Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito

Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. s

   sandra VIP

   New York City63 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   We were out side on a gloomy grey day but the heat lamps were great and it was quiet. We went for the special happy hour which offered very limited choices (1/2 off martinis and the burger and 50 cents off the oysters). The burger was great but the martinis were tiny and sooo expensive at even 1/2 off. I would go back but be aware of the prices.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. S

   Sheri

   Central Coast4 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Overall a positive experience. I will look forward to a return visit. I didn't give it an outstanding because the kitchen sent out an incomplete entree order, and the bus guy took too long to deliver the bread. But hostess and waiter were friendly and helpful. Food was fresh and delicious. Esp. enjoyed skinny fries, crab cake, sourdough bread and key lime pie. It was quite busy for a cold cloudy Wednesday afternoon. Good on Clark's!
   

   Is this helpful?

3. s

   sally VIP

   Central Coast91 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A casual but elevated neighborhood gem. Start with a selection of the freshest, brightest oysters I've had in a very long time. Lobster roll was filled nicely with claw meat and came with generous stack of addictive shoestring potatoes. Lime tart great finish. The bar works magic with the spritzers. Our server Michele was knowledgeable and attentive and helped make this a lovely evening for us to catch up with our friend.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. s

   siena

   Orange County2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 19, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Oysters were amazing and our server Julian was great! Definitely coming back soon
   

   • 

   1 person found this helpful

5. D

   Dara VIP

   Los Angeles21 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 19, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   What a fantastic addition to Montecito. Thank you Clark's Oyster Bar. We will absolutely be back!
   

   Is this helpful?

6. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   San Francisco2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on April 18, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The fish was over cooked. The portion was inadequate It was not very flavorful. . We were not even offered bread and butter at the table. It was very overpriced for the quality and quantity of food.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. M

   Michelle

   Central Coast1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, and the service was wonderful. It made our experience really memorable.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. s

   sally VIP

   Central Coast91 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Can’t go wrong with crab Louie salad for lunch with great bread and butter. Service attentive and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my return visit and trying those amazing looking French fries that were on many tables.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. H

   Howard VIP

   Palm Springs13 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   It was a wonderful experience, we sat outside and the chairs were very comfortable and the heaters were gas (not propane) and could be adjusted well for comfort. We started with a selection of oysters and the server was helpful in making decisions on which ones to order. We also had the local fish ceviche which was very good, but served with individually wrapped saltine crackers which was cute, but the combo of the two did not do the food or restaurant justice. We had the crispy cod and the cioppino for our entrees, both were exceptional - so much delicious seafood in the cioppino and the cod was to die for. Also, cocktails were a decent size and prepared well, the martini glasses had been refrigerated before pouring, which is a nice touch. The main drawback for me was the noise level inside the restaurant, it was not even full and was quite loud, we could even here the chatter outside where we were sitting. I'm sure as time goes on, they will need to make some acoustical adjustments.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. D

    Doug VIP

    Austin37 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on April 14, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3

    The food compared to Austin was okay. I expected more. Admittedly, along with my guests, my rating is tainted due to the poor service level. From the point we walked into until we left, we felt as if we were bothering the staff or were an afterthought. We were not welcomed when we arrived. After we were seated, we waited at least 10 minutes before we were greeted. We ordered drinks...wait, wait, wait, someone came by who looked like a manager, my wife pointed to the bar and said she believed that the drinks she indicated were ours. We received an, "oh" and the person left - gone. About 5 minutes later our server brought the drinks over. As we had quite a bit of time to look at the menu we placed our dinner order. Food. It was okay. The steak tartar was okay; the presentation looked like a flat burger. It came with shoestring fries which were flavorless. Our entrees arrived shortly thereafter. My tuna was very good, cooked perfectly and tasty. My wife's salmon was undercooked and very oily. Our guest enjoyed a shrimp on bread. We ordered deserts, they were good, and consistent with the rest of our meal, okay. I was wondering why it was so easy to book a table in Montecito. In Austin, it is next to impossible to get in. After experiencing a meal here, I can see why. I might try again, my wife says she wouldn't. There are a number of areas the need attention to detail. I suspect if addressed, in terms of improved service and meal presentation, Clark's Montecito would be constantly booked, and we would return.
    

    1 person found this helpful