Review: the Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar, Santa Barbara
On a last minute trip to Santa Barbara, we were scheduled to review the Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar. Owners Ruben Perez, along with his father, Master Chef Robert Perez and his mother Marianna Perez opened the eatery in 2010. The restaurant is touted as modern-classic California-French Pub. I noticed the menu included cuisine which crossed many borders, however. So, I was intrigued. We arrived promptly at 5pm to beat the rush and to photograph the space. A lovely woman named Asia greeted us at the door and brought us to our table.
Review The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar SB
The main dining room is stunning, with elegant high ceilings and a warm yet modern vibe. There is also an upper level dining area as well as a charming back patio. Along with their individual menu items, they offer a happy hour prix fixe starting at 5pm.
Our server Mel suggested some exquisite dishes for us to try. I started with a 2021 Koehler Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley, CA). With notes of dark berry and brown sugar on the palate, I tasted blackberry jam with hints of chocolate. It was excellent.
Since we did not order the soup of the day, Mel brought us a sampling. I am so glad she did. The carrot ginger lemon grass soup was simply divine. The flavor was intricate yet bold. While the carrot and ginger took my taste buds one direction, the lemon grass and coconut milk led them to an entirely different place. It was quite dynamic on the palate. I loved it! A serving of French bread with delicious scallion butter was paired with the soup, perfect for dipping.
Appetizers
Two incredible starter picks arrived at our table, a Gambas Al Ajillo and an Autumn Salad. The first appetizer translates to Sautéed Mexican Blue Prawns. These massive babies were perched on two lush pieces of grilled baguette, floating in a delectable spicy, garlic tomato sauce. The prawns were flawlessly cooked and magnificent. The sauce was both creamy and savory with just enough garlic.
The salad was also so fresh and distinctive, offering a variety of tender lettuces, producing an incredible mouthfeel and refreshing brightness. While the dish spotlighted Baby Gems, Arugula, Frisee, and Red Endive, the goat cheese and tiny mandarin slices were the real stars of the salad. The sherry vinaigrette provided an additional alliance that made this a very special medley.
Main Courses
For our entrees (as we call them in the U.S.), we chose Braised Beef Short Rib and the Catch of the Day (Striped Bass). Both were pretty amazing. The short rib was perfectly cooked, and it came with a nice variety of root veggies. These delicious turnips, parsnips and carrots were glazed with maple syrup. The sweet and enticing combination made a stellar companion to the bold yet tender short rib.
The Striped Bass brought a nice balance to our dinner, which my husband and I always share. The bass was light and flaky with a delicious crispy skin. The fish sat on buttery wasabi mashed potatoes. It was joined by some crisp broccolini and a shaggy mound of frisée. All of these delights were swimming in a light buttery sauce featuring the exceptional soirée of ginger and lemongrass. The combination created an overall delicate and flavorful dish.
Dessert
We assumed we had to skip a sweet ending due to our tight schedule, but Mel arrived with the Black Sheep’s signature Lavender Creme Brûlée. The gentle whisper of lavender was exquisite, while the added Tahitian Vanilla Bean lifted it to perfection. It was the subtle yet decadent ending to a sensational meal.
If you find yourself in Santa Barbara, be sure to include a dinner at the Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar. This is not your typical French restaurant but an ode to California cuisine with a respectful nod to La culture française.
The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar is located 8 East Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; Open Wednesdays – Sundays; https://blacksheepsb.com
