••• Taza Mediterranean Street Kitchen (State between Gutierrez and Haley) has closed. It opened in the summer of 2022. The two Instagram accounts mentioned in the farewell are here and here.
••• The Good Plow in Carpinteria confirmed that it will indeed be closing; its last day is February 11. You’ll recall that Giovanni’s Pizza has said it’s taking the space.
••• The Brunch Monkey weekend pop-up inside Handlebar Coffee Roasters is no longer.
••• I had the good fortune of being the guest at one of Casa del Herrero‘s Steedman Wine Dinners last week, where Budi Kazali was the chef. He confirmed that he’s opening a restaurant in Solvang, which I hear is in the former Campo del Sol space.
••• Best BBQ has opened at 716 State Street (Ortega/De La Guerra). Below: tri-tip. —Restaurant Guy
••• A profile of Dang Burger in Carp. —Independent
••• A profile of Little Dom’s Seafood in Carpinteria. —Noozhawk
••• A profile of Santa Barbara Fish Market‘s restaurant in Goleta. —Independent
••• The Southern Exposure Garagiste Wine Festival is this Friday and Saturday in Solvang: “The festival’s two days of wine discovery events include rare access to over 30 of the most exciting small-production winemakers from the Santa Barbara County area, as well as a ‘Rare and Reserve’ tasting. Those pouring at the festival for the very first time this year are Alamati Wines, Bocce Ball Wine, Buckaloose Wines, Chris Caruso Wines, CrossHatch Winery, Entity of Delight, and Riding Monkey Wines.”
••• “I thought you might like to know that Choi’s Oriental Market in Goleta is under new ownership, did a small remodel, and has an expanded food menu,” says N.
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The new wines pouring at Garagiste all sound like sup-par stringers from Terravant, with the exception of Cross Hatch, which is known for?
Kaena and Marbeso wines are actually very good, IMHO, and Matt Kettmann of Wine Enthusiast magazine (and the Indy) has posted favorable reviews on several of these producers, including Kaleidos, Dana V, and Casa Dumetz, among others.
Exploring new wines is half the fun. Give it a go!
Noooooo, Taza was delicious and one of the rare places open late :-(
However Best BBQ is legit – went today, their tri-tip is excellent!
Went to Best BBQ today: ordered on line so it would be ready when I got there as I was on a short break: had one pork and one beef rib: they gave me a bit of regular and a bit of the hot sauce. The pork won by a narrow lead, but both were delicious. The hot sauce is on the edge of too much but mixed with the regular and it was perfect. Delicious, tender, affordable: this is a great place.
Had it today, very impressed with the quantity and quality of the meat and veggies in the bowl I ordered. Not many places in town to get a hardy and healthy meal for only $15 ($14 but add a buck to get extra veggies instead of rice).