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Yoichi's Santa Barbara Reviews
Yoichi's is an experience that I keep taking my friends and
Yoichi's is an experience that I keep taking my friends and family to. They are a small, intimate-setting, multi-course restaurant. The menu is seasonal, chef prepared so the only choice you need to make is what to wear and what to drink. The wait staff are friendly, attentive, courteous, and knowledgeable. I have enjoyed every meal I've had here over the last few years. It is worth a try if you love fine dining experiences, Japanese food, and a gentle, soothing atmosphere.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience.
I really enjoyed the food and the service there. The food quality was superb! It could not be matched by any Japanese food I have had in the US over the last nice years.
Yoichi's is super special! The service and food are amazing.
The best kept secret restaurant in Santa Barbara. A must for all Japanese food lovers!
The service and 8-course tasting menu were fantastic.
What a perfect evening in Santa Barbara.
Always great! Second time here.
Service is top notch and everyone is friendly. The food is comparable to n/naka in LA.
We arrived a little early and they were ready for us.
The courses were explained meticulously by our two servers including where certain dishes originated. You could smell the ocean with the soup. So fortunate to experience kaiseki here in Santa Barbara; certainly a good match to our kaiseki dinners in Kyoto.
Better than 5 stars!
If I could have rated this restaurant a β6, I would have. Iβve had Japanese food all around the world (most notably in some of the best restaurants in Japan), and this meal might just be the best Iβve ever had. The courses, all of them, were beautifully presented, delicious, and the menu was extremely well balanced and planned. We also had some Japanese wine, which was different and totally delicious. The staff was also wonderfulβ¦.fully attentive, with plenty of explanation and tips. The restaurant is simple inside (very Japanese) and not elegant, but the food and service was, as they say, βoff the charts.β GO HERE if you love Japanese food!
An incredible experience worth every dime! I'd go every day
An incredible experience worth every dime! I'd go every day if it weren't so indulgently filling. I struggled to have most of each my eight courses, but the quality and flavor of each item was so fresh and perfect I couldn't resist. We had excellent service and really enjoyed the lovely, cozy dining room. All items were explained to us at each course and the servers were very approachable and knowledgeable. I can't wait for their new menu to come out in the new season!
Such a pleasant experience! We found this place on a whim
Such a pleasant experience! We found this place on a whim during a day trip to Santa Barbara. We made a same-day reservation through Yelp. The restaurant is tucked away about 5 min from downtown. Walking in felt like entering someone's humble home with modest tableware and gracious hosts. It felt cosy yet classy - perfect for a romantic dinner or for friends to get together. The kaiseki course was amazing. Each dish was beautifully plated and tasted well-balanced in terms of flavor and texture. We really enjoyed the different methods the chef used to prepare the food (soup, sashimi, grilled, steamed). Each course was well-timed and gave us the chance to savor everything without feeling rushed. We enjoyed our meal with a refreshing yuzu sake, but their drink menu is so extensive that we'll have to come back and try something new! The servers were very welcoming and hospitable throughout the night. They checked in to see how everything tasted and were attentive with clearing dishes and offering to refill drinks. At the end of the night, they walked us out to wish us a great rest of our evening and we left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. We hope to return for a next seasonal menu and are looking forward to another great night.
Amazing traditional Kaiseki style multi course restaurant.
Service is amazing. It's quiet and refined and the owners take their art seriously. It's not a cheap night out but always a special one. A gem in Santa Barbara
Truly one of the best meals I've had.
Each dish was perfect and flawless. I left so full and happy.
Spectacular food and wonderful staff!
We had such a wonderful meal at Yoichi's! Everything was delicious and thoughtfully prepared. I loved that each bowl, plate, etc. was a piece of ceramic art by itself. Truly a feast for the eyes and mouth. The staff were also lovely. The ambience is a bit lacking as its just a relatively simple room with wooden tables and a view of an apartment building...but it only makes it that much more special when you have some of the most amazing food of your life. We will definitely be back!
Delicious food, carefully curated dishes, and thoughtful
Delicious food, carefully curated dishes, and thoughtful menu! The service was excellent and the experience was delightful.
The food and waitstaff are AMAZING.
This is not only a quality restaurant but a phenomenal experience. I went for my birthday with my wife and we had the absolute best time! You must get the sake paring!! I can't wait to go back! Each plate has a story!
Where to start .
. amazing home made Japanese style food !! very fresh, very traditional, very authentic.. the chef goes above and beyond with the presentation and ingredients brought from Japan itself ( real wasabi, real soy sauce, real ginger ..etc). The service again very upscale relax ambiance.. listen it is pricey but a top quality food and top service it is worth it.. thank you for such an amazing food to celebrate our birthday!
Everyt time we go to Santa Barbara we try our best to visit
Everyt time we go to Santa Barbara we try our best to visit Yoichi's! We just ate there for our 4th or 5th time and it has never disappointed. The food is always amazing and the service is beyond reproach.
Excellent Kaiseki
Quite simply the best and most authentic Japanese food and service we have experienced in the USA, out of numerous restaurants visited over many years. Food and service exemplary. It is so misleading that Trip Advisorβs algorithm results in a relatively low ranking, this surely ought to be among the top restaurants in Santa Barbara.
Very creative dishes!!!!! Authentic, and delicious :) The
Very creative dishes!!!!! Authentic, and delicious :) The chef's of Yoichi's clearly put passion and skill into every thing prepared there.
Absolutely incredible! Went with my boyfriend for his
Absolutely incredible! Went with my boyfriend for his birthday and we were treated like VIPs food was amazing. Every course was perfectly timed at our table. I can't wait to go back.
This was an amazing dining experience, great ambience.
Yoichi's also has a great Sake selection and very knowledgeable staff. The menu is seasonal, we will be back!
If ever, there was a restaurant that deserved 5+ stars it
If ever, there was a restaurant that deserved 5+ stars it is this one. The husband is the chef and the wife runs the restaurant with some help. Everybody is extraordinarily kind and the seven course prefixed meal is curated with awe inspiring taste, purity, naturalism, and attention to detail. This is truly an incredible food experience and an experience of being treated with love and kindness.
Great service! Server explains everything they bring out
Great service! Server explains everything they bring out even where the fish comes from how it's cooked. It's a set menu, an eight course dinner. Every dish is nicely presented in beautiful ceramic bowls and plates. The food is pure. There's not one fried item in those courses.
Delicious, creative and one of the best dining experiences
Delicious, creative and one of the best dining experiences in Santa Barbara. Not to be missed! Thank you to Yoichi and his wonderful staff. We loved our Kaiseki eight-course meal and drinks recently. It was our first time, but won't be our last.
η―η³ζη Kaiseki Eight course for $150 Service was
η―η³ζη Kaiseki Eight course for $150 Service was great, portion sizes were decent, and the pacing of the courses was perfect. εθ±zensai (Assorted appetizers) -Washugyu no Sansho yaki (Sansho pepper marinated grilled Washugyu) -Namasu (Pickled vegetables) Konbu Maki to Hime Ebi (Konbu Seaweed roll and Baby shrimps simmered in sweet broth) -Japanese sardine with miso paste Owan (Soup) Kani Shinio no Hakuhyo jitate (Clear soup with Crab fish cake, Freshwater eel, picked cherry blossom, Fava bean Mukouzuke (Sashimi) Uni from Hokkaido Bluefin toro from Spain Local Goldeneye Snapper Japanese Striped Jackfish Chawanmushi (Savory Egg custard w/Hokkaido Ikura) η§η©Vakimono (Grilled dish) trumpet mushroom, Sturgeon fish caviar, ships flower stem) Ginmutsu no Saikyo Yaki (Saikyo miso marinated Chilean Sea bass, koji, green onion, seaweed paste) εΌ·θ Shiizakana (Simmered dish) Tai no Kaburamushi (Sea Bream with grated turnip) Baby chives , shiitake mushroom ι£δΊShokuji (Sushi) Spanish Mackerel, Hokkaido scallop, sweet shrimp Kanmi (Citrus jelly and mochi Dessert)
Such a spectacular dinner and overall dining experience!
Such a spectacular dinner and overall dining experience! The service was phenomenal and so kind and the food was simply delicious. Everything is quite simple and the flavors and quality of the food really speak for themselves. Yoichi is such a gem of a place near downtown SB! Very unassuming exterior but their kaiseki is truly delicious. Will definitely dream about coming back one day.
I have had Yoichi's on my radar for a few years and finally
I have had Yoichi's on my radar for a few years and finally went for dinner last weekend. It is STUNNING! I've been to Japan and live in LA where we have no shortage of amazing Japanese restaurants, from sushi to omakase, izakaya to kaiseki, and Yoichi's is up there with the very best of them. Each course of this seasonal tasting menu (aka kaiseki) was unique, incredibly well conceived, detailed, and utterly delicious. If we could've licked every plate without looking like total heathens, we would have. Service was attentive and warm and the chef's wife is the main server. Sake and wine list is wonderful (we had the Dassai 23) and some unique Japanese beers are available too. We loved every bite (and sip) and will be back soon. Don't overlook this little gem-- make a reservation and go. It's a set menu but they were very accommodating about dietary restrictions and aversions which is a refreshing change from some other spots. Highly recommend!! Arigato Yoichi-San for the very special and oishi dinner.
I had the pleasure of experiencing a traditional omakase
I had the pleasure of experiencing a traditional omakase tasting at Yoichis for my birthday over the weekend, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish. We began with an assortment of appetizers that set the stage for the culinary journey we were about to embark on. My favorite, was a steak bite that was perfectly marinated and melt in your mouth. Next came the soup course, featuring a delightful fish cake. The flavors were beautifully balanced, and the broth was simply divine - tasted like it could heal you! The Sashimi course stole the show for me. The selection of fresh fish was delicious. Each slice was a testament to Yoichis' dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients. The experience at Yoichis was not only about the food; it was elevated by the service. The servers took their time to explain each dish, they went above and beyond to recommend the perfect sake pairings we especially enjoyed the the Dassai 39. To add to the ambiance, Yoichis boasted custom-made dishware that added a personal touch to the dining experience. Each piece was a work of art, I only wish I could purchase the pieces myself! If you're seeking a lovely and authentic omakase tasting, Yoichis is an absolute must-visit in Santa Barbara!
We really enjoyed our meal tonight.
Delicious, delicate dishes with well balanced flavors. The service was excellent as well.
An amazing dining experience at Yoichi's.
We had been wanting to dine here for a while and finally visited last Saturday. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and the food was coursed our perfectly. My favorites were the Chilean sea bass and the sushimi course - which had probably one of the best pieces of toro I've ever tasted. Fish offerings rotate seasonally. We will definitely be back! Worth every penny.
The Entertaining Japanese Kaiseki dinner experience
Weβve lived and traveled through Japan and only get to experience this rare Japanese style (Kaiseki) of set meal. The fact we found a Kaiseki restaurant right here in California is our amazing luck. Yoichiβs has delivered what we have experienced in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hakuba Japan and almost never in the States. Weβve overheard other customers in the restaurant wanting to only order platters of sushi rolls, sashimi, and sushi not realizing the chef has carefully laid out a set meal is not about volume but a play on taste and visual plating to keep you engaged through the evening experience. Itβs all about preparing courses that work and compliment each other, as well has pairing the saki to go with all the courses,. The menu changes almost every quarter based on season ingredients. The ceramic plating even matched with the courses, and turned out they were made by local potter. We wanted to take the dishes home with us. Hereβs what stood out in out courses. 1. Appetizers - wagu beef melted in our mouths. Seared and rare in the center. This went well with the pickled and sweet daikon salad. 2. Chawanmushi (egg custard) - shrimp, mushroom, egg, with dashi infused, topped with salmon eggs marinated in mirin. Savory dish with sweet salmon eggs was a twist Iβve not had before. Very pleasant surprise. 3. Crab cake in a smokey dashi broth I thought was going to be my favorite until the next course arrived. We make dashi and we knew immediately they put extra bonito flakes into making the broth as smokey as possible. It was like a BBQ broth with crab. Just wonderful. 4. Sea bass on miso/kombo was the winner. Flakey meat plated on miso and blended kombo seaweed. I could eat this all day. 5. Dessert was citrus gel on top of a red bean paste and paired with yuzu cocktail. You have to try this out if you ever happened to be in Santa Barbara.
Follows the template for a traditional Kaiseki.
Our favorite was the fresh raw fish, the quality was very good though the sashimi was unusually very cold. I could have skipped dessert.
Few dining experiences will compare to the Kaiseki you will
Few dining experiences will compare to the Kaiseki you will experience at Yoichi's.If you are adventurous with food and you consider yourself a "lover of omakase", this place will not disappoint. The familial service, attention to the little details, and the taste of every dish is methodically planned out to ensure that you leave satisfied and wanting to come back.My wife, infant son, and I had a wonderful experience dining at your establishment, Yoichi-san. Thank you. We hope to be back soon, as my wife requested dining here again for her birthday dinner!
If you're looking for a phenomenal traditional Japanese
If you're looking for a phenomenal traditional Japanese multi-course experience, unquestionably come down to Yoichi's. This high quality eight course meal experience will blow you away. I came here for my friends birthday dinner. There were four of us total and I would recommend not to exceed that, because it can take away from the experience. This place is reservation only, they do not accept walk ins. They have street parking which makes it convenient.
For the special occasion I can't think of a better place.
Artful and delicious food prepared and served by thoughtful and enthusiastic people. We had an amazing experience.
Delighted, what a wonderful memorable experience and 8
Delighted, what a wonderful memorable experience and 8 course meal . Highly recommend you treat yourself to Yoichi Make sure you have a reservation, they don't take walk ins and it's easy to understand why.
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Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Yoichi's Santa Barbara at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Yoichi's Santa Barbara page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
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1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* PerceptiveWash44, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* PerceptiveWash44 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to PerceptiveWash44 for any questions Peter may have as PerceptiveWash44 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* PerceptiveWash44 now uses their connections at Yoichi's Santa Barbara to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
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4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, PerceptiveWash44 receives the $200 reward which is credited to PerceptiveWash44's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Yoichi's Santa Barbara!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
