This was our first stop after crossing the border. We had been driving 8 hours, and had in no way anticipated that our GPS would switch to roaming as soon as we entered Canada. Also, I had thought there would be a more even split between French and English, so we were kind of in a culture shock. I'm not very good at vacationing, I guess. So, it was nice to have a pleasant dining experience after all that!
Santa Barbara is a nice casual-but-trendy place. Lots of light woods, religious iconography, candlelight. The waitress was very nice. I tried speaking French, she spoke French back, I stared at her wide-eyed as I realized I was in way over my head, and she promptly and pleasantly switched to English. I could have hugged her.
Menu is very simple, and bilingual. Of import: although this place is primarily vegetarian, there are a few animal dishes on the menu. Pork chops and a couple fish dishes. This is relevant. Read on.
I permitted myself an alcoholic drink, bcs I deserved it. Gin with citrus and earl grey tea. It tasted delicious, but was small for the price (in my opinion; I don't drink much, so I'm not a good judge!) and I couldn't really taste the tea.
Joe got the gnocchi, which he raved about. I tried some and it was absolutely delicious. My entree came with quinoa, which was mixed with beets and oranges. I had never had quinoa like this, and I have to say it was delicious. I am definitely stealing the idea to make at home! The rest of my entree was fish. Because I am an absolute moron and accidentally ordered fish. I cannot tell you how the server would have reacted if I sent it back, bcs I was too humiliated to do so. So I chopped it into little pieces, casually hid it in my napkin, and then threw it out later. I think one of the other waiters saw me, because he came by and was like, "Ca va?" Then he said some other stuff, which may have been, "Because I see that you are wrapping your food in your napkin like a maniac." but I didn't understand it, so I just said, "Oui!!!!!! Ca va bien!!!!! Merci merci merci!" over and over until he must have concluded that I was definitely a maniac and left.
This is how the socially awkward deal with problems, people!
Despite my idiocy, I will repeat: the gnocci and quinoa were both fantastic. And honestly, even when I ate meat, I didn't like fish, but this fish smelled and looked incredible. If I were still a meat eater, I would have tried it. Promise.
They take cards, but ours didn't work, so we had to get cash across the street at a gas station. By then, I think the waitress was sick of us, bcs she seemed to get a little snippy. But I promise, we were doing our absolute best as strangers in a strange land! (Yes, I am using that phrase even though I'm talking about a girl from Rochester going to Canada.)