Bouchon - Santa BarbaraBouchonThe scallop trio appetizer was outstanding. Rack of lamb was cooked perfectly and the side of brusselsprouts with pork belly was delicious. My husband had the duck which he loved. The waiter' s wine recommendations were great! Unfortunately we were too full to try dessert-maybe next time!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in Santa BarbaraMy wife and I travel to Santa Barbara pretty regularly and on the whole are a little disappointed by the restaurant scene. BUT in a city where restaurants regularly over promise and under deliver, Bouchon is the real deal. We had an incredible meal and enjoyed the service we received. They have become an instant favorite of ours in Santa Barbara.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome local wine listFantastic spot in downtown SB. Friendly, knowledgeable server that helped us explore new choices in the mainly local wine list. Probably the deepest selection we've found in any restaurant in the area. From the moment we arrived, the sights and scents from the open kitchen offered a perfect backdrop for the evening. The beet salad was fantastic as was the braised pork shank. Highly recommend this spot as a must-do for a weekend in SB.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversaryBouchon definitely is a place to be to celebrate those romantic special occasions. I especially like to mention that their Seared Local Pacific Fresh Fish was exquisitely tasty. The tarragon cream blends perfectly with the yukon gold potatoes, baby carrots, rock shrimp and leeks. They also have an array of wine selection both locally made and from outside Santa Barbara.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGood meal with great serviceAnniversary dinner with baby. Salad w/ pear, gorgonzola, candied pecans was good, as was seared fish of the day (sea bass). Duck breast & confit was excellent (waiter said it has been on the menu for 15 years). Large selection of local wines and our waiter was happy to have us taste as many as we liked. Service overall was very good -- friendly, attentive, informative, not at all rushed. Price was very reasonable for the food and experience.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThey try very hard!A great restaurant for any special occasion or just anytime. I did not realize that you also served brunch.
Our (party of 4) steak, fish, and duck and wine and service could not have been better. We look forward to returning.
Ross5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMgood food and very good serviceEl lugar es excelente y el mesero hablaba varios idiomas algo importante para nosotros.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoy dinner at BouchonWe enjoy dinner at Bouchon almost every time we are in Santa Barbara. The use of local seasonal ingredients makes for an ever pleasing approach to the menu.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always save Bouchon forWe always save Bouchon for our last night meal when we visit Santa Barbara and have never been disappointed in the food and service.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Cali cuisineThis was our first night out and it was worth it, fresh, vibrant food in a restaurant with a great atmosphere.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful open kitchen, soBeautiful open kitchen, so chefs can be watched. Intimate atmosphere with an open feel. Waitstaff knowledgable and friendly. Food fresh and modern made with locally grown ingredients; even the fish comes from local sources. Wine list all locally produced wines from Santa Barbara county. Loved watching the chefs do their thing!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an early reservationWe had an early reservation do to a performance at the nearby Arlington Theater. Bouchon was already bustling. The space is intimate, yet not crowded. Our waiter was knowledgable regarding the menu and the wine list. Both the duck and the pork shank were divine. The salad special which included beets and burrata cheese was very good, and large enough to share . This dining experience was flawless, due to an efficient staff, team effort, and modern local cuisine.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfectionMemorable. Outstanding food / tastes.
Certainly a find for food snobs!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent andThe food was excellent and we would definitely dine there again.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat, consistent restaurantI love this place. Food is consistently excellent. And while pricey, they are below some of the ridiculously priced competitors in the area. Service is professional and approachable. Ambience is comfortable and romantic.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMOur first experience diningOur first experience dining at Bouchon was a pleasant surprise as we hadn't expected so wonderful a restaurant nearly hidden off State Street. Nice wine list featuring some real California gems. Shared appetizer and desert, and enjoyed 2 different seafood main courses: all were excellent. Of note, the fish was prepared properly: the sea bass was moist in the middle and the ahi was correctly rare. The flavors blended well: the emphasis on fresh and local shines through. Would strongly recommend for dinner, and will definitely dine there again on a return visit to Santa Barbara.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyed the food. We neededEnjoyed the food. We needed a quick meal and the server made sure we made it in time.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMI don't ever write reviewsI don't ever write reviews for restaurants, but feel compelled to after my experience with my girlfriend at Bouchon. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere perfect for a romantic evening, and the service was excellent. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great place to eat, with great wine selection and great atmosphere.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was just a delightful diningIt was just a delightful dining experience, service, the food, the pleasant owner who seem to visit each table. Now I know why it was recommended to our group.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't be beat!Awesome food, superb wine list, focused on local Syrah wines from Santa Barbara region. Definitely a local gem that you have to visit if you are in town.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and the serviceGreat food and the service was as good as anywhere I have been. Wonderful experience.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSolid all around dining spotAte at Bouchon last week on our honeymoon and found it to be a very good meal. Our server was very polite and prompt and the atmosphere was semi-energetic, despite it being a quiet wednesday night. I had the crab cakes for starter and the rack of lamb for entree, both were quite tasty. The braised brussel sprouts w the lamb were awesome. My wife had a beet salad to start and the fish of the day for her entree and enjoyed both as well. We also had a nice bottle of local syrah which was good. All in all, a nice meal at a nice restaurant...wouldn't say it was spectacular, but definitely enjoyed it and would return if we're ever in Santa Barbara again.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMHighly recommended for a specialHighly recommended for a special occassion - we hope to be back next time we are in Santa Barbara!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMA Santa Barbara FavoriteWe've dined at Bouchon for many years and it has never disappointed. We always look forward to our dinner there and they always deliver in all areas. Can't wait til the next time!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellently prepared.Food was excellently prepared. Staff were very friendly, but also efficient. Would definitely return.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experience, everythingWonderful experience, everything was A+. The wine list was extensive and excellent, primarily consisting of Santa Rita Hills/Santa Ynez wines. And the food, now that was a joy. I just wish I could have worked my way through the entire menu. Ingredients were obviously fresh and well matched for great taste combinations. Service was excellent. Our server was very knowledgable and provided information about menu selections and wine choices at our request, but he was always unobtrusive. Loved this place and will definitely come back on my next Santa Barbara trip.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good food and service.Very good food and service. Only problem is there is no valet parking available. The only parking is on a crowded street or in the municipal lot behind the restaurant and is very crowded also.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMVery impressive, after a twoVery impressive, after a two week trip from Palm Springs to San Francisco including Monterey and Napa, this was the best restaurant.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic ExperienceWe had a fantastic experience at Bouchon recently. It was my 17 yo son's birthday and we had been to and loved Bouchon in the past. We decided to take my kids- 17, 13, 10 and 10 years old as well. The entire experience was fantastic. The wait staff were helpful and attentive. The food from appetizers to main course to dessert was fantastic. The baked brie was creamy and well presented. The steak with the potatoes was one of the most flavorful and perfectly cooked steaks I have had and the potatoes were out of this world fantastic. Everyone else loved their meal as well- including the lambchops and Kubota pork shank. One of the nice things was the splitting of a meal for my 10 yo daughters.I eagerly look forward to my next meal here!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant was highlyThis restaurant was highly recommended by everyone I spoke with. Now I understand why. Everything was exemplary, from the initial greeting, to the great service staff, to the food, to the locale.
The staff there are fantastic, and our server provided constant service, without once being intrusive. That's not always the easiest thing to get right. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and made a couple of good recommendations that helped contribute to the great evening.
The food was top notch. Appetizers through dessert; it was all memorable.
Easy to find just off the main drag in Santa Barbara, Bouchon easily lived up to the billing I've consistently seen given to this establishment.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAkgregGreat food needs great service or it is all for not. Bouchon has both in spades. Been going there or over ten years, it just keeps getting better. Specials are always exciting!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was superb, the staffThe food was superb, the staff attentive and thoughtful beyond any expectation. This may be the most elegant restaurant I have experienced, even more so because it is small, welcoming and unpretentious.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect experience. ServerPerfect experience. Server was very attentive, friendly and knowlegable. Food and wine are of top quality.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMReally good food. ExcellentReally good food. Excellent presentation on the plate. The fish as described on the menu was 'rare' to 'medium-rare', I asked for mine to be cooked through and it was done to perfection, not overly so. The waiter was knowledgeable and helpful regarding the local wines offered. We will definitely go here again on a return trip!4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMBouchon is a lovely respite,Bouchon is a lovely respite, cozy romantic restaurant - great atmosphere. The service was incredibly attentive, we were seated right away and the waiter was personable and knowledgable on the food, it's preparation and pairings.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMBouchon pays attention toBouchon pays attention to the local foods, wineries, and style and incorporates it all into the menu. The staff is very. knowledgable, offering excellent food recommendations and wine pairings for each course.
Enjoyed the beer salad and rack of lamb. The sauces, use of fresh vegetables, and good fats.... All made for incredibly rich and tasteful dishes.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very fresh, flavorful,Food was very fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. Presentation was beautiful. Interaction with all personnel was what one would expect at a 5 star restaurant.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMDélicieuxLa nourriture est fantastique pour aller avec un excellent personnel. La carte des vins propose une grande variété de choix de grands.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMCharming restaurant with outstandinCharming restaurant with outstanding fresh food. Everything was delicious!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHARSH FOOD CRITIC RATES BOUCHON 9.99.9 Service beyond compare, well above the usual Michelin 2* . The food, ambiance and upbeat, knowledgeable staff were a total joy without being loud or overbearing. I'm a very harsh critic when it comes to fine dining, Bouchon (wine cork) delivered! It lost 0.1 of a point for the desserts which were fabulous but not as inventive as I would have liked to have seen. The owner popped out to say "hi" to everyone which is always a nice touch. My husband gave it a 10 but he's not into decadent desserts or so he says, he finished up eating more than a gobble of my fabulous creme brulee!
For my full review go to 45 Magazine Online. Kudos to the chef, the staff and the owner!3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMHave lived in Europe and travelledHave lived in Europe and travelled all over the world including east coast of USA found everything to be excellent.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen dining there for years.Been dining there for years. It is always a "must do" whenever in Santa Barbara!3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and good customerGreat food and good customer service! I would definitely recommend this restaurant3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful Dining ExperienceThis was our first time at Bouchon in SB and all I can say is we will be back. We were promptly greated and seated. The waiter was excellent in every way. He was friendly and helpful with the menu and wine selections (excellent). My wife raived about the french onion soup saying it was even better than we enjoyed in Paris. The duck was so tender and juicy I could have gone on and on with it. The fresh mushroom dish was a delight as was the roasted beet salad. Bouchon in SB was a cut above the Yountville restaurant with the same name. Simply a wonderful dining experience all around.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMBOUCHON IN SANTA BARBARA A WINNER.One of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. Tip top service, Although crowded, never felt Claustrophobic. Interesting menu.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBouchon - culinary gemBouchon is an outstanding restaurant on multiple counts. The wait staff are knowledgeable, friendly and always attentive. They use local ingredients and each appetizer or entree deliver flavors that will have you craving a return visit. The wine pairings are always spot on too.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe salmon was exceptional,The salmon was exceptional, service was attentive without being intrusive, and ambiance was Southern California romantic. We'll be back.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMA DO NOT MISS IN SANTA BARBARAWOW!!! This is one of the most enjoyable meals I've EVER had! I think reservations would be required, as it was packed @ 8PM on a non-holiday weeknight. It is not huge by any means but it seats a fair amount of guests. They have 2 wine lists, I think one is strictly local area wines & then another one. It takes longer to choose the wine (but what fun) than to order dinner. The hostess that seats guests immediately brings the menu & lists & water. All the personnel work as super-team, to serve & tend to guests. I had a local wine & duck with perfectly prepared "succotash" made with local acorn squash, corn & delicious fava beans. The French Onion soup was outstanding. Definitely worth a repeat visit.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAn excellent quiet restaurant!An excellent quiet restaurant! We wish that we had a restaurant this good and this affordable in Carmel. Our server was great -- let us taste several wines and offered the unexpected and very appreciated suggestion of ordering just one entree to share after we learned the portions are very generous. The two appetizers -- which they gladly split for us were memorable. It would have been a shame to omit either of them. The roasted beet salad was very good, the "tart" (actually puff pastry) with mushrooms was spectacular! The venison was prepared exquisitely, but we had unfortunately forgotten why we had not ordered venison for a long time -- too gamey for our taste. If we had ordered more intelligently everything would be five stars.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBouchon is a great diningBouchon is a great dining experience. It is a high end restaurant but very unpretentious. You are made comfortable from the moment you walk in the door and the service never wavers. For appetizers we had the Lobster Pot Pie and the Mushroom Tartine. While the pot pie was very good, The tartine was even better. A great mix of many different tastes. For entrees we had the daily fish special, Corvina, and the Crab Cakes. Again both were very satisfactory. We finished with the upside down lemon-blueberry cake, which was a great way to end things. The wine list is broad and very local. This trip was our third to the restaurant and their will be many more.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM