Top Soup Restaurant in Santa Barbara
California Pizza Kitchen
719 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Hate to do this because CPK Thai Crunch Salad is supreme but.. we had a terrible experience at this location. Without getting into too much detail, the things that went wrong:- Vegetarians beware | Salad with sub for vege chicken came out with chicken meat, and my vegetarian SIL accidentally ate chicken meat (shes been vege for over a decade)- Check your bill | Replacement salad for vege didnt have avocado in it although the additional charge for avocado was still on the bill.- Not good for big groups | Table of 7, two mains came out, the others didnt arrive for at least 15min, so the two first meals had to be eaten before everyone else got their food or theyd be cold. Pizza was not hot on arrival.- Not good for small children/babies | We had a 2 year old whos meal was last to come. (not sure how a salmon dish and a large pizza takes longer than salads & a childs pizza to make..)- Dont expect attentive service | Asked for more menus twice (only had 2 for a table of 7) and they never came. Asked for water 3 times—luckily on the 3rd time we got some. Asked for side plates for the appetizers—never came. Dirty appetizer dishes never got cleared. Staff would drop things off and then not stick around long enough to see if we had everything we needed so it was impossible to flag anyone down for help/service. Eg. asked for fresh cracked pepper but they bought chilli flakes and I didnt have the chance to say sorry I wanted black pepper. Never got asked how our meal was.Usually wouldnt waste my time writing a review like this but it was for my Mothers 70th birthday (which they knew) and overall the experience was so upsetting for the entire family.Only shout-out is to Sam, who wrote a note and left it at the front desk saying we would be coming (even though they do not take reservations).
Top other services in Santa Barbara:
Catering Connection
512 Laguna St STE A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
My husband and I used Catering Connection for our recent wedding. Casey was easy to work with and delightful from our first meeting at the tasting appointment--which was beautiful and personalized for us.Casey not only handled the catering and a ton of logistics, she managed our rentals, and even referred us to a wonderful musician that we used for our cocktail hour. She made sure we werent forgetting anything and was always service driven in all interactions. Simply put, she was a delight and was a real human with sincerity.Our wedding started off with welcome snacks/drinks, followed by cocktail hour with a salsa bar/chips/guac, passed chicken empanadas, tuna poke, and butternut squash soup shooters. SO GOOD. For Dinner we chose flank steak with chimichurri, halibut with strawberry balsamic reduction, red potatoes, asparagus, California baby greens salad, and a selection of breads. Not too expansive per our request, but it was more than enough food and was delish in every way.Casey was attentive and thoughtful--she made sure we had our drinks post ceremony, separate apps so we got to try it all, and timed our dinner for us so it was hot when we came back from a little golden hour photo sneak away.We did not originally come in with high hopes based our experience at previous weddings, where you typically dont even remember the food. Since the wedding, we have had multiple guests reach out to let us know the food was GREAT!If we were to do this day again, we wouldnt change one thing! Thanks Casey and the whole CC crew. :)
Mattias Blom Private Chef in Santa Barbara & Sa...
133 E De La Guerra St #341, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Where do I begin?! Mattias was super responsive from the start - very easy to work with to organize the event and plan the menu. We had a lot of food issues in our party - allergies and food dislikes and he was able to adjust no problem. Everything he made was absolutely delicious. He arrived on time and started preparing the meal while we were still out and about. The setting on the table had succulents on it, which was such a nice touch. All the food was superb. Carrot Salad with farro, squash soup, prosciutto wrapped halibut, chocolate pot de creme. We are still talking about that meal and its 3 days after. He was also fantastic with my three year old son. Super personable and able to talk sports with my brother. He cleaned up after himself like he was never there. That was also much appreciated. He made mine and my dads birthday so special. We would definitely hire him again.
Yoga Soup
28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
This is way more than a yoga studio. Yoga Soup is a unique experiment in every aspect of yoga. Its an exceptionally curated book and art shop with comfortable seating and nice beverages. The primary yoga studio is inside the shop, separated by two big doors. Theres another studio with a separate entrance a hundred feet from the shop.Both studios are thriving. I visited in 2019 and 2021 from Memphis. I was in town with some other dads and our children, who were in surf camp during the day. So we made Yoga Soup our home base, working on laptops and reading between classes. Right across the street is an awesome juice bar and there are several good restaurants around too. The variety of classes they offer is refreshing. The eponymous Yoga Soup class with Eddy is indicative of the studio as a whole -- eclectic, fun and full of great humans.
Indian Tandoori Kingdom
indian Tandoori Kingdom, 1026 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Went with my gal pal for lunch specials. We got salad, naan, butter chicken and rice and a little soup. I loved the variety on my plate. We were so happily full. The price was phenomenal! Clean nice restaurant. We are definitely telling our friends and coming back again.
Azul Cocina and Cantina
7 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
We went for dinner with another couple and found the atmosphere absolutely delightful. It was a warm Santa Barbara winter evening and the lights in the courtyard as well as the paneling in the covered dining area were magical. The wait staff was very pleasant and the carnitas were quite good. The prices were surprisingly low with many entrees between 20 and $30.Our problem began when after an hour and 15 minutes we had had only an appetizer and our main course had not arrived. When we asked the waiter what was happening he said there was a slow down in the kitchen. It is true that when we arrived the place was busy but by this time an hour and 15 minutes later it was dramatically more empty so we were puzzled.The waiter returned perhaps 10 minutes later and almost begged us to talk with the manager. Hmmm. She came over but was quite rude. I was startled when she interrupted one of our party to say, Can I talk now! Wow! Who says that? This black haired slender Hispanic woman needs to be given some basic lessons in how to treat customers who have been sitting patiently for now over an hour and 15 minutes!When our food finally arrived we were still puzzled why it had taken so long. The carnitas must have been cooking for at least a day (delicious and fell apart!) and nothing else in our orders (4 carnitas!) required preparation. So it seemed our meals could have been plated in 5 or 10 minutes especially once the rush subsided. We still dont know what happened. My advice is if the kitchen staff quits in the middle of the evening or the cook didnt show up for the night that customers just be told the real reason instead of gaslighted.In the end one of our party canceled her order and was given a complimentary glass of wine. This is not a reflection on the wait staff who were very gracious. And I think we will go back again because the atmosphere, prices, and food were all good. But beware of the rude manager woman!
Satellite SB
1117 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
I live & dine out alot in Santa Barbara CA. This was my 1st time eatting at the Satellite after being highly recommended by other dining friends of the fresh excellent food being served here. So I brought another vegetarian friend along to give it a go. WOW were we VERY HAPPY with the fresh quality tasty food served here...very yummy! We split veggie mix with mushrooms tacos. A phenomenal salad & my favorite a toast sandwich. Plus dont miss out on grannys warm brownie! Turns out the chef recently had just won best vegetarian chef in a local contest for Santa Barbara & I concur she richly deserves the acknowledgement. Our server Nick was informative & helpful with our choosing our 1st meal there. We also meet the owner Drew & complimented him on the tasty excellent meal we had just eaten So yes I highly recommend the food & service to all who want a quality tasty meal. The only thing I would also let you know is that inside it can get noisy due to the hard surface walls...thus hard to hear your conversations. I then recommend sitting in the outside tables or in the window seats. Yet again I am definitely recommending my dinning out friends to the place: Satellite SB
Yoichis
230 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Yoichis is one of the best restaurants Ive had the privilege of dining at in the United States and I say this as someone who dines at AAA 5-Diamond and Michelin-starred restaurants regularly. My initial meal here was so good that I went back a second time the very next week. Flat rate of $100 for a 7-course Kaiseki dinner. Kaiseki originated in the 16th century as a Japanese tea ceremony. Here, it features seasonal cuisine, a mixture of sushi, grilled plates, boiled plates, and (of course) dessert. You do get a few choices on menu options. I highly recommend the Kamo no Yuanyaki (Sweet Soy Sauce Marinated Grilled Duck Breast), the Kinki no Nitsuke (Japanese Rock Fish Simmered in Sweet Broth), and the Hamaguri Shinjo Sumashijatate (Clear soup with Hamaguri clam fish cake). Also I suggest the Denshin Natsu (Junmai Daiginjo Namazake), a seasonal sake, and one of my favorites Ive had either in or out of Japan.This is THE place to eat if you visit Santa Barbara. Dont think twice about it, put yourself in this restaurants capable hands and prepare to have your mind blown.
Buena Onda Empanadas Restaurant Catering Events
724 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
BEST EMPANADAS EVER ! We were up in Santa Barbara for a few days to celebrate my wifes birthday. The happy memories of our last visit here in Sept, 2020 were still strong.....staying overnight in a beautiful Casita at The Eagle Inn and enjoying fabulous fresh made empanadas from here while watching the World Series. DARN THEY WERE GOOD ! Not long after checking in at The Eagle Inn on Thursday we took a Lyft over here to have dinner. My wife and I arrived around 6.30pm...it was great to be back. In the last couple of years we have eaten dozens of empanadas but none have come close to the great flavors of Buena Onda Empanadas. YEAH BABY ! A very charming server / manager named Vanessa welcomed us at the service counter. We decided to go with 2 x 3 EMPI COMBOS ( choose any 3 empanadas w/side salad or chimi papas ). My wife went with 1 x HONGOS ( crimini mushrooms, organic spinach, caramelized red onions, mozzarella ) and 2 x SERRANO ( prosciutto ham, mozzarella, garlic, wild arugula ). While I selected 1 x CARNE ( surfed ranch grass-fed ground beef, onions, bell peppers, green olives and free-range hard boiled egg ), 1 x CAPRESE ( organic roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil ) and 1 x SERRANO ( prosciutto ham, mozzarella, garlic, wild arugula ). For our sides we both chose CHIMI PAPAS ( Chimichurri oven roasted red potatoes, spices, topped with aioli sauce ). I noticed they had a few beers on tap and ordered a Topa Topa Chief Peak IPA. Looking at their dessert selection in the display cabinet...we chose a variety pack of 3 custard filled BEIGNETS plus a MANZANITA ( green apples, figs, cinnamon, goat cheese ). We paid upfront, given a table number and headed out to find a table on the patio. There were a couple of groups of diners nearby....the heaters kept things comfortable for everyone. Before we knew it stuff started coming out to your table courtesy of a female food runner. BAM BAM BAM ! Beignets, Manzanita and lots of Empanadas. EVERYTHING LOOKED GREAT ! My wife loves mushrooms so the Hongos was her fav while I totally loved the Carne...very juicy ingredients. ITS ALL GOOD ! All our empanadas tasted outstanding...quality ingredients and captivating flavors. The custard filled Beignets were a real treat...delicately delicious. And I savored the Manzanita...a sweet empanada filled with green apples, figs, cinnamon & goat cheese. Along the way I managed to drink most of my ice cold Chief Peak IPA. Before I left I met Franco the master chef and gave him a pat on the back for our fabulous empanadas. GREAT FOOD, TOP SERVICE, FUN VIBE !
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant
216 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Excellent food. Less than excellent service. Ive been coming almost on a weekly basis for over 7 years. I know one of the managers, Susan, by name b/c of this but she has never once remembered or asked mine. Usually her and the team provide the bare minimum customer service as it relates to simply being upbeat and polite. Today I needed a sandwich for a 12-year-old child which was: gluten free bread, cheddar cheese, and avocado--thats IT. It was $14 due to a $2 up charge for the gluten-free bread and when I politely asked about it Susan said do you want it or not. Terrible. Ive seen this exact same shortness trickle down to most of the other employees, unfortunately. Thanks for going the extra mile! ??I appreciate your response, Ann.. sorry it was such a rough day. Wishing all of you (owners, employees, vendors) a smoother operation environment in these tough times