Barbareño

Smoke lures guests to the covered patio or casually cool dining room, set just steps from downtown Santa Barbara's hustle and bustle. Start with a local craft beer or wine to accompany any one of their diverse small plates. Dishes are bold and flavorful, and the kitchen showcases their distinct vision with attention to detail and a touch of whimsy. Grilled avocado is unapologetically Californian, balancing creamy with a subtle, smoky char. Eggamuffins, or cornmeal blini with a piped whipped seascape cheese foam, speck and grated, cured egg yolk, are as adorable as they are tasty. Five different single chocolates from different climates and a non-dairy panna cotta with a mead granita and fresh fruit are among the desserts.