The Daisy — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Went to the Daisy tonight with some friends and their kids - we have been several times before and the service has always been friendly, olive oil cake delish, and good wine selections ... but today we had such an awful and embarrassing moment with who I assume to be the owner or manager (older gentleman with a British accent) that I had to take the time to explain why I will never be going back there for a $140 dinner for 2 adults and one toddler ($10 grilled cheese on the kids menu), and there isn't even table service! and it isn't even the high price and generally mediocre food.

Yes we were 4 adults and 4 children, yes we had some strollers that were in the way and were moved, yes the kids were making normal kid noises and walking around a bit, yes the kids were being kids, but there was nothing broken, no messes, and very few people outside (many many empty tables both inside and both outside areas, which is why we went there in the first place because everywhere else was packed) when this gentleman comes over and scolded us saying something along the lines of "this is an adult restaurant and we need this space for other tables and your strollers and kids are all over the place and i have kids and this isn't acceptable." but in the rudest way possible and loud. well - let me just say that even if he was right and even if we were a little annoying, he never once came over first to kindly and subtly ask us if we could try to give a table area a little more space because someone was going to be sitting there. he chose to loudly lecture us as if we were juveniles first. and when i very calmly told him that he was being rude, he continued to go off on me, and when i said well we will be leaving soon and won't come back again he said "great, thank you." the irony is, his manners were far worse than ours or the children. maybe he was having a bad day - but he made sure that 2 mothers, 2 fathers and 4 children...

I hate to write a bad review of a small local business but felt important to share a truly unfortunate experience. I arrived today with my 5 yr old who was home sick to grab a quick lunch. the restaurant was empty save for the staff at 11:30 am. we walked up front to order and my daughter who was not feeling well was in my arms, I placed her on the counter for barely 2 seconds to grab my phone from my purse. The woman at the counter snapped at me to not put her on the counter because the owner doesn't like it. I was startled and said sure ok. and then said maybe say that more kindly to a customer as that was not so nice. so I walked down to the bar stools to put my daughter down and get my phone/wallet and then the owner, a british man who I have spoken with many times over the years as we have been loyal customers, walked over and placed a chalkboard sign that said something about having to be 21 yrs old to sit at the bar. I looked up and politely said excuse me and said you must be joking? He yelled at me that he didn't care if I was a regular customer he wasn't going to lose his liquor license. I was so stunned I said I am sorry I was just putting my daughter on the stool but obviously we can leave. He stormed off rudely. On my way out I said how unfortunate as that was one of our favorite restaurants. No one should be treated that way - no mother with her child, no human being frankly. Please consider where you spend your money...

Local Organic Flavorful food. Clean Fresh Interior + exterior seating. Order at counter - line moves quickly when they are busy. Easy parking in back. Sweet shops to saunter and enjoy pre or post meal.

Many great things about this place and easy to give if 5 stars. There is something for everyone; we especially love the flavorful all plant based options. Their lemony chickpea sandwich is excellent.

I spoke to the lovely owner Dominic who advised why they don't have teapots or decaf - as not many are ordered and limited space. Am so grateful he had listened to our inquiries and took the time to give us feedback.

The dessert look great it'd be really nice if they had a vegan option. They are considering it.

This is one of new favorite spots. Sweet service. Excellent food. Order at counter and find nice indoor or outdoor with shade seats.

Sounds like they use fresh local organic ingredients as much as possible. Dominic for your butter and eggs, love to know the source.

will be back and update this again. Thank you Dominic and team. What a great...