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Best Date Place
updated: May 30, 2012, 8:53 AM

Hi Edhat Community,

I'm looking to take my girlfriend on a nice date Friday night and I'm wondering what restaurant would be the best place? Anywhere from $20-30 a plate would work for me. Any recommendations would be great, thanks!

Places People Are Talking About:

	Arlington Tavern	Blue Agave
Chase Bar and Grill	Cold Springs Tavern	El Paseo
Full of Life Flatbread	Los Arcos Cafe	Montecito Cafe
Petit Valentien	Suzanne's	The Palace

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 283637	2012-05-30 09:04 AM
Opal - amazing food The Palace - amazing food and fun environment Seagrass - intimate and extravagent feeling El Paseo - awesome mexican food and wonderful courtyard environment Depends what type of food you want, if you want intimate or lively environment, etc.
COMMENT 283640	2012-05-30 09:07 AM
SYR- P&A
COMMENT 283644P	2012-05-30 09:09 AM
Opal & The Palace are great, but LOUD. Far from intimate, if that's what you want.
COMMENT 283645	2012-05-30 09:10 AM
Pizza at Gino's...take out and eat at the Sportsman.
COMMENT 283660	2012-05-30 09:35 AM
Brophy Bros, at the Harbor. Loud, great food, great drinks, take a walk w your friend out to the end of the breakwater afterwards...
COMMENT 283663	2012-05-30 09:36 AM
Ca' Dario (it can get loud), Arigato or the Boat House. All fabulous for a date. Don't forget to dress to impress !
COMMENT 283667P	2012-05-30 09:38 AM
Get a tatami room at Kyoto. We also like sitting by the fire at Stella Mare's by the Bird Refuge.
COMMENT 283672	2012-05-30 09:50 AM
Blue Agave.
COMMENT 283676	2012-05-30 09:57 AM
The Kyoyo tatami rooms haven't been cleaned in years. Nothing like finding a piece of hair encrusted old fish in the space between cushions on a nice date. Great place for college kids out to celebrate a birthday, yes, for a quiet date? no way! If you don't end up in one of the rooms then you have to suffer with the smell and sight of the lineup of shoes from those that are dining within. Opal is a nice choice, good value and something for everyone but isn't quiet. Seagrass and/or Bouchon have excellent food, and more quiet settings but can get pricey (Seagrass has a great Axcess card deal though which can bring the price down significantly) P&A at SYR is very nice setting, romantic for sure, but overpriced. Stella Mare is another nice quiet place, but found the food to be severely lacking in recent times. Probably the most fun is to drive up to Los Alamos and have dinner at the best restaurant in SB county, Full of Life Flatbread.
COMMENT 283686P	2012-05-30 10:09 AM
Petit Valentien in La Arcada is very nice, very cozy, great food and not noisy.
COMMENT 283688P	2012-05-30 10:10 AM
Second on Full of Life Flatbread as well. Open Thurs-Sunday for dinner. Out of this world good.
DILLYDALLY	2012-05-30 10:11 AM
Stella Mare's is great, all of the serious suggestions are good. I would include (for variety); Julienne Hungry Cat Arlington Tavern Olio Tee Off Bucatini Bouchon Shellfish Company Tre Lune Blush Wine Cask Cielito And more! Lots of great choices.
COMMENT 283693	2012-05-30 10:13 AM
best date restaurant is zaytoons. their dates are phenomenal.
DILLYDALLY	2012-05-30 10:14 AM
Oh Forgot the new greek place, Petros.
COMMENT 283696	2012-05-30 10:15 AM
Suzanne's in Ojai
COMMENT 283710	2012-05-30 10:49 AM
I love The Chase on State Street. The little white lights make it very romantic and love the food.
COMMENT 283711	2012-05-30 10:58 AM
Easy, Jane. Awesome food and an intimate atmosphere.
COMMENT 283712	2012-05-30 11:01 AM
The dates at Alcazar are also good. Bacon wrapped yummy morsels.
BIPOLARESQUE	2012-05-30 11:03 AM
we do date night every wednesday. i think my favorite is seagrass, although we did tuesday night date night this week.... pizza & a blanket at the rose garden, then walked through i madonnari. jane & chase are great, too!! and we happened to really enjoy bistro 1111 at the hyatt!
COMMENT 283720	2012-05-30 11:15 AM
SB Shellfish co definitely. Or Full of life flatbread in los alamos!
COMMENT 283731P	2012-05-30 11:36 AM
Ditto to Stella Mare's by the Bird Refuge - but if you want intimate stay away from the garden room with the fireplace it is noisy, the rest of the restaurant is not.
FANGIRL	2012-05-30 11:58 AM
Plow and Angel at San Ysidro Ranch.
COMMENT 283744	2012-05-30 12:09 PM
Bouchon! Bouchon is so great & romantic. I'm just saying, a super sweet guy took me to Bouchon a few years ago and now we're happily married with a baby on the way. :)
COMMENT 283753	2012-05-30 12:34 PM
Downey's: hands down for casually elegant, spacious tables, privacy, refined service and understated finesse in exquisite presentation. Best desserts in town and even well-priced prix fixe dinners for those who want to know the costs upfront.
EDHATBARBARA	2012-05-30 01:13 PM
I think some of the best food (Italian), service and atmosphere is at Giannfranco's Trattoria in Carpinteria -- my most favorite place. If you're not willing to travel to Carp, a good alternate is Trattoria Vittoria on Victoria -- really yummy gnocchi served there!
KIDS	2012-05-30 02:04 PM
I vote for Bouchon as the most romantic place. Besides that, the service and food are awesome!
COMMENT 283815	2012-05-30 03:14 PM
Los Arcos Cafe at the Doubletree. Works best for someone who doesn't live in Santa Barbara.
COMMENT 283837	2012-05-30 04:00 PM
Blush's patio is AWESOME but inside gets noisy and packed feeling. I've heard Cielito is terrific, newly opened. (I'm going to suggest this for our date nite!) Milk & Honey is nice, tapas. Petit Valentin is great when the service is "on". Sucks when it's not. What ever happened to Hob Nob? Is it closed?
COMMENT 283850	2012-05-30 04:40 PM
Le Petit Valentien Cafe del Sol (Outside if you go early)
COMMENT 283851	2012-05-30 04:40 PM
Louie's in the Upham Hotel. Downey's is good but very expensive. But you do get what you pay for. I also like Olio y Limon. Opal is much too noisy.
COMMENT 283858	2012-05-30 05:21 PM
I'm partial to The Head of the Wolf in SB. In Goleta I prefer The Elegant Farmer.
COMMENT 283869P	2012-05-30 05:55 PM
hey 858 - retro vintage dining at their formerly wonderful style!
COMMENT 283878	2012-05-30 06:41 PM
Arts and Letters Cafe, Jane, Via Maestra
COMMENT 283882	2012-05-30 06:56 PM
I think you can run up more at buchon and Julienne than you might run up at Downey's, particularly with their prix-fixe dinners. There is no other restaurant in town with the quiet elegance and style as Downey's. Plus they have that special little alcove table in the back - nothing more romantic and their desserts do seal the deal. This is dining, not just large portion food service. And the service is gracious and accessible, so you never feel you won't know what fork to use. These people are masters of the of the craft of hospitality - old world hospitality. Downey's soon becomes a tradition for those special moments in one'e lives. It is that kind of place. Long may they live in Santa Barbara.
COMMENT 283884	2012-05-30 07:04 PM
This has been an interesting thread. OP, I think it would help if you stated your age. Some of the restaurants mentioned in the thread are better for younger or older crowds. I like Downey's but I would never recommend it to anyone under 50.
COMMENT 283893	2012-05-30 07:43 PM
A lot of the restaurants are not in the 20 to 30 range. Downeys, Bouchon, Plow and Angel, Wine Cask, and others, all good restaurants, are much more expensive than that. Check out the menus online and the prices first before making a reservation.
COMMENT 283897	2012-05-30 08:13 PM
Plow & Angel, Wine Cask, Ca Dario, Julienne, Opal, Jane, Olio Limone, Trattoria Vittoria, Hungry Cat, Petit Valentien, Arnoldi's. For lunch: The Boathouse, Sweet Begonia, Brophys, Arts & Letters.
COMMENT 283901	2012-05-30 08:31 PM
The best, most romantic, most delicious, most terrific, best served meal I ever had was at Downey's. Amazing yummy delicious, such a fantastic experience....it's da bomb!
COMMENT 283903	2012-05-30 08:35 PM
There are plenty of options at Bouchon for under $30. Just don't do a first course or dessert or wine. It's still worth it.
COMMENT 283919	2012-05-31 07:17 AM
Cold Springs Tavern--excellent wine, warm atmosphere, fall in love all over again...
LEAHKING	2012-05-31 07:18 AM
wow, what a lot of choices we are so lucky to have here. i also like fresco! five points and sly's in carp
COMMENT 283921	2012-05-31 07:20 AM
I took my wife to Opal for our first date and they were amazing, that was 8 years ago and they still remember it and treat us like special guests every time we come, super romantic, ask for the little corner table tucked away beside the front door, it is very private and quiet. Later we became Vegan's and they go out of their way to make special meals for us, the drinks at the bar are great, and Tina and Richard always drop by to say hello. Oh, and the food is delicious too :-)
COMMENT 283922	2012-05-31 07:21 AM
Where ever you feel the most comfortable as that's where you'll have the best time and be most at ease. Don't date to impress, date to have a good time. Even if you pack a picnic and head to the beach it will be great if that's what you like.
COMMENT 283923	2012-05-31 07:26 AM
Crocodile, on the patio or at the Bar...Prisoner by the Glass and Truffled Mac n'Cheese.
COMMENT 283924	2012-05-31 07:27 AM
My two favorites Brophy Bros. and Holdrens steak and seafood oh my! ( :
COMMENT 283925	2012-05-31 07:27 AM
Despite the praise here I find Downey's to be underwhelming. I think its glory days have passed and it is need of an update. Sure the food is still pretty good, but nothing all that mind blowing or creative. Julienne, Bouchon, and Seagrass are doing far more impressive and tasty things with higher end dining these days in SB. In recent years Downey's has become a place for the elderly. With all the too loud places in SB it fulfills a niche for that sort of crowd, but if you are looking for a fun date night out and interesting/exceptional food it is not the place.
COMMENT 283936	2012-05-31 07:46 AM
Pizza at Gino's..great simple food and plenty of $ left over for flowers and maybe an ice cream or after dinner cocktail at the Canary Hotel roof top bar
EDHATBARBARA	2012-05-31 07:55 AM
When you're with the right person, any place can be romantic! (Sly's in Carp is waaaaaay too expensive for a $20 to $30 pp meal!)
COMMENT 283944	2012-05-31 08:04 AM
Nothing is more romantic than the guy cooking for their date at home, candlelight, flowers and an expensive bottle of champagne :-)
COMMENT 283950	2012-05-31 08:16 AM
A booth at Blue Agave ... there is nothing more comfortable, cozy, and romantic.
COMMENT 283957	2012-05-31 08:30 AM
Stella Mare If you want lovely setting while the sun goes down sit in the greenhouse room at a table by the bird refuge. Its quiet, unlike so many restaurants these days. Half of them have nothing that absorbs sound and you end up yelling across the table. The food is great, they have a full bar, in the greenhouse room as well as sitting area in front of a fire place (which probably won't be operating but who knows)
JULIE M	2012-05-31 08:36 AM
Hob Nob is now the Arlington Tavern.
COMMENT 283963	2012-05-31 08:38 AM
Ditto: Petit Valentien, Stella Mare, Opal, Pane e Vino, Arts & Letters, Plow and Angel, Olio e Limone, Ballard Inn. Check prices at Downey's, they are the best. No to Jane, not date night. My steak sandwich there was steak confetti. No to Seagrass. Under the new owners the food is bland; you expect more from the environment. We haven't tried Winecask under new owners. Try a private booth at Pascucci. Check pices at Tydes, Four Seasons.
COMMENT 283964	2012-05-31 08:39 AM
OPAL has it all. It's like going to a friends house for dinner. Very comfortable place to be and great food too.
MCDUFF	2012-05-31 08:47 AM
My vote goes to Louie's in the Upham Hotel. Off-the-beaten-track, quiet, small, romantic, great service and top-quality food. Eat inside or out (depending on weather).
BILLY BOB	2012-05-31 09:11 AM
Surprised no one mentioned Montecito Cafe, to my mind one of the top restaurants in SB. Can be a little noisy though.
COMMENT 284010	2012-05-31 10:09 AM
Arlington Tavern just opened where Hob Nob/Epiphany used to be (21 W. Victoria St.). They have amazing food that is well priced and a lovely atmosphere. I would definitely give them a try. Seriously, their food is delicious!
OLDLAWOMAN	2012-05-31 10:25 AM
Chuck's!
COMMENT 284028	2012-05-31 10:36 AM
Check out a lot of the places mentioned and see if the atmosphere suits you.
COMMENT 284071P	2012-05-31 12:31 PM
Chase is very romantic with its white lights and ornate decorations. Petros, the new Greek place, is lovely, esp its patio at night. Waterfront Grill is also nice for a date. Cold Springs Tavern can be romantic in the evening. In Goleta, the Beachside has a nice ocean view.
COMMENT 284087	2012-05-31 01:18 PM
Might I suggest Petrini's? It certainly isn't as fancy (or as pricey) as some of these other restaurants, but something about date nights there create lasting relationships. My parents had their first date at Petrini's some 50-odd years ago. I also went there on a first date with my newlywed wife!
COMMENT 284176	2012-05-31 04:53 PM
You can go to Petrini's, but the indigestion this will give your date might put a damper on that expected nookie.
COMMENT 284190	2012-05-31 05:20 PM
Boathouse - then a long walk on the beach to burn of the drinks -
COMMENT 284213	2012-05-31 06:54 PM
A lot of the places being mentioned are great, but I think they might be over the price range requested by the OP... I would second the recommendation for Zaytoon. Beautiful setting, outdoor tables, each with its own firepit, great atmosphere, quiet -- since its outdoors... Check their website for the entertainment schedule. They have live music or dancers almost every night. More affordable... and if you are there after the sun goes down, it is absolutely gorgeous! Great food, too!
COMMENT 284340	2012-06-01 09:32 AM
Arlington Tavern! It's brand new and so good on Victoria between State and Chapala. Nice atmosphere, great service, awesome food, and good prices. Can't go wrong!