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Stonehouse Restaurant
900 San Ysidro Ln, Montecito
Phone: (805) 565-1724
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Reviews by the General Public
Didn't meet the expectations , 6/15/2010
Reviewer: Meagan
from Santa Barbara, CA
We recently visited The Stonehouse with high expectations. Having made the reservation months in advance for a special occasion/large party we expected our specific requests to be accommodated as they had been confirmed, but they were not upon arrival. Half of our guests sat in the blazing sun and they only brought out one additional umbrella. Over all service was decent, bussers and runners were the best, polite and professional but our main server kept making inappropriate server jokes, only showed up a few times, and forgot about drinks his attitude was too casual for that quality of dining. Also, the preset menu had the price printed on it, tacky for that kind of restaurant. Not to be a complete downer the food was amazing, just being in the restaurant business I noticed quite a few missed details and it was disappointing since the Stonehouse has such a high reputation.
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A wonderful experience, 6/12/2010
Reviewer: Isis and Bryan
from Santa Barbara, CA
Last night was fabulous. I was astonished at how reasonably priced dinner was. The quality of food and service was superb. We recommend the tuna tar tar, the Dianne steak and a good bottle of Spanish wine for under $40. Romantic it is, a delightful spot to relax. The decor is lovely, old school charm, the service was great. I look forward to going back for lunch very soon...The menu is the perfect length with the just the right amount to choose from...See you soon! Thank you Stonehouse crew...Isis and Bryan
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I Wanted to Like It But Couldn't, 4/26/2010
Reviewer: Jim
from Montecito. CA.
There is no doubt this is the most romantic, lovely place to eat in Montecito. It is also one of the more expensive with $100 a person about average for dinner. For that everything should go great. It wasn't. We arrived and were seated in the back of the deck which although nice is obscured by at least 3-5 tables to the view which is toward the water or the mountains. The two biggest issues were the lack of originality in the dishes available that evening and the prep. I must admit I am a bit of a foodie so when the appetizers are, Beet and Pear salad, ranch greens, a crab cake, and Caviar at an exhorbitant price I was unimpressed. This is standard good restaurant at half the price food. The mains were equally so what, lobster in risotto, salmon on a plank, diver scallops, roast rack of lamb. We had 4 different dishes - the lamb was a very nice size and over sauced, the salmon was no different than every restaurant in Seattle serves and panned seared scallops were only differentiated by the sauce it is a standard SB dish. By the way everyone sent their vegetables back as being uncooked - I mean vegetables with a sauce that were essentialy raw and hurt the older persons teeth. They took off the corkage, I brought a nice 76 Cab and the glass of wine for my mom but really. If you are going to set yourself up as the premier restaurant and chef around get a little originality and for gods sake please taste what you send out. Take a look at any of Gordon Ramsays Menus in London and that is what top of the line looks like or try Root 246 closer to home for the same menu at half the price. I was sadly dissapointed and wish I hadn't been. I live in this town and it gets harder to find great food.
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Excellent food, great setting, attentive service
Reviewer: David Ellison
from Portland, OR
Was in Santa Barbara on business and was taken here without preconceived notions. The setting was fabulous. The food was too. A watermelon gazpacho was an outstanding cool bright yellow soup with both sweet and salty hints, with a clear taste of cucumber. Small red melon balls floated in it, and set off the soup wonderfully. The lobster entree was very flavorful, cut in the shell, easy to remove, but not rubbery or synthetic tasting. It was on a bed of beans and other vegetables, which gave a distinct texture contrast. The mint gelato was a revelation, exhibiting the strongest and most appealing mint flavor. All in all, a great dinner.
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Best Wine List In Santa Barbara
Reviewer: Bill Peardon
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food is amazing, I'm a big fan of the crab cake (not cake-ish at all, just perfect crab). And as good as the food is, the wine list is even better, and although pricey, the list is the best by far in Santa Barbara. Kudos to whoever buys the wine for the Stonehouse/Plough & Angel! Making a reservation now for my wife's birthday on Saturday.
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Forty Ninth Wedding Anniversary
Reviewer: Rita
from Lodi, CA
Our son took us here for dinner for our 49th Wedding Anniversary. The grounds were beautiful. We sat outside and the evening was gorgeous. Our meal was excellent and the service was great. The only thing I can't figure out is why did the Second Anniversary couple get free champagne and port while we didn't get anything for 49 Years....Oh, well, we might try again on our 50th....
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One Year Wedding Anniversary
Reviewer: Christian
from Oxnard, CA
This place was ridiculous! The hostess was very nice and welcoming, but our server did not have a sense of humor. I inquired about scallop appetizers for my wife and I, and she informed us that there was only ONE SCALLOP which was $50! My wife and I could'nt stop laughing. What made our experience over the top was that right behind me, was a couple video taping each other tasting their ONE SCALLOP. The woman video taping sat literally a foot and a half away from her date's face. LOL It was insane! We wanted to laugh out loud but couldnt due to the quiet ambiance. After contemplating these things we decided to go somewhere where we wouldnt have to pay $100 for duck. Dont get us wrong, it was a beatiful location and property, but way too boujie. I guess maybe one day well reach that point of maturity. Thanks for the memorable evening.
Stonehouse Restaurant writes:
Christian,
I am terribly sorry to hear you did not get a chance to enjoy a meal with us. I will do my best to find out why you were told the scallop was $50 since it is actually priced at $18. Please allow me to recommend our Plow & Angel restaurant which is a more casual dining experience. If you wish to contact me please feel free to give me call. Chris Vigilante. Director of Restaurants. 805-565-1724
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Best Service, I wish I could give them 10 Stars!
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
I celebrated my two year anniversary there last night and it was amazing. I had very high expectations and the Stonehouse managed to exceed even that! Our server, Eric, was amazing. When I made reservations I had mentioned it was our two year anniversary he congratulated us upon arriving. We placed our orders, got some drinks (really good blood orange margarita and prickley pear mojito) and then enjoyed the beauty of the outdoor seating and got to watch the sky change from day to night. After our appetizers (scallop and pork, I'd get the pork again, it was great, but the scallop was par) Eric gave us free glasses of champagne for our anniversary. Then our delciious main courses (lamb - to die for! and yummy halibut), dessert was a trio plate on which they wrote in chocolate "Happy 2nd Anniversary". We ended the night with free glasses of port. On the way out the valet congratulated us on our 2nd anniversary and pulled the car around for us right away. The restaurant director, Chris, helped me in my decision in picking this restaurant to dine at, he went out of his way to stop by my table and congratulate us. The whole night was wildly indulgent, they treat everyone like a star, the seating outside is breath takingly beautiful and the food is the best fine dining around. Wine Cask was the only one who could even dream of competing with them. This place is simply the best.
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Great food and attentive service
Reviewer: Mike Davis
from Carpinteria, CA
My wife and I had dinner here recently and thoroughly enjoyed ouyrselves. We were seated promptly and given great seats on the outside patio. The food was amazing and the wine was as well. We we're very happy with the service, it's the kind that you don't even really notice, but your wine glass is always full and everything you need is there right when you want it.
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Best Birthday Dinner Ever
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
I had the best birthday dinner ever here (about 3 months ago). I do not like tomatoes but had their caprese salad and ate every bit of tomato on my plate! It came with a creamy, mild buffalo mozzarella, sea salt and basalmic with fresh greens. I saw outside watched the sunset, their fireplaces and heated patio kept me nice and toasty! I've eaten at a lot of seafood restaurants, I was born and raised on the waterfront of California. However, this was by far the best fish dish I've ever had. Firm texture, cooked to perfection. I can't wait until I can afford to go back!
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Cold entree, wrong wine buffered by candlelight
Reviewer: Citrine Clifford
from Santa Barbara, CA
The setting here is lovely, but so dark outside in the evening one tends to miss a few things. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. The waiter, though, kept chatting and chatting. He brought the wrong wine. We had ordered Groth Cab and he brought Roth Cab. It was so dark outside with just the candlelight flickering, and the waiter was in charge of filling our glasses, we were not aware of the difference. I thought the Groth did not taste right but did not want to offend my boyfriend. When the bill came, and he saw that it was Roth, not Groth, he pulled the bottle up by the candlelight and exclaimed "Oh, Roth, I ordered Groth!" The waiter did not take responsibility for this. Also, both of our entrees were COLD when they arrived at our table. Very disappointing for an entree betweet $40.00- $50.00. My guess is that the waiter was chatting at another table and the food became cold before he brought it to us.
Stonehouse Restaurant writes:
Citrine, First let me thank you for taking the time to leave us your comments. I am terribly sorry to here about your unfortunate dining experience with us. We are always striving to reach the highest standards of food and service. Please feel free to contact me directly at the restaurant, and we will do all we can to make your next visit to the ranch much more enjoyable. Chris Vigilante. Director of Restaurants. 805-565-1724
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Beautiful Setting, but.......
Reviewer: Jon
from Santa Barbara, CA
I found the other reviews to be quite accurate. We went there last night for our anniversary and sat outside as recommended. The surroundings are lush and beautiful, especially with the sunset reflecting off the huge oaks. You could occasionally smell oak burning in one of the several fireplaces. The seating was plenty warm. The table had an awkward construction such that I couldn't cross my legs. The menu is nice by not original and the prices were high. However, the service was remarkable! First, they called me to remind me of my reservation. The abundant staff called us by name and attended to us every minute. Our server was very friendly and entertaining. The wine list was great.
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