Best Italian Dining in Santa Barbara: Wine, Spaghetti, Gelato and Amore!

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Photo courtesy of Kevin Steele Photography
Photo courtesy of Kevin Steele Photography

Olio e Limone

Item: Olio e Limone
Author: Geneva Ives

Cuisine: European, Italian

Price Range: $$

10Best Says

This accomplished Italian restaurant receives constant kudos for its authentic yet inventive cuisine. Husband and wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello opened Olio e Limone Ristorante in 1999 with the goal of providing Santa Barbara with creative Italian fare in an inviting setting. Fresh flavor combinations featuring locally grown ingredients abound. The menu changes often and offers everything from ravioli with roasted eggplant and goat cheese to fresh fish, rack of veal, roasted quail, free-range chicken and veal scaloppine with lemon and artichokes. Olio E Limone's extensive wine list boasts local vintages and Italian selections. A small room is available to reserve for private dining.

Address:

17 W Victoria St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-899-2699

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 11:30am-2pm,; 5pm-Close
Sun: 5pm-Close

Website:

olioelimone.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Geneva Ives
Santa Barbara Local Expert

Italian: "Bottles of the beloved house olive oil are available for purchase. It's the perfect souvenir."

Best for Italian Because: Looking to impress a date? Then this is the Italian restaurant for you. Olio e Limone is romantic and classy... and delicious!

Dinner Menu
- Antipasti E Insalate
  
  Insalata Primaverile
  
  mixed baby lettuces, grilled eggplant, roasted bell peppers, goat cheese olio e limone dressing ($12.00)
  
  Grigliata Saporita
  
  grilled radicchio, endive, eggplant, portobello mushrooms, prosciutto-wrapped goat cheese, balsamic drizzle ($14.00)
  
  Insalata Di Lattughe Novelle
  
  mixed field greens, tomato wedges olio e limone dressing ($9.00)
  
  Timballo Di Melanzane Con Purea Di Pomodoro
  
  eggplant soufflé with goat cheese center fresh tomato-basil sauce ($13.00)
  
  Quaglie In Insalata
  
  marinated grilled quail, mixed greens, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, balsamic vinegar ($16.00)
  
  Carpaccio Di Bue
  
  thinly-sliced raw beef tenderloin, goose liver pate, celery hearts olio e limone dressing ($17.00)
  
  Mozzarella Di Buffala Con Pomodoro E Basilico
  
  fresh-imported buffalo mozzarella cheese, vine-ripened tomatoes, basil ($15.00)
  
  Insalata Tricolore Con Parmiggiano E Asparagi
  
  endive, radicchio, arugula, asparagus, shaved parmesan cheese olio e limone dressing ($14.00)
  
  Insalata Di Mare Tiepida
  
  warm seafood salad (mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp and scallops) lemon-white wine sauce ($18.00)
  
  Tortino Di Granceaola
  
  italian-style crab cake, arugula & bell pepper sauces mixed greens ($18.00)
  
  Guazzetto Con Crostino Allaglio
  
  array of seafood, spicy tomato-garlic broth, toasted country bread ($18.00)
  
  Carpaccio Di Pere Bella Elena
  
  thinly sliced pears, mixed baby greens, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts olio e limone dressing ($14.00)
  
  Prosciutto Di Parma Con Bruschetta
  
  imported italian parma prosciutto; toasted country bread topped with chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil ($15.00)
  
  Acciughe Alle Erbette
  
  marinated imported white mediterranean anchovy filets, mâche lettuce olio e limone dressing ($15.00)
  
  Zuppa Del Giorno
  
  soup of the day ($8.00)
- Paste E Risotti
  
  Cavatelli Con Salsicce
  
  hand-shaped pasta, sausage, tomato, pecorino cheese ($21.00)
  
  Capellini Dangelo Al Pomodoro Fresco E Basilico
  
  angel hair pasta, fresh tomato, garlic, basil ($18.00)
  
  Pappardelle Al Sugo Di Quaglie E Funghi
  
  wide-ribbon pasta ragu of tomato, quail, sausage & mushroom ($24.00)
  
  Tagliolini Del Campo
  
  thin ribbon pasta, leeks, spinach, green beans, parmesan ($20.00)
  
  Fettuccine Con Spugnole E Asparagi
  
  ribbon pasta, morel mushrooms, asparagus, cream ($23.00)
  
  Fiorellini Di Melanzane
  
  housemade ravioli filled with roasted eggplant & goat cheese; fresh tomato sauce, basil, ricotta salata (aged ricotta cheese) ($22.00)
  
  Rustichelle Dabruzzo Allamatriciana
  
  pasta twists, pancetta, onion, spicy tomato sauce ($21.00)
  
  Ravioli Danatra Ai Funghi Porcini
  
  housemade duck ravioli, creamy porcini mushroom sauce ($24.00)
  
  Garganelli Al Ragu Dagnello
  
  homemade pasta quills, lamb ragù, pecorino cheese ($22.00)
  
  Tortelloni Di Spinaci Al Burro E Salvia
  
  housemade spinach & ricotta-filled tortelloni, tomato sauce, fresh sage butter ($23.00)
  
  Spaghetti Allo Scoglio
  
  spaghetti, fresh dungeness crabmeat, prawn, spicy tomato sauce ($27.00)
  
  Risotto Al Funghi Porcini
  
  arborio rice, porcini mushrooms, mascarpone cheese ($24.00)
  
  Risotto Allimone E Gamberetti
  
  arborio rice, shrimp, asparagus, lemon, chives ($23.00)
  
  Risotto Al Nero Di Seppia
  
  arborio rice, shrimp, scallops, calamari, squid ink ($25.00)
- Secondi
  
  Pesce Fresco Del Giorno
  
  fresh fish of the day
  
  Pollo Ruspante Arrosto Con Patate E Spinaci
  
  roasted free-range chicken, rosemary potatoes, sauteed spinach ($26.00)
  
  Petti Di Pollo Saltimbocca Alla Val Dostana
  
  thinly-pounded sliced chicken breast, prosciutto, fontina cheese, marsala wine ($27.00)
  
  Quaglie Con Salsiccia, Polenta E Caponata
  
  roasted quails stuffed with sausage polenta, sicilian ratatouille ($30.00)
  
  Scaloppine Con Carciofi E Limone
  
  thinly sliced veal cutlets, fresh artichoke hearts, lemon sauce ($31.00)
  
  Nodino Di Maiale Alla Senape
  
  pork tenderloin, green peppercorn-mustard sauce, pureed potatoes ($29.00)
  
  Tagliata Di Bue Con Rugola E Tortino Di Patate
  
  sliced beef tenderloin over thin potato tart, arugula, shaved parmesan, truffle oil ($34.00)
  
  Costata Di Manzo Alle Erbe
  
  herb-roasted rib-eye steak, roasted potatoes, vegetables ($34.00)
  
  Lombata Di Vitello Alla Griglia
  
  grilled veal chop, roasted potatoes, rosemary jus ($37.00)
  
  Costolette Dagnello Con Balsamico E Menta
  
  new zealand lamb chops, balsamic vinegar reduction sauce ($36.00)

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