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Cava Restaurant & Bar
1212 Coast Village Rd, Montecito
Phone: (805) 969-8500
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Reviews by the General Public
False advertising - what's your experience, 9/17/2009
Reviewer: Judy
from Santa Barbara, CA
PLEASE CONFIRM OR COUNTER THIS WITH YOUR EXPERIENCES. I purchased a Cava Gift Certificate online at restaurant.com. When I presented it to Cava they refused to accept it even though it was their certificate that I had PAID for. They explained that they were in a disagreement with restaurant.com and basically asked me to write and fight their battle for them. CAVA CAN FIX THIS. ACCEPT THE CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE PURCHASED FOR YOUR RESTAURANT.
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Do not complain!, 8/12/2009
Reviewer: Jocelyn
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've only eaten here once, and we had quite a large party. We definitely received excellent food and great service. However, I would also like to respond to the previous reviewer's complaint about not receiving a complimentary birthday dessert. Restaurants do NOT owe you a free dessert for your birthday! It may happen sometimes, and that should be graciously accepted as a gift. Like a gift, though, it should be neither expected nor demanded.
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good food, 8/11/2009
Reviewer: Ellen
from Cupertino, CA
The food was very good, but no complimentary birthday dessert (few people mention this in their reviews). Maybe, our waiter wasn't that attentive... And, maybe, $20+ for an enchilada is a little too much?
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Absolutely love Cava!, 3/7/2009
Reviewer: Tricia
from Ventura, CA
We dine in Santa Barbara fairly often and we absolutely love Cava with really fantastic servers and great food. We had lunch today on the patio and ordered our favorites, the chicken mole tacos and the halibut ceviche tostada. We love the mango margaritas, which are amazing. Our servers have always been very professional and helpful, especially Carlos and Juan. Next time in Santa Barbara, we'll be eating there for sure.
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Cava: Not Coming Back :(, 12/31/2008
Reviewer: Drea
from Santa Barbara, CA
Just got back in from lunch. I've been to Cava a few times before, usually after the lunch rush. The service was pretty good, but the food a bit dodgy. This time we came around 12.30. The little salsas are delicious but lunch? ahh, no. I had the Huchares [which I spelled wrong, I know] Its handmade tortillas [yummy] under refried beans [generic] grilled steak or chicken. [I had the steak: nice flavour hidden under burnt taste] topped with soggy chopped lettuce [including stems!] avocado, radishes, powdered cheese & sour cream. It was squishy. it was BLAND. I had to dump the last of the salsa over the top just to eat it.[with much pepper shaking] On the other hand my friend had the mole tacos & declared them "good". The waiter ignored us- thankfully the water-servers didn't.
Oh- & did I mention pop is 2.50$ with no refills? Not Impressed.
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Restored my faith in good value for a good buck, 12/23/2008
Reviewer: Shelby
from Santa Barbara, CA
Lunch for my wife, young son and I the day before we head up north for Christmas. So happy with our choice of Cava. The service was spot on. A rare thing for me to say these days. The food was yummy. Calamari(what my son eats if there is no Edamame) is better here then Holdrens . Waiter was always around but not intrusive. It's not hard to get great food in this area. But great service is a real find.
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Will not go there again...
Reviewer: Patricia
from Manchester, England
After being to this restaurant several times as our son lives in Montecito although we are from England, and having enjoyed the food and the ambience, we recently made the huge mistake of going as a large group.
We booked for a party of 15 and were seated outside without being advised of this when we booked. The waiter was very efficient although rather arrogant and he seemed displeased that we did not immediately order lots of drinks.
When the food came, one meal had been completely forgotten and it took so long to come that the diner went in to cancel it!
Overall, the food was good, but not as good as when in a small party but that is probably to be expected. The shock was the bill! We had been charged $80 for water when no-one had actually asked for any!! We had ordered wine, beers etc as well.
We had also been charged a huge $90 for service although again, having been there before and regularly visit California,we expected a service charge, but we certainly weren't happy with the amount charged.
The trouble really started when we queried the bill and found the staff very unhelpful and even extremely rude. We had asked to speak to the manager but that didn't happen and when pressed, were told that he didn't like confrontation! After some very unpleasant dialogue with the staff, the waiter became very rude and suggested that we probably had never had such good food before!!! We were extremely offended and told them so, whereupon he apologised and said he never meant to offend, but I'm afraid the damage was done. We have never been treated so badly anywhere else and we have dined all over the world, not just in the US.
We shall not give them our custom ever again, there are lots of other very good restaurants in the Santa Barbara area to choose from.
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Disappointing
Reviewer: Kathy
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went to Cava for my mother-in-law's b-day. The food was very mediocre, waiter unattentive, restaurant looked tired and dirty. The highlight were the very good busboys/water servers. In addition, the waiter added an 18% gratuity to the bill for our party of 5 and didn't bother to mention it when he brought the check by. I guess he felt he didn't need to provide good service since he knew he was getting a nice tip. I would not have left 18%! This was my final visit to Cava.
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we had a great experience!!!
Reviewer: youna karlsson
from la crescenta
My husband and I had a very great experience. A romantic weekend to Montecito. We loved the mussels, my husbands paella , I had the lamb shank and it was very delicious.
The caipirinha's are the best ever with fresh squeezed lime.
Service was very good! Atmosphere was very nice and relaxed.
We will come back!
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Not Worth It!
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
This evening we had five people prepared to enjoy a variation of Mexican food.. We were severely disappointed. My daughter ordered the vegetarian tostada, her friend ordered a beef tostada, my son ordered a shrimp taco, and I ordered the chicken fajitas. It took over 40 minutes to receive our food!.. and it wasn't that busy!.. Food was mediocre.. Service was awful.. Attitude (because all of us was dressed very casual) was insulting.. I would not recommend this place, and will never come back..I would challenge Cava to show its patrons why its an exceptional restaurant - - because of all the food we ordered, there wasnt a single dish that was worth the money.. La Super Rica was far far better, for a lot less 'dinero'.. Cava - - get your food & service better!
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Que Delicioso!
Reviewer: sharky h. towers
from Malibu + Santa Barbara, CA
The Cava burrito fills my life with joy where there was previously only pain. The red salsa that comes with the chips is a recipe that I will finally get even if it means crossing over into actions criminal to acquire it. It is one of my favorite salsas of all time. That salsa and I share a storied history. Yes, many a fine Montecito day with a Havana, a Michelada (con Negro Modelo por favor), my combo burrito and the storied salsa. And some pleasant company of my wife and perhaps some friends. Cava is a Montecito institution. To miss eating there is to despair. If only there were a Cava in Malibu, my life would be that much closer to being complete.
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love love love it
Reviewer: Kathrine
from Santa Barbara, CA
I absolutely adore this restaurant, and usually end up eating at cava once every couple weeks (at least). Their cadillac margaritas are delicious, and they have probably the best chips/salsa ever. I typically order the steak tostada (which is fantastic), but I've always heard great things about the fajitas, enchiladas, and the seafood dishes. Their desserts are also very tasty, and if it's your birthday they bring out a complimentary dessert. The service has rarely been less than perfect, and the atmosphere is cozy and fun. Good place for dinner/drinks with friends as well as a good family restaurant -perfect for all occasions. Overall, great restaurant!
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rip off
Reviewer: Randy
from Houston
The restaurant charge a "meal fee" for a the original table reservation even though the restaurant agreed that the reservation was changed earlier in the day prior to the arrival. The restaurant stated that it is their policy to charge a "meal fee" for the original booked number even if it is changed prior to the arrival. My point in case, I reduced the table reservation by 1 person, and was charged a "meal fee" for the difference between the original booking and the number at the table, even after the restaurant agreed the reservation was changed earlier in the day.
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The Mexican Food I've had
Reviewer: Jeff Camarda
from Thousand Oaks, Ca
My Partner, My son and I went to Cava and was impressed with every aspect of the restaurant. Frankly I'm astounded that anyone would give this place less than 5 stars.
I think it's terribly unfair that anyone can come on here and post negative reviews of this outstanding restaurant.
Every restaurant has a bad day but maybe some customers don't know great food or are jaded.
The Prices were more than fair in my opinion for the quality and the amount of food we had. It was so good that we went back for Appetizers and drinks that same day. I encourage all of you to check it out for yourself.
It has an informal relaxed atmosphere with the best mojito I ever had!
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Best Food I've Ever Had
Reviewer: Julie
from Sacramento
We came to this restaurant as a recommendation, which was a little risky since it had to be good because it was a special occasion, my husband's birthday. We started out with the fried calamari that was excellent, then for the main course we split the fajitas (which was plenty for the 2 of us). Our server Andre overheard us talking about my husband's birthday and, without asking, came by after the meal with a complementary dessert. The most hospitible service and it made our night. Definitely will return.
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great food, good value
Reviewer: eric
from montecito
I have been a long time customer of Cava and always enjoy their fare. The drinks are overpriced but so is every other restaurant in the area. The food is reasonably priced. The ribs are excellent and plentiful as are all the other dishes i've tried.
Well worthwhile restaurant.
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I have to say something...
Reviewer: Michelle Rhea
from Montecito/CA
I just looked at the reviews here and because of so many negative reviews, even some saying those giving it a postive rating are somehow "planted", I am compelled to post my first review on this site which I have often consulted prior to choosing a resturant. In the 7+ years that I've been living in Montecito, I've always loved Cava and I cannot recall a negative experience. That, of course, does not mean that others have not and that the reviews are not honest. I think it is also important to state that whereas I've gone to Cava with many different people, most of the time I'm there with my child. When any restaurant, especially a rather upscale, expensive one, treats me well when I'm dining sans man and with my child, I am impressed. (I used to be a waitress and I know about the prejudices...) I have never had bad service or bad food here. I highly recommend the Enchiladas Mariscos, just one of many yummy dishes I've had here.
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