Palazzio
Featuring a family-style atmosphere and priding itself on its large portions, Palazzio has been awarded "Best Service," "Best Pasta" and "Best Italian Restaurant" by both local and national surveys. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the Palazzio menu serves up items such as goat cheese bruschetta, baked stuffed mushroom caps and homemade stuffed manicotti. The vegetable lasagna offers an option for those who don't consume meat products. Other types of pasta served include capellini, penne, fettuccine and fusilli. If there's enough room after you've eaten your pasta, be sure to check out the dessert menu, which includes such items as bananas foster and authentic Italian gelato. In addition to reservations, which are recommended, Palazzio begins a waiting list each evening at 5:30 p.m. and operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. The decor includes a replica of the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling, the only of its kind in the United States. The staff at Palazzio works as a team, meaning every waiter is "your" waiter, making the experience less of a wait and more about enjoyment. Adding to the uniqueness of Palazzio are the honor system and the singing customers. Wine is self-serve with crayons at your table, so that you may keep track of how many glasses you've had and pay accordingly. Each Saturday night, customers and staff alike share a glass of Merlot and sing along to "That's Amore" by Dean Martin, making for a fun and festive experience.
Palazzio
1026 State St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 564-1985
palazzio.com
Ca' Dario
Featured in Food and Home Magazine and rated "excellent" by Zagat Survey for several consecutive years, Ca' Dario serves both lunch and dinner daily. Lunch includes items like Rughetta con Asiago, which features arugula, tomatoes, shaved asiago cheese, red onions and vinaigrette, as well as Feloncino con Pollo e Pomodori, a baguette served with chicken, lettuce and tomatoes. Dinner includes a daily soup or Penne al Salmone e Panna, a quill-shaped pasta with smoked salmon, dill, light sour cream sauce and dry vermouth. Other dinner options include the daily rotisserie special and the fresh fish of the day. The restaurant also boasts a vast wine menu.
Ca' Dario
37 East Victoria St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 884-9419
cadario.net
Olio e Limone Ristorante
Opened in 1999 and serving up authentic Italian meals, Olio e Limone Ristorante offers an inviting atmosphere and features menu items that are inspired by every part of Italy, with a special focus on Sicily. The ivory- and sage-colored walls offer a relaxed atmosphere, and a glass wall makes the wine cellar visible, showcasing over 230 different wines that have earned the restaurant the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence each year since 2002. Open daily for lunch and dinner, the menu offers many choices for any kind of taste. Lunch includes Parmiggiana di Melanzane, a dish that includes eggplant, buffalo mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce, as well as Insalata Mille Sapori, a dish of butter lettuce, grilled chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, tomato, crispy bacon and gorgonzola dressing. Among the choices for dinner are Ravioli d'Anatra ai Funghi Porcini, which features homemade duck ravioli with creamy porcini mushroom sauce, and Spaghetti allo Scogio, a dish that offers the tastes of spaghetti with fresh Dungeness crab meat, prawn and spicy tomato sauce. The Cucina Room offers private dining for up to 40 people. Reservations are recommended.
Olio e Limone Ristorante
17 West Victoria St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 899-2699
olioelimone.com
