La Marina Restaurant - Santa Barbara, CA
Story by Susan Lane Leonard
Satisfaction is abundant at the four-star La Marina restaurant, the highest rated restaurant in Santa Barbara. It is simply superb. Barb McPolin greeted us and tucked us into a romantic enclave booth with a view of the grand lawn and ocean scene. She is La Marina’s manager and the resort’s sommelier. Her wine pairing was perfect and the chocolate soufflé was truly the best ever. I started out with an appetizer called Lobster Four Ways—how could I go wrong? I was so excited about my lobster in a Waldorf, Thermador, egg roll and Asian citrus fusion that I had to share it. I also knew this meant that my husband would share his dessert later; his nougat and sorbet was out of this world. My Sea Bass, which is one of the chef’s signature dishes, was also simply delish.
The service was flawless and the celebrated Chef d’ Cuisine Roberto Neri was genteel and rich in spirit as is his menu. Roberto has gifted four of the Four Seasons fine dining restaurants: Canary Wharf, London; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Amman, Jordan.
Chef Roberto Neri
Previously he worked in Michelin Star restaurant in Italy, a Carlton awarded restaurant in London and starred in a TV cooking show. Roberto’s mother tongue is Italian. He speaks several languages fluently but I think this international chef savors Santa Barbara as a rare jewel for his family and the bounty of fresh foods he creates into masterpieces.
I had to call the day after to special order a nougat for my mother as I was still thinking about it and feeling guilty. I enjoyed such things that are meant for all the world to savor. tel: (1)-805-969-2261
www.fourseasons.com