••• Dom’s Taverna, Aegean, and Little King Coffee all hope to debut within the next 10 days. I’ll be keeping an eye on all three, but of course you can do the same via Instagram.
••• Speaking of which, Instagram remains the best way to learn about specials—such as the rather amazing-looking squished meatball sandwich at Revolver (pictured above).
••• Two other restaurants have been pushed back a bit. Little Mountain, in the former Montecito Wine Bistro space in the Upper Village, is now looking at a mid-September opening at the earliest. And Manifattura, from the Aperitivo guys, is also shooting for next month. Last time I walked by, the windows were unpapered, and you could peek inside. It’s sharp.
••• Starting today, Rozzi Pizza is open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. It opens at noon. Also worth noting: the soft-serve machine is up and running.
••• Two private chefs have started a meal-delivery service called Bite Club: “Meal delivery is lacking in Santa Barbara, especially high quality, organic, chef driven and plastic free. Soooo… September 1-30 we are offering a discounted month and inviting you to be our taste testers! This is a soft launch so limited spots are available. Sign up before August 31 to be a founding member. We have personal plans and family plans as well as a rotating menu where you can select what works best for you.” Which reminds me that I recently had an idea that I won’t be following through on, but perhaps someone should? (Maybe a fundraiser for Foodbank…?) Imagine a Taste of Santa Barbara–style event—or more likely Taste of Montecito—but instead of restaurants offering sample dishes, the area’s many private chefs are the ones doing the cooking.
••• According to Restaurant Guy, “the public-facing part of the [the upper State location of Jeannine’s] will soon become a gift shop offering cards, balloons, cakes, coffee, and pastries.”
••• “Do you know if The Lovin’ Spoonful on the Mesa will ever reopen?” asked R. The frozen yogurt shop closed for repairs in April after a fire next door. I tried emailing, calling, messaging on Instagram—everything I could think of—and got nowhere. Does anyone have an update? Or know the owner(s)?
••• Cookie Plug is relocating to 6529 Trigo Road in Isla Vista, according to the Hayes Commercial Group’s second-quarter report.
••• A profile of Rock 12 Distillery in the Santa Ynez Valley Rita Hills. —Independent
••• A profile of Riviera Mushrooms, a local company that makes jerky from lion’s mane mushrooms. —Independent
••• From N.: “I wonder if you might recommend a restaurant that would be appropriate for a quiet birthday lunch for a 90 year old? We will be a table of seven, and I’m concerned that the guest of honor will struggle to hear anything in most local restaurants.” My first thoughts were hotels. At the Stonehouse at the San Ysidro Ranch (below), the setting is so magical that you might be able to overlook the cost and inconsistent food. Or maybe the Revere Room at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, where I haven’t eaten in a long time but which I imagine is civilized, especially at lunch. You also pay a premium for the setting at El Encanto, but I have no idea what state the restaurant is in under the new ownership. Beyond hotels, I know people who value quiet who quite like RH Firehouse Grill for lunch. If the weather is nice, outside at Clark’s Oyster Bar could be good; similarly, the courtyard at Bettina is very pleasant and I don’t recall being overwhelmed by noise from other patrons or music. Anyone have other suggestions?
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That’s disappointing news about Jeannine’s on Upper State.
@N both Local and Ospi have lovely small private rooms that would be perfect for a luncheon.
Clark’s is super loud. Friends who asked about moving to a quieter part of the restaurant were told “that’s the ambiance”
I just love the name “squished meatball” sandwich ;-)
Jane (Downtown) is a lovely lunch spot for all ages.
La Paloma and Lure both have small private rooms that would fit 7 people.
Agree with the comment about Clark’s, music is too often loud. All good recommendations but I would add Convivo since they have a great lunch (and dinner) menu and a beautiful view. Also Local can accommodate a larger group inside or out and we’re liking their new chef/direction.
Yes, Convivo is a great choice. We just celebrated our mother’s 87th Birthday with a party of six at the Elwood and she loved it! The staff made her feel special.
I agree. I was pleasantly surprised with the Ellwood for relaxing lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Service was excellent.
Opal & Scarlett Begonia have nice separate dining room.
What is the name of the restaurant that has taken the space formerly occupied by Via Vai? Is it open?
It was going to be Santa Ynez kitchen. but at this point not sure.
The restaurant is still happening; it has a kind of step-sibling relationship with S.Y. Kitchen. From the last big restaurant roundup: “S.Y. Kitchen’s Luca Crestanelli is opening an Italian restaurant in the former Via Vai space in the Upper Village: ‘The core idea is doing what we do best,’ he says. ‘Simple dishes made with high-quality ingredients. A relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Comfortable space. Good wine. Good service. Hopefully we can get a liquor license.'”
Just a comment on your idea of a fundraiser where private chefs do all the cooking, this event already occurs in Santa Barbara . For the past 20 years or so, Youth and Family Services, a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA (which includes all the Y’s from Camarillo to Santa Ynez) hosts this fundraiser where many local top chefs do the cooking for an amazing sit down 5 course meal, usually at the Rockwood Women’s Club. It is typically in May. Funds go to services and programs run by YFS which helps at-risk youth and emancipated youth – Noah’s Anchorage, a shelter that help at-risk youth; My Home providing transitional housing for homeless youth age 18-24 ; and an outreach to kids on the streets to name a few. The food is great, chefs so gracious and the evening is inspirational.
Teri, that sounds like a wonderful event :)
Olio e Limone, Convivo, and Lucky’s (later in the week) would all be perfect.
Revolver also makes an amazing breakfast sandwich on random Sundays. You have sign up for notifications and be invited to order. It’s a fresh baked poppyseed bun stacked with ham egg and cheese. It’s delicious!!
Lucky’s in Montecito has a small room, perfect size and can be quiet and private.
Call and ask for Jennifer, she is their event planner.
Birthday gatherings: Pane E Vino (upper village) checks all the boxes. Great food. Quiet conversations (No loud music). Local. Comfortable. Accommodating staff. Easy parking. Family feel. 10 stars. ❤️