A review of Petit Valentien at Santa Barbara.com

Petit Valentien
1114 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 966-0222

Category: American, French
Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, Dinner Mon-Sat 5pm-Close, Sun 4:30pm-Close
Price: $10 - $20
Serving: Lunch & Dinner
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Reviews by the General Public

Never on Sunday, 8/25/2010
Reviewer: Margaret from Goleta
Having had many fine meals at Petit Valentien,on Sunday we took houseguests that had lived in France and celebrating an anniversary for prix fixe offering. We arrived at 6:30 reservation. Only one other table seated at that time. it was nearly 7:30 when our first course, tomato provencal, arrived. It was fine. Another half hour before Pissaldiere arrived. It was inedible. Couldn't cut it or bite it and topping was very poor. Another long wait before mains arrived. The steak was hot, cooked as ordered. Lamb confit was cold like it had just come from fridge,fatty, bad taste, seabass and accompaning vegetables were tasty, but room temperature. At 9 pm our desserts were served. Last ones in restaurant. Waiter apologized and comped one glass of wine. Something to do with a "snafu" in kitchen. Noticed when we were leaving that two waiters from previous visits were cooking. Fine, if in the chefs absence they had been trained to perform duties adequately. A restaurants goal of customers leaving happy was not achieved on this Sunday visit.

Hit and miss, 8/18/2010
Reviewer: Sophia from Santa Barbara, CA
Someone here is reading cookbooks and visiting restaurants and having good ideas - but on the three recent nights we've been to eat here, they must have taken the night off. Food is well-conceived but not well executed, so when you get a fabulous dish it almost seems like happy coincidence. However, this is a cute place and we've been back for more, so something is going right. Meat is usually good, salads so-so, fish ok. Service, to top it off, is confused and another sign that no-one is in charge.

Amazing food and service, 5/25/2010
Reviewer: Diane from Santa Barbara, CA
This was our first visit and three of us ate here on Saturday, June 22. We had reservations and were seated immediately. I had two appetizers: mushrooms on a pastry bottom and crab cake, both were delicous. Servers were friendly. Will definitely dine here again.

Felt dissapointed from the reviews, 4/25/2010
Reviewer: steve from Santa Barbara, CA
Read the "for the price" type comments and you get the real idea if this is just ok-or excellent or not. None of the several parts of the dishes we had were really that good. If you like Bouchon, Via Vai, Ca Dario,etc ..you are probably not going to be be very excited about here.Does not taste like the good bistros in Europe, -nice enough waiters stressed on bargain night.-Felt uncomfortable even though trying to just have a relaxed evening The pre serving tray often had food on it a bit too long, and a few things came not too hot. Cut of meat was tough...though that can happen anywhere. Don't know how to fix it unless they get a bit more help and just make the food a little better. I want to be respectful to the other people who liked it, -so perhaps it was just an off night.

Bon Apetit, 4/24/2010
Reviewer: Joshua from Santa Barbara, CA
Absolutely phenomenal. I had the veal with a cab sauv, my girlfriend had the duck. Both meals were absolutely incredible, and a great representation of french cuisine. My mother was a gourmet cook and caterer, and she raised me to appreciate great cuisine. The next time she visits, this is the first place we will go. We have been going out to eat in Santa Barbara for a while now, and I think we have finally found the place to go for those special nights. The kicker? It is probably the best food for the price in this entire American Riviera city. In addition to the food, the wait staff was extremely warm and knowledgeable about every dish on the menu, which is very comprehensible and not overwhelming even for first-timers like us. We consider ourselves proud to no longer be first-timers, and this place is sure to become a Santa Barbara hot spot soon. You will thoroughly enjoy your next date at Petit Valentien.

I love this place!, 4/7/2010
Reviewer: Lee from Santa Barbara, CA
I try to dine here whenever I can, usually go for lunch and do a bottle of wine and a couple of small plates. When the weather is nice, they open all the windows in the front so you can people watch. The staff is super friendly and the food always delicious. I'm glad it's here!

By far our favorite place to eat in Santa Barbara, 4/3/2010
Reviewer: Sue from goleta, ca
My husband and myself eat at the bar every time after we go to East Beach for a tasting and we find their food fabulous and their staff very helpful. We visited Petit Valentien when it first opened the restaurant and the great food and service draw us in all the time, one day I had my lunch and dinner at the bar. Thank you Hans, Nate, John and the two Chris's for their wonderful service. We plan on eating their continually. Thank you Robert you have created a great restaurant with great food and great service, our little gem in Santa Barbara city.

Sunday Prix Fixe - Best Deal In Town, 3/8/2010
Reviewer: Jonathan from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to Petit Valentin Sunday night for the 4 course prix fixe menu. The food was all very good, and at $23 it was incredible value. The first course was roast red pepper and tomato soup. This was followed by a boar dish. For the mains, there were three choices - ahi, braised beef or cornish game hen. There were two dessert choices. And on top of that, corkage is only $10. I've eaten here in the past on other nights and really enjoyed it. We'll definitely be going back for the Sunday special menu.

Great Time, Excellent Food, Excellent Service., 12/19/2009
Reviewer: Tyler from Goleta, CA
We stopped by this place last night after doing a champagne tasting at East Beach Wine. We were reluctant to ask if they took walk ins because the place was packed and we didn't have reservations. Fortunately they had an empty table right next to the door that they said nobody liked to take as it was in the middle of the floor. We felt very lucky as it was completely unexpected. The food was excellent, had the quail as an appetizer, the field greens with goat cheese and the veal with brie which tasted more like a schnitzel. My girlfriend had the green beans as well as the duck. The duck came out a little cold and we weren't sure whether this was the way they wanted it to be served or not. In hindsight we should have asked a little earlier. The presentation and the food were very good. And the cost of the food was quite cheap for Santa Barbara. It seemed that the people waiting for Reservations were quite upset at how long it was taking. I would recommend allowing a little time as the place is a bit on the smaller side and the turnover rate for French Restaurants tends to be a bit longer.

Best Deal in Town!!, 12/3/2009
Reviewer: Christian from Lake Sherwood, CA
When I spotted it walking through the city, I glanced at the menu and call to cancel my reservation at Bouchon. The food is as good ( I can judge, I'm a French Foodie ) and the prices are lower. Now they will be on top of my list when I'll come back in SB to check is they are still the Real Deal!

Wonderful Gem and a Recession Buster!, 11/19/2009
Reviewer: Richard Heilman from Santa Barbara, CA
Outstanding cuisine and a comfortable, bistro-like atmosphere combine with an attentive staff and an interesting, sensibly priced wine list, making this one of the best, if not the best, restaurants in Santa Barbara. The prices are extremely reasonable and the Sunday 4-Course Pre-Fixe for $23.50 is an unbelievable deal. Carefully prepared, imaginative, and well-executed dishes with combinations of flavors that work wonderfully-well together. We've eaten here many times and have never been disappointed - it's our 13 year old son's favorite restaurant, too! Any of the dishes here are worth trying, but the frogs' legs in a citron sauce, scallops over roasted garlic "mash", escargot crepe, boar ribs, venison with pomegranate sauce, game hen with ginger and lemongrass, tripe stew, and even the simple radicchio salad are particularly memorable. I've eaten at many of the best restaurants in America, France, England, and Italy - Le Petit Valentien can be favorably compared to any of them. You owe it to yourself (and to owner/chef Robert and the staff of this fine restaurant) to dine here often! It's like having our own version of The French Laundry in our own backyard, and at one-fourth the price - enjoy!

easy french ! ( THE FOWL TABLE !) , 11/7/2009
Reviewer: louise lafferty from Santa Barbara, CA
after three years of coming to santa barbara and looking for a good restaurant we have found it ! the service from john and arean was outstanding thanks. the menu had a variety of great foods to offer everyone's pallet. we tried the cheese plate, escargot,crab cakes,med salad for starters which were outstanding , followed by quail,baby hen and duck all fantastic. also the bread was up there with the french. this place was full and i recommend you book . thanks it was a treat x

Best in California!, 10/22/2009
Reviewer: Alishia Van Etten from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to Petit Valentien in July 2008! I spent most of the meal with my eyes shut, totally enjoying every bite of my meal! The chief is an artist, and a god in the industry! Anyone visiting Santa Barbara must enjoy the wonderful food and friendly atmosphere! I can guarantee you will love it and crave it long after your experience!

Awesome !!!!, 10/18/2009
Reviewer: Cynthia Van Etten from Lakewood, Colorado
What I like best about Petit Valentien is a cozy dining experience ! They offer wonderful food at a reasonable price ! I like the variety of foods and the friendliness of the servers ! Whenever I'm in Santa Barbara this is the only place I dine !

Good Food Good Atmosphere Good Service Good Prices, 9/18/2009
Reviewer: jim melillo from Santa Barbara, CA
This place is just a wonderul little french bistro. I am a bit of a foodie so I have somewhat high expectations. To those the place does well to very well. The prices are $18 for a big dish and there are usually 6-8 choices. The portions are good not gigantic so you feel comfortable not stuffed. Overall the menu is interesting with some dishes better than others. As an example the scallops are tender sweet and sauced lightly and delicious while the veal milanese is done 1960s style with the thick coating absobing too much oil and mine was slightly burnt. The setting is romantic and ideal. It is a small place where the 2-3 waiters are the bartenders the hostesses and everything else which actually adds a nice feel to the place. Make reservations. By the way they have a Sunday evening Prix Fixe which is wonderful 2 course for I think $25 or so. Also the corkage is only $10 so bring your favorite wine. Good all around

Want to enjoy the hidden S.B., 9/12/2009
Reviewer: bsmiley from Goleta/Santa Barbara, CA
Staying within 200 words can be difficult to write a comprehensive review of any restaurant. LePetitValentien is one of the best for simple small plates created for one's simple pleasure. Ask the staff for recommendations of wines and starters. The bread is served piping-hot. I know wines but listen to the staffs recommendation because they were lucky enough to try them and are part of the team that provides fine dining experiences. Small plates are not discouraged here as often occurs to run up the tab in other places who don�t really care about your coming back. 1st. do not be in a hurry. The place is small and can only accommodate those that are seated. We all need to be served perfectly by those that can only do so much. Drop a fork/knife on the floor-ask for another and it magically appears when needed. We are all there to enjoy gastronomy. Next look around and smell what is happening. If someone with frog legs is in heaven having frog legs or beaming with a white wine and salad don�t be shy, ask the server what�s happening and try it, after-all I am up towayover200 words now. EnjoyTheBill!

Pleased
Reviewer: A P C from Santa Barbara, CA
A friend and I sat at the bar on a Saturday night. A very confident dreadlock-ed server took care of us and was everything I'd want in a server: just attentive enough, just conversational enough... left us to enjoy our own conversation and our food. The watermelon salad and goat cheese salad were great, as were the seared scallops with arugula mini-salad and veal milanese. I wish I had asked what the dressing was on the goat cheese salad and the arugula; it didn't say it on the menu. The servers worked really well as a team; no plate sat undelivered for more than 2 minutes or so. Plating was gorgeous. The creme brulee's caramelized sugar left something to be desired, but everything else was really nice. I'll definitely be returning.

Everything was perfect!
Reviewer: Elizabeth from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been here several times - late night, after work, just to relax with a glass of wine with Robert, John, Marina, Hans, Nate... Had nibbled on some food but never had the opportunity to come in for dinner. Had a last-minute reservation for 11 at 8:15pm on June 13th, for mine and a friend's graduation. Great wine list. The small plates were the perfect app size to temporarily quell my hunger but leave me wanting more food. Everyone loved the crab cake; I absolutely loved my quail with fig/wine sauce. I loved my bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, some raved about the lamb, veal, or the duck confit, but I was too busy eating to pay attention. The presentation was great as well - it seemed delicate and small until I ate and kept uncovering more layers of food underneath! Though we were mostly full, couldn't resist dessert either - creme brulee with just the right amount of crisped sugar on top, a very rich chocolate mousse, and the flourless rich chocolate cake. Service was impeccable. She even took over rocking the baby so that grandma could have time to eat. (I guess the instinct is universal to all mothers!) Each course flowed out seamlessly. All in all a great experience!

My SB Restaurant of Choice
Reviewer: Sharon A. from Santa Barbara, CA
I have dined no fewer than 10 times with my husband and/or friends at this charming little spot, and we all love it. The food is wonderful, and although the service can sometimes (but not always) be slow, the overall experience is great if you just relax and realize you've not selected a fast food joint for dinner. I recommend this restaurant to everyone I know and have never had any of my friends say they were disappointed!

The best in Santa Barbara!!!
Reviewer: Fabrice Terrade from Santa Barbara, CA
Second time my wife and I go to Le Petit Valentien and again it was AMAZINGLY delicious! The food portion tonight seemed doubled (2 legs of duck confit and 2 veal Milanese per person). I that the Tuesday dinner treat? The waiter was very attentive and prompt... and that quality for these prices BRAVO!! I understand why one would have to wait a ong time during the week end. This is our spot everytime we come to SB from now on. Please continue to treat our senses so wonderfully.

First timer
Reviewer: John from Santa Barbara, CA
Yes, the front of the house is short staffed. And yes, the food is excellent. The fact is this: if you've ever worked in a restaurant you'll have more patience for what's going on here. We didn't come in and fuss about which table we had, and we didn't demand white glove table service. For the prices there's no reason to, really. Had the poussin in lemongrass and ginger with wild rice, and the ribeye. Both were good, but the poussin was better. We started out with the crostini of mushrooms and a cheese plate (brie, roquefort, manchego and something else we couldn't figure out.) Threw decorum out the window and had the wonderful Jaffur's petite sirah which was big but beautiful. Ordered desserts and coffee - creme brulee and a chocolate mousse dish, plus lattes - only to watch the wait staff make all of it for us. Again, if you've ever worked in a restaurant you'll understand: two waiters making desserts, coffee drinks, and, as we found out from our server, having no hostess or busboy, plus their regular duties... that's pretty hard stuff. Our server seemed pretty happy that we took an interest and commiserated. Hell, I'd be too. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have more wait staff, but it does mean that what wait staff they do have is probably doing a much better job than most realize. Still, I can see how things would get backed up. I would definitely come back. The sauce for the poussin was light and infused with both the lemongrass and ginger, but not overwhelmingly. Anyone who's ever used either knows that they can overpower a dish. The 16 oz. ribeye for $18 is a steal, and it's au poivre. It was cooked on the rarer side of medium rare, but that's not exactly a mark against it or the restaurant since the steak was extremely tender. The entrees in both cases came with arugula, which was nice but got a bit sloppy in the sauces. The creme brulee had the mark of all good creme brulees: no over sugaring, so the torched layer was crackling but not thick. The mousse was light and decadent at the same time. That's no mean feat. The reviews here seem to be either all good, or food is good but the service is terrible. I cannot vouch for anything but my experience, but if the review from 4/11/09 is any indication some of you may be going about this the wrong way. You went into the kitchen to tell the chef it's your friend's birthday? During service? At probably the rush? And you got less than a hearty response? Well, duh. That's the kind of thing that drives a restaurant staff crazy. Here's the big secret: come in for great food, don't expect crystal and white linen and be happy that there's a restaurant in Santa Barbara willing to charge fair prices for an unbelievably good meal. The service may be chaotic, but we had a great experience with our server.

I've had worse, but payment went the other way
Reviewer: Justin Foster from Santa Barbara, CA
Between the trash thrown up in the loft but visible from the door, to the two hour wait, to not being seated immediately at an empty (but uncleared) table and instead waiting for 25min, the atmosphere and decor were terrible. The food was underseasoned, the recommended wine did not compliment the food at all... what it comes down to, for me, is they ruined a cut of Kobe beef. How does a good chef do that? Answer: They don't.

Birthday Dinner Turned Bad
Reviewer: Stephen Fountain from Santa Barbara, CA
Last night I took my best friend for her 70th birthday to Petit Valentien. I have been there once before and had an excellent meal (other than the poor service). When I made the reservation a week earlier I made sure to have them make a note this was going to be a special treat for my friends birthday. When we were seated my friend even beamed at the waitress and said "This is my birthday!". No response. When our meals arrived she had to return her steak because it was too rare. When it got time for dessert, I went back to the kitchen and told the owner/chef that this was my friends birthday, hoping he would at least put a candle on the dessert. When the waitress arrived there was no candle, no "Happy Birthday" and when I mentioned how disappointed I was because I wanted to make this a special evening for my friend her embarrassing response to me was "We don't give out free desserts". I wasn't expecting a free dessert. Is a candle too much to ask for? In these economic times I do not go out to dinner, so this was a special occasion. Neither of us will go back due to the dismissive nature on their part in not even saying "Happy Birthday" to my friend or adding a small candle to make it "special". They came across as arrogant and rude.

Good food -- chaotic service
Reviewer: Bruce Hickey from Santa Barbara, CA
Went last night after reading other reviews and was prepared for great food and poor service. Wasn't disappointed on either front. The problem seems to be a lack of wait staff, only 2 for the entire restaurant and bar. It took 15+ minutes to place an order, with the waitress taking almost all the tables' orders at the same time, then delivering them to the kitchen. It seems like stuff comes out of the kitchen at random, with appetizers being delivered immediately after salads (both taking 20 minutes to arrive). It's a true French restaurant in terms of speed. We arrived at 6:15 just made it to an 8pm show. After dinner we asked if we could get a 'quick' desert and be out by 8pm and the waitress' reply was "no, I've got too many tables". Points for honestly at least. The food was well prepared, had fish and veal, and I would go back again, when I have lots of time to kill

waiting...
Reviewer: Matt Namikawa from Santa Barbara, CA
My coworker highly recommended I try out this place. As usual I take a look at what the reviews have to say, and it seems like everyone had a more than wonderful experience. Unfortunately, I did not receive such a wonderful experience. I had made reservations for my girlfriend and myself for 2 at 7:45. We arrived 5 mins early as safe measures believing it will be crowded. When we arrived, yes it was a full house. So rather than a proper greeting, we were hastily asked "can I help you"? as if we were a burden to arrive during such a time. I told him we had reservations for 2 at 7:45. He told us to hold on, left, and did not return until the next waiter had asked if he could help us as well. The next waiter responded in the same manner as the previous waiter, and we were left standing at the entrance for a good 10 mins, before they told us to wait at the bar, which by the way, was not cleared off from the people drinking before hand. We eventually were seated around 8:15 and happened to be seated by the first waiter who had ignored us initially. There was no apology for the wait, but rather, he responded with 'so ya it's real crowded today". It made me wonder whether it was because of our age, that we were treated negligently. Anyway, after we were settled in, the food did live up to the reviews and did help me forget the beginning of the evening. I hope I can come back and regret writing this review.

What an amazing Gem!
Reviewer: Sherry from Santa Barbara, CA
We went around 6:30 p.m. No wait and the server was fantastic! If you don't like this restaurant thats perfect for us because it is sure to be on the Best List and we don't want to wait in line. Can't beat the price!

A Santa Barbara star
Reviewer: Rebecca Hardin from Santa Barbara, CA
The food is incomparable, made the way the really great food is�from fresh, from local and from the chef's heart. Pricing is amazingly modest. It's a cozy nice place and unless jammed to the rafters, not particularly noisy; you can hear your dinner partner. You can also dine happily alone. Service is friendly and skilled; staff is lean so you might wait longer than you like sometimes. We are lucky to have Robert Dixon in SB; I take anyone who will go!

Tres Bon
Reviewer: Brianna from Santa Barbara, CA
My boyfriend and I went to Petit Valentien for the first time on Saturday. We frequent SB's best restaurants and will definitely add Petit Valentien to our "favorites" list. We had the perfect wine and cheese pairing, veal, pork, and creme brulee. Each part of our meal had unbelievable flavor and immaculate presentation. The Parisian ambience in the quaint restaurant added to our dining experience.

Best restaurant dining experience ever
Reviewer: Stan Hall from Los Altos, CA
Very attentive, knowledgeble waitress. Intriguing appetizer and main course choices. I wanted one of each. Six in our party, including two young tween agers, who were dubious about finding anything appealing. With prompting, they were very pleased. All dishes were beautifully presented and most satisfying. First time here; hope to return.

excellent and inconsistant
Reviewer: Sandra from Santa Barbara, CA
I have eaten here 4 times, and had a wonderful dining experience 3 out of 4...but the one time was on a slow night midweek and it felt as though it was the primary chef's day off...the food was very different...... DO GO and don't worry the crowds, the busy nights must have the first string working the kitchen.

Wonderful downtown choice
Reviewer: Jinelle from Santa Barbara, CA
PETIT VALENTIEN - La Arcada Court, downtown off State Street: This is the new French based restaurant located in the side alley of La Arcada Court off the Art Museum 1100 block of State Street between East Figueroa and East Anapamu - wonderfully charming and quiet location, outdoor tables, open feeling dining room with many small tables. First impressions all favorable: attentive, thoughful service, varied menu, good prices for this downtown location and the food was really very good. Light but highly flavorful saucing, splendid appetizers and a very memorable dessert. This was a Saturday night and they were busy so we were lucky to get a walk in reservation around 6:30pm. You can also sit and dine at the bar so this is a great place for solo diners to drop in without reservations. We ordered: Appetizers -escargot crepe, mushroom crostini; Main course -sole with capers; poussin with lemongrass and ginger; Dessert - chocolate marquis mousse, chocolate almond flourless cake. Portion size was restrained and very adequate, presentation lovely and the only non-success was the flourless chocolate almond cake which was a little dry but had good basics in its ingredients. The chocolate marquis mousse hit it out of the ballpark as it was so smooth, rich, dense and chocolaty so that just might be the place to stop on the nice dessert menu. Or to even go in for just itself. With two glasses of wine (many wines $6 a glass, a new low for SB?) we had a nice, what they list as an "Interesting Red" from Austria and walked away for under $80 (tip not included, but happily paid to our very nice waiter) Chef gained his experience in East Coast French restaurants, did a detour in Bakersfield and then opened in this wonderful downtown Santa Barbara location about a year ago. Bakersfield??? Who would have guessed.

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