••• After being closed for 10 days, presumably due to a Covid outbreak, Chick-fil-A has posted that it’s reopening today at 10:30 a.m. for drive-through service only. Thanks to J. for the tip—and this is a good time to remind everyone that tips are very much appreciated. Email [email protected], text 917-209-6473, message me on Instagram….
••• The Coast Village Road store that was going to be called Jules Montecito is now Jules Coast Caviar, reports the Montecito Journal, and it opened this past weekend: “In addition to caviar, the [store] will offer a vast selection of chocolates from Compartés Chocolates, Vosges Chocolates, and John Kelly Chocolates, as well as a selection of gourmet cheeses and charcuterie items. There will also be gourmet gelato and sorbet—served in Covid-friendly single serve containers—from Nancy’s Fancy Gelato, and eventually fresh baked sweets from Renaud’s Bakery, to be served in the afternoon when Renaud’s down the street is closed for the day.” The shop will eventually offer delivery 24 hours a day.
••• Forthcoming Bell’s spinoff Bar Le Côté in Los Olivos, set to open this spring, now has a website with an option to sign for emails. Below: Dungeness crab with drawn butter and saffron rolls, a bit of menu R&D posted by BLC chef Brad Mathews. And speaking of Bell’s and Bar Le Côté, the two establishments, along with Priedite Barbecue, are cooking up something special for Super Bowl Sunday (February 7). The menu goes live on January 18, which is also when preorders start.
••• Mesa Burger and its siblings, Lighthouse Coffee and Corner Tap, are offering 50% off to medical workers.
••• In delivery bakery news, I can personally vouch for Gipsy Hill Bakery‘s toaster tarts. The chocolate tart is pictured below, but my favorite was the blueberry one.
••• And I look forward to trying the new everything bagel babka with confit garlic cream cheese from Triple Chip.
••• A profile of shrub maker Broken Clock Vinegar Works in Solvang. —Pacific Coast Business Times
••• Gelson’s has expanded quite a bit, with a huge new(-ish?) produce and alcohol section. Now if the store could find a way to make the checkout lanes a bit wider….
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