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Bella Vista at the Biltmore
1260 Channel Dr, Montecito
Phone: (805) 969-2261
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Reviews by the General Public
dinner for two, 11/8/2009
Reviewer: alisha nicole lucas
from Santa Barbara, CA
the location is really cool with the ocean right next to you if you sit outdoors which i recommend over sitting inside. the food was exceptionally good and worth the price. the service wasn't at the same level but still alright. the atmosphere was perfect for a dinner date and it was my first time there but i am sure i will return soon.
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Beautiful Sunday buffet 7/19/09, 7/19/2009
Reviewer: Leonard
from Santa Barbara, CA
Although I have been to the Biltmore in the past, I was a little leary about going back after reading such negative reviews on this site. But here we go. I'm not into eating at 'buffets'....maybe because there are way too many choices of food and one tends to eat too much..., but we had out of town guests and thought the location at the Biltmore would be ideal. It's a beautiful setting, and we had a great table. And, of course, with 6 people and costing over $500.00, you would expect something special....and we weren't disappointed. The service was very nice, not rushed and friendly. And the food was really excellent.....wonderful choices of salads, seafoods, meats, etc....and of very high quality....rack of lamb, cavier, etc. Our guests were impressed and actually, so were we. Would certainly return for a special, relaxed occassion.
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Doesn't live up to its reputation, 6/26/2009
Reviewer: David Wright
from London, UK
We came here for a special dinner on the last night of our trip (we visit SB several times each year). The european maitre'd was excellent - professional, welcoming etc. We were placed near noisy children (ok I can live with that), by a door propped open with a cushion, with a chair and a sweat shirt thrown over it, and we found ourselves sitting in bird poop (the joys of an open roof, but it made a mess of my trousers). Food - decidedly average and one main course was barely warm. Service - nothing special, not a even as good as CPK. Price - very high. Most expensive - and worst - meal of the trip.
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Very disappointing, 2/16/2009
Reviewer: sayre
from ojai, ca
We live in Ojai. Dining at the Biltmore was always a treat; but, over the past 25 years , there has been a steady deterioration in the food. Dinner, last night was a most disappointing event.
Bread, and their ususally great bread sticks were stale. So called smoked salmon appetizer was not smoked and served luke warm. Roast chicken was tasteless, dry, and, again, served luke warm. Baked potato had been standing around the kitchen for hours.
We will not be returning for a long time.
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Great food, HORRIBLE service
Reviewer: Rob
from Santa Barbara, CA
The food was great. Would have been five stars had they not brought out the wrong bottle of wine at least five times (yes, really, more than five times, and I am not exaggerating). Service was horrid though. Horrid for a 2-star place, let alone for the Biltmore. Waited a solid half an hour before we had menu's. Another two hours AT LEAST before we got our food. Sat down at 5:30pm, wasn't out of there until after 9...and we ate fairly quickly (one of the couples I was with had someone babysitting their infant, and wanted/needed to get back to put him down).
If you don't mind the wait and the poor service, this is the place to eat due to the great food
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Lunch At The Biltmore
Reviewer: Mark
from Santa Barbara
On a recent afternoon myself and two friends decided to try the Bella Vista. We often spent 2 or 3 hours lingering over lunch on our day off. There are really no words to describe just how bad the service and food were. The waiter could not speak English, was slow and spilled food on our table. We ordered an appetizer, two lobster salads and each an entree. After way to long of a wait the "lobster" salad came, then 30 seconds later came the Appetizer and entree's. What a disappointment the entire meal was. I am sure the "lobster" was canned crab as it had no discernible flavor and since I didn't bring my microscope I had a hard time finding the "lobster" at all. I have no memory of the other food, just a bad taste in my mouth about the whole experience. I will not be returning to this restaurant. The same at Stella Mare's or Ca Dario and its a 180 degree difference.
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BACK IN A HEARTBEAT
Reviewer: L. TAYLOR
from BEND, OREGON
MY HUSBAND AND I WENT THERE FOR LUNCH TODAY. A FRIEND SUGGEST WE GO FOR A COCKTAIL SOME EVENING WHILE VISITING THE SANTA BARBARA AREA. WE DIDN'T GO FOR A COCKTAIL, HOWEVER WE DID GO FOR LUNCH AND WHAT A FUN TREAT THAT WAS. SERVICE WAS GREAT AND MY SEAFOOD COBB SALAD WAS SUPERB. MY HUSBAND HAD THE ANGUS BEEF BURGER, HE LOVED HIS MEAL TOO. WANTED TO HAVE DESSERT AS I'VE HEARD THEY HAVE SOME GREAT ONES, HOWEVER, WE WERE BOTH TO STUFFED. PRICES ARE NOT BAD, AS ONE WOULD THINK. GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE AND GREAT ATMOSPHERE.
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Outstanding experience - Four Seasons Style
Reviewer: John Frank
from Sacramento, CA
I have just visit Santa Barbara and decided to go for lunch. Starting by how I was welcomed, I knew this was on the way to be an outstanding experience. My partner and I were escorted by a young man in suit to our table (the manager). Without any delay, server approached us and asked for our drinks. He mentioned the day's specials in such way that we couldn’t resist and went for them. Another server came with bread (fantastic olive bread), butter and water and we were all set for a wonderful experience. During our time in the restaurant we saw why Four Seasons is so acclaimed by the service they give. We were impressed by the presence of the manager, going to every table, and keeping everybody moving in his team. After we had received our first course, he approached us and asked how we were enjoying our meal, although he had an accent, it didn't stop him from coming to us, well done! Food was fantastic, especially the gnocchi, I had to ask who the chef was and give my compliments to Mr. Frost. One last thing that really impressed me is the fact that, upon leaving, the hostess and the manager said good bye to us using my name. I had not given it at all during my visit, but was a detail that closed a fantastic lunch. Incredible, highly recommended.
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the desserts are heavenly
Reviewer: lemonjelly
from santa barbara, ca
Some girlfriends and I came to the lounge and bar area for desserts one evening. We have the most amazing profiteroles. Now, I love all profiteroles, but these were raised up to a work of art. Beautifully presented on a long ceramic tray with thin chocolate squares decorated with gold leaf, golden baked curls of coconut, and sprinkles of miniature chocolate cookies. The choux pastries themselves were crisp and stuffed with a variety of ice creams, with a hot pot of creamy chocolate sauce on the side.
Another dessert was little squares of a flakey crunchy cookie base with a creamy caramel filling and topped with chocolate. Sounds like it could be cloyingly sweet, but it was not at all.
For drinks, one friend got a double espresso, another (the non-driver, lucky her) got a fabulous dessert wine that was recommended, and I had chamomile tea.
Service-wise, I did not have the experience I see in some other reviews. It was really top-notch, even for customers like myself who were not there for a full meal. Three great people waited on us, and the floor manager even came out to check up on us as she did for all patrons. A man played a grand piano in the corner, and some people sat nearby to listen and sing along a bit.
And then to walk out after a satisfying evening and hearing the ocean waves. Just lovely.
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