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China Pavilion - Montecito
1070 Coast Village Rd, Montecito
Phone: (805) 565-9380

  • Category: Chinese
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm, no lunch on Sunday
  • Price: $10 - $20
  • Serving: Lunch, & Dinner
  • Reservations: Yes, but usually not needed
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Reviews by the General Public

A really nice place for Chinese, 10/10/2009
Reviewer: matt shanaberger from Santa Barbara, CA
OK, first the bad news. Santa Barbara has a lot of nice restaurants, but we really don't have a top-flight Chinese restaurant that will satisfy the real foodies in town. This aside, China Pavilion puts forth a great effort, and we tend to keep returning. The dishes are nicely spiced, never too salty, and has never been over-prepared. The produce tastes fresh, and fish dishes have always been excellent. The sauces preparations tend to be basic, nothing that will necessarily cause you to harass the chef for a recipe, but nicely done.

Horrible Food - Decent Service, 7/26/2009
Reviewer: Jim from Santa Barbara, CA
I do not get how the food can be so bad. I am from New York and have lived in Shanghai and Singapore. I know decent chinese food. The owner of this place also owns the China Pavillion on Chapala which has decent food. The food here is dreadful. It reminds you of that bad suburban chinese you ate when you were growing up and did not know better. I have spoken to them and they blame the food on the small kitchen, yet I have eaten in dives in asia where with a single Wok and they can turn out stunningly flavored fresh food. You do not want to eat here it is that simple. Drive to his other place or try one of the places on upper state. How is it possible that the wealthiest part of Santa Barbara has the worst food?

Don't be misled by other reviews just like we did, 5/15/2009
Reviewer: Can from Santa Barbara, CA
We eat frequently at the Chapala location and absolutely love it. "Misled" by the previous reviews, we wanted to make a change this time and had our dinner at the Montecito branch. I’m not going to comment much about the meager ambience and slow service but the food (stuffed Peking duck, Mongolian beef, Szechuan prawn) was as bad as it could be for this price range. We sent the shrimp dish, my favorite, back immediately since it was extremely sour instead of hot and lacked the vivid colors and dense texture that the Chapala version had. To be honest, it did not smell right either. We could only eat half of our Mongolian beef, which was prepared from very poor quality chunk meat and uncut scallions. Rice was cold and sticky. Even our sake was cold. We called our waiter and openly complained about our food, but he did not seem very interested in our criticism and instead asked whether we needed a box. Of course, we didn't. What else could I say? We were so frustrated by the food –and it was supposed to be a celebration- that we immediately drove back home to get our toothbrushes. So, if you live close by, drive 5 more minutes and go to Chapala location. If not, do not bother drive to Montecito to waste your money.
Too delicious for just two, 1/29/2009
Reviewer: Liza and Mark from Santa Barbara, CA
Chinese food tonight! We take out more often then dine in because the dishes are so tasty we need to order more than two. The six or seven dishes don't fit on the table for two. And take-out leaves room for a lot of great tasting leftovers. And normally we hate leftovers but the food is as good as the night we purchased it. The service is exceptional also. I order and my husband picks up - ten minutes later it is ready.

Best in SB!
Reviewer: john from Santa Barbara, CA
my family has been dining at the China Pavilion for about eight years and it is by far the best Chinese food in all of Santa Barbara. The service is always great. The restaurant can be a little noisy at times, but there is outdoor seating that is quite pleasant.

Great Lunch at Great Price
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
We went to China Pavilion last Wednesday and sat out on the patio. Service was quick and friendly. I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken and my son ordered the Sweet and Sour Chicken... immediately after placing the order, we received wontons and sauces, waters, iced teas. Several minutes after that we received our soups and salads (all part of the lunch special including fried rice!: Kung Pao Chicken: only $8.50!).. The food was fantastic and plenty for anybody with a huge appetite... It is obvious that the owners and operators of this facility take great pride in their food and providing great value and service! EXCELLENT PLACE FOR CHINESE!
P.F. Changs of Santa Barbara
Reviewer: Jason Streatfeild from Montecito
I'm glad I don't have to drive Beverly Hills to P.F. Changs for a great Chinese Restaurant. The food, service and location is much better without the Hollywood Glitz. I love China Pavillion in Montecito, and their downtown location for great parties.

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