January 18, 2026
Author: Erik Torkells
First Look at Bistro Amasa’s Lunch Menu
More food news: Tyler x Lieu Dit is closed till spring; Mother Dough Bagels expanded its days of operation; three applicants for the former Anchor Rose spaces; the Garagiste Wine Festival is coming up; local restaurant is selling monthly and annual memberships; Seattle-based Eastern European bakery pop-up. 10
January 16, 2026
A Cool Little Contemporary House Downtown
Noteworthy new listings also include 1915 Upper East house hidden from the street; solid Mediterranean off Highway 154; Old California vibes between Mission Canyon and Cielito; big views above San Roque; More Mesa Shores spiffer-upper; midcentury floops in Cielito; woodsy chic in Ojai; and more. 3
January 15, 2026
Santa Barbara Passed a Temporary Rent Freeze
Other recent news: A local man's tale of being deported by ICE; 72-hour "festival ban" for Deltopia weekend; Santa Barbara Airport's efforts to cope with flooding; another attempt to allow drilling on public land; Santa Barbara Dojo opened in Goleta; the Montecito Inn is redecorating again; changes to commuter train service; Highway 1 fully reopen in Big Sur; tours of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing; a fascinating ad. 7
January 14, 2026
A Better Look at the Health Resort Proposed in the Foothills
Plus: Hotel Milo got renovated and a name tweak; Arroyo Hondo Preserve closed for months due to storm damage; new bank branch downtown; the quest for quality magazines; James Taylor concert; Rodeo Riviera opened in the Funk Zone; Heal the Ocean talk at La Casa de Maria; San Ysidro Ranch added a paved parking lot. 10
January 13, 2026
January 12, 2026
January 11, 2026
A Bar for “Gentlemen of Character” Is Opening Downtown
More food news: The name and opening forecast of the Coral Casino's main restaurant; Yetz's Deli has closed but the bagel shop is still open; profiles of Manifattura and Little Mountain; Hawaiian-themed chain coming to Isla Vista; Ojai restaurant shutters after six months; vacant tasting room on lower State Street. 23
Recent Comments
They're certainly referring to the pizza, that being what the image in the header is of. I think Olio also does one locally but I… — Fred
So what is clam pie? Google says it's one or the other: A clam pie is a savory dish that usually refers to either a… — Leslie Westbrook
The book and the CD made this a stunning remodel. He took his time finding thousands of French roof tiles in a yard in LA… — James
Both my parents worked for John Saladino for 25 years. That property was a sanctuary. Priceless… — Shelly Tepper Hahn
John Saladino was an incredible talent. This is one of the most special houses in Montecito. — Bruce Savin
Every photo of Villa de Lemma still makes my heart skip a beat! ❤️❤️ — Tammy Hughes
The next board meeting has been scheduled for Warren Hall on Thursday, October 29, at 12:30 p.m. — Jackie