The Seven Best Things I’ve Eaten Lately

You know how some dishes really stick with you? These are the ones that I keep thinking about….

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The thing I love most about Little Mountain—even more than the lovely setting and superb service—is the inventiveness in the kitchen. The joy that chef Diego Moya and his team get from local ingredients is obvious; the menu is always at least a little bit different—with a couple of exceptions, most notably the patatas bravas. Given the creativity on display elsewhere on the menu, I almost feel bad for showcasing them here, but they’re that good, crispy outside and creamy inside. And the sauces take the dish to the next level. “The emulsion is made from pickled green garlic,” explains Moya, “and the sofrito is a cooked-down combination of lots of alliums and peppers grilled on the hearth, then simmered with capers, fish sauce, and other aromatics.”

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After attending a friends-and-family dinner at Monte’s, I praised the trout as the best fish dish I’d ever had in Santa Barbara, and on subsequent visits, I was worried that it wouldn’t hold up. But I have enjoyed just as much every time. It looks simple, and you’ll want a side to accompany it, but the wasabina chimichurri and charred lemon add significant flavor and complexity.

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I always thought the chicken shawarma was the star at Tamar, but then I tried the lamb kofta sandwich. Even though you can’t see it in my photo, the lamb is very much the highlight, bolstered by a wide array of complements: baharat spice blend, sumac onions, dill yogurt sauce, and an aioli made with the Middle Eastern hot sauce shatta. Extra napkins are essential.

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The Strut (Me Want Da Pustrami) sandwich at Mission City Sandwich Shop involves pastrami, natch, along with melted Swiss cheese, shredded cabbage, homemade pickles, red onions, mustard, a riff on Russian dressing, and a Gruyere crisp, all on a toasted pretzel roll. It’s pretty perfect, albeit not something I’d recommend eating every day, and big enough for two. But if you look into the name, you may end up regretting it.

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My pre–farmers’ market Saturday morning ritual involves a cinnamon-sugar morning bun from Oat Bakery, and if you see the pleasure I take from it, you’ll understand why I have to include them on this list. They used to only be available on weekends, but now they’re available daily, which is both great and unfortunate.

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I wasn’t kidding when I wrote that the chocolate soufflé with espresso crème at Merci belongs in the hall of fame. The restaurant has been known to run out, so make your intentions known as soon as you sit down.

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I can’t remember any tiramisu, anywhere, coming close to the one at Manifattura. It substitutes Averna amaro for the traditional amaretto, adds a note of bergamot, and gets topped with shavings of Twenty-Four Blackbirds chocolate. La dolce vita, indeed.

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Previous editions:
••• October 2025: Alma’s suadero taco, Ospi’s riff on eggplant parm, Satellite‘s Yoga Pants Salad, and more
••• October 2024: The Lark’s pork ribs, Caruso’s intermezzo, Wexler’s Deli’s BEC, Merci’s chocolate mousse, and more
••• February 2024: Aperitivo’s Caesar salad, Corazón Comedor’s huevos rancheros, Tondi Gelato’s vegan options, Dang Burger’s veggie burger, and more
••• November 2022: Hook & Press’s biscuits, Broad Street Oyster Company’s fish and chips, Bar Le Côte’s scallop crudo, Bossie’s Kitchen’s donuts, and more
••• July 2021: Merci’s chicken paillard, Bell’s steak au poivre, Bettina’s peach pizza, Rori’s Biscoff ice cream, and more

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