Seagrass in SB - to go or not to go?
I posted earlier asking for SB recs for 3 nights in mid Sept. I noticed that no one mentioned Seagrass. It received the highest rating for SB in Zagat's, but there were some recent not so positive comments as well as mixed commnets on CH when I did a search. The menu sounds interesting. I was thinking it could be our splurge meal for the 3 days we're in SB. Is it overpriced and overhyped as some have mentioned? It sounds like it has had new owners recently, perhaps more than once. Has anyone been to Seagrass recently?
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Seagrass Restaurant
30 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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Here are some local reviews that include the new changes: http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/re...
I have not been back since it latest changes but have always enjoyed the feeling of the dining room and the simple elegance of the decor. It has good bones in this town and I think it is always worthy of a try. Hands down Julienne is the top of the game in this town, but Seagrass should be moving back into the second top tier as well. I hope you report back if you do decide to go.
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Seagrass Restaurant
30 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101›4 Replies-
re: glbtrtr
Yes, everything I have read says Julienne is tops. Since I'm on the East Coast, I'm calling later for a res. I guess they are so popular, they don't have to participate in Open Table. I am going to dig a little deaper before I decide on our other 2 nights. Maybe something Mexican for one night as the good Mexican choices at home are fairly limited. Thanks for the reply.
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re: middleagedfoodie
We have an interesting array of "Mexican" in this town. The one that put fresh Mexican on the map is the very casual walk-up La Superica which got its fame when Julia Child's declared it to be one of her favorite Santa Barbara restaurants. There are plenty of choices inbetween, some pedestrian, some not worth it and some just plain local and good for what you get. For a more formal and very Santa Barbara experience there is a new chef at the venerable El Paseo restaurant which is one of the more lovely settings in our city but was known for far too long as the tour bus feed 'em some "Mexican"' and send them on their way waste of this gorgeous location. Just recently, it looks like someone is trying to turn that place around and if the reviews hold up, you may want to give El Paseo a try simply because of its location in the utterly charming and historic El Paseo arcade which got this whole Spanish/Moorish village architecture theme in Santa Barbara started downtown back in the 1930's after the city's devastating earthquake.
You can also check out the reviews of other Mexican restaurants in this town to see what might look appealing from this local dining website, but here is the link for El Paseo: http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/re...
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El Paseo Restaurant
10 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 -
re: middleagedfoodie
Julienne is a must. I have not been to the new Seagrass but friends whose recommendations I trust loved it. For Mexican, I might suggest Palapa. It is off the beaten path, but food is good and feels like you are in a small Mexican town. Also if you are up for more casual local spot Super Cuca's is always good. Another place that my friends love is Los Agaves...have not been but mean to every weekend. Would stay away from El Paseo, honestly. They have rested on their laurels for ages and while they have a talented new chef I have yet to hear of any locals who have eaten there. The cafe at the Art Museum has amazing food, although they close at 4:00. Would be well worth a lunch stop for their wine and tapas deal. We love Petit Valentien downtown, great food and incredibly reasonable and interesting wine list. Chef Robert is an interesting character, too. They have a Sunday prix fixe dinner that is supposed to be amazing for $24.95. Stella Mare's is lovely and their food is quite good, both for lunch/brunch or dinner. Great happy hour Sun-Thurs 5-6:00. Have fun!
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Super Cuca's
626 W Micheltorena St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Palapa Restaurant
4123 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93110Stella Mare's
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108Seagrass Restaurant
30 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101-
re: sbgirl
There were no laurels for El Paseo to rest on. The only good news is this new chef has tried to breathe a little new life into this wonderful but under-utilized location. One of us needs to give it a try -- and for those out of town for whom "Mexican" might mean "Mexican-Lite" this might still be a good enough recommendation just for its downtown ambiance. Before I knew better myself, i was happy with chips and guac and some tacos and enchiladas as long as they had a lot of cheese on them! I think El Paseo can give a good "Mexican food" fix these days, if one is not looking for great refinement.
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El Paseo Restaurant
10 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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