Welcome Wagon

February 24, 2026

Merci Is Entering Its Dinner Era

After nearly seven years, Elizabeth Colling and Nick Barainca are ready to take on dinner—but with a totally different experience than during the day. "It's a mixtape of the greatest hits from places in Paris where we thought, 'We have to do this,'" says Barainca. 6

November 5, 2025

A Restaurant for People Who Love Restaurants

Opening tomorrow in Montecito's Upper Village, Little Mountain is the most ambitious, most polished, most exciting restaurant to debut here in many years. 22

October 29, 2025

Aperitivo’s New Sister Restaurant Is as Good as It Looks

Freed from the constraints they face at Aperitivo, Andrea Girardello and Brian Dodero are aiming higher at Manifattura, now open around the corner on State Street. Plus, you can make a reservation. 9

August 27, 2025

Aegean Soft-Opens This Weekend on De La Guerra Plaza

"I have Greek and Turkish blood," says chef Efe Onglu. "A friend once said that I should open a 'flagless Aegean restaurant'—no 'Greek,' no 'Turkish.'" It took a few years—and travels around the world—but here it finally is. 8

May 22, 2025

First Look at Linden Square, Now Open in Carpinteria

For all its small-town charm, Carpinteria has lacked a center, but no longer: Linden Square is open, and it feels great. The primary tenants are a murderer's row of Santa Barbara restaurants: Bettina, Third Window, Corazón Cocina, and eventually, Dart Coffee Co. 21

October 31, 2024

Mother Dough Bagels Is Opening a Shop Downtown

The focus will obviously be on the sourdough bagels, but we can also expect sandwiches, pastries, fish cured and smoked in house, and a specialty coffee program.

April 7, 2024

Wexler’s Deli Is Making Sandwich Lovers’ Dreams Come True

"While there are obviously some really good delis in L.A., our goal was to be the first one to hand-cure and slice our meat and fish ourselves," says Mike Kassar of Wexler's Deli, which opens tomorrow in the Public Market. 14

February 4, 2024

Silvers Omakase Is Aiming for the Stars

The former Seven Bar & Kitchen space in the Funk Zone has been converted to a plush jewel box, the better to spotlight the cooking of chef Lennon Silvers Lee. "You’re coming for the best sushi experience you can have in the United States," promises cofounder Lisa Green.

August 3, 2023

A Popular L.A. Deli Is Coming to Santa Barbara

Exciting news for sandwich aficionados: Wexler's Deli, which specializes in house-smoked, hand-sliced meat and fish, is opening an outpost here. 45

July 29, 2023

First Look Inside The Eddy, a Contemporary Corner Store

The first items you’ll see upon entering are Lay’s potato chips and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, but they’re fun outliers. The focus is decidedly artisanal—a mix of things you need and things you want, brands you love and brands you’ve never heard of. 7