State Street has taken another hit with the closing of Bibi Ji, which brought much-needed excitement to Santa Barbara’s culinary scene for nine years and received many honors, including citations in the Michelin Guide and OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice. Co-owners Alejandro Medina and Charlotte Bryant Medina echoed Satellite’s Drew Cuddy about the need for more people living and working downtown (and had more to say about the matter to the Independent), but also shared their desire to have a life beyond the restaurant, and while the brick-and-mortar establishment has closed, Bibi Ji will live on in catering and private events.
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So sad, one of my favorite restaurants in SB. I thought that block of state was doing alright. Hopefully Arigato and Sama Sama are doing decent business.
It’s a shame the City made that block one of the least pleasant blocks to spend time on by adding the permanent car lane, when all that was really needed was allowing temporary access for the Granada’s patrons for like 6 hours a week when there are shows. With all the good bars and restaurants on that block it could have been a great place to spend time and draw people up from the Funk Zone etc instead it mainly sucks.
We sat outside on the patio at arigato’s last weekend and it was very busy and full of people walking. Public market around the corner is also thriving. It’s the only part of state st we ever go to anymore.
I couldn’t agree more! I loved sitting out front at Sama Sama or Good Lion while musicians played outside of the Granada—something I’ve missed since they brought back one-way traffic.