One of the musicians that used to play there said it is closing. He said it is going out of business and closed for good
Ha, agree about the El Encanto restaurant. But the driveway upgrades are so welcome. I’ve been irked by the concrete from day 1. Looks so cheap.
As for a launch, you should absolutely go watch in person. I’d try to aim for a SpaceX launch specifically with relanding of the first stage when there is good weather. Many don’t reland at Vandenberg but rather on a barge off the coast of Baja, so make sure you’re targeting one that comes back to Vandenberg as it’s much more dramatic. Unfortunately you’re going to deal with a high likelihood of cancellation. I watch most launches from home and I’d say there’s at least a 50% abort rate, sometimes in the last few seconds. We got lucky and saw an amazing relanding launch in February ‘22 - our first attempt at going to Lompoc to watch in person and it was a success. We made sure to arrive to Lompoc 1.5 hours in advance of the launch and were shocked at how many people were already there lining all of the roads. We had researched various places to park but we ended up just pulling over on Ocean Avenue when we saw a spot. We were headed toward the beach but the crowds (I have never seen more Teslas in my life) made us think we should just snag the first spot we saw and so we did. We also assumed the crowds of SpaceX fan boys knew something we didn’t and we were in a decent spot to watch. It was stunning and a crystal clear day. Very exciting and definitely worth doing. A night launch would be spectacular as well. Fog would be less than ideal and can be a problem at Vandenberg. Plan for a good meal somewhere after and maybe some wine, so even if you have a cancellation you have something to look forward to. We did Industrial Eats and our launch aligned perfectly with lunchtime but timing is all over the place!
Amen to wishing a better restaurant at the El Encanto. No matter how many times I eat there hoping It’s improved; I leave unsatisfied
I went to the brass bear about two months ago, I was really looking forward to to it, and the friends that I was with live in San roque , and REALLY wanted to love it…but very sadly disappointed… It’s a playground for families/parents with kids, outdoor patio, which is great for them , menu was OK we had appetizers and wanted to stay for dinner, but appetizers / food were just mediocre… Ordered two glasses of wine and 2 cocktails, and decided to order a bottle of Chardonnay…, after 15 minutes the server finally came back and said they were out of (their only) Chardonnay - one rosé and
One S. blanc on the menu and one or two reds…
they’re out of it? (Their only chard on the list) WTF, I hope they get it together. I guess they mostly expect people to order beer but some people would like a glass of wine.
Pizza Mizza still at it, wow.
There hasn’t been a successful restaurant in that location since the Acapulco. It is too bad the owners don’t pick up on that concept again. It was quite the fun place during fiesta and always the go-to place us locals would bring our visitors to back in the day. We don’t need any more pizza places.
Patxis has a great location (it’s 1st I think) up in Lafayette, Bay Area, but I found the Santa Barbara location to be consistently poor in terms of customer service. It never seemed like they had good management. Maybe I’m wrong but that was just my two cents. That and I think they might have fared better in a different location.
I hear that the uptown is temporarily closed for a scheduled remodel.
This is a sad reminder that colon cancer screening via colonoscopy is so important! Colon cancer is actually a slow growing cancer, so surveillance can catch it early or prevent it by removing polyps.
Dusk is one of our faves! Excellent craft cocktails made with precision & a side of love ????
The Pizza Mizza change is interesting - same owners from when it was the burger place just recently (and also served pizza) and was a taco place before that. Tried the previous iterations several times before giving up - service was lacking, food was average at best and several of the tables feel like they are 2 or 3 inches too high for the chairs they use.
We will try again to see if they fixed some of the things as part of the re-naming.
I was hoping for a restaurant, too.
I am glad to see that the restaurant space in La Arcada has gone more casual. High concept ideas just didn't jive with the casualness of the space. I actually still miss the Acapulco in the spot.
Dusk at the drift!
Dusk
Dusk bar @ drift hotel
Anytime I see the name El Encanto it's a trigger. As the head gardener from 1991 to 2001 I had the best job in Santa Barbara. But two new pools? I would rather they bulldoze a few buildings and replant the gardens from my time. Also, I have vivid dreams and I'm back at EE but I'm in my uniform from 1999.
I hope they know how to spell Santa Claus for their logo clothing etc. Unless they are adding a "clause" to the sentence!
Christine, I don’t think it’s safe to say it’s rigged. You and I just disagree with the masses, who probably vote for what they can afford to eat regularly. Those Michelin Star pizza joints are too pricey for some.
Thank you! We agree completely about the windows. That was an element inherited from the previous owner, and we're already in process getting them swapped out for wood windows.
What beautiful upgrades by Hearth. I hope long term they’ll consider swapping out the white plastic windows with fake divided light for something worthy of the rest of the work they’ve done! These types of windows are really degrading the architectural integrity of our town and I recoil seeing them on historic buildings especially. Anyway I was wondering what would happen with these properties so this is a nice update.
Agreed, especially if she is paying for it. Just stop serving alcohol and let her know she is cut off.
The idea that what I order might not be what I get doesn't sit right with me. I'm not saying they should have continued to serve her alcohol, but to change the drink without permission is unethical.
Considering Rusty's Pizza and Woody's BBQ (rip) are always voted "best" in their categories, it's safe to say that it's rigged and junk data.
Still think you should do your idea of “Siteline Best Of”
Why doesn't your cyber captain make magnification of text available with a finger spread?
