Wow! The flavors at Flare blew us away…read more My hubby and I were looking for a new place to try for our date night. I remembered the opening soon signs for Flare when we used to live by Ryon Park. Since we moved, I'd almost forgotten so I was excited to finally try their food. The staff that greeted and tended to us were friendly and attentive. The atmosphere has a hole-in-the-wall vibe with its intimate seating. The back tables have glowing lights like stars which was a nice touch. That being said, I feel like the interior could use some more color. Maybe some Japanese or Korean art would be cool. We started out with some milk tea. I ordered the tiger milk tea which was sweet with caramel and I added honey Boba. For the food, they have hot pots! A unique offering for the Lompoc area. The food at Flare is mostly Korean and Japanese inspired food with some California influences. Like the beef Bulgogi fries my husband ordered-- were bomb. They came with a spicy mayo like sauce that was a savory and sweet suprise. The saltiness of the beef and melted cheese-- ultimate comfort food. It would've been even better with avocado. I ordered a fusion rice bowl. At first I was skeptical about the sauce the shrimp came with. But after the first bite my mouth was bursting with flavor. Freshness from the sour cream mixed perfectly with the mildly spicy red sauce dressing the shrimp (no tails which I appreciated). Little bits of cilantro mixed into the warm jasmine rice balanced out the salty and savory shrimp. Add in the freshness of the crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and corn. Overall, it created a beautiful balanced dish I didn't know I needed; a meal that satisfied my soul. Next time we come I can't wait to try their hot pots! Highly recommend you check out Flare.

I found Flare delightful…read more The food was fresh and delicious. Maybe a Korean influence with a California flare? The service was excellent, not to much but always close when needed. The atmosphere was light and fresh. All-in-all a good experience.

I find the ambience and food at China Pavilion to be great. And they have a bar as well…read more The service is very professional. I'd recommend it if you are craving Chinese food and in the Santa Barbara area.

Hands down the BEST Chinese food in Santa Barbara. There is no comparison!…read more If you're looking for incredible Chinese food, this is the place. My husband and I come here all the time, and every single visit is outstanding. We have our absolute favorites: the chicken fried rice, spicy pea pods with oyster sauce, and the sizzling rice chicken soup, which is a must. When we bring our son, he always orders duck, and this restaurant truly shines in how many amazing ways they prepare it. He loves every version. When we have friends or family visiting, we explore even more of the menu, including Szechuan dishes, noodle plates, and so much more. Everything is consistently delicious. But it's not just the food. The people who work here are fantastic. They are warm, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely happy to have you there. They make you feel like a regular even on your first visit, which is rare and so appreciated. We've tried the Montecito location, and while it was fine, it simply does not compare to the Santa Barbara restaurant. This spot is something special. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and go. You won't regret it, and you will definitely be back.

My first visit to Sushi Table was a delight! A friend had been recently and wanted to go back…read more There is a cozy Sushi bar in the back, or option to eat out in the open area in front. The staff were so genuinely warm and friendly I left feeling like I had some new friends. The sushi was super fresh, delicious, and beautifully prepared. Chef took time to explain the choices and different selections. Menu offered lots of choices for sushi, hand rolls, bowls and more. I will definitely be visiting again soon!!!!!

On a first casual visit to Sushi Table I knew it was a standout spot in SLO. But the Omakase…read moreexperience I had on my second visit cemented this place as one of my standout sushi experiences anywhere. They've done an incredible job making the space special. It makes a busy open space intimate. If you want to sit at the sushi bar make reservations or roll the dice. There is nothing quite like watching a chef dedicate their entire service to you. That's the Omakase experience we had. The restaurant was busy, but the team running the show outside our service was a well-oiled machine, and I could tell other diners were enjoying their meals. But what we experienced was on another level. Course after course was assembled in front of us. I love to cook, so watching and engaging was really special. Learned about every fish, salt, oil, cut. Just spectacular. They were also very kind. A few folks celebrating birthdays, including myself, and they doted on us in a major way. Truly memorable.

The place is cute and quaint, right across the street from the Historic Santa Maria Inn. The…read moreservice was friendly and pretty quick. Our food was good, plentiful! The Cashew Chicken was ok, could use more cashews though. The Salt & Pepper Shrimp was delicious but SPICY! The green beans were good too. The dishes were full enough to have to-go plates for lunch the next day!

Very fresh and delicious food ! My family and I went there…read morea few weeks ago and the food selection is great with good quality

Visited for 1st X while traveling. We were met with a genuinely warm welcome by Vivi; who we found…read moreout later is part owner! She took the time to explain the menu and helped us order. The food was DELICIOUS! I'd highly recommend visiting Shake Shake Noodle. A fantastic dining experience! Very well run & clean too!

My husband took me to this cute, homey restaurant for mother's day. We took most of our food to-go…read morebecause the portion size was generous. The lady that helped was so friendly, smiley, and warm! I loved the service we received here. The food was really good. I'm actually not too much of a fan of heavy eastern spices, but this was the right amount for me! It was not too spicy and was perfectly seasoned for my taste! I can't wait to come back~

Wow...I came back here again, and my waiter John mentioned that they will soon be adding Dim Sum to…read moretheir menu in May. Lo and behold, he brought to our table a complimentary sample of these delicious morsels. The lunch special again was plentiful and I truly appreciate the value here and the kind service. Thank you!

My husband and I visited this hidden treasure while out riding our motos last evening around 8:00…read morepm. We had noticed the restaurant a few times before, after stopping for gasoline at the corner station directly across from Meet Up Chinese Cuisine. We had intended to stop by long ago. No more waiting. Last night, we made it happen. Ample parking is on site, and another perk in a city with a shortage of this feature. They also maintain later operating hours than most SB restaurants, another HUGE plus in a city which seemingly shutters before sundown. The restaurant interior is bright, airy fresh, clean and inviting. The two large robotic table attendants wore white attire with cheerful red aprons. They exude a special kind of whimsy and add another level of delight rarely experienced in dining. These capable assistants greet you at the front desk, and proved a novel and intriguing welcome (especially in today's landscape of our ever-increasing AI functionality). The adorable stuffed pandas are a great addition as well. The vividly colorful and impactful tile tapestry behind the entrance doors is a spectacular selfie spot and work of art. It sets the tone for "Meet Up Chinese Cuisine" ~ and is telltale of the effort and authenticity invested in everything they do. There is a live stage off the central dining room - where band equipment quietly awaits to spring to life and provide additional enjoyment to an already beautiful dining and seating arrangement. We were greeted by a kind and polite woman who was working at a nearby table as we entered. She promptly and warmly greeted us, and patiently assisted us in placing our order. This included an item not located on the menu, which my husband loosely described. (THANK YOU!). We were invited to wait comfortably in the dining room while the order was prepared. The scents emanating from the nearby kitchen were heavenly, and so enticingly to our already eager appetites! We placed an order which included three mains and a large soup. It was prepared accordingly to order, and in due time. Bagged and carefully carried to our table, where two young male attendants used the receipt to double-check the contents and asked if we needed any condiments or items. Exceptionally attentive and aware team in this eatery. We were truly excited to get it home and dig-in. Before I describe the dishes, I cannot PRAISE this next feature enough. I've never seen it before, and it is a game changer for take-out (especially saucy dishes and soups)! Once home we carefully unbagged the items...anticipating some leaks and spillage (as we transported it in the cargo attachment on the back of a Motorcycle! Not a DROP!! I carefully removed the plastic lid from the Pork (soft noodle) lo mein with vegetables. Over the TOP of this container, and UNDER the plastic sealing top lid -- we found "SARAN WRAP" which cleverly sealed itself utilizing the heat reaction caused by the HOT food (hence the term: shrink wrap). I was stunned, in a giddy excited manner! I carefully and easily removed the Saran Wrap to a beautiful burst of FRAGRANT steam and delectable noodles with an abundance of meat and FLAVOR! Every bite was flavor-packed and the meat was "melt in your mouth" tender. The temperature was MOST notable. It was as HOT as if the dish had just finished cooking in the kitchen. Splendid! Each subsequent dish (ie: moo goo gai pan, spicy beef with select peppers and veg, hot and sour soup, and the BEST steamed rice) were literally some of the most authentic, flavorful, and delicious Chinese fare we have ever enjoyed. In the top "5" for sure. "CRAZY - GOOD." The kind which lingers pleasantly on your palate and maintains a solid place in your memory vault! For a little tucked away haven, "Meet Up" surprised us in the BEST of WAYS, and now we have a solid genuine gem to enjoy whenever the urge for the ULTIMATE CHINESE FARE hits. Pricing is affordable, with generous portions for the prices paid. Even the steamed RICE is complimentary and provided WITH the dishes (where most in our city seem to charge as ala carte nowadays). There is no skimping here on the rice either (or any dish), and the fresh, tasty, superior locally sourced ingredients shine through in every single bite. Thank you to all who helped us last evening. You represent the very BEST in restaurant hospitality and food service. Santa Barbara is blessed to have you amongst our ever-changing restaurant culture. We became loyal patrons the moment you extended such grace, kindness, and professionalism as we held the menu and discussed options and selections at the register. We are grateful, and appreciate you and your five-star staff, food, and memorable restaurant. Beyond exemplary all the way around. Bravissimo!

Judging food entirely off my SO who ate here with me having only tea. This review will be a bit…read moredifferent from my others in that I asked him to use a rating scale per item, due to mixed reviews below. Crab won ton: 7.5/10 Not best he's had, but solid. Korean BBQ tips: 8/10 Very good with a little room for improvement vs the myriad of other places he's tried over time. BBQ Dumplings: 6 to 7 out of 10 Good but he prefers another style of dumpling, not the dough-heavy ones.

This place is so delicious, I am so happy to have found such a delicious dim sum place. Definitely…read morea must try if you like Asian food. I ordered a few different things any everything I ate was delicious! My favorite is the Shu Mai, second the juicy soup dumplings. The staff was delightful, I was greeted when I walked in and was checked on many time to make sure I was happy with everything! The atmosphere was chill, very pleasant and friendly. Good music playing.

What can I say other than culinary perfection? It's where street food meets casual dining but with…read moremasterfully crafted menu items that will make your taste buds pop! The KFC Bao was exceptional. Crunchy, tangy, sweet, fresh and savory. A delightful dish that had me wanting a second one. The Dolsot Bokkeumbap was also delicious, savory and a bit in the heavy side, it could use something fresh, acidic or sweet to brighten up the dish. The staff was very friendly and recommended the Bao, so they know what is good on the menu. I was sat outside where they have a beautiful little patio with heaters and comfortable seating. Overall this place is a must try!

Overall the food was very delicious. I would recommend the Bao (both the KFC and pork belly were…read morevery good). The sweet potato dumplings are fried and had a very unique twist for Asian fusion and would recommend. The kalbi was very mediocre, but it was fun for sharing. Day cake was delicious. I would highly recommend since it came out and was very warm. The bingsu was mostly frozen and was not finally shaved in terms of milk ice and the Nutella pairing with it did not go very well. We had a fantastic server (Cathy) who took our orders and was very friendly. The front staff was quite rude when we followed up what the wait time was (might have been because it was busy, but hope that it's a 1x thing and not a pattern). Otherwise, vibes we're very good and I can see why this is a popular spot.

Situated in the Santa Barbara Farmers Market complex, Empty Bowl is an inviting space where you can…read moresit right at the bar and watch the wok action. Service is friendly and the food well prepared. Menu options are limited, but everything is delicious. Recommend going at happy hour. There's usually a special offer.

With so many dining options inside SB Public Market, we had a hard time deciding what to have for…read moredinner. After walking around the plaza a couple of times, we picked Empty Bowl. A side note: real silverware and plates/bowls are offered only if you dine inside the restaurant's premises. Since we opted to sit in the general area, our orders were prepared as a to-go set. After browsing through their menu, we chose the following dishes: Beef Pho: The broth was quite savory, tangy, and a tad sweet. The thin rice noodles were slightly soft. The filet mignon slices were tender, and the beef balls had good texture. The sauce and bean sprots were given on the side. Bangkok Street Noodle: The broth was flavorful, spicy, and quite tangy. The thin noodles had a balanced firmness. There was a nice blend of sliced BBQ pork, minced meat, meatballs, and fried wontons, then garnished with chili, cilantro and green onion on top. Shrimp Summer Roll: The rice paper wrap had a pleasant chewy texture. The ingredients were super fresh and satisfyingly crunchy. The tanginess of the mango and cucumber went well with slightly sweet hoisin style sauce. The mint provided a quite refreshing taste and aroma to the rolls. A beautiful fusion of colorful visual presentation and exquisite taste. Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal. Highly recommended.

A complete walk back in time at the oldest restaurant in the Central Valley. Tiniest place, maybe…read more7 tables, and tiniest menu with only a handful of items. I suppose that's the secret to longevity, and no doubt, Gordon Ramsay would be pleased - small menu means quick kitchen and fresh food -- not frozen. My buddy and I treated ourselves to all pork dishes: * Pork dumplings (soft, in an amazing sauce, and unreal ground and flavorful pork inside) * Double-pork (thinly sliced pork-chop, pan-fried noodle, veggies -- loved...loved...loved) * Pork Chow Mein (basically the same as double-pork, but steamed noodle, and not as good pork) Great prices, fast service, loved it.

Another great mid-afternoon snack at Mee Heng Low. Great service from Rece in the downstairs dining…read moreroom. Even though there was a special event going on upstairs, he was very attentive. Yummy chicken potstickers ($9), a solid menu item. Crispy, chewy, chickeny. Founders All Day IPA in a bottle - $4!