Petit Valentien

Don’t let the State Street address fool you, the restaurant is within la Arcada, closer to Figueroa.

They specialize in small plates. There is nothing more than $15 and those that are $15 have not disappointed me.

The cheese plate for $7 feeds 2-3 people, the bread is fresh from the oven, the salads are crisp and dressed just right. I’ve eaten here three times already and for all of them the food has been fabulous.

One time the service was rather poor, due to the waitress being very new, but go on a week night when it’s less busy and chances are you’ll have very good service.

The artichoke pancake is delicious and the crab cake, one of my favorites from here, had a unique flavor. I can’t eat those bready cakey other crab cakes now.

The menu varies from day to day. Once I had a juicy salmon, but haven’t seen it on the menu since. There was also a great bacon-wrapped fish and the fish type will vary.

Top: fresh bread and butter, on left. Beet, green bean, goat cheese salad, on right.
Bottom: Mediterranean health salad, on left. Cheese plate, on right.

Dinner: shared cheese plate; risotto with white truffle oil and peas (best dish of the night); lightly seared tuna with arugala, sweet pepper and slivers of citrus peel; frogs legs with a savory lemon sauce; wine and creme brulee.  Plus freshly baked hot bread. $47 before tip.

Update: 13 May 08

Dinner: shared cheese plate – manchego was horrid but all else very good; a really wonderful mussel and saffron cream soup, lamb riblets with honey and mint glaze, duck breast with plums and wild rice, and filet mignon au poivre. Top items of the night were the soup, riblets and steak. Really delish. Meal was closer to $60 for two.

Petit Valentien
1114 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93190