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    Local

    4.2 (178 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Local

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fried Chicken BLT
    Danya S.

    Update: The owner privately messaged me on top of his public response. I explained in the private message that constructive criticism is necessary for growth and success. My review was not mean--I clearly stated both positives and negatives of our experience. He mentioned that gluten-free fish and chips are hard to find, but we've had them in many places, and they were still flavorful. Being gluten-free doesn't mean the food has to be bland or under-seasoned. One thing I didn't mention in my original review is how three of us who ate the duck fat fries got sick. I privately mentioned that to him, and he didn't respond! Unfortunately, if the business struggles, it won't be because of the food alone, but because of the owner's attitude and lack of customer service. After the way he responded, I can confidently say I won't be returning. I was excited to try this restaurant because it's accommodating of food allergies and also gluten free options. The restaurant is hidden in the corner of coast village, and has a parking lot which makes it nice on the busy weekends. Our server was kind and very helpful in answering all of our questions about the menu, especially when it came to what was safe for the kids to eat. The food overall was good, but not great. The least favorite items we tried were the duck fat fries and the fish and chips -- both lacked flavor, and the batter on the fish just didn't stand out. The side salad that came with our meals was also disappointing, as it was drenched in dressing and cheese, leaving it soggy. On the positive side, the chicken sandwiches were tasty, and the tuna was absolutely delicious. Those were definitely the highlights of our meal.

    SB Fish Tacos
    Martha S.

    This spot is incredible! You have the option of indoor or outdoor seating (we sat outside) and the service is absolutely amazing. From our server (wonderful manners, attentive & polite) to the chef (he came out to give us the Brussels sprouts recipe & we ended up with complimentary cheesecake). I highly recommend this place if you love flavorful food, excellent staff & a great atmosphere! I had the fish tacos with fried fish, a side of Brussels sprouts & calamari, as well as a perfect lemonade. I would definitely go back & try other menu items, however the tacos & Brussels sprouts were my top 2 of the night! The cheesecake is a huge portion (easily split by 3 people) and has a lovely crust with a drizzle of berry sauce. Overall, a wonderful & flavorful experience!!

    8 oz. grass fed filet, garlic fries, and baked beans, delicious, but see my review.
    Chris G.

    Final Grade: C The LOCAL Montecito was a major letdown. Our party of seven visited after UCSB's graduation on June 14, 2025 around 7pm per our reservation, a day that sneaks up on no one in the area... except, apparently, the LOCAL. Let's break this down like a report card: Service & Timing: D+ We placed our order (5 burgers, 1 branzino, 1 Caesar salad) and waited... and waited. After 30+ minutes, we were informed that they were out of burgers. Suddenly, the suggested substitute: an 8oz filet at the same price. Sounds like an upgrade, but that's not what we came for, and definitely not what we ordered. The table next to ours, seated after us, mysteriously got two burgers. Group project vibes: we did our part, but someone dropped the ball. Food: C Filet - Nicely cooked, solid cut, but staggered arrival ruined the group meal dynamic. The actual filet was delicious, the upgrade was appreciated, BUT I really wanted a burger, just saying. Fries - The shoestring garlic fries were the standout. Crisp, flavorful, hot. Easily the highlight. Caesar Salad - Pitifully small. If you blinked, you missed it. Branzino - A rare success: moist, flaky, citrusy, and well-seasoned. Gold star here. Service Follow through: F We asked for ketchup. Our server said, "I'm on it!" and vanished. Never returned. It became the joke of the table. Not the kind of humor you want during a celebration dinner. The painful meal took 3 hours. Special Occasion Readiness: D A UCSB graduation meal should feel seamless. This felt like a class presentation where half the slides were missing. Value: C Given the price point and the special occasion, this should have been a hit. Instead, it felt like a missed assignment. Would I return? Doubtful. Santa Barbara has so many fantastic dining options where the food and experience are consistently strong. If you're browsing my reviews, you'll find better spots that are prepared, welcoming, and worth your time and money. Grade: C (Points salvaged by the branzino, garlic fries, and the upgraded filet's we did not necessarily want)

    brownie sunday

    Such a gorgeous restaurant! The service was wonderful and it had a great outdoor seating area. I would highly recommend the Brussels sprouts and Cauliflower, as they are a perfect sharing option. My party enjoyed the cheeseburger and chicken pasta entrees with high praises. The desserts were definitely the standouts, as I tried the Brownie Sunday and apple fritter doughnuts and they both were delicious! I would highly recommend Local and definitely plan on returning!

    Pan Seared Salmon with coconut curry (Delicious!)
    Adrienne O.

    So we've been coming here for over a year now, at first just for their happy hour which is a limited but delicious menu. The Jalapeño cornbread is a bit addictive. Then we finally made it in for dinner a few months ago and we now come here every week and brunch last Sunday. The food is delicious, bold flavors and mouthwatering combinations. The Branzino is perfection, the Pan Seared Salmon w/ coconut curry was so delicious and savory, the Baby Short Ribs are to die for, the meat just falls off the bone (sadly the ribs are seasonal so we'll have to wait for them to come back on the menu again), the Ragu is delicious, Chicken Milanese tastes like home (just very fancy home), the Filet was prepared to perfection and an absolute favorite! We got lucky enough the run into the head Chef (Chef Jon) last week and got to know about his background which explains why this hidden gem in Montecito was able to lock down such a food visionary! Chef Jon puts his heart into every dish which can be savored with each bite. The service is excellent, the drinks are refreshing and our new favorite local bar plus restaurant, in addition to a beautifully designed restaurant, with excellent outside seating. Can't wait for the weather to warm up for enjoying the outside space too. We Love love love this place! See you guys next week!

    Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
    Annik D.

    We had a phenomenal dinner. Ella made us the most delicious drinks (porn Star martini & a mojito). For dinner, we had the cauliflower, Brussels spouts and steak (chef's preparation)....every single thing we got was super delicious. Their entire staff (Ella, Isabella, the Serbian, Daniel) was fantastic too!

    Dan P.

    Best garlic fries i have ever tasted. Freshest ahi tuna and some of the best homemade lemonade ever. Backed up by unparalleled service from Benem. Made us feel like we were part of the family with his exceptional service. Couldn't recommend a better place to get lunch or dinner in this area. Thank you for taking care of us!!!

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Michael S.

    thanks so much! appreciate it. try the wings!

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    3 years ago

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    Michael S.

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    4 years ago

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    Michael S.

    thanks a lot! we make the mix fresh ourselves, glad you enjoyed it

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Michael S.

    Thanks Christian! really appreciate your support!

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    4 years ago

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    Michael S.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    What a treasure to find! Pizza was so good, but I think you all know that already! Little shop was adorable!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Michael S.

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    Michael S.

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    3 years ago

    Good food and nice ambiance. Service was mediocre, not sure if it's worth it for the price.

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    4 years ago

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    Michael S.

    thanks so much. we love our brunch food too!

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    4 years ago

    Horrible customer service. It started with the hostess and even continued to the bartender. The staff was rude and very uninviting.

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    Michael S.

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    2 years ago

    Delicious food, great atmosphere! I can't wait to go back! It's all pretty much outdoors though, so bring a coat in the chilly evenings.

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    3 years ago

    Have been in there twice this past week. My server Scott was amazing and the drinks were fabulous. Can't recommend this place enough.

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    3 years ago

    I stumbled upon this place for HH last time I was visiting my grandma in Montecito! Wonderful food and great atmosphere!

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    2 years ago

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    Page 3 of 5

    Local Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Local

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    Absolutely!!!!! Totally dog friendly 🐶

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    Bar Lou

    Bar Lou

    4.0(45 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Came in on a lovely Sunday, to grab a drink before our nearby dinner reservations. We had our eye…read moreon BarLou previous Montecito dates. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. Hot or Not? Spoiler! it's a NOT. What a coincidence, it's happy hour . . . YAY ! Upon arrival, we were the only party on our end of the patio. (aside from a group of women on their way out.) We ordered our drinks promptly, but over the next 30m 3 small parties arrived, placed their drink orders, then their food orders, and were served well before us. disappointing. Despite being reassured multiple times over 30-40m period that our drinks were "on the way" they hadn't arrived long after having ordered--far before all the surrounding parties had arrived. We were checked in on plenty and added Ratatouille to our order. My Spicy margs finally arrived and (1) glass had visible lipstick stain on it. Luckily Bf double ordered for HH deal so I had the clean one while we waited to be checked in on to no avail. Beau had to wave down a server but 20m after a manager/owner ((it's unclear) she was casually dressed not in uniform like the servers.) but This woman came by and checked in we told her about the stain, she took the dirty glass, asked our drink and we get brought the wrong drink. Spicy Marg : 2/5 sips light refreshing and with a hint of spice not too overpowering. ($12) Bloody Mary: Beau thought it was ok would not order again.($10) Overall the experience felt dismissive and disorganized. We love to go for an experience, the ambience/atmosphere was great but the service we received ruined the experience, as the Idiom goes, IT LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. Ratatouille never arrived, we gave plenty of time and grace, decided to Cancel our order and request the check. Note: When we arrived the hostess said "it's just us two" so I gave the benefit of the doubt, on another occasion I would have left to avoid a situation like what we experienced, I understand. But we only came in for a Drink ?? :((

    Food was delicious We requested patio, we were seated on…read morethe side overlooking Coast Village Road ,had our dogs with us and they were very accommodating, even brought a water bowl Glad we picked Bar Lou for our birthday dinner , all our dishes were memorable and will definitely go back . Inside is very cozy and modern.

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    Bar Lou
    Bar Lou
    Bar Lou

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    The Good Lion - Passionfruit Fizz

    The Good Lion

    4.6(456 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    The Good Lion is my go to whenever I'm downtown. They always nail it when it comes to creative…read morecocktails. I especially love the names they come up with for each drink. The environment is casual, with indoor and outdoor seating. I love to people watch here! Located next to the Granada and the perfect spot to grab a few drinks before a show. Happy hour is Monday - Friday from 4-6pm and offers a small menu of $9 cocktails. Sometimes it gets pretty crowded depending on what events are happening downtown. My only gripe is that I wish they had two bartenders during the busier nights. They could be short staffed though. Nonetheless, it's still a great spot for good quality cocktails.

    STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cool artsy bar with great cocktails…read more We were looking for a place to wet our whistles before dinner and this place looked promising. Located right next to the Granada Theater on the main drag, it looked to have undergone recent renovations and had a very chill but stylish ambiance. There was plenty of seating on a Wednesday night, and our bartender was a friendly young woman. The hubby got the spiced rum old fashioned, which had an ice cube with a lion's face etched onto it--a nice touch. I got one of their tiny Negronis, which came in a cute tiny mug and cost $5 (it sounded fun). Both tasted great and we had a nice time sipping our drinks and taking in the decor. Alas we had to be on our way so couldn't linger long, but we'd definitely love to stop by again the next time we're in town.

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    The Good Lion - Bar

    Bar

    The Good Lion - Edgar - Ken-tiki Kentucky

    Edgar - Ken-tiki Kentucky

    The Good Lion - Blackberry Cobbler Royale and an Eastside

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    Blackberry Cobbler Royale and an Eastside

    Clark's Oyster Bar - Oysters and Champagne

    Clark's Oyster Bar

    4.2(90 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Clark's Oyster Bar is a mini-chain of seafood restaurants that started in Austin, with three of the…read moresix locations in high-rent California neighborhoods. The Montecito Clark's is on Coast Village Road, in a cheerful white stucco building trimmed in yellow and blue. I've been twice now, both times for lunch with my husband, our kids, and some permutation of grandparents. It's an easy last-minute reservation for a large, floppy party, great for everyone in our family, with an age range of three to 83. I'll admit that my three-year-old likes Clark's for the wrong reasons (primarily, that it has a prominent ceiling fan), but it is a family-friendly place, with a relaxed atmosphere and a little aquarium in front with fish that look like Nemo and Dory. There's also a secret kid's menu (you have to ask about it; our first visit, we just paid for the $18 pancakes on the regular menu), and the butter pasta is reportedly very good. I like almost any place with a kid's menu and a wine list, and Clark's is firmly in this category. There's a full bar, but I've done well with the selection of white wines--Chenin Blanc, Chablis, Sancerre, all available by the glass. Service was on the slow side our first visit but otherwise fine, and I was impressed with our waiter Andreas when we went back the weekend after last. He was patient and accommodating with our whole party, talking extensively about bread with Grandpa and answering questions about the fan for my little boy. The only problem with Clark's is that it's pretty expensive for a low-key spot, especially if you're going for lunch. I guess that's why it's in Montecito, though it certainly isn't there for old timers like my father-in-law. The food is fantastic, starting with the complimentary house sourdough, which Grandpa has declared the best bread he's had in California (where, to be clear, he's lived for 50 years). It is genuinely top tier bread, fresh and chewy with a nice crust, served with good butter and salt and beautiful little radishes. You can buy it to go for something like $16 a loaf, but it's available on demand when you dine in, and you can and should ask for more. Clark's specializes in seafood, and I've enjoyed both the jumbo shrimp cocktail and Santa Barbara uni. The shrimp cocktail comes with horseradish, seasoned saltines, classic cocktail sauce, and lemon; the uni in its spiny shell with Meyer lemon and shiso on a bed of ice. On the larger side, I'd recommend the mussels and clams in white wine and herbs, with garlic, chili flake, and a side of wood-charred sourdough. I've also liked both the lobster roll and the burger. The lobster roll comes with a heap of sweet lobster with lemon mayo, drawn butter, and bibb lettuce on a toasted bun. It comes with choice of fries or slaw, and the shoestring fries are thin and crispy. The pan-roasted black angus hamburger is a juicy burger with sauce gribiche and gruyere, with the same choice of sides. My boy keeps asking to go back to Clark's for the ceiling fan, and I suspect we'll be back soon enough, if mostly for the restaurant's other attractions. I'd recommend it if you want good wine, bread, and seafood in Montecito.

    Excellent experience here! I stopped by for restaurant week and took advantage of their $60 Prix…read moreFixe meal. For the table you get fresh handmade sourdough bread, sliced radishes and sea salt. The bread was super soft and perfect with the creamy butter. Then came the appetizer. I chose a hearty bowl of New England clam chowder. It was a generous serving and I honestly didn't think I would finish it, but it was soooo good that I managed to eat it all. It was the perfect ratio of clams, chunky potatoes and bacon. With a kick of Tabasco! I would totally order this again. For my entree of choice, I went with the crispy skin faroe island salmon. I love ordering salmon when dining out. This one was well executed! Not only was the skin perfectly crisp, but the salmon was buttery, light and melted in my mouth. I'm not too fond of eating salmon skin, but this one was worth every bite. It paired very well with the red chimichurri sauce. Highly recommend this one if you like salmon. For dessert, the key lime tart was the perfect way to end my evening. It was delicious and I especially enjoyed scooping up the torched meringue and toasted coconut flakes with each bite. Overall, the ambiance here is beautiful and the service was very pleasant. I can't wait to come back to try more on the menu!

    Photos
    Clark's Oyster Bar - Second bar

    Second bar

    Clark's Oyster Bar - Rockefeller oysters

    Rockefeller oysters

    Clark's Oyster Bar - Exterior view

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    Exterior view

    Caruso's

    Caruso's

    4.4(253 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    Came back to celebrate our anniversary and I'm happy to say Caruso's did a phenomenal job in making…read moreour special day feel extraordinary. The staff remembered us, we chatted about various topics from golf to traveling, and the sommelier was just as warm and friendly as I remember from our first experience. Food and presentation was excellent, ambiance was romantic and relaxed, and overall we had (another) amazing time.

    Came here on a Saturday night with my mom and overall had a really lovely experience…read more Even though we didn't stay at the hotel, the service throughout the property immediately stood out. When our Lyft arrived, employees rushed over to open the doors, and when we asked where the restaurant was, the front desk employee actually stepped away from the desk to personally point us in the right direction. The walk to the restaurant is a bit long since it overlooks the beach, but it was a beautiful night and ended up feeling relaxing and special. (Particularly on the way back when we were full from the tasting menu) I just wouldn't wear uncomfy heels. One interesting touch: we overheard the hostess offering another couple the option to put their phones away for the evening so they could fully experience dinner distraction-free. I ended up keeping mine away too and honestly enjoyed being more present during the meal. As a side note, another couple took photos of every meal and there didn't appear to be a stigma regardless. We did the tasting menu, and our waiter was fantastic with recommendations. All the staff was great, honestly. What stood out most to me compared to other Michelin-starred restaurants I've visited was the focus on seasonal ingredients and vegetables. That night featured Harry's berries and asparagus throughout several dishes. My favorite was probably the burrata with Harry's berries and rhubarb. There are quite a few optional upgrades throughout the tasting menu, including caviar and upgraded steak options, but we only added the chocolate bar selection at the end, which was excellent. I also appreciated the atmosphere. You could hear the waves crashing through the open doors, but it still stayed warm and comfortable inside. The noise level was lively without being overwhelming, and the recently added piano really elevated the experience. Some dishes seemed to sing to the symphony. Overall, I wouldn't say it was the best meal I've ever had, but I absolutely would return. Several dishes highlighted the ingredients so beautifully that I'd love to come back during another season to try a different menu. Solid experience and felt more or less felt worth the price.

    Photos
    Caruso's
    Caruso's
    Caruso's

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    The Stonehouse Restaurant - Duck plate

    The Stonehouse Restaurant

    4.4(517 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    The staff and service is truly impeccable. The ambiance is calm and quiet and the walk around…read moregarden including the chef garden is amazing. We went to the speakeasy and got the strawberry horchata and calamari - both were great! The speakeasy is fun! I recommend grabbing a drink there and walking the garden. The dinner had the best sunset view and was so charming. We got a couple of the Smokey drinks and that was so much fun! We got two filets and the macaroni and cheese. I think if we went again we would both get something other than the filet but the macaroni and cheese was great! Haha The service is probably the best service that I have ever received. I enjoyed every minute of dining there.

    Matt B. and I went to Stonehouse the night we got engaged, back in 2012. The restaurant and…read moreproperty were beautiful, and we had a wonderful romantic dinner on the patio. We went back a few weeks ago, for Matt's 43rd birthday, and found a completely different restaurant. I guess at some point, San Ysidro Ranch went all-inclusive, and Stonehouse started serving a mostly captive clientele: hotel guests who've already paid for dinner. This is fine if you're staying at the Ranch, but if you remember The Stonehouse as a fancy special occasion restaurant with a high level of service, your impression is out of date. The astronomical prices may suggest otherwise, but keep in mind that most diners aren't really paying those anyway. We went on a drizzly Tuesday night and sat inside, missing out on the scenic patio. The dining room was nice, though, very stately, and as parents ourselves, we were not put out by the number of children in the room, the families sitting down for a casual weeknight dinner. We were surprised, though, when we tried to order drinks and our waiter asked to see our IDs. My husband presented his license, which showed very clearly that it was his 43rd birthday. The waiter had no comment on this, and instead turned his attention to me, Matt's 40-year-old wife. I didn't have ID on me, and he refused to take my drink order. We weren't about to have an expensive birthday dinner without alcohol, so we got up to drive home and pick up my license. But first, I decided to try my luck with a manager. Because look, I understand that I should've had my wallet, but also, I hadn't been carded at a restaurant in years. I told this to the manager, and suggested they tell customers in advance to make sure to bring ID. Instead of explaining that he needed to be careful because The Stonehouse served families with teenagers, he said it was the law, and that every restaurant should be carding aggressively. This was so disingenuous I more or less asked if he'd ever been to a restaurant. I also offered to show him a scan of my passport and the picture Matt and I took at The Stonehouse the night we got engaged in 2012, well after I turned seven. He relented, and we were reseated without having to produce my license. I didn't hold any of this against our waiter, but we were assigned a new one anyway, and received middling service for the duration of our meal. For one thing, we asked for help picking a bottle from the massive wine book, and it took the somm an actual half hour to pay us a visit. We were done with our appetizers and had checked in with our waiter twice by the time he made his way over. The other annoyance was that no one acknowledged Matt's birthday, despite the time we spent litigating birthdays, during which I mentioned quite pointedly that we were there for his 43rd. I even told a server who checked in on me before dessert while Matt was in the bathroom, and he said he'd make sure there was a candle in our tart. Not the end of the world, but this did not happen. The drinks, when we got them, were great, starting with cocktails, which almost tided us over until we received our wine. These were $33 a pop and kind of ridiculous, smoked tableside with a showy gadget. The Negroni Tropicale was made with grilled pineapple-infused No. 3 dry gin, Campari, Carpano Antica, and orange zest, then smoked with pecan wood. The French Quarter mixed Bardstown Ferrand Cognac-cask bourbon, Zaya 16-year rum, Benedictine, oloroso sherry, dry vermouth, and orange bitters, and was smoked with bourbon oak wood. For wine, we got a bottle of 2020 Vietti Monvigliero Barolo. This was excellent, and also a bit of a win. The bottle was barely marked up from retail, and we'll never know if The Stonehouse has exceptionally favorable wine prices or we were served the wrong vintage on accident. Food was solid, starting with Maine lobster salad in tiny phyllo cups, a nice welcome bite. Bread basket came with pumpkin seed lavash pumpkin seed, sourdough, and rice flour rolls, with olive oil for dipping. We enjoyed a half-dozen oysters with pickled Asian pear mignonette, and Japanese yellowtail crudo with pixie tangerine, purple radish, seagrass, and shiro dashi vinaigrette. Acorn squash agnolotti were lovely, with black truffle, toasted pecans, morel mushrooms, and a goat cheese fondue. The duck a l'orange came with a show, the sauce flambéed tableside on portable burner. A lot of magic tricks on this menu, perhaps for the kids. The duck breast was good, though, over barley pilaf with Tokyo turnips, herbes de Provence, Cara Cara orange, and Grand Marnier. The herb-crusted rack of lamb was decent too, served with lamb sausage, Tuscan kale, crispy polenta, and violet mustard. For dessert, we shared the orchard Meyer lemon tart with blueberry compote and wildflower honey and lavender Chantilly. The food was a strong A-, but not worth the money or the sub-par experience. Unless you're staying on property, avoid The Stonehouse.

    Photos
    The Stonehouse Restaurant - Upstairs Stonehouse dining room

    Upstairs Stonehouse dining room

    The Stonehouse Restaurant - Syrs Famous chicken Tortilla Soup

    Syrs Famous chicken Tortilla Soup

    The Stonehouse Restaurant - One of two outside Stonehouse dining patios

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    One of two outside Stonehouse dining patios

    Local - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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