Stella Mare's

Salads and desserts were very good. Entrees were a little disappointing for the price -- the sauce that accompanies the cornish game hen was much too strong, to the point that it tasted vinegary. the buternut squash and lobster flan that came with the seared scallops -- bland, odd combination that didn't really work for me. the wild boar osso bucco was very good. overall, the entrees seemed a little underwhelming for the price. Service was excellent. Pros: decor, service Cons: value for $$, some weak entrees more

The restaurant is very romantic. It appears to be in an old historic home. There are lots of small rooms which makes for intimate dining. The food and service was good but did not quite come up to the level of the ambiance. The lobster medallion on toasted brioche topped with seared fresh foie gras and Grand Marnier sauce missed the mark as the flavours did not seem to meld together properly. The crispy soft shell crabs stuffed with shrimp and basil mousse, ancho chili remoulade and an heirloom tomato, basil and garlic tart entree was a winner. Service could have been more attentive. Pros: ambiance more

I was there for a business lunch and absolutely loved the atmosphere of Stella Mare's. It is beautifully decorated for any occassion -- whether it is lunch with friends, business or a romantic dinner. Service was incredible and the food was aboslutely delicious. I will definitely go back to this restaurant! more

We hosted a our son's wedding rehearsal dinner for 40+ guests in the Green House Room on May 12, 2006. Everything was perfect: beginning with planning assistance provided by the event coordinator (Maria) to the attentiveness of wait and support staff to the quality and presentation of the meal. Every little detail (and a couple of hitches) was handled immediately and invisibly to our guest. Our guests gave Stella Mare's venue, food and service rave reviews! Thanks, Stella Mare's for contributing to a successful once-in-a-life-time event. Pros: Service, Food, Venue more

My wife took me here for my birthday. One of the best restaurant experiences we've had so far (and we are New Yorkers). Very much recommended. more

I live in LA, but sometimes make the trip to Santa Barbara - one of the reasons being this wonderful little restaurant! Quaint little cottage with glass celing and fireplace, it's so charming!! The food is very good, and the servers are very courteous. Highly recommended for dates or even alone-dining! Pros: Charming Ambience, Food, Comfortable Cons: Distance from LA more

i was looking for a romantic place for dinner and i found it! food was wonderful and the service was great! more

Great restaurant. Situated in a beautiful house and decorated very well. Felt like we were having dinner at a very rich and sophisticated friend's house. Food was great and the service superb. Very friendly and very posh. Highly recommended! Pros: elegant atmosphere, superb service, great food more

We gave this one a shot and glad we did. first, the service was outstanding- very warm and hospitable. There are a few different rooms each with their own unique flavor. The food was outstanding- their salads are truly worth trying, and all the food was prepared and presented very well. Also had a great bottle of wine. We went for Wednesday night Jazz but were sitting in a different room and couldn't hear. Very romantic, wouldn;t bring the kids. Overall, would defintely recommend, and was probably the best meal on our California trip. Pros: Service!, Food, Decor more

This restaurant was once an old, Victorian home, so you can have your meal by the fireplace or in the greenroom overlooking the Bird Refuge. It's a great place to bring a date, very romantic. My daughter suggested we come here when we were in Santa Barbara for the day. We stopped for dinner before heading back to LA. We were dressed very casual, but my daughter was here before and said we were fine. She was right, there were people dressed for a night on the town and people dressed casual too. The food was excellent. I ordered salmon with the best Cesear salad ever. The price was reasonable considering how well the food is prepared and the great service you receive. I'm not in the area often, but when I am I will always make sure I stop here for a meal. Pros: Excellent Food, Great Service, Good parking more

Any time I am passing through Santa Barbara, I make a point to have one meal at this place. The atmosphere is romantic. This restaurant is a converted house with all the charming qualities intact. It is tucked away from the highway, behind the trees on a hill. Even though the atmosphere appears to be quite posh, you can come in and dine in your most casual outfit. I've eaten here in jeans and a t-shirt before. The food is outstanding. I always order the fish, particularly the salmon. They have a few different preparations for it, but any one of them is good. It is so fresh and prepared with such love, the fish seems to melt in your mouth. Something I have been meaning to try is their Wednesday jazz brunches. I can only imagine how the music would complement your meal. Pros: succulent food, great wine selection more