While you might be tempted to only stay in wine country, Small Barn has solidified Old Town Temecula as a must-visit destination for incredible cuisine. Small Barn opened in 2020, and easily became the top restaurant in the area. Since then, we always make a trip to Old Town Temecula part of our itinerary.
About Small Barn in Old Town Temecula
Cocktails
In addition to delicious wines, Small Barn also features a selection of tempting cocktails. Every visit, I always start my evening with the Jalisco Serenade. This refreshing margarita is a delightful mix of Blanco Tequila, passion fruit, Pamplemousse, and lime accented with a bourbon-soaked cherry.
Kumiai Oysters
Small Barn in Old Town Temecula has a wide array of fabulous starters like their craveable Kumiai Oysters. These petite oysters are very similar to Kumamoto in size and flavor with light brine and a subtle sweet finish. They’re accompanied with cocktail sauce and a perfect mignonette.
Hamachi Crudo
I highly recommend the show-stopping Hamachi Crudo. Delicate slices of Japanese Amberjack Yellowtail were immersed in a wondrous coconut turmeric broth that was flavorful, yet delicate enough to not overpower the hamachi. Not only was this dish delicious, but it was also visually stunning.
Ahi Tuna
Another fabulous selection was the Ahi tuna marinated in an agave soy marinated with serrano garlic oil. it was served over mashed avocado with thinly sliced cucumbers, Chiffonade mint, pickled onions, and crispy lavash bread for scooping.
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops
My favorite new item at Small Barn was the Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops, seared to the perfect medium-rare and bursting with Mediterranean flavor. The lamb was enhanced with a dual smear of lemon garlic yogurt and jalapeno mint pesto. Accompanying the delicious lamb chops was the perfect chickpea and couscous salad.
Whole Sea Bass
A classic from Small Barn is the Whole Sea Bass with spicy cashew sauce. This dish is meant to be enjoyed like a traditional Vietnamese lettuce wrap topped with a variety of fresh herbs, carrot slices, and a squeeze of lime. The generous portion is plenty to share with 2-3 people. A visit to Small Barn in Old Town Temecula is not complete without enjoying this impressive entree.
Ube Panna Cotta
Cookies and Almond Milk
Small Barn has positioned itself as a top restaurant in Old Town Temecula, giving locals and visitors even more reason to venture outside of wine country. They have remained one of my favorite restaurants in the area since their opening and were also our favorite new restaurant of the year.
Small Barn Location
28535 Old Town Front St.
Temecula, CA 92590
P. 951.225.2820
Discover More of Temecula
Sondra Barker
