April 10, 2023
Food Stuff
Montecito’s Restaurant Scene Is on the Verge of a Sea Change
More food news: Sweet Reef Boba debuts today; Beast Taqueria has opened inside M. Special on State Street; Organic Soup Kitchen semi-announced a second location; Lagerville beer festival is this Saturday; Motley Crew Ranch found a new location for its store; Roblar Winery is now serving dinner three nights a week. 7
April 5, 2023
Taqueria La Unica Has Finally Opened
More food news: Dang Burger is taking up permanent residence in Carpinteria; the Three Pickles shop on Chapala Street is open; Taste of Santa Barbara is in May; Rincon Brewery's Funk Zone outpost has reopened with a full kitchen; Brass Bear Uptown has started serving weekend brunch; an update on Na Na Thai in Buellton; more thoughts on Satellite's forthcoming satellite location; The Daisy has expanded dinner service; self-checkout at Bristol Farms; the recipe for Bettina's passion fruit pavlova. 3
March 26, 2023
First Look at the Menus for Taqueria La Unica and Three Monkeys
More food news: Satellite is expanding; fast-casual chain Luna Grill said to be opening in Montecito and Isla Vista; new database of local happy hours; Tamar is on hiatus; Hook & Press debuted crullers; the Shalhoob's bar at the Public Market. 13
March 22, 2023
The Cantwell’s Market Lot Is Slated for Development
More food news: Corazón Comedor's new breakfast/brunch menu; Chase Restaurant & Lounge has been sold; Cat Cora left Mesa Burger; La Paloma restarted lunch service; another Los Olivos tasting room is in the works; Sproutcraft Creamery vegan dinner next week; Santa Barbara Restaurant Week is coming up; new event space at San Ysidro Ranch's Stonehouse. 16
March 14, 2023
First Look at Rascal’s All-Vegan Menu
More food news: Chef Mollie Ahlstrand is opening an Italian market/deli in Carpinteria; 10-course omakase dinners at Revolver; the Bagel Boiz are on hiatus but Peasants Deli has bagels this Sunday; profiles of Tamar and the Black Sheep; a pair of pantry recommendations. 1
March 7, 2023
Azul Won’t Open for a Few More Months
More food news: Lilac Patisserie's Coast Village Road outpost is on; Na Na Thai is winding down its pop-up dinners; a natural wine festival organized by Satellite; the Taste of Santa Barbara is in May; Peasants Feast launches dinner service; a new line of nonalcoholic drinks; Bossie's Kitchen is passing the credit-card fee on to patrons; Crush Bar seeks new owner; Motley Crew Ranch's Buellton shop is moving; an attractive proposal to redo Pali Wine Co.'s Funk Zone tasting room. 55
March 1, 2023
February 22, 2023
Is Peasants Feast Thinking of Starting Dinner Service?
More food news: Rumored tenant for former downtown McDonald's; We Want the Funk profile; the Women Winemakers Celebration is coming up; the inaugural Ojai Food + Wine event is this fall; yoga and wine at Frequency Wines; appealing menu at Good Lion/Sama Sama collaboration in Ventura; any Easter brunch suggestions? 5
February 15, 2023
Maíz Picante Taqueria on De La Vina Has Opened
More food news: Morro Bay restaurant specializing in boba and taiyaki is coming to State Street; Azul pushed back its debut again; Sherman Oaks Italian opening downtown; the former Magic Castle Cabaret is being offered as a restaurant space; Red Pepper’s Goleta outpost closed; Press Room documentary; are the painted parklets an improvement? 5
February 9, 2023
Three Pickles Is Opening a Second Santa Barbara Shop
More food news: Gala restaurant has launched dinner service; Na Na Thai is working on a permanent location in Buellton; Azul is opening for real next week; Kaz to Go Japanese restaurant has debuted in San Roque; 4 Eggs & Pizza changed its name; the Drift hotel's café and bar are up and running; more on the forthcoming restaurants at the Inn at Mattei's Tavern. 19
Recent Comments
Wasn't that restaurant always themed around Alfred Hitchcock? I ate at the Blackbird years ago after it opened and it that was the theme. It's… — Christine
I am so sad to see this space close. It was very special. But it was made so special by Drew and the community he… — Milan
I live in Europe and it stresses me out every time I come back to the US and have to deal with those ubiquitous electronic… — Allex
In two places where I am a regular, they zero out the tip option before I get the screen. I still tip, but there’s no… — Luigi
Thanks Erik (& RL)! Those are pretty much my conclusions as well. The insight on Realtor is good to know. I especially appreciate older listing… — HM
Was consistently a place I recommended to visitors; definitely a blow to state street. I appreciate the color Drew shared on reddit! — LP
This is a great rule of thumb! — AF