Why do Hollywood heavyweights like Kevin Costner and Oprah Winfrey love living in Santa Barbara County? They are afforded a level of privacy which is a rarity in Los Angeles. They can head to the ‘funk zone’ in Santa Barbara (see below) for wine tasting or their local pizzeria in Montecito with minimal fuss. It is of little surprise that Harry and Meghan have chosen the region as their home, too. The destination is one of those hidden gems in the States where you’ll discover some of the freshest and most creative food and wine options around.
The local pizzeria for the stars
Montecitans – the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and the Duchess of Sussex – count Montecito Country Mart as their local marketplace where they can pick up organic produce from the likes of Montecito Natural Foods.
If they have a pizza craving, the rustic Bettina is just the place to satisfy those cravings. Their unique Neapolitan-style pizza focuses on seasonal California ingredients with the Meyer lemon pizza being one of the most popular on their menu. This citrus fruit grown locally is much sweeter than lemons and works a treat paired with their house pork sausage.
The pizzas are naturally leavened and wood fired and the magic is complete when you pair it with their summery cocktails like the Monk’s Medicine – gin, buddha’s hand and vermouth, along with the famous Californian sunshine.
Fresh seafood
Famed chef, Julia Child spent her last years in Santa Barbara and was known to head out to Stearns Wharf regularly for the clam chowder from Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Despite the casual nature of the restaurant, which was established in 1980, you’ll find one of the most extensive seafood menus in the whole of the States. Expect to see local uni to abalone to Dungeness crab, much of which is fresh caught just off the coast.
A relatively newer seafood phenomenon is Broad Street Oyster Co. The nautical theme of the restaurant runs through to the quirky, Aquaman look of their founder, Christopher Tompkins. The deceptively breezy SoCal vibe of the restaurant belies its elevated seafood offering. Their indulgent lobster rolls can be topped up with uni or caviar. Their seafood tower contains all the umami-rich treasures of the sea, such as stone crab claws and the chef’s selection of oysters.
Funk Zone
This aptly named district in Santa Barbara is filled with wine-tasting rooms, trendy art galleries and hip eateries. The newest tasting room to open, The Society: State and Mason, is known to be very popular with one of the Baldwin brothers. You’ll get to sample the extensive Foley Family Wines portfolio, from a creamy-tasting sparkling crémant from Lucien Albrecht, to a sea-floored pinot noir from Sta. Rita Hills that encapsulates the beauty of the cooling Pacific breeze effect on the wines of the region.
The culture in Santa Barbara is more about wine appreciation than mere wine consumption. Wines are thoughtfully paired with light bites or even unique confection, such as a milk chocolate madras curry truffle from the local Jessica Foster Confections.
Nearby is the iconic Blackbird restaurant, which celebrates the finest of Hollywood directors. You’ll find a centrepiece photo with Alfred Hitchcock and a seagull on one shoulder and a blackbird on the other. The food celebrates local ingredients, so expect your mussels to come from Hope Ranch in Montecito and spiny lobster from Santa Barbara. The cocktails crafted by celebrated mixologist Devon Espinosa are not to be missed. Expect to see innovative creations like Call Me an Ube(r), which is a very purple and oriental take on the classic piña colada.
For upscale Mexican cuisine, there is Santo Mezcal on the border of the Funk Zone. Dishes are peppered with unusual surprises. The ultra-fresh ahi tuna ceviche has an unexpected heat from the serrano peppers. There is likewise fieriness in their creamy enchiladas, which makes washing down the meal with their eclectic margaritas even more essential.
Impressive steakhouses
Inspired by vintage Las Vegas steakhouses, Rare Society brings an upscale experience with a wood-fired grill for meats, and seafood that is sustainably sourced. There’s an old Hollywood vibe in the restaurant that recalls the days of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. The steaks are the main attraction here and you have dry-aged options as well as wagyu from Australia to America. The latter from Denver is highly recommended as they seem to have discovered the magic formula where you get the buttery texture of traditional wagyu, yet you have the bite of a traditional steak.
Further out, yet no less impressive, is Angel Oak situated inside The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel. The oceanfront view is always popular with diners who want to enjoy the Californian sunset. They accentuate the dishes from their raw bar by adding minor touches that let the ingredients shine, for example, oysters are served with a champagne mignonette whilst the yellowtail crudo is served with a Valencia orange vinaigrette.
They don’t mess around with offering countless steak options, but just offer you four of the very best. Top of the range is their A5 Japanese Wagyu, which has a beef marbling standard (BMS) of nine. If you don’t think Californians have fallen in love with wagyu beef, you will after visiting these two restaurants.
A final note, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Hotel has recently opened the Bacara Wine Tasting Room and they often have producers directly from the Santa Barbara region to come and speak to you directly about their wine to ensure you get a more personalised experience.
