Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

When you think of Santa Barbara - you think of the beach, wine and SEAFOOD.  A local favorite seafood restaurant of mine is the  Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, situated at the very end of the Stearn's Wharf.  The husband and I first discovered this causal seafood joint on our first trip to Santa Barbara.  We enjoyed each a glass of wine and shared a crab sandwich.  They have tanks and tanks of live crabs and daily catches behind the bar.  So you are always guaranteed fresh seafood every time you come in.

It's also a place where I like taking my guests when they come to visit.  If you love oyster, you MUST have  whatever is on special for the oysters served on a 1/2 shell.  I can't remember the name of these oysters but they were so yummy!

I often times do not like to order crab when dining out because I feel like it's too much work for the amount of meat that you get.  Not to mention the mess that I always make.  However, the Rock Crab at this place is filled with meat and is worth all the work.  Guaranteed.

Now if you don't want all the commitment of an entire crab and are looking for more variety, the Cioppino includes crab legs, shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels served with their homemade cioppino sauce in a large bread bowl.  Heaven in a bread bowl! 

I've taken my friends, cousin and parents all on separate trips. I find myself ordering the same things!  What can I say?  The seafood is so yummy!  Oh and you can't beat this view...