The Validation Ale folks say that “Currently we have about 2300sqft plus a small patio at the corner facing los agaves. It’s about two-thirds of the old Chinese restaurant.”
Coming from a carnivore, she’s right that there are extremely limited vegetarian/healthy food options in Santa Barbara or The Valley. It would be nice to have somewhere to go for a quality salad once in awhile.
Near grocery outlet on de la vina side but I'm wondering exactly where too. There is the empty spot formerly occupied by a restaurant but it's not on the corner. The pizza place and liquor store are on the corner area. Awaiting an answer.
I don't recall there being any parking on State Street when it was open (am I wrong?) so I don't understand the push to have it opened up again? The only convenience was that you could drop someone off in front of a store/restaurant but you still had to look for parking on the side streets or parking garages (as we do now).
Currently, husband and I either park and walk or ride our bikes downtown weekly and we love it! So many people out and about, enjoying the outdoor dining and shopping.
Yes, it does need to be "more cohesive with a less ragtag look" but for now, we will continue to support downtown in it's current condition :)
Let’s have lunch- Hitching Post’s outdoor lunch area is a fantastic place to enjoy a steak salad!
Jenna, please don’t be sorry just don’t be acting like the world needs to cater to you because of your choices ( vegan ) oh and good luck to you! My luck is wonderful. I can find a lovely place to dine anywhere o go.
Peace!
El Sitio 100%
@FoodieSB Sorry you are so misinformed, rude, and unhealthy. Carry on and good luck.
Roundabouts should not have walls in the circular island until people no longer drive drunk.
3213 Cliff is divided into two parcels, with the other parcel assessed at $4,000,000. Your P13 argument stands, obviously.
Where exactly is the new Validation Ale going in?
Nice looking upgrades for 1919 and 1925 State. 1925 in particular is a welcome change. The entryway to that building has served as a homeless camp and human toilet ever since the doggie daycare vacated. It’s truly demoralizing to walk past human excrement on a regular basis so bring on the renovation!
Jeez they didn’t even replace a few rose bushes? What have they been doing for the past 10 years??? What a grift.
Hi Jenna,
What makes you think there is actual business to be done selling to vegans who are such a small demographic.
I have a wonderful idea. Why don’t you open up a place and offer the quality you speak of to the numerous vegans that will keep your business thriving?
I’m out!!
FoodieSB
I’ve never read a more comprehensive wine critique. Thanks Lisa for your enlightened judgement.
That's not true and also mean.
I'll have to give Gypsy Hill a shot! Related - anyone who loves sourdough should absolutely be supporting Riviera Bread. Order window opens online Sunday morning, closed Tuesday morning. Deliveries to various shops for pickup on Wed and Friday from Goleta to Carp, home delivery for an additional fee. Their sourdough may be the best bread currently being baked in CA - no joke. Literally everything we've had from her, down to the simple Sandwich Loaf, is utterly stellar. Don't sleep on the Sesame Spelt ring either, it's unreal.
The color of the bathroom of the Mission Canyon house......."Chewing gum"!
Greige or Putty
Yes!!
I think both La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo could become great mixed-use hubs...housing, a little retail, restaurants, maybe communal work spaces. They both have the potential for vibrant "town squares". Add a water feature and lots of nice trees - and bring back some sort of bookstore with coffee house, along with the wine bars, etc.
Boulder is an example of a successful main pedestrian set up. On a recent visit there, I meet a former SB State Street shop owner (t-shirt, nice casual wear and home wear ) who mentioned the reason she moved to Boulder was that locals keep their shops alive outside the tourist season, much like the Montecito residents patronize their shops. She sadly faulted the SB residents for not patronizing enough their local stores.
???? agree! Very well stated. Santa Barbara is utterly depressing for lack of intellectual stimulation, community living, originality and creativity, all the good stuff was brought about in the past , the present is mute ( save the rare exceptions) - cheers from Antigua, Guatemala. :)
???? agree! Very well stated. Santa Barbara is utterly depressing for lack of intellectual stimulation, community living, originality and creativity, all the good stuff was brought about in the past , the present is mute ( save the rare exceptions) - cheers from Antigua, Guatemala. :)
How about a bit more joy, passion, creativity, fervor, appreciation and zest for life in our community? That would organically reflect in the construct of, and inject cheerful dynamics to our public spaces while enhancing our community’s quality of life and its economic welfare. For this to happen one may need to lubricate city administration and reform it’s dated ideas and rusty medieval bureaucratic gridlocks.
Rarely seen such poor job in what should be an example of urban development, historical and environmental conservation and an example to inspire.
In America one lives to work and Europeans work to live, most walk their urban landscape, in America one drives everywhere and that sole cultural difference is significant on how urban development and public landscapes are formed. That said the charm of European «flâneur» street life model is not so compatible with the traditional outgoing sporty southern California way of life - as fashionable as it appears, let’s face it, it’s not really the US way of « hanging out ». that said, creating innovative home grown original ( non Dysney or corny) cultural solutions to paste onto the State Street conundrum may bring our community a ray of sunshine and inspire some intellectual excitement. For the time being the option of strolling State Street for pure pleasure is quite disappointing to say the least - It just doesn’t make the cut - the sorrow of homelessness, the often pungent smell of booze and urine, a feel of semi abandonment, a grubby, poorly maintained landscape, it’s unattractive temporary outdoor dining solutions aka parklets, all depressing and unstitched.
Not a great outcome for a property + tax rich SB county that is seeking more revenue as in its ongoing Cannabis push fiasco (enough said) - retire or be inspired!
Thank you universe for the stunning setting and coastline you bestow upon us, wishing we could honor you with the spoils of human talent, inspiration and the dignity you deserve. No offense intended in my forthrightness, but let’s face it we could definitely do much better! So let’s! Cheers all!
