••• Congratulations to Little Mountain for its well-deserved rave—three stars out of four—in the New York Times. While the reviewer got a lot of things right about the restaurant, the location is certainly not “in a strip mall” and the headline’s emphasis on “freakiness” is bizarre for such an establishment so effortlessly elegant in terms of its food, setting, and service. (Photo of chef Diego Moya by Kort Havens, courtesy Little Mountain.)
••• Restaurant Roy owner Roy Gandy announced to the Independent that the restaurant will close by year end. “It’s not so much retirement that’s pulling him away but a desire to be close to family in Texas, especially considering his life as a grandfather. He imagines the possibility of an interested and passionate party—a surrogate Roy, if you will—taking over and continuing the tradition, with the option of the real Roy returning in a few years to resume his royal Royness.”
••• An outpost of the Raising Cane’s chain, specializing in chicken fingers, opens October 12 in Kyle’s Kitchen’s former space at Hollister Village Plaza (the one with Smart & Final). —Noozhawk
••• Kyle’s Kitchen, meanwhile, opens its new location at Storke Plaza (the Target corner) on Tuesday. —Noozhawk
••• Sweet Hustle cookie shop in Isla Vista has closed. It was called Cookie Plug when it was on State Street. —Restaurant Guy
••• Pascucci Restaurant finally closed yesterday. —Noozhawk
••• The Los Olivos Wine Festival is October 10. (Wait, isn’t every day in Los Olivos a wine festival?) “Set amidst the peaceful gardens of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley, this curated tasting experience offers a rare opportunity to sip exceptional wines, meet acclaimed winemakers, and take in the charm of this iconic region. Enjoy live music, a souvenir wine glass, and more.”
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