The third post in a series in which locals who obsess over the food scene recommend the dishes that they deem outstanding. Go try something new! And sign up for the Siteline email newsletter for the freshest food news in town.
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The seasonal honey-and-cornbread-cookie flavor at McConnell’s is the best. Ever.
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Forced to choose between the shockingly good chicken paillard (which is somehow gluten-free) and the chocolate chip cookie (which is not) at Merci Montecito, I guess I’d go with the chicken. But as long as you’re there, you might as well get both….
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Mesa Burger’s hearts of butter lettuce salad is adorned with a delightful honey apple vinaigrette and topped with just the right amount of goat cheese and chipotle bread crumbs that are to die for!
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We were introduced to ramen with black garlic oil when we lived near San Gabriel, the heart of great of Asian restaurants, and we were so glad to find Nikka Ramen in Goleta and its version of the dish, Tonkotsu black “kuro” ramen.
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Oat Bakery bakes an ungodly amount of garlic cloves in its sage and garlic loaf, and they become like little nibbles of butter.
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The kung pao cauliflower at Oliver’s makes you realize how unnecessary chicken is.
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The mushroom tacos from Peasants Feast in Solvang are made with rich, hand-pressed tortillas loaded with Branden’s Gourmet Mushrooms (grown in Orcutt and featured at other in-the-know area restaurants, such as Bell’s). The umami of the mushrooms is perfectly complimented by a layer of epazote pesto, queso fresco, and pea shoots. Epazote is an herb used in certain Mexican and Guatemalan cooking that we should hope to see more of here.
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This affordable steak au poivre from French bistro Petit Valentien is not just an amazing deal, it’s the best steak in town. Perfectly cooked, juicy, and with just the right amount of peppercorn bite.
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Recipes Bakery’s blueberry scone is a must-try for any scone aficionado. It’s perfectly buttery, dense yet fluffy, and bulging with beautiful blueberries.
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The chilaquiles burrito from Reyes Market in Carp is so wonderfully spicy, cheesy, protein-y, and carby that you’ll almost wish you had a hangover, so it could live up to its true medicinal potential.
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Sama Sama Kitchen’s signature wings might be the most flavorful thing I’ve ever tried in this town. The sweet and spicy tamarind barbecue sauce really makes the dish.
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In this series:
••• Part 1: “I’ve Never Had More Delicious Fries Anywhere”
••• Part 2: “I Could Eat It for Breakfast Every Day”
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Photos, clockwise from top left: McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Merci, Peasants Feast, Oat Bakery, Sama Sama Kitchen, Recipes Bakery.
The blueberry scones were sold out this morning! Big rush after this was published!