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Loquita

4.4 (1.8k reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated a few days ago
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Loquita Photos

LOQUITA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Romantic
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Loquita

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Reviews With Photos

Agnes N.

My friends and I were really excited to try this place due to all the great reviews. We were most excited for their famous paella! Of note, their paella takes ~30-40mins so do be prepared to wait a bit. In the meantime, we got some appetizers. We got their potatoes, octopus, a salad, & their prawns. Our highlights were the potatoes & paella. The other dishes were quite mid, with the octopus being the worst dish. The paella was good but definitely not something worth waiting for. The service was also quite mid. It was difficult to get the attention of the servers. Our server only checked up on us a total of 3 times. One for taking our order, one for the check, and one for water refills. We had asked for some extra napkins and he forgot so we had to ask a busser instead. Overall, I would not come back. This restaurant isn't anything special so I'm surprised that there's so many great reviews.

Octopus and broccolini
Tosha R.

From start to finish, our visit to Loquita was smooth and wonderful. Our server was so knowledgeable about the food, which we appreciated and ensured we always had full glasses whether it was water or another round. Loquita is classy, chic and great for a night out for couples, friends or family. We ended up ordering the Branzino (with a side of bread for the sauce - highly recommend), mushroom croquettes, the octopus, broccolini, and peppers with goat cheese. It was all delicious. I can see why this is a popular spot in Santa Barbara!

Mariscos Paella
Kelly C.

Had a great time here at Loquita! The staff was attentive and checked in with us throughout our meal to make sure we had everything we needed. The patio was beautiful, and the ambiance was lovely. We ordered the crudo, patatas bravas, and mariscos paella. Everything was delicious, but we especially loved the crudo! They also wrote a little note on a postcard for us and gave us a complimentary dessert for my birthday, which was such a great touch and made the experience even more special.

Ghalya M.

I have been to Santa Barbara multiple times but I am so disappointed in myself for not dining here sooner! From the food to the service to the ambiance - everything was perfection! We ordered a paella and 6 small plates - for 4 people it was just right. We were also hungry but unfortunately did not leave room for churros. Next time!

Jamón Tasting
Joaquina F.

The food was excellent, the paella negra was so good! We went with a reservation and sat outdoors. They have heaters outside. Our server was very prompt and helpful.

Melissa L.

If you've never been to Spain and want to experience the closest thing to it without leaving Santa Barbara, then you NEED to add Loquita to your list! I've been to Loquita for a few events now and the ambiance, food and hospitality is always a 10/10. They know how to throw a great party, so while you'd be lucky to dine at their restaurant, it's even better if you can make one of their annual celebrations like we did for their Old Spanish Days Fiesta. The sangria never stopped flowing, endless tapas paraded themselves around the patio, paella was being served up, and the whole afternoon was filled with authentic flamenco inspired dance performances that made you feel like you had been transported straight to Spain. Between the music, dancing, food, drinks and the absolute energy of everyone there, this was easily one of those events where you look around and think, "Okayyy, THIS is how you do a summer fiesta!" Some of my favorite bites of the day here were their paella, octopus and mushrooms croquets. Absolutely amazing and every bite had so much flavor. Their house made sangrias were also so refreshing and tasty. Put this one on your list for next year...but just don't wait too long to grab your tickets because clearly, everyone else already knows the secret!

Jake A.

After a very disappointing meal the day before, I knew EXACTLY where I needed to go to redeem my experience and I was absolutely blown away by Loquita. Every single dish was an absolute banger. The flavors, the textures, the ambience, and every single part was crafted so carefully. The pulpo was so tender it had me smacking the table and everyone around needed to order it bc "they'll have what he's having!". The paella was the gift that kept on giving and I was like a coal miner after his shift the way I left absolutely no grain of rice untouched by the end. The fish complete with ikura and citrus on top had every combination of refreshing but nourishing and delicious--I was absolutely spellbound. Finally, we enjoyed the creme brûlée and I wanted to cry. It was the perfect finish to one of my favorite meals of all time. I will be back so soon!!

Jenny V.

We made reservations and came to Loquita for dinner to celebrate our friends birthday. All their food was delicious. Everything fleshly made. Cheers to the cook he made an amazing job. I ordered a Paloma for my drink and it was also well made. Our server was very friendly and attentive. They were very sweet at the end they brought 2 desserts with candles to sing happy birthday to our friends. 100% recommend trying their food. It was delicious.

Mimi L.

Mediterranean European cuisines are my favorites and my diet. I don't get to eat Spanish food often so we had to come in for an early dinner. We were seated at the beautiful back patio but it was a bit too hot & sunny for me. The patio was very cozy and relaxing though. We started off with sparkling water and pitcher of sangria to cool down on a hot day. For food we had beef carpaccio, broccolini, octopus, tortilla espanola (Spanish omelet) and whole branzino. The food was fantastic and so flavorful. I can see why this restaurant is so popular. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful. The staffs were all very polite and welcoming. What an amazing Spanish restaurant and bar, we will definitely visit again whenever we are in town!

Chorizo y Pollo
Cheyenne P.

Came from out of state for the weekend. We got the Chorizo y Pollo Paella & Crudo which were both delicious. Then finished with the churros - yummy. Only giving 4 stars due to the service. Our server forgot about us and we had to flag other people down. After we ordered dinner, we didn't see the server again until we were almost done with food. Then had to flag someone else to box our food & order dessert after waiting for awhile. The server then checked in again just to drop off the bill, didn't ask if we wanted anything else or even another round of drinks. Other than service, the food was delicious and inside was vibey, indoor / outdoor seating.

Crudo
Michael L.

Wife and I have enjoyed dining at Laquita in the past, but this time was disappointing overall. Pros: Food/waiter service was excellent even though it was an extremely busy Saturday night. Highly recommend reservations for any day. The crudo dish was great. Sauce and presentation was excellent. Cons: The fusion styled sauce and misc ingredients added to the beef carpaccio dish was over the top. Keep it simple. The Pulpo dish did not have a sufficient portion of octopus. Only two and half small pieces for $29. Ridiculous. Bar/cocktail service was an extremely long wait. All nearby tables also waited an extremely long time for drinks. Recommend adding another bartender on busy nights.

Chorizo y Pollo paella
Vira P.

My boss and fellow foodie listed Loquita as one of his recommendations and I've been meaning to try it. I only go to Santa Barbara once a year for Fiesta and I finally was able to try them. Everything I ate was delicious! I started out with the Bengala de Granada, which was a mocktail of pentire coastal spritz, pomegranate, ginger, lime, cinnamon, and clove. It was so refreshing on a hot Fiesta day. Under the Bocaditos menu, we ordered the denia (confit tomato, cured bluefin tuna) and the croquetas de seta (porcini and truffle with a saffron aioli). The denia set the tone for dinner with the bright acidity of the tomato with the salty tuna. The croquetas were rich of umami flavor with an undertone of truffle that paired well with the brightness of the saffron. Under the charcuterie menu, we got the jamón tasting that included pan con tomate. The tomatoes were bright and paired well with the different salty hams, which were serrano, ibérico, and iberico chorizo. For the tapas, we got the tortilla española, patatas bravas, broccolini, and the ensalada mediterránea. It was a good balance of light and heavy dishes. The broccolini and salad were the light dishes. The broccolini was nicely seared and the romesco sauce added a nutty flavor. The Mediterranean salad was herbaceous with pops of richness from the manchego cheese. The rest were on the heavier side. Though, the eggs of the tortilla española were incredibly fluffy. It was like biting into a cloud. The potatoes were also soft. It was a comforting dish. And then there were the patatas bravas, my favorite tapa! They were slightly crisp with a bit of heat from their house sauce and garlic aioli. Each bite was as satisfying as the next. And then the star of the show came right when we finished most of the tapas - the chorizo and chicken paella. The rice was pressed against the pan so every bite had that prized soccarat. The char of the soccarat harmonized with the depthness of the tomato and other aromatics in the rice. It was luxurious. And the chicken was juicy and had a wonderful smoky flavor. The portions of chicken, chorizo, and mushrooms were generous! It can definitely feed a family of six, so we were able to have leftovers as we were a family of three. And it was even better the next day! No matter how full we are, we always have dessert to share. We ordered the crema catalana, and it was the perfect way to end the meal. It was silky smooth and the caramel flavor went so well with the sweet and slightly tart Santa Barbara strawberries. I imagine this restaurant is always busy, but it was even more so during Fiesta. It's loud inside and out, but it's adds to the festive vibes. Service was excellent! I very much appreciated that our waiter confirmed our allergies. He even put the romesco sauce on the side just in case since it had almonds. Luckily, my nut allergy is contained to only pine nuts because I enjoyed the sauce very much. I recommend eating outside to enjoy their patio space. Since they only open for dinner, the heat isn't as bad since it gets cooler around the time they open. Loquita is at the start of the Funk Zone. So parking is extremely limited. Best to walk or ride-share there. I don't think I can wait for the next Fiesta to dine here again. I hope to be back sooner.

Pulpo
Veronica B.

If I didn't love food enough, this place has made me fall in love all over again! Omg from the drinks to the service to the food. Chefs kiss! First off shout out to our bartender Claudia! She was putting in WORK! And she did such an amazing job with our drinks. I ordered the Costa Blanca and it was sooo refreshing and delicious, I had to have 2! My friend and I didn't have reservations but we got lucky sitting at the bar because we got there at 6 and there wasn't any available seating until 9pm. But I am so happy we didn't go elsewhere! Next up the FOOOOODDD! My friend and I decided to just order apps unfortunately and we ordered the Mejillones (hope ranch mussels) and LET. ME. TELL. YOU....ive never tasted smoked bread sooo good paired with the red sauce and mussels! It was like an explosion of flavors in my mouth. And I am so sad I can't have this everyday!! Another winner was the Pulpo (Spanish octopus)! The pulpo was sooo tender and paired soo well with the puree. I have to say that I NEEED to come back to taste more of their menu because it was soo good. The restaurant itself felt very intimate and inviting. Sitting at the bar you get to observe the flow of the staff and I have to say that although it was busy, nothing looked chaotic. Everyone had a specific job and it was done well. The kitchen was visible through glass windows and even in there seemed to be organized. I honestly give this place a 10/10. I hope to be back soon because I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

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Loquita Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Loquita

Full menu at the bar?

Yes. Enjoy!

Is it baby friendly (one year old)?

I would say no unless you eat outside on their back porch.

Does Loquita have have valet parking?

Not 100% sure, but I don't think so. We walked from our hotel so I wasn't paying attention to that, but I don't recall seeing cars pulling up.

Is there a dress code?

No super casual.

Outdoor seating here?

Large outdoor seating. Heat lamps are provided

Do they accept cash?

Yes

Are there heat lamps outside?

Yes. Not at every table but I'm sure you can ask to be seated next to one.

What menu items are gluten free?

El buli Datil Crudo… 

Are reservations required for dinner?

If you go right when they open you might get a table or seat at the bar, but I would recommend making a reservation!

Are dogs allowed?

Nope.

Are dogs allowed inside if they're in an enclosed carrier?

No they are not. Only on their patio

Is there a happy hour menu?

Unfortunately, no.

Why does it say closed today when it's not?

The reason the hours may say closed on Monday maybe because their other restaurant The Lark down the street is closed on Monday and the manager may have used the same… 

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Milk & Honey Tapas

4.2(667 reviews)
1.0 mi
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I love Milk & Honey for its inviting atmosphere and unique, flavorful menu. The prices are also…read morereasonable for dining out, though the portions are on the smaller side, so you may want to order at least two dishes and a couple of drinks if you're looking for a more filling meal. My favorites are the Lamborghinis, the Brie with bread, and the Krimschaw Pilsner. I've visited this restaurant many times, and the service is generally good, though it can be inconsistent. Some visits have been excellent, while others have been just average, depending on how busy the restaurant is and which server you have. Overall, I would definitely return again and again for a delicious light meal and the enjoyable atmosphere.

My family and I stopped in for dinner while visiting Santa Barbara, and this ended up being one of…read morethe pleasant surprises of our trip. Overall, the food was excellent, the ambiance was welcoming, and the service was outstanding. One thing we especially appreciated was how family-friendly the restaurant felt. They had old-school cartoons playing on the TVs above the bar, which was a fun touch that kept everyone entertained. One thing to know before you order: the "tapas" here are much larger than what we've experienced at traditional tapas restaurants. We ended up ordering far too much because we expected smaller, shareable portions. Fortunately, that's a good problem to have, as everything was delicious. Just keep the portion sizes in mind when ordering. The drinks were also solid. The sangria leaned a bit more toward fruit juice than wine for our taste, but the other cocktails we tried were well-balanced and enjoyable. Between the great food, generous portions, excellent service, and relaxed atmosphere, we'd definitely recommend this spot to anyone visiting Santa Barbara.

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Milk & Honey Tapas - Inside and patio

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Aperitivo - Trottole

Aperitivo

4.8(167 reviews)
0.3 mi

A warning: don't come here…read more If you come here, your expectations for any future plate of expertly and carefully prepared crudo will be extinguished forever in the aftermath--the afterlife--of a crudo so delicate, so beautifully presented that few plates could compare. There was life before this crudo plate, and there is life afterward. Burrata? You haven't *tasted* burrata. A plump burrata seeming to bloom amongst hefty slices of speck resting on a bed of some of the sweetest peaches I've ever eaten, grains of oil-kissed mustard seed divinely adorning its crown. I'm light-headed writing this. My queendom for burrata of this caliber. Now, the service. Exquisite, warm, intelligent. Lindsey (Lindsay? Please tell me how to spell thy name!) was incredible. From the moment we walked in, to the moment we left, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our dining experience. I was merely passing through on my way back home to Claremont from Monterey (on a research trip; you didn't ask, dear reader, but this context is essential as research takes its toll on one's nervous system and sometimes only a glass of wine and delightful aperitivos will do to calm thyself) and decided to stop here on a whim. Don't come here, lest you find some excuse to drive 2.5 hours out of your way from the Inland Empire to Santa Barbara to taste not only these delights again, but to feel welcomed so wholesomely into a space where it is clear (from service to food prep) that the art of the aperitivo is not lost, not shallowly puppeteered for an unknowing diner, but ALIVE, and vibrantly so. Thank you to everyone there for one of the best dining experiences of my life. I will be back. Don't come. Turn away. Do not embrace the internal shifting of one's sense of self. Like Stephen King warns his Constant Reader at the end of The Dark Tower: "Should you go on, you will surely be disappointed, perhaps even heartbroken...Endings are heartless. Ending is just another word for goodbye. Would you still? Very well, then, come. (Do you hear me sigh?) Here is the Dark Tower, at the end of End-World. See it, I beg. See it very well. Here is the Dark Tower at sunset." Here, at Aperitivo, is a materialized sunset that you can taste in every bite. Like many, I read beyond Stephen King's warning to see the truth of what lay at the culmination of his most famous series. I want the truth, however painful it may be. If you are strong enough to embrace a shift in what a truly special dining experience *can* be, then come, at your own peril. Oh, and they have txakoli. Long days and pleasant nights, dear reader.

Not the first and definitely not the last we'll be here. Stumbled upon Aperitivo a few years ago,…read moreand it was some of the best and most authentic Italian food I'd ever had (even before knowing what real Italian food tasted like). Now that I've come back from Italy, I have a greater appreciation for Aperitivo and what it stands for. Definitely fell in love with the concept of aperitivo in Italy, and this restaurant really embodies that concept. Sat down and got myself a Negroni. It was pretty damn good and close to what a real negroni would taste like if it had Campari. Was pleasantly surprised that they gave us snacks on the side (in true spirit of aperitivo) and then proceeded to crush some crudo and mortadella sandwich. Afterwards, ended the night off with delicious affogato. Really brought me back to my time in Italy. The menu is always fresh and seasonal, so there's always something new to look forward to. Will definitely be back.

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Aperitivo - Inside view. Love the checkered floor

Inside view. Love the checkered floor

Aperitivo - INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO

INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO

Aperitivo - Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!

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Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!

The Lark - "Tutti Frutti Farms" Roasted Beet Salad

The Lark

4.2(2.1k reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$

First off, a huge thank you to the hostess last night who got us in half an hour early. We happened…read moreto be in the area early, checked in and she was able to get us a table, despite how busy it was. I even saw her bussing and setting up tables for the incoming parties. Wish I got her name but she was the super sweet blonde with the two braids in her hair. This place seemed to be the hottest ticket in town. It stayed busy ALL night and for good reason-the friendly service and the delicious food. Started with 3 of their super fresh west coast oysters. Loved the pink peppercorn mignonette it came with. Loved the crunch and flavors and the sweet oysters. The wedge salad was probs the best I've had-pork belly lardons, smoked blue cheese, spicy pecans and an herby vinaigrette. 3 mini heads of lettuce was perfect. Cornbread is a must-try. Crisp exterior and hot, soft, corn mealy goodness inside, perfect touch of sweetness from the wildflower honey and a bit of heat. The Brussels sprouts had so much umami from the fish sauce and crunch from the crispy rice and sesame seeds. Another must-order. I know we're in Santa Barbara and should be eating seafood but their Jidori Fried Chicken with the house pickled veggies and the duck leg confit were outstanding. Seriously not one bad dish tonight. Def bookmark this spot and make resy's early (nothing between 5pm and 8:30pm on a busy Friday night), and a super central location with lots of wine bars and breweries nearby.

Always a winner when in town!…read more Tonight's repast: A tasty repast of popcorn with ginger and cayenne. A roof spicy and sweetness . Pimento cheese and crackers- tasty but fair warning has a kick to it Onto the Shrimp Toast- sublime do not miss out on this dish. Then we closed with the pasta which was delicious and the fresh corn and tomatoes were fantastic. We enjoyed the peach infused Manhattan's also. My only complaint: the chairs are extremely uncomfortable.

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The Lark - Dining room

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Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - 1/4 Rack of Ribs

Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio

4.3(712 reviews)
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Verrrrrry good I even pack them all home…read moreCan't wait to have it today Ribs are soooooo good Kids likes it soooo much

Funk in Public…read more Family-owned and operated local chain of restaurants and butcher shops that's been serving the Santa Barbara community for over fifty years (ca. 1973). This location is in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone" district, which was formerly an industrial area that's turned into a wine and art district full of interesting places to gander. The Good: * Huge dog-friendly covered outdoor seating * Full lineup of their signature Shalhoob craft beers. They also have fermented grapes and liquor, if beer isn't your jam. * Service was friendly and welcoming. * Street Parking and City-owned lots, as well. The lots are your best bet, and they're free for a short while. * Prices are very reasonable for a BBQ place. * The Street Corn app might be the best thing we ate here as the corn was super fresh right off the cob, and the Chipotle aioli was superb. * BBQ Beans was more of a bean soup, but it was decent. * Mac & Cheese was also pretty good. Carrots enjoyed it more than I did, but I might've been grumpy from the shitty meats (more on that in a minute). The Meh: * Tritip was completely dry and tasted like it was cooked in the oven and then finished on the grill. But, I will say, at least it was edible unlike the ribs... The Ugly: * Maybe the worst ribs I've ever had. They were just completely hammered with salt and completely blew out my palate within two bites, which is a shame because they were tender and cooked well, but jfc, no amount of sauce or anything is going to save something this salty. Conclusion: Maybe we just caught them on a bad day because a place doesn't survive for over fifty years serving up meat like this. I'd be willing to give them another try someday, but I need my tongue to recover first.

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Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - Family style

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Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - 1/4lb Tri-Tip ($13)

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The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

4.4(1.3k reviews)
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My partner and I came to celebrate our one year anniversary and we had an amazing time!! We chose…read moreto do the 4 course tasting menu which was out of this world and incredibly worth the price. Each dish was so flavorful and made with so much care. My favorite dish was the pumpkin style gnocchi we had and the branzino fish, he loved the bone marrow. The soup I forgot to take a picture of was potato and leek with truffle was amazing as well. The restaurant is also very cozy with great ambience and we had fantastic service.

This was a last-minute booking, and I was glad to see plenty of seats available. The food was…read moredelicious and full of flavor. Yummy! The portions were quite small (that sucks!), but the quality and taste definitely made up for it. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I really loved the décor and the overall atmosphere, especially the upstairs section. I was seated in a corner on the ground level, though, and it was extreeeemely hot. The front door was open, but I didn't notice any fans, and I don't believe there is air conditioning. My date was sweating, and I was feeling quite warm as well. We also didn't have any ice in our water, which would have been especially nice given the temperature. Our waiter was pleasant and friendly, although the service didn't feel particularly memorable or exceptional. I was also a little surprised that bread and butter cost extra if you'd like them before your main course. Overall, I want to thank the chef for preparing such delicious food. I would definitely return if I needed a last-minute booking.

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The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar
The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - Great for private events & gatherings.

Great for private events & gatherings.

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

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State & Fig - The Cajun Bird

State & Fig

4.1(600 reviews)
0.9 mi
•$$

Reached out to set up a brunch for my bachelorette weekend and was immediately helped online. Their…read morecustomer service is exemplary! When our group arrived we were met by a smiling server and our very own private table with personalized menus! Loved this little unexpected detail. I ordered the braised short-rib Benedict and it will be a breakfast I think about for a long time! The meat was braised perfectly and it was incorporated deliciously with the caramelized onions. My poached egg was velvety and the pesto hollandaise was *chefs kiss*! Finished with the peppery arugula and delicious muffin. The best way to start the day! Everyone was son impressed with their meal. Absolutely delicious.

Note that this is a review specifically for a private event (wedding lunch reception)…read more My wife and I recently got married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and were looking for a restaurant to host a lunch reception and State & Fig absolutely delivered. A 5/5 experience and we would certainly work with them again. We were in contact with Serina for about a year before the wedding and she was very accommodating, responsive, and helpful throughout the entire process. We initially met with her to discuss our vision, had a food and cake tasting, and also a final walk through with our coordinator to ensure everything was smooth. In terms of food, atmosphere, and service, I would want to go through all three in detail: 1) Food: We had a lunch style buffet and the food options were fresh and many of our guests gave very positive feedback and took shameless second trips. Serina and the owner (Patrick) were able to source many of the ingredients seasonally and cater to our guests' palate (Asian-inspired, etc.). We had a tasting and they took our feedback into consideration in earnest. Moreover, our strawberry cake was AMAZING. 2) Atmosphere: The restaurant had a great layout for our party size (~90 or so) with seating inside, outside, and upstairs. This arrangement allowed us to have an intimate reception despite having a lot of guests. The decor in the restaurant is minimal, which allows customization to make the space truly our own. State & Fig allowed us to borrow a few decorations, which was generous. 3) Service: The two points before were already excellent, but State & Fig's outstanding service took the lunch reception to another level. Serina was a joy to work with in terms of bringing our vision to life and was always there to make things easy for us. Patrick ensured that this was a special day for us, and encouraged us to soak it in and enjoy it as much as we can. And the wait staff and servers on the day of were professional and attentive. For that, we are immensely grateful. There were other restaurants that we toured before selecting S&F, and it was clear that hosting the reception would simply be a transactional business affair. This felt like a genuine desire to make our special day a memorable experience. Overall, a 5/5 experience and we hope that others will be able to have State & Fig host their special day. P.S. A funny aside: we met a couple sitting next to us during our tasting, who were returning to celebrate their anniversary after getting married at S&F. They told us we were in good hands and not to worry, and we AGREE.

Photos
State & Fig - Baby Shower table scape

Baby Shower table scape

State & Fig
State & Fig - Reception Setup - Flowers by Maria's Little Garden (IG: marias_littlegarden)

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Reception Setup - Flowers by Maria's Little Garden (IG: marias_littlegarden)

Sama Sama Kitchen - Smashed cucumbers ($11 at HH) 9/2026

Sama Sama Kitchen

3.9(754 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

We visited Sama Sama Kitchen around 7:30 pm on a Sunday and were seated immediately. The restaurant…read moreitself is beautiful, and I loved the overall ambiance and vibe inside. There's a parking garage a short walk away, along with street parking nearby, so parking wasn't too difficult. We ordered the Crispy Rice Salad, Chicken Satay, and Nasi Goreng Jawa to start, then added the Larb Gai afterward. Honestly, our original three dishes would have been plenty for three people, and adding the fourth ended up being too much food. The Crispy Rice Salad was BY FAR the star of the meal and absolutely lived up to the hype. It was so refreshing, flavorful, and easily one of the best crispy rice salads I've had. It was also the one dish from our meal that felt truly memorable. The Chicken Satay had a really good sauce, although the chicken itself leaned a little dry. The Nasi Goreng Jawa was good too, but tasted like a fairly standard fried rice to me and didn't stand out much. The Larb Gai was refreshing, but after having the Crispy Rice Salad, it felt like a much less memorable version of those same bright flavors. I honestly found myself wishing we had just ordered another Crispy Rice Salad instead. The staff was friendly, although service was a little inattentive at times and it could be difficult to get someone's attention. There was also a small mix-up at the end where I was handed the wrong physical receipt. The amount on the actual payment terminal was correct, but the receipt itself wasn't ours and the mistake hadn't been noticed before it was handed to me. They also have a gender-neutral bathroom, which was pretty clean during our visit. One random thing to watch out for is the sink because the water comes out surprisingly strong, so turn the nozzle on slowly! Overall, the food was good, but the Crispy Rice Salad was on another level compared to everything else we ordered. I'd definitely come back for that alone and would be interested in exploring some other dishes on the menu next time.

I'll start with the most important. Imagine going to a Mexican resteraunt and your waiter doesn't…read moreknow how to pronounce tortilla, or a Vietnamese resteraunt and they mispronounce pho. Have respect for the food and the culture and make sure all of your wait staff knows how to pronounce the names of the dishes properly, especially at such a high end joint. Overall the food is decent/okay, definitely nothing to write home about if you've had Indonesian food before, but not bad. Outside of the faux pas mentioner above, the wait staff was very attentive and good. The prices are high for how much food you get, but for the ambiance and location I'm not surprised. I probably would've given it a solid 3 stars if not for the initial complaint. It is a little crazy that this place is bib gormond rated, I think that shows how much Michelin values style over substance.

Photos
Sama Sama Kitchen - Ig : @dawntc

Ig : @dawntc

Sama Sama Kitchen - Braised Pork Noodles ($26) 9/2026

Braised Pork Noodles ($26) 9/2026

Sama Sama Kitchen - Beef Rendang ($26) 9/2026

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Beef Rendang ($26) 9/2026

Loquita - spanish - Updated October 2026

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