Gene Montesano is a very good man and restaurateur.
He has longtime employees that he cares about very much—low turnover is a sign of good management. Also, some of his restaurants have been serving excellent food for over two decades. Therefore…he’s definitely not a “supreme dweeb” serving mediocre food. Dweebery and mediocrity don’t last long in a great community like Santa Barbara. Unkindness has no place here either…
Yup. No more business from me.
I get the argument that we shouldn’t just be pushing environmental externalities far away where we can’t see them. And incurring the environmental cost of transport.
However, the oil reserves off the coast here are trivial in magnitude compared to the total US reserves. And the economic cost of a spill vastly outweighs the economic benefit to the US or especially Santa Barbara (who see pretty much none of it— they don’t generate much revenue or jobs here). So much of our economy is tourism, even fishing, and our quality of life comes from spending time on the ocean.
I’m hoping for an honorary flame post from Christine! but rejecting offshore drilling here is a correct purely economic argument, not taking into account the emotional or environmental. We bear all the economic risk and get none of the benefits. Maybe if the profits were flowing directly into the County and City of SB it would be different.
Parking definitely the Funk Zone’s Achilles heel…
Didn’t realize all these (overpriced and mediocre) places were owned by one guy who seems like a dweeb supreme. D’Angelos, Lucky’s, Tre Lune, Joe’s. It’s funny when I found this out I thought, “not surprised.”
Other proprietors running better spots around town who actually need our $ rather than just trying to empire build. Thanks for enlightening me.
Welcome Gene and crew- after posting this news on our local Los Alamos page- the response was 100% positive to having a new daily option- most of us don’t go to Bob’s as it is always packed! Plenty is not open daily, Charlie’s is, but limited indoor seating.
Oh, good. More Santa Barbara County residents can dine at Montesano restaurants like this new one, Lucky’s and Joe’s Cafe unaware that Gene uses his wealth to support MAGA, ICE and fascism.
So glad you provided a photo and note of Sarah Vedder's amazing paintings being featured at Sullivan Goss studio. I purchased several large paintings from her for our home we built over 30 years ago and they stand with grace every single day. It would be worth seeing her show!!!
South Coast Deli going into that space would be awesome since I go to their other locations about three times a week. However, the parking is interesting. I drive a truck so I can "legally" park in the yellow zone, I'm supposed to be loading or unloading and I consider getting a salad or sandwich, . . loading. But so does everybody else! On Carrillo people park in the yellow, in the red zones and even in front of the fire hydrant to run in and pick up their order. These issues being said, I would love it. Tamar might not. . .
I tried the Stroopwafel from Stroop Haus and it is heavenly. The flavors were complex but subtle. I got hints of maple and cinnamon but it was melty and delicious and I wish I had more. I highly recommend you get your hands on them.
From a week ago: https://www.sitelinesb.com/yetzs-bagels-opens-in-goleta-tomorrow/.
Inquiring about any update to reopening of Lovin Spoonful on the Mesa...
Is that in the alleyway off the 700 block of State Street leading to De La Guerra Plaza?
Close to 20 years ago my friend and I walked up to 12 West and a man , who said he was housesitting the place, asked us in. He gave us a full tour and a cocktail! Place is sooo cool!
"DeSeussed" would also work
"Desheltonized" gave me a much needed chuckle this Friday morning. Thank you for your service.
We're wishing "Merci" much success. Any plan for a vegan entrée? Perhaps a hearty vegetable stew-like soup served with crusty bread? Many thanks for considering that.
Actually, that is a sane reply — get a grip, it’s just a meal
Well, if Yetz's Bagels knows their market as they may, there could be wisdom I can't see in opening a second outlet a couple of miles away from the first. If it were my decision, I might have spaced location #2 a bit farther away. 😎 Starbux seems to get away with it, but they have 5 gazillion stores covering 3/4ths of Earth's surface.
Still, I wish them well.
Lucky’s, Tre Lune and Los Arroyos have been there for over 20 years. Not bad. And feels like the Chinese restaurant has been around forever.
When we moved back to SB in 2010 we were amazed at some of the restaurants that were still around from our college days long ago.
Excited to try Merci for dinner! I personally love that location and everything about the Montecito Country Mart. It’s no problem being across from the grocery store. Wishing them continued success.
These walks are fantastic! You’ve got a great eye for design and architectural details. I’m sure many of us long time Santa Barbarans have learned a thing or two about our town and perhaps you’ve inspired people to take a walk on their own.
This dinner menu looks delicious. I wonder if that steak au poivre is an homage to the signature dish at Bistro Paul Bert. Best of luck to them!
Hmmm I’m not sure I believe that The Lovin’ Spoonful will reopen in the next few weeks. The same sign has been in the window since the fire and there has been no activity inside since. I’m at the shopping center a few times a week.
I cannot imagine a worse location for a Re-Store. No parking. Overtly difficult access via one-way streets and a steady stream of tourists and homeless passing by on their way to the beach or the bar. They're a store that resells home construction items like doors, windows, furniture, cabinets and misc hardware to local contractors and DIY'rs. WTF were they thinking?
