Square One (closed)

I took a little peek at the pastry menu last night during a downtown stroll and even though I’d had ample and delicious nibbles elsewhere that evening, I knew I couldn’t pass up a small plate of something here.

The peach tart tempted me, but the chef recommended his dessert special. Dessert special it was, at the bar, please.

But first, a surprise dish of a slice of pate on a little toast with a citrus sauce. The toast must have been cooked over high heat, because it was crisp on the outside and soft inside, which was easy to cut with a fork and lovely to eat.

And then, the dessert. Local butternut squash in a fine mash rolled up in a crisp pastry shell with pecans on top, served with fig coulis and pecan ice cream.  I loved the textures of everything. The pastry was warm with the crunch, the ice cream was cold and smooth, the pecans brought it together with its organic bumps and ridges.

The owners were great and talked to lonely little me at the bar. Over an hour later, I’m presented with the bill of $8.

Mouthfulls of art for $8. That’s a better deal than any piece on a wall or pedestal I saw at First Thursday.

Update: 5 March 2009

Left: butternut squash bread pudding. Right: pot de creme with pistachio.

Another successful dessert evening after First Thursday. Who can deny this is a fabulous way to end the night? Desserts are still a paltry $8 each.

Past entries:
27 July 2008
19 January 2008

Square One
14 E Cota St
Santa Barbara, CA 93190
www.squareonesb.com