Advice for Santa Barbara & Sacramento

[jmsaul]

I'm going to be in Santa Barbara and Sacramento next week on business, and I'm looking for interesting places to eat. What I like the most are authentic and unusual ethnic options: genuine Sichuan food, great Central American, rare (for the US) cuisines like Indonesian, etc.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Edited October 11, 2008 by jmsaul (log)

[rjwong]

jmsaul, the only ethnic place in Santa Barbara I go to is La Super Rica. I think there's a Cajun place around downtown SB, if I remember correctly. Try searching for some of the discussion threads under "Santa Barbara".

[WandaSue]

In Santa Barbara there are a fair amount of ethnic/special restaurants from which to choose. Here's a link that gives the most current information and ratings for the restaurant scene.

Santa Barbara dining

[WandaSue]

And for Sacramento, check out this blog: SacFoodies

[jmsaul]

Great tips, thanks to both of you!

[hzrt8w]

... What I like the most are authentic and unusual ethnic options:  genuine Sichuan food,

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I live right here in Sacramento and I am an ethnic Chinese. Sorry to say I have not found any genuine Sichuan food. If you find it, please let me know.

I only know of some in San Francisco and Richmond.

[jmsaul]

... What I like the most are authentic and unusual ethnic options:  genuine Sichuan food,

←

I live right here in Sacramento and I am an ethnic Chinese. Sorry to say I have not found any genuine Sichuan food. If you find it, please let me know.

I only know of some in San Francisco and Richmond.

←

Any other good Chinese restaurants in Sacramento?

Or alternatively, how far is Richmond and what's there?

Thanks!

[hzrt8w]

Any other good Chinese restaurants in Sacramento?

Or alternatively, how far is Richmond and what's there?

←

There are many Chinese restaurants in Sacramento. Mostly Cantonese style.

I will name the top two IMO:

New Lai Wah Restaurant

5912 Freeport Blvd

Sacramento, CA 95822

(916) 428-6183

New Canton Restaurant‎

2523 Broadway

Sacramento, CA 95818

(916) 739-8888

Richmond is near Berkeley, about 80 miles West of Sacramento along I-80. Not sure if you will pass through there. This one they have very good Sichuan style dishes:

Great SzeChwan Restaurant

3288 Pierce St., #B109

Richmond, CA 94804

(510) 526-8897

In San Francisco, this one has pretty good Sichuan style dishes too:

Spices! II Restaurant

291 6th Avenue (crossing Clement)

San Francisco, CA 94118

(415) 752-8885