I agree! I read the new Ellwood menu and thought, "I can't wait to go!" We'll drive 20+ minutes to try something new—and on the beach!! Why all the negativity? It sounds like a bunch of curmudgeons afraid of change. Give it a try—or don't—but skip the negative comments about a new business you haven't experienced.
I went to the breakwater this weekend and I am very disappointed with their prices. Same stale decor and double the prices? They could at least change the cafeteria plates forks and knives. No thank you !! I will take my business elsewhere. New owners also think they are too good for their customers.
Good luck, but not for me.
Roy
On the new Ellwood menu - what the heck is LGF? I'm guessing it has to do with Gluten-Free, but having been GF for many years, I've never seen that and am very curious at the meaning of this term.
Also, it is listed as LGF on the Salt & Vinegar Roastie Potatoes. . . sorry, but malt vinegar powder is NOT Gluten-Free.
Man, this comment page has turned kind of mean.
Thario’s on Santa Claus Lane
Night lizard brewing
I am so disappointed to see this meat-centric, far too expensive menu. This is the only decent place close to the UCSB campus, but they clearly do not want to become a place for faculty to go. Why does this feel like an Elks club from the 70s? I wish that this menu showed an awareness of their community, which, in Goleta and next to UCSB, is nothing like this.
Linda- TY for pointing out the obvious. u beat me to it, and did a better job than I wld hav done.
The restaurant prior to The Ellwood was reliable and offered a menu that I consider elevated "beach town seafood" and a bar at prices accessible to the hyperlocal market (UCSB, working Goletans, and even Noletans). This restaurant is adjacent to an airport and, most importantly, it is on public land that taxpayers pay for as a park amenity. Locals need a place to go out to dinner a few times a month. UCSB used the previous space for one-on-one entertaining on quite varied department budgets (hello Eris, goddess of being left out of the gods' party). Locals know about "special occasion" places with better logistics, price points, cuisine, and atmosphere (the grand El Paseo immediately comes to mind, Bouchon, and many others). The implication that Goleta Beach needs a pricey "special occasion" place that competes with the many in SB and is located on public land, leaves a bad taste.
On my last visit to the Breakwater, the prices had almost doubled, and they were frying the English Muffins on the gril, so they tasted of everybody else's order. The waitstaff were excellent, though, and I hope everything works out well for them,
That saidd, I used to be a regular for Sunday morning breakfasts, but will not be returning.
We love third window (as long as know is hangry, can take awhile) & Secret Bao! Also Love: Arigato outside or upstairs, Public Market (lots of choices and you don’t have to sit sit), Lilac Montecito, Los arroyos Montecito, Lure, Dutch Gardens.
The next ones we have been going again but have seemed to be kinda hit or miss in the recent years/ months and yet we still go every few months ish: Arnoldis, Creekside, Timbers (not amazing but amazing outside for kids to run it out), meet up Chinese, The Palace, Brewhouse
Marilyn - calamari with red sauce is a classic combination. I imagine this dish is a breaded and sauteed calamari steak, shape and size of a milanese chicken breast , so it works. Calamari is mild as chicken but texturally different so this is interesting.
The stigma of cheese and seafood in the same dish as a culinary no-no has ran its course long ago and I love the idea that Ellwood is serving a brave dish such as this and using calamari instead of (let's face it, boring) chicken to revive an old classic in unique fashion.
"and shared plates we feel is the best way to enjoy it so guests can try several things"
When share plates are 2-3x the price of a regular entree and advertised , that doesn't translate to guests trying several things. It's a lovely menu, and I wish success. I am not to tell one how to run their business but if you look around town, simple food without the frills keeps the locals happy. Steak frites and the burger sound like they're checking those boxes. Maybe the bar will be the place to eat instead of the restaurant for us locals until the individual item menu is released. We will stop by regardless!
After reading the menu and anticipating it for some time, I can't wait to visit and enjoy The Ellwood. Family dinners usually entail sharing, so I think the concept and menu offer some delicious options with the ability to taste multiple items. I do agree that more local fish (WSB, Crab, Shrimp, Black Cod) would all be great additions. Looking forward to visiting here soon!
I'm really curious about Peak Hygiene. It would be a nice experience to have your teeth cleaned without having the dentist come in afterward with bad news. Also, sorry to see the Parker Clay retail store close. Love their products!!!
I know costs have gone up, but at those prices, and ala carte, I won't be eating there. And calamari with red sauce??
Is their gonna be an updated menu with seared ahi tuna?
Let's see how the restaurant holds up after some big storms and storm surges. Not sure I would sink so much money into a restaurant so close to the beach.
I’m looking forward to coming and appreciate the elevated menu. I live in Goleta, and 3rd generation local. It’s not what I expected, but it looks delicious and Goleta can use a higher end dinner option!
Hey Omar,
I think you can tell from just these initial comments that old school Goleta is not looking for “elevated” dining. We are all missing the Beachside and the Sundowner specials and the great, affordable seafood dinners we all enjoyed with our families for years. Unfortunately this menu you’ve presented won’t work for this community. Please consider a menu that’s more reasonable and accessible for this community. Everyone misses the Beachside so take that as a hint.
Piling on, thanks for all your work on the site. Always a fun read and helps us keep a pulse on what’s happening in SB, particularly the restaurant scene.
I know those of us at UCSB would love a great post-work spot that is elevated beyond IV standards but not so expensive that us poorly paid UCSB staff can’t afford. There’s a lot of potential if you market to campus. Looking forward to checking it out.
I realize that people want a cheap eats kind of place. Fish 'n fries in plastic basket. But don't we have enough of these? I don't think we have a finer dining establishment right on the beach. (And they are building out a casual option). However, I personally think Ellwood should focus a bit more seafood, like they initially mentioned. To me, the menu looks tilted toward red meat + chicken. Given the location and steak prices so high, it might benefit to rethink that. But of course I don't know the first thing about running a place like this nor what customers actually want! Personally, when eating by the ocean, I think of seafood. I remember years ago going to Beachside and eating some incredible fish. And it was kind of fun and even magical eating it with the waves crashing just outside. The mood and setting to me suggests to focus on the sea and not to fight, well, the tide...
It's fine and understandable to have a steak or burger on a seafood menu (my daughter for instance sadly won't eat fish any longer) but the vibe IMO should be ocean oriented. It's also perceived as a healthier option. Certainly it's less heavy and leaves room for appetizers, salads and desserts.
Thanks for posting the menu online. I hope the comments above help but they are pretty random and some people can't seem to state their opinion without adding a few barbs. Ignore those, they are not your people. I think the community will give the Elwood a try. Maybe add some innovative type of fish tacos to appease some of the cranky people? Not sure if I saw ceviche on the menu. Also, a Bouillabaisse and/or Cioppino would be really cool.
We are so happy the Ellwood is about to open. We loved the Beachside and went there almost weekly. Please add a local menu with burgers and fries and vegan burgers and fries. Good luck and welcome to Goleta!
I agree with you. The menu looks fantastic with some really yummy options but I'm having a hard time envisioning going there for dinner with my husband. We have totally different diets (I'm vegetarian, he's not, etc.) so ordering seems complicated and like we'd end up taking a lot of food home due to overordering to accommodate both of us. I'd really love for this place to be a success so I think it's worth the owners hearing these thoughts, though of course delivered with civility.
