Last night, we met up with some of Vince’s cousins and friends in Santa Barbara to celebrate Cathy’s early 40th birthday. We started the weekend off with a Spanish restaurant called Loquita. It apparently just earned a Michelin guide per cousins.
We started off with some cocktails.
Roja. Spanish Tempranillo, brandy, lemon, orange, all spice. I got the sangria of course. It was also spiked with brandy so I was concern for the potency. Overall, it did taste very good and sweet. I could hardly taste the brandy but of course, by this time I couldn’t finish it and was merely just interested in a taster.
Agua de Vida. Cardamom infused mezcal, carrot, lemon, oloroso cherry, pimenton agave, scotch rinse. Vince got this because the ingredients of carrot reminded him of the carrot cocktail he loved so much at Fifty Mils in Mexico City. It did taste like carrot but also had a stronger alcohol taste which I did not like.
Croqueta de Jamon. English peas, spring garlic aioli, cured egg yolk. I saw this and had to order this! It reminded me of the croquettes I loved so much in Spain. They were such soft and smooth balls of mashed potato consistency and salty ham.
Gambas Al Ajillo. Wild jumbo gulf prawns, Brava, garlic, brandy, lemon, ciabatta. I tried the sauce but not the shrimp because there wasn’t enough to go around. The sauce was good! People said the shrimp was delicious.
Pulpo. Spanish octopus, black garlic aioli, potato purée, pickled red onion. This potato purée was so smooth, I loved it. The octopus was perfectly cooked and not chewy at all!
El Bulli. Spherified castelveltrano olive. What an interesting olive shooter! It was so refreshing and light.
Vaca. Grilled 6 ounce prime hanger, chermoula verde, spring herbs, radish, Spanish paprika. Not a big fan of ordering hanger steak but birthday girl wanted it. It was cooked perfectly and tender.
Brocoli. Charred broccolini, walnut romesco, 3 month aged manchego, pickled Fresno, px sherry. I fell in love with this broccolini! It was cooked perfectly and the walnut romesco is to die for! This could make me eat any vegetable! Very creamy yet chunky with walnuts.
Chorizo Y Pollo. Chorizo, rocky free range chicken, gigante beans, hen of the woods, salmorra, shishito peppers, lemon aioli. This paella was good but did not come close to scratching the itch of the chicken and rabbit paella I reminisce from Valencia.
Borrego. Braised lamb shank, hen of the woods mushrooms, Moroccan spice, pomegranate, fennel, dill aioli. The lamb was sooo tender and fell off the bone easily, of course. I loved the meaty consistency of the hen of the woods (first time trying it)!
Horchata. Oat milk, chocolate chai, nutmeg, cinnamon. I ordered two of this and I felt like I can drink this all day!! It was so creamy yet light at the same time. I loved the chai, nutmeg and cinnamon together. I want to drink this everyday!
Overall, it was a delicious and pleasant experience! Service was attentive and our waiter checked up on us frequently. Overall, food was very good and I would definitely come back when if I were in town again.
