Review of Corazón Cocina
On a recent trip to Southern California, we drove through Santa Barbara and stumbled upon this amazing Mexican restaurant! Corazón Cocina is located within the Santa Barbara Public Market, which is a really fun, upscale food hall.
Fried Sweet Plantains
For a starter, we ordered the Fried Sweet Plantains. They were extremely tender with a beautiful charred, caramelized exterior. The crema and queso fresco provided a cool, creamy compliment to the sweet plantains.
Ensenada Taco
The first taco we ordered was the Ensenada Taco. The generous piece of cod had a crispy exterior and was very fresh. The crunchy red cabbage, tomatillo salsa, and lime crema made for the perfect bite! The tortilla itself was thin and had a great corn flavor.
Chicana Quesadilla & Seasonal Veggie Taco
The Chicana Quesadilla, in the front of the photo, was possibly the best dish we ordered! The generous portion of flavorful, juicy shrimp atop a thin layer of melted cheese was enhanced with the smokey roasted poblano peppers, radishes, corn, and zingy salsa. Every flavor and texture was perfect—this is definitely the best quesadilla I’ve ever had.
The Seasonal Veggie Taco, in the rear of the photo, had a medley of grilled vegetables, with queso fresco and crema. The veggies were nicely charred, however this taco was probably our least favorite because it was not as flavorful as the others.
Horchata
Lastly, the drinks. My favorite was their Horchata, which was perfectly sweet and creamy. It was flavored with a liberal amount of cinnamon, and it tasted very fresh. This was the best Horchata I’ve ever had!
Lemon Ginger Chia Agua Fresca
The Lemon Ginger Chia Agua Fresca was very refreshing, perfect for a hot day. The gelled chia seeds at the bottom provided a fun texture, and there was the perfect balance between the acidic lemon and sharp ginger.
If you are ever in Santa Barbara, Corazón Cocina is a must try. The people working there are extremely friendly, and they serve some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had!
