Downey'sOur favoriteDowney's is our favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara. We are locals and love this restaurant, especially for special occasions.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOVER THE TOP WONDERFULAs always, Downey's was wonderful. Liz Downey was her usual elegant (& funny) self as we were seated - a consummate hostell!! I chose the Chef's tasting menu - because whatever John Downey chooses is always fresh, local and mangificently prepared and presented. Our bottle of champagne was delicious and downright cheap. Salad of papaya and crabmeat (with lime garnish) was to die for. Corn soup was hot and tasty. Pork loin (thin slices, not a big chunk) had a wonderful cherry sauce. THEN, the CHEESE PLATE - oh, my!! Dessert choices (brought to the table on a cart) are so beautiful that the entire restaurant went silent as our waiter described each offering. I took the millefeuille - raspberries and cream. Chef's menu is $55. WOW!!!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMShhhh!It's hard to keep a secret. After trying this spot you'll feel compelled to share your experience and then it will be a competition to get a table. Downey's really has the magic touch. Oops, I guess I spilled the beans.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDELICIOUS!We have eaten at Downey's two times before this visit. Each time it has been outstanding. I am extremely picky with my food - and used to good food. Downey's is truly one of the best restaurants I've EVER had the pleasure to enjoy. I can't wait to come back and visit again. This is the best restaurant in Santa Barbara, hands down.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMVery friendly and fabulousVery friendly and fabulous food. Not the hipster scene just lovely staff, great service and atmosphere. We will definitely go back again and again whenever in Santa Barbra.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFor over 30 years, Downey'sFor over 30 years, Downey's has been the finest restaurant in Santa Barbara. It still is.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMthe best of Santa BarbaraThis is the absolutely best restaurant in Santa Barbara.
We've been coming here (from LA) for over 25 years and have never been disappointed4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMDowney's - Best in Santa BarbaraDowney's remains the best restaurant in Santa Barbara. A quiet, elegant restaurant, John and Liz Downey's restaurant continues to offer extraordinary local-produced cuisine that charms the palette and warms the soul. The wine list is quintessential Santa Barbara regional with hidden but stellar small vineyard wines. And John's desserts are exceptional by any standard.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a great restaurant!What a great restaurant! The food is beyond compare and the service could not be better. No detail is missed.
Downey's is our first choice when dining in Santa Barbara. It stands shoulder to shoulder with many of the famous restaurants in New York. We are so lucky to have it here.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMBEST FOOD IN SANTA BARBARA.....BEST FOOD IN SANTA BARBARA..... NOTHING ELSE EVEN COMPARES.....4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGorgeous food served in thisGorgeous food served in this State Street iconic restaurant. Gracious service, perfect location for downtown activities.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were looking for a romanticWe were looking for a romantic spot for wife's birthday, Downey's was highly recommended...we expected something super special, but was not out of the ordinary...good, tasty food and soup...service friendly, efficient...only about 4-5 tables taken, not the usual night for what we heard.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best, if not the bestDowney's reputation is well earned. Excellent food, well thought out and carefully prepared sauces, excellent and friendly service...little pretense. They've been in Santa Barbara for 30 years...an institution of sorts.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a wonderful diningThis is a wonderful dining experience. I had the best fish dish I have ever had: the sea bass with mustard berre blanc sauce with potatoes and atrichoke hearts. Outstanding. My wife had the crab on toast and the lobster linguine, both of which were excellent. A nice wine list. The rasberry cake and chocolate torte were a great ending to the meal. Overall a great experience.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent andThe food was excellent and the whole experience warmly remembered.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMStellar Meal, Great ServiceWhat a great rec from Trip Advisor. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was quiet and carefully contrived. The painting covered walls created the effect of sitting in a museum gallery--the space was quite intimate. Our meal was to die for. Every bite of every course was just superb. We both had the black cod, but the server suggested we try each with a different preparation. The fish was sublime, one with a lemon sauce and one with a lobster sauce. Since we were unsure of a wine she suggested a Fiddlehead Pinot Noir that was so simply amazing and really complemented the meal--so much so that on the way home we stopped in Lompoc to buy some. Definitely recommended with very high marks--we will go back again. Just fabulous.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMJust great food and nice quietJust great food and nice quiet ambience!
Had the four course 'Taste of Santa Barbara' menu and it was just excellent! Will definitely be back if in Santa Barbara.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMTremendous Anniversary DinnerMy wife and I wanted a special place for our 20th anniversary dinner, and Downey's did not disappoint. The service was attentive and friendly. The servers were very aware of our needs without being on top of us or pushy. The food was outstanding...the prosciuotto and beets appetizer was an explosion of wonderful flavors, the pea soup was fresh and clean with surprising flavor, the filet mignons were cooked perfectly and the mushroom reduction was a wonderful compliment and the desserts were first class. Our server suggested a meritage (we don't go for the big cabs), which was an excellent pairing with our food. We had a very leisurely meal and absolutely enjoyed the entire experience tremendously.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is truly excellent,The food is truly excellent, service is exceptional, and I could not have had a better experience.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AM2nd visit ... great food,2nd visit ... great food, wonderful staff, exceptionally affordable for what this restaurant is and the experience & delicious meal that you get.
For what it is (quality, gracious, genteel dining), this place is perfect.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVanishing breedWe ordered three different appetizers and entrees. All were excellent. Well worth the price which seems to be a rarity in California these days.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding food: local sources,Outstanding food: local sources, impeccable quality, beautiful and delicious. Excellent service.
Ambiance and decor is unimpressive.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDependably DeliciousWe visited Santa Barbara and we wanted to return to Downey's for a special meal. We sat in the same window table as before, and had another extraordinary meal. One of the nicest things about Downey's is the extensive and very reasonably priced wine list. No doubling or even tripling the retail prices like several restaurants do - we had a beautiful Foxen Sea Smoke Pinot Noir for a fair amount less than other restaurants. It's hard to find, and Downey's could have really bumped up the price.
I requested a vegetarian meal and the plate was overflowing with farmers' market fare. The roasted carrots were the best I've had, a mixed grain pilaf was perfect, beautiful green beans, young broccoli, and the list goes on.3/7/2013 12:00:00 AM