Aperitivo - Santa Barbara

More than a wine bar! The food is absolutely amazing, and changes weekly. One the best wine lists in town. People are great, some of the best service I've had in a long time. Great for a date night or a small group of friends, as it's a smaller place. My new favorite place you need to go right now.

Outstanding food. TORTELLI DI FARRO CON RADICI DI SEDANO, BALSAMICO E NOCI was exceptionally outstanding . The service was great and very helpful as this was our first. The environment was friendly and welcoming

Aperitivo is one of my very favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara. The food is AlWays spectacular and authentic!! The service is great, very friendly. Get the artichokes if they have them

Stopped by at 5pm on a Wednesday evening, and was seated outside.They have daily rotating menus, including 2 garden items, 1 crudo, 2 bruschettas, 2 house-made pastas, along w 2 snack and 2 dessert selections. The type of house-made pasta will differ between the two dishes, and there is typically a meat and no meat pasta dish. Check their website for daily offerings.I started off with an Aperitivo Negroni, sipping until the hamachi crudo came out shortly after. The crudo was magnificently presented, a piece of art in itself, with curled cucumber slices, bisected berries and golden tomatoes, sprigs of green/purple basil, all in a delightful pear sauce. Light, refreshing, and a feast for the eyes.The gnocchi and sausage dish came out 40 minutes later, which took a bit longer than I expected. The sauce was minimal but rich, scattered with a layer of crispy ground sausage. The gnocchi definitely had a bite to it, perhaps a teeny bit undercooked to my liking.This is a great place to unwind with friends, as well as split plates to maximize trying those rotating dishes. The owner is very gregarious, helpful w the menu, and seems passionate about his brainchild. I applaud the daily rotating menus, which is no small feat!

Europeans living in Santa Barbara since 30 years and having been to Italy many dozens of times since childhood: This is the only „Italian“ place in Santa Barbara that gives you the real „Italy“ feeling all the others are „pseudo Italian“. Recently we had the „Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe“ one night, then „Campanelle Pomodoro Salsiccia“ the other night, always followed by a wonderful affogato ristretto of course and not soaked. Truly authentic. The menu is limited, the ambiance minimalistic as you might find it in a hole in the wall in Milan, Rome, Siena, or Orvieto. So if you’re looking for an American Italian dinner: wrong place. If you’re looking for something authentic with very personal sercice: right place!