My wife surprised me with an omakase experience at Sushi by scratch and I was truly blown away. The service was warm and friendly. I felt like I was having dinner with old friends and had a great time chatting with the chef. The sushi was incredible. Im still dreaming of the toro! We were lucky because there was only one other person sitting with us, to it was an intimate experience for us! Ive already recommended this location to a few friends because it was so enjoyable. I will definitely be back! read more

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I was here for my birthday again. The nigiri were delicious, but different from the past. There were more complex fusion flavors incorporated in the line up of nigiri. In my opinion, these flavors made the experience more unique, but without overpowering the fish. I loved the use of leche de tigre with the fish. My only issue was I prefer spotted prawn raw rather than grilled. Have not tried Silver yet, which seems more traditional, like Scratch 7 years ago. read more

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Made a reservation for a Saturday evening at 9pm to celebrate our anniversary. We were surprised when we realized that it was just us eating that evening. My wife and I really appreciated the personalized nameplates and warm welcome. Nice ambient lighting where you can actually still see what you're eating. Probably the best omakase experience we've had so far and we've been to many! Each dish was prepared with artistry and precision. Everyone kept us entertained with stories and had no problem answering our questions. We're a curious couple so we had many personal questions and they all shared their life stories. (Haha). Got to love young people and their ambitions. We truly wish them the best! The chefs, bartender and the host were all wonderful and enhanced the experience. read more

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Our first visit to Sushi by Scratch was almost three years ago, when the place was hot and new and had a rare Southern California Michelin star. It's since lost that star and is no longer a tough reservation, but we went back last month and found the restaurant unchanged--the sushi delicious, the experience joyful. We went on a Friday night for the 9:30 seating, after putting our kids to bed. We showed up to the Montecito Inn lobby at the suggested time of 9:00, where we were welcomed and attended by the first of two Seans, who set us up with a drink and our first few bites. The cocktail was a fragrant mix of Japanese whiskey, ginger syrup, and jasmine tea, poured to overflowing abundance in a sake cup with saucer. Then we enjoyed three small dishes from the kitchen, ahead of our sushi dinner. There were neat hand rolls of tuna tartare wrapped in nori, topped with ikura, avocado mousse, and scallion. Then velvety chawanmushi, steamed egg custard flavored wih yuzu and dashi, topped with caviar, uni, and edible flower. Lastly cool sea bass ceviche with wasabi, nori crisp, and shiso. At this point, we crossed over to the sushi bar, which was as cozy and convivial as I remembered. The team was led by the second Sean, an excellent chef and host. Chef Haluk, sommelier Tessa, and young, bright-eyed protege Kaden made up the rest of this sushi dream team. They were so hospitable and charismatic, it was honestly pretty special having their attention all to ourselves. We skipped the beverage pairing this time around, as we learned our first visit that we drink too heavily for this particular program. We started with a round of cocktails--the Bee's Japanese with Ki No Bi gin, yuzu, smoked honey; the Red Seal of Shimoda with Suntory Toki Whisky, pomegranate juice, ruby port, lemon juice, honey, and green tea salt--then ordered a lovely tall bottle of junmai sake with Tessa's guidance. The bar omakase consisted of sixteen pieces of sushi, plus unlimited pickled cucumber and shiitake mushroom (in lieu of the usual palate-cleansing ginger) and a small dessert. I love the style of sushi here, which is decidedly untraditional, with unique, thoughtful flavor combinations that highlight and augment the principal ingredients. I remembered some of these bites from three years ago, and they were just as captivating the second time around. Others were new and equally impressive. First there was hamachi with sweet corn pudding, sourdough crumbs, and wasabi, a Sushi by Scratch signature. Then toro, a chutoro with brûléed pineapple and wasabi. Hotate came with a mignonette of green apple and aged vinegar, then hirame with jalapeño and ponzu. We had shima aji with lemongrass ponzu and salsa verde, and miyabi-dai with a condiment of cilantro, wasabi stem, and caper, both spectacular bites. Binchotan-grilled spot prawn blew every cooked shrimp nigiri I've ever had out of the water, topped with bird's eye chili powder, fried leek, and fermented garlic honey. Lushly oily king salmon was augmented with olive oil and a wasabi leaf chimichurri. Albacore came edged with a stripe of nori, finished with frizzled onion, yuzu, and ponzu. Kanpacih was finished with olive salt, creamy coconut, scallion, and yuzu kosho. The chefs got out the blowtorch at this point, for two rich seared nigiri. There was akami with togarashi, infused with the heat of serrano pepper and topped off with fresh scallion. Then vermillion with scallion and yakiniku sauce, a taste of Korean barbecue that segued nicely into the final nigiri. The Motobu gyu was a tremendous treat, meltingly tender A5 wagyu beef, dabbed with sweet onion jam. Then we got jiggly bone marrow with maple syrup butter and puffed rice, a bite of sweet and savory pancake breakfast. I remembered the unagi from our first visit, fried with the drippings of a bone marrow luge, served with salt and a kicky poblano pepper paste. The last serving of sushi was a delectable uni hand roll with puffed rice and edible flower. For dessert, we had a petit four of makrut lime ice cream with sesame shortbread cookie and coconut in a white chocolate shell, accompanied by a small cup of matcha mixed with umeshu--a surprisingly harmonious combination. We had a lot of fun hanging out with the Sushi by Scratch crew and learned that many of their customers are now local and semi-local regulars. I don't know how often we can go, given that we live in Los Angeles, but I suspect we'll be back before another three years have passed. read more

This place is truly phenomenal! Super tiny spot - they only do around 2/3 seatings each night. We came for the 16 course omakase and each bite truly got better than the last. The chefs do a great job and you can tell they put a lot of love & thought into their work. Can't recommend highly enough! read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito - Sushi Bars Near Me - Montecito, California

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This is our second time a Sushi by Scratch and it was amazing again. Daniel and his team was amazing and the food was delicious. Thanks for making my Birthday very special. We will definitely be back. read more

This was my second time here and I have to say this was my favorite. I had a stellar experience with Sean, James and Mario. Went on a Monday and was 1 of 4 patrons which allowed a very intimate experience. The food was fantastic. Each piece of sushi was a star. The flavor pairings for each sushi were skillfully crafted and perfectly harmonized. If you're in the area, highly recommend a visit! read more

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We had an incredible 5-star experience here! There were no other guests except for my husband and I and we had an incredible time! The sushi was outstanding and so fresh! The bartender, chefs and host were all amazing and so friendly! We would highly recommend! Don't miss this place if you are in town! read more

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What a great experience! We loved it. The staff was very professional, the food was amazing, the setting was very private, and the beverage selection was excellent. The dishes were incredibly creative -- unlike anything we have experienced before -- and each bite felt like a special delight. Overall, it was such a memorable day, and we cannot wait to go back the next time we are in Montecito. read more

A bit disappointed with the visit this time. I remember coming here twice in the past and had a better experience regarding the food. The nigiris tasted not as spectacular as before and I think the location in Encino serves better taste to my liking. The sake pouring was also not as generous in this place where the Encino ones will pour you a bit over flowing to the small plate underneath the sake cup. Paying $850 for two is definitely a bit overpriced for this kind of experience. I will just have to return to the one in Encino location. read more

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I came here for an anniversary dinner and everything was impeccable. The uni, the unagi, the bone marrow, and the shima aji were some of the best bites I have ever had in my life. By the third bite of sushi, I thought it was better than Silvers. The dining room was also very aesthetic and the whole team was very welcoming and easy to talk to. One of my favorite restaurants I've ever been to, definitely going to come back! read more

As someone who eats sushi much more often than I'd like to admit, I can confidently say that Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito is phenomenal. Each piece of nigiri is meticulously crafted with great attention to detail, making every bite simply wonderful. I've been here a few times, and each experience is unique as the chefs curate ingredients locally and seasonally, which I truly appreciate. The service is excellent. Each sushi chef is very personable, and the dining experience is nontraditional in the best way. Everyone at the sushi bar receives the same piece of sushi simultaneously, adding a communal feel to the meal. Each chef is responsible for a specific aspect of the nigiri, showcasing their expertise and making the experience even more special. The ambience is great. With seating for only about 12 people at the bar, it's a very intimate setting. Overall, I highly recommend this place if you want a unique sushi experience and are willing to splurge. read more

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My friend made a reservation for Sushi by Scratch via Resy and we were so excited to try the Michelin-starred omakase. It was $25 for a non-refundable deposit. The restaurant is conveniently located inside Montecito Inn with valet. Guests check-in at the lobby and get a complimentary cocktail (yuzu, ginger, and sake) before getting seated. The sushi bar is extremely intimate and exclusive with only 10 seats. Our names were written on a little chalkboard, so we had to find it and sit. Unfortunately for my friend and me, the other 8 people were from the same party and they were extremely loud. I get it, it's a birthday celebration, but I wasn't prepared for all the yelling and screaming and loud chattering for 1.5 hours. Not calming nor zen. Regardless of the noise, the 17-course meal was absolutely spectacular. Every nigiri tasted tasted so fresh and melted in my mouth. My favorites were the hotate and albacore. Even all the cocktails I got to try were delicious and refreshing. The chef and bartender were extremely attentive and so fun to chat with. Can't wait to come back (but I'll make sure that I'm not stuck with a rowdy big party)!! read more

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First timers here, awesome experience celebrated our anniversary. All the chefs were great, we had Chef Haluk on our side and his protege Kaden who just started that week. I was nervous in the beginning because Haluk was very serious haha, then he turned out to be funny and made the experience great. Kaden did a phenomenal job, on point with everything. We would've never guessed that he had just started. The sushi was outstanding, very fresh. Out of this world, definitely will be back soon. read more

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One of the best omakase experiences that I've had, hands-down. My boyfriend and I went to Sushi by Scratch: Montecito to celebrate our anniversary, and first off, the restaurant did an amazing job personalizing the experience. Before our arrival, they noted any of our allergies/dietary restrictions and took the names of my partner and me. When we arrived, the counter was already set up with name cards, along with a little "Happy Anniversary" card at the center. Food - Amazing. The fish is extremely fresh, and the 16-course omakase offering also features a variety of fish. My favorite on the menu was probably the Bone Marrow bite, simply because it was unique and I had not tasted anything like that at any other restaurant. If there is time at the end of the experience, the chef can also make bites at your request - nigiri, handrolls, etc. My boyfriend and I both opted for another bite, chef's choice. Service - Fantastic. Sushi by Scratch: Montecito offers a very intimate dining experience, with only a counter-full of patrons in a dimly-lit room alongside 3-4 sushi chefs and the waitstaff. My glass of water was never empty, and the timing of each course was perfect, ensuring minimal lag between each course, but enough time to allow you to truly savor the flavors of each course and digest. Ambiance - Once again, a very intimate setting, perfect for date-night or any celebratory event. 10/10 recommend Sushi by Scratch: Montecito for anyone that is a sushi-lover or looking for a place to celebrate a special day :) read more

This was mine and my fiancés first omakase experience, and wow it was so incredible. We were in town for the weekend, and wanted to celebrate our engagement/late valentines date. We did some research on tik tok and came I came across this spot and heard it was a must try and is Michelin! I was reading other reviews, and since I can't compare this experience to other omakase spots, I will say that the omakase was one of the best things I've had. EVER! Checking in- checking in was nice and easy. You need to go to the lobby, and you'll see a section where you'll check in with someone and they'll ask you questions about allergies, if you want to add in supplements (such as caviar), etc. They also offer you a nice welcome refreshment with a choice of alcohol or non-alcohol. It was such a nice refreshment and definitely cleansed the palette. Highly suggest arriving early as they typically start right on time! Service & Area- You are seated with 8 other folks, 10 people total in the space. The ambiance is so chilled, and it gives you a speakeasy feel. The chefs introduce themselves, and there is a bartender or beverage specialist that goes over the beverage parings and drinks. I honestly don't think you need to be pressured to order a sake or wine paring, it is another 100+ each person for the pairing. We just opted for a mock tail and a beer and that's totally fine if you don't want to drink. I think people think you HAVE to order a drink, but it's really not necessary. All the 3 chefs were friendly and very attentive. They have a good assembly going when crafting each omakase piece. I wish we were able to sit more in the middle, but all in all it was amazing service!!! They also congratulated us on our engagement and future wedding, super personable. Food- There was not one thing I didn't like!!! Their fish and seafood is imported from all over the world! Spain, Canada, parts of Japan (mostly Hokkaido). Everything was so fresh, buttery, and melts. It is so hard to choose a favorite, but my top choices was the Tess in, toro, hotate, escolar, unagi. I'm not even a fan of unagi but the flavor was just something else! I was so pleased. They offer additional pieces for an added fee, we opted out because I think everything we already had was super satisfying. Each person is $185 and they also add the 20% automatic gratuity. It is pretty steep, but I still recommend this to folks who are looking for a great experience with delicious omakase. read more

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Unique omakase! Make sure you arrive 15-30 minutes early for the palate cleansing welcome drink. They have an alcoholic and non alcoholic option, both of which were light and delicious. The seafood is flown in from Japan and is super fresh. The accoutrements are top notch with a few little somethin' somethin's in every piece of nigiri (ie: torched bone marrow drippings, freshly grated wasabi, etc). My bf also got the beverage pairing ($115) which included 2 sakes, 1 wine pour, 1 wine and 1 beer. I opted for a yuzu mocktail which was sweet and delicious. Additions: For an additional charge (over $100/pp but I forgot the exact price quoted), you're offered either truffles or caviar to five of the nigiri pieces. At the end of the meal, you're also able to add on chef's creations for an additional (unknown) price too. There's three sushi chefs, a host and a drink specialist on staff for up to ten guests each seating. For the most part, we were taken care of, but one big miss was unfortunately, after the warm towel for our hands, we had zero napkins. That was very much needed. 20% auto gratuity. This is the location that won a Michelin star in 2022. read more

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We had an unforgettable evening here. It's not like your usual omakase place, where you sit at a table and you wait for the courses to come out or you sit quietly and make small talk to the person next to you. This is a whole interactive experience. The chefs explain everything in front of you and you have the opportunity to chat and laugh and ask questions. The sushi pieces are like little works of art. There are 17 courses - but don't worry, you won't end up super 'full' or uncomfortable after the meal. It almost feels just right despite the amount of plates (despite never having 17 courses at once for a meal in my life!). Chef James and chef Ryan were excellent and we enjoyed learning about each piece of fish and how to eat it. It's very engaging. Everything tasted delightful and the experience is one of a kind. It's a small intimate room with only ten reservations and you can dress up or dress down. You also eat with your hands and they give you a towel to clean them in between as well as a delicious and refillable cucumber and mushroom salad to palate cleanse between bites. There is valet parking via the hotel (or street parking) and prior to the experience they invite you for a small cocktail to enjoy before your meal (it's included) to warm you up before dinner (I would show up about 15-20 min early). I'd also like to add the room was comfortable - not too hot or cold, and the bartender was excellent in making drinks as well as refilling water throughout the meal. The little dessert was also bright and a sweet treat after all of the fish. Best omakase experience by far. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito - Inside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Montecito, California

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An Amazing experience. 17 courses of Sushi. I never felt full. Fantastic expressions of Sushi. Kudos to all the Chefs. Keep up the great work read more

An experience every sushi lover would love. A multi-course menu with bites from heaven prepared for you live by talented chefs. You are paired with a group of 10 other diners so it is small and intimate. I love this place. It is a fun place to go when you have a special night. read more

Took hubby here for his early bday dinner. I was worried how it would be too much sushi & not much of a variety of food. To our surprise, each sushi had its unique burst of flavors & so much fun to eat with our hand. Overall, a wonderful omakase experience. read more

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An epic experience from start to finish. People, food, drinks are all top notch. Super intimate and special. I recommend the last reservation so you can extend the evening. read more

Fabulous food and Staff- Love Haluk Sushi fabulous and what a fabulous comic environment read more

A Michelin star? Hardly. Getting some attention must've gone to their head. The sushi is fine but not enough to justify this price point. The staff takes themselves way too seriously. There's an air of arrogance that permeates every course and description. We were unimpressed. Also cleanliness is a concern. We watched as our sushi chef wiped sweat from his brow and then proceeded to wipe his hand on his towel, then dip it in plain water, then serve us sushi. They also reuse the same rag to "clean" your slate serving plates, and they end up looking pretty gross after a few courses have passed. All of the chefs are using their ungloved hands for everything. Which is fine, but I didn't see any of them wash their hands even once. They would only do a quick finger dip in water before grabbing and forming the next ball of sushi rice. Gross. The sushi courses are Omikase style, a 17-piece tasting menu at $165 per person. The pieces are forgettable. A simple toro, with sea salt or homemade yuzu purée is not a revelation. Some of the pieces were good, but not good enough to justify the price. Also the creativity that goes into the menu is minor. Multiple sushi pieces included similar ingredients such as ponzu, matcha, etc. Chef Ryan comically uses a hand torch to char items pretty much the entire meal. Granted, charring the eel and frying it in bone marrow is a novel idea, but it wasn't worth sitting through the over-the-top showmanship. Overall Sushi by Scratch just wasn't a good value. To add to this, the bar manager guides patrons to the suggested flights/pairings. These vary in price but can easily add $110 per person to the bill. They also offer and recommend a few additional courses after the standard omikase, which of course they charge extra for and are not included. Lastly they automatically add a 20% service charge (tip) for themselves. And of course it's calculated after tax and not on the actual food and beverage subtotal. Out the door, it's an $800 experience for 2 people ($460 without alcohol pairings or extra courses). In summary: Arrogant staff (they also auto add tip of 20%) Unimpressive menu High high prices Cleanliness concerns Forgettable waste of money read more

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My first Michelin star experience!! My partner reserved seats for our anniversary through their website. You were required to deposit $25 per person that gets reduced at the end during check out. Sushi by Scratch is a part of the Montecito hotel, but across entrance of the hotel lobby. When you enter, there is someone in front that does valet for your car. It is recommended to get to the restaurant 15-30 minutes before your reservation. A worker welcomes you into the hotel lobby across the bar and presents you with a small story and cocktail. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, your choice! I opted for the alcoholic drink, which was ginger, lime, sake, and whiskey and it was so interesting! I tried my partners non-alcoholic cocktail, which was similar but the alcohol was replaced with honey. Once everyone trickles into the hotel lobby, the worker brings us into the sushi bar! We started our 16 course meal, and ended with one dessert. Each piece was fresh and curated interestingly, but packed with a bunch of ingredients. There were so many ingredients on each piece, I can't recall anything LOL. The ones that definitely stood out to me was the Spot Prawn, Kanpachi, Shima Aji, , and the King Salmon. Best presentation goes to the unagi piece.. this had bone marrow juice melted on top, which looked so cool!! Drooling just thinking about it... One of the details I liked about this sushi bar was that the menu/fish was displayed on the wall, so we can keep track of what we were eating. I always forget what I eat, and it's always great to have a menu to see what we're eating! Overall, this is a more modern approach to omakase, but still delicious! read more

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we went to their NYE special omakase and it was one of the best experiences ever. the atmosphere was light and friendly! we opted in for their caviar and champagne service and the bumps of caviar for specific nigiri was well thought out ~ will definitely be back read more

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I am somewhere in the four zone but will give them a five for my husband. The sushi was excellent. We did opt for the add on truffle/ caviar. I would absolutely not do that again. At over $100 per person it did not elevate the experience and in fact, overwhelmed the delicate flavors of the fish. Additionally, we ordered the saki experience and the mixed drink experience, I would also not recommend doing so, frankly, it was just too much alcohol. If talented Kevin is the bartender and you are in the mood, split the cocktails, there is enough for two and you want to stay sharp for the entire dinner. Kevin is a skilled bartender, but all of the sakis were not so outstanding I would need to revisit them. One or two were pretty tasty. Sushi bites: the tessin, scallop, escolar, spotted shrimp and toro were terrific. I prefer classic omakase honestly but I did love the nigiri. The sushi was delicious. We did the add on. The service was warm and friendly, the meal extremely good. Slices not so large, rice not so warm, but flavors beautifully balanced. Everyone was very young, either we are getting super old or everyone was super young, however everyone was nice. It was a great experience. I do think the costs are out of proportion, but it was very yummy and I am glad we joined them for a Tasty meal. read more

There is a reason this restaurant had a Michelin star, and that was quickly evident from the moment our dining experience started. They have you meet in the lobby of the Montecito Inn and start you off with a small little cocktail that sets the mood for the rest of the meal. The meal itself was an experience versus just eating a meal. They serve the sushi omikase, so the chef has pre-prepared the menu you will eat that night. There was not a single course that my husband and I did not look at each other and comment on how good it was. I was expecting good sushi, but I was not prepared for what I received. I cannot find the words to describe how good this sushi was. They also offer different drink pairings to go with the meal. The sake pairing was perfect. The chefs were fantastic and gave us such a good time. We cannot wait for our next dinner here. read more

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The fresh fish served here is top-tier, with flavors that are both delicate and rich, showcasing the quality of the product. The service is impeccable, attentive without being overbearing, making for a truly elevated dining experience. While the prices are on the higher side, every bite and moment is absolutely worth it for the exceptional quality and care put into every dish. Ambiance is also nice and cozy. read more

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Started off my 21st on a high note with my first ever Omakase experience; and let me tell you, it was worth every penny. The ambience was cozy, the company was excellent, and the food was outstanding. Welcome and Farewell Sake -Both the drinks were aromatic and fragrant and pleasing to drink. The first one was served as a welcome beverage and overflowing it symbolizes good luck. It was a whiskey sake mixture I believe, which added a fiery kick. The second served great closure to the meal, as it was a sharp cut into the rich and decadent meal in between. Bluefin Tessin - Tail of a bluefin and dehydrated nori topped with some luscious caviar. This single bite was one of the best dishes of the night and encapsulates the beauty of seafood. Hamachi - Fresh cut of Japanese yellowtail, topped with sweetcorn and fresh wasabi root. Kanpachi - Amberjack served with chili jam. This is the part where things start to blur for me as there are many different white fish in this experience, most of them new to me, and very difficult to tell apart. Since lean fish tend to be more difficult to serve raw, chili jam was an excellent complement to give the piece a nice kick. Scallop - Hokkaido Scallop! Lovely jumbo piece of scallop topped with scallion for an extra zing. Shima Aji - Horse mackerel, a very flat white fish, topped with fresh wasabi root. Kurodai - Black snapper, lemon, maldon salt. Lean fish with a kick of citrus and saline burst. Warm seasoned sushi rice. Simple. Well Flavored. Madai - A very flat fish that is also known as sea bream. This piece is the simplest of them all, just seasoned with a savory umami burst. Hirame - Also named olive flounder and Japanese halibut, hirame is a white fish, and in this form served with chili jam and scallion. Albacore - Historically, I really dislike albacore due to its poor texture. However, this piece of albacore turned it around for me because it is soft on the inside and seared and crusted on the outside. Akami - Akami is the leanest part of the bluefin tuna! I really liked it in the middle of meal to really provide a balance with the rest of the courses and it tasted good despite its leanness! Chu Toro - A medium fat cut of Bluefin Tuna between ultra lean (Akami) and ultra rich (Otoro). Salmon - Saving one of the best cuts of the fishes for the later parts, salmon! This piece of salmon was very rich and showcase the loveliness of salmon, kissed by w brush of herbs. Escolar - First time eating escolar, a beautiful white butter fish. This piece is etched, scorched, and glazed to perfection. Unagi - Eel! Often a favorite for all, this grilled eel is also blow torched to serve and topped with a light eel sauce (not the thick kind). The eel is very tender and has much more flavor than all the white fish that were served earlier in the meal. Bone Marrow - Bone marrow has been a recent interest of mine! Serving torched marrow nigiri style was very interesting for me, and something that I find a bit out of the box, yet at the same time I could eat a whole bowl of this! Excellent flavor and simple as usual. Uni - sea urchin roe topped on sushi rice, one of my favorites because theres an incredible umami buttery sensation from the fresh uni that has a natural sweet tartness. Wagyu - This piece of sushi is one of the highest fat grade of wagyu with exquisite marbling. Blow torched and topped with Maldon sea salt, this piece of wagyu just melts in your mouth as soft as butter. Dessert - Hojicha ice cream coated in white chocolate topped with a shortbread crumble. I think this dessert is phenomenal; we have a balance in sweetness from the tea and white chocolate contrast. The little bite-sized dessert is beautifully presented with a shortbread crumble that adds a really nice complementing texture to soft ice cream and a crunchy chocolate coating. read more

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Best meal I've ever experienced! This place is worth every dollar, and hour of travel. We will be back soon. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito - Sushi Bars Near Me - Montecito, California

The best sushi experience I ever had! This place is pricey but it's worth the cost. Not only do the chefs put amazing detail and care into each piece but they give you a back story to each one. I highly recommend this to any sushi lover! They also offer a variety of alcohol pairings and specialty sushi after the 17 pieces you get. read more

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My bf brought me here for our 1 year anniversary! We checked in at the lobby of the hotel and was greeted with introductory drinks. Then led to the restaurant once our table was ready. OMG! This easily became one of my favorite omakase nigiri spots. The flavor profile for each piece of fish paired soooo well. It was so exotic and unique compared to other omakase places. The cocktails we both got were also amazing. read more

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Wow talk about an elevated dining experience! Sushi by Scratch is superb! They first check you in at the montecito inn (which btw is so charming with their vintage decor) and they give you a ceremonial alcoholic (or non alcoholic) beverage that tasted like a delicious lemon ginger-ale. Then they guide you to the restaurant which is small and intimate. They even personalize your seat and give you a little name plate. The couple next to us was celebrating their anniversary so they got a cute little plate stating so as well. You are given a palate cleanser which consisted of a ginger cucumber thing and a wet towel for your hand between each bite. Service was highly attentive, super nice, and personable. It was a bit strange that none of our servers were actually Japanese, but they did an amazing job nonetheless. Omakase was 12 pieces of very high quality sushi/ beef and it really was worth every penny. I felt like I was eating a little piece of heaven with each perfect bite. Each sushi was dressed with their own special sauces and they were incredible. With all due respect, the last row was my least favorite though. The wagyu and bone marrow were very rich and fatty. I just don't like uni in general, but it was very light and more palatable here. The unagi was definitely the saving grace for that row and I was happy it ended with that deliciousness! Splurge and try the place at least once!! read more

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No doubt the sushi was very good. A few things rubbed me the wrong way though. First, they ask you to arrive early for a complimentary beverage. When we arrived (at the time they requested) they said they were not ready for us, and so they sent us to the Coast and Olive bar for a drink. Okay, we went, sat at the bar and spent $50 on 2 drinks while we waited. I had a strange suspicion that was a usual tactic they used to cross promote the hotel bar. Second, while again, the sushi was very good, the upselling was over the top. I could stomach $150 per person for the dinner, and in our minds, we envisioned ourselves of course having some sake and beer and knew the tab would be a bit more, but then there came this pressure to order the sake pairing menu from the mixologist. Then, at the end of our dinner, to order 2 more special courses made by the chef. All in all, dinner was over $800 for 2 people, which was a little hard to stomach. Last, while staff were friendly, they weren't too outgoing, and the overall experience felt a little scripted, stuffy and boring, to be honest. If I were to do it all over again, I would have tried to go with a group of friends. Because if the other 8 strangers sitting at the bar are reserved and to themselves (which was the case when we went), it doesn't make for a very fun time. Anyway, again, the sushi was good, I'm glad I went, but I doubt I will ever go back. This one is checked off the bucket list! read more

Sushi By Scratch: Montecito is, by a WIDE margin, the best dining experience I've ever had. Their omakase course selection and design is so clearly crafted with attention to fine detail, balanced flavors, dedication to traditional Japanese cuisine, and innovation through multicultural fusion. For Valentine's Day, they took us on a gustatory expedition that left me with complete fulfillment and anticipation for my return. In addition to their exceptional food, their service was impeccable. The ambiance was intimate and comfortable. They thoroughly provide a warm and serene environment by just being themselves. I would come back just to hang out and drink if I could. I had the pleasure of sitting directly across from Fian--a phenomenal chef and person who provided us with an unforgettable experience. If you're considering omakase, not just in Santa Barbara but in the entirety of California, I STRONGLY suggest that you come here. read more

It seems like stating the obvious, but this is the best sushi we've ever had. It is far and away better and more thorough than the best of the ordinary sushi. I highly recommend the house drink pairing. There's some magic here. They should advertise the two extra bites as two menu options in advance so it doesn't become a hidden end cost though. read more

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Last night three of us went to Sushi Bar Montecito. This was my second time, having gone a few years ago after they newly opened. The core concept was largely the same (16-17 pieces of nigiri over a few hours) but the experience was very different. They still have to meet in the lobby of the Montecito Inn for a welcome drink. This time they were ready and offered a non-alcoholic option. Last time, we had to call in a special request and it seemed kind of out of their way to specially make this drink. They also had mocktails available for dinner which I think shows how progressive the industry is becoming. One complaint I had about my first visit was how over the top and "car salesman-y" the dish presentations were. I was glad they shuffled some people around and now the descriptions are still fun and energetic but toned downed and shortened a lot. We also had new chefs this time and the one that served us was great and struck a good balance between letting us converse but also interjecting with questions and comments. The meal was overall very good. I love all types of sushi so I am happy if I am served very traditional pieces or super fusion-y nigiri. I think if you are a purist, you might be turned off by the different accompaniments to the fish. But that's the thing, I think this is what works in SB an what people think of when they think of expensive sushi places (you can blame Arigato, Sakana, etc for that). I don't think there was a single bad bite except with one piece I experienced a really strong bitter flavor. I am not sure if it was the powder they topped it with or because I had a sip of my shiso lemonade before the bite and it interacted poorly with an ingredient. The meal lasted over two hours which is both surprising and not. 17 bites sounds like a lot but each piece of nigiri is tiny. I didn't leave hungry but I certainly wasn't stuffed. I could have probably eaten the entire menu again. The pacing was pretty good too. Some periods between bites kind of went long but never terribly so. What left me with a really bad taste in my mouth was how they chose to handle their price increase. My friend made our reservations almost 20 days before our meal. On Tock they announced they would raise the price of the meal 18% on March 1st. Our meal was exactly on that day. You would think they would charge the new price for reservations moving forward, not ones that were made pre-announcement, nearly three weeks prior. But no, they charged all of us an additional 18%. We emailed them before the meal, but they didn't make any adjustments. They also had just one seating that night (the late seating was canceled or people just didn't book it). So they could have easily done the right thing and honored the original price. It would have affected ten seats? It's hard to say if the experience was worth it at the original price of $140 but it's an even harder pill to swallow at the new price. I enjoyed by food but I am not sure if this is a place you visit yearly or even every 3 years. Or not at all? With Yochi's and Ama in town offering omakase/kaiseki there's stiff competition at a lower price point. If you just love rolls and nigiri and like the interesting flavor combinations, you can eat a lot of it by going to Arigato and spending less money. read more

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Started with their delicious tessin nigiri, and then the buri which had a very balanced taste similar to tuna, and is high in fat content. The toro was a classic, and one of my favorite bites time and time again is the hotate. The striped jack was firm in texture and paired very well with the second sake. One of the best bites of the meal was this new iteration of the spot prawn with an egg custard on top. It was a savory bite, something I wouldn't really think would go well with the prawn. A classic amongst all of the Sushi by Scratch locations is the albacore with the onions that had a shaved texture versus being crispy, and this nigiri preparation is inspired by Katsuya, another Japanese restaurant in Southern California where the Philipe is originally from. I was impressed from start to finish once again with the nigiri, the combinations of complex flavors, the service of course, and it's amazing to see how not only are you taken on a culinary journey, but you also get to engage with the Sushi by Scratch team and learn even more about the bites you're having. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito - Salmon with Caviar - Sushi Bars Near Me - Montecito, California

Let me first start off by saying I am not a novice omakase go-er i basically go to one every month in different states because i travel for work. I've been to other Michelin star'd omakase and this seemed kind of mediocre to the award. Me and my bf went to the Santa Barbara location for a NYE dinner and he was extremely upset about our seating (there are 2 seats to the right side that basically face the chefs backs) so there's that to look out for. And on that note they weren't as attentive to us like the others. The lighting in there really sucks and they apparently won't allow flash which wasn't stated on their tock or email. When it comes to the quality of their food, most things i thought were good but nothing was actually that special or mind blowing. No rare ingredients were used just the basic dishes and ingredients you'd find at any other omakases. Also i didn't come starving but i definitely didnt leave full, me and my bf were already planning what to eat after half way in. What i thought was cool though was that they put the courses on the board and put the price for a la carte. Its unfortunate I can't give a better review because this is apparently the best in the area and I was doing hard research for a special Nye dinner. read more

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