood selection, the FisHouse offers
Rib-Eye and New York steaks, baby back ribs, Hawaiian
chicken and many other land-based offerings.
Elements
129 East Anapamu Street 884-9218
Across the street from, and
overlooking one of America’s
most beautiful public
buildings, the Santa Barbara
Courthouse and its Sunken
Gardens, Elements serves
lunch, Sunday Brunch, dinner
and offers a lively Happy
Hour Monday through Friday.
Elements is also one of Santa Barbara’s premier caterers, and
offers exceptional wines for sale at its online wine store - www.
elementsrestaurantandbar.com.
Holdren’s Steakhouse
512 State Street 965-3363
The top-sirloin steak
sandwich, grilled
chicken sandwich, fresh
Ahi tuna sashimi salad,
and grilled chicken
Caesar are just a few of
the items available on
the lunch menu. Dinner
includes jumbo scallops
over risotto,
Bouillabaisse, pan-
roasted salmon,
Jalapeno and
Pepperjack crusted pork
chop, rack of lamb,
and, of course, steak
specials, all of which
are made from U.S.D.A. Prime Midwestern corn-fed beef,
aged to their chefs’ exact specifications. Holdren’s also
boasts an extensive wine list with over 200 selections,
enough to choose from to accompany any meal. Sunday
brunch is also served.
The Melting Pot
608 Anacapa Street 845-4444
It’s all about
fondue at The
Melting Pot, where
diners are
encouraged to dip
into something
different, like a Big
Night Out four-
course dinner
featuring a cheese
fondue, salad, filet
mignon, lobster
tail, shrimp Diablo
and any number of items fondue style, and a fondue dessert.
A la carte is also offered. Specialty drinks and local wines by
the glass are featured and Sunday through Thursday from 5
pm to 7 pm is Happy Hour.
Miró
8301 Hollister Ave at Bacara Resort & Spa 968-0100
Miró is a refined
refuge with stunning
views, featuring two
genuine Joan Miro
sculptures, a top-
rated chef offering a
sophisticated
Basque-Catalonian
menu that accents
fresh, organic, and
native-grown
ingredients, and a
world-class wine cellar. Special items include oak-grilled lamb
chops, pan-roasted lobster, foie gras, and local items depending
upon the time of year and the inclination of the chef. Herbs and
vegetables grown on Bacara’s 1,000-acre ranch adjacent to the
resort are used extensively.
EATERIES GUIDE