Taylor thanks so much for helping our large party get accomodated. We haven't been in yet but are excited for our reservation. Taylor was such a huge help, got us in contact with the right person, and was pleasant and professional. I reached out to several restaurants in the area but none were as responsive as the ladies at Blackbird/Californian. Thanks again!
Sam
We were really excited to try Blackbird, especially the focaccia and oysters. Unfortunately, when our server came to take our order, we were told they were already out of focaccia, which was a disappointing start. We went ahead and ordered our meals anyway, and while the food was fine, it wasn't anything memorable or amazing. To make matters worse, we also ordered a side of oysters, but they were accidentally delivered to the wrong table. Those happened to be the last oysters, so we weren't able to get any at all. The restaurant did comp us two glasses of wine for the mix-up, which was appreciated. Still, between being out of key items, the food being just okay, and the oyster mistake, the overall experience fell flat. Unfortunately, it wasn't impressive enough to make us want to come back.
david
Fantastic dinner at Blackbird. The service, in particular, stood out - from wine recommendations to observant but unobtrusive attention to detail. The “Burger and Bourbon” Tuesday special was a fabulous treat, and the winter risotto was rich and filling.
b t
Late on making reservations for Christmas Eve dinner, felt lucky to find a table for 4 5pm at Blackbird- touted as a fine dining ready in Santa Barbara. Arrived at 5pm to find the restaurant not yet open - no problem - nice wine bar close by. Empty except for one other table of 2, seated directly next to them. Strange. Music did not suit the occasion- loud club music on Christmas Eve. Menu had a nice selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian options. Unfortunately not a lot of options for our guest with celiac disease but server did her best to get information from the kitchen. Server was lovely and appreciated. Food was decent - celiac’s snapper was delicious. Dessert menu lacking again given the occasion. Overall low stars because it felt like a not so special experience on a special evening in a town full of restaurants offering delicious food and a personality/vibe. This one lacked some heart and soul. Maybe yet to find its identity.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
John
Genevieve was a great server! Food was wonderful and we enjoyed our special Christmas dinner!
Ryan Freeman
It’s wild that you can go to a restaurant at a hotel on a holiday that they’re just like “Kids? Nah, we aren’t going to make any accommodation for a kid.” I don’t expect anyone to bend over backwards for us, but it’s wild that there’s literally nothing you can offer that’s kid friendly beyond the server raiding the bar for fruit and some dry focaccia.
Our kid has come to fine dining restaurants all over and we have never had a problem before today. He’s quiet and well behaved, or we wouldn’t bring him. He’s not even that picky of an eater. But he’s 4 so I’m not ordering him a 35 dollar risotto or a 55 dollar halibut.
I’m not rating the service because it’s a holiday and that’s just unfair. Service is always kinda sub par on a holiday but the servers were very nice.
The food was “meh” totally fine, but nothing extraordinary. In comparison with similarly priced places in the area it comes up short for sure.
The focaccia was straight garbage though. Dense and dry. Nothing like a focaccia should be.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Ryan
Don't take your kids here. No kids menu. No willingness to try to find something kid friendly. At least the waitress was nice enough to put together some fruit from the bar tray. Food quality was fair to below average. Focaccia was terrible, like whoever baked it has never had focaccia before. Steak was quite poor quality for the price. Greasy sides. Decent wine list, I guess.
laurence
Poor quality dishes all around. The beef was way too salty and oily. The Brussels sprouts were overcooked and too rich. The worse may have been the scallops : they were hardly seared, tasted almost raw and as a result chewy . The dish was soaked in a heavy creamy sauce which took the cleanliness of a scallop away. We go out for dinner a few times a week all over and have never complained about any dinner experience we have had. This is the first time but we were very disappointed.
Diana
We expected more flavor in our dishes (cod and brick chicken) so it was good but not great.
G K
Bizarre music that makes no sense for the restaurant and learned the social media dept. of hotel controls it. But what made us leave was we ordered the warm focaccia. It's very thick, like a cake which is different. But the center was ice cold. We told them and instead of giving us a new one , they put it back into the oven with the prices we had cut which dried everything out. It was awful. So we paid for our appetizer and left. Would not recommend this place at all.
The food was good but the service was slow. My boyfriend reserved the table ahead of time for my birthday but the server completely forgot about it. I already ate the dessert half way through and he brought a candle?? Are you serious? Every single fine dining restaurant I have been to all over the world for birthdays always made sure they made you feel special on that day. The host was aware and greeted me with happy birthday, but there's no amount of a complimentaey dessert or drink can make up for it!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Christine
We only went on for dessert & cocktails - both were delicious. I had a Night of living dead cocktail in a coupe glass but the Pink lady also looked delicious. Chocolate banana cake for dessert!! Very cool vibe.
Curt Weber
Well-appointed decor. Good service. It was chilly indoors when I was here for dinner. Some waitstaff kept a warm jacket on while working. My burger and old-fashioned were great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Stacey
Last night was our 12th anniversary. Blackbird staff was friendly and lovely, our outdoor seating was not too noisy and the food was exceptional. I'll add my voice to the reviews that loved the focaccia, and the smoked trout rillette was tasty. We had the scallops and risotto and for my part, I've never had a better risotto, even if it is already one of my favorite foods. 10/10 am glad I'm local and can eat there again
sergio
The hamachi crudo was crazy good. Nice twist on an old staple. Decor is great too. Nice vibe
Taylor thanks so much for helping our large party get accomodated. We haven't been in yet but are excited for our reservation. Taylor was such a huge help, got us in contact with the right person, and was pleasant and professional. I reached out to several restaurants in the area but none were as responsive as the ladies at Blackbird/Californian. Thanks again!
We were really excited to try Blackbird, especially the focaccia and oysters. Unfortunately, when our server came to take our order, we were told they were already out of focaccia, which was a disappointing start. We went ahead and ordered our meals anyway, and while the food was fine, it wasn't anything memorable or amazing. To make matters worse, we also ordered a side of oysters, but they were accidentally delivered to the wrong table. Those happened to be the last oysters, so we weren't able to get any at all. The restaurant did comp us two glasses of wine for the mix-up, which was appreciated. Still, between being out of key items, the food being just okay, and the oyster mistake, the overall experience fell flat. Unfortunately, it wasn't impressive enough to make us want to come back.
Fantastic dinner at Blackbird. The service, in particular, stood out - from wine recommendations to observant but unobtrusive attention to detail. The “Burger and Bourbon” Tuesday special was a fabulous treat, and the winter risotto was rich and filling.
Late on making reservations for Christmas Eve dinner, felt lucky to find a table for 4 5pm at Blackbird- touted as a fine dining ready in Santa Barbara.
Arrived at 5pm to find the restaurant not yet open - no problem - nice wine bar close by. Empty except for one other table of 2, seated directly next to them. Strange. Music did not suit the occasion- loud club music on Christmas Eve. Menu had a nice selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian options. Unfortunately not a lot of options for our guest with celiac disease but server did her best to get information from the kitchen. Server was lovely and appreciated. Food was decent - celiac’s snapper was delicious. Dessert menu lacking again given the occasion. Overall low stars because it felt like a not so special experience on a special evening in a town full of restaurants offering delicious food and a personality/vibe. This one lacked some heart and soul. Maybe yet to find its identity.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Genevieve was a great server! Food was wonderful and we enjoyed our special Christmas dinner!
It’s wild that you can go to a restaurant at a hotel on a holiday that they’re just like “Kids? Nah, we aren’t going to make any accommodation for a kid.” I don’t expect anyone to bend over backwards for us, but it’s wild that there’s literally nothing you can offer that’s kid friendly beyond the server raiding the bar for fruit and some dry focaccia.
Our kid has come to fine dining restaurants all over and we have never had a problem before today. He’s quiet and well behaved, or we wouldn’t bring him. He’s not even that picky of an eater. But he’s 4 so I’m not ordering him a 35 dollar risotto or a 55 dollar halibut.
I’m not rating the service because it’s a holiday and that’s just unfair. Service is always kinda sub par on a holiday but the servers were very nice.
The food was “meh” totally fine, but nothing extraordinary. In comparison with similarly priced places in the area it comes up short for sure.
The focaccia was straight garbage though. Dense and dry. Nothing like a focaccia should be.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Don't take your kids here. No kids menu. No willingness to try to find something kid friendly. At least the waitress was nice enough to put together some fruit from the bar tray. Food quality was fair to below average. Focaccia was terrible, like whoever baked it has never had focaccia before. Steak was quite poor quality for the price. Greasy sides. Decent wine list, I guess.
Poor quality dishes all around. The beef was way too salty and oily. The Brussels sprouts were overcooked and too rich. The worse may have been the scallops : they were hardly seared, tasted almost raw and as a result chewy . The dish was soaked in a heavy creamy sauce which took the cleanliness of a scallop away. We go out for dinner a few times a week all over and have never complained about any dinner experience we have had. This is the first time but we were very disappointed.
We expected more flavor in our dishes (cod and brick chicken) so it was good but not great.
Bizarre music that makes no sense for the restaurant and learned the social media dept. of hotel controls it. But what made us leave was we ordered the warm focaccia. It's very thick, like a cake which is different. But the center was ice cold. We told them and instead of giving us a new one , they put it back into the oven with the prices we had cut which dried everything out. It was awful. So we paid for our appetizer and left. Would not recommend this place at all.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was good but the service was slow. My boyfriend reserved the table ahead of time for my birthday but the server completely forgot about it. I already ate the dessert half way through and he brought a candle?? Are you serious? Every single fine dining restaurant I have been to all over the world for birthdays always made sure they made you feel special on that day. The host was aware and greeted me with happy birthday, but there's no amount of a complimentaey dessert or drink can make up for it!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
We only went on for dessert & cocktails - both were delicious. I had a Night of living dead cocktail in a coupe glass but the Pink lady also looked delicious. Chocolate banana cake for dessert!! Very cool vibe.
Well-appointed decor. Good service.
It was chilly indoors when I was here for dinner. Some waitstaff kept a warm jacket on while working.
My burger and old-fashioned were great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Last night was our 12th anniversary. Blackbird staff was friendly and lovely, our outdoor seating was not too noisy and the food was exceptional. I'll add my voice to the reviews that loved the focaccia, and the smoked trout rillette was tasty. We had the scallops and risotto and for my part, I've never had a better risotto, even if it is already one of my favorite foods. 10/10 am glad I'm local and can eat there again
The hamachi crudo was crazy good. Nice twist on an old staple. Decor is great too. Nice vibe
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