5 /5 Wook Chung: Santo Mezcal (SM) is a true gem in the heart of Santa Barbara. It is a festival of variety - both for your eyes and palate, and seems to get it right almost all the time. This is top class progressive Mexican cuisine with heavy seafood additions. Be prepared to be dazzled in ways that you did not expect.
Lets start with guac and chips. Chips were fresh made, crispy, all good. But then, you have this guacamole but with sprinkled crispy pork belly. I have never had that twist and it worked out beautifully. And yes, it has to be crispy pork bits or else they would not go well with the chips. Beautifully done.
There was a mushroom carpaccio dish that was perhaps the best mushroom dish Ive ever tasted. Sliced portobello mushrooms lightly grilled with a bit of lime, onions, burrata cheese, and other flavors. Truly magical. The beef apache was also quite innovative. It was a tartar yet mixed with avocado, tuna, and other goodness. Again, the flavor was unique and well balanced.
I could go on and on about the empanadas, salad, tacos, etc. But here is the crux. Every dish is meticulously created. They are visually stunning and colorful. And each of them is has a way to progress Mexican cuisine in a particular way. They are experimental in your mouth. And most of them are marvelous.
The one downside were the oysters as they came out a bit "room temperature". It didnt feel good to be eating room temperature raw oysters. I think the kitchen may have made it earlier but somehow the serving was late.
Santo Mezcal is absolutely a stunner. Whether you like Mexican food or not, you must try this place when youre in Santa Barbara.