Sly's

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Address:
686 Linden Ave
Carpinteria, CA 93013

Neighborhood:
Carpinteria

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Cuisine:
Steak

Price: $31 to $50

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Sly's Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://slysonline.com
Phone: (805) 684-6666
Hours of Operation: Breakfast/Brunch: Saturday 9:00am - 3:00pm; Sunday 8:30 am - 3:00pm Lunch: Monday - Sunday: 11:30am - 5:00pm; Dinner: Sunday- Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Steak, Seafood, French
Executive Chef: James Sly
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Private Party Facilities: Small groups are welcome at Sly’s, in our Monaco Room. Planning a wedding rehearsal dinner, a special birthday, or a corporate event? Sly’s friendly, professional staff & exquisite food can make all the difference. Start your dinner with a hand-shaken cocktail from one of the Central Coast’s best bars - follow with wines selected from our extensive list of local California, and French wines at a wide range of prices (Compare and contrast, discuss among yourselves!). Follow with a dinner from Sly’s. A personalized menu can help create the best dining experience, & insure we have the fresh local specials on hand that your guests might want. From the crusty bread & rolls to finely crafted desserts, your food is made at Sly’s. Your guests will find the setting comfortable for a meeting or a celebration. Best of all? The food, the wines, the cocktails are all, well, Sly's. It doesn't get much better. Please contact us directly so that we can help you create your special event.
Private Party Contact: Manager (805) 684-6666

Getting there

Cross Street: 7th Street
Parking: Valet
Parking Details: Carpinteria's only Valet Parking - Evenings from 5:30pm. Turn onto 7th Street off of Linden. The bonded, insured valet will meet you along the side of Sly's yellow brick building.

A word from Sly's

Sly’s offers a wide selection of fishes, seafood, aged hand-cut USDA prime steaks and local vegetables. Live lobster, oysters and shellfish share the limelight with Dover sole, sand dabs and abalone. Sly’s is more than just a little of Chef James Sly’s 40 years of experience in kitchens around… the world. Sly’s offers many, daily, fresh and local specials –in a historic building in one of the Central Coast’s finest restaurants. From the crusty bread and rolls, to finely crafted desserts, your food is made at Sly’s. With extensive wines by the glass, Sly’s offers an extraordinary wine list of local, California, and French wines, including a reserve list of rare and notable wines. The bar focuses on classic cocktails, fresh juices, quality liquor, homemade tonic and talented bartenders. The comfortable dining room features shiny varnished Douglas Fir, exposed yellow brick, glassed-in wine room, white tablecloths and a fine collection by world-class photographer Jesse Alexander.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerSteak
Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Brunch
Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem

Sly's - Best Restaurants in Carpinteria

Diner Reviews

"Wonderful steak dinner with red wine/shallots sauce that made the filet more flavorful. We had a fine dinner with a moderately priced Syrah wine; waiter was very helpful, personable, & professional. Can be a bit pricey but was quite good and good restaurants (especially steak specialists) all tend to be a bit pricey. I imagine that if my wife had been able to attend we could have split a steak dinner with one or two side dishes for a nice sized meal."
Dined on 7/26/2014
"Slys must think it is in New York with 13.00 for a glass of wine, 54.00 for a steak...There are less expensive steaks but not by much. I ordered the half lobster tail for 30.00 There were about three bites on the plate, nothing else. The green bean side was delicious, the scalloped potatoes with Gruyere was oily and overcooked. The waiter was somewhat curt, then very flirtaious with my daughter..he rarely looked at me..(He was older than I) I would not especially recommend this place. It is very self-promoting but does not live up to the hype. Our bill with tip was just shyof 200.00"
Dined on 7/13/2014
"Good drinks. Fredy's salad, Bone in Filet MR. 6oz Filet MW and done perfectly still juicy and flavorful. Our waiter bullet proof! Goin back"
Dined on 7/5/2014
"Noise level was much toooo high for a romantic dinner for two. Would have stayed for dessert, we both had headaches. True Too bad some people/patrons don't have any class what so ever. We probably will not go back. This was our second time. First time we were very impressed. People like that should be asked to eat in the bar or outside. The business, owner, waiters and waitress are above excellent."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"We have been coming to Sly's now for a few years. We get a craving for the porterhouse steak. BEST I've eaten anywhere. Hard to beat. We like it charred rare, something you can't get everywhere. If you try it, ask for It "Peter Luger" style. Everyone for back east knows that steak house."
Dined on 7/4/2014
"will keep me coming back. Everything is from scratch and the drinks were equally as good as the food. Steaks are overpriced but other menu items are reasonable."
Dined on 7/2/2014
"Took my aunt and cousin here for dinner and we all had a remarkable meal. The service was also outstanding. Highly recommend this restaurant!"
Dined on 6/27/2014
"Start with the fantastic cocktails that you might have found on some cool trans continental train in the 1939s. Simple, precise, served by a knowledgable staff. Look over a menu that includes chops, pastas, seafood and a nightly special--ours was a creamy beef straganoff. Quiz your waiter or bartender on drinks, sides, or anything else that strikes your fancy and know that they have THE answer. Not A answer, the answer. Order what appeals to you but make sure to get a side--because they are good and because this restaurant doesn't make the all too common mistake if serving gigantic portions. While you wait for your food enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. And plan on coming back for brunch and the eggs benedikt aboline. An amazing place"
Dined on 6/26/2014
"I am a French fry guy,I could care less about onion rings, until now ,these onion rings are the absolute best I have ever had so much so that I will have to drive from L.A when I want onion rings. Our entire dinner was GREAT,the only negative I could think of which would be a positive for others would be the drinks were a bit strong!"
Dined on 6/13/2014
"Some friends were up from Orange County for a visit so we took them to Sly's for dinner. We have recently moved to Carp and it has become our 'go to' place. Had a great meal and our friends loved it, too."
Dined on 6/4/2014
"We enjoy bringing special family/friends to Sly's. However, this past Sunday, June 2, left much to be desired. Service was so poor we couldn't even get a refill on a cup of coffee let alone a basket of bread! We are sure (and hope) this was just an "off" day. We have always had extremely attentive wait staff and hope to return again soon."
Dined on 6/1/2014
"Enjoyed the refined but unstuffy atmosphere at Slys. All the meal item preparations were outstanding, and fun to have a classic cocktail too!"
Dined on 5/31/2014
"Both a vibrant bar with food, and white table dining. Consistently great."
Dined on 5/25/2014
"We love Sly's. Do not come here expecting lean and precious California cuisine. This place serves up flawless classic steak house comfort food—old-school classics like creamed spinach, marbled steaks, and great fresh fish and chilled seafood "towers" (superb oysters) served with house-made mayonnaise. The waitstaff is almost tender in their level of attentiveness and kindness to the parade of devoted regulars who come through this place. Hugs are exchanged (really) at the end of meals. It is a small-town special night out. Tables are spaced well for intimate conversations. Go for a satisfying dinner on a night when calorie-counting is not part of the plan."
Dined on 5/24/2014
"Between the impeccable service, the beautiful menu, and the overall divine setting, this is an absolute gem. They have earned the spot at the top of my list! Not only is the food simply beautiful, it also is the fastest kitchen in the west! The owners are so welcoming and charming and if your lucky, the chef will check in table side. This place has captured everything the dining experience should consist of. We'll done Sly's!! Thank you!!"
Dined on 5/24/2014
"Sly's has a great reputation in Carpinteria and the Santa Barbara area. It's a cool looking bar & restaurant. However, after wanting to try their Monday night "Blue Plate Special" for a few years, we moved our usual Sat. night dinner date to Monday, to try their well promoted meat loaf. My wife and I both agreed it was over cooked and had to much dark brown glaze to meet our expectation or satisfaction. We even asked the waiter if our servings were over cooked, his response was no, that's the way it comes, however we doubt that? We eat it, however, we would certainly recommend caution to others when considering ordering this dish. "
Dined on 5/19/2014
"Always lovely, great drinks, great food! Wonderful ambience and wait staff. Always clean and great photographs! "
Dined on 5/13/2014
"We will be back! We enjoyed our brunch very much, loved the race car photos, excellent service, and delicious food and cocktails. Can't wait to have dinner sometime soon."
Dined on 5/11/2014
"Eggs benedict were very good. Waitress really pushed buying a bottle of champagne for the mimosas since we ordered two. This was an extreme over sell. My 87 year mom-in-law and wife felt pressured to drink more than they wanted becasue there was a whole bottle sitting between them. I had to help them and we still left a lot behind. Afterwards I watched the sales pitch, I found it to be very misleading. I would consider going back, but I would not trust the wait staff for their opinions. I like to engage the staff, so this is an issue with for me. "
Dined on 5/11/2014
"Once you've dined at Sly's you're spoiled for any other place. The food is moderately pricey, but I've never enjoyed such flavorful, memorable food. Reliable each time. I've found my favorite dishes, like the short rib blue plate special on Saturday nights. The filet mignon is so tender in their special chili dish, the chopped salad so delicious. Good martini's shaken at the table. Pastas, desserts to die for. "
Dined on 5/6/2014
"A group of us went to sly's for my husbands birthday. Sitting in the back room was perfect. It was private but not too removed from the high energy of the restaurant. The food was fresh, interesting but most of all delicious. Service was impeccable. "
Dined on 5/5/2014
"Excellent steaks, sauces, vegetables. A favorite of my family as there is something perfect for everyone."
Dined on 4/26/2014
"I have heard a lot about sly's over the years. it was everything I had been told. first and most important the service from Issy was the best I have had in years. he was friendly , fun and most important on top of it... by far the best service I have had in years. now the food was also very good. the price is on the upper end , but fair. all in all it gets a 5 out of 5, but the service was a 10"
Dined on 4/25/2014
"One of the best restaurants in the Santa Barbara area and with the best abalone around. Great Louie salada and daily specials and a drink list featuring many of the older drinks that most bars no longer make. The classics. Good wine list and a reasonable corkage at $15. Highly recommended and reservations a must. Definitely a locals place."
Dined on 4/23/2014
"Had heard many things on Sly's so thought we'd give it a try. After all the hype, we expected more. It was nice to see the owners about and mingling with the patrons. The service was very good and very attentive. Where we expected more was the food. Portions were sufficient, but it was like being at any other steak place. It really didn't stand out. I expected more from a family run restaurant. Also, wished that the waitress had let us know that the sauce would be on top and not on the side. Had I known that, I would have asked for it on the side. It kind of ruined the steak flavor since the sauce totally overpowered the steak not to mention the prices which were a bit overpowering as well for what you got."
Dined on 4/19/2014
"The service was good and friendly but the food was just fair. It's fine if you want a burger and a beer but there's too much oil on the delicate sand dabs they serve. I would go back but not enthusiastically."
Dined on 4/19/2014
"The only reason we went to Sly's was because we had been given a gift certificate. This restaurant is completely overpriced. The service, however, was charming. The Manhattan was very good. Steaks are thin and lacked flavor. I could buy a better cut at Vons and pay $8 per steak, and cook it better at home. Charging $46 for a thin flavorless steak is not right. The baked potato had obviously been microwaved. The salmon was overcooked and the ribs were dry. We will not be going back to Sly's and that's too bad because the menu is great. Execution is poor, and prices are worse."
Dined on 4/18/2014
"My husband and I decided to go to Sly's to celebrate the end of Tax Season (he's an accountant) and it was the best decision we could have made. The staff was friendly and attentive. We never once felt neglected or forgotten like we have in other nice restaurants. The atmosphere was fancy, yet casual... a nice balance. My husband ordered the Zombie and I had the Papa Doble. Both were very strong, which was perfect for us since we live a couple of blocks away and walked there. For dinner, I had the grilled salmon with a chardonnay sauce that was to die for and my husband had the hamburger sandwich. To top it all off, we ordered desserts (hey, we were celebrating!)—the sundae and creme brulee. Best creme brulee I have ever had! Five stars!"
Dined on 4/18/2014
"I have been dining at Sly's since it first opened. The food, wine selection, location and ambience is great. It can get a little noisy near the bar but that is not an issue when dining in the mid or rear area. Service is good and is consistent. Plates arrive warm and cold items are on cold plates. Try the baseball or any of the seafood specials and you will have a great meal! Portion size and pricing is excellent! "
Dined on 4/8/2014
"I've become a regular, visiting at hours for brunch, lunch, and dinner, always able to find something on the menu to soothe the ache of hunger. The portions are of adequate size, presented in appetizing display. The waiters and owners hover, concerned for you rather than trying to run up the tab. Fresh bread and rolls, and ah, the Saturday night short ribs, which do not require a knife. Sly's is what happens when a well-studied chef gets to prepare the dishes he likes."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"Dinner at Sly's was delicious. My wife and I went there last year for the first time and the repeat trip was just as satisfying. The steaks were cooked perfect and melted in our mouths. The side dishes like the creamed spinach was excellent. My wife had the lamb which was quite tasty. Service was great. Our waiter Israel was very attentive and kept us entertained. Besides the high prices you pay for any top notch steak house, I would recommend this spot for any and everyone."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"The best waiter I have ever had. Well informed about the food and about the art on the wall. Knew all about the racing photos by Jesse Alexander on the wall--and he had raced cars himself and had comments about the particulars of each photo and knew the racing tracks where they were taken. He was entertaining, but also knew how to let us enjoy the meal without being overwhelming. But the way, great food."
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Have gone to Sly's many times and the food is always delicious and the service always spot on. Love to go there for lunch. Only complaint was we felt rushed, clearing the table before everyone was finished with their food."
Dined on 3/25/2014
"Grea food, ambiance, service, vibes, cocktails, wine, all things good. Lots of locals which is great."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"Our new favorite Italian place. Taking our son next week for his birthday. And our friends after that :)."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The roast lamb under Prix Fixe outstanding, so tender. Super mussels. Delicate and good broth. Fresh rapine, my favorite greens. Good Baseball steak but wasn't baseball round. Rather like a filet and tender, tasty. My guess felt impressed. I felt content."
Dined on 3/18/2014
"SLy's represents everything a steak and seafood restaurant should: excellent selections on the menu, attentive service, quality in preparation and presentation."
Dined on 3/15/2014
"waiter was nice didn't respond to our requests. the busboy was very helpful and I felt my 40 TIP should have gone to him"
Dined on 3/15/2014
"Great steak and drinks. Service is very attentive. Even a visit from the chef."
Dined on 2/21/2014
"Chef Sly's restaurant is an Awesome find! 2nd time I have been there, Karissa, our server was Wonderful. Very attentive and not overwhelming. Penny's serving of the Dover Sole was done with exquisite care and showmanship. the Voinier wine was an excellent find. All of Karissa's suggestions for our dinning enjoyment were superb. Chef Sly's staff is Awesome. The Atmosphere and service made our Valentine's dinner most excellent."
Dined on 2/14/2014

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