Following the winding pathway up to the Biltmore hotel through the gardens and past the backdrop of the serene blue pacific ocean you can't help but feel a sense of carefree summer relaxation. The Spanish architecture and beautiful fountains throughout the grounds is exactly what you would expect to see nestled along the Santa Barbara coastline.
The Bella Vista restaurant is located right off the main lobby and the patio seating has panoramic views of the ocean. The hostesses dressed in sharp red dresses greet you with a smile when you walk in offering your choice of tables with amazing views.
If you are coming in the evening there are heating lamps throughout the patio to keep you warm from the cool ocean breezes. In the late afternoon the restaurant offers a popular happy hour special on drinks and tapas. As the afternoon goes on guests and locals alike fill up the patio coming to celebrate birthdays or just relax after a jaunt through the channel islands on a helicopter. Some sip champagne while others try the myriad of colorful tropical drinks offered such as the bright red rasberry crush..
The attentive waiters don't hesitate to bring a refill if you're getting low. The Bella Vista certainly lives up to Santa Barbara's title as the American Riviera.
The menu offers many choices of delicious seafood including the lobster Brioche sandwich filled to the brim with fresh lobster.
While you're waiting for you're dish you can also snack on the herb roasted popcorn and spicy trail mix appetizers at your own risk.
For the best part you can choose from several signature dishes on the dessert menu. My personal favorite was the honey roasted apricot dish.
Sweet caramelized apricots and lemon pound cake drizzled in white chocolate cream combine for a melt in your mouth dessert. Top it off with the apricot sorbet and tangy jam for the perfect end to a delicious meal.
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