May 3, 2023
Tag: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
March 20, 2023
The Return of the Two-Hotel Funk Zone Development
Plus: The Biltmore is reducing its number of guest rooms; Hozier to play the Bowl; a visit to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's fun Backcountry area; presale memberships to the Pad climbing gym; the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival will include a block party; answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 16
January 5, 2023
Highway 154 Is Closed Due to a Rockslide
Other recent news: An update on the Coral Casino; historic Goleta farmhouse to open for tours; how the state's requirement for new housing is affecting local municipalities; big plans for Dos Pueblos Ranch; a screed about Santa Barbara's "disgusting downtown mess." 6
December 19, 2022
First Impressions of the Dutch Garden
More food news: Construction on the Biltmore resort's restaurant; AMA Sushi has added a six-course prix-fixe; confirmation of Little Alex's new location; Healthy Warrior's event space; Corazón Comedor tamales by the dozen; the new Courtyard by Marriott's restaurant opens soon. 14
November 5, 2022
November 2, 2022
The Biltmore’s Neon Sign Is Not in Danger
Plus: The Aloha Fun Center roller rink sure looks iffy; a new personal training gym on Coast Village Road; hair extension and bridal accessory shop coming to State Street; hotel on Upper State Street sold for $17.55 million; "Ghost Adventures" investigates the strange goings-on inside a Montecito mansion. 5
October 4, 2022
The Reason Why Ty Warner and Four Seasons Are Feuding
Other recent news: More on the mockup of UCSB's Munger Hall; the old guard's resistance to change in Solvang; California no longer criminalizes jaywalking; school board candidates face off; Larry David bought in the Hedgerow; the San Jose Creek Bike Path Project in Goleta. 11
September 22, 2022
New Design Guidelines for Parklets on the State Street Promenade
Other recent news: Reactions to two proposed apartment complexes downtown; desalination buoys to be tested off Vandenberg; Biltmore employees headed for arbitration; the county is looking at more tiny villages for the homeless; Bennett's Toys is closing; Conan O'Brien bought in Carpinteria; looking at the candidates in November's election; new boutique in Santa Ynez. 3
June 17, 2022
The Sears Auto Center at La Cumbre Plaza Has a New Tenant
Other recent news: An update on the Coral Casino's renovations; chef Charlie Palmer is working on a Santa Barbara hotel; interview with police chief Barney Melekian; Santa Barbara Junior High School's flagpole has been replaced; Goleta voters to decide on small sales tax increase; weekly market at La Casa de la Raza; proposed UCSB staff housing moves forward. 2
April 17, 2022
Burning Questions
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
- Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?
- Why Do Rocket Launches Look the Way They Do?
- How Is the San Ysidro Debris Basin Designed to Work?
- What’s This Building on Helena Avenue?
Recent Comments
I graduated from Brooks Institute in 1965, married a lovely native of Montecito and adopted Santa Barbara as my home, not where I was born,… — Max Schnorf
I love Little Mountain and have been three times. The rice is $12 not $17 and it's swimming in butter not oil and everyone whose… — Leslie Westbrook
Le Petit Valentien -- maybe not classic French, but pretty close and great prices and great chef Robert. (and Ethiopian on the weekends!) — Leslie Westbrook
The property has building violations on, and the property was held by a bank that wanted out after foreclosing on the previous owner. — Paul
If Merci chocolate caramels are anything close to their salted chocolate chip cookies...we all will be in heaven ♥️...can't wait to try!!! — Maryanne Brillhart
I tried Little Mountain. Beautiful space and decor. But the menu, portions, and prices are ridiculous even for Montecito. $8 for cold bread (3 small… — Foodie
What I want to know is, why is it that Santa Barbara abounds in Italian places, yet no place really exists for classic French cuisine,… — Drew Hart
Montecito restaurateurs need to learn that not all diners are billionaires and, and that inflated pricing does not work. The successful spots all have a… — Rob
Like the old Paradise Cafe! — Jimmy
Completely Agree. A lawyer opening up a flashy restaurant and expecting the city to compensate him for not knowing what he is doing ? This… — Zeeann