Santa Barbara Montreal

After doing a little research on restaurant Santa Barbara’s namesake Saint Barbara, I learned that she was a total badass. Not only can she teleport, put out fires with her mind, turn sheep to locusts and strike people with lightening, she can turn people to stone. Definitely cool. Throughout history, she has been strongly associated with artillerymen, engineers, miners, mathematicians and those who work with explosives because of her ability to control and work with lightening. Thinking about our recent visit to Santa Barbara in Montreal, this all suddenly seemed to make sense. Walking into the restaurant, the back wall is covered in various mini busts of religious figures in a way that lends an interesting vibe to the place. Plus the fact that they’re all coated in a layer of pastel green paint. Then, you have brunch items all named after different professions Saint Barbara herself was thought to provide protection for. The plot thickens…

Then you also have the influence of the American Riviera – the physical city of Santa Barbara in California, known for its laid back, Mediterranean vibe thanks to its warm climate and unique location between the ocean and the mountains. This too comes through in the decor and the servers friendliness and even in the food itself.

Cucumber Mint, Pineapple Chili Soda

We sat down to sip a cucumber-mint-lemon drink and a pineapple chili soda. The cucumber-mint was completely refreshing on a warm summer day and we definitely recommend trying this one out! The pineapple chili soda was more exciting for me, sweet and spicy with a bit of carbonation.

The Criminal: Baked Eggs, Chorizo, Red Pepper and Tomato Sauce

Sourdough Toast

For a late brunch, we opted for the Criminal – baked eggs with a zesty tomato and red pepper sauce, mixed in with chopped chorizo sausage. After I broke the eggs and let the yolk run all over my bowl, everything seemed right in the world, at least for a few minutes. I mopped up the extra sauce with the sourdough toast and made sure the bowl was clean. Yum.

The Artilleryman: Buckwheat Beer Crepes, Aged Cheddar, Empire Apples, Maple Syrup and Roasted Potatoes

The Artilleryman was equally good. Buckwheat beer pancakes enfolded aged cheddar cheese and chopped empire apples. Maple syrup with smoked bacon was not an unusual combination to finish the dish off but a tried and true one that tasted as delicious as it does every time.

If Santa Barbara needed any help from Saint Barbara herself, looks like prayers have been answered. Stellar brunch, great service and lovely brunch spot. Will be coming back for more.