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    Bell's

    4.6 (442 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndFrench, Cocktail Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Bell's Photos

    BELL'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Bell's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Best bite
    Kristi N.

    This is an event destination. A chef inspired home grown family run restaurant.What a pleasant evening we had. We sat on the heated patio, the inside is French bistro style. We were welcomed by the chef and staff. We were a party of four and received menus wishing my friend a happy 65th Birthday. Everything that hit the table was out of this world. The best bite of the night is the uni caviar Bellini that everyone gets as aa intro. It is truly orgasmic. Next came fresh seeded bread and a field green salad. We tried all of the starters between us and two of the entrees. The Steak Au Poivre is legendary for a reason and has quite a little zip to it. The desserts were off the chart. Insane. Each plate was a well thought out work of art. Synchronized service. As we left, we were thanked for dining there and invited back; this always guarantees that I will return. Chef's Kiss, as they say.

    Chicken liver
    Angela L.

    Stopped by Los Alamos because we needed to charge the car. I'm glad to have stumbled here! We came pretty late for lunch and most of the other places around town were closed. The staff is plentiful and friendly. The interior space is well designed and includes an outdoor patio as well. There's WiFi, bathrooms, and parking next to the building. The menu is a manageable size without decision fatigue. Everything was delicious and will be the reason we intentionally stop by Los Alamos again.

    Salmon
    Sean B.

    Dinner at Bells was the kind of meal that makes you briefly consider quitting your job, moving to Los Alamos, and dedicating your life to chasing that perfect bite. From the moment we sat down, the vibe was "tiny Parisian bistro teleported into wine country," and I was totally into it. Service was warm, charming, and just cheeky enough to keep things fun. Every dish came out looking like it had a publicist. The whole experience was relaxed but special--kind of like going to a dinner party thrown by someone who actually knows how to cook. If you're in Los Alamos and you don't eat at Bells, that's a personal choice... but not one I'd recommend.

    Steak frites
    Alex R.

    I came here over the weekend with my boyfriend to celebrate my birthday for lunch. First of all our waitress was so nice and bubbly and was super familiar with the area. The ambience was super cool with the open kitchen as we dined indoors. Now, the food. We had the bells salad with chicken, which was incredible in every way possible the flavors just worked perfectly together. We had the steak frites which were perfect and then we had the mussels and frites which, what could be better dipping those fries in the extra broth... EPIC, I can't wait to come back.

    Robbin M.

    Absolutely delightful! From impeccable service to delicious fresh and tasty food. Had lunch on back patio. Reservations recommended but not always necessary. Can't wait to return

    Excellent wine
    Diana R.

    Five stars isn't enough. I almost did the prefix dinner but then decided to try lunch so I could pick and choose what I wanted. Every dish was absolutely incredible. The sea urchin Panna cotta was extremely unique and ridiculously buttery and balanced. The buckwheat crêpe was again so so unusual but absolutely perfect. The gazpacho was fresh and delightful and exactly how summer tomatoes should taste. Everything was gorgeous from the bathroom, to the back patio, to the towels hanging on the wall, to the ice bucket for chilling wine. The service was excellent and attentive but not overwhelming. The wines are ere fantastic. The prices were extremely reasonable... then again I am coming from Los Angeles but I would pay double considering the quality and excellence of every single dish & the experience. I will absolutely be going back as soon as possible (Also, can I say I love that the head chef is a woman...)

    Desert
    Michelle T.

    Food: The courses are well balanced and curated. Our party liked all the food. The only thing my mom mentioned was the veal carpaccio was a little "stringy" to cut into bite size pieces and cream sauce on skate wing fish dish was a bit heavy. Sea urchin was a great starter and salad/bread was on point. I didn't taste everyone's dish but everyone enjoyed their dishes overall. Kids' Steak was a bit salty... The rest of the food was great. Service: Service was outstanding! Staff remembered our selections for our large party and made recommendation on substitute for someone who is sensitive to dairy. Water cups were always filled. Empty of plates were taken away swiftly. Attentive and super friendly staff! Ambiance: Love the intimate cozy vibe, feel like you went to a friend's house for fine dining. An overall 8/10. It's not my favorite. I came here for my brothers birthday. I kind of expected more from a Michelin restaurant.

    Dave G.

    Let me start off by saying if you have Michelin Star, I'm going to hold you to different standard, than other restaurants. While we had some good dishes here, there were also a couple of misses that surprised me. Santa Barbara Sea Urchin - Nice flavor, but with caviar, uni, and mille crepe, it's all kind of one texture. 4 stars Bell's Seeded Sourdough - I love how high end restaurants are getting obsessed with baking, as they should be, but it's still not uncommon to see that important aspect outsourced. Not here, they are baking in house with love. 5 stars Finley Farms Lettuces - Shallot & medjool vinaigrette. Nice pairing to allow you to enjoy the fresh lettuce. 5 stars Wild Gulf Shrimp, tangerines, sake beurre blanc, sorrel - problem - the shrimp weren't cleaned and were very gritty, which is unpleasant especially when eating large shrimp. Also wasn't a fan of the tangerine flavor here. 2 stars Kabocha Squash, anchovies, cripsy garlic, pumpkin seeds, golden raisins, brown butter - I'm always a fan of this sweet Japanese squash. The anchovies didn't overpower. 5 stars Gnocchi a la Parisienne, chanterelles, leeks, sauce supreme - somehow the gnocchi soaked up the sauce here and thus had a ruined texture. They were just mush, kind of a shocking mistake in a Michelin star restaurant. Not sure if it was sitting waiting to be taken out. Perhaps the sauce should be poured table side. It also was perhaps broken which allowed the gnocchi to soak up the more oily base of the sauce. 2 stars Baja Striped Bass, fingerling potatoes, eggplant, saffron aioli - Nice crispy skin on the fish, although somewhat lacked that "smokiness" that often is the result. Not a fan of the saffron aioli which was quite powerful, but the rest of the dish was good. 4 stars Passion Fruit Glacee, meringue, chocolate sable - Passion fruit and chocolate worked nicely together like how in Europe they like to pair orange and chocolate together. 4 stars French Almond Cake Hachiya persimmon, creme chantilly - what's not to like here. Sweet persimmon, rich almond flavor, sweet cream with a hint of vanilla. Winner. 5 stars Even though there were a couple of dishes that I really didn't care for, I would come back and give Bell's another chance because at least at their price point, it isn't break the bank (In the Michelin world). Even if they are located in an old bank. Loved the location.

    chicken liver mousse: cornichons, crostini, strawberry jam = $18
    Trung N.

    I absolutely love Bell's with all my heart. I can't think of a better place to celebrate any, if not all, occasions. Obviously try their pre-fix dinner if you can. I highly recommend adding on any sort of caviar supplement if it's offered. But Bell's lunch menu is what I think about often. Take for instance the egg salad sandwich ($17). It's a simple egg salad sandwich with maybe a harissa (?) spread to bind everything together. The eggs are unapologetically chopped into chunky pieces. They're jammy, a little yolky, and just perfect in sandwich form. Bell's takes an impossibly simple ingredient to create a mindblowingly delicious creation. And I can never not order the La Brújula tinned sardines ($23). The saltines are house-made which make for sturdy vessels with each bite. Nothing tastes better than a Bell's saltine - buttered - topped with sardines with a dollop of Priedite hot sauce. Each bite tastes like the first bite and I can't think of a better way to describe how it tastes every time I eat this. It's hard to gush about Bell's without mentioning the staff. Whether you're dinnering or lunching, the whole waitstaff is attentive and they make eating at Bell's an incredible experience. Plan a trip to the Central Coast and include Bell's on your itinerary. Or better yet, plan a trip around a visit to Bell's.

    Ridgeback Prawns

    Life changing to say the very least. The food: Perfection The service: Unmatched The vibes: Immaculate My husband and I made a reservation here to celebrate our 10th anniversary and the team here made it so special with menus that had our names on it for the occasion. Chris was absolutely phenomenal with his friendly and warm personality and made our experience that much more personalized. He gave us a tour of the full menu, gave impeccable wine pairings for the courses selected, and even topped it off with a lovely dessert wine that I wish I had asked the name of (he described at as apricot and sunshine which it absolutely was). The entire team was so attentive and it was honestly a joy watching them do their work while enjoying our meal. The menu had so much thought behind it and the care in the selection of fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients added an additional layer to flavor profiles on top of the exceptional seasoning. The first bite of sea urchin and caviar was so rich (truly a perfect bite), the salad while simple was so flavorful, and the bread that is baked in house was so soft and paired beautifully with the cultured butter topped with flaky sea salt. We chose the Âmevive Lamb Roulade and Ridgeback Prawns for our appetizer, the Cobia Rôti and Steak au Poivre for our entrees, and the Tarte au Citron and Chocolate Mousse for dessert. While I do love seafood, I typically don't pick those options when dining out but the sea urchin, the prawns, and Cobia fish were my absolute favorite bites from our dinner options. I cannot say enough good things about this lovely place with a staff that is just as lovely. As someone who works in retail with a brand that focuses on 5 star customer experience, I appreciated receiving service that was more than good enough to leave the house for and that was worth every single dollar spent. I can only close this review by saying that we look forward to returning again before our next anniversary and a huge thank you to the entire team at Bell's for such a special meal to celebrate this milestone in our lives.

    Stephanie A.

    Dinner at Bell's last time was absolutely memorable. Our reservation was at 8 PM, but when we got there around 7:55, the table wasn't ready. The manager was kindly enough to offer us some free bubbles while we were waiting at their patio. I dined here before a few times for lunch so this time I was excited to try their prix fixe dinner menu. 1. It started off with the Santa Barbara Urchin and caviar on top of this little round thing that tasted like a bread. Honestly, this was my least favorite course for the night since I'm not really a fan of sea urchin in general. 2. Sourdough bread and Farms lettuces salad. I thought the bread was just okay too (I prefer more like a warm and a bit toasty bread), but the salad was so good. It's so light and refreshing with some lovely dressing. 3. Santa Rita Rabbit en croute and Bay Scallop Tartare. Glad we chose these two options. The scallop dish was also light and refreshing then followed with the warm and crispy pastry shell filled with tasty rabbit meat filling. 4. For the main course we opted for the steak frites and their fish dish, however, they were so kind to give us an extra dish which was the fromage tortellini. I tried their steak frites before which always tastes so amazing, but the fish was phenomenal! The tortellini was tasty as well and it's a great choice for a non meat eater. The main course itself was definitely the highlight of our meal. 5. We ended the meal with some delicious desserts (carrot cake and banana foster ice cream) Overall, we really enjoyed our dining experience at Bell's. Service was so amazing and we gave extra tip beyond the 20% automatically added. As their menu changes periodically, can't wait to return when I'm back in the area!

    Melissa G.

    The food was definitely Michelin star! Our server, Mia, treated us like we were family though it was our first time. The ambiance is perfectly quaint and countryside.

    Pavid K.

    Truly not impressive. I've been to quite a few Michelin star restaurants... sure presentation was pretty, the ambience beautiful, but the service. Ugh. The service. When we asked for recommendations on a dish, the waitress encouraged the chicken pithivier so strongly we ended up ordering a few. Why? It tasted like dry canned chicken on crackers. Why would she recommend it? The ratatouille was bland and the steak was too salty. The group favs: razor clams, peppers and the fig leaf short bread. But what really made me write this review: the wine sommelier. He was rude. He was uninformative. He barely gave us the time of day. He listed out 5 wines quickly. He happened to be standing an inch away from my friend, behind her mind you, and when she adjusted her hair he gave her the nastiest look. Like he was going to vomit. Ummm, maybe don't stand so close to people? When a dish was brought out incorrectly, the waiter quickly said he would change it. Then our waitress came and just gave us this blank look. "You ordered that." Point blank. No expression. Almost lobotomized? So my friend was stuck eating the peppers, which was good. But still. A little customer service? So yes, the food may be delicious for your palate, but the service is sub par sadly.

    Menu on January 16th

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    Page 1 of 12

    Bell's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bell's

    Are you open December 27th or 28th, 2021?

    Their hours and holiday schedule is on their website and on Tock you must make a reservation for dinner no walk in's at dinner and some openings for lunch via reservations other wise it's first come first served for lunch. Dinner is Prix Fixe.

    Hello, I'm passing by to head some and have time to stop for dinner. Are you guys able to…

    Hi Manny, For reservations, please visit https://www.exploretock.com/bellsrestaurant.… Read more

    I'm a vegetarian, can I put together a complete meal?

    Hi David, Our Prix Fixe Menu easily accommodates vegetarians! Thanks for reaching out and we look… Read more

    Hi, what is the service charge for the pre-fixe dinner?

    20%

    What is Bell's corkage fee?

    Hello Pat, Our corkage is $25 per bottle. If you purchase a bottle off our list then we waive the corkage 1:1 ratio.… Read more

    View All 9 Questions

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    Norman at Skyview Los Alamos - Spicy Paloma

    Norman at Skyview Los Alamos

    3.8(169 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We came here after checking in at our stay in Los Alamos, since it was the only restaurant open on…read morea Monday night. We made a reservation on Open Table just in case because we were VERY hungry. It is a cute place, on the smaller side and has a more modern take on seating. Some tables had couches and others were the traditional chairs/booths. After looking over the menu, we decided to order the focaccia bread, bates burger, and the mac n cheese. The focaccia bread came out with this delicious mascarpone cheese topped with honey and pepper on top. At first, we were a little worried but the blend of flavors were IMMACULATE! We contemplated ordering another one. Next the burger and mac n cheese came out. The burger was a bit dry, and it came out well done when we asked for medium (they ask how you would like it cooked when ordering). The potato wedges that come with it were very good, hot and fluffy. The Mac n cheese was the star of the show. We got the mushrooms on the side since we never had BBQed mushrooms before but they added such a complex flavor with the truffle cheese in the macaroni. We ended the night with their cookie skillet and it came with salted Carmel gelato (the menu says vanilla). She confirmed that the flavor was okay before putting the order in. Overall, we had a good night here and the view was beautiful. Side note: they have you park in the bottom lot if you are only coming for the restaurant and there is a number you call. They pick you up in the golf cart and drive you up! And they offer the same service to come back down! Thank you Alex (unless it was Ally we are arguing over your name) for such a positive energy and personality.

    FOOD: I ordered the BBQ Brisket burger and it was…read moremagnificent. Juicy, thick patty, the brisket was tender and the BBQ sauce was just the enough amount and not overpowering the entire burger. You get a choice of a side salad or fries to go along with your burger and I went for the side salad since as a group we did order the garlic wedge fries (which was not served with wedge cut potatoes but regular fries cut potatoes lol). Not sure if they ran out of those cuts or that's how it is really presented but either way the fries were also delicious and perfectly garlicky. The other orders from our group was the Bates burger which again was delicious. The steak frites were yummy and perfectly cooked. The steak was easily cut and seasoned well. We also ordered the focaccia and that mascarpone with black pepper honey was addicting! I wish we could have had more bread lol. So good! We also ordered the Texas style chili, that too, was wonderful. It was packed with meat and the right amount of beans. Deliciously seasoned and came with a jalapeño corn muffin. We didn't really taste the jalapeño but still a good pairing. I just wish there was more of it. It was served in a big bowl but the serving was very shallow so the look of it can be deceiving as to you're getting a lot but not really. It was shared by 4 people but just not quite enough for hungry people lol. Our other friend got the pan-roasted chicken that did not meet up to his expectations. It was small in portion compared to the burger and did not look very filling. We also got to try the cast iron cookie (made to order so it does take a while to come out) but given it is freshly baked please be careful taking the first bite. It is very hot lol. Again, amazingly chocolatey, gooey and decadent paired with a vanilla gelato on top. 6/7 of the orders were top notch so I'd say it's a win! SERVICE: There was only one server for the entire restaurant. One bartender at the bar. No host/hostess so it took awhile to be seated even with a reservation but not too long of a wait. Our waiter did his best to accommodate everyone and each table given he's the only one serving. He was patient and still very helpful with helping us pick our meals, providing recommendations and answering our questions. He still served everyone with a smile despite how overwhelming it could have been for him. Also, the service of the receptionist of the hotel who can pick you up with a Moke mobile down the hill and up to the restaurant was quick and friendly. She was very welcoming and nice. I loved the service. The food came out in a timely manner except for our cookies BUT again it is made to order and I'm sure takes longer to bake than to make a burger lol so be patient. Lovely service and staff. AMBIENCE: Good amount of seatings inside and outdoors during warmer weather. The outdoors does come equipped with heaters but it was just too cold so most people choose indoors anyway. Super cute, intimate setting with booths, tables and high chairs at the bar. Dimmed lighting throughout the restaurant but they do bring little candles or lamps to light up the table if needed. Super cute and romantic vibe. We visited during holiday season so there was a nicely lit Christmas tree by our table and it made the visit nice and cozy. I've lived in the area for a while now and have always wanted to visit and check out the place. Met all my expectations and more. I judged it by its ambiance and pricing from the menu at first, thinking the food was not gonna reflect the prices and although some are overpriced some are justifiable given the quality of the food. Again, it's a unique experience being picked up by a Moke mobile from the parking lot to the top of the hill where the restaurant is located. There is a shed where the phone number is located to call the hotel for a lift. The food, service and ambience were great. Highly recommend to locals and anyone driving by for a visit! Very instagrammable restaurant AND motel!

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    Norman at Skyview Los Alamos - Full Service Bar

    Full Service Bar

    Norman at Skyview Los Alamos - Apricot & Goat Cheese Crostini

    Apricot & Goat Cheese Crostini

    Norman at Skyview Los Alamos - Indoor Seating

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    Indoor Seating

    Pico - Avocado Crudo: spicy tuna tartare, tobiko, ponzu. So yummy!

    Pico

    4.5(416 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    This review covers three visits, the first two were midweek in 2025 and one two weeks ago on a…read moreFriday. It's an interesting setup, as there's a separate space for Pico and a space for Lumen Wines, however we were told that the wine tastings are done in the restaurant. The ambiance is upscale-casual, the service is excellent (thanks Kali for getting my joke and making me laugh on our last visit), and the food is wonderfully delicious. They have main floor seating, a balcony, and a back patio, so request your spot when making a reservation. DRINKS: They have a full bar and the cocktails we've tried were very well made. The wine list is primarily Lumen wines, but there are some other local and old-world wines available, and some alcohol-free cocktails and beer too. On our first visit, we tried a Lumen wine tasting flight consisting of a '21 Chardonnay, a '21 Pinot Noir, and a '21 Grenache, and a couple extra pours, like the Escence orange wine and the "Hey Ginger" Pet Nat (check out my separate review for Lumen Wines). FOOD: We've eaten something on all three visits and everything we've tried has been very good. The menu is seasonal, so it's ever changing. The appetizers/entrées we've tried are the Wedge Salad, Kabocha Salad, Grilled Carrots, Avocado Crudo, Channel Island Squid, Steak Tartare, Pico Burger, and Rabbit Carnitas Tostadas. The food is well-seasoned and prepared as ordered. The kitchen seems to work well with the wait staff to coordinate when courses are delivered, so you're not getting everything at once. Pico is one of our favorite spots in the Los Alamos/Los Olivos/Buellton area and well worth the drive if you're not staying right nearby. I highly recommend you check them out.

    So many great things to say about this place! As someone new to the area, this was an wonderful…read moreintroduction! We came in on a Friday night, so it was a few minutes for a table. We sat in a lovely waiting area with couches and they brought over water for us before we were seated. Ambience: 5/5 Inside, the cozy warm ambience made the experience feel even more elevated. We loved the decor and the layout of the restaurant, especially the upstairs seating area (where we sat) overlooking the dining room. It felt a little more private which we loved as we got to people watch. When we thought the inside was romantic, the outside seating was like a scene out of a movie. Hope to sit out there next time! Service: 5/5 Our server was very attentive and charismatic, joining in on our jokes, checking on us promptly, giving us recommendations, and ultimately adding onto our experience. The busser was quick and timely, he always made sure our table was clean and our water was full. Food took a little while to come out, which was expected, but after everything we ate, it was completely worth the wait. Food: 5/5 I could probably eat ten of the avocado crudo and the mushroom and madeira. The crudo completely melts in your mouth with the most addicting sauce, and the puff pastries lingered in my mind the entire meal. We had the burrata which was fresh and tasty, the warm french loaf which shocked me how compelling a loaf of bread can be, and finally were graced by the agnolotti which had the perfect amount of lemon that paired so perfectly with the mushroom sauce. Keep in mind, every plate was wiped clean of its sauce with the bread because they were all too good and we couldn't get enough. Also could have had endless "For he's a jolly good fennel" (love the name) mocktale. Highly recommend!

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    Pico - Seating by the "wall of wine".

    Seating by the "wall of wine".

    Pico - Beef tar tare

    Beef tar tare

    Pico - We were nicely surprised by the attention given to us, thank you !

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    We were nicely surprised by the attention given to us, thank you !

    High Roller Tiki Lounge - Amazing lamps and decor

    High Roller Tiki Lounge

    4.0(299 reviews)
    13.1 mi
    $$

    One thing we quickly noticed in Solvang is that there aren't many places open late, so finding High…read moreRoller Tiki Lounge open until 11 PM was a huge plus! After a delicious dinner nearby, we stopped in for drinks, live music, and a good time and this place delivered. They had a great live band playing fun tunes that really set the atmosphere. The vibe was relaxed, lively, and exactly what we were looking for to end the night. Their drink menu is packed with creative and fun options. I ordered the Mango Michelada, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Our waiter was also fantastic, very attentive, friendly, and kept checking in on us throughout the night. If you're in Solvang and looking for a fun late-night spot with good drinks, music, and great service, High Roller Tiki Lounge is definitely worth stopping

    I want to start by saying that I have never in my life experienced such a negative response when…read morewalking into a place. I wanted to love this place because of the aesthetic however, the owner (guy who wears the golf cap) immediately seemed annoyed that my friend and I wanted to grab a drink there. He just handed us the menus without acknowledging us. For reference it was not busy. So we sat down and he did stop by to take our order. There was one couple next to us and WOW! He came and asked them "Where are you guys visiting from?" And that was a whole conversation. He then came back a few minutes later to ask how their drinks were. And my friend and I were not acknowledged one bit and we were sitting right next to them and were the only ones in the room with them so it was very obvious. We did not feel welcome at all. It was such a bad feeling so I will definitely not waste my time or money at this place if I were you.

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    High Roller Tiki Lounge - Booths in Club 433

    Booths in Club 433

    High Roller Tiki Lounge - Seating area

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    High Roller Tiki Lounge

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    The Victor Restaurant and Bar

    The Victor Restaurant and Bar

    4.5(156 reviews)
    14.6 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    Here's a clean version that keeps your voice but tightens it up a bit:…read more We went to The Victor for Sunday brunch in Santa Ynez and it was kind of perfect. We started with Bloody Marys, which were insanely good. They were out of the Verde, but the bartender improvised and made us something even better. It came with what might be the best bacon I've ever had, which is a bold claim but I stand by it. He even came out to check on us and talk through what he was testing. We loved them. We ordered the deviled eggs with trout roe, which were to die for. Highly recommend. Then we split the breakfast sandwich. They divided it in the kitchen and brought it out with two side salads, which is always such a nice touch. Service was incredible, the atmosphere was lovely, and the whole thing felt a little indulgent in the best way. Exactly what you want on a beautiful spring day in Santa Ynez. Would absolutely go back.

    I had the most expertly prepared sea bass I've ever had, and I typically order sea bass whenever…read moreit's available on the menu. It's my benchmark for good seafood. The skin was crispy but the meat was tender, and soaked with the broth that's drenched right at your table, the combination was mind-bogglingly good. Service was superb. The waiter even offered my dog a bowl of water. The outdoor patio seating was lovely, especially on a warm December evening in California. Experience an elevated dining nirvana here at Victor.

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    The Victor Restaurant and Bar
    The Victor Restaurant and Bar
    The Victor Restaurant and Bar

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    The Tavern - Fritto misto

    The Tavern

    3.8(333 reviews)
    10.6 mi
    $$$

    We stayed at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern this past weekend and had dinner at the titular Tavern, an…read moreupscale contemporary restaurant in a reincarnated central California stagecoach stop dating back to 1886. The inn leans into the old west aesthetic, but the tavern is just elegant and attractive, with leather furniture, a high vaulted ceiling, and a lot of windows. It was pleasantly bustling on a Friday night, with what seemed like a mix of hotel guests and other visitors. Los Olivos has a population that hovers around 1,000, so this restaurant, like the stagecoach stop, is there to serve travelers. Accordingly, service was first class. There was a full bar with elaborate cocktails and plenty of wine from the area. We ordered two rounds of cocktails, as we planned to drink wine all weekend, and they were all very good. The Vaquero Campfire was a refreshing mezcal drink with pink peppercorn, honey, and charred grapefruit. The Cigars & Horses was a boozy mix of bourbon, yellow chartreuse, and smoked cinnamon. Los Rancheros Vistadores was a pleasantly bitter tequila cocktail, with reposado, amaro, Aperol, and orange olive oil. And the Pinochle Punch was a smooth blend of milk-clarified rye, cognac, and orange. We ordered wines by the glass to go with our entrees, and these were both lovely, too. The Sandlands Lodi Red Table Wine and the Racines Mattei's Cuvée, a Chardonnay that must have some connection to Mattei's Tavern. The food was delicious. We started with a half dozen oysters with mignonette and lemon and Gin's tuna carpaccio, topped with scallion, radish, ginger dressing, and cold-pressed California olive oil. Then we had Mattei's house focaccia, served with cultured butter and herb oil, and the country pâté, with cherry, tarragon, and sourdough. The entrées were both excellent. The Channel Islands rockfish was beautifully cooked, served in a vibrant tomatillo sauce with hoja santa, with sides of roti, grilled avocado, and grilled lime. The Colorado lamb was tender and juicy with a nice spiced crust. It came with couscous, vadouvan, mint yogurt, onion, and dates. For dessert, we shared the affogato: vanilla ice cream, Handlebar espresso. Hard to think of a better way to wind down a big meal. We charged dinner to the room and got $100 through a hotel promotion. This covered some of our drinks. The Tavern is not a cheap restaurant, but it is a great one, well worth checking out on your visit to Los Olivos.

    Been here twice now and trying to be fair about it…read more The food is genuinely great and pricing feels in line with other spots around here. Not cheap, but not over the top either. Service is where things fell short both times. It took about 40 minutes to get our breakfast after ordering, and it was pretty obvious the plates had been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit. I used to work in food service, so it's something I tend to notice. We weren't in a rush, but we did need to be in and out within an hour. By the time the food came, we had maybe 15 minutes to eat and had to ask for the check right away just to stay on schedule. Overall, it's a great spot if you have the time to hang, but I'd be cautious coming here if you're on any kind of timeline.

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    The Tavern - Inside the tavern

    Inside the tavern

    The Tavern - Breakfast sandwich made be veg (sub avo and tomato for sausage and fried egg), and more blue corn hotcakes!

    Breakfast sandwich made be veg (sub avo and tomato for sausage and fried egg), and more blue corn hotcakes!

    The Tavern - Entrance

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    Entrance

    The Tavern at Zaca Creek - Shrimp cocktail

    The Tavern at Zaca Creek

    4.4(205 reviews)
    9.1 mi

    We stayed at the inn and decided to make it easy and make reservations at the Tavern. They give you…read morescones to start your meal and they were amazing! Savory and one of the best scones I've ever had! Didn't even need the sweet butter that came with it. We had the crab beignets for an appetizer. Very nice and light, fresh crab just missing a some salt. My fiancé ordered the burger with their version of fries and I had the scallops pasta. My fresh scallops were perfectly seared and paired with the beautifully blanched veggies and pasta. All fantastic, just missing a little salt. Burger was really well made and so were their fries. Service was ok, a little hands off for such a slow night. Well decorated inside and out with lots of plants. The whole place is dreamy!

    A charming restaurant with a lovely, quaint ambiance that creates an immediately welcoming setting…read more The service was exceptional gracious, attentive, and genuinely personable. Our party was warmly greeted upon arrival and made to feel completely at home throughout the evening. The cuisine was very good, and the overall dining experience was thoughtfully executed. One minor note would be that one of the pasta dishes could have been drained slightly more prior to plating. Otherwise, the meal was excellent. I would gladly recommend this restaurant to others seeking a warm, inviting atmosphere paired with attentive service and excellent food.

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    The Tavern at Zaca Creek - The Tavern bar

    The Tavern bar

    The Tavern at Zaca Creek - Ahi tuna salad

    Ahi tuna salad

    The Tavern at Zaca Creek - Baked Alaska

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    Baked Alaska

    Bell's - french - Updated May 2026

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