Dazzling Flavors in the “American Rivera”
Pit stop! The first leg of our road trip to sunny Santa Barbara began with saucy ribs and blue cheese tri tip salad from Salinas City Barbeque. Hands down, the most gorgeous combination of meat and seasonal veggies that we've ever seen. Pro tip: Never start a long journey on an empty stomach.
Ok, back to the highway.
It's true, Californians are spoiled. We remind each other of this fact all the time. Instead of flying thousands of miles to the warm stretch of Mediterranean coastline dubbed the French Riviera, we're happy to keep things local. Beach bums and wine enthusiasts in Central California prefer to spend weekends in the "American Riviera," as Santa Barbara is known, thanks to its remarkable similarity in climate and architecture to the European south.
Breathtaking views surround the city; to the south, a crystalline ocean; up north, the stunning Santa Ynez Mountain range; and everywhere in between, red tile roofs with white-washed stucco walls beneath. It's as though a meticulous child constructed her ideal village, containing picturesque buildings that all match, then filled them with alluring art galleries, museums, and shops.
But as a visitor on our yearly trek to this coastal paradise, we quickly discovered that you can't stand around OOO-ing and AHH-ing at the scenery forever. You start to get hungry. Thank goodness Santa Barbara isn't only golden sand, cruiser bikes, and yacht clubs; it's a foodie utopia, if you know where to look.
We started the night at Cadiz for appetizer tapas before our dinner reservation.
Paprika deviled eggs with a glass of local, Paso Robles rosé.
Garlic fries with chipotle aioli.
Lamb meatballs and coconut popcorn shrimp with chipotle aioli.
Cadiz's spacious indoor seating and inviting Mediterranean decor.
Outdoor seating with a view of downtown State Street.
Time for dinner at The Lark.
Our senses were vastly underprepared for the flavor explosion that would hit us at The Lark. Dish after dish packed in complex notes of acid, sweetness, salt, and spice; we barely had time to recover before the next plate.
This "Garden of Little Gems Wedge" salad tossed warm candied bacon with smoked buttermilk blue cheese dressing, finishing with pink radish shavings and spicy pecans.
The sharp lime and fish sauce-roasted Brussels sprouts left our mouths tingling as we dug into a heaping serving of elevated pimento cheese on toast; a salty bite toned down by spiky greens and crispy fried sweet peppers.
Wow, it was hard to keep up with all these intense flavors!
Ok, last dish, we agreed, gulping down water to cleanse our palates. But the tangiest was yet to come - spicy duck confit wings, drizzled with Thai chili ginger glaze and lemon aioli. Woo, our tongues were begging for mercy! This incredible meal was one we won't forget anytime soon.
Comfortable outdoor seating at The Lark.
Comfortable outdoor seating at The Lark.
On our way out of The Lark, this delightfully shiny building caught our eye, and our noses. A quick slice of wood-fired pizza from Lucky Penny couldn't hurt, right? We would be back later for strawberry salads, goat cheese paninis, and savory mushroom pizza.
Photo courtesy of Lucky Penny Instagram.
After all those energetic flavors, we needed a sweet break. A brown butter tart with fresh seasonal fruit and berries sounded blissful alongside some Oreo cheesecake from Opal Restaurant and Bar. Sitting back, content with full bellies, we didn't even mind that the plates were giving us orders. Enjoy, we had.
P.S. That's not all! The next day, we stumbled upon The Blue Owl, around the corner from State Street, and ate the most mind-blowing tri tip and blue cheese hoagies. Just thought you should know, in case you're ever in town.
P.P.S. If you're a real foodie, make sure to have a meal at Barbareño before you leave Santa Barbara, trust me! Their unique perspective on the food local to the region is fascinating and delicious. Read my blog post about Barbareño before you go: click here.
Now that we've made it to Santa Barbara, let's not forget all the fun we'll have on the road trip home, traveling up the Central Coast: