Santa Barbara: SCARLET BEGONIA for breakfast, lunch or brunch

[glbtrtr]

After the opening kinks and a few mixed reviews but always raves about the food, SCARLET BEGONIA is hitting its stride and well worthy of a top recommendation for breakfast or lunch and mid morning break Setting is the terrific quiet downtown Victoria Courtyard at West Victoria and State Street, close by the Arlington and Granada Theaters. Indoor, fountain patio and upstairs open deck seating.

This puts excellent early day dining right into the heart of evening Ground Zero right near Arigato, buchons and Olio et Limone.

We had the Reuben sandwich and the squash eggplant sandwich - both top rate. The squash/eggplant sandwich was a little squishy to eat by hand but managed with many swipes on my cloth napkin. Very tasty combo with various veggies and goat cheese and a haunting sweet tartness to its make-up. Reuben was also a little unconventional but top marks for taste as well.

Both came their their version of fries which were plump, crisp and savory. Prices in the $10-15 category with complementary filtered still or sparkling water.

Everything coming out looked good and one could spend many happy returns going through everything on the menu. It obviously has established itself by word of mouth - many happy diners and and a 30's-something type casual crowd. Careful attention provided by what looks like the owner. She has something good and wants to take personal care to insure it succeeds. Welcome to Santa Barbara Scarlett Begonia, and adding one more wonderful dimension to Santa Barbara dining.

They also serve that "pre-digested" Green Star coffee - did not try it, but here is a place where it should be good.

[latindancer]

It sounds good however...

What is it with restaurants, especially this new much needed organic restaurant in SB, that don't post their menus online?
They change their menu quarterly so it's not as if it's changing constantly...
Come on Scarlet Begonia...make it easy on out-of-towners wanting to plan our getaways.

[glbtrtr]

They take orders on iPads, so they probably would like to hear your suggestion for an online menu presence. Why not contact them and see if this is something they can offer you. However, the menu is diverse with a lot of egg standards with a succulent twist, sandwiches and salads. Not sure why you need a menu ahead of time when we local chow hound stalwarts give you a heads up with our sincere recommendations: try it, I think you will like it. It is just breakfast, mid morning snack or lunch. There are vegetarian options and they are savvy about current dining taboos and trends.

[latindancer]

I appreciate the feedback and I will take your suggestion to heart. In the meantime I'm finding it difficult to find a restaurant in SB to take a friend this week.
Do they serve fresh fish, great salads, etc.?
I'm used to dining at Jane, Opal, Petit Valentin, Olio Limone for lunch and I'd love to find a new place.
Thanks, in advance.

[glbtrtr]

They have crab cakes on the menu. Can't remember "fresh fish" . I think you will be very pleased and not feel you have wasted $10-15 dollars at all. I would put it a notch above your usual choices. And the Victoria Court setting is quiet and relaxed, though service overall may still have its rough spots. We got our orders promptly however, no wait at all and most outdoor tables were filled. Looking forward to your report and best wishes you enjoy and have it all work out for you. My guess it will become a worthy favorite for your visits as you too work your way around the varied menu.

If you want to try a few more lunch places: Renaud's, Via Maestra 42 and my own long time favorite - the antipasto plate at Ca Dario - sufficient for lunch on its own, but leave room for their affogato, creme caramel or any other of their specially prepared desserts too.

[latindancer]

Absolutely delicious.

I went on your rec and I can honestly say this will be my new go-to place for breakfast or lunch when I find myself in lovely Santa Barbara. I was greeted at the door by a smiling and gracious young man who promptly seated me and brought me a glass of water and a cappuccino. The coffee was outstanding and served with a small piece of delicious half-baked biscotti that I also ordered more of, at the end of my meal, to take home. Along with coffee was a complimentary, small dish of home-made Greek yogurt served with their homemade granola and a fresh raspberry. Who knew something that simple could be that delicious? It was. I noticed the owner quietly walking around the room (a total of perhaps 10 tables? I didn't count) and asking the patrons, quietly, if everything was to their liking. I could tell she loves what she's created.
I ordered a scramble with fresh spinach and grates of cheese laying on a large bed of delicious roast potatoes. This was accompanied by their homemade whole grain bread, toasted, with an herbed butter pat and homemade strawberry jam. Wonderful food and there was lots of it. It's a small space with great, fresh food and incredible service.
I loved it :).
Thank you.

[glbtrtr]

Thank you for your report -- and that the owner is paying a lot more attention to some of the previous service flaws to get this whole dining package as excellent as the food. Indeed this one is a new winner in town, especially for that breakfast/lunch time period. I gather we'll both have fun making our way through the very inciting menu. Glad you took a chance on it and (phew) glad it worked out as well for you as it did for us. Hope you continue with your reports when you get back in town. This is definitely the "Julienne" for the midday dining aficionados. So glad we now have a special place downtown for those daytime meet and greets.