Azul Cocina Artesanal & Cantina — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

We went for dinner with another couple and found the atmosphere absolutely delightful. It was a warm Santa Barbara winter evening and the lights in the courtyard as well as the paneling in the covered dining area were magical. The wait staff was very pleasant and the carnitas were quite good. The prices were surprisingly low with many entrees between 20 and $30.

Our problem began when after an hour and 15 minutes we had had only an appetizer and our main course had not arrived. When we asked the waiter what was happening he said there was a slow down in the kitchen. It is true that when we arrived the place was busy but by this time an hour and 15 minutes later it was dramatically more empty so we were puzzled.

The waiter returned perhaps 10 minutes later and almost begged us to talk with the manager. Hmmm. She came over but was quite rude. I was startled when she interrupted one of our party to say, "Can I talk now!" Wow! Who says that? This black haired slender Hispanic woman needs to be given some basic lessons in how to treat customers who have been sitting patiently for now over an hour and 15 minutes!

When our food finally arrived we were still puzzled why it had taken so long. The carnitas must have been cooking for at least a day (delicious and fell apart!) and nothing else in our orders (4 carnitas!) required preparation. So it seemed our meals could have been plated in 5 or 10 minutes especially once the rush subsided. We still don't know what happened. My advice is if the kitchen staff quits in the middle of the evening or the cook didn't show up for the night that customers just be told the real reason instead of gaslighted.

In the end one of our party canceled her order and was given a complimentary glass of wine. This is not a reflection on the wait staff who were very gracious. And I think we will go back again because the atmosphere, prices, and food were all good. But beware of the rude...

Wow! Azul is an amazing new restaurant that has everything going for it….delicious food, creative drinks, beautiful aesthetics, and attentive service! Azul opened in late 2023 and elevates Mexican food to a whole new level. We throughly enjoyed every dish and beverage we tried. The rockfish ceviche was delectably tender, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of lime, heat, and sweetness from a coconut milk based leche de tigre. The carnitas de la casa were mouthwateringly tender and accompanied by pesto rice, black beans, and a modernized take on pico de gallo. The duck confit… out of this world! Duck was fork tender, topped with the most delicious mole. Their drinks? Super tasty and creative, utilizing a variety of mezcals and tequilas. We highly recommend the margarita flight if you can’t decide on just one drink, each served in super cute little glasses! Lastly, we had the Kahlúa Flan for dessert. With its custard like creaminess, it was the perfect way to top off an already impeccable meal. Service was top notch. Riley, our server, was so friendly, incredibly attentive, and took great care of us, as did his entire ancillary team. Chef/owner Manny was also nice enough to chat with us and it’s clear that he loves what he does and has worked tirelessly over the years to get where he is today. He’s such a kind and humble person, yet his love and passion for creating flavorful dishes, using fresh and local ingredients, really shines through his food! Thank you to Chef Manny, Riley, and the whole team at Azul for an...

Upscale Mexican restaurant in a hidden gem of a location. The front is unassuming, so much so that you could almost miss it as you walk by. Once you make your way inside, you’ll find a stylish interior that is warm and welcoming. The primary interior dining room is spacious with high ceilings. The main bar sits opposite the dining area and hosts a wide selection of libations.

Down the hallway past the bar, the enclosed outdoor dining area is what sets this restaurant apart from others in the area. The charming outdoor courtyard has plenty of seating and heating, and the lighting sets a relaxing mood for dining.

Overall the food and drinks are good. My steak (Ranchero) was well prepared and tender, and the vegetables were tasty without being over or undercooked. Menu selection is somewhat “typical” of an upscale Mexican restaurant, with slight variations on traditional dishes.

Cocktails were well crafted and good, though a bit inconsistent. Service was pretty good overall, but perhaps slightly overwhelmed. Still, our server was patient and pleasant throughout the evening.

Parking is right around the corner; use lot 6, the Granada Garage for...