|
Ca Dario
37 E. Victoria St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 884-9419
|
 |
 |
Reviews by the General Public
Abismal service...cold food...no apologies, 2/23/2013
Reviewer: Natasha
from Kitchener, Canada
This used to be my favourite SB Italian restaurant until we returned last Tuesday for what was supposed to be a special meal with my family. We no longer live in SB and were really looking forward to it. The waiter couldn't be bothered to tell us the specials (he pointed to them), refill wine glasses or replace the wrong appetizer (worst bruschetta ever). Our son's food was cold on arrival and when we complained nicely, our new waitress couldn't even apologize. Don't waste your time being insulted in this place. Go to a restaurant where they appreciate your business.
|
Seafood special, 11/5/2012
Reviewer: Lloyd
from Port Hueneme, CA
I had the seafood risoto special last night. The taste was very good, however I had a hard time finding any lobster or scallops and there was only one small shrimp. I did mention this to our server. I've had much better seafood risoto at a much lower price.
I would recommend much more seafood to make this a REAL seafood risoto.
|
Service charge, 11/4/2012
Reviewer: Art
from Santa Barbara, CA
Dan, sounds like you had a table of 6. Pretty standard in restaurant Industry to add auttomatic service charge.
There is a reason Ca Dario is #1 year after year. Great authentic Itailian food
|
Service charge, 10/31/2012
Reviewer: Dan
from Fallbrook, ca
Food OK nothing exceptional, Waiter 103 OK.
Biggest disapointment was the service charge of $30.00 on a dinner tab of $141.25. did not notice the service charge until I got home, I added a $35.00 tip to the tab. Had I looked at my detailed copy I would never have added the $35.00 tip.
|
Lost their mojo, 8/10/2012
Reviewer: Perrbo
from Santa Barbara, CA
Ca Dario used to be my favorite. Superb food and ambiance right from the get go until my last trip there a couple months ago. What happened to these guys? New owners? Nothing worse than talking up a place to friends and then being let down across the board - from stale bread, blah food, poor wine recommendation and unenthusiastic service. Unfortunately, these days I've been telling people NOT to patronize CD and the recent reviews support my view. Sad. These guys definitely need an extreme make over!
|
The Frog in the Pot?, 8/1/2012
Reviewer: John
from Santa Barbara, CA
There wasn't literally a frog in the pot. It's just an old phrase. You can put a frog in boiling water and it will jump right out. That's not very surprising. Supposedly, you could put that same frog in a cold water pot on the stove, crank up the heat, and it will stay put and boil to death. I think that's what's going on at C.D. unfortunately. The staff doesn't know that things have slipped. I used to love this place. It was numero uno on my list. But it has been on a slow but steady decline for the last 2 years. The last Osso Buco was way too average and very small portioned. It was a not worth the high price. My wife's pasta dish wasn't anything exciting either. Not terrible mind you, but not great, and not what they used to create. The staff are pros and service is still great, but this frog is jumping out at this point before it gets any hotter! I advise the same for all frogs - until they get their act together and bring us the quality cuisine (and quantity) they had and we came to love. If they have to raise the prices, I think we'll understand (If I might be so bold as to speak for all frogs.)
|
off night?, 7/10/2012
Reviewer: Jimmy D.
from Santa Barbara, CA
Was my favorite Italian in S.B. Latest experience was way below their standards. Burrata Caprese so cold, no flavor. Veal Tornato, no tuna or anchovie background & veal too dry. Service was good, saved the experience. With so many choices in S.B., hard to say if will be soon :(
|
Best Italian in SB? I think not...
Reviewer: Jim Bob
from Santa Barbara, CA
First off, I'm originally from the New England area which is known for amazing italian food. Also half of my family is sicilian. Nevertheless, I've had good italian food in California and I've also had better in SB. While none of the Italian places I've been to here in town could be considered authentic, some are pretty good and have authentic attributes. Olio pizzeria has a good selection of authentic italian cheeses, meats, wine, beer, etc. Tre Lune has terrible service and is overpriced, but I would say their food is still better. Ca Dario had terrible service but the food was also mediocre. I had lamb chops which were actually cooked quite well and were tasty. However, everything else was just blah from the bread, salads, sides, etc. I usually never care to write reviews like this but I just couldn't believe that for the second year in a row this place was voted as the best italian restaurant in SB. Definitely will not be going again as there are better options for the same $$ in SB.
|
Resting on their laurels
Reviewer: Charlotte
from Goleta
We had a very similar experience at Ca Dario. We had an early reservation and I mentioned we wanted a nice table, out of the way ( which translates to this picky lady on the phone does NOT want to sit in the foyer, bathroom or kitchen ). Do we arrive at 5:30 and in an empty restaurant the hostess seats is us at the very first table as you walk into the place! Where there should not be a table there to begin with! I told her my requests when I booked the reservation! The place was EMPTY! Then she disappears for a while and then comes back to tell me that all the other tables are reserved! Too bad! Sucks for you! She might as well have said that to us! So we left (really pissed off!). We went across the street at Trattoria Vitoria without a reservation and were seated in a quiet table in the back and were treated like royalty! Our new favorite Italian restaurant in S.B. and the food is better than Ca Dario and a very friendly server! So I guess I should be thanking the rude hostesses at Ca Dario for their incompetence.... We found our new favorite place out of it!
|
Terrible, Never Got a Table
Reviewer: Edge Howl
from Santa Barbara, CA
We arrived with a reservation, and we were told to wait fifteen minutes. After waiting, the hostess told us to wait twenty more minutes. After twenty minutes she said to wait ten more minutes. After waiting over forty-five minutes we left without ever being seated. The atmosphere is terrible, and they seemed very unorganized and unprepared. Do not go here if you're looking for a nice evening.
|
Just okay
Reviewer: Brendan
from Santa Barbara, CA
A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to go here for a dinner function (i.e., on somebody else's nickel). I had been once years ago but didn't really remember it.
I wasn't very impressed. The food was all right, but if I'd been paying for it I would have felt ripped off. I got a rosemary-encrusted salmon fillet. It was fine, but nothing stupendous, and only a modest-sized portion, for about $24. Most other items on the menu were a similar price, and looking at what my dinner companions got, I didn't see anything very special.
Service was fine, although the waiter talked quickly and not totally intelligibly; we had to ask him to repeat a few things. But, again, the service was "fine", not "amazing".
The one impressive thing about the place is the size of the menu. They have dozens of offerings. However, my impression was that many of them were very similar (i.e., many pasta dishes that differed only in the type of pasta and/or meat included).
There's nothing wrong with this place, but having heard great things about it, I was expecting much more. I've had better food and equal service for lower prices.
|
Disappointed
Reviewer: Tracy
from Santa Barbara, CA
This restaurant is known for really good food and service, but I was disappointed last night. I ordered the rotisseried duck which was a special. Rotisserie is a low and slow way to cook which should brown the skin, render the fat, and leave the meat juicy and tender. The duck I received was overcooked- the meat was dry, the skin was literally black, not a golden brown, and the fat had not rendered. At a restaurant of this quality, they should know better and this should never have been brought to me. There were some minor service issues, but nothing too terrible. My friends stated they were happy with their meals. Sides were modest but tasty.
|
Great food for locals and tourists alike :-)
Reviewer: Nancy & Scott
from Santa Barbara, CA
As a first time diner here, my husband and I enjoyed our experience tremendously. We have lived here for 7 yrs. and finally came in on our anniversary. We were not disappointed. The service was excellent, although it being a Tuesday night probably helped. The table was very small and barely fit 2 people, but the ambience was smooth and warm. It did get a tad loud and we had to raise our voices to hear each other, but overall it could have been much worse (say, on a Fri or Sat night). My risotto w/ scallops was delicious, and served piping hot (the way I like it). My husband's bolognese tartaglia (sp) was absolute perfection. The tiramasu and pear caramel tart that followed was the perfect ending to a sweet dining experience. Overall, the food is well worth the slightly elevated noise level and small table. Just go on a weeknight and you won't be disappointed. Viva Italia!
|
Santa Barbara
Reviewer: Tom
from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and i came in Wednesday night! we had a wonderful meal and enjoyed the ambiance very much! but could see how the noise would bother others. the food was amazing i recommend the ravioli and the bolognese!! Service was genuine, our server Claudia really attended to us with out over doing it! maybe we aren't high maintenance! My wife and i really enjoyed her and the rest of the Ca'Dario Staff! thank you for an amazing night!
|
Great Food
Reviewer: Kathy Lemus
from Santa Barbara, CA
The food was delicious! But the seating is very uncomfortable and the place is very loud!!!. You leave the restaurant with a headache.
|
Good food, bad service
Reviewer: Megan
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went here last monday night,the food is fantastic but the service is not. Waited 45 minutes after finishing food before we got someones attention to brig the bill.
|
Agree about the salt
Reviewer: steve
from Santa Barbara, CA
We love this place too, especially the OssoBuco, but about half the time it is too salty to hardly eat. Both of us, and some friends agree on this.
MANAGEMEMT: --Please, would you lower the salt content of your dishes....because anyone who likes more salt than most, is very used to using just a little salt at the table. THEY have a choice,
but if it is put into the cooking...then WE have NO CHOICE but to accept whatever the cook prefers for saltiness. -Get it?-Seems really reasonable,...what do you think.
Love all you do, congratulations.
|
Best meal of my life
Reviewer: Michele
from Columbus, Ohio
First visit to Santa Barbara and first night had the most wonderful meal at Ca Dario. The Ravioli is fantastic, the costata
amazing and the risotto the best i have ever had. Our server was Claudia and she was excellent! Had meals at other restaurants but none compared to Ca Dario-had to return for lunch. Once again-fantastic artichoke salad can't remember what it was called and a delightful dessert.Servers were great-Luis and Chuy. Chauncy was the manager who visit our table. Can't say enough about the service.
|
Have you eaten here? Write a review of this location!
Terms of Service
|
