Opal Restaurant & Bar

About the Business

Specialties

We offer outside dining & limited inside dining 7 nights a week from 5pm. Takeout and delivery is also available online from our website, opalrestaurantandbar, or by calling 805-966-9676. Our Eclectic California Cuisine ensures that whatever your taste is, there is something on the menu that will satisfy it. We have an award-winning wine list, a full bar with creative Craft cocktails, and a genuine, caring and friendly style of service in which the whole staff is available to take care of your table. We look forward to you joining us soon!

History

Established in 1985.

Formerly Known as Brigitte's Restaurant (becoming opal restaurant and bar in 2004) and with a track record of over 20 years, we recognize that one of the cornerstones of success is consistency. The current owners, Richard Yates and Tina Takaya, took over the restaurant from former owner Brigitte Guehr in 2000. Brigitte Guehr and her partner Norbert Schulz, were among the first to bring contemporary cuisine to Santa Barbara in the late 70s and early 80s, and Norbert is still considered among the top chefs in Santa Barbara. Under his tutelage, our Executive Chef Felipe Barajas, and Executive Sous Chef Gerardo Barajas blossomed into superstars in their own rights, and have each been with us for over 15 years, so our menu will continue to offer all the local's favorites that have made us popular, while allowing them room to add creative innovations that keep our food exciting. Like the stone with its many subtle hues, opal's menu reflects the many flavors of our unique cuisine.

Meet the Business Owner

Business owner information

Tina T.

Business Owner

Co-owner, with Richard Yates, of opal restaurant and bar, Tina Takaya was formerly  a General Manager and a Partner in the Palace Grill and Café Orleans for 10 years. Born in Los Angeles, California, she has been a  Santa Barbara native since 1970, and has worked in the food service industry for 30 years. She has a degree in Commercial Interior Design, and designed both the interior of Cafe Orleans and opal restaurant and bar. Her artistic skills are also evident in the high quality marketing brochures and ads she has designed for the restaurant. Additionally, she has co-created and overseen the development of our innovative and efficient team service at opal, and, herself a highly skilled chef, has been responsible, along with our head chef Felipe Barajas, for the creation of many new dishes at opal. Finally, as human values are an important part of our philosophy at opal, she epitomizes the warmth and genuine caring we ask our staff to apply towards our guests.