February 8, 2026
Food Stuff
Bluewater Grill Is Said to Be Closing Next Month
More food news: New café opening on State Street; easy way to get a free scoop at Rori's Artisanal Creamery; debut Italian Music and Food Festival in April; reservations for El Encanto's Cotogna collab; Lucky Penny pop-up in Los Olivos; Old Town Coffee's Isla Vista outpost has been rebranded; health warning against all mushroom foraging. 1
February 1, 2026
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery Is Opening in Goleta
More food news: What's going on with Intermezzo?; White Caps has returned to the Funk Zone; Sama Sama is no longer involved in Lion's Tale; new restaurant on Milpas Street; ice cream shop opening in Solvang; Tamar's chicken schnitzel sandwich special. 7
January 28, 2026
Hot Bagel Chain Opening on Upper State Street
More food news: Acme Hospitality is adding an L.A. restaurant to its portfolio; revolving restaurant pop-ups slated for downtown storefront; San Francisco chef to cook at El Encanto; new restaurant in Ojai; Apples to Zucchini Cooking School is moving; street kitchens. 21
January 25, 2026
A New Tasting Room on Coast Village Road
More food news: Expanded hours at Little Mountain; update on Linden Square's rooftop bar; comparing coffee prices at Santa Barbara cafés; El Pollo Loco is opening in Goleta; tour Spain with the chef of Dom's Taverna; profiles of Manifattura and The Copper Restaurant; new tasting room in Los Alamos; frozen lasagna worth the trip. 9
January 18, 2026
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 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
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
Burning Questions
- Will You Explain the Plan to Adapt the Waterfront for Climate Change?
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- 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?
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