August 9, 2026
Author: Erik Torkells
A Look Inside Ancora Osteria, Opening This Week in the Upper Village
More food news: More on Milio's Pizza, also debuting this week; Local's new menu; afternoon tea in the gardens of the Simpson House Inn; Milpas Street soul food opening soon; update on upstairs at the Maritime Museum building; checking out Sweetaly Gelato; Greek Festival in Chase Palm Park. 20
August 7, 2026
August 6, 2026
More on the Nordstrom Residential Conversion
Other recent news: Gun shop's new location causes concern; new "rage room" on State Street; massive solar arrays could be allowed soon; inside a handsome house at Mussel Shoals; Carpinteria’s Franklin Creek Trail closed for improvements; grim prognosis for Santa Rosa Island's Torrey pines. 9
August 5, 2026
Can Anything Be Done About Biting Midges?
"Whenever I'm on my lawn, I get bitten by something so small I don't see it. The bites swell up into welts that itch for a week. I've found reports of midges in other parts of California, but not so much here, except for a post on Reddit. Do you know what they are?" 7
August 4, 2026
New Menswear Store Coming to the Funk Zone
Plus: The next tenant of the green building in the Funk Zone; new boutique and one on the way at the Montecito Country Mart; part of De La Vina Street may be reduced to one lane; 19-unit apartment building proposed for E. Victoria Street; Casa Dorinda intends to expand; real estate brokerage proposes hotel where its office currently stands; Padaro Lane property heading to auction. 7
August 3, 2026
August 2, 2026
The Opening Date and Menu at Ancora Osteria in the Upper Village
More food news: The menu and opening date for Milio's Pizza; Merci is ending dinner service; new concept for the Hotel Californian's primary restaurant; ice cream shop coming to the waterfront; frozen-yogurt pop-up; Whiskey Richards available for sublease; profile of The Grand on State; Paseo Nuevo getting an all-day breakfast restaurant; Taco Bell closed for renovations. 15
Recent Comments
maybe they should devote 1-3% of their menu space to the vegan population — Bettye Jones
She owned it from 2005 to 2023. — Erik Torkells
Interesting that Oprah didn't add 377 Santa Rosa Lane to her Santa Rosa portfolio. — HM
Right, because the carnivores also have to ask what's on the menu. — Ken
The best way to reach the bar is to contact it directly at [email protected]. — Erik Torkells
5+ million (!!!) for a Montecito Shores condo where acoustics are so bad you can hear your upstairs and downstairs neighbors every move ??? — Kim
The Habit Burger Grill in La Cumbre Shopping Center — Johnathan