|
Scarlett Begonia
11 W. Victoria St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 770-2143
- Category: American
- Hours: Tue-Sun 8 am - 2 pm breakfast and lunch, Thu-Sat 5:30 pm - 9 pm dinner
- Price: $10 - $20
- Serving: Breakfast & Lunch
- Map
- Web Site
- Menu
- Write a review of this location!
|
 |
 |
Reviews by the General Public
A jewel!, 1/30/2013
Reviewer: cat
from goleta, CA
What a fantastic place! We went for Sunday brunch and were absolutely blown away! The food was fresh, full of flavor, and delicious! We got the biscuit sampler, lemon pancakes (out of this world!), and grits w/ poached eggs, sausage, shrimp...Yummmm. Service could have been a little better, but the place was packed and the servers were all working diligently. We will definitely be back! Soon!
|
Wonderful food but service could be much better!, 1/25/2013
Reviewer: amanda
from Santa Barbara, CA
I love going to Scarlett Begonia because the food is always different and delicious. I love how the menu changes and the fresh selection of breads and desserts, but the service is very slow. It took us about 15 mins to even get water or a person to say hi and when I ordered my drink, I didn't get it until about halfway through my lunch and I had to ask twice for it. But the food is delicious and I will still always continue to go!
|
Please train your staff!, 12/20/2012
Reviewer: Katie
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been here many times as the food is quite good and it has a great ambiance to it. However, every time I have a particular waitress, I cringe. If you ask her which particular item is better, she will respond "Everything is good" and will never offer informed guidance. After you order a beverage, she will go on to tell you about all the beverages you haven't ordered. I have ordered baked goods with her only to find out that they are all out twenty minutes later when people are being served their meal and I am not. I hope they can train her so she can succeed, or else I will have to be rude and ask to be seated in a different section... or just not go.
|
First Rate, 9/29/2012
Reviewer: Steve
from Santa Barbara, CA
Enjoyed breakfast on a Saturday morning. Food was excellent. We had five different dishes and all were tasty and fresh. The bacon arrived crispy, as ordered. The lattes were smooth and delicious. Our server was knowledgable, good humored and happy to share her recommendations. Food arrived promptly and hot. The atmosphere is cozy; try to sit out in the courtyard if you like less ambient noise.
|
I leave feeling irritated. Yay for organic, though.
Reviewer: Erin
from Santa Barbara, CA
Service keeps getting worse every time I go. I leave feeling irritated, not satisfied with the decent organic food...if they could be more consistent on that, though. I really think management is completely lacking or blind. I paid $12 this morning for mini pancakes that had the toppings on it I requested off. This is not the first time. Plus, service takes a LONG time, and the waitresses are snobby. It's been an irritating experience each time, so I probably won't return.
|
Horrendous service, great food
Reviewer: Bob
from Santa Barbara, CA
We've been to Scarlett Begonia a number of times now. The food is outstanding. The service is some of the worst ever. Long waits to be seated, long waits to get water, really long waits to get food. Yesterday, after waiting an hour (party of 2), we watched a party of 3 who had been waiting 10 minutes get seated before us. 10 minutes! The hostess looking straight at us as she walked them to a table. We turned around and left and will NEVER go back. Crista Fooks: your food is wonderful but you need to hire someone who knows how to run a restaurant.
|
Welcoming a great downtown breakfast/lunch/brunch option
Reviewer: Jinelle
from Santa Barbara, CA
After the opening kinks and a few mixed reviews but always raves about the food, SCARLETT BEGONIA is hitting its stride and well worthy of a top recommendation for breakfast or lunch and mid-morning breaks. Setting is the terrific quiet downtown Victoria Court at West Victoria and State Street, close by the Arlington and Granada Theaters. Indoor, fountain patio and upstairs open deck seating. This puts excellent early day dining right into the heart of evening restaurant Ground Zero right near Arigato, buchon, Downeys and Olio et Limone.
We had the Reuben sandwich and the squash eggplant sandwich - both top rate. The squash/eggplant sandwich was a little squishy to eat by hand, but managed with many swipes on my cloth napkin. Very tasty combo with various veggies and goat cheese with a haunting sweet tartness to its make-up. Reuben was also a little unconventional, but top marks for taste as well. Both came their their version of fries which were plump, crisp and savory. Prices in the $10-15 category with complimentary filtered still or sparkling water.
Everything coming out looked good and one could spend many happy returns going through the entire menu. It obviously has established itself by word of mouth - many happy diners and a 30's-something type casual crowd. Careful attention provided by whom appears to be the owner. She has something good and takes personal care to ensure it succeeds. Welcome to Santa Barbara Scarlett Begonia, and adding one more wonderful dimension to Santa Barbara dining.
They also serve that "pre-digested" Green Star coffee - did not try it, but here is a place where it should be good.
Permalink | Report | Reply
|
great food and place ----very slow service...
Reviewer: Lucila
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been here with friends for breakfast a couple of times and everything was always delicious. their bisquit is to die for and i love how they bring butter with black salt. great atmosphere and good coffee. but the last time we were there with my husband on Wednesday March 20th at 10 am, a couple of tables were taken but it was quite. There was only 1 person assisting all the tables and after 20 min and more people arrived we were the last ones to be asked what we wanted to drink or order. 30 minutes and the place was packed, food was arriving for everybody (already) except us. nobody had taken our order yet.... nor even brought water. we finally had to call the waiter and he apologized for not taken our order. we wanted to stay because the food is great and we were in a good mood and not in a hurry :) but I was really surprised by the disorganized team that was running the place that day. we will go back for the food and place. the location is awsome!!! hopefully that was just a bad day for the place- and we happen to be there- they shoul be more organized and take orders from customers that arrived first and pay attention to what is going on on the floor. may be need to put more staff out helping?
|
great atmosphere ... food hit or miss
Reviewer: prue
from Santa Barbara, CA
ate breakfast here last weekend. awesome atmosphere, great waiter, but the food kind of missed it, mostly. main complaint was that some of the items were dry and tasteless: the biscuit-super dry and crumbly, the potatoes-dry, the crab cakes on the crab cake sandwich were tiny little hockey pucks of dryness, the poached eggs were even dry and rubbery on the outside (but nice and runny yolk on the inside) pros were: lemon ricotta pancakes-super light and yummy, desserts-delish, juice-awesome, great coffee, tasty frys, incredible homemade ketchup. but for a $100 breakfast, the food quality definitely did not deliver. may go back and may not, depending on whether we are in the mood for (really expensive) pancakes and french frys.
|
Great food, not great server
Reviewer: LP
from Santa Barbara, CA
Had a lovely brunch here Sunday, first visit. We three hadn't seen each other in a while so were chatting before deciding what to order. We felt rushed to order. Our server tried to up-sell everything, first when one of us looked at the beverage menu and decided on water. "No ginger lemonade?" She proceeded to rattle off half the beverage list when an iced tea was ordered. Two of us had the chilaquiles, which are the bomb, and she asked both of us "with chorizo?" an extra cost. She didn't return to the table to check on us until all of us were almost done eating. It didn't ruin our experience but it annoyed me in an otherwise great spot. Everyone else who came to the table was delightful. Appreciated the amuse of potato chip with truffled sour cream - who does an amuse at brunch!?!
|
Pricey but worth it!
Reviewer: Jason Koivu
from Santa Barbara, CA
Oh no! A place rivaling Renaud's in my heart for decadent weekend breakfasts! This is what the restaurant that was in this location prior to them should have been doing. In this business it's all about location and partly that means adapting your restaurant style to fit the location. Scarlett Begonia is built to cater to the people that populate that area. Well done!
|
Would be wonderful, except...
Reviewer: Ashley
from Santa Barbara, CA
I whole heartedly agree with the reviewer below. My husband and I were there on Sunday as well, and had a similar overall experience. I first have to say that the food is amazing, which is why I keep dragging my husband there when all he really wants is bacon and eggs. It's creative and executed very well. The menu is large, but it offers a little bit for everyone, even his bacon and eggs. With that said, each time I leave, I'm also a bit annoyed by the staff's lack of urgency and attention to detail. We too stood at the restaurant’s door for several minutes wondering who we should talk to while we watched staff go about without speaking to us. We were finally approached by someone whom I’m assuming is the hostess, who then left again, spoke to several members of the staff close enough to our ear shot for us to determine it was not about our table, before she returned to fetch us and bring us to our table. Before we were quite finished, we watched our server leave for the afternoon. We waited, sure that someone would continue to wait on us. Fortunately, we did not need much, as no one came back around. When we were finished, we attempted to get other employees' attention so that we could finally have our check. We did this while watching the table beside us also experience the same lack of attention and complain amongst themselves that they would have liked a refill on their coffee. I feel like the service issue is an easy fix, but until it is fixed, I will continue to have to drag my husband there for the food.
|
This place could be perfect, if they work out staff kinks
Reviewer: David
from Santa Barbara, CA
It's not easy to enter the hip, high-end, breakfast market in SB, competing against the incumbents but somehow Scarlett Begonia pulls it off. Everything is just so charming about this place - the food, the high quality pastries and desserts made in-house, the moss plants on the walls. I've been here a handful of times and I always leave, surprisingly, a little annoyed and it's always entirely because of the staff/service. Take for instance, our breakfast on Sunday. I walk in and to my left I see a girl that is folding towels and wiping down silverware on a table completely dedicated to the task. On my right I see a girl at the register (sorry: iPad). Who would you assume the receptionist is? It took me a few attempts to speak to the one on the iPad because she was doing something too important to be distracted (Angry Birds?). I could have sworn she was under the influence because of her very delayed and methodical speech. I admit, it took me two tries to understand she was telling me the girl behind us was the receptionist. There's no clear indication of this at all. Do you mistaken the bus boy for a chef? Then when they take your order, they have to login and enter the details on an iPad. Yes, I understand this is very trendy but it takes 10 seconds to write down four drink orders (2 of which were water) and about 3 times that time to play with your tablet. They also have, literally, 30+ items on the menus. Plural menus - front and back, daily specials, chalkboard. I really wish they would focus more on very simple, basic, service concepts instead of trying to be so hip and trendy.
|
They make it look easy...
Reviewer: Gary Yencich
from Santa Barbara, CA
I took my friend here for a birthday lunch and was very pleasantly surprised; they exceeded my expectations in all categories! They menu was somewhat limited, but broad enough that you are likely to find something that pleases. What they did do they did well! They used quality ingredients, artfully and skillfully prepared. Many extra little flourishes were provided. The waitstaff excellent -we had two during our two hour lunch and both were personable and made you feel as though they appreciated you being there. Even down to the busboy! A hidden gem in Victoria Court; They make it look easy, but of course it's not - else everyone would be getting 5 stars.
|
Enchanting
Reviewer: Amanda
from Santa Barbara, CA
The best word I could think to describe this place is simply enchanting. It's exactly the type of cottage style place that feels like you've stepped into another world. The decor, the staff, the natural lighting, and the wonderful presentation of the food all fit together perfectly creating an amazing atmosphere. I had the soft scrambled eggs with herbs, potatoes, aged gouda cheese and spinach. It was delightful. They bake their breads, and the blueberry sourdough is to die for. They use black sea salt on the butter, and the jam is just as delicious. We got a free sampling of their home made granola and greek yogurt which made me wish I had room to order some more (the full granola plate is only $7) ! We also got a sampling of their toffee covered in chocolate which was devine. The owner was so kind and I hope this place has a long life here in SB. It did not break the bank either, I personally would not spend more than $15 on a meal and my breakfast was only $12. (another enchanting little detail: we came for a birthday and not only did they include a slice of delicious hazelnut chocolate pie, they also hand wrote a happy birthday card. I have never seen another restaurant do this either. It was very thoughtful)
|
LOVE THIS PLACE!!
Reviewer: Sharon
from Los Olivos, CA.
Lovely atmosphere, terrific, innovative food, great service and the BEST place to bring your dog! Always a bowl of water and a homemade treat awaits your furry friend! The breakfasts are so creative with their biscuits being the best I have ever had. I can't wait to return!
|
New customer..and I will return
Reviewer: Connie
from Santa Barbara, CA
Shared breakfast with my picky teenage daughter today and we both truly enjoyed it. Good portions well cooked & decent pricing. Pleasant atmosphere. We will return and I am happy to send friends there. Good luck to them its a tough business in a slow economy but there is always room for good food.
|
Best restaurant for brunch in SB
Reviewer: Geoffrey Pfeifer
from Ojai, CA
This restaurant is top notch. I've eaten there 3 times now with a good friend and it's as good as California Cuisine gets. The dishes are innovative, the specials have been non-pareil, the use of local, fresh, organic ingredients is refreshing. It's a family style business and the service is excellent. Everyone there is on a mission to make your time there enjoyable in every way possible. The prices are excellent and the baked goods are prepared onsite and fresh daily. There aren't very many restaurants like this in Southern California much less Santa Barbara. They serve breakfast and lunch so if you get there before 3pm you'll have a great time!
|
My new favorite place!
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been meaning to try this restaurant for a while and finally had breakfast there on a Sunday morning with friends. I had the soft scrambled eggs with creamed spinach, potatoes, and gouda and it was amazing! I have never had anything like it before. My friends loved their meals and we cannot wait to go back again to try the lunch menu. The service was great and the decor and location of the restaurant is perfect. Keep up the good work!
|
AMAZING!
Reviewer: Linda
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place is an amazing new addition to Santa Barbara! It is the perfect place for brunch on the weekend. I went with my family and enjoyed the most delicious mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The lemon ricotta pancakes were so yummy without being too sweet. The service was quick and so helpful with giving suggestions. I loved everything about this place and will definitely be back soon!
|
Yes!!!
Reviewer: Owen
from Santa Barbara, CA
OK. Listen up. This place will make you smile. The food is delicious and creative; out of the ordinary in very nice ways. The peaceful atmosphere and charm totally work. They deliver lots of little touches you'd be hard pressed to find in any but the most high-end places: complimentary amuse bouche (my bouche was amused), regular or sparkling fancy water at no charge, free homemade toffee when the check comes. Homemade ketchup, for crying out loud. Ingredients are local and organic when possible. They think of everything. The service is still a little rough, but it seems like they're working on it and the staff is truly nice, gracious, warm. Really, this is a good place that I'll come back to regularly.
|
Perfect Saturday or Sunday Brunch
Reviewer: Tory
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have to say that I love Brunch, but I just don't do it enough. Scarlett Begonia inspires me to do more brunches. I went with a group of girl friends a few weeks ago and it was just wonderful! The owner came out and introduced herself. I even think her mother was helping out that day. The food was absolutely fresh and amazing. The choices were different and because they were so busy, the service was just a bit slow but great for a restaurant just getting up on their feet. They were very aware that folks were needing to be served so they sent out a small sample of their soup that day. Wild Mushroom soup, I believe. Heavenly. Fantastic food. Seasoned perfectly. The desserts aren't overwhelming so save room. The smores treat will blow you away!
|
Excellent Breakfast
Reviewer: Lora
from Santa Barbara, CA
Had a lovely breakfast this morning at Scarlett Begonia. The interesting menu made choosing the hardest part of the meal, but once chosen, the food was wonderful(Marscapone Polenta and a cappucino). Service was both friendly and efficient. Great conversation with the owner about her committment to fresh and organic foods, so looking forward to good meals for years to come. A bit pricy, but worth it for an excellent meal.
|
Exceptionally fine food, exceptionally poor service
Reviewer: Rebecca
from Santa Barbara, CA
The food was absolutely delicious in every respect, thoughtful, imaginative, fresh, delightful, everything fine. The acoustics are terrible, making for racket-filled seating area inside. An expert could help with this. Outside might be a much better choice. We could get no one to pay attention to us after we were seated. Servers walked hither and thither, gazing at something, but never at us. Busy with their order iPads and private confabs, not with their customers. Our very simple lunch of entrée items only took 1 hour and 20 minutes, and seeing people who came in 25 minutes after us served first did not help our feelings. I will return for another shot at it, hoping for better. If no improvement, good bye lovely food.
|
YEY FOR FRESH ORGANIC FOOD
Reviewer: Alma Rose
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have dined at this new restaurant several times and it is has been a wonderful dining experience every time. The serving staff is fabulous and cordial. You can tell they love what they do. The food is always fresh made on the same day. The pastries are to die for. It is a dog-friendly place. They will bring a bowl of water and a large biscuit to each of your dogs you bring along. The ambiance reminds me of a charming bistro is Europe. Highly recommend Scarlett Begonia.
|
Awesome New Breakfast/Lunch Spot in Victoria Court
Reviewer: Mitchell S.
from Santa Barbara, CA
Scarlet B hits it out of the park with a fresh new take on breakfast. We LOVED the soft polenta with prosciutto, crispy artichoke hearts and soft eggs as well as the toasted pesto breakfast biscuit with cheddar-scrambled eggs, pancetta and perfectly cooked, non-greasy breakfast potatoes. Kids loved the breakfast bread pudding with toasted hazelnuts and vanilla-steamed milk. Super friendly and efficient service: never had to look for coffee or water refills, staff seemed to enjoy working what was a busy Sunday late morning.
|
Have you eaten here? Write a review of this location!
Terms of Service
|
