City: Santa Barbara, CA

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (805) 565-7540

Address: 1279 Coast Village Rd.

Description: This sleek steak house in the old Coast Village Grill location is the hip hangout in Montecito for locals, celebrities, and wannabes. Owner Gene Montesano (of Lucky jeans fame) and his partners have infused this place with some minimalist glamour. From the old black-­and-­white photographs of celebrities adorning the walls to the smartly clad waiters, the valet parking, and the impressive list of champagnes, Lucky’s exudes a kind of nouveau nostalgia. It’s famous for its juicy steaks aged well and cooked to order—the filet porterhouse and the New York strip steak among them. Side selections include golden, skinny onion rings that must be devoured quickly while they are hot (not hard to do), home fries, and creamed spinach. You’ll also find a few enticing seafood options. If you’re dining alone, you can perch at the bar and watch your favorite sports game or pick a people-­watching spot on the street-­side patio. The wine list is excellent, with many French selections and a few big-­ticket bottles that are a good indication of the clientele here. Lucky’s is open daily for dinner and Sat and Sun for lunch. It’s not for the miserly, but the beef is worth the bucks.