$ 60.00 for a dozen tamales is not too much for the type of tamales Corazón Comedor makes. I have been all over East LA & tamale festivals looking for a tamale that isn't a " hockey puck " of masa. In Los Angles I like the pop up " Olmeca's " tamales. I swooned over CC's tamales ( the masa is light and fluffy ) and will happily pay the price . And CC's Posole is worth every penny ! I understand everyone likes the traditional tamales that the local grandmothers make... I just happen to like a different type that I first tasted in Santa Fe. :-)
Agreed. Adding more of an organic flow and nature (plants & water features) would not only honor it’s past, but also make this a more attractive & desirable place. The rectilinear buildings and pathways in these renderings have a generic corporate feel. The developers could take a clue from Sheldon’s Andaluz.
Seems like a solid start. As for traffic concerns, there was more traffic around both La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo back when people actually went to those malls….Presumably people who lived in the new housing would just walk in for their shopping and dining, so I don’t see how that would add to traffic.
The pretzel was good! I wouldn't have minded a bit more chewiness, and I could've done without the butter melted all over it (especially in the context of a rich meal), but I'd still order it again. And I'm not sure whether this is clear from the photo, but the pretzel is huge.
I think it’s great but traffic would be a real concern. Anyone saying they would miss that Macys and empty parking lot sea over usage this needs to get their head checked
Love the story, and thank you for sharing the many pictures! You mentioned that the inspiration for the motor court at 491 Pimento must have come from Bellosguardo....the motor court at 491 was inspired by Casa del Herrero many years ago, when the 491 property was first developed. The black stones were a popular paver back in the day and still make a dramatic impression. I like your idea of using the estate for more than a museum. Think about Huntington Gardens, for example, where the entire estate and out buildings work together for a variety of educational and cultural experiences. We have a " jewel" we need to recognize and value.
How was the pretzel? It looks delicious!
Just an fyi, tamales in Santa Maria run around $30/dozen these days from the locals that make them in their home kitchens. But I agree, $60 is a bit much.
Wow, it’s so weird to try and imagine the Macy’s property as housing. And while I really want to weep about the changes, I can only imagine what the previous owners of the former “bucolic dairy farm” owners would think. Time marches on, I suppose.
Miniature golf courses would be better.
TYVM for taking the tour and sharing here! Wow! It's surely a bit heartbreaking to see the grounds in such poor shape. What's been going on there all these decades? And to now open it to the "public" - without even cleaning out that tennis court or powerwashing the brick walks? Just makes me scratch my head about what condition the inside of the buildings are in. Again - I thought this place has had keepers? Seems like all that's been there is an inexpensive and fast "mow and blow" service.
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How do they plan on accommodating the extra traffic in those areas— especially the freeway overpasses and ramps? While not as busy as las Positas, anyone who visits that area even during normal hours will find themselves in traffic. Not to mention the additional rush hour traffic from Laguna Blanca school. Santa Barbara cannot support this. (Was this an advertisement btw?)
"Her wish was that it become a center for the arts after her death." So why isn't this happening? Our www.LatinxArtsProject.org board would be happy to help with this - - and in an inclusive manner! Leslie A. Westbrook
Dutch Gardens was a wonderful restaurant and on our list for decades. The long awaited re-opening does not disappoint. Worth figuring out how to park: We arrived at 11 a.m., skipped breakfast for a hearty lunch. We sat at the bar, which is where we always set before. Somehow they have managed to retain all the good of the former restaurant but up the meter with excellent friendly service, and quality ingredients. The entrees are excellent and the sides of fresh (I'm guessing steamed not boiled) veg are delicious. I'm so impressed. Oh and a great wine list to accompany the all important beers.
In the late 80’s, my cousin was one of the groundskeepers. I’m bummed I was a silly teenager then and didn't realize how cool this property was. I only met him at the entrance, I should have driven up. I missed out!!
Bravo! Excellent idea! These people have had years in dealing with historical properties. You don't just want to open it up as a "civilized" public park. It needs to be preserved.
I am a fan of Ramon’s cooking, but $60 a dozen tamales is just not right. I think $30 is to expensive, so you can imagine when I found out he was charging $60.00…… you can find them at Bella Rosa for $22.00 a dozen and they are some of the best I’ve tried.
$60.00 …???? Come on!
$60 for a doz tamales? Shit- send a PT Cruiser up to Santa Maria where you can find excellent options galore for less than $20 a doz- cheaper when you order more. SIXTY DOLLARS??
How utterly and heartbreakingly sad; this property was left to basically rot all these years and the foundation set up to make this place available to our twon does nothing but collect money and sell her dolls, or so it seems.
I drive by there often in the evenings and have seen cars come and go, this was before the tours opened, and wonder why the lights upstairs were on - what is really going on? I wonder but will wait for my turn at a tour at what was once a gem in our midst.
Perhaps the foundation should connect with the folks at Lotusland or Casa de Herrera or someplace similar to see how to make this accessible and restore the former glory.
Tear it down. It's a dump. A dilapidated, rotting, old, ugly house. There is nothing about that house that is worthy of restoration. Tear it down. Put up a sign. The property is the gift, the plants and trees and the views, not the house.
Nostalgia for the mediocre is Santa Barbara's death knell.
Hugette’s story is so bizarre. So lonely and sad to me. Empty Mansions is a fabulous read and reveals so much about her story and her wealth. Another Gilded Age tragic tale.
I was terribly disappointed in L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. I’ve dined at the LA location and had a wonderful experience. The Santa Barbara location was of the worst $$$$ restaurant experiences I have had in recent memory. I personally reached out to management and their response was disappointing. I understand the first month of opening can be challenging, but you compensate as a higher-end establishment when negative customer experiences occur. The response from management was insulting and I will not be returning to this establishment.
Thanks. Safari is very aggressive with the autocorrecting.
Typo in the Ojai listing, it's on Matilija, not Matilda, and it's making me want to invent a small business so I can live/work there.
