••• “The owners of Olio e Limone have turned their crudo bar into Olio Bottega, an Italian breakfast, lunch, and retail shop,” reports H. (who sent the tasty pastry photo, too). “They have Italian schiacciata sandwiches that are insanely good and a bunch of other stuff.” In an Instagram post, Olio said it’s open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day but Monday, and there’s seating if you want it. (This appears to be a pandemic pivot, not a permanent change.)
••• Reports of Dawn Patrol‘s demise proved incorrect: the State Street breakfast-and-lunch restaurant has reopened.
••• Learned something new from Scene on State: “You can bring home a jar of your favorite Mony’s salsa (we love their pistachio salsa!) to enjoy throughout the week. Only $7 a jar! If you return the jar, they sterilize it for for reuse.”
••• The Vegan Chef Challenge is this month, with participating restaurants creating special vegan dishes.
••• The second outpost of Bob’s Well Bread bakery/café, in the town of Ballard, has opened: “The community can now enjoy the same Bob’s Well Bread authentic hand-made bakery goods and café selections found in Los Alamos for the past six years,” says the release.
••• More in the Independent on Venus in Furs, the new natural wine bar from Brandon Ristaino and Misty Orman of The Good Lion, Test Pilot, et al. Below: wine director Lenka Davis.
••• The Independent profiles Patience Ncube, who launched “Afro-Fusion Catering as a meal subscription and private catering service [….] The family-style meals come with a choice of sides that may sound unfamiliar or unusual to most American ears, but can lure even fussy foodies-in-training. Ugali, also known sadza, is a maize-based food that’s a natural fit for fans of grits or, given its density, polenta. Chapati is an African bread akin to East Indian paratha, which is similar to naan. Rice options include coconut rice, jollof rice (simmered in tomato and pepper sauce), or peanut butter rice.”
••• Spiny lobster season is nearly here…. If you’ve never been to the Saturday Fishermen’s Market, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter and you’ll never miss a post.



















Recent Comments
I graduated from Brooks Institute in 1965, married a lovely native of Montecito and adopted Santa Barbara as my home, not where I was born,… — Max Schnorf
I love Little Mountain and have been three times. The rice is $12 not $17 and it's swimming in butter not oil and everyone whose… — Leslie Westbrook
Le Petit Valentien -- maybe not classic French, but pretty close and great prices and great chef Robert. (and Ethiopian on the weekends!) — Leslie Westbrook
The property has building violations on, and the property was held by a bank that wanted out after foreclosing on the previous owner. — Paul
If Merci chocolate caramels are anything close to their salted chocolate chip cookies...we all will be in heaven ♥️...can't wait to try!!! — Maryanne Brillhart
I tried Little Mountain. Beautiful space and decor. But the menu, portions, and prices are ridiculous even for Montecito. $8 for cold bread (3 small… — Foodie
What I want to know is, why is it that Santa Barbara abounds in Italian places, yet no place really exists for classic French cuisine,… — Drew Hart
Montecito restaurateurs need to learn that not all diners are billionaires and, and that inflated pricing does not work. The successful spots all have a… — Rob
Like the old Paradise Cafe! — Jimmy
Completely Agree. A lawyer opening up a flashy restaurant and expecting the city to compensate him for not knowing what he is doing ? This… — Zeeann