The Restaurant at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

"Chef Leo Ayala's menus at the on-site restaurant ($$$$) focus on California coastal cuisine"

"Appealing dining options include a mix of new and classic as well: A locally sourced California-French-Asian fusion restaurant with exquisite terrace views of the entire Santa Barbara coastline is perfect for a romantic candlelit dinner"

"Though the hotel is located just a few minutes from the bustle of downtown, up the hill from the Santa Barbara Mission, it's a quiet, secluded getaway, complete with heated saline infinity pool, lily pond, full-service spa, and a topnotch restaurant and bar frequented by happy, well-heeled locals"

"The El Encanto Dining Room is known as Santa Barbara's most romantic restaurant, and you should try for a window table"

"We suggest making time for the farm-to-fork restaurant: the bounty of vegetables and herbs from the on-site garden did not disappoint, nor did the aged white cheddar made with milk from its very own Holstein cow, Ellie"

"The chefs blend artisanal ingredients with rich flavors at Belmond El Encanto’s signature restaurant, incorporating locally-sourced seasonal produce of the Santa Barbara region into his inventive California Coastal cuisine"

"Taking advantage of the views, the designers placed the refined bar, restaurant and terrace in one of the most dramatic locations in the region"

"Menus at the on-site restaurant ($$$$) focus on California coastal cuisine"

"And, tipped off by a friend, we indulged in a romantic fireside dinner at the Stonehouse Restaurant in Montecito"