The setting made our experience of this restaurant worthwhile, despite the fact that the food is not that good and way overpriced. Restaurant too noisy to have a real conversation.
LauraB
Really nice setting. Great service. We had spicy tuna on crisp rice and edamame for appetizers. The tuna and charred avocado roll was interesting. We also ordered sake and Sapporos. The chocolate mochi ice cream with berries and shaved chocolate was divine. The menu is limited, but perfect for a light dinner.
Yen-tso K.
Dining at the Ritz was as expected. You add on Ritz pricing to everything. I liked how the crispy rice turned out because it's not crispy to a point where it sticks to your teeth. The crab hand roll was amazing. Probably could have eaten several of those. The Santa Barbara Roll had a slightly off taste. The tiradito was good, as it should be, since it's one of their specialty dishes. The wagyu was melt-ilicious. Tuna and Avo was alright, but wouldn't order again. The setting is dark.. a combination of less daylight during winter and also dim interior lighting. About half the tables inside have decent lighting to actually see the food. When the doors are open, brrrr, chilled to the bone.
DarrenB
Where are the Ritz Carlton for a four-day weekend celebrating. We were hungry and excited to try their sushi restaurant. From the start, the server was amicable at best and not able to read the table and to say slow as molasses would be an understatement. We understand we are at the resort where things are supposed to be more relaxed away from the rush of the Los Angeles that said high end service should be able to read the room know when to leave a table and go to another table at one point he was talking to a table for over 10 minutes socially enjoying a conversation with them while his others table sat in need, the sushi was decent but nothing extra ordinary, except for the spicy hamachi that was absolutely delicious would we go back there most likely not there's better sushi restaurants in Santa Barbara that you can go to 10 minutes away. The management asked how we liked it as we left they mentioned if we would come back, we came back the following night to the Angel Oak which was a completely different experience delicious food great service that said, even though they came by the table to see how we were doing they did not offer to comp the dessert or our coffee or offer us anything from the night before. Not that we were looking for something free, but clearly they have guests that are not leaving the property so built in clientele for the restaurant. Maybe they don't need to do such things.
Server was very nice but unfortunately the kitchen seemed to be severely understaffed. We only ordered a few things and the last roll took over 30 mins to arrive, leaving us feeling bored and frustrated. The food is ok. Perfectly basic sushi with a few fancy twists - none of which justify the prices but at a resort you tend to expect the mark ups. Wish they were thinking about Japanese cuisine more broadly - there is so much more to explore beyond sushi! Just sushi seems pretty dated and uninventive if you ask me.
CF757
San Setto is not really its own restaurant, it's a section set off within Angel Oak. That said, the sushi is truly outstanding, the wine list is thoughtful and extensive and service was on point. Prices as you would expect from top tier sushi in a luxury hotel.
Estela
With any experience, the staff can help set how that experience will turn out. Omar was great in helping elevate our memorable experience. The food presentation was beautiful and very tasty. The view beautiful!
Mango
Despite the reservation the table wasn't ready for 25 minutes. Waited another 25 minutes and no service. Not even a glass of water. No acknowledgment of our presence till we were walking out the door angry and hungry
Food was ok, really poor service - they made no accommodations for dietary restrictions basically pointed me to the menu of 2 options -would have expected more customization in a restaurant of this caliber. So there weren't as many food options - they couldn't make the cocktail drink either sigh!!
Loved it!!! We (The Fam) eat sushi all the time and San Setto probably has the most creative and delicious rolls we've ever had. All the rolls we had were very unique! Great Mochi Ice Cream as well!!! Mango, Green Tea and Strawberry...strawberry is still the fav. Enjoy!!!!
Phenomenal food and such a wonderful experience! Elijah, our server, was so kind, bubbly and amazing. Josh, who helped assist Elijah, was just as wonderful. The chef also came out and talked with us about one of the dishes, which made our first time being here memorable. One of our best restaurant experiences to date!
CarlP
Service was slow. Cocktails were horrible. I sent my martini back, because it was not drinkable. The sushi was good, but not nearly good enough for the price. I've had better sushi for half the price of this restaurant. You really pay for the location and the view.
The food was excellent! Beautifully curated and delicious. They were extremely attentive about allergies upon check in and remembered it was a birthday. The hostess experience was excellent and server was knowledgeable and very good. The water view outside is beautiful as well. The check service however, was very slow as it took 30 minutes as they are used to mainly room charges only rather than local area diners and my sister missed the first 30 mins of her own birthday party nearby. Local diners must know in advance that they charge $20 per car to eat! And that the SMALL still water bottles are $13 EACH. We just felt gouged and wouldn't go back. We left very frustrated about the resort restaurant experience instead of feeling happy to have chosen San Setto for a special birthday.
JakeyK414
WHAT A TERRIFIC MEAL! Definitely a hidden gem of this property. Our meal was made extra special due to the attentive service from Justus who made sure we were always cared for despite a busy evening at the restaurant. The sushi was fresh and delicious - on par with other sushi spots at sister Ritz resorts. The best part? Sit outside underneath the giant heaters as you watch the waves crash into the beach below.
ChrisE
Delicious sushi and drinks with unique flavor combinations. Loved the Santa Barbara roll the most, but the halibut sashimi was also great. Excellent service and beautiful ocean views.
The setting made our experience of this restaurant worthwhile, despite the fact that the food is not that good and way overpriced. Restaurant too noisy to have a real conversation.
Really nice setting. Great service. We had spicy tuna on crisp rice and edamame for appetizers. The tuna and charred avocado roll was interesting. We also ordered sake and Sapporos. The chocolate mochi ice cream with berries and shaved chocolate was divine. The menu is limited, but perfect for a light dinner.
Dining at the Ritz was as expected. You add on Ritz pricing to everything. I liked how the crispy rice turned out because it's not crispy to a point where it sticks to your teeth. The crab hand roll was amazing. Probably could have eaten several of those. The Santa Barbara Roll had a slightly off taste. The tiradito was good, as it should be, since it's one of their specialty dishes. The wagyu was melt-ilicious. Tuna and Avo was alright, but wouldn't order again. The setting is dark.. a combination of less daylight during winter and also dim interior lighting. About half the tables inside have decent lighting to actually see the food. When the doors are open, brrrr, chilled to the bone.
Where are the Ritz Carlton for a four-day weekend celebrating. We were hungry and excited to try their sushi restaurant. From the start, the server was amicable at best and not able to read the table and to say slow as molasses would be an understatement. We understand we are at the resort where things are supposed to be more relaxed away from the rush of the Los Angeles that said high end service should be able to read the room know when to leave a table and go to another table at one point he was talking to a table for over 10 minutes socially enjoying a conversation with them while his others table sat in need, the sushi was decent but nothing extra ordinary, except for the spicy hamachi that was absolutely delicious would we go back there most likely not there's better sushi restaurants in Santa Barbara that you can go to 10 minutes away. The management asked how we liked it as we left they mentioned if we would come back, we came back the following night to the Angel Oak which was a completely different experience delicious food great service that said, even though they came by the table to see how we were doing they did not offer to comp the dessert or our coffee or offer us anything from the night before. Not that we were looking for something free, but clearly they have guests that are not leaving the property so built in clientele for the restaurant. Maybe they don't need to do such things.
Server was very nice but unfortunately the kitchen seemed to be severely understaffed. We only ordered a few things and the last roll took over 30 mins to arrive, leaving us feeling bored and frustrated. The food is ok. Perfectly basic sushi with a few fancy twists - none of which justify the prices but at a resort you tend to expect the mark ups. Wish they were thinking about Japanese cuisine more broadly - there is so much more to explore beyond sushi! Just sushi seems pretty dated and uninventive if you ask me.
San Setto is not really its own restaurant, it's a section set off within Angel Oak. That said, the sushi is truly outstanding, the wine list is thoughtful and extensive and service was on point. Prices as you would expect from top tier sushi in a luxury hotel.
With any experience, the staff can help set how that experience will turn out. Omar was great in helping elevate our memorable experience. The food presentation was beautiful and very tasty. The view beautiful!
Despite the reservation the table wasn't ready for 25 minutes. Waited another 25 minutes and no service. Not even a glass of water. No acknowledgment of our presence till we were walking out the door angry and hungry
Food was ok, really poor service - they made no accommodations for dietary restrictions basically pointed me to the menu of 2 options -would have expected more customization in a restaurant of this caliber. So there weren't as many food options - they couldn't make the cocktail drink either sigh!!
Loved it!!! We (The Fam) eat sushi all the time and San Setto probably has the most creative and delicious rolls we've ever had. All the rolls we had were very unique! Great Mochi Ice Cream as well!!! Mango, Green Tea and Strawberry...strawberry is still the fav. Enjoy!!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Phenomenal food and such a wonderful experience! Elijah, our server, was so kind, bubbly and amazing. Josh, who helped assist Elijah, was just as wonderful. The chef also came out and talked with us about one of the dishes, which made our first time being here memorable. One of our best restaurant experiences to date!
Service was slow. Cocktails were horrible. I sent my martini back, because it was not drinkable. The sushi was good, but not nearly good enough for the price. I've had better sushi for half the price of this restaurant. You really pay for the location and the view.
The food was excellent! Beautifully curated and delicious. They were extremely attentive about allergies upon check in and remembered it was a birthday. The hostess experience was excellent and server was knowledgeable and very good. The water view outside is beautiful as well. The check service however, was very slow as it took 30 minutes as they are used to mainly room charges only rather than local area diners and my sister missed the first 30 mins of her own birthday party nearby. Local diners must know in advance that they charge $20 per car to eat! And that the SMALL still water bottles are $13 EACH. We just felt gouged and wouldn't go back. We left very frustrated about the resort restaurant experience instead of feeling happy to have chosen San Setto for a special birthday.
WHAT A TERRIFIC MEAL! Definitely a hidden gem of this property. Our meal was made extra special due to the attentive service from Justus who made sure we were always cared for despite a busy evening at the restaurant. The sushi was fresh and delicious - on par with other sushi spots at sister Ritz resorts. The best part? Sit outside underneath the giant heaters as you watch the waves crash into the beach below.
Delicious sushi and drinks with unique flavor combinations. Loved the Santa Barbara roll the most, but the halibut sashimi was also great. Excellent service and beautiful ocean views.