Santa Barbara’s beloved El Encanto hotel on the Riviera overlooking the city is under new ownership and we have high expectations as their commitment to excellence has been made clear. A new chef, Joel Viehland, started just a few weeks ago and is in the process of revamping all the menus.

But the hotel has wasted no time in making its mark by hosting their first El Encanto Culinary Series dinner featuring World’s 50 Best discovery & Michelin starred restaurants, this time Koli in Monterrey, Mexico. Chef Rodrigo Rivera Rio flew in to give guests this amazing dinner and he is a masterful artist whose talents were on full display.

Our Koli dinner at El Encanto was both innovative and delicious, with wonderful natural wines imported from Mexico by Wero Cham, owner of Vinos Boutique, who is a genius at discovering small producer vinos of supreme quality.

The plates were artfully devised and inspired, the flavors unlike any we’ve ever had: tuna and beef jerky topped with caviar, watermelon paired with jocoque, beans and jacube.

A cool tomato with cheese and a complex ash mole was refreshing.

The tasty morsel of fish dancing in coconut, hoja santa and cucumber delivered a tantilizing burst of flavors.

Wow, beef picaña in a lusty black garlic and beets was outstanding.

And finally, Leche de Cabra, a yogurt-orange-mustach-pecan nuts sweet enhanced by a dollop of caramel. It was all heavenly. Viva El Encanto!