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Grappolo
3687 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez
Phone: (805) 688-6899
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Reviews by the General Public
Best Pizza in California, 8/4/2010
Reviewer: Jill
from Redondo Beach, CA
If you like thin crust pizza than this is the place for you. If you're from the East Coast you know what I'm talking about. It was to die for. Also split a salad which was good as well but I'm still dreaming about the pizza. And we sat outside and no flies. It was a beautiful night. Next time I'm in the area I'll be ordering pizzas to go!
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Grappolo? Yeah, I'll go back. And keep going. , 4/11/2010
Reviewer: Andy Patterson
from Santa Ynez, CA
The best thing about Grappolo is the service—hands down. I love the fact that when i get a table at Grappolo, I never feel rushed to leave. I've stayed there for a good three to four hours on more than one occasion, and the servers never once gave me the evil eye. I do not doubt that some people (namely the people who gave negative reviews on this page) had poor experiences, but in recent months (late 2009 to early 2010) the servers have been unwaveringly attentive, sincere, and punctual. To be sure, the food passes muster, but should not be considered transcendantly good Italian. I like their food—even love it sometimes—but chefs oscillate between their strengths and weaknesses. In my experience, go there for Northern Italian dishes. The pasta plates lake true innovation and identity, but their meat—culled from quality local sources—typically vaunts exquisite balance of preparation and delicious sauces.
I should also mention that I've recieved free dessert—twice. I don't know who is ultimately responsible for such generosity—the servers, the owners, the chefs—but gestures like that keep this customer satisfied.
I live a few blocks away from Grappolo, am not made of money, and get treated like royalty EVERY time.
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Absolutely fantastic, 11/22/2009
Reviewer: Erica
from Santa Barbara, CA
I enjoyed a fabulous dinner here with friends a few days ago. And I am thrilled to finally find a restaurant in the States where the table you sit down at is "your table" for the evening. We had a lovely 3-hour meal, enjoying beautiful and delicious food and wine; we took our time, savoring each course, and not ordering the next one until after consulting with Leonardo Curti (chef and owner), who was mingling with his guests throughout the evening, and our helpful waiter. With generous hospitality, they offered us tastings of a couple wines before we ordered a bottle and they went out of their way to give us an exquisite dining experience. Put yourself in the hands of the chef and you will not be disappointed!
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good food plus patience, 11/21/2009
Reviewer: Chris C.
from Santa Barbara, CA
We met a friend from out of town at Grappolo and enjoyed a fine dinner. Tasty cioppino, and a delicious tartufo capped it off nicely. The thing that stands out is their patience. We enjoyed a protracted visit and felt no rushing, no nasty looks - just good and friendly service throughout. We eventually decided to move on since the place was packed and we didn't want to tie up their table too long. But no pressure from the house, only hospitality.
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Serendipitous Find!, 10/19/2009
Reviewer: Bill Scrimpsher
from Huntington Beach, CA
We were on the last leg of a 5 week RVing trip, chatting with the shopkeeper in a Solvang needlework store. It was one of those rainy, lazy days & we weren't in the mood to head back to our 5th wheel to fix dinner. The shopkeeper recommended Grappolo's when I said I'm in the mood for GOOD Italian food. We drove up to Santa Ynez & were warmly greeted by the staff, seated at a cozy table & received very attentive & timely, but unrushed, service. The specials were advised by the young woman serving us; it was clear she not only knew everything about each of 5 specials but had enjoyed tasting them as well. We shared (at our server's suggestion) a delicious garden salad and both had fish entrees, my wife had a delightful halibut & I had a sole picatta. The spinach & vegetables accompanying the entree were prepared so lightly that the freshness was surprising.
The food in our opinion is excellently prepared, beautifully plated & served. It's a bargain for it's quality, freshness & inventive character, which we were pleased to tell both the server & the owner/chef, who visited with us at meal's finish. We did have desserts & coffee, which rounded out a beautiful dining experience. We will be back in the area (just 1-1/2 weeks later) and will definitely drive from Santa Barbara to enjoy Grappolo's again. Mangia!
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Best Local place in Santa Ynez
Reviewer: Christy
from Santa Ynez
Lets just say, we have tried every place that there is in Santa Ynez, new or old. And we always find ourselves going back to Grappolo. You know that the food will be great, the service is awesome. This is one unique place that we will keep going back for. :)
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Good but not Great
Reviewer: Iaon
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have dined at Grappolo numerous times, and the food is always good but not great. The decor is a little outdate (wallpaper) but the service is usually pleasant. Though this place does not blow me away, I will definitely return - there's no other Italian restaurant in the valley anyway.
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wonderful
Reviewer: joanna
from Santa Barbara, CA
I want to start off by saying I love this place. I have enjoyed many dinners there and lunches along with my boyfriend. Their food is great the bread they first place on the table is fresh and their olive oil is to die for . Their pizzas are fresh and their wine selection is great. For being in such a small city this place makes a huge impact. The owners are extremely nice and personal . Their deserts are really good I have never tasted a meal , wine, or desert I was unhappy with there. I don't agree with the other remarks about bad service I would say on the other hand this is the first place I've been to where I didn't feel rushed to go or get the check they allow you to relax and enjoy your meal.I can't wait to go back.!!
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Food was ok service was terrible
Reviewer: Joe
from Santa Barbara, CA
i had dinner there the food was ok. The service was horrible. the waitress was rude and upset my party. I would never go there again.
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Service From Hell
Reviewer: Craig
from Santa Ynez, CA
I'm a local, and I have to admit that the place has a well-deserved reputation for good, inventive Italian food. But the service is ALWAYS just terrible. The servers, for some reason that I cannot understand, are always deliberately rude. They keep you waiting for no reason, they bring entres for some of your party and not the rest, they're insolent and combative; it's always the same. As I told my wife and friends when we left last time (in agreement with the post below).
By the way, I'm sure there are people who are treated decently at Grappolo. I'm sure the positive posts from the people who seem to be professional restaurant reviewers are quite sincere, and that they ARE, in fact, treated well. But that's what makes the whole thing that much more sickening. The staff and management aren't idiots; they're just deliberately nasty to common people (like me) who don't really make a difference to them. Never Again.
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Never again
Reviewer: Barbara
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went here with a group of friends. We were excited cause we love Italian food...actually we love food. First, my friends order wine, didn't come out until we asked 3 times. It was not good wine. If you're only going to have outside seating, you should have fly traps. We kept squatting away flies the whole night. I love risotto and artichoke and when I heard it was the special, of course I ordered it. It was mushy and there was no artichoke in it. The shrimp in it was tough and smell fishy. My friends didn't like their meal either. It was tasteless and over priced and service was horrible. Never again
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Excellent everytime!
Reviewer: Christine
from Santa Ynez
Once again, went there for a birthday celebration, as we know we will not be dissapointed with the food. The service was better than last time, and the food was a great as always. :)
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