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Willows at the Chumash Casino
3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez
Phone: (805) 686-0855
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Reviews by the General Public
We were told the Willows is one of the best places in So-Cal, 4/5/2009
Reviewer: Paula Eylar
from Las Vegas,NV
I have dined in many above average places and this might be the best.When we got there we were greeted by the manager Richard.When he sat us he not only told us about the dinner specials but told us about all the cocktail specials and wine specials.We loved it because most places just drop you off at your table and he was able to get us going in the right direction right away.We loved the cucumber,mint and gin cocktail as well as the Mandarin-pomegranate martini.We then went with the recommendation of a great Cabernet Sauvignon that was not on the list.The wine was paired perfectly with our steaks, which were cooked to perfection.The Chef does great sauces and the plates came out very hot!Richard even poured our wine while he checked to make sure our dinners were cooked properly.We'll be back often,thanks to Richard and his great staff. TOP NOTCH.
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Disappointed this Go-around
Reviewer: Shelley
from Santa Maria
I have eaten at the Willows on many occassion and been very pleased. However this time, I am really disappointed to the point I may not go back. A friend took me for my birthday, she ordered the lobster bisque, which we split, it tasted like tomato soup. Then we had the Australian Lobster for main course, it was not cooked properly and after 2 bites we were eating sushi! My steak was ok, but after sending her Lobster back, and waiting an 1/2 hour for the re-cook. I basically ate my dinner alone. The best part of the whole meal was the Creme Brulee & the bread, which is still yummy. Whatever changes you have make recently, weather it be staff or cooks- please think about going back to what you were 2 months ago, which was an excellent restaurant with exception service.
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Mixed review
Reviewer: Karen
from Santa Barbara
We weren't offered a wine list. The service was very attentive, in fact, perhaps too attentive.....servers, it is OK to take away an obviously empty dish that has been put aside. More than once, we were asked, "Are you still enjoying that?" in regards to an empty plate! Don't be afraid to take an empty plate! The food was OK. The bread was good, with a nice assortment of toppings (except no butter!). I loved the crunchy salty breadsticks! The lobster bisque was really good. My seafood "lasagnette" was bathed in what tasted like Campbell's tomato soup. The seafood itself was good. The presentation of the dishes could use a little help. My husband ordered some "accompaniments" of vegetable and mashed potatoes, and they were brought out on individual plates, without garnish, kinda just slopped on. We very much enjoyed the dessert, a chocolate cake and ice cream thing. If there was a rating for setting/ambiance, I would give it a three stars.....it was quite noisy, and the tables were a little close together. Overall, a nice dining experience, but for the price, I expect excellence.
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NICE PLACE. BETTER THAN AVERAGE FOOD. GOOD SERVICE
Reviewer: MIKE KOZLOV
from CHATSWORTH, CA
ATMOSPHERE AND SERVICE WAS GOOD. FOOD WAS ABOVE AVERAGE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE EATEN THERE 5 TIMES. NOT AS GOOD AS HITCHING POST
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Not that Great
Reviewer: Lauren Van Mullem
from Santa Ynez, California
As a Santa Ynez local, I've heard a great deal about the big casino and read impressive online reviews of their Willow's restaurant. It looks elegant, modern, classy, and seemed as if it would at least have great presentation for the food.
Unfortunately, though the look of the restaurant is nice, the decor is not striking. The food is expensive and admirably described on the menue, but I would much rather dine at the Olive Garden in terms of flavor. I ordered a pasta dish with a delicious description that looked and tasted like Hamburger Helper, and my boyfriend ordered the Ahi special (after he was informed that the tempting Ahi Schitzel was not available) which was not as cooked as it ought to have been. The presentation was basic for the pasta, and standardly trendy for the Ahi, but no flair to put it over the top. We ordered the $9 french fries for our appetizer, and that was easily the highlight of the meal-- they are really good, with excellent presentation and gourmet flavor. The desserts are nothing special-- NY Cheesecake (flown in, which as my boyfriend pointed out seems a bit silly), some small chocolatey things, and Tiramisu, the last of which we ordered. Again, not that good. Not terrible, but definitely not worth the money.
What did stand out was the excellent service. Every person I talked to at the Casino and restaurant was friendly, cheerful and willing to help. The other strong points of the restaurant are that they offer many local wines (I tried two that were very nice), and the image they create of themselves through their online site, descriptions of food on the menu (I recognize the work of a fellow english major), and through their staff is very impressive. I just wish the food lived up to the promise.
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WOW--What a treat!
Reviewer: LNN
from Goleta, CA
Wow--You will not be disappointed! We made Willows one of our stops during our honeymoon up the California coast. From every course, the food was impressive, fresh, and delicious. We had the crab cakes, lobster bisque, two fish entrees, and creme brulee. We will be back!
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Top-class Restaurant
Reviewer: Sheldon
from Ventura, CA
As a first time visitor to both "The Willows" and the Chumash Casino, I didn't know what to expect. As a guest of the hotel, my food was severly discounted, so I tried as many of the dishes as I could. The Lobster Bisque was exquisite, as was the Creme Brulee, but the Filet Mignon was the best by far. The meat was cooked exactly to order, and it felt like butter in my mouth. The wait staff was very friendly, and with reservations, we were seated immediately. You forget about the hustle and bustle of the casino just a few hundred yards away because it feels as if you've stepped into another world. I can't wait to return and dine once again at this fine restaurant.
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YUM!!!
Reviewer: Susie
from Lakewood, CA
My husband and I had dinner at the Willows and were impressed from start to finish. The food was not only delicious, but beautifully presented. The wait staff was stellar and it was just an all around perfect evening.
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Worst Service Restaurant
Reviewer: Nena Atienza
from Mission Hills , CA
First time to visit your restaurant and never will eat there again.
Didn't get a chance to eat the food because we waited for it to be served for 1:45 minutes.
We were ignored, when everybody else around us at having a good treatment. The restaurant is not even crowded, we were so visible.
We called the manager's attention about our complain, but totally ignored us too. Our bill was over $100.00 and we paid in full and walked out. No apology from the manager.
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Cheesy casino but top-notch restaurant
Reviewer: Joe
from Buellton
Not being a big fan of the casino, my expectations for the restaurant were pretty low. But after my wife went with some of her friends, she convinced me to give it a try. It really was first-class all the way -- professional wait staff, very nice ambiance (no, you can´t hear the slot machines from downstairs!), many enticing options on the menu, and excellent food quality. I was pleasantly surprised. I might even consider walking through that smoke-filled casino to go back someday....
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