One of my absolute favorite restaurants of all time!! I used to come here a bunch when I was a student at UCSB, and I missed it so dearly ever since I graduated. Live in SF now and nothing can compare, not even in North Beach. Spent my birthday weekend in SB and had to stop here. Got my favorite dish, the farfalle allegria, which was amazing and just how I remembered it. Service is always so wonderful. Our server, Tasha, was so kind and sweet. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes here. Must get the tiramisu! Hope to be back soon! read more

Via Maestra 42 - Farfalle Allegria - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Italian was on the menu tonight and Yelp brought us here. Via Maestro 42 has a small interior mostly made up of two top tables, and then an outside covered area within the parking lot. On this fine March evening, we opted to sit outdoors. I was concerned with how much lighting there would be once the sun set but they didn't really have any four tops available inside for us. (In the end, the interior lights from the neighboring business helped illuminate our table that was directly in front of the restaurant, and not necessarily under the outside covered area.) After we put in our order and received the complimentary bread (with the provided olive oil), we were questioning whether we had ordered too much food. We attempted to ask the waiter if it was too much and he didn't really answer our question. And since there was only one table next to us and he was dining solo, it was hard to gauge the portion sizes. We ordered: * Antipasto Sampler Platter $19.95 - A generous selection from their deli case, perfect for sharing. The butter bean with tuna salad was a first for me and has me thinking of how to incorporate more butter beans in my diet. Other items included grilled zucchini, grilled eggplant, mixed olives, farro salad, green beans, salami, tomato and mozzarella. * Bucatini all'Amatriciana $22.95 - We opted for this as it was a described as a traditional dish from he Lazio region. It was enjoyed by all. * Linguine con Vongole $26.95 - Next to arrive was the linguine, which was the absolute favorite for us all. It was light, filled with clams, and just had a great taste overall. * Farfalle al Pesto $19.95 - The Little Gal wanted pesto, but this version was so heavy. It was exhausting to eat and probably our least favorite. * Polenta Del Montanaro $21.95 - The mushrooms and polenta sounded amazing, but again this was very heavy for us. There were also a few hard bits of polenta mixed in. It was just overwhelming in not the best way. Overall, the portions are HUGE and just perfect for sharing. We would have dreaded being stuck with one dish on our own as it's just too much. We were also concerned about the $3.95 split charge fee that may apply, hence why we went with four entrees. You can easily get your fill with a few items here without breaking the bank. I can definitely see why they have such great ratings. The restroom is located in the back, so you do need to walk outside to access the restroom. I guess this avoids having you walk through the kitchen to get there. Service was fine. We did have one primary waiter but the other staff stepped in when necessary. It was pretty busy for a weekday evening, at least for all the outside tables. Since it's a bit away from the touristy area, you do get a sense there are more locals enjoying this spot. read more

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Love at first sight. And when it's busy on a Tuesday night you know the food is good. And their staff takes such good care of you. Bread and waters brought right away as you look through the menu wanting a little bit of everything. Started with a simple salad. How does something so simple taste so good?! And moved onto the penne alla bolognese. I may have cleared my plate while scraping it with the complementary bread (thanks for the refill). Before my food coma began finished off with a cappuccino, which I think I inhaled. If you like hole in the wall, bodega kitschy vibes you will love it here. read more

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Still such a delicious place for breakfast or lunch. Sitting outside on their patio, sunshine and a slight breeze all around us. Server Marco keeping a close eye on us and making sure we have everything we need. Glass of Italian Rosé, and then onto a tasty Barbera to accompany our Pasta alla Puttanesca. I do love this little slice of heaven. read more

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Food - 4.5/5, service 5/5, ambiance 4/5. Quality of the food - excellent for Italian trattoria style food; I ordered the Tagliolini Al Nero Di Seppia Con Polipetti (squid in pasta with sautéed octopus in a red sauce); it was a generous serving of pasta cooked to order with very tender octopus. It's clear that management is Italian and the cooks did a great job with this classic seafood dish. My partner ordered the lasagna which was pretty good and a hefty portion. She didn't like that the menu says no changes but I thought that it had an interesting variety of Italian dishes and would be back to try the Val D'osta chicken which is similar to a cordon bleu. They serve lunch until 4:30 and lunch items come with a salad. We had to ask for bread but it was at no additional cost. There's indoor and outdoor seating, but the tables for two are quite low and par with my knees (I'm 5'9.) The outdoor seating is much nicer, and inside it has more of a deli counter feel. The bathroom is shared with the kitchen. It's a bit inland from the beach but we stopped in on our way back to Santa Barbara from Goleta. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Tagliolini Al Nero Di Seppia Con Polipetti - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This place is raved to be the best in Santa Barbara for italian food, um, I don't think so. We sat inside, tables and chairs are old, decor is that of a old italian deli. Service was ok. Food was subpar, the Ossobuco alla Milanese was supposed to be served with saffron risotto, that was more like rice a roni, than risotto, and the sauteed spinach, not a fan at all, underseasoned and huge chunks of barely cooked garlic. read more

Did you know that Via serves breakfast? Such a treat! Fun frittatas, specialty coffee drinks and ricotta pancakes. All breakfasts come with fresh toasted bread, the most delicious Italian fig jam and these little sweet ricotta bites that are crave worthy. Sit on the patio and enjoy another beautiful day in Santa Barbara! read more

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Amazing food! We had the spinach ravioli in the lemon cream sauce, lasagna bolognese, eggplant Parmesan, tiramisu and pistachio ricotta cake. Everything was fresh and delicious. So happy to have found this gem that we will keep visiting for years to come. Very attentive service and cozy atmosphere. No pics of the food except the cake because we devoured it too quickly. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Took a late night drive and stopped by Via Maestra 42. Everything was great. Food, wine, and service. Definitely coming back. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

What a cool little place off the beaten path. This very authentic place has a little gelato stand and an italian deli & bakery filled with yummy stuff! It took a minute to figure out the seating situation, it once we got that dialed in, we enjoyed a delicious early dinner with their mortadella & prosciutto board with burrata on a bed of rocket. Each meal comes with a side salad, which was tossed in a delicious Italian dressing. My hubs enjoyed a lasagna. I could decide between the pumpkin & ricotta raviolis or the mushroom risotto, so I got both! Needless to say, we were not disappointed by any of the dishes. The ravioli's were topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sitting in a brown butter sauce that gave them a sweet note which perfectly hit the pumpkin. The risotto had some truffle oil, but not so much that it was overwhelming. I also enjoyed their limoncello spritzer (YUM!!). We ended with some gelato - dark cherry and a pistachio. Both were fabulous, but the dark cherry was off the charts good. And the prices were ridiculously fair. Great little place! read more

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Well, it's final. Since the new ownership, the on and off attitude of the staff and the unwillingness to accommodate simple requests for a 20 year customer has taken its toll/ not to mention the quality of the food and the prices. I remember this sandwich used to have 1/2 of an inch of meat on it. I've included a photo of the sandwich now, and this is the fourth one that I hoped once I wrapped would've been acceptable. And based on my previous experience with the prior management, I just kept trying to give it another try but to my dismay, it's just not worth it. The gelato is ridiculously overpriced as well. A scoop in a cup does not even go over the top of the edge of the cup. A large scoop is $16. The baguette I purchased was so dry and definitely stale and I know that it was with no doubt because I buy fresh bread from their supplier all the time. They need to raise the bar across the board. It was such a nice idea and place before. This is a humble opinion from a local who has watched this place change and the people working in there is a mixed bag of ego, youth, or lacking the class required to make a fun Cafe of a foreign nature enjoyable. Hoping this substandard change will improve- and other locals will speak up. I know several people that don't go anymore and it would be so nice if the owner got it. They're online menu stated $12.95 cents but they charged me $15.95 perhaps because I asked for an extra slice of cheese? Absurd. read more

Via Maestra 42 - A wannabe deli meat sandwich. Davide L' Americano Panino. Offset one layer of prosciutto. - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

There food was great, we love it! Customer service was awesome. The downside is they don't have a decent restroom. There restroom is outside, a portable restroom! read more

Every time I think about this place it makes my mouth water. The quality of ingredients is so fresh, cohesive menu that translates into a perfect plate of indulgence. My earlier yelping years review needed an update. Indoor or outdoor seating available. A deli atmosphere setting you up for some good eats. Go in, order, pay then food will be brought out to you. Excellent service, the team here works as one, attentive to customers needs. The pasta!.. one hard to beat. It's so fresh, so simple, so delicious! Every bite we must've been mmming like, "I'll have what she's having," cuz good lawd it's that good. Espresso is also available if you need an afternoon buzz. Haven't had a bad experience here. The outside doesn't look like much but definitely worth a try if you're ever in the area. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

So good! I come here often with my family and everyone always loves what they get. My personal favorite is the Ravioli Zuccotto, which is pumpkin ravioli filled with ricotta cheese in a browned butter and sage sauce. The Lasagna alla Bolognese is also really good and definitely a decent size. Highly recommend! read more

Via Maestra 42 - Ravioli Zuccotto - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

One of our SB favorites. Authentic Italian cuisine and a great wine selection. Always reliable for a delicious meal.

Our second time at this restaurant... we have to give a special shout out for ROBERT the bus boy... incredibly conscientious, attentive, and efficient! Love him! Also very impressed with the server, Tasha, and the food, of course! read more

Bruschetta is great Ravioli tarruffo is a huge rip off. Literally 7 ravioli in the box for 25 dollars. That's 358per ravioli plus tax and tip... Get a grip folks read more

Via Maestra 42 - Ravioli - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The bruschetta was AMAZING!! So fresh and tasty!! I had the lasagna bolognese and it was also good!! Highly recommend this place. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Lasagna alla Bolognese - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We had the pleasure to have our lunch here, everything was so good - service, food, ambience. Surprisingly, they had lot of vegetarian options. We ordered angel hair pasta for our girls and both of them loved it. We also had green leaves salad, and it was so fresh and we all ate it so happily. All the dishes were delicious. They had vegetarian parmigiana and lasagna and they were good too. We will definitely be coming here every time we are in SB. read more

Delicious Italian food in the heart of San Roque, Via Maestra has been a staple of the neighborhood for many years. The cozy seating area belies its spot in the parking lot, creating a fun atmosphere. The service is great, the dishes are delightful, and the desserts are amazing. If you haven't checked it out, give it a shot. read more

Honestly, this was the BEST Italian food I have ever had the pleasure of trying. The service was amazing as well, the waitress we had was so knowledgeable and kind when answering our questions. The Gnocchi was pillowy soft and topped with just enough cheese it made me look forward to every. Single. Bite. The sauce left me absolutely speechless, even recounting it, I know I will 100% be back to try other items on the menu. I was personally very satisfied after the meal itself but considering the quality we decided to go for desert as well. Not pictured but we also tried their chocolate cake with whipped cream and ice cream which was IMPECCABLE. read more

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This actually wasn't a recommendation as we were looking for a place for dinner. Just happened to find it ourselves while browsing Italian food. It's in a trip mall, there was plenty of parking which was nice. It's not that big so seating can be limited. There's indoor and outdoor white heat lamps. We didn't have a reservation but were able to have a table outside. Menu wise, they do have a vast variety of dishes. As there was couple of us, we all got a dish to try. Started off with the antipasto plate and steamed mussels for starters. Antipasto plate was great, veggies were a good choice. Mussels, broth was quite great. Main, a couple of pasta dishes. The shrimp and linguine, linguine and clams, the tortellini and penne with sausage I believe. Pasta dish was quite nice. They were cooked well. We actually still have some room for dessert, the tiramisu and cheesecake. Tiramisu was quite great, cheesecake could have been a miss. Overall, food was good. Portion wise is either a hit or miss for people. Service was nice. Friendly staff which is a plus. Downfall, restroom is literally about the back of restaurant. Then it's through the kitchen. If you in line, you're literally standing in part of the kitchen. read more

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My friends stopped by this restaurant while we were visiting santa barbara. There are both indoor and outdoor seating so we were able to be seated pretty quickly. We ordered the penne alla bolognese which was alright; the pasta texture wasn't my favorite. Farfalle allegria was my favorite pasta dish! It was so flavorful and delicious. We also got the squid ink pasta and I really enjoyed that dish as well. We ended the night with their tiramisu, and it was perfect. Not too sweet. I would definitely come back to try their other dishes read more

Via Maestra 42 - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Lentil soup , eggplant & the ambience is great. Employees are very nice too. Small and quaint.

Servers are wonderful but the original owner made great dishes with flavor and quality, the new owner is a hack.

Food was a bit plane. I ordered the mushroom ravioli and it was thinned sauce that barely blended with the ravioli. The ravioli itself was good but cold. My husband ordered shrimp pasta that was just warm, not fresh. His dish was watered down and tasted more like plain pasta. Both of us finished food still hungry, totally unexpected at al Italian restaurant. We also waited 20 minutes for a refill of bread. When I wandered to the bathroom I saw most the chefs using the microwave, very disappointing. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Mushroom ravioli - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Excellent food, service and vibe! You feel like family the minute you arrive to this intimate spot. There's a reason Via Maestra is a Santa Barbara staple! My hubby's always on a mission to find the best linguine and clams and his search ended here at Via. Treat yourself and enjoy! read more

I am so happy my cousin suggested Via Maestra 42 as an option to dine at for my birthday. It's been way too long since I've dined here, and it made me appreciate it even more so after my experience. It was a beautiful warm summer evening, and dining al fresco in the parklet made for a perfect setting. We started with the Insalata Verde (green salad). This is the perfect salad for two, but it tastes so good that you may want to order your own! The fresh organic greens are tossed with house balsamic dressing, topped with shaved Grana Padang cheese and tomatoes. For my main entrée, I decided on the Penne alla Boscaiola. Ingredients included are Italian sausage, portobello mushrooms and walnuts in a creamy tomato sauce. I never had pasta with walnuts in it, but somehow it worked in this meal. My cousin ordered the Lasagna alla Bolognese, which consists of the traditional beef and pork meat included in the sauce. This is a traditional family recipe and a customer favorite! She really enjoyed it, and managed to finish it all. Now that says a lot if anyone can finish lasagna and not have any left-overs. My son ordered the Ravioli Zuccotto. This is one of my favorite's here! It's a pumpkin ravioli filled with ricotta cheese, cooked in a browned butter and sage sauce. I'd say it's a little on the rich side due to the buttery sauce, but in a good way. I'd recommend ordering this, and sharing it as an appetizer amongst friends or family. We were too full to order dessert, but they do offer a nice variety, such as cream puffs, gelato, cannoli, ricotta cheesecake, and pastries. They also offer pre-made Italian sandwiches and sweet treats to go. Overall, the customer service was attentive, friendly and the prices were pretty reasonable here. I look forward to my next visit! read more

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Best Italian restaurant in town! Very good pasta & wine. I would suggest to anyone who is craving Italian cuisine. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Salad - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Before I start my uncanny rant, this place's food was astounding. Taking one bite of the parmesan brought me back to my youthful days in Rome, Italy where I had to use my hands to talk and said "mamma mia" whenever I felt threatened. Being that my stomach was a void less pit, my tastebuds reminded me of an another 5 star restaurant, Nobu, which I take a lucky lady out weekly. Rebecca, if you are reading this I did move on and I found better. Let me not forget that the bread gave me flashbacks to when my mafia boss criticized every loaf of bread except my Nonna's bread. This place is like my Nonna's lasagna -- layered with love, blessed by the Pope, and tastes like heaven. 10/10 read more

Via Maestra 42 - food - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I like Via M. Convenient location in upper state area, reliable food, love the pasta and mushroom soup. It's a bit odd being so close to a parking lot outside but it's a great neighborhood spot. Lasagna portion could be a bit bigger but fantastic ravioli! read more

Amazing Italian food. Great services. It is a cozy place. Price is reasonable. Dessert is the best

This food is bland. The salad with burrata cheese said it had heirloom tomatoes. Those were not heirlooms I got the veal and the unseasoned spinach should be a crime. Veal was tender but underwhelming and isnt visually appealing. The risotto was disappointing. My boyfriend who drove 3 hours to take me here likened the flavor to rice a roni. The saffron seasoning is barely noticeable The veggie lasagna was good though! Disappointing birthday dinner but the staff was nice and attentive read more

Via Maestra 42 - Insalata Del Buongustaio - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The food was amazing. It was highly recommended by a co worker that is Italian. The only issue I had was with the hostess, she wasn't very welcoming and very rude. We were a party of 7 and she put a large round table and a small round table together....we didn't fit comfortably. I asked a waiter if we could get two large tables out together and he said no problem. The older lady comes losing her mind at him. Telling him all different kinds of things that she is in charge and other things. My son was getting a little hyper and she had the nerve to shhhhhh my son. I looked at her and said excuse me? And she changed her tone. When everything was settled a gentleman came to be our waiter and he apologized on her behave. He turned our experience around but I don't think we will be coming back. read more

Some of the best Italian style cuisine with a seafood base. Tried a variety of their dishes from their branzino, squid ink pasta, and two other rich dishes! The service is great! Quick and attentive and responsive. Friend and I ordered quite a bit that we had a second table brought to us to make room. The space itself is inside an Italian deli/storefront, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options. read more

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Love this place!!! Got cheeseboard, pesto pasta, and lasagna. For me, the pesto tasted great but for my hubby, he said that the lasagna would have been great if it would have been meatier. The price is reasonable, given that the serving/portioning is large. Customer service was good and the ambiance was warm and cozy inside. The outdoor dining just gets a little busy since cars pass by. Overall, a good dining experience! Give this place a try! read more

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a friend and i stopped here on a quick trip to santa barbara area, seeking a quality italian meal. we were seated immediately even though the restaurant was nearly full. our server did not give us his name, but he was attentive and timely. it is a cute, cozy restaurant that reminds me of the east coast, with a spacious outdoor patio area, and a takeout counter for prepared foods and gelato. we loved the bread and started with the bruschetta which was amazing, highly recommended. i had a glass of cabernet sauvignon, and it was nice quality and we both were craving the same dish, and ordered the pesto pasta and added grilled chicken. the pesto was okay, and the chicken was just okay. they could have used better quality chicken and it could have been grilled more. BREAD 9/10 BRUSCHETTA 10/10 PESTO PASTA + CHICKEN 4/10 i might try another dish on my next visit, but i'd absolutely order the bruschetta again. ambiance: 3/5 food: 3/5 drinks: 3.5/5 service: 4/5 Via Maestra 42: 3.3/5 read more

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The place itself is adorable. Unfortunately, my experience with the front cashier (I believe their name was Jay-Un, though I may not have caught the pronunciation correctly) was disappointing. As a first time visitor, I simply asked about the pricing of the meats, but the response felt passive-aggressive and unwelcoming. It left me uncomfortable to ask any further questions. Sadly, because of this, I would not return or recommend. read more

What a great place in every way! Wonderful service and the food was amazing. We really enjoyed the complementary bread and high quality olive oil. For entrees we ordered the lasagna with meat sauce and the gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce, both were amazing! read more

Had the opportunity to eat lunch here recently and it was so delicious! I had to try the seasonal pumpkin ravioli, which was super flavorful. Everyone in my party ended up ordering the same thing! The service was excellent and even for a lunch day during the week, they were really busy! I really enjoyed sitting outside on their covered patio area. They have convenient parking available right out front too. read more

Via Maestra 42 - Pumpkin Ravioli - Delis Near Me - Santa Barbara, California