When we heard that The Bistro at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara was named one of the “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, we knew we had to experience all they had to offer. So we took the short drive and were met with a warm welcome from the parking valets who whisked our car off and directed us down to the ocean.

What we found pleased us a great deal: The Bistro is a casual and relaxed spot to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. An attractive inside room is hospitable when the weather does not cooperate.

The chef uses local produce and sustainable seafood to highlight a menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

We mulled over the menu while the energetic servers brought us a bottle of cool Sauvignon Blanc. An array of pizzas from their brick oven appealed.  So did the salads: a Caesar, lardon, or local market greens, all of which could come with chicken, shrimp or salmon at an added boost.

We chose to start with an ahi nicoise salad and lump blue crab cake with a delicious remoulade sauce. Then we segued to grilled shrimp tacos with Napa cabbage slaw, pickled red onion, Calabrian pepper yogurt, cilantro, all wrapped in flour tortillas. And a perfect roasted salmon came with farro, cherry tomatoes, garbanzo beans, olives, arugula, capers, golden raisins and ill shallot yogurt.

A refreshing cup of sorbert finished this delightful meal. All in all, can we recommend The Bistro for stress-free, straight forward dining with the benefit of ocean waves providing the soundtrack.  Locals can enjoy a 10% discount. Breakfast is particularly popular at this coastal spot, where you can choose from light bites like the Granola Trifle and heartier fare like the Bacara Eggs Benedict.

The Bistro at Bacara Resort and Spa, 8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93117