A review of several local restaurants you simply cannot miss

Photography by Naru

MATADOR
By Amy Orozco

Matador is adding new spice to Santa Barbara’s downtown dining scene. It opened April 5, taking over the site of the former Piranha restaurant. Described as a “tapas bar and Latin steakhouse” by owner Joanie Vazquez, Matador’s menu offers zest and zing with its innovative takes on tapas, steak choices, paella, and seafood options.

“The most popular tapas is the filet mignon and chimichurri skewers,” says Ms. Vazquez. Other frequently ordered plates are ceviche, a stuffed shrimp with pasilla chilies, queso fresco then wrapped in Serrano ham, and pan fresco, which includes homemade hummus and olive tapenade. Prices range from $4 to $12 for tapas and $23 to $40 for entrees.

The beer and wine license doesn’t limit the creativity of alcoholic drinks. Cocktails are made from wine-based “liquors,” and the mojito and Margarita are two specialties. A red sangria and a white one are available for those wishing a favorite traditional drink.

The atmosphere at Matador is casual elegance. Jeans are acceptable, yet one wouldn’t feel out of place all dressed up. It is a comfortable restaurant that encourages enjoyment of great food and drink shared with friends, family, and other loved ones.

Located at 714 State Street, Matador is open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday are “tapas hours” from 1 to 5 p.m. Dinners are nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended on weekends, call 965-1307.


TRE LUNE
By Lea Boyd

Pining for an Italian vacation? A trip to Tre Luna at 1151 Coast Village Road in Montecito, will save you airfare and give your taste buds an experience on par with fine dining in Rome. Morning, noon and night, the Montecito eatery offers Italian entrees made with fresh California ingredients.

Owner Gene Montesano, the man behind Lucky Brand Jeans, Lucky’s steakhouse and a slew of other local restaurants, added an Italian feather in his cap when he opened Tre Lune a few years ago. Early on, the restaurant was best known for its authentic Italian dinners, but recent buzz indicates that the best breakfasts in town are crafted in Tre Luna’s kitchen.

The eatery is elegant without being snobbish, and the dining experience is top-notch from start to end. Cocktails are available from a full bar, and the wine list offers a nice variety for pairing with a meal of choice. Whether enjoying a square-shaped “margherita” pizza for $14, or the “risotto del pescatore” for $26, the plate is worth the price. And when sitting beneath the black-and-white gazes of Hollywood beauties like Brigite Bardot and Sophia Loren, the Italian vacation begins to feel like time travel as well. To make reservations or find out more, call 969-2646.


EDOMASA
By Lea Boyd

Edomasa Japanese Sushi Bar & Restaurant is a favorite destination during normal dinner hours, and a unique treasure for late night diners. While the rest of Santa Barbara is locking doors and sweeping under tables, Edomasa has sake flowing and chefs who are ready to slice and dice into the wee hours. Serving meals until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Edomasa’s simple décor and energetic buzz create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for anyone in the market for a great meal at any time of night.

Located at 2710 De La Vina Street, Edomasa has an unpretentious, neighborhood feel that doesn’t distract from the food. As the regulars know, the food is what this restaurant is all about. A diverse menu allows patrons to lean toward the traditional Japanese—plates loaded with sea eel, octopus and squid and monk fish liver—or opt for the some California-Japanese creations like the popular Baltimore roll with tempura crab meat, cream cheese, cucumber and avocado topped with spicy sauce.

In addition to sushi, Edomasa offers a number of entrees like udon and ramen noodle dishes, teriyaki chicken and shrimp and vegetable tempura. And, at Edomasa, when your belly’s full, your wallet need not be empty—most meals are under $15. To find out more, give the restaurant a call at 687-0210.


LOS AGAVES
By Lea Boyd

There is no shortage of Mexican food on Milpas Street, but Carlos Luna recently introduced a unique Mexican dining experience at Los Agaves, 600 N. Milpas Street. With a menu emphasizing high quality foods—no trans-fats, fresh vegetables and seafood—and newly remodeled dining rooms and kitchen, Los Agaves is attracting patrons from all over the county.

Luna hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, and he brought much of his home into his new business venture. The beautifully crafted, wrought iron chandeliers that hang from the ceiling and the wooden tables topped in Mexican tile were all shipped from Guadalajara for Luna’s new restaurant. These touches are showcased in the light that pours through a skylight and the huge arch windows looking out on Santa Barbara.

After eight months of remodeling following the close of the building’s former occupant, La Tolteca, Luna was ecstatic to finally open the doors to his masterpiece. The realization of his vision included a good friend under the chef’s hat ensuring that “everything is homemade everyday.”

Entrees hover in the $10 range, and the menu offers a good assortment of traditional Mexican plates. Beer and wine are available as well. Los Agaves is open daily for lunch and dinner, and for breakfast on the weekend.


FRESCO
By Lea Boyd

Fresco Café earns top marks for service and atmosphere, but the restaurant’s finest attribute is the food. “Fresh” is the adjective that dominates the kitchen and shines brightly in the menu. Fresh vegetables and fruits are combined with fresh cheeses, meats and breads to create consistently tasty sandwiches, pizzas, salads, soups and breakfasts. And high quality at Fresco manages to escape high prices; entrees hover in the $12 to $20 range, including soup or salad.

In 1995 Jill and Mark Brouillard opened the café at 3987 State Street in Five Points Shopping Center, and it quickly became a hotspot for lunch. In 2006, Mark and Jill transferred the restaurant’s ownership to their sons, Jesse and Adam. Under the watchful ownership of the Brouillard family, the restaurant has become a popular destination for business people seeking fast lunch service as well as families that rely on the diverse menu to provide something for their pickiest eaters.

Fresco is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now, more than ever, the Brouillards are dedicated to serving natural, organic dishes in a friendly family atmosphere.

When the sun goes down, Fresco turns up the charm with live music beginning around 5:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays as well as Saturdays. A well-rounded wine and beer list and to-die-for desserts help to transform the simple café into a date-night destination.

To find out more about
Fresco Café, call 967-6037.


CARLITOS
By Jean Picard

Just across from the historic Arlington Theater in downtown Santa Barbara, Carlitos Café y Cantina has long been a favorite with locals. Tourists, too, are drawn in by the low-walled patio with its colorful umbrellas and bubbling fountain. What better place for a lazy afternoon or a romantic evening!

The lively atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for the regional Mexican and Southwest cuisine, made from fresh ingredients and without lard. Tempted by the aroma of fresh handmade tortillas on the grill, one could almost make a meal of them and the black bean and corn salsa. Of course, some people just pop in for their favorite blue agave margarita.

Founded in 1978 by the Lopez-Hollis family, Carlitos marked its thirtieth anniversary over a long weekend in September. The festivities included live music, commemorative tee shirts and specials.

In 1997, the family opened “sister” restaurant, Cava, at 1212 Coast Village Road in Montecito. Its more upscale nuevo Latino cuisine combines a different set of Latin influences than that of Carlitos, but has the same superb handcrafted corn tortillas.

With 30 years at the same location, 1324 State Street, Carlitos “is the result of a lot of hard work, sweat and creativity,” said Lopez-Hollis. “My parents started Carlitos before I was born — I think as soon as I was delivered, they went straight back to Carlitos — so I’ve grown up in the business. We’re very proud of it, and it’s heartwarming to see the way people have responded to it.” And that is something to celebrate.


THE SANTA BARBARA CHICKEN RANCH
By Lea Boyd

The Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch provides a setting and a menu that satisfy the old and young. On the way out the door, Chicken Ranch patrons commonly make statements like, “That was the best (fill in the blank) I’ve ever had.” And though the Mexican-style mesquite barbeque menu is simple, the missing subject could be anything from “burrito” to “chicken” to “tri-tip.”

It is rare that “quick” and “easy” are matched with “good” when it comes to food, but the Chicken Ranch offers this combination. The popularity of the original Chicken Ranch, at 2618 De La Vina Street, spurred owners to open a second location in Goleta, at 163 N. Fairview Avenue. Knowing they had found the right menu and created the right family atmosphere, they decided to replicate the Santa Barbara restaurant as closely as possible in the new location. Chicken Ranch customers can find the same reliably good food at both restaurants.

Unless you are after the one-pound tri tip or eight-piece chicken plate, meals are all under $10 and can be counted on to fill you up. The Chicken Ranch menu also has family-sized meals that come with all the fixings and serve four to 10 people. And recently the restaurants added salsa bars so patrons can top their chicken or tri-tip with marinated onions, jalapenos and a variety of salsas. To find out more about the Santa Barbara location, call 569-1872, and for the Goleta location, call 692-9200.