Restaurant
Julienne:
Santa Barbara Gathering Place for Gourmands
Along
with new eateries in Santa Barbara, as well as a few
great old standby dining establishments, this delightful European
style restaurant located across the street from the historic
Presidio is packing them in for dinner every night! The atmosphere
is alive with creativity and if you were dropped in the middle
of the bistro like room you would think you were in an alive
and trendy San Francisco bistro.
Chef/owner
Justin West and his talented culinary staff work together in
the small open kitchen like a fine tuned culinary team performing
on the "Taste" preparing and serving their unique
and delicious dishes with skill and efficiency. The room of
this favorite local haunt for food lovers is warm and inviting,
with an open kitchen that teases the palate with every plate
being prepared.
Restaurant Julienne
West
grew up in a restaurant family in Oregon, and is said to have
had his own set of knives when he was only 12. While attending
the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco he met his
wife Emma, and they were married a few weeks before Julienne
opened in September 2008. Although they had both done several
stints at area establishments following their graduation from
culinary school they were one in mind and spirit to own their
own restaurant.
Following
the Julienne opening they rapidly became known
for their exceptional house-made charcuterie plates that include
a milieu of delicious pork and liver pate with raisin compote,
mortadella with pistachios, finocchiona salami, potted foie
gras served with blackberry gelee, and more.
Arugula Salad
The
complete staff are dedicated to giving a European style experience
from the front of the house to the action filled open kitchen.
They use only the freshest ingredients from the Santa Barbara
Farmer's Market, located a few steps from the restaurant. Their
unique and creative recipes are exciting and offer surprise
and delight to first time guests. Case in point is the wild
baby arugula salad with fall fruits, fresh ricotta cheese, toasted
oats and lemon oil, which offers hidden flavor combinations
that are stunning. They also serve a cauliflower floret, pickled
carrot and Tuscan kale with garlic-lemon oil and pecorino that
is outstanding. Nice wine recommendations with this salad included
. .
Salad Wine Pairings
An
amazing starter that was comprised of a perfect balance of sweet
and sour was the sour sausage, puffed rice, scallions, peanuts
with Vietnamese Vinaigrette cabbage that was a true taste sensation,
and the melt in your mouth salmon with a perfect crust was paired
ideally with . .
Entree Wine Pairing
Their wine list is complete with both wine by the glass and
full bottles. White by the Glass Cremant de Loire, Chateau de
Breze, NV, Loire $10/$50; Chardonnay, Melville, Verna's,"
SBC '11 $10/$40; Grenache Blanc, Tercero, "Camp 4",
SYV, '10 $11/$44; Gruner, Huber "Obere Steigen", Austria,
'10 $12/$48: Riesling, Donnhoff, Nahe, '10 $13.75/$55; Sauvignon
Blanc, Chidaine, Loire, '11 $9/36. Red by the Glass Barbera,
Palmina, SBC, '10 12.5/$50: Cabernet Blend, Chateau La Rame,
Bordeaux, '09 $12/$48; Cabernet Franc, Catherine Breton, Trinch,
Loire, '11 $11/$44 : Mouvedre Blend, Municipal Winemakers, SBC
'11 $12.5/$50; Pinot Noir, Copain , Anderson Valley, '10 $12.5/$50;
Syrah, Kunin, SBC, '08 $12.5/$50. They also have a respectable
selection of great beer and ale to enjoy with dinner.
Baked Alaska with Blueberries
The
crème de la creme of this astoundingly dinner of taste
surprises was the amazing Baked Alaska Slice with blueberries,
which I have never seen served this way anywhere, and will have
again soon! The restaurant serves wonderful coffee and cappuccino
to enjoy with this sweet ending. Inventive new specials are
constantly being created for their menu, and the atmosphere
is one that calls you back. Bon Appetit!
Restaurant
Julienne
138 Canon Perdido Street
Santa Barbara, California
(805) 845-6488
www.restaurantjulianne.com
Contributed By Bonnie Carroll
http://www.lifebitesnews.com