January 28, 2026
Tag: Acme Hospitality
Hot Bagel Chain Opening on Upper State Street
More food news: Acme Hospitality is adding an L.A. restaurant to its portfolio; revolving restaurant pop-ups slated for downtown storefront; San Francisco chef to cook at El Encanto; new restaurant in Ojai; Apples to Zucchini Cooking School is moving; street kitchens. 21
January 4, 2026
Municipal Winemakers Is Leaving the Funk Zone
More food news: Funk Zone cocktail bar not happening; Merci is getting close to introducing dinner service; paper menus at Aperitivo; Happy Cat Eats looks to expand its outdoor seating; Que profile; nightclub on lower State Street; Cantwell's new operator; update on Lucky Penny's outpost in Los Olivos. 8
December 3, 2025
Inside the New, Mostly Vegan Corner Market Downtown
More food news: A free drink for local nonprofit employees; the menu at Noe's Cafe, now open across from the courthouse; the story of Lucky Penny's facade; anyone know the Chick-fil-A franchisee?; Funk Zone development will now have six food-and-beverage outlets; Bistro Amasa's recipe for roasted carrots; White Caps in Summerland plans to start over from the ground up; State Street Asian restaurant rebrands. 9
December 15, 2024
RH Firehouse Grill Has Opened in the Upper Village
More food news: Bossie's Kitchen is back; Little King now has a coffee cart at The Post; visit to the Marley Confections shop in Montecito; the effect three restaurant groups have had on Santa Barbara dining; renovations underway in the former Derf's Cafe; new coffee trailer in the Funk Zone; the buyers of the Palace Grill; Brophy Bros. expansion update; more chicken in Noleta and Goleta. 8
July 10, 2024
The 44 Restaurants Expected to Open in Coming Months
On the menu this year: a wave of change in Montecito, an internationally renowned chef, spinoffs by several local favorites, Acme Hospitality's latest Funk Zone project, an old-school deli, beachfront dining, a brasserie, a glamorous addition to Ojai, a pair of donut shops, and much more. 13
October 5, 2023
Increased Regulation Likely for Pandemic Restaurant Expansion
Other recent news: The fall cruise season has begun; list of Santa Barbara infrastructure projects; an opponent for Das Williams; big downtown probation office moves forward; the ongoing restoration of Hammond's Meadow; Santa Barbara Unified School District enrollment continues to drop; Santa Barbara Humane expansion and the recreation of an airport hangar. 4
September 17, 2023
Tyger Tyger Is Closing Today
More food news: Frozen Bettina pizza is now available through Kitchenette; peeking through the windows of the Ellwood, Turnpike Center cantina, Silvers Omakase, and Shalhoob's in Noleta; Hollister Brewing Company is closing; L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele wants to add sidewalk seating; Pavilions signage up at the former Vons in Montecito. 38
November 16, 2022
November 3, 2022
Two New Restaurants Could Be Opening This Weekend
More food news: Outstanding in the Field dinners with Bettina and the Dutchess; Kin Bakeshop's pop-ups are ending as it works to open its own place; Coast Village Road ice cream shop is changing concepts; Acme Hospitality is opening a restaurant in Orange County; Validation Ale is now making hard seltzer; UCSB student moonlighting as a sushi chef for hire; Isla Vista's Buddha Bowls has been renamed; Goleta IHOP opened. 5
November 2, 2022
















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I welcome a new place, but love Bettina! — zoe
It's true there is no money for this. None. Maybe there are some funds in D.C. Salud could tap into, but this broke little seaside… — John
Thank you. — Jan
laughable ideas with associated costs= ridiculous! — Christine!
I like it. But please control the e-bikes. — Lisa
Just put State Street back the way it was before the Pandemic!!! It functioned well. Look at the Santa Monica Promenade, a total failure. People… — John
This is NOT better, this is following the same broken idea of a promenade that no one wanted. You are silver tongued my friend "A".… — Seth Reid
No, no no no no. Ask the locals. we do NOT want more sidewalks and tighter travel lanes. I have not run into ONE local… — Seth Reid
When it takes that many pages and graphics to explain a simple situation, you know something is very wrong. Complicating street opening and closing days… — Curtis
If you haven't already...try Rozzi Pizza. Chef-owner David Rosner is a real NY pizza guy. St. Bibiana is also excellent. — Dean B