Obviously folks now selling didn’t read up on property allowances, or the vibe in Valley for that matter. Who buys a property with intentions to use and fails to read the rules on how you can use it?
Whoever buys the Ballard Inn needs to be wary. Their original permit has strict limitations on the food service, and they can't hold special events. Someone reported them to the County, and now they're trying to work through a new Conditional Use Permit with the County.
A collective cheers is ringing thru the Valley this morning! The folks who bought and ransacked the Ballard Inn- most heinous act was firing the long time GM- followed by the turntable dj’ing by the interior designer nights…..good riddance to them
Jenna it sounds like you know so much about menu development and restaurants maybe you should open a restaurant and show all of us how it’s done?
Is it just me or what I love about Mate Gallery is how tiny it is? I hope the expansion goes well — unlike the previous men's clothing shop they opened next door (briefly) to their current location. Gulp. Don't get me wrong, I love the shop — but is a bigger footprint always success?
Agreed! And of course, this was a good 3 in the afternoon diversion from my own work and life. Hey Google, where did avocado toast originate? The answer seems fuzzy, but no mention of this quaint (the grounds are beautiful) hotel. Go figure. https://www.tastingtable.com/1108561/the-contentious-history-of-avocado-toast/#:~:text=Avocado%20toast%27s%20origins%20point%20to%20Mexico&text=Avocado%20toast%20appears%20to%20have,empire%2C%20with%20originating%20the%20toast.
Did anyone really think that Bungalow 805 concept would succeed? The belief that families want a members-only social club to take their kids to instead of childcare was completely misguided.
I'm curious about what others think regarding marketing like the Steward avocado toast claim. When I reach such apocryphal stories I tend to doubt the veracity of anything on their website.
Hopefully the Coral Casino menu is NOT like The Surf Club. I'd like to see some of these restaurants in SB with more sophisticated PLANT-BASED options that take advantage of our close proximity to exceptional farm veggies. Tired of avocado toast or a salad being the only options or special request at a restaurant. Fingers crossed that Coral Casino (and many other restaurants) can take a more educated, inclusive, and healthier approach to their menu creations.
Excellent prediction — the Coral Casino restaurant is TOTALLY going to be the Surf Club menu/style. When I read that it clicked (having been there), yes that's what's coming.
Too bad about the Courthouse Tavern, the only surprise is that they lasted this long. They never really seemed as if they got their act together with that place, in terms of food, service, or staffing.
Truth is every liveaboard and most slip holders anywhere near (and far from) that floating monstrosity is not happy with it. Liveaboard and afternoon deck and flybridge views forever blocked, It is big, it is square, it is ugly, unlike Peter Crane's charming 2 story and slightly humble floating abode with the spiral staircase and exterior decorations which filled that space prior and Jeff's daddy paid for. Personally I wouldn't mind if the Coastal Commission deemed it unfit or if it sank to the ocean floor and they drag it out to make an underwater scuba diving reef. Anything to erase that thing from the water.
No reasons to make assumptions when testimony like this commenter shared has been given: “After expressing some concern over the stressed staff, we were conversing with our server and they told us how upset they were over the automatic 18% “service charge” because most of it was going to the owners. ”
— Christine_Z28 on
Dan Q. Must not shop there often...I shop there probably twice a weekend & rarely do they not have what I need. I bought graden stakes on Sunday, same price as Home Improvement & I found a sprinkler head that Home Improvement DIDN'T have. It's owned by a local family, Chris & Papa run the store & shopping there is a feel good, old school Santa Barbara experience...just saying.
Dan Q. Must not shop there often...I shop there probably twice a weekend & rarely do they not have what I need. I bought graden stakes on Sunday, same price as Home Improvement & I found a sprinkler head that Home Improvement DIDN'T have. It's owned by a local family, Chris & Papa run the store & shopping there is a feel good, old school Santa Barbara experience...just saying.
It's available at Idyll Mercantile on Chapala Street (and more locations soon), and of course online.
Is the Dresden product available locally?
Seems like a lot assumptions being made in these comments about what the surcharge is going towards. What about higher hourly wage and health insurance? Service industry jobs are tough and usually for the young but many restaurants are trying out new models of doing things. Also doesn’t seem very service friendly to declare you’re never going to a restaurant again because of “fill in the blank”.
Let’s assume that the owners of Sama sell 2 million dollars a year. That would mean that by simply making this change with the 18% additional fee they gave themselves a $360k a year raise. I am all for small business but not when it’s taken from servers and transferred into owners hands. I have friends in the restaurant business and they offer their employees insurance and pay them very well. ( without having to do this shenanigans ) Super shady that Sama Sama is choosing to do this. I will never eat there again.
— State street boss on
Tullys is the old west side bar. With a pizza place attached to it. 25. Years. Ago. I was there
— Walt eagan on
This was the old west side bar. N there was a pizza place attached to it with a window between both places for food. And there was a beer bar down the street
— Walt. Eagan on
With all the rain they’ll be plenty of acorns for all the “farrowed” little piggies- let’s hope the un-fallowing of RSM is more than a rumor - was one of the best golf courses anywhere (although the walk from 12 to 13 in the summer was a bit like the Bataan Death March) - thankfully out of the completely inept hands of TW - hopefully he sells Sandpiper next.
Sama Sama suffers from the same delusions that all associated with all points between landlord, through business owner to customers. We all feel entitled, but it’s ultimately the customer who pays. To hell with anyone attempting to impose a gratuity or service charge. Tips are our subjective choice, not an entitlement. In this instance it’s the business owner. It doesn’t pass the sniff test. I won’t patronize any business that does this.
Any licensed vendor is supposed to have a enclosed tent, hand washing station and a closable window to serve from…that was pre-covid
— Christine! on
“ 214 W. Figueroa Street ($1.995 million): Two-bedroom townhome with two-car garage (below).” It’s actually on East Figueroa St. The listing is also incorrect.