••• Congratulations to Bettina, Loquita (above), and Corazón Cocina on receiving Bib Gourmand status from Michelin. (“Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand—named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin—is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.”) Below: Bettina’s new focaccia with tomatoes, garlic, and basil, one step closer to the square pie I’ve been begging the restaurant to make.
••• “Santa Barbara County has extended its Covid-19 pandemic provisions allowing businesses to expand capacity, build temporary structures and operate outside certain requirements of approved permits,” reports Noozhawk. “The Board of Supervisors extended the provisions until Oct. 31, 2023.” It would be great if the city followed suit, so restaurants could know whether to invest in their parklets.
••• New and popping up in all the Montecito cool kids’ Instagram feeds: Ysidro, a canned spritz made with sake and grapefruit juice—it’s like a friskier Fresca. From the origin story: “The story of Ysidro began in 2020 at Miramar beach in Montecito, Calif., where friends Alex and Seth frequently crossed paths heading in and out of the surf. They shared a newfound focus on friends, family, and the acknowledgement that life is sometimes at its best when it’s most simple.” You can order it online or pick it up at Merci.
••• The Independent profiles the Good Plow in Carpinteria. “Chef Pedro Garcia, a native of Ecuador, couldn’t be happier at The Good Plow. While he had lived in Santa Barbara previously, leading the food efforts at Cottage Hospital—’he transformed Cottage from bad cafeteria food to farm-to-table,’ is how Lesh put it—he was working in Georgia when he connected with [owners Katie and John] online and decided to visit. ‘He literally cooked us dinner at our house, and, by the end of the evening, I offered him a job,’ said Lesh.”
••• Put the Santa Barbara Lobster Fest on your calendar: “The Harbor Festival is canceled this year, but you can still celebrate the season opening of California Spiny Lobster, one of Santa Barbara’s leading sustainable fisheries! Join us on the Maritime Museum’s outdoor front patio, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, October 23, with lobster dishes and live music by Jackson Gillies! […] Profits will be donated to Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, our port non-profit.” The event is being organized by Get Hooked; here’s the ticket info (via Edible Santa Barbara).
••• L. heard construction inside 428 Chapala (Haley/Gutierrez), which has been the site of a series of restaurants over the years. There’s no liquor-license application for the space, and there’s no guarantee it’ll remain a restaurant (although restaurants tend to stay restaurants because they’re already built out with kitchens). Anyone know anything?
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428 Chapala will be the new Healthy Warrior SB location.