Tag: Merci Montecito

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

July 28, 2021

The 11 Best Things I’ve Eaten Lately

People often ask me for restaurant advice, and I can certainly give some, but I get much more enthusiastic when I can recommend specific dishes. 7

March 7, 2021

Malibu Farms at the Miramar Has Closed for Good

More food news: First look at the menu at Secret Bao, which officially opens this week; Wylde Works's new State Street brewery will include food service; Santa Barbara County approved commercial home kitchens; Merci added a vegetarian sandwich; Ventura's cool Frontside Cafe.

January 26, 2021

Outdoor Dining Is Once Again Allowed at Restaurants

More food news: Next steps for the Beachside Bar-Cafe space; Cajé's State Street café has reopened; Merci's standout banana pudding; the recipe for Bettina's meatballs; glimmers of life at the old Wildwood Kitchen; SLO wine shop for sale.

January 18, 2021

Secret Bao Is Opening a Restaurant Downtown

More food news: Prepared foods at Duo Catering & Events; Fatty Vegan menu preview; popcorn recipes from the Lark; Mōr Doughnuts profile; baking Merci's cookies at home; Mesa Verde's amusing menu typo.

December 23, 2020

Part 3: “The Garlic Cloves Become Like Little Nibbles of Butter”

Still more dishes—including blueberry scones, chilaquiles burritos, sweet-and-spicy chicken wings, and ramen—that food-obsessed locals deem outstanding. 1

September 3, 2020

A New Restaurant and Inn in Wine Country

More food news: Cheeseburgers and fries at Merci; Honey B is baking bagels on Sundays; an impassioned plea to save the Press Room; clever table markers at Satellite; excellent new Bell's T-shirt; Alisos Canyon is now officially an American Viticultural Area.

May 2, 2020

Lease Signed on Harbor Restaurant Spaces

More food news: One outpost of the Nugget has reopened, with the other to follow; Los Alamos restaurants teaming up for deliveries here; local seafood update; Fresno chili sauce, bake-at-home cookies, and happy hour takeout margaritas.

April 30, 2020

Four Restaurants Are Reopening for Takeout

Two at the Montecito Country Mart, and two in the Funk Zone. Also: Chuck's Waterfront Grill and Endless Summer confirmed that they closed for good.

April 7, 2020

Quality Grocery Staples at Handlebar Coffee Roasters

More food news: Merci Montecito is giving away chocolate-covered matzoh for Passover; The Lark and Lucky Penny stopped offering takeout; the Honor Bar started delivery in Montecito; some red zones now legal for food pickups; Pieology in Goleta closed for good.