A visit to the Finch & Fork Corner Grill in the Kimpton Canary hotel in the heart of Santa Barbara is really a must for visitors to this city by the sea, where the welcoming cocktail bar people offer highly creative cocktails with small plates, including fresh oysters that keep locals and hotel guests coming back for more.

Finch & Fork Corner Grill

If you are a duck lover or long for skillfully prepared sea scallops you will love the preparations and presentation by Executive Chef Peter Cham and Sous Chef Elijah Klein who bring new delicious meaning to interesting flavors in all their menu selections. Chef Cham has become well known for his outstanding scallops served with corn relish, pickled Fresno chili, and chorizo vinaigrette, and the duck breast with carrot cardamon puree, farro, pearl onions, and blackberry gastrique is now one of my favorite duck preparations. The restaurant menu is well rounded including fish, pork, chicken pasta, and meat dishes, as well as a collection of interesting sides, salads, and special daily soups.

Executive Chef Peter Cham

My green salad and finger licking good apricot & mustard glazed rib appetizer were perfectly paired with a chilled glass of NV Taittinger Brut champagne. Ken Brown Pinot Noir was ideal with Chef’s superb scallops and Santa Ynez Valley Sunstone Viognier blended beautifully with the duck breast entree flavors.

Sunstone Viogneir Wine

Their daily specials are varied and offer something for everyone from a burger & beer on Monday to a slow roasted prime rib on Sunday and it’s all delicious. During my visit, I spoke with a local couple who visit Fork & Finch every Sunday night for favorite ‘best in town’ prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Duck Breast

The dining room is a large room with big comfortable booths or center tables for couples or large groups and oozes with warmth and ease. All of the employees are great at making patrons welcome and accommodating their needs; from the cocktail bar to the dining booths no one drops the ball. The lead Bar George Piperis prepares some classic and stylish cocktails with names like ‘Barbie Bath Balm’ and Summer Negroni, while sommelier Joe Dohany is brilliant at pairing perfect wines with your small plates or dinner items from the restaurant’s outstanding wine list.

Summer Negroni Cocktail

If you still have room for dessert the fresh peach with ice cream is a lovely sinful ending to a superb dinner at Finch & Fork. The hotel also has a lovely rooftop where special events are hosted weekly, details can be found on their website at www.finchandforkrestaurant.comFor reservations call 805-879-9100.iv>

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By Bonnie Carroll

FINCH & FORK