One of SB's best more

I finally got to go to Downey's a few months ago. When I called for a reservation, John Downey took the call and gently informed me that if I wanted to eat on that particular night, the only menu being served was fixed price, and designed to commemorate the last day of the local lobster and chantrelle seasons. The food... more

Zagat has this place rated top in Santa Barbara and they've got it right. We just happened to pass by while we were waiting for our table at Arigato to open. We made reservations for Saturday night. The service was great. The unpretentious wait staff and the friendly owner were very helpful with wine pairings and local recommendations. The food... more

Quaint location on State St. near theaters/shopping. Welcoming host and friendly/knowledgeable wait staff. Lovely, quiet ambiance accompanied by soft, classical music and candlelight. Menu changes daily with regards to market availability. Appetizers: Smoked Salmon (smoky/salty meat atop creamy avocado with a zesty relish), Sweet Corn Soup (rich, creamy corn chowder embellished with sun-dried tomatoes and basil) and Endive Salad (earthy... more

We told the concierge at the hotel that we wanted to splurge for a really nice dinner, and this is where she sent us. It was a splurge! Very pricy. But also very fine food. We drank good wine, passed around every dish for all four to try, and everyone agreed that every single flavor was simply wonderful. more

Always a wonderful selection of first plates and entrees which reflect ingredients available from local sources. Fresh! ...and wonderfully prepared. Perhaps most impressive: consistency... and we've been taking advantage of it for 25 years. Liz and John Downey have earned their reputation as leaders of the local dining scene. more

We enjoyed the best American cooking of our holiday which took in Napa, Sonoma and Monteray. Nice people serving and supervising. Certainly doubly recommend to European and English travellers. And reasonable pricing with no problems splitting a dish too. more

We recently dined at a chef's prix fixe dinner at Downey's which was a a sort of culinary good-bye to winter's local bounty of wild lobster, and chanterelles, and farmed watercress and apples. Just as wine can reveal 'terre,' brilliantly prepared meals created from regional ingredients can reveal the essence of the natural environment and agriculture of a region. Two... more

A very ordinary experience. My wife and I tried Downey's for the first time and were unimpressed. Quite expensive ($250 including Wine and Tip) and just ok. Mostly dull, old fashioned preparations of classics done with little flair. Weak wine list, particularly considering it's location near many wineries. more