Santa Barbara:

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Where to Eat:

The town's elevated cultural status attracts high-powered chefs from all over the world, and the selection and sheer variety of local fare is quite astonishing for a community of 90,000.  Here are just a few of Santa Barbara's culinary choices:

• La Super Rica Taqueria, 622 N. Milpas St., (805) 963-4940. Once tabbed "Best Mexican Food in the Country" by the New York Times. You won't come here for the atmosphere. There is no sign on the building, and seating is first come-first served, but you'll be happy you stood in the long line forming outside the door once you taste what's served up here. Julia Child claimed this her favorite Mexican restaurant (or even all-time favorite place to eat, according to some accounts), saying, "Everything is incredibly fresh. The salsas are wonderful." $5-$15.
• La Salsa Mexican Grill The chain that started the "Fresh-Mex" trend started here in Santa Barbara. Enjoy the amazing fresh salsa bar (one of the few that offers a true habenero salsa), trans and saturated fat free fresh tortilla chips, amazing fajitas and breakfast burritos.
• Panino, 834 Santa Barbara St., Good variety of sandwiches
• Café Buenos Aires,1316 State St., Good Argentinian beef; the empanadas are great. Chicken, pork, all good. Definite focus on meat here. Good mojito's. The outdoor dining is nice in almost all weathers-it has heaters although not every seat feels the warmth. Live Argentinian band some nights, beautiful music.
• Arigato Sushi, 1225 State St., Unbelievably good sushi.
• Maeda Sushi, Across the street from Arigato, very good and a lot less crowded than Arigato
• Los Arroyos, 14 W. Figueroa St., off State, 962-5541; 1280 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, popular and very good Mexican food.
• Lucky's, 1279 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, Steakhouse with some of the best food in town in a prestigious setting.
• Chuck's of Hawaii, 3888 State St., 113 Harbor Way, 564-1200, A great cut of beef -- try anything with artichokes.
• El Encanto Hotel,1900 Lasuen Rd. on the Riviera, Great view of the city and the ocean. A romantic getaway restaurant.
• Super Cuca's Taquería,2030 Cliff Dr., 966-3863; 626 W. Micheltorena St., Big burritos, vegetarian recommended even for those die-hard carnivores.
• Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Rd., Stop for lunch on your way out to wine taste -- off the 154. Great location and great food. Fun atmosphere on weekend nights with live music.
• Rudy's Restaurant, Six in town, one in Paseo Nuevo. Very good tamales, chimichangas and burritos. Charming family-owned business.
• The Palace Grill,8 E. Cota St., fun Cajun food with great service.
• Elements, 129 E. Anapamu St., Great view of Courthouse with innovative food.
• Montecito Café, 1295 Coast Village Rd., Montecito. Try the coconut cake.
• Palazzio's, 1026 State St., Generous portions of pastas and salads. One entree and a half salad is enough to feed up to three people. Every fifteen minutes waiters walk around with freshly baked garlic rolls that are to DIE for.
• Chads, 625 Chapala St., American cuisine with very good appetizers. Go for happy hour and stay for dinner.
• Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, 1260 Channel Dr., Montecito, when on an expense account, grab brunch here.
• Pascucci,729 State St., Santa Barbara's best affordable Italian food.
• Cajun Kitchen, 901 Chapala St., 1924-A De la Vina St. Very popular breakfast and lunch place. The beast breakfast in town. Delicious sausages. Good price.
• Brophy Bros., Breakwater at the Harbor, great seafood, known for clam chowder, the setting cannot be beat.
• Your Place, 22-A N. Milpas St., Good Thai food.
• The Habit, 216 S. Milpas St., 962-7472; 628 State St., 892-5400. Stop by for a sidewalk burger.
• The Natural Café, 508 State St., outdoor, sidewalk dining that is healthy and good. If there is a vegan/vegetarian in the group, they will be happy here.
• Woody's BBQ, 5112 Hollister Ave. Serving delicious BBQ in Santa Barbara for 19 years and voted Santa Barbara's Favorite BBQ For 19 Years In A Row!!!

There are plenty of bars in Santa Barbara, however most contain there share of college students. Expect to pay a little extra.

• Rooftop Bar at Hotel Andalucia, Carillo St. and Chapala. Top of Hotel Andalucia. Great sunset bar as you overlook the mountains, the mesa and the harbor. Very nice.
• The James Joyce, 513 State Street. (805) 962-2688.  Open 10am-2am daily. Yes, it's an Irish pub, or "A Traditional Irish Bar." Free peanuts, a fireplace and dixieland jazz bands on the weekend. Guinness flows freely. http://www.thejamesjoyce.com
• Dargan's Irish Pub & Rstrnt18 E Ortega St, Sportsbar with Irish music. Good Lambstew.
• Santa Barbara Brewing Co. 501 State St., Microbrewery, TVs. Decent food.
• Sharkeez, State Street. This sportsbar has a lot of TVs. Well drinks are usually around $1 on Thursdays.
• Elsie's, 117 De La Guerra. Neighborhood beer and wine joint with good music. Meet the locals out back in the outdoor smoking area or over rounds of pool inside.
• Wilcat Lounge,15 W Ortega St. Danceclub.
• Joe's, State Street. Stiffest drinks on State St. Have a couple at the beginning of the night.
• Roy's Carrillo and State. Good "off State St." bar. Serves great food late at night -- focus on local ingredients. Price fix menu with everything at around $25.
• Bogart's In La Arcada off Figeroa and State. Serves a good pour of Guinness. Tucked away.
• SOhO Restaurant and Music Club 1221 State St., jazz/live music club above Victoria Court.