Treated Poorly, 4/22/2013
Reviewer: Maryann
from Los Angeles, Ca
My sister and I were visiting Carpeteria and had already had a huge lunch in Santa Barbara. We asked the desk clerk at our hotel if there was a place in town where we could just have coffee and cake or pie and he recommended Clementine's. We entered and asked the waiter if it was possible for us to have coffe and pie. He said he would check with the owner who was standing near. Now mind you there were only 3 tables filled with dining guests even though it was about 6:30pm. The owner shook her head and then headed toward us and said it was her busy time and NO. I showed her the outside tables and asked "Isn't is possible to have it outside since all the tables were empty?" She gave in but quite reluctantly. The waiter made up for her rudeness. He came and brought out a tablecloth and smiled and treated us with respect. I will not visit here ever again. You are in the business of service and this is how you treat diners? Next time would have been dinner but now there will be no next time. The only nice thing was the waiter. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for being kind! I also made sure to tell the hotel desk clerk not to recommend this place for coffe and whatever.
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I LOVE CLEMENTINE'S
Reviewer: MOEI
from Santa Barbara, CA
I LOVE CLEMENTINE'S
EVERY ONE SHOULD GO THERE
THE FOOD AND THE SERVICE IS OUT STANDING
SERVICE 100%
FOOD 100%
Atmosphere AMAZING
LOVED IT
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always excellant
Reviewer: dot latrell
from cambrige new york
Had the pleasure of eating many fine meals before irene opened her restaurant. Sounds like she is still cooking[no pun inteded] If I could only figure out how to get a pie sent to me I would certainly do so.
uch love to you and family. Dot latrell }butler}
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1970 all over again
Reviewer: Barbara
from Santa Barbara, CA
Homey, friendly and pies to die for! Wish there was more variety on the menu and a salad bar, but it's like eating at Aunt Matilda's on Sunday night. Friendliest staff ever. Everyone knows everyone in Carpinteria and they all end up at Clementines eventually!
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Best pie in the world
Reviewer: Charlotte
from Woodland hills, ca
Carpinteria is a lovely place to visit. This isn't the best restaurant in the world but it is great. Loads of food, nice staff. Just eat as much pie as you can and hope your children don't eat theirs so you can eat that too. I will go again as it was such a pleasant visit. Nice atmosphere. They were super nice to my children. Go hungry. They give you a lot of extras like bread, celery, peppers etc.
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need to experience this place
Reviewer: Kent
from Santa Barbara, CA
I stopped by on a business trip and was happy about the experience. The food is good (not great), but the experience and service are worth everything. I believe Irene (sorry if I have the name wrong) bought the place in the 1950's. She still makes the pies everyday. I hope to go back someday soon and take my wife.
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my dog
Reviewer: martin
from Santa Barbara, CA
We had dinner this evening in clementine.I was looking forward to a nice steak.When i saw the menu and the prices i decided to go for the chicken because 30 dollar for a steak is a bit to much.So time goes by and they serve the soup.Ok it was just ok.After that I got my salad with 2 drips of the blue cheese.Straigt after the salad the got 4 pieces of chicken ooooohhhhh my lord.the salt on this chicken way too much and the taste was not great.I saw other people even smelling their chicken too.The taste was horrible.So we finished our dinner and decided to go.She asked about the pie here or to go. ok to go. The wiped cream aahhhh it melts my teeth in my mouth soooo much sugar!!!
Again not my type of restaurant , the smell in here is ahhhhh. Everything is really old dirty and out of the century. They should not have a big sign on there roof with steakhouse.A live graveyard is better.
For less money, a better atmosphere and really great food (steaks)go to THE PALMS in Carpinteria.
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Will never go back!
Reviewer: Angie
from Ontario, CA
Way too over priced! (Its average $30 a plate)Steak was beyond well done when I ordered medium well.By the time I got a new one back my family was done eating. Room smelled of body odor. Seemed like no ventilation at all in restaurant. Their vegetables as a side dish was a load of carrots. Need better options for side dishes. Only thing good I have to say was their salad and pies were good. Waitress was polite. Wish we would have left after looking over menu. Lesson learned... look at reviews before trying a new restaurant.
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Clementine's - Just Can't Beat it!
Reviewer: Jack
from Ventura, CA
We've been going to Clementine's since the 80s. After eating at tons of restaurants over the years for value and service this is our favorite. You are treated as family there. This is so hard to find. I have spent much, much more on dining out and was sorely disappointed in many ways. Irene, Lloyd and the whole staff do whatever it takes to keep you happy. If there is any restaurant I totally suggest you try it is Clementines. We have taken many friends there over the years and they too loved it. It's Americana and I hope it never, ever goes away.
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Old fashioned steak place
Reviewer: Elena
from Santa Barbara, CA
I came here for my birthday and it was GREAT! I love how you get a full meal from appetizer to dessert. And, yes, the pie is remarkable. Generous portions. The appetizer of sliced carrot sticks seemed odd but was fine munching on them. The bread was warm and homemade. The split pea soup was tasty even if on the salty side. I had the filet mignon which was perfect - medium rare. No need for any additional sauces -just freshly grated horseradish which they provided. The potato was interesting and tasty. Apparently the peel is removed then the deep fry it. Not a place to maintain a strict diet. A real treat!
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Like the home cooking of your dreams!
Reviewer: Stacey
from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband had told me about Clementine's but I always talked him into other places. This time he got his way, and boy do I feel silly for not listening to him earlier! From the moment we were seated, we felt like special guests at a relative's home. Our waitress was personable and attentive and ran to the kitchen to reserve the last piece of prime rib of the night for my husband (we arrived pretty late in the evening).
The food itself was terrific. Beginning with homemade bread and pickles, we feasted on simple, satisfying fare. The homemade cream of mushroom soup was almost a meal in itself. My filet mignon was top quality and cooked exactly as I'd asked. The potatoes, as mentioned elsewhere, are truly unique and tasty. But whatever you do, don't miss the pie. DON'T MISS THE PIE! We were so full, we had to take ours to go. Best pie I've had in years, and I'm a pie connoisseur.
Clementine's, thanks for a lovely evening. We'll be back!
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Don't judge a book by it's cover or the prices on the menu!
Reviewer: Linda
from Vista, CA
My friend and I were staying in Carpinteria for the week. We had seen this odd lavender restaurant called Clementine's Steakhouse from our hotel and as we drove in and out each day of our stay. The last night we wanted a good meal, it was Xmas eve and not much was open. I called the front desk and inquired about where to get a good meal and they suggested Clementine's. We called Clementines and asked about menu prices...sounded pricy and they didn't have hamburgers for our teenagers. So we kept looking...finally the boys opted for Carl's Jr. and we decided that we would head to Clementines since it was just across the street.
Okay, so the color of the restaurant was weird and the prices seemed high but let me tell you that I have never had a meal that was perfect in so many ways. I come from a family of good cooks and am an award winning cook myself.
As soon as we sat down we were presented with really good homemade bread and butter with a relish dish! What a suprise and we hadn't even ordered yet!
We both ordered the prime rib. It was the best flavored prime rib I think I have ever had!...it was served with soup AND salad with homemade dressing. Fresh vegetables were served on the side along with a very different style potatoe, peeled, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. They had the thickest sour cream I have ever seen and it was awesome. The horseradish was served straight-up so I cooled it with some sour cream...again...awesome!
And as if all that food was not enough...the pie...oh the PIE! My grandmother baked pies professionally and I have never had a pie that measured up to hers (not even my mom!) but the blackberry pie was like a step back in time for me and the real whipped cream was a nice addition.
I have paid more for a meal but I have not had a better meal, not even the best steak houses have measured up to this meal and I didn't have to purchase everything al la carte!
This will be my new favorite place to stop anytime I am within an hour of here!
The comments about a need for improved seasoning...nope, Clementine has it down!
(P.S._I mystery shop as a profession and I know how to rate a restaurant for quality, service, and ambiance...Clementine would have received an A+ rating had I been working.)_
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