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Palace Grill
8 E. Cota St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 963-5000
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Palace Grill writes:
The Palace Grill is a contemporary American Grill, celebrating the Cuisine and Culture of New Orleans. Featuring USDA Prime-Aged Beef and the freshest Seafood, with a large selection of delicious Pastas, and Specialties like our Crawfish-Stuffed Blackened Filet Mignon, Soft-shell Crab, Jambalaya, and Louisiana Bread Pudding Soufflé with Whisky Cream Sauce. The Palace has a unique “Team Service” system whereby the entire dinning room staff waits on all tables as a team. We have won the Santa Barbara Independent Readers’ Poll Award for “Best Restaurant Service” every year since inception in 1988. We are also known for our colorful and entertaining atmosphere, including our unique group sing-along. Our guests come for the Food and Service, but leave having celebrated Life! “Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler”
- Private Room: Restaurant is divided into two sections. You can do a buy-out of one side of the restaurant.
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Reviews by the General Public
Good Food,Steep Prices, 6/16/2010
Reviewer: Aaron Gosnell
from Santa Barbara, CA
Pros:Good service,Good food.
Cons:Very expensive,small portions.
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Honestly a place to just relax and enjoy delicious food, 5/3/2010
Reviewer: Annette
from Santa Barbara, CA
Let me start off by saying that the service really does make a difference. The staff genuinely seems happy and friendly, and for dinner, if there's ever a wait expect music and sometimes samples to pass the time.
The food is delicious. Granted, I can't say I've ever had Cajun food, but this is juicy meat and seafood that always tastes fresh. I love the oysters, their popcorn shrimp, and almost everything I've tasted here, the only exceptions are things i don't generally like, which is not a dig on them at all.
To sum up, great atmosphere, filling delicious food, and best of all never a pretentious attitude.
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Best food and service of our stay., 3/29/2010
Reviewer: Cris & Barb
from Granada Hills, CA
We hit several nice resturants while we visited Santa Barbara, but this was by far the best. Drinks were ample servings and very fairly priced. The blackened stuffed filet was great, but our favorite was the creole lamb chops. When we visit again, this will be our first stop!
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Excellent once again, 3/2/2010
Reviewer: Regina Velasquez
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food has always been excellent, service has been great. Love the crawfish popcorn and the Grilled Salmon is the best in SB.
First off I would like to commend the Palace Grill for being one of the best Restaurants in SB for over 25 years. I have been in the service industry at another restaurant for at least 10 years and I know how tough it can be. I read the prior reviews and I tend to wonder if these people writing negative reviews have ever worked a day in their life in a restaurant. If you have a problem with the gumbo being salty, send it back. If you want a drink, order it. Your server is not a mind reader. I have been there plenty of times and I consider it one of my favorite places to bring friends. They do work as a team which is a great concept, so you can order things with somebody other than your server. I've even ordered with the general manager Errol when my server was busy.
I have been in the Palace when there is a line out the door and when there are only 4 tables in the whole place. In either situation the staff has always been accommodating. To all of the customers that have a problem with the Palace, speak up when you are there instead of writing a negative review. Let a manager know. How else are they going to improve? I would hate for somebody to write a bad review of my restaurant and not know how I could have fixed it.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK PALACE GRILL!
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Really wonderful! A rare treat., 3/2/2010
Reviewer: Cynthia
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've lived in SB for several years but never had eaten at the Palace before. We finally did this past Friday night. I have to say, I've really been missing out all these years! The food was so delicious. We started out with crayfish popcorn, which was suggested to us. I have never had something as YUMMY as this before! For dinner, I had the Blackened Redfish, which our waitress pointed out was in that night and apparently they don't have this very often. It was heavenly! My husband had the Jamalaya. Both dishes were so good we didn't want to stop eating even after we were full. The servers were ALL very attentive and kind. Our water glasses never went empty and the maitre D, Errol? (spelling?) was very friendly and warm. Our sweet smiling waitress made us a "Welcome to the palace" plate, with the words written in chocolate. I just felt very valued and welcome as a guest. This seems to be a special place. WE WILL BE BACK!
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Surprised - and not in a good way. , 3/1/2010
Reviewer: Stephanie
from Santa Barbara, CA
I came here for my 22nd birthday with my dad who had driven all the way from San Francisco. He loves Cajun food and we were both excited for the dinner. We ordered: gumbo yaya, blackened cat fish and the jambalaya pasta. The gumbo was EXTREMELY salty and thus not very enjoyable for its high price. The catfish was very good and so was the pasta. HOWEVER the service was the WORST I have EVER experienced. After being seated, we were promptly served water - normal thus far, then after about 5 minutes of waiting our waitress came around. Seeing as it was my 22nd birthday, I was hoping to order a glass of wine or maybe one of their special cocktails; however our lovely waitress She*** didn't even ask if we wanted anything to drink! Not even sodas or iced tea! At this point, I thought, ok maybe she will ask once we get the food. However the food was brought out by someone else, and she never asked for drinks. Finally I had to order wine from someone else, who noticed it was my birthday, congratulated me and had our waitress bring the wine out. Not once did she apologize for not asking about drinks, because clearly if I had to ask someone else for a drink- I wanted one. Furthermore, I watched as another waitress brought out another customer a happy birthday dessert and the only thing our waitress brought was the over priced check. What a terrible birthday dinner!
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Horrible Service, 2/21/2010
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've given this place three chances because my family likes to celebrate special occasions here and they enjoy the food. I really wanted to enjoy it.
The first time we were seated and then the manager asked us to move and gave us a certificate for a souffle. We told our waiter that I couldn’t eat wheat and requested another dessert. He said okay and then brought the soufflé anyway. The second time--they didn’t put my order in. They brought everyone else’s food and none of the waiters bothered to ask me if I had ordered anything. Had to remind the waiter and he said he didn’t put my order in. The service was all around horrible that night (no water, the waiter was non-existent, cream was spoiled, etc) so we complained to the manager and he comp’ed us a dessert on a $275 bill. Third time was tonight. I asked the waiter if there was wheat in the oyster dish, he said no. Brought it out and it was breaded in a flour (wheat) mixture. Told another waiter (they are on a team system there) and ordered something else. The food never came. Everyone in my group was done with their meal and we asked about my dinner—-they forget to place the order. I said forget it. When the bill came they charged me for the second order and a side of vegetables I had ordered with my first oyster meal. We told a waiter, and also said that perhaps they should comp me my drink since I didn’t actually get to eat. We also told them when we ordered that we had two discount cards (which gives you two free appetizers) but they charged us on the bill. They said they’d take care of all of it and brought the bill back. They took my second order off, the appetizers, not the drink, and gave us two certificates for GET THIS—-a free appetizer and a bread pudding soufflé. We get a free appetizer every time with our discount card and bread pudding has WHEAT! Thanks for nothing. I won't be returning unfortunately.
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Fabulous every time, 2/15/2010
Reviewer: Michelle
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been here waaay too many times and I always recommend it to my friends and so far no one has ever complained. The food is delicious and the service is always very fast. The bread pudding souffle is amazingly delicious and I get a different entrée every time and have never been disappointed. Drinks are well priced as well. Overall a great restaurant no matter what the occasion! Keep in mind that it can get really busy because it's popular so sometimes you have to be prepared to wait...but it's worth it!
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Not that great, 1/19/2010
Reviewer: Sean
from Santa Barbara, CA
I enjoyed the coconut shrimp and the red peas with ham hocks. Dessert was burned and stuck to outside edges of dish. Jambalaya was very salty and as a result none the ingredients could be tasted. When asked for a recommendation, our sever was not friendly and only suggested the most expensive thing on the menu. Other servers were attentive in keeping our water glass full to combat the salty food. This restaurant was far from a great experience.
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Past its Prime, 1/19/2010
Reviewer: Barry
from Santa Barbara, CA
I had been looking forward to returning to The Palace for the first time in awhile. I have had several great meals there over the years. The fun ambience and excellent service won't ever change but the food seems very uninspired. The signature appetizer, Cajun Crawfish Popcorn, is very skimpy for the price and kind of boring. The Pasta Lafite was also run-of-the-mill with a lack of crawfish or other ingredients swimming in a drab cream sauce. The BBQ Shrimp was good but not great and felt like poor value. The vegetables were the best part. The Cajun Martini was the only other sure thing. Maybe it was an off night or maybe this place is resting on its laurels.
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Why Bother Eating Elsewhere?, 1/16/2010
Reviewer: Savannah
from Santa Barbara, CA
Where should I begin...The service is constantly helpful and friendly, the food is wonderful particularly the catfish, filet mignon, scallops, cajun popcorn crawfish, chocolate souffle and keylime pie. The atmosphere is lively and the music puts one in a great mood. Thank the Good Lord, this place is open for lunch as well! Their dreamy array of muffins are served for dinner and this is the perfect place to go for any occasion. Keep up the solidly good work! Other eateries in town should take note of what the Palace Grill does as far as service and ambience is concerned or else they will rest in peace in these volatile/uncertain times.
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Our New Favorite Restaurant!!! , 11/11/2009
Reviewer: Melody & Bill Jenike
from Corona, CA
We just recently found this awesome place, my boyfriend and I have been coming to Santa Barbara for the past 5 yrs and when we heard that Chad's was no longer in business, I had to find another place for us to go to dinner! To my surprise, we found our new favorite place, great service, great food and the portions were plenty, and we especially loved their famous bread pudding!! We for sure will be coming back next year!
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Problem with this restaurant!, 11/10/2009
Reviewer: Jim Johandes
from Arroyo Grande, CA
The problem with this restaurant is that there isn't one located near me. Probably a good thing. Fabulous food and fabulous service. RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! You just have to try it to believe it. Fun place. GO!
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Always an exceptional experience!, 10/14/2009
Reviewer: Gabriela Ponce
from Santa Barbara, CA
My boyfriend and I went to the Palace on Sunday.. We have been here before and we always say we are going to try something new but we always can guarantee amazing food and outstanding service at The Palace. Gina was our waitress, and has been before and she is just awesome and makes our visit there wonderful. I always order the catfish with crawfish, but I wanted to try something new... the Crab cakes our delicious and not like any crab cake I have ever tried. My boyfriend ordered the Pasta Royale which was super good too. The food is always amazing. The staff is great and this is why, hands down, The Palace is the place to go. Thanks Gina !!!!
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What an experience!!!, 10/6/2009
Reviewer: Karin
from Cologne, Germany
Last year we travelled the Highway numberI and stopped at Santa Barbara. We were deeply impressed by the quality of the food that was served and enchanted by the atmosphere created during our dinner. I`ll never forget the group singing when one of the waiters started "Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. We`d like to come back some day.
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Great service, even better food!!!, 10/6/2009
Reviewer: Tim Brooks
from Santa Barbara, CA
I needed a nice place to take the in-laws for a good time. A buddy suggested The Palace and it was phenomenal! The blackened red snapper was perfect, my martini was great, and that bread pudding is to die for! The server was on top of it despite the crowd in there. Great music, great atmosphere, a 10 out of 10!
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awesome, 9/20/2009
Reviewer: Susy
from Ladera Ranch, CA
You must go here. The food is delicious! One of my favorite restaurants!
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GREAT!, 9/18/2009
Reviewer: Janice
from Santa Barbara, CA
YOU MUST GO HERE! IT"S THE BY FAR THE BEST CAJUN RESTAURANT I'VE BEEN TO! THE FOOD & STAFF IS AMAZING! TRY THE CRAB CAKES AND THE RED FISH! THE WHISKEY CAKE IS SO DELISH! :)
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What An Experience - You Have To Try It!
Reviewer: David Wright
from London UK
Well worth a visit - great fun, reasonably priced, food good and service still manages to make you feel special. Far better service here than at the Biltmore restaurant the following night!
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What An Experience - You Have To Try It!
Reviewer: David Wright
from London UK
Well worth a visit - great fun, reasonnablely priced, food good and service still manages to make you feel special. Far better service here tha at the Biltmore restaurant the following night!
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Good Experience!
Reviewer: Francis
from Santa Barbara, CA
I can't wait to go back to Palace Grill. The food was flavorful, cooked properly, served hot and my drink was kept full throughout my visit thanks to the efficient, friendly (but not pushy or fake). I can't believe I haven't dined here sooner! Yummy, yummy, yummy!
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awesome
Reviewer: Tracey
from Santa Barbara, CA
the food and the service were both awesome. i can't wait to go there again!
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Go!! But not on a Friday Night
Reviewer: chee
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been to PG a few times, and the food has always been outstanding. I went with my friends on Friday night, and the place was packed! We were told that the wait would be 20 minutes, which ended up being a little over 45 minutes. The manager was nice and found a seat for us in the front, but the waitstaff was sooo busy given the large number of customers in the restaurant. We were confused by the staff's "team" philosophy because they told us to wait for our main server to take our orders and bring us the bill. The food came out very quickly, and the muffins were delicious as usual (I think PG can definitely do without the rosemary ones, and they could make the cornbread ones sweeter). By the end of the night, we had difficulty finding our waiter, and he seemed to have forgotten about us. We later saw him being very attentive to the other tables and patrons, just not us :( Anyway, I'll be back but probably not for a Friday night dinner.
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Great Easter Lunch
Reviewer: Nicole
from Santa Barbara, CA
I stopped here on Easter and got a really reasonable lunch here. I haven't been here in years because of the noise and food portions, who really needs a bowl with a pound of pasta in it? However, I was really surprised by their lunch menu and atmosphere. It was laid back and comfortable, not as loud and the food portions were much more appropriate. I had their cajun crawfish popcorn, very yummy! I also had their cajun crabcakes, really good. The rice was a little mush but there was enough crabcake that I didn't really need to eat it. The veggies were also good, but had a LOT of dill on them. I happen to like dill but if you don't you might want to mention it. They also gave out a coupon for 15% off an online order. I will be using it!!
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Disappointed for the first time.
Reviewer: Robyn
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have dined at the palace many times and always look forward to it. However on Friday (4/3) it was very disappointing. Is there a new chef?? The food was ok, but not the explosion of flavor that is usual.I had the diver scallops (small) and the sauce was flavorless. My boyfriend had the veal which was overcooked and rubbery, and the sauce again lacked kick and was unimpressive.Even the cajun martini was not as spicy! WHAT HAPPENED?!?!
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Everything Great!
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
I can see why this place is rated so highly. The food is great along with the service. I suggest if sharing with someone go for the Palace Sampler Platter or the All The Best Platter for two which includes the HIGHLY recommended Bread Pudding. If special occasion they will write in chocolate on the bread pudding plate the occasion for you so mention in your reservation. The muffins they bring out are amazing and they do have the molasses one in there. With a reservation of about 5:30 they sing and toast right about 7:00 and apparently repeat later in the night.
Waiters are good and you don't have to flag your waiter down as they wait on tables tag team style. Not as much cajun style food only as just more southern with a taste of carribean even. The carribean coconut shrimp is highly recommended.
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The party started here
Reviewer: Brianna
from Ventura, CA
I went here for my senior ball with some friends because of the reviews I had read on here.
Boy was everyone right! Driving up to find the place and seeing adorable old men playing live jazz music and people dancing put everyone in the car in a great mood immediately. The atmosphere was energetic, fun and carefree, and the food was just incredible. Could not pronounce the menu items for the life of me but the waiter was so nice and helped our group pick out what to eat. The Jambalaya was out of this world! Some of the muffins we were served were a little over baked but everything else was picturesque.
Singing what a wonderful world and toasting everyone was the cherry on top of a terrific night.
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Not bad
Reviewer: Liza Rassner
from Santa Barbara, CA
We've lived in Santa Barbara for three years and have hit almost every restaurant except this one until last week. We arrived on a Tuesday last week and the service was friendly and attentive. We ate our meal which was served quickly and were finished before the music started. Now I suppose that the music is why people keep coming back. If we had more than one drink and stayed until the music started we probably would be overlooking the taste of the food. It's California cuisine with a little, I stress little, creole. We were expecting more authentic cajun food. Nothing to write home about.
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Every Febuary with my lovely wife on our anniversary
Reviewer: Richard & Elaine Miller
from Riverside, CA
My wife and i visit the Palace Grill every year for our anniversary, Feb 2008 was our 6th year in a row, (our 30th anniversary) but this time we had the joy of bringing our whole family (Kids and grandkids) with us to sample the place we love so much, we talk about it every year, but this time they got the chance to be there, we had such a great time, our service was awesome as usual, we couldnt dream of breaking the tradition, we love you palace grill, and will be back every year.
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LOVE THE FOOD AND THE CREW! BUT MAKE SURE U MAKE A RESERVATI
Reviewer: JENN
from Ventura, CA
I'M NOT REALLY CRAZY ABOUT LOUD DINING ATMOSPHERES, BUT THIS PLACE WAS MORE LIKE A BIG FAMILY GATHERING! I VISITED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND REALIZED EVERYONE WAS SMILING, LAUGHING, THEN SINGING! IT DID TAKE A BIT TO GET SERVED, BUT THE PLACE IS ALWAYS PACKED, SO I JUST ENJOYED WATCHING EVERYONE. OUR WAITRESS WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND RECOMMENDED OR DINNERS. I DECIDED TI STOP BY LAST WEEK, AND EVEN THOUGH THAT WAITRESS WAS OUT OF TOWN, EVERYONE ELSE WAS VERY KIND AND THE FOOD WAS STILL GREAT!
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GREAT FOOD AND FUN
Reviewer: Kristin
from Valencia, CA
This place is amazing. I loved everything about it. Having not been there before the server took us through the menu and highlighted the most popular items. Our water glasses were constantly refilled. The manager, after they did not have the wine that I ordered in stock, came to make sure that the one I did get was to my satisfaction. The food was also great! I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant and would absolutely come back!
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Delicious food with amazing service
Reviewer: Michelle
from Goleta, CA
My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary and it was fantastic. The service was great and our food was served very quickly (we were shocked at how quickly in fact) and it was absolutely delicious! The only thing is that it's pretty rich so you had better go on an empty stomach, I really wish that I'd had enough room for dessert. Would definitely go again, just waiting for an opportunity!
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