In cute digs with a patio, a bistro serves French & Ethiopian dishes like salads & stews, plus wine. Based on 128 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
1114 State St #14, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 966-0222
Website: http://petitvalentien.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–2 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–7:30 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Duc Nguyen
Small cozy place with great atmosphere ideal for a date night. The French food here is amazing. We got a branzino and a duck breast confit. The fish was perfectly cooked with skin intact and crispy. The duck confit was amazing. Spices and taste were just right. Highly recommended. We are going back tomorrow for Ethiopian lunch.
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Allie H.
Came during a slower lunch. I appreciate that it was only one team member running the service that it took more time; however, I was a bit disappointed he served me last after two other customers entered after… Soup was amazing, lunch entree was great for value although a bit of flavour lacking. Really nice ambiance and friendly service (after) but the overall experience left a bit to be desired. I loved how locals checked in with the team like they were family and raved about the quality of the food, I am sure it was undoubtedly but unfortunately just missing that experience this one seating. Maybe next time, still not to miss trying!
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Daniel Seah
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.
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Joseph Dandona Jr.
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 experience. Highly recommended.
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Emily
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.
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Stephanie Swanson
I met a friend here for lunch. The lunch specials were reasonably priced and we had great portions. My crab cake was DELICIOUS and my friend pointed out how “crabby” it looked compared to other crab cakes she’s had that contained a lot of filler. I also got a roasted pepper soup that was tasty and the consistency was perfect. The restaurant is in La Arcada, so we enjoyed sitting outside and people watching. We were there on a Tuesday at noon and had no problem getting a table, but in the twelve o’clock hour tables did start to fill up.
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Matt Collins
Went here recently on a Sunday evening with a friend. They have a multiple course dinner on that specific evening. The food tasted great! The service was prompt and friendly.
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Tiffany Lindsey
Ask for Nahomi, order the soup of the day (if you’re like us you pray it’s the baby artichoke), order the Sancerre and then the petrale sole meunière. Do that and you’ll have a life changing dining event! Delicious food and extremely affordable. We’ve eaten the sole in Paris and this is better.
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Laura Chancellor
Wonderful meal in a sweet setting. Had the beet and pear salad – an amazing, unusual dish of beautifully matched textures and flavors, followed by the veal, a delicious and classic dish. Don’t miss the warm bread either! Finished with great cheesecake!
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Prasenjit Das
Food is good but felt it was understaffed. Sole fish lunch plate is of great taste. Crab cake also good, just that quantity is less, I felt. Right at the heart of downtown so may feel little overpriced compared to the overall dining experience.
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