Giada's Weekend Getaways - Santa Barbara

Giada: Hi! I am Giada De Laurentiis, and welcome to Santa Barbara, California.

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I am maybe known from my cooking show, but I also love to travel. So on a weekend trip, I am always looking to explore city through its food, so I am going to share my version of the perfect weekend in Santa Barbara.

From a scoop of local flavor, to a taste of Italy, island cork and masterpiece, and find art on the street. It is all ahead on a food-filled weekend in Santa Barbara and my weekend starts now.

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Santa Barbara has an airport and you can definitely fly directly here, but it is a lot more fun to run a car in LA and drive up. It is a gorgeous drive.

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You want to be in the lookout for the Mission exit, because after this long drive, the first thing I want to do when I come to Santa Barbara is go to McConnell’s Ice Cream, Mission Street exit.

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There is a reason why it has been around for more than 50 years. They make their ice creams and sorbets with a 100% fresh ingredients and cream from a local dairy.

Hi!

Female: How are you?

Giada: Good.

Female: Would you like to try anything?

Giada: I would love to. I am a true believer in trying things before you actually order.

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All right, I think I know what I want. I would love one of your waffle balls, and a scoop of the raspberry sorbet, something light, and then a scoop of the coffee chip, the Brazilian coffee chip.

This is popular with the kids. Look at this ice cream. The big thing about this ice cream is how creamy and rich it is. It is made with pure cream and pure flavor. So it is something a little light, the raspberry sorbet, and something a little bit richer with the coffee ice cream. Raspberry and chocolate and coffee together, such a great combination.

Okay, time to do a little exploring.

So, the State Street is the main drag in Santa Barbara. It has got lots of restaurants and shops. It is pretty on the architecture, very Spanish and Mexican.

Just off State Street, and hidden behind the wall of greenery is a California dream of a restaurant, bouchon.

I love how charming and tough the way this restaurant is, kind of cute.

Male: Welcome to bouchon, would you like to dine on the plate?

Giada: I would love to.

Male: I will be right back with a menu in a moment.

Giada: Thank you so much. They have a beautiful dining room with an open kitchen back there, but it is a beautiful day here, so why do not want to sit outside, right?

This is the great thing about California, outside dining, perfect!

Male|: A dinner menu for you.

Giada: Lovely.

Male: And, one of these of course.

Giada: Is this a cork?

Male: It is made out of cork.

Giada: I love it!

Male: That bouchon means a wine cork.

Giada: Yes! Fantastic.

Male: And the trees were behind you too made out of cork, remember the Eucalyptus family.

Giada: Yes, that is right. I see a theme.

Male: Enjoy your dinner.

Giada: Thanks a lot.

bouchon is known for fine wine and a distinct style of food.

It is a real California cuisine. A lot of people like what does that mean? It is fresh local ingredients and I know you heard that before, but it is really true and I kind of know what I would like.

Male: Really, wonderful.

Giada: Yes

Male: What are you interested in this evening?

Giada: Well, I would love to have a mixed green salad.

Male: Beautiful, and then paring tonight is with ampelos Rosé of Syrah.

Giada: Perfect.

Male: So, a wonderful paring.

Giada: I think I am going to have this King Salmon with polenta cake.

Male: Excellent choice. I will be right back with some bread and some water, and a glass of that Rosé of Syrah.

Giada: Perfect.

Male: Straight this out just a little.

Giada: You are OCD.

Male: I know, I am the OCD waiter. I get it all the time. I am the mob.

Giada: I think I want to move them back to where I want them.

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You can really smell that watermelon and the raspberry.

Male: Hey, first course is, this is the Tom Shepherd’s Mixed Organic Greens.

Giada: Okay, perfect.

Male: With hazelnu