Four Seasons and Coral Casino Santa Barbara, California

Dinner with friends at the Four Seasons and Coral Casino Santa Barbara

If you’ve thought about traveling to Santa Barbara, you’ve probably heard it’s a quaint town, filled with old Spanish history, a charming vibe, and spectacular year-round weather.  You’ve probably heard you can find everything from posh luxury, to rugged outdoor activities, and everything in between.  You are correct. 

The Hotel

The Four Seasons Hotel in Santa Barbara at the top tier of luxury that Santa Barbara has to offer.  The coastline of Santa Barbara is set juxtaposed between mountains, and pristine coastline just 90 miles from the busy cityscapes of Los Angeles.  The luxurious hotel is home to a very proud and well preserved Spanish heritage, evident in its roots. Founded in 1927, the Four Seasons hotel has maintained its charm, withstood two economic depressions, and has hosted some of the most prominent celebrities, and aristocrats. The members and guests that you’ll find dining and stay here have a tremendous air of class, but frown at the need to feel flashy, or draw too much attention.

The Coral Casino

We were fortunate to enjoy a romantic evening with dinner and drinks among the members of the Coral Casino Spa and Club.  The Coral Casino is a unique establishment where people who truly appreciate the most exquisite taste in coastal living.  The Coral Casino is built directly on the beach where we found an Olympic swimming pool and spa that joins the beach, overlooking a seawall protected from the elements by a glass. 

We arrived half an hour before sunset and received the warmest greeting from the resort manager.  He showed us around the property, and we joined him for cocktails on the exclusive upper deck of The Coral Casino.  The Four Seasons and Coral Casino represent a preserved piece of real estate and standard of service that are becoming all too rare.  Staying at the Four Seasons and having the opportunity to dine at the Coral Casino allows you to experience coastal living and luxury dining unobstructed by invasive and overwhelming city life.  We’ve traveled to many resorts ranging in degrees of luxury. However, you’ll be hard pressed to find amenities that rival the Four Seasons and Coral Casino.  Do yourself a favor and stay at least a night at the Four Seasons, if for no other reason than to partake in exclusive access to the Coral Casino experience. 

The Four Seasons Hotel Santa Barbara takes pride in its congruency with Spanish architecture and ambiance.   The Hotel is unpretentious, yet extremely sophisticated, revealing small town luxury charm, with service that would be expected in the most elite cities in the world.  Spanish tile rooftops, white walls, rounded arches, local flora, and historic trees enhanced the hotel’s mediterranean vibe.  Just outside the hotel, you’ll find a charming boardwalk where we took some iconic sunset pictures, overlooking a distant rocky point, sandy beach, and palm tree horizon.  It seems like everyone gathers here to gaze at the sunset, and share gratitude and awe to be in such an inspiring place, we certainly did. 

The Drinks

During cocktail hour, we were taken upstairs at the Coral Casino to a one of its kind, aquarium bar.  The bar is encased in a clear acrylic housing and hosts tropical fish, crustaceans, and live coral reefs to enjoy while sipping craft cocktails, and local wines.  The cocktails were truly refreshing on a hot California day, and crafted to perfection we tried a few just to be sure they weren’t poisonous, and we shared them all! I’ll share with you our two favorites, so salvation is at a minimum. Our top pick was the “Coral Cucumber,” a delightful drink that perfectly balanced the flavors of mint, pomegranate, cucumber soda, and Grey Goose vodka. It was a refreshing choice for the palate. On the other hand, the “Spicy Mango Margarita” provided a nice spicy kick with habanero-infused Sauza tequila, mango, blood orange, and lemon, striking a perfect balance between sweet and spicy.

Moving on to the food, our appetites were heightened after enjoying the cocktails. We indulged in a variety of appetizers and entrees, starting with the Grilled Octopus with Pineapple, Piquillo Pepper Puree, Lime Aioli, and Grapefruit, which offered a delicate and tender texture. The Beef Tartare with Quail Egg, Pickled Mustard Seeds, and Horseradish Cream was another standout, delivering the perfect blend of texture, flavor, and freshness.

For the entrees, we were impressed by the Aromatic Scallops with Roasted Maitake Mushroom and Shaved Almond, as well as the Lobster Tagliatelle with Forest Mushrooms and Parmesan. The Beef Filet and Short Rib with Smoked Potato Puree, Grilled Romaine Heart, Pickled Red Onion, and Bordelaise Sauce were also exceptional, with the beef filet melting in our mouths and the short rib flavors impeccably complemented by the potato puree.

To end our meal on a sweet note, we indulged in the Warm Chocolate Almond Cake with Caramelized White Chocolate Coulis and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, a comforting and satisfying dessert that perfectly balanced warm and cold, soft and rich flavors. Despite already being full, indulging in the rich and warm chocolate almond cake with spoonfuls of ice cream was pure bliss. The experience at The Tydes Restaurant and Aquarium bar was so memorable and unique that we felt compelled to write a detailed review to give it the recognition it deserves. The impeccable service and quality of dining at this establishment are unmatched. Situated in a unique heritage landmark on the central coast, this place guarantees an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling light, smiling, and with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Please rewrite the following sentence:

“The cat sat lazily in the sun, basking in its warmth.”

“The cat lounged in the sun, enjoying its comforting heat.”