Palazzio Santa Barbara Restaurant Reviews

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  The Santa Barbara Restaurants Dining Guide  
May. 21, 2013
 

New Restaurants 2010 & 2009 Openings
Be one of the first to review your dining experience.

Union Ale Brewing Company
Dogtown Hot Dogs
Nugget
HobNob Tavern
On The Side
Billies
Las Aves Cafe
Bay Roadhouse Bar & Grill
Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
Bella Dolce Bakery
Wine Cask
Blush
California Crisp
root 246
French Press
South Pacific Coffee Co
Jitters Coffee
European Deli & Market
Mediterra Cafe & Market
Petros
India House
Pasta House
Sushilicious
Chinos Rock & Tacos (Santa Barbara)
Los Agaves
Chinos Rock & Tacos (Isla Vista)
TonyRay's
Giovanni's
Olio Pizzeria
Mac's Fish & Chip Shop
Holdrens
Saigon In and Out
Saigon (Five Point)
Lam's Vietnamese BBQ &Sandwiches
Yogurtland
Red Mango
Pinkberry
Live Culture
Yoyumyum
Whole Foods

Past Restaurant Openings Be one of the first to review your dining experience.

Trattoria Vittoria

Milk & Honey

Downtown Brewing Company

Hollister Brewing Company

Quantum

Jake's

Bay Cafe

Storke Ranch Deli

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Plow & Angel

Bougainvillea

Giannfranco's Trattoria

Panino

New Restaurants in 2006
Be one of the first to review your dining experience at the 2006 openings.

All India Cafe

L & L Hawaiian Barbecue
L & L Hawaiian Barbecue located at 7127 Hollister Ave., #21 in The Plaza in Goleta was founder in 1976 by Eddie Flores, Jr. and Kwock Yum Kam. L & L Hawaiian Barbecue offers concocted delectable plate lunches that captivated the islands. The Hawaiian plate lunch is a huge, gastronomically challenging mixture of Asian and American starches (two scoops rice and one scoop macaroni salad) supplemented by a United Nation of entrees such as chicken katsu, beef curry, deep fried shrimp, mahi mahi, lemon chicken, barbecue shortribs, hamburger steak, etc.

L&L is known for its large portions, freshly cooked food, and reasonable prices. For hefty appetites try the regular plate lunch which is said to easily feed two people, from $5.50. For a smaller portion, try the mini plate lunch which starts from $3.75.

El Caballo

Naan Stop

New Restaurants in 2005
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Cities Barbecue

Kampai

DogHouse

El Cazador

Square One

Sushiya Express

StarBucks

Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a new restaurant that opening in Santa Barbara's Paseo Nuevo Mall at the end of 2005. It features fresh homade rustic Italian cuisine with elegant hand crafted pastries. Privately owned by Head Chef Victor Carranza, Tiramisu is a casual dining experience with upscale service.

Savoy Truffles
Savoy Truffles surprising food boutique opened in November, and is packing 'em in.  The food is very creative, tasty, and remarkably affordable.  The service is warm and professional, and the ambiance is
European bistro chic.  It's locate just across the street from the Santa Barbara city parking lot near Norton's Pastrami shop.

Zaytoon
Zaytoon from the Arabic word meaning olive is a welcome surprise to Santa Barbara as it is one of the only Middle Eastern restaurants in the area. Located at 209 East Canon Perdido Zaytoon offers lunch and dinner from 11:30 am to at least 11 pm, nightly. Lunch prices average $9.50, dinner $15 plus drinks and appetizers.

Golden China
Golden China is located at 3130 State Street, Santa Barbara.

New Restaurants in 2004
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31 West
Locate at the new Andalucia Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara 31 West offers dining intending to be a power breakfast and lunch spot and a destination restaurant in the evening. 31 West will showcase American cuisine at its best. Seating 80 in the dining area and an additional 40 at the adjoining bar 31 West is a great location for small to medium size events.

Los Gallos
Los Gallos open for lunch and dinner was established by the same family that owns the local favorite Daily Grind, right next door. Los Gallos may become a favorite as well. Prices sound reasonable with a tri-tip taco $7.50, veggie taco $5.95, and chile relleno platter $6.25

Tuttini
Location in downtown Santa Barbara, at 10 East Carrillo Street, Tuttini serves Italian sandwiches at lunch time and fresh baked pastries. They are also open for breakfast and are famous for a breakfast cookie available all day, a grape nut/date concoction.

La Marina
With beautiful panoramic ocean views La Marina, Santa Barbara's only Four Diamond restaurant features seasonal California cuisine with an international flair prepared by Chef Jesse Olsen. Wine Spectator Magazine has noted La Marina as having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. La Marina is located at the Four Seasons Biltmore and is open Tuesday through Saturday 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m

Kaliman's

Kahuna Grill

Siam Elephant
Siam Elephant an authentic Thai restaurant opens in Carpentaria serving dishes from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. ranging in price for $6.95 to $8.95. The word is that it’s good, but not as good as the Santa Barbara offerings such as Zen Yai and Your Place.

Itsuki

Camomile Cafe

Cavalli's

L'ombretta
L'ombretta an “authentic Venetian wine bar” Opens its doors September 2004 servicing small bites, “Venetian style” for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 1134 Chapala Street the former location of Jojo’s Cafe.

Elements
Elements opens at former Figaro location in Santa Barbara across from the Court House sunken gardens. Offering a high end menu Elements is becoming well known as a trendy hot spot for happy hour.

La Brisas
Another Mexican restaurant pops up in Santa Barbara on Milpas Street. From feedback that DiningSantaBarbara.com has received La Brisas is well on its way to be coming one of the finest choices for authentic high quality low cost Mexican food. La Brisas is a highly recommended for lunch.

Willows
Located at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez Willows spells out jackpot offering fine dining selections such as porterhouse steak, surf and turf, and seared ahi prepared by the former Chef of the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii, Thomas Meyer.

Zeno Mamue
Right as one Santa Barbara Peruvian restaurant, Papagallo's, closed this year another one opens. The word on the street is that Zeno Manue is becoming a great replacement.

European Deli
Specializing in German Cuisine the European Deli brings you a wide variety of delicious continental favorites. Try the Reuben Sandwich with sauerkraut and potato salad. Located in the Fairview shopping center the European Deli is a welcome new arrival to the Goleta area.

Norton's Pastrami
A great new Santa Barbara restaurant located at 18 West Figeuroa Street. It serves up high end lunch sandwiches, their pastrami sandwich is top notch.

Saigon
The only authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the Santa Barbara area offering fresh dishes with stylish presentation.

Sakana
Dishing out Sushi in Montecito Sakana Japanese restaurant became an instant hit with it's fresh food and fast service. A Santa Barbara restaurant recommended visit

Quantum
Modern San Francisco style decor with an Asian twist; contemporary American cuisine offers a menu of small plates designed for sharing. A Santa Barbara restaurant Must Visit !

Spiritland Bistro
Gourmet organic food catering dishes to vegetarians and offering a fun casual atmosphere, a good alternative to the popular Santa Barbara Sojourner restaurant.

Deli 101
Located at 130 North Calle Cesar Chavez in Santa Barbara.

Beachbreak Cafe
Located at 324 State Street Santa Barbara, CA. Very Close to the beach and Stearn Wharf.

New Restaurants in 2003
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Good Cup

Rizona's
If you’re looking for dishes that will tantalize your taste buds with tropical flavors why not try Rizona’s in Santa Barbara. Coconut cream of rice for breakfast and wild caught salmon with coconut-chili sauce for dinner are some of the tasty selections.

Abdi's
Only Persian dining in Santa Barbara, bring your own wine No corkage charge!

Bellyboards

A-Ru

Chef Rick's

Spice Avenue
Authentic Indian cuisine offering an affordable lunch buffet and wine by the glass.

Holdrens

Taiko

Dish

Atlas Market

Kimochi

Cafe Delight


New Restaurants in 2002
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Mondial
Private Dining Seating up to 40, Catering available. Great location for business dining.

City Kitchen

Go Fish

Natural Cafe

Chipotle

Maeda

jojo

Primo

Hibiki Sushi Cafe

Nu





Palazzio
1026 State St. Italian
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
$7 - $12
805-564-1985 Map


Review Palazzio Restaurant


Palazzio Restaurant Reviews
Over All Based on 27 Review(s):
Superb = Poor =
Overall Food Overall Service Overall Ambiance


Visitor Reviews for Palazzio Restaurant:


Review Submitted on 7/8/2010. Visited on 7/4/10
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

So as past patrons of this restaurant it saddens us to have to report our incident as the management did not take responsibility or resolve. BE WARNED they must be under new management or just have been hit with economical factors that have turned this once great place into a nightmare. DO not eat here for your own health. After the 4th of July Parade our group of 11 went there and 4 of us got FOOD POISONING. What's worse is we returned two items with creams in them that tasted sour and then we believe our food poisoning was from the Rosemary Stuffed Chicken we all had all 4 eaten. Ruined our holiday ... we all immediately feel seriously ill to the point of meds and had to leave town and not even enjoy the fireworks that night! We immediately called and missed the manager and nobody wanted to look into this for future clients that day. Then after many conversations to management they refunded a tiny portion of the big bill that we obviously did not enjoy...and refused to take responsibility or take action or show remorse. Unreal and unexpected reaction as we were good patrons and referred a lot of biz there way. On top of this incident we notice a decline in service and quality overall. It's only a matter of time before this catches up with them...



Review Submitted by Lexi on 9/29/2008. Visited on September 27, 2008
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Fabulous Restaurant!! I was a bit skeptical when I read the other reviews and was expecting sub par service. However, I was most pleasantly surprised. The food was great and the service outstanding. Great location, right in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Good for groups and dates alike. Will definitely go there again.



Review Submitted on 7/3/2008. Visited on June 28, 2008
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

This is by far the best Italian Restaurant my wife and I have ever dined. the service was outstanding and the food (a lot of it) was excellent. We went on a Saturday night when all of the servers sang "That's Amore" to the dining room guests. We loved the Garlic Rolls and the Ronald Reagan Tiramisu. We will go back again



Review Submitted by Miss Unhappy Customer on 3/20/2008. Visited on 3/19/08
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Palazzio-shame on you for not empowering your servers or managers to make a bad meal experience better. If you are not going to comp something then invite the disgruntled eater back to have another meal and make it right- now you not only have an unhappy customer, but you have also lost my future patronage. Who in the heck mixes fresh clams with smelly old canned clams anyways? We live in SB...there is a whole ocean of clams out there, you need not ruin a dish and moreover---don't tell the customer that no one else has complained...the customer pays your rent, and bad word of mouth is not what you need.



Review Submitted on 12/29/2007. Visited on 12/28/2007
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

I gave the food a 2 star because it was OK enough to eat... Though, not good enough to carry the restaurant. The service has one star... but, I would say it should be a negative star... I have had bad service before... but, this tops it off. The manager was very poor... The waiter was insulting... the bus boys not helpful at all. I guess, they go through so many tourists they have forgotten the art of decent service... During this horrific dining experience our only fall back was that, we don't need to leave them a tip... well they solved that problem by charging our table 18% gratuity... Another reason the service can afford to be so paltry, I guess. The restaurant has nice decor.. but I gave it a two star because it was FREEZING inside And because part of the ambiance is the service and their service sucks! There are TONS of good places to eat in Santa Barbara, don't waste your time and money on this horrible restaurant... Try The Palace, Joe's Cafe or Panino...



Review Submitted on 7/4/2007. Visited on
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Horrible, horrible service. We were charged an 18% gratuity fee on three people, to which the waitress said previously it was only added for parties of five or more, then stated it's added in the summertime because of tourists (I have eaten there the past five years and never had this added before). Yet there was an insert in the checkholder which stated a gratuity was not added into the bill and it was no where stated on the menu that a gratuity would be added. Very Rude waitress, who did not have the decency to give us our change or a reciept. Will never eat there again, worst experience ever.



Review Submitted by cyndee rodriguez on 7/3/2007. Visited on 06-16-07
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

great food with huge portions!!!!!one entree feeds 2-3 people....loved it and would definitely go back! I would suggest order 2-3 entrees and share... Great coffee with a cinnamon twist...reccommended highly !!!!!



Review Submitted on 8/2/2006. Visited on 07/30/06
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

I had to rate it mid-way, because I ordered a penne pasta dish with a wonderful sauce, dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts, but the chicken was very dry, and awful, as if they put in left over over cooked chicken from the night before, in the sauce-hoping the customer wouldn't notice. I sure did. I couldn't eat, and put it out on the side of the plate. I wouldn't order this dish again! We didn't get our famous "garlic basil bread" until my boyfriend got out of his seat to find out waiter, and mention it. We chose to do the 'serve yourself wine, which was fun, but such a small glass for $5.00!! each! And to keep going back, that really adds up! $$$$



Review Submitted on 6/10/2005. Visited on
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Excellent! Huge portions for the price, and the best garlic rolls that come around HOT and whenever you need them.



Review Submitted on 5/14/2005. Visited on April 23, 2005
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

The food was great! Service was great too! The only drawback was that it gets a little loud, so go early for dinner. The penne pasta with artichokes was wonderful.



Review Submitted by Megan on 4/4/2005. Visited on 2/28/05
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

The Red Bell Pepper Sauce is amazing!!! The Artichoke dip was incredible times 12.



Review Submitted on 2/18/2005. Visited on 01/16/2005
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

good stuff, man



Review Submitted on 11/3/2004. Visited on 11-02-04
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Greeting at the door was pleasant. Decorations were quaint and created a relaxing cozy enviroment. I sat at the bar and had the sampler. Great food and the bread kept me stuffing my face beyond the normal. I will be back with friends.



Review Submitted on 4/7/2004. Visited on every other week
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Generous portions of great Italian food! Always busy, always fun, always yummmmy, and my family always feels welcomed there, as if we were coming over to my parents for dinner. We love this place!



Review Submitted on 2/8/2004. Visited on all the time
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

The garlic balls are fantastic! The portions of the pasta and salad are HUGE. The pasta is O.K., but the salads are very good.



Review Submitted on 6/11/2003. Visited on 6/4/2003
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Roughly equivalent to eating at a frat house - lots and lots of bland pasta. Is that cold Ragu or Presto they threw on there? My Italian grandmother would be insulted. Only worth the effort if you judge your food by volume.



Review Submitted by Debbie on 6/8/2003. Visited on 6/2000
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

We had a graduation party there a few years ago. Wonderful food......more than enough. Planning to return July 14 for a wonderful experience with my brother from northern CA.....Im from southern CA.....so we will be visiting your fair city for a couple of days.....see ya soon :)



Review Submitted by Claudio on 5/14/2003. Visited on
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

When you serve Puttanesca sauce hot on the outside but frozen inside, you know it is an insult to good Italian food.

I never came back to this restaurant after that experience.



Review Submitted on 5/2/2003. Visited on long ago
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Interesting that the last three reviews (all five star reviews) all used the exact same wording..."die for." An amazing coincidence.



Review Submitted on 4/23/2003. Visited on April 23, 2003
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

This is a superb restaurant. The food is fantastic. The service is non-stop, I never had to ask or request anything. The garlic rolls are to die for. The authentic Italian quaint ambiance was perfect to complete the ensemble



Review Submitted by Rosann on 3/11/2003. Visited on 03/01/2003
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Oh my goodness how can Palazzio's have only 31/2 stars? The locals know this place has to die for food and every single thing on the menu is excellent.



Review Submitted by Jessica on 6/7/2002. Visited on many times from 9/01-5/02
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

The pastas are around $10-$12 but are large enough that 2 people can split them with some even left over! Their garlic rolls (given as complimentary appetizers) are to die for!!! Delicious, intimate, and fun!



Review Submitted by Eugenio on 1/31/2002. Visited on 10/2001
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

The Pizza Hut of Italian food, I think that about says it all.



Review Submitted by yuta on 12/22/2001. Visited on
for Palazzio Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Food
Service
Ambiance

Volume was big. Food were not as good as other Italian restaurant's.