S.Y. Kitchen - Santa Ynez

First Timer; I learned that Chef Luca was a head chef at restaurants in LA that were very very successful and has culinary training in Italy. I think Verona, Italy and partnered with the owners of his old LA restaurant to open this one. The menu suggest things that are fresh and in season and locally sourced. The food is very high-quality, from what I can see. Very pleased on this first visit Sat at Bar, seat not the most comfortable, bartender great, drink menu – nothing I wanted to order at first BUT as I watched him make everything I began to rethink my desires, lol. I wish I would’ve looked at the pictures of the cocktails and would’ve ordered a cocktail. The wine list is very minimal or rather the wine by the glass is very minimal and basic but all very good. I had the Beet Salad Bobs Bread (meh) and Butternut Squash Soup. Beet Salad, one of the BEST beet salads I can ever remember eating, it was incredible, so simple, very flavorful. I can tell this is one of those places that doesn’t overdo things, I like that so much, really can’t wait to come back and order a full meal! Squash Soup was very good too, not oozing with cream. NOTES ✅NO PETS ✅Purses hung by the door left alone wow we would never do this at home ✅Outside Dining looks incredible, so cozy I will eat out there next time if I can ✅Inside, not too noisy I was kind of surprised given the floors and height of the ceilings, but it was very pleasant