Petit Valentien offers French cuisine during the week and in the evenings, and Ethiopian cuisine for brunch on the weekends. The restaurant is located in the La Arcada Plaza, off of State Street, and offers seating inside, as well as outdoor seating in the plaza.
Our menu is filled with traditional items like pan seared duck breast and escargot, but it also has a few surprises- like our Ethiopian menu, which is served by our Ethiopian chef on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and our Sunday Supper, which is a one-time menu created by our French chef every Sunday evening.
Our menu is filled with traditional items like pan seared duck breast and escargot, but it also has a few surprises- like our Ethiopian menu, which is served by our Ethiopian chef on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and our Sunday Supper, which is a one-time menu created by our French chef every Sunday evening.
Reviews (22)
Harriet E.
Dec 12, 2021
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Husband and I walked by Petit Valentien this afternoon and the Ethiopian lunch dishes we saw on the patio looked great, so we stopped in for dinner about 30 minutes ago. We weren't in a huge rush, but we didn't have hours to dine, because I had dough proofing at home and needed to attend to it. Hubby walked in and checked in with waitress and came out saying we should take any seat we wanted and she'd be right out with menus. So, we sat next to the Xmas tree on the patio and waited... and waited... and waited.
We figured she couldn't see us so we moved right next to the front
We figured she couldn't see us so we moved right next to the front
Angie K.
Oct 08, 2021
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Hawk P.
Oct 02, 2021
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Joseph Dandona Jr
Jun 30, 2021
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4+ Stars. Wonderful spot for a nice meal in an old world European setting. We have lunch weekly here and they have a number of lunch specialities at very reasonable prices. My favorite is the Petrale Sole with lemon and capers which is absolutely delicious. They offer inside and outside seating and lunch is served from 11:30 until two. They specialize in French Cuisine during weekdays and evenings and Ethiopian Cuisine on weekends. There are also open during the evening from 5:30-8:00 and have a nice wine selection. Great food at reasonable prices in a cozy atmosphere makes for a wonderful dining
Susan L.
Jun 25, 2021
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Jim R.
Jun 19, 2021
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Luke K.
May 04, 2021
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Petit Valentien is my one and only must-stop restaurants in Santa Barbara. The menu is short, but each and every dish is prepared with great care and attention to detail. I've never once had a bad or even "so-so" dish here. I honestly don't know how they do it with the affordable prices. I would happily pay double what they charge!
Do yourself a favor and duck into "La Arcada" off of State street and give them a try. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Do yourself a favor and duck into "La Arcada" off of State street and give them a try. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Braus M.
Apr 03, 2021
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Top dining experience in a while, and we're locals!
I always mean to go to Petit Valentien and I don't frequent it as often as I mean to since it's off of the main drag. But, WOW, our dinner was so fantastic we are planning our next return. Friday night, April 2nd, we enjoyed the most wonderful service and server. Our server was graceful, welcoming and efficient. I should have asked her name.
We ordered wine, kale caesar, crab cakes, salmon and sea bass. Everything was beyond a 10. COVID-19 safety protocols were clear and we felt safe and comfortable. Beautiful ambience, lighting
I always mean to go to Petit Valentien and I don't frequent it as often as I mean to since it's off of the main drag. But, WOW, our dinner was so fantastic we are planning our next return. Friday night, April 2nd, we enjoyed the most wonderful service and server. Our server was graceful, welcoming and efficient. I should have asked her name.
We ordered wine, kale caesar, crab cakes, salmon and sea bass. Everything was beyond a 10. COVID-19 safety protocols were clear and we felt safe and comfortable. Beautiful ambience, lighting
Emily
Mar 29, 2021
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Always fabulous; and now open for inside dining. Robert, the owner and chef has a deft hand in the kitchen. We had the delicious kale Caesar salad, mushroom crostini (seasonal mushrooms in a fabulous sauce, with more than a little butter...yum) and the sautéed sea bass over braised leeks (the photo is one plate of the split order). Wow! We were lucky we had room for creme brûlée.
Anything you get will be delicious and priced fairly. The service is also personable and excellent.
Enjoy! It’s always special and memorable.
Anything you get will be delicious and priced fairly. The service is also personable and excellent.
Enjoy! It’s always special and memorable.
Katie B.
Mar 13, 2021
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Delicious! An absolutely perfect place for dinner :)
I stopped by on a chilly night and the waitress put the heat lamps on for us, that was really nice, she even offered to move us to a warmer table when available, but it wasn't needed since it was nice and warm!
We started off with some coffee which was fresh and lovely. Then we got the mushroom crostini! Delicious! Two delicious pieces of toasted bread with a huge amount of mushrooms in a delicious sauce. Perfect for two people. Went good with their house bread and a little butter!
Next I tried the veal with prosciutto and a melted
I stopped by on a chilly night and the waitress put the heat lamps on for us, that was really nice, she even offered to move us to a warmer table when available, but it wasn't needed since it was nice and warm!
We started off with some coffee which was fresh and lovely. Then we got the mushroom crostini! Delicious! Two delicious pieces of toasted bread with a huge amount of mushrooms in a delicious sauce. Perfect for two people. Went good with their house bread and a little butter!
Next I tried the veal with prosciutto and a melted
Greg Chea
Feb 26, 2021
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SeanLukeW
Dec 09, 2020
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Absolutely love all the dishes that I've had the chance to eat here. On the weekend ethiopian cuisine is available. Authentic injera made with teff was a really fun and filling experience. The combo with 2 veggies and 1 meat was the perfect balance. I've also had the pork chop milanese which was delicious.
Tiffany Lindsey
Dec 01, 2020
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Nicole M.
Oct 10, 2020
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Nice little spot with outdoor seating in La Arcada, but I wouldn't call it French. More French inspired.
We ordered several of the apps. The mushroom Cristina was like mushroom gravy over toast. Smoked salmon and capers was fine, but how can you screw that up?
Steak au poivre was so-so, and the duck confit with blood plums was nice. Both came "with Yukon potato wedges." Two small wedges.
Dessert was...fine. Again, what can you do with crime brûlée to mess it up?
Overall, wouldn't eat here again. Far too many great restaurants in Santa Barbara.
We ordered several of the apps. The mushroom Cristina was like mushroom gravy over toast. Smoked salmon and capers was fine, but how can you screw that up?
Steak au poivre was so-so, and the duck confit with blood plums was nice. Both came "with Yukon potato wedges." Two small wedges.
Dessert was...fine. Again, what can you do with crime brûlée to mess it up?
Overall, wouldn't eat here again. Far too many great restaurants in Santa Barbara.
Iris F.
Sep 22, 2020
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Came for the Ethopian but unfortunately they didn't have it on Fridays :(
I got the soup du jour as a side with the lunch special - forgot the name but it was tomato based with olive oil. Was surprised that it was a cold soup... I know it's meant to be cold but personally enjoy soups warm/hot so it was just eh. Flavor was also just okay, nothing special.
The lunch special was shrimp and tortellini. Portion was small so I wasn't full after both the soup and this main dish, but the flavor was really distinct from other tortellini I've had! Writing this review like 2 months
I got the soup du jour as a side with the lunch special - forgot the name but it was tomato based with olive oil. Was surprised that it was a cold soup... I know it's meant to be cold but personally enjoy soups warm/hot so it was just eh. Flavor was also just okay, nothing special.
The lunch special was shrimp and tortellini. Portion was small so I wasn't full after both the soup and this main dish, but the flavor was really distinct from other tortellini I've had! Writing this review like 2 months
Matt Collins
Sep 05, 2020
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Josie E.
Jul 09, 2020
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We were here two nights in a row. Amazing service from Nahomi. She was gracious & descriptions of the food were mouth watering! It's a little gem on a little alley. First night we had duck breast and the pork loin. Second night Scottish salmon & lemon caper sole. All were delicious. The beat & pear salad with goat cheese was beyond excellent-so yummy. Don't miss the fresh baked bread severed with olives.
Rainey C.
Jun 24, 2020
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I came in June 2020 for a weekend lunch (when they serve Ethiopian) and was so impressed by the food and service here. I ordered the combination, which came with 1 meat entree and 2 choices of vegetables. I ordered the Ye'siga Tibs (saute beef), Shiro (chickpea porridge), and Bedagen (eggplant). The combo came with injera bread and a side of salad. The beef was so tender and juicy, and had the perfect amount of spice to it. I loved dipping the injera bread into the chickpea porridge, it was super creamy and not too heavy. The eggplant was cooked perfectly as well, not too mushy. I think I
Stacey L.
Apr 01, 2020
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I really love eating here because it's french cuisine! This spot is a good spot to eat for an intimate dinner. You'd have to call first to make reservations as they get busy! You can also try their dinner menu items in a smaller portion during their lunch hours. What's also nice about this location is that they have an Ethiopian lunch menu from 11 AM- 2 PM on Saturdays and Sunday's. They also have another Sunday meal menu on Sunday that is served as two courses for one price and comes with a surprising dessert.
Mohamed Ahmed
Jan 08, 2020
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Paula F.
Oct 28, 2019
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Delicious Ethiopian food in a great area.
I visited this restaurant with a party of 4 (myself included) on a Sunday afternoon for their Ethiopian brunch.
Located in the La Arcada in State Street, this restaurant is close to city parking structures, shopping, other restaurants, and theaters. The closest structure is right behind the restaurant and is $1.50 an hour.
The restaurant has indoor and limited outdoor dining. The dining room is cozy and cute, and set up like a living room with table and chairs. The booth cushions were in need of replacement. A bar sits along the far wall. The vibe
I visited this restaurant with a party of 4 (myself included) on a Sunday afternoon for their Ethiopian brunch.
Located in the La Arcada in State Street, this restaurant is close to city parking structures, shopping, other restaurants, and theaters. The closest structure is right behind the restaurant and is $1.50 an hour.
The restaurant has indoor and limited outdoor dining. The dining room is cozy and cute, and set up like a living room with table and chairs. The booth cushions were in need of replacement. A bar sits along the far wall. The vibe
Daniel Seah
Aug 20, 2019
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A quaint little restaurant in a cute alley with a turtle water fountain and dolphin ‘benches’ that are instagram worthy. The restaurant itself probably has only 10-12 tables so it earns its name petit. We were seated at one of the high back booths you can see from the door. Cozy and cute settings except the cushions could have used some re-upholstery. We came in for dinner and arrived at 5PM due to a change in our plans. Our reservation was actually for 6PM but they worked to accommodate us quickly. Apparently it worked in their favor.
We ordered the quail and crab cake appetizers. My wife
We ordered the quail and crab cake appetizers. My wife
