Lilac Montecito

Review summary

1. B

   Barbara

   Central Coast

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful food and service. Sat more in the back and we could easily talk and hear each other. Food was fabulous . Had key lime tart for dessert and it was delicious
   

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2. M

   Michael

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   57 reviews

   4.0

   57 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   First time there and figured breakfast would be safe way to start. I was excited about the menu because it had both classic Eggs Benedict and Quiche Lorraine, two favorites. We also ordered the breakfast potatoes and a side of bacon. English was not our servers native language and it was at times difficult to understand him and, apparently, difficult for him to understand us. More on that in a moment. First, the Benedict was good but not served warm enough. Secondly, the quiche was like runny scrambled eggs in a pie crust. There was very little meat and little cheese flavor. The potatoes were different, not crispy or grilled but tasted as if poached or boiled and lacked seasoning. The bowl of fresh fruit and the orange juice were perfect. Sadly, as I said, the server did not get our order of bacon. He repeated it do I am certain he understood but seemed a bit tired, perhaps out too late the night before. We will try again, Persia a dinner in the future. But with so many good choices in Montecito, it may be awhile.
   

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3. MH

   MarkH

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Outstanding food and service. Comparatively quiet and easy to have a conversation as well as enjoy a good meal Just a lovely place to have a meal with family and friends. Thanks
   

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4. P

   Patty

   VIP

   Central Coast

   34 reviews

   5.0

   34 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It is so nice to sit in a restaurant and not have to question every single ingredient. Thank you so much Lilac for being a gluten-free restaurant! Everything was delicious! We ordered the simple bistro salad, the cauliflower, chicken Marsala, spaghetti and meatballs, and pumpkin cheesecake!
   

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5. J

   Jim

   VIP

   Central Coast

   56 reviews

   4.0

   56 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The atmosphere was classy, the table settings elegant the service very friendly. The chicken marsala was delicious and the pasta bolognese excellent. I love the dishes were served piping hot. Since it's also a bakery the bread was very good with a roll that was soft and moist inside with a crispier exterior and delicious salt crystals. The Caesar salad was excellent including shaved parmesan and a parmesan crisp! Unfortunately we didn't realize the cost of splitting the salad in the kitchen was going to add more than 50% to the cost of the salad itself! Next time we'll eat off a single plate! A little slow on water and iced tea refills. An excellent wine selection too. Less expensive than others on Coast Village Road, but with only one lower end Chardonnay, still $113 without tip.
   

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6. W

   Wendy

   Central Coast

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 5 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I've enjoyed their lunch and brunch offerings several times - the food is delicious, especially for those of us who need to avoid gluten and, frankly, most diners would never notice that their baked goods are all gluten free! Friendly service and clean, appealing dining room. Highly recommended.
   

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7. R

   Richard

   VIP

   Central Coast

   89 reviews

   4.0

   89 reviews

   Dined on 5 January 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Looked forward to going to the new tenant in a building that was a coffee shop and then a hamburger bistro. The service was excellent, the food a mixed review with the crusty salmon skin salmon very tasty and the spaghetti in the spaghetti and meatballs mediocre. The pasta tasted different than any other pasta I've ever eaten. Not what you expected and not completely welcome. The meatballs were excellent. The nicest surprise was that the noise level was not off the charts in what is becoming a standard in Santa Barbara, chaos and unrestrained partying by raucous patrons. The ability to talk to your dinner partner was blissful as was the tasteful music that also did not overpower the atmosphere. We will definitely return.
   

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8. A

   Ann

   San Diego

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on 1 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a fantastic dinner. The rack of lamb with a pistachio crust was the bedt i havd ever had.
   

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9. C

   Christa

   VIP

   Cleveland

   28 reviews

   5.0

   28 reviews

   Dined on 29 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful service and food was amazing . The mimosa awesome o
   

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10. L

    LIca

    VIP

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    The service was top notch. I made last-minute reservation, so we were seated outside, it was a bit chilly, they surrounded us with heaters and brought us a blanket. Our server was great, very efficient. The food was delicious! Looking forward to returning.
    

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