The Lark
New American
131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
OUR SCORE
Accolades
- Named one of the "Top 100 Restaurants in America" by OpenTable Diners (2014, 2016)
- Featured in USA Today’s "10 Best Foodie Spots in Santa Barbara"
- Awarded the "Award of Excellence" by Wine Spectator (2019)
- Winner of the "Santa Barbara Beautiful Award" for significant aesthetic enhancement of the community
- Listed as a "Regional Standout" by the MICHELIN Guide California (2019)
- Clinched the "Best Restaurant" title in the Santa Barbara Independent’s annual "Best Of" Readers' Poll (multiple years)
- Earned 3.5 stars from the Los Angeles Times’ renowned critic, Jonathan Gold
Restaurant Summary
The Lark Santa Barbara presents a sophisticated yet inviting dining experience in the heart of the city's vibrant Funk Zone neighborhood. Located at 131 Anacapa Street, this culinary establishment is a celebration of the Central Coast's bounty, epitomized through its farm-to-table ethos and artisanal approach.
Upon entering The Lark, guests are greeted with an ambiance that blends rustic charm with contemporary elegance. Exposed brick walls lined with local art, complemented by reclaimed wood and industrial-chic lighting fixtures, provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The space is thoughtfully designed to encourage conversation and camaraderie, featuring both intimate seating for romantic dinners and communal tables that foster a shared dining experience.
The outdoor dining area of The Lark offers a delightful al fresco experience, where patrons can bask in the temperate Santa Barbara climate under strings of twinkling lights. This patio space is perfect for a leisurely dinner or a glass of wine selected from an extensive list featuring both local and international vintages.
As for the culinary offerings, The Lark's menu is an ode to local produce, sustainable seafood, and premium meats. The kitchen, helmed by a team of passionate chefs, crafts dishes that are both innovative and comforting, providing a true taste of the region's gastronomic excellence.
Some of The Lark's signature dishes include the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, an umami-packed dish delicately laced with medjool dates, garum, sesame, and lime, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The House-Made Ricotta Cavatelli showcases the kitchen's dedication to craftsmanship, served with fennel sausage, broccolini, pecorino, and fennel pollen, each bite is a testament to the attention paid to flavor and texture.
Seafood enthusiasts may revel in the Pacific Sea Bass, which is impeccably cooked and served alongside roasted carrots, chickpea purée, olives, and a citrus vinaigrette, capturing the essence of California's coastal fare. Meat lovers are not forgotten, with the Grilled Hanger Steak standing out on the menu; this cut is known for its depth of flavor and is accompanied by smoked tomato butter, crispy fingerling potatoes, and chimichurri, offering a harmonious blend of smoky and tangy notes.
The Lark's dessert menu is a fitting conclusion to the culinary journey, with standout selections such as the Dark Chocolate Budino, a rich and indulgent treat paired with whipped crème fraîche and sea salt, creating a luxurious endnote to the dining experience.
As an integral part of Santa Barbara's culinary scene, The Lark not only serves exquisite food but also captures the essence of the region's lifestyle - laid back, yet indulgent and refined, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to savor the flavors of the Central Coast.
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