"The Victor’s sleek bar, cosy dining room, and spacious patio have quickly made it one of the hottest seats to get in the valley. Part of the re-energized Genevieve hotel (formerly the Santa Ynez Inn), the Victor offers a place for brunch, dinner, and happy hour, or, if you need, just somewhere to pop into for a well-made drink. Brunch favorites include the “bucket of bacon,” doused with whiskey pepper; bananas Foster French toast; and a tri-tip eggs Benedict. For dinner, find a classic shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad; tempura vegetables served with miso aioli; a hefty burger topped with balsamic onions and sharp cheddar; and Santa Maria-style tri-tip fries that use sliced American wagyu and chimichurri sauce. A skillet molasses cookie for dessert — crowned by brown butter ice cream and salted caramel — completes the picture." - Nicole Adlman