Gala - Review - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"This bar on State Street comes from the team behind a restaurant in Barcelona, and definitely looks the part. The bar opens directly onto the patio, the dining room is lined with Spanish cookbooks, and everywhere you look, there are couples splitting tapas over cocktails. The menu spans snacky starters, like fried green tomatoes and tempura zucchini flowers, along with bigger stuff like duck confit and well-cooked pastas. But the drinks are what make Gala special. There’s not only an entire section of margaritas, but also a fun strawberry french 75, and, if you ask nicely, the bartender will happily make you a custom drink based on even the vaguest preferences. Make sure to end with the carrot cake—it’s incredibly moist and a good excuse to stick around a little longer. photo credit: Cathy Park photo credit: Cathy Park" - Cathy Park