••• Sad news from Tondi Gelato:
We are permanently closing our shop. Our last day of operation will be Sunday, November 2.
It’s been 5 years since I signed the lease in the middle of covid 2020, for what was supposed to be our long term home to produce and serve the amazing people of Santa Barbara and it’s wonderful visitors authentic Italian gelato.
We had intended to stay in this space for decades to come, but we chose not to sign the additional 5 year option that we had. Why? No, our business did not fail, 2025 has been our busiest year yet. No, it’s not because of a rent increase. It’s complicated and I won’t get into the details, but the gist of it is that our lease that we would have to operate under is no longer sustainable for our business and for our family. We tried to negotiate but were unable to come to an agreement.
Paseo Nuevo and the city of Santa Barbara are planning to redevelop/demolish the mall (or part of it), which understandably may have made a restructuring of our lease unlikely. We think Paseo Nuevo will turn out to be amazing and we wish them the best.
So, what’s next? We don’t know! We will evaluate all of our options, and finally take some time off. (In fact one of the key aspects of our lease is that we are basically never allowed to close. Because we make all of our gelato fresh in the morning, me and Deborah have been grinding 7 day weeks since 2020.)
We may open somewhere in Santa Barbara, or somewhere else.. maybe even in Italy. We don’t know. All we know is that our hearts are filled with gratitude and that we need a break. Thank you for your support, your kindness, your help, your love, your willingness to give us a try, and for your smiles. We will miss you.
As I dry my pathetic tears, I just want to say we’re still open for another month so swing on by like you never read this sappy post and let’s enjoy some amazing gelato while we still can!
••• Joel Viehland is now executive chef at El Encanto, which is under new ownership. Back in October, I rhapsodized about his talent when he was announced as chef at Little Mountain (where another favorite chef from the East Coast, Diego Moya, is now heading up the kitchen—more on him when Little Mountain opens, which is imminent). The dinner menu at El Encanto is still in development, but the ones for lunch and the bar are new. Also at El Encanto: chef Rodrigo Rivera Río of Koli in Monterrey, Mexico, kicks off a “culinary series” with dinner on October 11.
••• “Any insights on banana lattes (banattes) hitting Santa Barbara?” asks E. “I had one at 6XS in L.A. last week and it was incredible. I’m hoping Dart, Dune, etc. have it on their radar….” Anyone seen one around here? UPDATE: Reader says that banana lattes can be found at Kin and Café Ortega‘s roving cart.
••• Harry’s Plaza Cafe is now serving breakfast on weekends. —Restaurant Guy
••• Solvang’s First & Oak will close on October 19 after 10 years; the reason cited is the upcoming sale of the Mirabelle Inn.
••• Mesa Pizza Co. is opening a branch in Isla Vista. —Restaurant Guy
••• Tyler x Lieu Dit on Canon Perdido is expanding its food service with Supper Club dinners on occasional Friday nights. It’s tasting menu with wine pairings. The next one is October 10, but it’s nearly sold out. Keep an eye on Instagram or Tock (both linked above) for news.
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Cafe Ortega does a phenomenal banana latte, though you have to catch her at her pop ups for now
Oh no, Tondi Gelato will be missed!!
I hope El Encanto brings back a true Sunday brunch!
wow!! do I remember those fabulous feasts…
Tondi is well regarded and still criminally underrated. The almond granita is 🤌
Have eaten lunch and dinner at El Encanto in the last two weeks. Both very disappointing. Many of the most popular lunch items including the lobster salad are gone. But dinner was the worst. Only five entrees. Two of us had the salmon, which didn’t taste fresh, was overcooked and flavorless. The other guest had the chicken which was boring, bland and even the presentation was off. Sure hoping the chef improves or they get a new chef!
I had the salmon at El Encanto back in April and it was all of your adjectives back then. Such a disappointment.
Tondi is our favorite stop for visitors and for wondering around State street. My wife and I are lactose intolerant and with eight non-dairy flavors, Tondi is the only real solutions. We need someone to take up the mantle of non-dairy ice-cream flavors. McConnell’s sometimes has one or two, but often they don’t, and they are not as good as Tondi.
Um, we had mango sorbet at The Lark last night and it was from Rori’s– coconut milk base with ginger the server told us. Spectacular! Rori’s is my favorite!