Ca' Dario Montecito — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Did you ever order a dish that was prepared so poorly that it made you not want to eat it again? That is precisely how I feel about the special Risotto Aragosta con Porcini served on the evening of August 4th. Now don't get me wrong; I like butter as much as the next guy, but this dish was swimming in it. So much so that although I'm a non-drinker I was impelled to steal several swigs of my partner's Chardonnay, just to stomach the concoction. Note to chef: "Less is more." And to the owner, same goes for the vastness of the restaurant, which should be renamed "Fa'Dario" as in "fabbrica," the Italian word for factory. My poor waiter must've accumulated 20,000 steps in the short time I was there. I used to really like Ca'Dario and I realize this is just one dish, but I prefer dining in a more intimate space where more attention can be devoted to the diners and the cooking. I also have to wonder why, given the proximity of the farmer's market, Ca"Dario insists on serving mealy, washed out...

Very disappointing tonight... I have eaten here several times and in the past have enjoyed their pasta and pizza. Not superb but ok. Tonight was just plain bad. We went with another couple, and 3 of us ordered veal scallopini at the strong suggestion of our waitress. One of us had salmon which was ok. First the bread served was delayed, and was stale. The artichoke appetizer was tasteless, with little "meat" and cost $18. Sadly, the veal was luke warm, and the mushroom sauce very bland and oily. The spinach with it was cold, and the potatoes not much better. With 2 glasses of wine, and a modest tip because the whole meal took at least 45 minutes to come after ordering, the bill came to $175 for 2 of us. $350 for this meal for 4 is ridiculous. The husband of the other couple, also a Montecito resident, said, "Well I guess we won't be coming to Ca "Dario again!" ...

Poor quality attempt at Italian food that is over priced to pay high rents. Not one Italian in the kitchen and explains the overcooked pasta that is delivered to the table mushy with an unpleasant texture. Ca’Dario’s cooks (not one chef in restaurant) do not make the pasta. Pasta is bought elsewhere. General manager will offensively approach your table with inappropriate comments of a conversation he did not witness nor hear regarding complimenting a short staff member. Don't be a waitress if you can't handle a simple non offensive comment about your 4'10" height. Sitting outside yields a view at a road of cars with stop and go traffic. Tre Lune a half block north or Via Vai in Upper Village of Montecito is considerably better. Avoid this business...