Trattoria Vittoria Santa Barbara.com

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Trattoria Vittoria 30 E. Victoria St, Santa Barbara Phone: (805) 962-5014 Category: Italian Hours: Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30AM - 2PM + Dinner: Mon - Sun 5:00PM - 10PM Chef: Executive Chef Stefano Cepak, Sous Chef Roberto Prelazzi Owners, Giovanni Comin & Sofia Gallina Price: $20+ Serving: Lunch & Dinner Reservations: Yes, recommended Map Web Site Menu Write a review of this location!

Reviews by the General Public

We'll do it again!, 2/23/2014
Reviewer: Ernest & Victoria from Santa Maria, CA
We've lunched here before and will do it again because the Trattoria Vittoria destination is certainly worth the drive from Santa Maria. Arriving shortly after opening we were greeted warmly and were seated at our favorite table for two. The very friendly and capable crew made us feel like family as they took our order, poured the Chianti Classico and looked to all our wishes. Our light lunch of Toast Italiano and Pollo Milanese was excellent as was the service and atmosphere in a now very busy noontime setting. The food, service, and ambience are "Prima" and we plan to return soon.

Excellent Everything, 1/24/2014
Reviewer: Ernie & Victoria from Santa Maria, CA
We visited Vittoria's four monthe ago at the recomendation of a friend and were immediatly happy with the ambience, welcome and seating. Lunch included soup of the day and our selections, with a nice glass of sangiovese were excellent as was the service. We tried to dine there two months later on a Saturday, didn't know they were closed then and were sadened at missing another delightful meal. But today we did it again and everything was just as before, excelent atmosphere, food, wine and service. The Tiramisu dessert makes your heart sing. We will return often. SALUTE!!!

Blown away: real Italian!, 10/10/2013
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
OK, I gotta go with Eddie Spaghetti and Mari L; what happened with "spork" i have no idea. We recently came back from 2 months in Italy, the whole length twice with Sicily included, and were jonesing for Italian. Trattoria Vittoria was as Italian as any place we visited there, and with food better than most. Ottimo! Perfetto! Magnifico! We started with Breasaolo on arugula, and it was huge and just great. The extra-virgin olive oil offered was perfect, and we poured it on. Then I had spaghetti aglia/olio, al dente with a bite of garlic and red chile pepper, and she had ravioli of prime rib with a pink sauce called "aurora". Fabulous! The wine pours were huge, and the Sangiovese was deep and complex. The whole bill for 2 was $70, which compared favorably with the same meal in, say, Sorrento. Cheaper than a plane ticket to Italy, and damn near as effective. He/she who is not pleased at Trattoria Vittoria can't be pleased anywhere...

Great Italian Food, 9/25/2013
Reviewer: Eddie Spaghetti from Santa Barbara, CA
Hey everyone Eddie Spaghetti here. I too, am curious of Sally Spork the dork's review. First, how can you possibly call it American Italian when the executive and sous chefs are from Italy. Additionally, look at the top of the page, they're all Italians. Furthermore, any Italian chef would be out of his or her mind and shunned for putting BUTTER in linguine vongole. Extra virgin olive oil is the name of the game, baby, unless of course it's when you cook it at home (luckily "Spork" isn't Italian so you get a pass to use butter ;-) ). I've eaten here so many times and the food comes out exactly the same every time. It's simple Italian food without any frills or surprises, the way it should be. The servers get in the weeds sometimes however that usually prompts me to walk up to the bar and order a glass of wine to sip on while I wait!

Try things more than once., 9/24/2013
Reviewer: Mari L from Santa Barbara, CA
To be a semi-credible food reviewer or critic, as the person mentioned below, you need to visit the place at least more than once unless they did something as unforgiveable as setting your table on fire or spilling table wine over your new Forever 21 cream-colored clutch.  This way your words develop from true reflection and not resentful and hasty pretentiousness. The other person who cooks- if your clams were truly that bad, really go tell them. They’re not mind-readers. Oh, and a forum? How about at least talking (and not down) to the manager in person. To be fair, the food isn’t spectacularly interesting but it’s about the overall experience. I’ve visited at least 3 times, this last time in early August. The service was well-mannered and they’re genuinely attentive in dealing with some dietary restrictions (2 lactose people & 1 no-salt due to cardiomyopathy). My ratings would more be closer to 4 stars for the food because of the pea soup. Insalate Cesare – simple, flavorful, not overdressed. With Anchovies – I asked for extra and they happily obliged. Pea Soup – Very bright, non-cream based, tasted exactly like essence of fresh-picked peas! This was a surprisingly light and clean soup for summer. This was memorable. Tortellini Con Panne e Prosciutto – Very tender and flavorful. They were able to accommodate a non-cream sauce, so I had it with a rich well-developed spicy tomato-based sauce. The pasta was decent – the bite and texture not very exceptional but definitely not heavy or bad. Definitely no Lean Cuisine here. Branzino – We were told 2 ladies could share this so it turned out to be a little on the smaller side portion-wise, but moist and well-seasoned. They asked if we wanted it deboned in the kitchen which would’ve detracted from the presentation. Good thing one lady is an expert fish deboner and removed the skeleton intact like a pro. Salmon – the no-salt dude thoroughly liked his grilled salmon. Simple, fresh, not overcooked & with steamed veggies al dente. Cocktails- This place is known for its cocktails. Go ahead, have one or 2 or 3. They pretty damn solid. The waitress mistakenly confused the wineries and brought out first glasses of red when we wanted white wine, and she was very gracious in correcting it as well as the manager letting us keep the red wine and comping it (Instead of taking it and throwing it out, ha!). In conclusion, it really depends what you’re expecting pasta-wise. A brazen boast from a layperson, I can make my own pasta in 15 minutes from scratch so I know what to expect getting it from a restaurant that is price-wise reasonable, flavor-wise satisfying & service-wise excellent and honest. Trattoria Victoria is more relaxed than the sardine-packed Ca Dario on a busy night and has a better variety as to their demographic than Olio Limone. The atmosphere is similar to Arnoldi’s minus the bocce. They’re service-oriented and you feel welcomed. You have privacy in a booth or perhaps a more joviality closer to the bar/open tables. It’s a more local neighborly feel, and guess what, all neighbors aren’t perfect. I don't feel cheated or unsatisfied when I leave here, which is what Ms. Spork's review suggests. I will keep coming back to patronize them and to enjoy good company, solid food and tasty wine & cocktails.

The world according to Sally Spork, 9/23/2013
Reviewer: Charlotte from Goleta
Sally, do not assume that people participating in this food blog are not savvy in the food world, have no palate, or have never worked in the culinary industry.....you assume that we're all a bunch of rubes, with no sense. You have assumed wrong. Regarding Trattoria Vittoria. You must have had an off night and should have taken your food back. It happens in every restaurant from time to time. I've had the perfect Linguini Vongole recently there. Lasagne, ravioli and gnocchi, all were cooked to perfection, sauces spot on. But what do I know? I learned how to cook in Emilia Romana..

Trattoria Vittoria, 9/18/2013
Reviewer: Sally Spork from Santa Barbara, CA
There are times when I wish (oh how I wish!) there was a website to submit reviews for restaurants by foodies that have cooking experience. This is one such case. Sigh. I did peruse the menu well before going there and really nothing stood out. And was skeptical about the rave reviews. Read on. Atmosphere: Located off of State Street this place is a largish restaurant with lots of seating and an ample size bar. A relaxed atmosphere with a television playing old movies. An Affair to Remember was playing when we were there. Service: We had to wait while they got our table ready: we had reservations. The waitress was okay, meh. Took our order and really didn't see he again until we asked for our check at the end. Food/drink: Was with a party of about 6-7 and we all ordered different dishes, I can only speak of the one I ate: clams with pasta. Such a disappointment. I've made this dish many a times, first being introduced to it by two friends. Pasta while al dente it was dry as a bone. Where is the flavorful broth from the clams simmered in white wine and butter? Clams small and overcooked. At $17.00 a pop, I would have returned it instantly had I not been there for an celebratory dinner for a friend. Bread served: neither warm nor special. Summary: This is American Italian dining: nothing more or less. Yes, you can order Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese, and you can also buy this as a Lean Cuisine dinner in the frozen section at the store. For Italian I'd prefer other places such as Ca Dario or Olio Limone. Or cook myself

Good Food, Worst Service Ever
Reviewer: Michael from Santa Barbara, CA
Title says it all. Food is good (when you can actually order some). Although restaurant was busy it is no excuse for non-existant service. When it takes 20 minutes just to have the waitress acknowledge your presence you know it's gonna be a bad night. Try eating at the bar, at least you'll get your drinks quicker. I guess if you can rope enough tourists inside then the bad service (i.e. no repeat customers) won't hurt you. I can forgive slow service or even really slow service, but rude and uncaring service is not acceptable.

Best Calamari in town
Reviewer: Fay from Santa Barbara, CA
Arnoldi's and Enterprise were my goto places for calamari, but TV takes the cake. We dined here a few weeks ago with another couple and the food was amazing and sure, it was noisy, but it felt like a little Italian eatery. My husband wanted to get the lasagna, but ordered the special instead; he was delighted with his special, but the couple seated at the next table had the lasagne and it looked fantastic so we returned last night (Valentine's Day)to tackle the lasagne. It was great! You must try this place.

Awesome Food
Reviewer: Glenn from Buellton
The food here is really great as is the service of both bartender and waiter. The nits are that if people are at the bar the noise in the room elevates but what small Italian place does not have that esp. one with a long bar. They could purchase a decibel meter and experiment with foam or something but its probably inherent to the acoustics of the place. The lasanga was some of the best I've ever had and the some of the nicest/friendliest waiters I've ever had too. Definitely a place to try.

Great Food, Great Service ... a little noisy
Reviewer: Ray from Montecito, ca
Have eaten here many time ... it just keeps getting better and better. Best calamari in town. Taking six for dinner tonight. I DO miss the piano playing of some years ago.

Lovely meal!
Reviewer: Charlotte from Goleta
My family and I had an absolutely lovely meal last night! It was our first time and we were very impressed with nice atmosphere and our server was terrific. My kids ordered the prime rib ravioli w/pink sauce (wow! Excellent!). My husband's tortellini was also excellent. I had eggplant which was as good as it gets. The cannoli were house made and fabulous! Will be back! With my kids.

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