Southern California Restaurants

 Neil L. wrote:
 >
 >My wife and I plan on being in Southern California at the end of March and
 >would appreciate some recommendations on restaurants.  We'll be staying in
 >the following cities:
 >
 >     Santa Barbara

     Indeed.

 >
 >We'd like to know about mexican, japanese, italian and California cuisine
 >restaurants (please, no touristy or family ones).  If they have a good wine
 >list I'd like to know that also.
 >
 >We plan on being in Palm Springs on my birthday so would like the name of
 >some really good places, especially with a good wine selection.
 >
 >I'd appreciate any suggestions you could give.  Please email to the address
 >below.
 >
 >Thanks in advance.
 >--
 >Neil Law, Architecture, Document Management Systems
 >E&M Waterloo,               INTERNET: [email removed]
 >NCR Canada Ltd.,                UUCP: {,maytag}!
 >Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA       BELL: 519-884-1710 x645   NCR: 643-1645

 In Santa Barbara:

 Mexican: Super Rica - Cota Street at the base of the hill. Outdoor
                       (but heated). Extremely good mostly low-fat
                   (vegetarian if you ask). Very informal
                   atmosphere but tasty, fresh ingtredients
                   Owner very conscientious. Picnic tables
                   under an awning.  THIS IS NOT THE RITZ.

 Turkish ??: Moon Angel - (805) 962-8949 - 302 Montecito Street
                   Ocean side of 101. Large variety of
                   Middle Eastern dishes. Excellent buffet.
                   I liked the buffet better than dinner.
                   I think they also have entertainment.

 Enterprise Fish Company - 225 State Street, Ocean side of Hyw 101.
                   Noisy. Huge. Open. Was a commercial laundry
                   building. Sort of typical West Coast fish
                   emporium. I've never been disappointed.

 Good eating.

 As far as Santa Barbara goes, these are some treasures which I discoverd
 during my college years and often drive 400 miles just for a few good meals:

 Arigato Sushi Bar(off State St., the main drag)
 The most creative and fun sushi bar I have ever been too. Ask the chef to be
 creative and also check out the specials. Extremely well priced for the quality.

 Superica (on Milpas St.)
 A beautiful, clean and unique tamale joint that has a great menu of small
 dishes that are always fresh. It is popular among the locals so go in the off
 hours, a perfect place for a late lunch on the patio. On Sunday they have
 a Pozole stew that is the only known cure for whiskey hangovers. Very cheap.

 Pan e Vino ( in Montecito)
 In my opinion the best Italian food in the area. The menu is full of simple dishes
 that get their distinction from the quality and freshness of the ingrediants.
 Pretty crowded but worth the trouble. Med. price range.

 Also, try Fish Tacos on the harbor and a great breakfast joint name Eassa's on
 lower State St.

 Hope you have a good time.

 Keyvan