January 11, 2026
Food Stuff
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
January 7, 2026
A Meat-and-Seafood Market Is Opening in Carpinteria
More food news: The debut date of Drover's Doughnuts in Goleta; chain restaurant rumored to be replacing Anchor Rose at the harbor; Santa Barbara Food Connection and Santa Playa Mariscos have closed; the former Derf's is still available; Frinj Coffee update; State Street restaurant space. 21
January 4, 2026
Municipal Winemakers Is Leaving the Funk Zone
More food news: Funk Zone cocktail bar not happening; Merci is getting close to introducing dinner service; paper menus at Aperitivo; Happy Cat Eats looks to expand its outdoor seating; Que profile; nightclub on lower State Street; Cantwell's new operator; update on Lucky Penny's outpost in Los Olivos. 8
December 28, 2025
Casa Agria’s State Street Taproom Is Closing
More food news: Bluewater Grill is looking for a buyer; Aegean and Secret Bao are taking a break; chicken-finger chain opening in Goleta; Oat Bakery's cinnamon-raisin special; compilers of happy-hour deals; Chase Restaurant reopening date; where's the best coffee cake in town? 12
December 21, 2025
December 14, 2025
The End of the Isla Vista Food Coop Downtown Market
More food news: The Grand on State update; status of the Chick-fil-A in Noleta; The Copper Coffee Pot has opened; Ghirardelli debuts next weekend; owners of The Harbor Restaurant are suing the city; "jet set après ski dining experience" coming to town; Himalayan Kitchen closed for maintenance; Pacific Pickle Works profile; Merci's chocolate caramels. 10
December 7, 2025
Dart Coffee Co. Is Expanding to Summerland
More food news: A change of plans for the former L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele space; Aegean is now accepting reservations; the seating at Little Mountain; 'tis the season for hot mulled wine; more on Bistro Amasa; holiday pop-up of Meghan Markle’s line of jams, teas, etc. 19
December 3, 2025
Inside the New, Mostly Vegan Corner Market Downtown
More food news: A free drink for local nonprofit employees; the menu at Noe's Cafe, now open across from the courthouse; the story of Lucky Penny's facade; anyone know the Chick-fil-A franchisee?; Funk Zone development will now have six food-and-beverage outlets; Bistro Amasa's recipe for roasted carrots; White Caps in Summerland plans to start over from the ground up; State Street Asian restaurant rebrands. 9
November 23, 2025
November 18, 2025
Burning Questions
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
- Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?
Recent Comments
I just want to add, people who can afford a $200k Sprinter Van can afford to get a hotel room or Airbnb. It’s not going… — Andy
Amen. This idea that people have a God-given right to live here cheaply is nonsense. The reason it’s expensive is because it’s one of the… — Andy
What's wrong with the skate park? That lot is next to the wharf, State street and the funk zone. This is a good thing because… — Don
Dined there on 3/26. the smash burger was awful. Ground up hamburger. Really? Looked sickly. NO tomatoes nor lettuce. Really? Telling family, friends, neighbors that… — Mary Woodyard
Erik, your viewers here should check out some videos on YT of full time RV'rs. There are many that would pay $100 a night to… — Dan O. Seibert
As opposed to the garden street RV / car parking lot? And why would nice rigs pay to park by the skatepark? — Mary
Please don’t change your approach in any way, shape or form! You are delightful and so amusing! And you are completely spot on in all… — Penelope Bianchi
$100/night until the class action lawsuit on behalf of those who cannot afford the fee — Bettye Jones
The users of this lot would be RV tourists with expendable income in nice rigs. There is no "gift' proposed as those spaces would be… — Don
I love the sweetshade tree in Alice Keck! — Erik