This was the most special dining experience during our stay in Santa Barbara. The staff, food, and ambiance were incredible. Compliments from the chef and complimentary dessert for our wedding anniversary. We tried multiple cocktails and each was uniquely delicious. Would 10/10 recommend and will definitely be back. read more

Marisella - Focaccia, olives, carpaccio - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Rating: 6/10 Ambiance is gorgeous, with a beautiful ocean view and great romantic lighting. However, service was severely lacking and slow, and the food was expensive for the portions and not the best. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta, crudo, spicy rigatoni, and clam pasta. The focaccia was warm and crispy and contrasted well with the creamy, cheesy ricotta. The crudo was the best item and was fresh and well-seasoned. Pastas were underwhelming. Super small portions (we probably had about 2-3 mouthfuls per person per dish) for the price point. The rigatoni was slightly bland and could've used more salt, but the spice was perfect as someone who likes spicy foods. The clam pasta was a good lighter option but could have used more umami taste. Service was also really slow, which staff did tell us was due to them being understaffed. Overall, we paid $140 before tax for this meal, and it didn't fill us up. Gorgeous venue but I don't think I'd recommend this place as a must-visit restaurant in SB. read more

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We visited Marisella for Valentine's Day dinner and were fortunate to secure an 8:45 p.m. reservation. From the moment you pull into the circular drive for valet at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, the experience feels elevated. After being directed through the property to the back where the restaurant is located, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly at a table that was ready and waiting for us. For Valentine's Day, they offered a curated four-course menu rather than à la carte ordering. The courses were well executed and thoughtfully paced. I have a fruit allergy, and the staff was very mindful of that, which I appreciated. Accommodations were handled professionally without making it feel like an inconvenience. Service was somewhat mixed. Our primary waitress seemed informal and borderline overwhelmed throughout the evening. In contrast, the support staff--runners, bussers, and cocktail servers--were polished, attentive, and proactive. At times, they felt more engaged than our assigned server. The food itself was excellent. Everything we had was flavorful and well presented. The wine list was strong, which is not surprising given the property's location and reputation. There are plenty of higher-end selections available. The exclusive cocktail menu, however, is fairly small. They can certainly make anything you request, but if you are hoping for a large selection of signature house cocktails, you may find it limited. Overall, it was a very good experience, especially for a major holiday evening. I would absolutely return and look forward to visiting again on a non-holiday night to see how the restaurant performs under more typical conditions. read more

Service was great -- everyone was very kind and attentive. The meatballs, focaccia, and drinks were all excellent. Unfortunately, both pasta dishes I ordered were extremely salty, to the point of being hard to eat. I had the first one remade, and the second was just as salty (if not more). I even had someone else try it to make sure it wasn't just me. We also mentioned we were celebrating a birthday and asked for a dessert with a candle, but it was forgotten and we had to remind them. I feel bad because the staff was genuinely nice, but the food quality -- especially the seasoning -- really took away from the experience. read more

Beautiful ambiance! Great service! Delicious food! Amazing presentation! Gorgeous views of the shoreline and the ocean! Nice happy hour as well. Located inside The Ritz hotel. Loved it! read more

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Went in for a quick bite and drinks for happy hour. The staff was friendly, and gave us good recommendations for food and drinks. We ordered lychee drinks, steak tartare, and arancini. One of my friends is a picky eater. She doesn't like the texture of raw meats and seafood, however, she enjoyed the steak tartare. Honestly, it was a little too salty for our tastes but still very good. The lychee and arancini was a fan favorite. read more

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This is a beautiful new restaurant at the Bacara Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara. Great views looking the ocean. The food is stellar! This was our 2nd visit and we were impressed the first time and even more impressed this time!! This place is a foodies dream. Service was impeccable as well. Highly recommend a visit to this beautiful new restaurant. We will be back!! read more

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If you're looking to dine in make reservations. They do get booked so a walk in is a gamble. Bar seating is 1st come 1st serve with access to full menu. The restaurant is small but offers great views. Portion sizes are small, BUT simple and flavorful. We ordered their marinated cucumbers, Orecchiette, and Shrimp & Lobster ravioli. The explosion of flavors brought by the food is worth every nickle and dime! For those not staying at the hotel valet parking is the only option offered, enjoy!! read more

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Really disappointed in this place. I changed my previous reservation in another restaurant just because when I saw the view from this one I really wanted to stay here for dinner. So first of all we was waiting for our order forever , then our dishes was delivered to a wrong table and then when the waiter realized it he took it from the wrong table and brought to us. my dish was wrong , the steak we returned twice and the size of it was microscopic! The branzino for two looked like branzino for one. The waiter was nice but absolutely unknowable of anything's service was too long and food was extremely small and not cooked the way we asked. The restaurant itself is very beautiful and the views are incredible. read more

Marisella - Steak Was reordered twice and still was overcooked and extremely small - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wow!!! This place is stunning!!! Gorgeous entryway, beautiful decor throughout, stunning ocean views, welcoming staff & delicious cocktails & appetizers. After a relaxing day at the Bacara spa, we made it to Happy Hour at Marisella! The bartenders Richie & Bernice were amazing! From the moment we sat at the lovely bar they made us feel welcome & Richie made the best cocktails! He checked on us frequently enough to ensure we had the best first impression of Marisella! He provided great recommendations & had a charming personality! I'm already planning my next visit! Nothing better than great ambiance paired with top notch service! read more

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We had the most delightful dinner here. The service was immaculate, as you can see in the video Austin so kindly made us tableside tiramisu. Great service all around from ALL staff! The food was good. I'm a huge brown butter sage pasta gal, it was okay, but I wouldn't order it again nothing special. It would have been great to add a sweet component in there somehow. I just got back from Italy so perhaps I'm being harsh. I'd recommend getting another main! The deserts were both great but I liked the apple crostata best! We had a large group and though they didn't have enough tables for us (we neglected to make a reservation as we didn't plan to have time, so that's on us) they were so accommodating and moved tables together for us! read more

Marisella - Apple Crostata - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We stopped by this restaurant after a day of wine tasting in downtown Santa Barbara on Halloween. We were a little hungry after wine tasting and decided to sit at the bar for something quick -- we didn't want to wait for a table, just wanted to eat, have a nightcap, and head back to our room. We ordered the filet mignon, the meatballs, and some greens. Everything was delicious and satisfying -- exactly what we needed after a long day. The gentleman at the bar was great -- very friendly and attentive (I wish I remembered his name!). However, the young lady who initially greeted us, I believe her name was Bernice, wasn't as welcoming. It honestly felt like we were inconveniencing her, which left a bit of a sour first impression. Because of that, I'm taking one star off. Overall, though, it was a nice experience, and I'd still come back -- especially for the food and the relaxing atmosphere at the bar. read more

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I enjoyed my previous experience but came back for a birthday celebration and was let down. I requested a table along the window and was not given it even when one appeared open. Instead I was at a table in the middle of the busiest walkway with staff constantly walking past. When asked about adjusting it and shared my request ahead of time the hostess was confused at first and did look into it, but then I was told that the table along the window was PAID ahead of time to be reserved. I was disappointed to find that paying a deposit for a table was an acceptable policy and think it is unfair to the other customers. It detracted from the experience. read more

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Marisella is new and comes with both the exciting aspects of a new restaurant, and the growing pains. The restaurant has the potential to truly shine and be one of the best spots in Santa Barbara, but right now it's firing hard on some cylinders, and missing others - however the overall experience is good, and if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton Bacara you should do yourself the service of staying on property for dinner here for one of your nights. The cocktail list is splendid - the Mister Carlton is fantastic with tequilla, mezcal, just real flavors of Santa Barbara. Great way to kick off the meal alongside the tomatoes, local olive oil, and tomato salt. I would add the focaccia and some of the accompaniments. It's worth it, and while my wife loved the tomato sauce pot, I loved the whipped ricotta. Wine list also quite stellar, especially if you're into California wines. I wouldn't hesitate to think a bit outside the box from what you normally order - the options are there, but even if drinking by the glass, your options are really wonderful, though pricey. They have Uni on the menu as an appetizer, though I got it on my lobster ravioli. I cannot say enough times that you should be eating Uni when you're in Santa Barbara. Uni tastes better when it's fresh, and it is certainly fresh here. It was a wonderful treat to have, and the pasta while running $44 was worth it thanks to the Uni. The crudos are a great way to start and the red snapper one is so fresh. Hard to not like that. The Lamb Pasta is more of a comfort food and calming. The sides are all nice but expensive and potentially not worth it when you could do another crudo or something. Dessert is good, but the real way to close out this meal is their Carajillo. Then head back to your room and have a great time - or find valet and hope you didn't drink too much... read more

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I went to Marisella about a week or so after they opened. Emily took great care of us. The timing of the food was awful, but Emily made sure things were made up for, and I appreciate that. The focaccia with its dips is all worth trying. My two favorites were the whipped ricotta and the dip in the pot. Clams casino (+), although potentially no longer available per their online menu Squash blossom (+) Snapper crudo (+) was very heavy on the olive oil, but because of the fish's more neutral taste, this worked out. Garden greens salad (+) dates and pistachios add pizazz to this salad. It is well-balanced and exciting at every bite Shrimp scallop ravioli (+/-) neither hit nor miss, maybe there is just a little too much going on with it, but the flavors didn't mix well for me Lamb Ragu (+) the lamb is a nice addition that adds the earthy and gamey flavors to a pasta that allows for that Filet Mignon (+) I prefer mine as a full barrel cut portion, but the tenderness of the meat here made me less picky for the moment. It was terrific, and although filets are not necessarily known for their high fat content, it had enough to take away from the potential boredom that ribeye lovers complain about when it comes to these cuts. Their cocktails vary from good to great, and their wine options will have something for lovers of pairings. The dessert that I tried was their tableside tiramisu, which I loved because it wasn't overly sweet and kept it simple, which is what a tiramisu should always be. When I saw this was being opened by the same restaurant group that runs Maple and Ash, I had to try as much as possible. Now, they have a good baseline, and it's worth a try. If I had to nitpick, I'd ask for more attention on the pastas; less is more sometimes. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Pretty decent restaurant inside the Ritz Carlton hotel. Nice, elegant yet casual so you don't need to feel like you have to overdress yourself to eat here. The only annoyance is we were sitting next to the door that leads to the outside dinning area, so we were cold the whole time. The service was not bad, but I think our waitress could have been more attentive. I noticed all the other waiter and waitress were very on top of the tables they served, except ours. We ordered the fried seafood platter, which was very light and fresh. The filet was a little bit too salty, but definitely one of the best cooked filet I ever had. It's super tender, not gamy and melts in your mouth. The lamb chop was perfect. I asked for the sauce on the side because my daughter was sharing it with me. The lamb chop was perfectly seasoned but a little under cooked (one was the piece was literally rare). It was a bit gamy too without the sauce. If you like carbs, you should order their focaccia bread. It's fresh made and it goes perfectly with the olive oil they leave on the table. I would definitely dine here again if I were to stay here. It does come with a heavy price tag though. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

There is no way you can improve on the view. The expansive Pacific Ocean is nothing less than awesome. If everything matched that, we'd be regulars at Marisella. At any fine restaurant, needing to ask bus staff where the server is, makes ya wonder. We must have waited 15 minutes for water. Overall food quality good, not great. Tiny portion size added to the disappointment. Other then view, can't say anything stood out as world class. Living in Santa Barbara/Montecito, we have great restaurant options. Marisella is definitely not top of the list. read more

Amazing service from our server Santiago. He made our first time here such a great time! The food was amazing as well!! The focaccia with ricotta is heaven on earth. Santiago was the best!!! read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We tried almost every dish on the menu and not even one dish disappointed. Sebastian was a great boast as well. read more

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This place exceed expectations. We were staying at the hotel on the same property and wanted a low key dinner - we definitely arrived too casual, but the staff was super nice and the space is honestly gorgeous. We had the carpaccio, bread with whipped dip, spicy vodka rigatoni, orecchiette, and table side tiramisu. Aside from the bread service which was a bit lackluster, everything was great! They also have a great cocktail menu - my tomato martini was excellent! read more

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When you walk in, you feel like you've been transported to Miami. The decor, lighting and feel of the restaurant is stunning. We ordered the tomato-tini, something I was looking forward to having after trying LPM in Vegas; it was delicious, but still not as good as LPM. We ordered the fried squash blossoms, the cucumber Caesar salad style, Orecchiette pasta and the lamb chops. You really can't go wrong with any of those choices. Everything was absolutely delicious. read more

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The restaurant is gorgeous - sit outside if you can and enjoy the view of the ocean. The pastas stand out, definitely order 2 or 3. I'll be back next time I'm in sb. read more

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We stayed at the hotel where Marisella is located, and for our anniversary dinner, we thought it would be perfect to stay in and dine here -- and it truly was! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the host and our server, who seated us at a table overlooking the ocean with the most stunning views. We took our time enjoying the ambiance, snapping a few photos, and going through the menu. I ordered the Masami Filet Mignon with sautéed local greens, and although I can't recall every dish we ordered (nor did I capture photos of all of them), everything we had was excellent -- flavorful, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully prepared. The service was wonderful throughout the evening, and to top it all off, our server surprised us with a complimentary dessert in celebration of our anniversary -- such a thoughtful gesture that made our dinner even more special. Overall, our experience at Marisella was exceptional -- delicious food, warm service, and a breathtaking ocean view that made for a truly memorable anniversary dinner. We would absolutely dine here again! read more

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Food and service were fantastic. Our request to be seated outside when making our reservation was honored and I'm glad we asked since the space was so pretty by the water. Cherry our server was absolutely lovely and made sure we were taken care of without ever rushing. The bolognese and spicy vodka are a must. read more

One of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. We had an amazing dinner here a few weeks ago. The tomato martini is so good. The focaccia is insanely good. Everything we had was fantastic and the service was top notch. Go at magic hour if you can, the views are incredible. read more

Milo is the man! If you're looking for the perfect combination of service, food, and views--this is the place. We were seated outside overlooking the water, and Milo, hands down one of the best servers we've ever had, made the evening unforgettable. He started us off with drinks, walked us through the menu, and shared his favorites. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta to start--OMG, a must! My husband had the Vongole pasta while I enjoyed the Orecchiette pasta--a little spicy but bursting with flavor. We paired it with the roasted peppers and eggplant, which was incredible. And just when we thought it couldn't get better...the tableside tiramisu--WOW!! Absolutely a must-try. Huge thanks to Marisella and Milo for an amazing evening. We will definitely be back soon! read more

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Had a lovely sunset dinner here recently. Food was amazing and service was attentive and accommodating. The only issue we had was with the short rib. While it was tasty overall it was a bit too salty. For $180 for the dish you'd hope to get a better taste. Other than that all was fantastic! Much better menu than the restaurant it was before (Angel Oak). read more

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Stunning views, great food and great customer service. Oysters, filet, rigatoni, filet mignon and chocolate mousse were our selections. Everything was real prepared and delicious. Located outside of the Ritz Carlton overlooking the water. read more

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What a wonderful experience! Thank you for hosting us for the focaccia class as part of the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation. It was such a fun and thoughtfully executed event from start to finish. The entire team did an excellent job, and there were so many special touches throughout the experience -- you truly dotted every "i." We felt so welcomed and inspired. I'm already working on getting our Supper Club to Marisella again soon! read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We only stopped here to grab a few drinks at their bar. We tried two of their menu offerings and the bartender graciously accomodated our "creative" off menu requests for round 2. He made us a custom NOT the last word drink with green chartreuse, another with baileys and amaro, and one with anise cherry mint. We liked everything. read more

Marisella's was amazing. My sister and I stopped in late one evening without a reservation, assuming we'd just grab a spot at the bar. Which was lovely with a beautiful ambiance. But, we did put our name in at the hostess stand, just in case. To our surprise, they were able to accommodate us with a beautiful table right by the water -- such a treat! The food was absolutely excellent, and our server Daisy was warm, attentive, and friendly throughout the night. The bar entire space had a stunning, welcoming ambience. The complimentary local tomatoes that were served with olive oil and a house made seasoning were amazing. And the fresh focaccia with whipped ricotta & the orecchiette were delicious. We felt completely taken care of and will definitely be back. A perfect late-night find! Highly recommend. read more

We rented the cellar for our wedding dinner on 2/8/26. Overall, had a wonderful dining experience. The food was amazing. We chose the spicy pasta, wagyu ribeye, and chicken served family-style for our private dinner, and every single dish was delicious. Our guests are still raving about the food weeks later. Our server (I wish I remembered his name) was great. He was attentive, kind, and truly helped make the dinner feel special and seamless. Unfortunately, our experience with the event coordinator, Erica, was extremely disappointing. Communication felt disorganized. Although we had already been corresponding directly with Erica through our own email and phone, important updates regarding finalizing the dinner selections were not sent to us directly. This created unnecessary confusion and delays during a time when clear and timely communication was essential. Two weeks before the wedding, I was trying to finalize remaining details and reached out multiple times via text (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) with no response. It wasn't until Friday that she replied. I responded within 30 minutes, and again received no follow up. I followed up on Sunday morning with no response. Then on Sunday evening I sent another text (because at this point we were exactly a week from the wedding). In that text I had to ask what the best form of contact was, which is concerning that it wasn't made clear from the start. The week of a wedding should not involve chasing down your event coordinator for basic communication. The day of the event was even more disappointing. During setup, she did not introduce herself, say congratulations, or offer any warmth whatsoever. In fact, she did not speak one word to us throughout the whole night. We did not see one smile from her at all and it seemed as though she did not want to be there. As guest of the restaurant, she did not make us feel welcomed. There was no friendliness or sense that she was there to help make the evening feel special. Additionally, I think it's disappointing to pay a preparation/set up fee of nearly $400 and not have the linen steamed. I've never been to a fine dining restaurant and there were hard wrinkles on all the linen. While the food and serving staff were outstanding, the coordination experience fell far below expectations. For such an important life event, professionalism, communication, and warmth matter. Based on our experience, I would not recommend her specifically for coordinating private events. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I don't normally gush about a restaurant especially one just opened two weeks ago. Well, I'm about to Gush. Walking into this gorgeous restaurant was a treat exuding quiet elegance with beautiful styling hints. The lighting is soft and inviting. To say that this is one of the best views in the area is an understatement. Sweeping views of the Pacific greet you. The seating comfortable. Service was impeccable. Bella our incredible server, was superb. Well versed in the menu, she guided us through one of the best culinary experiences in the Santa Barbara area. Fans of the great "Caruso's" might agree with me that I found Marisella's menu to have a more vibrant flavor profile. This is one of the best meals I've had in Santa Barbera. Our order: Start with the housemade focaccia (hot on the table) with a spectacular red sauce. Perfect. Garlic, Basil hint of chili flakes I felt as though I wanted to take home 2 gallons of it. The Red Snapper crudo was equally sublime. Local Snapper with finely diced red onion, garlic green olives with a drizzle of perfect olive oil. So flavorful. Next two outstanding pasta samplers: Gnocchi and the orecchiette with sausage both house made. Both insanely good. Finally we indulged our meat loving side with: The short ribs and the filet with two great sides. The short ribs were frankly the best I've ever had. Beautiful charr on the ribs with a smokiness and flavor that are hard to beat. Fall off the bone, even when full we still finished the serving (easily feeds four). The filet was perfect also. Highest marks on both of these. Sides were great: steamed local greens and a polenta that you'd want to eat while on the couch in your pajamas watching a great old movie. Sampled two desserts that were very good also. Table side Tera Mis su, panna cotta and strawberry sorbet. The sorbet was the star. Intangibles: most restaurants seem to be challenged with serving the food to table piping hot. Not Marisella. Each dish came out steaming hot and perfect. They even brought warm plates! Bella our server was beyond gracious, friendly and knowledgeable. She's a super star and we'd suggest asking for her. Summing up, it is the best Italian food on the central coast. Enjoy!!! read more

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It was ok. The filet was tiny and served cold. I did like the orchiette pasta. Both of my friends were also served cold short ribs. For such a nice place, I was pretty disappointed with the food. read more

Wow!!! Just had one of the most amazing experiences and dinners in a long time! We were lucky enough to be get a reservation on opening night. It was our last night of our vacation. The restaurant is beautiful with absolutely stunning views off the bluff!! We were seating at a table with a view of ocean. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming but Lisa, our server assistant, and Ayden, our server, made the night even that more special. Along side the food which was incredible, Ayden, Lisa and the rest of the staff were the icing on the cake. Can't say enough good things about the staff. We got the in the pot focaccia which was amazing. Also got the oysters and blue fin tuna crudo. Another amazing corse. For our entrees we got the lamb ragu and the little neck clam vongole. Both were absolutely delicious!!! The night was topped off with tableside tiramisu which was just another amazing dish!!! It was the most perfect way to end our vacation. Thank you again Ayden, Lisa and the rest of the Marisella staff! read more

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An absolutely unforgettable dining experience from start to finish! We were lucky enough to get in during the restaurant's first week--because once word gets out, this place will be nearly impossible to book. Every dish we ordered was a hit. The salt-crusted whole branzino was a true standout--carved tableside, perfectly flaky, and topped with a delicate butter-caper sauce that was simply divine. The green beans with fresh herbs and a flavorful sauce were vibrant and refreshing, and the creamy mashed polenta melted in your mouth. The tuna crudo was bursting with bright citrus and spice, while the carpaccio was rich, tender, and topped with crispy shallots, capers, and just the right amount of creamy dressing. The warm, crusty bread was perfect for soaking up every last drop of flavor. We paired it all with a bottle of 2011 Vilmart & Cie Cœur de Cuvée, which elevated the entire experience. And just when we thought it couldn't get better--enter the tiramisu. Light, creamy, and perfectly balanced--it was the cherry on top of a flawless evening. Bryan, our server, was phenomenal--attentive, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond with every course. Massive thank you to the chefs and entire team for an impeccable night. We will definitely be back! Along with the ambiance they could not go wrong. Everything was beyond impressive. read more

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We celebrated our daughter's 21st birthday here and it didn't disappoint!! The ambiance was beautiful and the view was breathtaking!! Drinks and food didn't not fall short from perfection!!! read more

Marisella - Sunset was gorgeous!!! - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Well, when we were trying to decide on where to dine for our second night stay in SB, our hearts kept yearning to try the other dishes on Marisella's menu because we wanted to be guaranteed a wonderful experience. And we were rewarded for our sound decision! We stuck with our tried and true green salad, lavendar & luxury mocktail, and apple crostata dessert but switched up our pastas to the vodka and italian sausage orecchiette. Yum! Yes we were sad to leave the beautiful Bacara hotel but I think we might miss Marisella more. :) read more

Came here with the lady and our server Rich was the most engraciating. The recommendation of Lobster, rock fish, SB spot prawns, pacific clams were unreal. Between that and the spectacular service, we'll be back sooner than later. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Marisella created a special memory that I'm sure my friends and I will cherish for years to come! I would not be surprised if this place became an Italian fine dining destination just weeks after opening! Ambiance: Could not have been more perfect. Not only was the aesthetic trendy and truly beautiful, it felt expensive, well designed, and relaxing . Then coupled with an ocean/cliff view... you really can't beat it. Drinks: For an Italian restaurants, you expect great martinis, and their martinis really exceeded expectations. The pickle martini was exactly what you want and more. The tomato martini was perfectly subtle yet flavorful and really well balanced. Food: Standouts were the squash blossoms and shrimp/lobster ravioli. Really elevated how pasta can taste. The orchiette and greens felt slightly over salted, but maybe it was an off night? Really not a huge problem at all. Service: From beginning to end, we felt welcomed, loved, and taken care of. Santiago made it especially wonderful and memorable. He was to attentive to detail, and can tell that he loved his job there. The joy was spread to us and it really made for a perfect evening. read more

Marisella - Italian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California