Via Maestra 42 — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

We make it to Santa Barbara several times a year and always make a point to go to Via Maestra 42. I am sad to say that after our experience there yesterday afternoon we will not be returning. Our party of 3 arrived around 3:30 pm with only one other table seated during our visit. We ordered 3 Lasagna della Casa. When we placed our order the waiter was not very attentive. He heard our discussion at the table regarding a salad. He never offered to tell us that the meals we ordered came with a house salad so we ordered the Insalata Tricolore for the table to share. A short time later he came out with the house salads. As we were near finishing our salads, my daughter found a fly in her salad. Not just a fly, but a fly very heavily marinated in olive oil. 🤢 we brought this to the attention of the waiter and he acted as if it was a mystery and held the plate next to his face to see if it was moving. He was not apologetic in any way but he did tell my daughter that he would give her a free gelato and he would discuss then incident with someone. A short time later he brings out our Insalata Tricolore which, of course, we didn’t touch that lettuce. It was obviously the same as the house salad with a few toppings added. We didn’t want the addition of fly protein to our diets. He never came back to our table as promised to discuss the fly. The owner walked past our table multiple times and never stopped. No one ever apologized for use being served a nasty fly. Gross! When he brought our check, my daughter decided she wanted the spumoni. We asked is she could get it instead of the gelato. He agreed. Of course he agreed because he charged us for it. There seemed to be no communication with service staff. We felt very undervalued as customers at this...

After hearing that Via Maestra 42 had been voted the #1 Italian restaurant by Santa Barbara locals from 2021 through 2024, I was eager to dine there. The countless positive reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor further heightened my expectations.

Upon arrival, I found the restaurant to be quaint and cozy, with a limited number of tables that filled up quickly. The intimate setting was complemented by the friendly and attentive waitstaff, who contributed positively to the dining experience.

However, as I made my way to the restroom, I observed a concerning amount of microwave usage in the kitchen. This observation was unfortunately reflected in the dishes I sampled. The shrimp pasta was notably bland and watery, lacking the robust flavors one would expect from a traditional Italian dish. The truffle ravioli, while acceptable, did not stand out and failed to leave a lasting impression.

Considering the high prices, I anticipated a dining experience that showcased authentic and flavorful Italian cuisine. Regrettably, the quality and taste of the food did not align with these expectations, leading to a disappointing visit.

While Via Maestra 42 offers a charming atmosphere and commendable service, the reliance on microwave preparation and the lackluster flavors of the dishes I tried do not justify the premium pricing. Given the restaurant’s esteemed reputation, I hope this was an isolated experience and that future visits might better reflect the accolades it...

Their food is amazing. The ambiance outdoors is actually lovely. I had ordered raviolis without reading the menu because I was so hungry and knew what I wanted. I had pretty great service here my first time except for when the waitress who brought my incredible raviolis made an incredibly rude comment as she served my plate. I had remarked, “Oh, I thought these would be with marinara?” They looked amazing, presentation was beautiful, I wasn’t upset I was just surprised. She grabbed the menu, handed it to me and said, “That’s why we gave you a menu, so you can read it.” She said it with the most sarcastic smile on her face, I honestly didn’t even have a response for her. I was so stunned. Then when I had asked for more olive oil she continued with her dramatic act and brought me literally an entire boat of olive oil what. A huge waste for my two pieces of bread… it was such a performance for what? I came to the restaurant in great spirits and very impressed and this waitress totally ruined the whole experience. However, everyone else is incredibly kind and attentive and the food is sooooooo fresh and so good. Way better than Ca’Dario, if you’re trying to decide, the food at Via Maestro 42 is way...