Reader Steve tells me that Isabella’s Gourmet Foods has opened at 5 E. Figueroa Street (part of La Arcada Court) in what used to be a yarn shop. Here is a description from their web site:

Isabella Gourmet Foods is Santa Barbara’s whimsical answer to New York City’s venerable Dean & Deluca, serving its patrons the most unique gourmet foods the area has to offer. In her newest entrepreneurial venture, owner Amy Isabella Chalker marries the down home charm of an East Coast general store with the upscale setting of a big city boutique and injects it with fresh, local, organic food that Santa Barbara residents and visitors alike have come to expect from their specialty food shops.

Hi John,
I noticed that a new wine bar/ wine shop is apparently moving into the old Live Culture space at the entrance to Paseo Nuevo (11 W. De la Guerra St).
Thanks
Tony in Goleta

This Wednesday May 15th at 5pm, The Restaurant Gal and I will be waiting tables at Pascucci restaurant 729 State St for the Solstice Parade’s annual fundraiser. 100% of your dining bill, including tip, will go toward Solstice (thank you Pascucci owner Laura Knight!) I’ll be joining Mayor Helene Schneider, John Palminteri and more than a dozen other volunteer staff for the special night at Pascucci.

I thought Mother’s Day would be a good time to post an update on long-gone Santa Barbara icon Mom’s Italian Village, 421 E. Cota Street that began serving local diners in the 1930′s. Even though the building was demolished and replaced I recently noticed that the name “Mom’s” is permanently etched into the new building (see photo below). On a related topic, the other day I was talking to local real estate owner Frank Nam who tells me he purchased the main bar at Mom’s just before it was to be destroyed and recently installed it in Sama Sama Kitchen, 1208 State Street, the former home of East restaurant. If you want to touch a piece of Santa Barbara history stop by for a drink at Sama Sama.

On Monday, May 13th, I have a birthday that ends with a zero so I will be taking a little time off to celebrate. Hopefully I’ll restart later in the week. See you soon!

Edhat is reporting that there was a fire in the kitchen early this morning at Jill’s Place, 632 Santa Barbara Street. Though the fire was confined to the kitchen, apparently there is a lot of smoke and water damage throughout the restaurant.

Santa Barbara chefs, restaurants and mixologists will gather for the 6th annual Taste of the Nation culinary benefit on Sunday, May 19 at the Montecito Country Club from 3pm to 6pm, with a VIP reception beginning at 3pm. Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara will raise funds needed to end childhood hunger in Santa Barbara and across the nation.

Participating restaurants include Montecito Country Club, Arlington Tavern, Anchor Woodfire Kitchen, Ca’Dario Ristorante, Olio e Limone Ristorante & Olio Pizzeria, The Lark, Caveau Wine Bar & Merchant, Bella Vista at the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore, New West Catering and Jessica Foster Confections. Emcee Cathryn Remak of K-Lite (KSBL) and Honorary Event Chair, supermodel Tatiana Patitz, will also participate in the gastronomic event.

This year’s event will feature a “Community Chef Competition” that pairs three local Chefs with junior high students and community leaders.

Tickets for Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara are $75 for General Admission and $100 for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org.

CNN published a story today, written by Paul Vercammen, about the 5-year photo guys from Santa Barbara. The northern California cabin my friends and I have been going to for 30 years to take our photo was burglarized while we were away. The bad guys really cleaned the place out, including stealing our $8,500 boat. Fortunately the thieves missed two of our sentimental possessions: the jar and hat that we use in every photo. Below is our first photo from 1982 and a picture taken last year on the Today Show in New York City with Matt Lauer holding the jar.

Reader Bruce let me know that 714 State Street, an address that been home to restaurants for decades including Mimosa, Chino’s Rock & Tacos, Matador and Piranha, will soon be a women’s clothing store named LOLE.

After having their alcoholic beverage permit suspended in January, Red Wine Bar at 211 Helena Avenue reopens this Friday. Here is a message from owner Dana Walters:

I am so grateful for this opportunity to help re-open and run what with be an amazing bar and music venue! Please join me and help celebrate!!Get ready SB the funk zone is coming back for the unveiling of a whole new experience! New look, new food, new drinks, new faces, new music and much more!

FRIDAY MAY 10th
THE GRAND RE-OPENING
SHENNIE SMITH AND BENEDICTE from 6-8
APOLLO from 9-1:30
-Live music every weekend plus open mic nights on Thursdays!
-Great food from mac n cheese and tri tip sliders to fresh shrimp and scallops and gourmet cheese plates!
-$5 daily drink specials all week!
-Fresh Farm to Bar drinks all day everyday!
-Late night happy hours every night from 10:30-12:30
LETS GO SB!

A new local company named Nite Bite delivers a limited menu selection from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. There is a $20 minimum order and no delivery charge. The menu includes hamburger $9.50, grilled chicken sandwich $10, roasted veggie sandwich $8.50, burrito $8.50, breakfast burrito $9, margherita pizza $12, chicken udon noodle soup $8, mac & cheese $9, spaghetti marinara $9, spaghetti bolognese $11, caesar salad $8.50, cobb salad $10.50, Rori’s ice cream $7.50 pint, Rori’s ice cream sandwich $5.50. For more information call 699-5189 or visit them on Facebook.

Noozhawk is reporting that Lazy Acres Market at 302 Meigs Road has been named Outstanding Retailer of 2013 by the Specialty Food Association. The award will be presented July 1 at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. Lazy Acres will be featured in the May/June issue of Specialty Food Magazine.

If you have any suggestions please leave a message in the blog.

Hi John,

Mother’s Day Brunch has always been avoided in the past but this year, we are going in….any ideas?

Thanks,
Charlotte

Palazzio restaurant celebrates their 20 year anniversary on May 13, 14, and 15 beginning at 4pm each night. They are rolling back prices on many of their most popular items. A full order usually feeds four adults. They will be taking reservations (564-1985) for seatings between 4pm and 5:30pm. After 5:30pm they will be on a first come first serve basis.

The discount pricing includes Ceasar Salad (half $4.95; full $7.95), Oven Roasted Roasted Rosemary Chicken (half $9.95; full $13.95), Capellini Pomodoro (half $7.95; full $11.95), Lasagne Bolognese $9.95, Penne Italian Sausage (half $9.95; full $13.95), Presidential Tiramisu (served to President Reagan) $4.95, Gelato $2.95, Beers 1.50, House Wine $2.95 glass.

Here is an official response received from McDonald’s with regards to last weekend’s blog:

We apologize for any confusion regarding the promotion. A sample is only a portion, and not a full sandwich. We would like to offer you Be Our Guest cards for free Egg White Delight sandwiches, good through the end of the year at any McDonald’s restaurant nationwide. Please advise the best address to mail these cards.

The promotion was supposed to last through breakfast hours and not end at 10 a.m. This has been addressed with our crew and we apologize it was not honored for anyone who arrived after 10 a.m. Please let me know if anyone brings this to your attention as we would also like to offer them Be Our Guest cards for free Egg White Delight McMuffin sandwiches.

If you encountered difficulties at a local McDonald’s related to this promotion please send an email to me and I will forward it to a representative.

Last week I published a press-release from McDonald’s saying “Central Coast residents will have the opportunity to sample the new Egg White Delight McMuffin for free May 2 – 4 (one sample per person, per visit, during breakfast hours only).” I decided to try the offer and my experience is detailed below.

On May 4 The Restaurant Gal and I went in toMcDonald’s at Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta and asked for our free Egg White Delight McMuffins. The lady had no idea what I was talking about and rang up $7 on the cash register. I reminded her that there was a promotion running today for a free Egg White Delight McMuffin and she didn’t appear to know about it. She spoke to the other employees working around her and none of them knew about the promotion either. She then went to the kitchen and returned with a single chunk of egg white in a box. I then asked to speak with a manager about the free Egg White Delight McMuffin promotion and showed him the chunk of egg white in a box that had just been given to me. He then went to the kitchen and prepared
an Egg White Delight McMuffin, cut off 1/4 of it for the Restaurant Gal, cut off another 1/4 for me and discarded the rest. Needless to say this was not what we were expecting.

Noozhawk is reporting that Yogurtland is celebrating the grand opening of its Goleta location, at 5880 Calle Real, on Saturday May 4 with free yogurt, family entertainment and prizes. Events begin at 11am and the free yogurt begins at 4pm.

Silvergreens is planning to open a new restaurant in Goleta, which will be the third location for the eatery that has operations at 900 Embarcadero Del Mar in Isla Vista and 791 Chapala Street. “We have not solidified details yet,” says Ron Gleiberman, Director of Operations at Silvergreens Restaurants & Catering. “It’s going to be a very different concept than our current two locations and excited to share more once we are sure the direction we are going.” Though the exact location is still up in the air, sources tell me that a chef has been hired.

After intense concentration and a wave of my hand over the all-knowing crystal ball, my eatery oracle has revealed a list of locations appearing in your future:

• American Ale 14 E. Cota St. (formerly Little Cantina) – May 16
• Avelina Winery, 131 Anacapa St.
• Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., 137 Anacapa St.
• Book Ends Café 602 Anacapa St. (upstairs at Antioch University)
• Brothers Restaurant, 3539 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez (formerly Red Barn Steak House)
• C’est Cheese Café & Marketplace, 831 Santa Barbara St. (formerly Our Daily Bread)
• Daily Grind, 2912 De La Vina St. (formerly Taco Bell) – June
• Deux Bakery 824 Reddick St.
• Fresh Market, 222 N. Milpas St. (formerly Scolari’s)
• Killer Shrimp, 416 State St. (formerly Sharkeez) – June
• Los Agaves, 2911 De La Vina St. (formerly Jake’s)
• McDonald’s, 4719 Calle Real, Goleta
• Panera Bread, 700 State St. (formerly Left at Albuquerque) – May 3
• Santa Barbara Public Market, 34 W. Victoria St. (formerly Vons)
• Silvergreens, Goleta
• The Lark, 131 Anacapa St. (formerly Bay Café)
• The Lucky Penny, 131 Anacapa St. (formerly the fish market)
• The Pickle Room, 128 E. Canon Perdido St. (formerly Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens)
• Unnamed eatery, 1198 Coast Village Rd. (formerly Peabody’s)
• Unnamed eatery by Suzanne Goin, 1020 Coast Village Rd.
• Unnamed eatery, 532 State St. (formerly Zia Café)

Mike and Kathie Gordon, the owners of Toscana restaurant and Bar Toscana in Brentwood, have opened a two-story SY Kitchen at 1110 Faraday Street in downtown Santa Ynez. Their first day in business was April 18th. Bar Toscana chef Luca Crestanelli oversees a menu of Californian-Italian cuisine and the wine list. Meal prices are $30 and under. The first floor features a patio, dining room, bar, and open kitchen. Hours are 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The eatery is closed on Sundays. For more information call 691-9794 or visit sykitchen.com.

Reader Jeremiah tells me that there is light at the end of the tunnel for Los Gallos restaurant, 2009 De La Vina Street:

Today, I spoke with a close friend of the owner and he said, “without a doubt,” Los Gallos will reopen this summer!  YAY!

The owner of Los Gallos is too busy with opening a second Daily Grind that he felt the quality of food was suffering.  But the owner has every intention to reopen in the summer when Daily Grind is close to being finished.

Thanks!
Jeremiah

Reader Mike tells me that Panera Bread is set to open at 700 State Street, the former home of Left At Albuquerque.

Hi John!

Downtown Panera Bread opening May 3rd. Talked to a couple of employees on their way out. The smell of baked bread down there is already a nice touch.

Mike

Santa Barbara’s newest downtown brewpub eatery American Ale is coming to 14 East Cota Street, the former home of Little Cantina, El Taco Tequila Taqueria and Square One. American Ale will be the second location for the Union Ale Company which opened their first restaurant at 214 State Street in 2009.

“A casual warm urban atmosphere with a touch of shabby chic, aged wood, distressed brick and plenty of mason jars throughout the restaurant,” is how owner Matthew Jameson-Chrestenson describes the décor of his new restaurant. “The menu is reminiscent of a real down-home farmhouse kitchen, putting an emphasis on rich soups, hearty burgers, rustic sandwiches, hand shaken whiskey cocktails and a very extensive selection of American craft beer on draft.”

American Ale is scheduled to open May 16th. For more information visit americanale.net or their Facebook page.

This just in from your friendly neighborhood McDonald’s:

CENTRAL COAST McDONALD’S EXPANDS WHOLESOME BREAKFAST CHOICES WITH NEW EGG WHITE DELIGHT McMUFFIN
Customers can also flip their breakfast favorites by choosing freshly grilled 100% egg whites & white cheddar on any egg and cheese breakfast sandwich

Santa Barbara, CA (April 23, 2013) – Today, customers in Central Coast can now enjoy the wholesome new Egg White Delight McMuffin at McDonald’s.  Egg White Delight McMuffin is prepared with freshly grilled 100% egg whites, extra lean Canadian bacon and white cheddar* served on a new muffin. Freshly grilled egg whites and white cheddar are also be available on any existing egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches and platters, providing customers a new way to enjoy their breakfast favorites.

The introduction of Egg White Delight McMuffin supports McDonald’s “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices,” announced in 2011. The new muffin delivers 8 grams of whole grain and the Canadian bacon delivers quality protein, helping customers incorporate foods from some of the USDA’s MyPlate recommended food groups. At 250 calories, the Egg White Delight McMuffin is McDonald’s newest wholesome breakfast choice under 300 calories in addition to Egg McMuffin, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and Fruit N’ Yogurt Parfait.

“Since my dad invented the Egg McMuffin more than 40 years ago, customers have come to know and love McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches for their great taste,” said David Peterson, Owner Operator of six Santa Barbara McDonald’s restaurants. “It was important to us to deliver that same great taste with the new Egg White Delight McMuffin and egg white breakfast sandwiches. That’s why our egg whites are freshly grilled in our restaurants and paired with white cheddar for the perfect flavor combination.”

McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches available with egg whites includes, Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin with Egg, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Sausage Biscuit with Egg, Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles, Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles and Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel.  Freshly grilled egg whites are also available for substitution on McDonald’s breakfast platters.

Central Coast residents will have the opportunity to sample the new Egg White Delight McMuffin for free May 2 – 4 (one sample per person, per visit, during breakfast hours only).

For nutrition and ingredient information and additional details about egg whites on breakfast sandwiches and platters, as well as McDonald’s full line of national menu choices, visit www.McDonalds.com.

If you have any suggestions please leave a message in the blog.

Hi, wondering if there are any restaurants in SB that have amazing bottle of wine deals on Wednesday nights?  Or any day of the week?  Thanks!

Tina

These just in from reader Hugh:

The number for Pasta House [at 6546 Pardall Road] in Isla Vista is disconnected and they are no longer in sbmenus either. I hope for something good as I am down the street from there. PH was okay usually. They could be skimpy with the sauce sometimes but the flavors and ingredients were good.

Hugh

Update: I stopped by and looked in the window. The walk-in freezer is open and empty as is the cold beverage cabinet. They do appear to have closed.

The Restaurant Gal and I went to an open house at the Bacara Resort on Sunday, celebrating new ownership by Pacific Hospitality Group, Eagle Four Partners and Bill Foley. The event included live music, hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef David Reardon, wine tastings by Foley Family Wines and a special preview of cuisine at other resorts of the Meritage Collection.

Local private chefs Myco Rosso and Linda Kendall operated their kitchen out of Earl Warren Showgrounds for many years. Having outgrown the location the pair searched for a larger kitchen and came across a space in El Mercado Plaza at 4141 State Street, the former home of Kobachi Izakaya Dining (2008-2012) and Kampai (2005 – 2008). Because the kitchen came with a dining room and lots of free parking they decided to launch a small eatery named Restaurant Open to run along side their private dining business. Open seats 15 inside and 6 outside, and features the talents of Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Guilherme Cruz.

In the morning Open offers breakfast sliders (egg with your choice of croissant, bagel, sausage, ham, bacon, cheese), Egg McMyco (a sandwich-size English muffin with 2 eggs, cheddar cheese and your choice of meat), egg wrap (a breakfast burrito with potato, eggs, cheese and choice of meat) and a granola parfait.

For lunch the eatery serves tri-tip sandwiches, breaded black pepper chicken tenders, grilled lemon pepper chicken tenders, mixed green salad (with choice of grilled salmon, baked salmon, grilled vegetables, grilled chicken breast, grilled steak or grilled tofu), build-your-own burger (with 5 choices of cheese) and deli sandwiches (including roast turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken salad, tuna salad). A daily sandwich special is also available. Soups are available in the winter and gazpacho is served during the summer.

Hours are Monday – Sunday 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information call 845-7329 or search for Restaurant Open on Facebook.

Reader Primetime tells me that John Locke, General Manager of the Cold Spring Tavern since May 2000, passed away last Sunday. No other details are available.

Seven Bar & Kitchen has opened the kitchen section of their business, located in the Funk Zone at 224 Helena Street, the former home of The Pub. The eatery offers sliders, skewers, mac and cheese, salads , sandwiches and more. Hours are Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., Saturday noon – 1:00 a.m. For more information call 845-0377 or visit sevensb.com.

Chef Robert Perez, of Seagrass Restaurant at 30 E. Ortega Street, has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of the peer-reviewed Best Chefs America coffee table book. Chefs were chosen after extensive interviews between their fellow chefs and Best Chefs America analysts. Chef Robert Perez has been showcased in the book that was released on March 1. “I am honored to be nominated by my peers and included in Best Chefs America,” states Chef Robert Perez. “This recognition is truly an honor and I wish to thank my fellow professionals for selecting me as one of the top chefs in the country.”

If you have a suggestion please leave a message in the blog.

John,

Do any restaurants feature tax day savings? I know that in LA many restaurants offer major discounts on tax day?

Hannah

CNN/KABC Talk Radio food critic Peter Dills will be in town Wednesday April 17th to host a wine tasting event at Montecito Vons. The new Toma Restaurant & Bar will be providing food samples for the event. Here is a press release about it:

Wine and Women Wine Tasting Wednesday

Is that enough W’s for you?  Join Winemaker Chrissy Whittmann of Wild Horse Winery at the Montecito Vons at 3 PM to 7 PM, April 17th.  Chrissy will be discussing Wild Horse Wine and her entry into the world of wine making.  This is a taste before you buy event.  So, not only can you pick the Winemakers brain and learn about wine, you can purchase the wine at one time only substantial savings. Toma Restaurant will be also there sampling food from their menu.  Food Adventurer Peter Dills from KABC Talk Radio will host the event. It is absolutely free so please stop by. Vons 3 PM to 7 PM.
1040 Coast Village Rd., Montecito (805) 969-2112
Complimentary Samples

The popular bakery Our Daily Bread has completed a move from their long-time Santa Barbara Street location to 2700 De La Vina Street, formerly occupied by Mimosa. Here is a press release:

OUR DAILY BREAD OPENS NEW STATE OF THE ART BAKERY AND CAFE
After 32 years as a landmark downtown bakery and café ODB has moved uptown to the corner of Alamar and De La Vina Street. “We will be blending our decades of Artisan baking with a state of the art facility and brand new café, ” said co-owner Laurie Zalk. ODB will have a full breakfast and lunch menu.  ODB will be open seven days a week, featuring brunches on Saturday and Sunday. “We are excited to offer a variety of local beer and wine,” added Zalk. “I can’t wait to welcome our old customers to our new location and meet all our new neighbors,” said Ms. Zalk. ODB has a convenient parking lot Alamar, just off De La Vina.

The last day: Here is a picture taken on Monday at their old location.

This just in from reader Hugh:

Great news John.

India Club [at 5701 Calle Real] in Goleta just started having a lunch buffet for $11.95! Fabulous and 2 deserts today. A lemon mousse that was fantastic, 3 kinds of chicken and 2 vegetarian dishes plus some chick pea nuggets and a tiny little bit of salad hidden over with the Chutney. Naan too of course.

I have new favorite now in Goleta. Flavor of India is still great but too mild and sort of bland of late but still a treat.

Still hoping to see a buffet tag on your page on day John.

Take care,

Hugh the Computer Guy

As the old adage goes, “to do anything great you must do it for 10,000 hours.” Tom & Vicki Dolan, with over 65 combined years of experience in the food & beverage industry, open Toma Restaurant and Bar tonight at 324 W. Cabrillo Boulevard, in the former location of Emilio’s. Toma offers Italian and Mediterranean dishes from Santa Barbara’s seasonal bounty.

“We have a passion and love for the business of entertaining our guests, friends and family,” says Tom Dolan, former employee of Emilio’s for over twenty years. “We strive to offer an incredible culinary experience with a warm and friendly service driven atmosphere that you will want to come back to time and time again. We have always loved the experience of meeting new people and are excited to welcome you.” Co-owner Vicki Dolan has been working with the Fours Seasons Hotel & Resorts and has held positions as F&B Director, Resort Manager and Capital Project Manager.

Chef Nat Ely, formerly Executive Chef at Los Olivos Café and an Emilio’s veteran, created a menu that includes entrées (seabass $25, grilled prawns $27, cioppino $29, roasted chicken $24, braised short rib $26, vegetable roll $18, ‘flat iron’ steak $27), pasta (raviolo $16, black spaghetti $18, gnocchi $22, lasagne $18, rigatoni $17) and pizza (guanicale $16, margherita $14, il fungi $16, smoked salmon $18). A full bar offers local and Italian wines along with hand-crafted cocktails and spirits.

Toma Restaurant & Bar is open for dinner nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information call 962-0777 or visit tomarestaurant.com.

• Dinner menu
• Dessert menu
• Kids menu
• Drink menu
• Dessert cocktails
• Wine list

This just in from Coast Restaurant & Bar, 31 West Carrillo Street:

FINCH & FORK TO OPEN IN HEART OF DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA
Coast Restaurant to Evolve into Modern American Bar and Grill

Santa Barbara, CA, April, 2013 – This spring, downtown Santa Barbara will see the evolution of Coast Restaurant into Finch & Fork restaurant, located at 31 West Carrillo Street at Chapala Street.  At the helm of Finch & Fork, Chef James Siao will be creating modern American bar and grill favorites, highlighting ingredients from local fishers, farmers and ranchers.

Finch & Fork will be a gathering place where guests can enjoy shareable plates as well as satisfying dishes, and Chef Siao’s menu has been specifically designed to complement craft cocktails, artisanal wines and great beers.  The restaurant is located adjacent to Kimpton’s Canary Hotel, and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

A native of Ohio, Siao spent his childhood working in his father’s restaurant, and eventually attended culinary school in Pittsburgh.  He spent time cooking in smaller restaurants in Ohio, and later moved to Arizona, taking culinary positions at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch and the Marriott Renaissance, before his most recent post as chef de cuisine at Taggia Restaurant at Kimpton’s Firesky Resort in Scottsdale.  He moved to Santa Barbara in 2012 to become the executive chef at Coast restaurant.

“In developing my menu, I wanted to offer guests a variety of dishes that are locally sourced.  I kept many of our current favorites on the menu, such as our shareable Market Fish Tacos, Flatbreads and our signature Lamb Burger.  But I also wanted to add some new favorites—such as my Fried Chicken “Oyster” Sliders, Grilled Asparagus and Macaroni and Cheese. I think there are many offerings that will appeal to all of our guests.”

In addition, Chef Siao is launching “The Daily”- a different special for each day of the week, including his Buttermilk Fried Chicken with creamy potatoes, pepper gravy with housemade pickles on Tuesday’s; Pork & Cork pork dishes paired with wine flight specials that change weekly on Wednesday’s; Seafood Pot Pie with a house made puff pastry on Friday’s; and on Saturday’s, a farmer’s market lasagna made with ricotta and fresh vegetables from the morning farmer’s market.  On average, entrees will range from $16-$34 with the shareable plates averaging $6-$16.

Chef Siao’s food will be perfectly paired with craft cocktails, artisanal wines and beers on the menu.  Finch & Fork’s beverage program will focus on cocktails that are fresh, light and approachable and will offer one of the region’s largest selections of premium vodkas, tequilas and mezcals.  Classics such as the Moscow Mule, Bramble, and Manhattan will be complemented by creative seasonal cocktails.  On average, cocktails will range from $9-12.

Wines will highlight the bounty of the Santa Barbara area, and feature many local and regional wineries.  The list will feature classic and recognizable wines for the novice enthusiast as well as more unique and quirky selections for the adventurous.  The thoughtful list will feature more than 65 wines by the bottle, half bottle and by the glass.  Wines by the glass will range from $8-15, and most wines by the bottle will range from $45-75.

Finch & Fork is located within Kimpton’s Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara, California.  Breakfast is served Monday through Friday from 7- 11 a.m and brunch Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.  Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., and dinner Sunday through Thursday 5:30 – 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5:30- 11 p.m.  To contact the restaurant, call (805) 879-8100 or visit them at www.FinchandForkrestaurant.com.

Local author Marina Delio has launched a new cook book titled “The Yummy Mummy Kitchen: 100 Effortless and Irresistible Recipes to Nourish Your Family with Style and Grace.” Delio provides a collection of easy-to-make and mostly meatless recipes, as well as inspirational advice from her grandmother, the original “Yummy Mummy.” It is available for sale on Amazon.com.

Due to construction going on in the area Anchor Woodfire Kitchen at 119 State Street won’t be serving lunch until May. The new hours are: breakfast Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 1 1 a.m., brunch Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner daily 5 p.m. – close.

Last night was First Thursday and one of the highlights of the evening was attending the showing of popular local artist Sean Calen Blake at DNA Imagery, 529 E. Gutierrez Street. Vegan sushi was provided by Duo Catering & Events.

A 120-seat restaurant named The Lark is coming to 131 Anacapa Street, the former home of Bay Café. Most of the seats will be out door in 2 large patios. The Lark will offer seasonal, local New America cuisine including new ethnic twists on traditional modern comfort food. The chef is Jason Paluska.

“It’s about seasonal. It’s about local,” says owner Sherry Villanueva. “It’s about connecting as close to the source as possible.” The eatery will offer tapas-style farm-to-table cooking with a wood-fired grill, shared plates and a seasonal, changing menu. Villanueva tells me “The entire reason for doing this restaurant and what the whole concept is built around is community. What I love is what happens to people when they connect with one another over food.”

The Lark will have a full bar using fresh produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables to create mixers for craft spirits and hand crafted cocktails. The bar will focus on small production artisan distilleries. Neighboring wine store Caveau will be managing the wine list. Most wines will be from Santa Barbara County. Some will be small production wines that you don’t see very often.

When I asked Villanueva where she the name of the restaurant comes from she told me that the building at 131 Anacapa Street was originally built by the historic Castagnola family in the 1920s as a fish processing plant on the railroad tracks that shipped to San Francisco and Los Angeles. When the Southern Pacific railroad was running between the two cities there were only two trains that stopped in Santa Barbara, one was called the Daylight and the second was called The Lark which was an all-Pullman supper club train.

The Lark will be opened for lunch and dinner 7 days a week starting early summer.

A coffee shop and pizzeria named The Lucky Penny is coming to 131 Anacapa Street, the former home of the raw fish market. The eatery will share the parking lot with the new Lark restaurant that is replacing Bay Café. The Lucky Penny is all to-go and includes wood-fired pizza, artisan coffee and outdoor seating. It will have a narrow, specialized menu including house-made pastries, wood-fired pizzas and more. Free delivery is available within the Funk Zone. The eatery will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week starting early summer.

Avelina Wine Company will be opening a production winery at  131 Anacapa Street in the Funk Zone. Three businesses will be occupying the 10,000 square foot building: The Lark restaurant in front (formerly Bay Café), Caveau wine store in the middle and Avelina winery in the back.

Whodidily cupcakes closed their Santa Barbara store in April, 2011 and their flagship Montecito location in December of that year. Reader Patrick let me know that they have reopened in Carpinteria with a slightly changed name: “Whodidily by Wendy.” This is the third name for the dessert destination which was called “Sprinkled Pink” when they launched on Coast Village Road in August, 2008. From looking at facebook.com/WhodidilyByWendy it appears that all orders are placed by phone. For more information call 450-2392.

Reader Jonathan let me know that things are about to change at Coast Restaurant and Bar, 31 W. Carrillo Street. I called the Canary Hotel, which was sold to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants a year ago, and they confirmed that their eatery will announce a new name and new menu on April 15th. Though details are unavailable, rumor has it that the new restaurant name might have the word “Fork” in it somewhere.

If you have a suggestion please leave a message in the blog.

Do you know any details about the store East Beach Wine closing?

I was a regular customer, with a few hundred dollars worth of gift certificates to redeem.  I just learned this weekend that the store is closed and the owner moved out of town.

Do you think there is any way I could get my money back?

JB

This just in from Arlington Tavern, 21 W. Victoria Street:

NEWS FROM THE TAVERN

April is a very special month at Arlington Tavern. Not only are we entering Spring, we are celebrating our first anniversary. Last year, on April 23rd, we opened our doors to the public and what an amazing time it has been. We can’t thank you enough for all of the support you have shown during our first year. Long live Arlington Tavern!

You’re Invited: To share our thanks we will be hosting a 1st Anniversary Party April 21st at The Tavern. We will have hosted beer & wine with some apps from 12 to 4pm so please join us.

Host sponsors: Figueroa Mountain Brewery, Zaca Mesa, Brander, Firestone & 805.

We have some new things starting in April. Kick off the the week with “Mac Monday’s” in the bar. Fill your bellies in creative fashion by designing your own mac & cheese. Choose from ingredients like, short ribs, bacon, shrimp, braised leeks, shallots and cheeses like brie, blue or cheddar.  The combinations are left to your imagination.

Savor delicious gourmet tacos for $1.50 each during happy hour on “Taco Tuesday’s.” Pair them with an ice cold Modelo Especial or refreshing Victoria Amber.

Speaking of Cerveza, our “Beer of the Week” program has been a tremendous hit and this month we’re bringing in some fantastic beers. We are going International with Estrella Damm from Spain. A specially crafted beer by Feran Adria the famous Spanish chef. Our Domestic selection is  Deschuttes from Bend Oregon and for our Local selection, we’re featuring Island Brew from Carpinteria. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram@arlingtontavern to get the scoop on the “AT Beer of the Week” every Thursday.

On to the wine. We have one of the house favorites making a comeback. The Curtis Rosè! This is the perfect Spring-to-Summer wine.

WHAT’S FRESH AT THE TAVERN

What’s Fresh? The local asparagus is back in full swing so come to enjoy the popular asparagus & egg salad or our lamb shank to celebrate Spring.

A new Brazilian restaurant and fitness spot named Brasil Arts Cafe has opened 1230 State Street. Chef Lica Sfredo offers Acai, smoothies, juices, Brazilian BBQ, Coxinhas, Feijoada, Brazilian desserts and more. Fitness options include Capoeira class, Samba, Afro-Brazilian Dance, Brazilian drumming, Portuguese, Forro class and more. Hours are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information call 637-5355 or visit brasilartscafe.com or facebook.com/BrasilArtsCafe. Thanks to reader Greg for the tip!

This just in from the Los Olivos Cafe in Santa Ynez Valley:

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café Receives 2013 Family Business Award-Santa Barbara County

Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, California— Sam and Shawnda Marmorstein, owners of the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café (pictured at left), received the 2013 Family Business Award-Santa Barbara County (Medium Sized Business)during a recent ceremony with other honorees from the tri-counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

The annual Family Business Awards recognize companies with two or more family members actively involved as owner-managers or a company where ownership is now in the second generation under family control, according to staff of the Pacific Coast Business Times, award sponsors. According to organizers, family businesses are the backbone of the free enterprise system in our region.

For this eighth year, 11 companies were recognized. Shawnda Marmorstein stated, “We are so honored that Central Coast business leaders and our guests wrote in and nominated us to receive this award. We are thrilled to be named along with companies such as lynda.com and Santa Barbara Travel Bureau.”

The story of the family-owned and operated Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe began in early 1995, when Sam Marmorstein, a former stock broker and entrepreneur, decided to leave Los Angeles and follow his dreams to own a restaurant that would offer great wine paired with great food, in an approachable and welcoming atmosphere in Santa Barbara County wine country.

The Café has been successful since its crowded opening day December 30, 1995. In a perfect blend of food, wine and dreams, Sam met Shawnda at the Café in 1999 and they married in 2000. A former real estate agent, Shawnda had dreamed of owning her own restaurant and is now an integral part of all the family businesses and has been blessed with three children. In 2001, when the retail space adjoining the Café became available, Sam and Shawnda expanded the Cafe by opening the Wine Merchant—featuring over 500 local and international vintages and exclusive distributor of Sam’s own Bernat Wines.

In Fall 2003, a movie producer decided the Los Olivos Café would be the perfect backdrop for some pivotal scenes in his film–Sideways–shot on location in the Santa Ynez Valley,, winner of an Oscar and two Golden Globes, continues to bring worldwide recognition to the Los Olivos Café and the wines of the region.

This just in from Santa Barbara City College:

Santa Barbara, CA  — The non-profit Santa Barbara Culinary Arts announces a fund-raising cookbook project using Santa Barbara County recipes from restaurants, caterers and fine food purveyors. The cookbook will celebrate the diversity and excellence of our local cuisine and provide a guide to fine dining in our area. Interested participants can submit their recipes now through the end of July.

All proceeds will go towards the Santa Barbara Culinary Arts Scholarship in Honor of Julia Child.  This endowment fund provides annual scholarships to the Santa Barbara City College Culinary Arts program.

Since 2005, ten $1000 scholarships have been awarded to culinary students at SBCC, with 2 per year planned for the future.  SBCA has also provided scholarships to Women’s Economic Venture and contributed to the Children’s Creative Project and the FoodBank.

Photographer Linda Blue, who recently won the 2013 News Press Reader’s Choice Award for Photography, will donate her services to photograph recipes for those who do not have a print-ready image to accompany their recipe. Please visit her website: labluephotography.com

ABOUT SANTA BARBARA CULINARY ARTS
 SBCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the inspiration, education and celebration of culinary professionals and individuals who are passionate about the Culinary Arts. Please visit the SBCA website: santabarbaraculinaryarts.com

SBCA also holds events for the public, including fund-raising dinners prepared by local chefs using local, sustainably produced ingredients, such as the upcoming “Backyard Bounty” at the Rockwood Women’s Club.

ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN THE COOKBOOK: Participants are asked to pre-pay for 10 cookbooks at $20 each. The cookbook will retail for $25. The $200 will not be due until the end of summer and will go towards printing costs and a donation to the Santa Barbara Culinary Arts Scholarship in Honor of Julia Child.. For more information, please contact Tama at 805.302.0565 santabarbaraculinaryarts@yahoo.com

I am enjoying lunch today at Killer Shrimp restaurant in Marina del Rey. They are opening a second location in Santa Barbara this summer.

The Santa Barbara News-Press reports that Los Angeles-based Pressed Juicery has opened at 1024 Coast Village Road. They sell fresh juice shipped from Los Angeles each morning in 31 different flavors for $6.50 per 16-ounce bottle.
The beverage reportedly has a shelf life of 3 days.

In the last 5 years Santa Barbara’s seaside “Funk Zone” of artists, galleries, restaurants, wineries and assorted businesses has become one of the fastest growing areas of the South Coast.

New wine tasting rooms seem to arrive every few months and this summer the Anacapa Project is set to bring the Funk Zone to a whole new level. 131 and 137 Anacapa Street will soon be the home of Figueroa Mountain Brewery, a distillery, a wine store named Caveau, a winery named Avelina, a to-go coffee shop/pizza business named The Lucky Penny and a New American restaurant named The Lark.

The La Entrada Project, which includes a hotel and retail space, is pouring millions of dollars into the redevelopment of the Funk Zone. In summary: a lot of people are betting on the future of the Funk Zone which is helping make it a popular destination independent of its home city.

All this leads computer geeks like me to ask the question: Who owns FunkZone.com?

While enjoying a latte at Coffee Cat last week I brought out my iPad and decided to find the answer. After a few minutes of research I was amazed to discover that FunkZone.com wasn’t owned by someone in Santa Barbara. The domain was registered in 1998 by a man named John in Naperville, Illinois, who decided to buy it during the height of the dot com boom. In the last 15 years he never used it and at some point he posted a “for sale” sign on the home page.

I sent a message to John asking about FunkZone.com and he offered to sell it to me for the price you would pay for a case of good local wine. I thought it was a great deal so last weekend The Restaurant Guy wired funds to the Midwest and bought it. I transferred it from Naperville to Santa Barbara last night.

To be honest I don’t have any specific plans for the domain. I am gathering ideas now and then this summer will begin the process of creating a site that hopefully adds to the body of knowledge already out there about the ever-changing Funk Zone.

What do you think would be the best use of FunkZone.com?

I did a survey of the cost of a single scoop of ice cream (not including gelato) at dessert destinations in Santa Barbara. At each store the price of ice cream in a cup or on a sugar cone is the same.

The king of low price ice cream in town continues to be Thrifty (Rite-Aid) at $1.79. Next up the price ladder is Baskin-Robbins on upper State Street at $2.79 for a single scoop. First in line in the three dollar category is Cold Stone Creamery in Santa Barbara and Goleta which charges $3.65. For a dime more you can go to the new Rori’s Artisanal in Montecito to get a scoop for $3.75. Rounding out the $3 group is Ben & Jerry’s in Paseo Nuevo which commands $3.95. McConnell’s Ice Cream, whose long-time owner Jim McCoy passed away last January, charges $4.10 for a scoop.

At the top of the price list is the Great Pacific Ice Cream Co. on Stearns Wharf where the spectacular ambiance apparently comes at a premium. The price of a single scoop will set you back $4.75 which is interesting because Great Pacific serves… Thrifty ice cream. Hence the most expensive ice cream in town is also the cheapest!

At the risk of revealing TMI, I can say I never cared much for Quaker Oats steel-cut, home-cooked oatmeal. To me it tastes like wet cardboard just out of a blender. The Restaurant Gal is a big fan of it so I have been diligently trying various ways to overcome my aversion to the stuff. Adding fruit wasn’t enough to make it palatable. My breakthrough came a few months ago when I tried putting 5 packets of Splenda on it along with some Kirkland organic soy milk. Now I love the stuff and have it every weekday for breakfast, usually mixed with bananas, blueberries and blackberries.

Last weekend I decided to buy Splenda by the bag so I can just scoop up a spoonful rather that open nearly a half dozen paper packets each morning. Much to my surprise I discovered that Splenda sold by the bag and Splenda sold in packets is not the same stuff. It’s not even close. Splenda by the bag has a totally different texture and is not nearly as sweet. I quickly figured out that I need 4 times the volume of Splenda from a bag to match the sweetness of Splenda from a packet. That works out to be about 20 packets worth of bagged sweetener on my Quaker Oats. With the switch to bag-Splenda my morning meal now looks like wintertime in Aspen, Colorado. It’s embarrassing.

Here is a list of local food and drink destinations that have closed in the last year:

• March 2013: none
• February 2013: La Carreta Mexican Seafood, 290 Storke Rd., Goleta
• January 2013: Los Gallos, 2009 De la Vina St.; Meat n’ Potatoes, 4444 Hollister Ave., Goleta; O Street Truck (mobile); The New Black BBQ (mobile)
• December 2012: Little Cantina, 14 E. Cota St.; Open Cup, 728 State St.; Sizzler Restaurant, 5555 Hollister Ave., Goleta; Whodelicious, 811 State St.
• November 2012: none
• October 2012: Cafe Blu, 506 State St.; East, 1208 State St.; El Taco Tequila Taqueria, 14 E. Cota St.; EpicBowl, 819 State St.; Itsuki Restaurant, 4020 Calle Real (moved to 7127 Hollister Ave., Goleta); Mimosa, 714 State St.
• September 2012: Café Zoma 918 State St.; Chocolate Opulence, 819 State St.; Jack’s Bistro & Bagels, 3891 State St.; Kingston’s Candy Co., 3415 State St.; McMasters Steak and Hoagie, 910 Embarcadero Del Norte, Isla Vista; Snack Shack, 801 State St.; Whale Tail Deli, 1114 State St.
• August 2012: Le Crepe Shoppe, 15 W. Gutierrez St.; Taqueria el Refugio, 730 N. Milpas St.
• July 2012: Burger King, 3707 State St.; Dogtown, 888 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista; Jitters Coffee, 728 State St.
• June 2012: Scolari’s, 222 N. Milpas St.; Fat Mo’s Burgers & Car Wash 6558 Pardall Rd., Isla Vista
• May 2012: Baja Fresh, 7127 Hollister Ave., Goleta; Chino’s Rock & Tacos, 6530 Pardall Rd., Isla Vista; Presto Pasta, 827 E. Montecito St.; Red Barn Steak House, 3539 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez; South Pacific Coffee, 7398 Calle Real, Goleta; Taco Bell, 2912 De La Vina St.
• April 2012: Bitterman’s Deli, 5 W. Canon Perdido St.; Emilio’s, 324 W. Cabrillo Blvd.; Ultimate Bagels, 1226 State St.

Yogurtland opened today at 5880 Calle Real in Goleta, the former home of Blockbuster. Tonight they close at 7:00 p.m. then switch to their regular hours: 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

On March 30th 7:00 p.m. the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center’s annual Chocolate de Vine fundraiser will be held at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, 670 Mission Canyon Road. Here is a press-release about it:

Put on your cocktail attire and join us for a mouth-watering celebration of chocolate & wine at Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center’s Annual Chocolate de Vine fundraiser.  The event will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at The Santa Barbara Woman’s Club from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Live music provided by AREA 51.

For something extra-special, join us for the private VIP reception at 6:00 pm to sample distinctive reserve wines and hors d’oeuvres.

The benefit will offer fabulous chocolate creations from local chocolatiers and pastry chefs. The event will feature a judged competition of chocolate creations including Best Tabletop Presentation, Outstanding Flavor Appeal and the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the door (if available).  The $100 VIP ticket also includes admission to the main event. Tickets can be purchased by calling 805-963-6832 or www.sbrapecrisiscenter.org. Space is limited, so get your tickets now!  Guests will also have a chance to bid on luxurious getaways, plus more, in our live and silent auctions.

The Chocolate de Vine fundraiser benefits Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, founded in 1974 to support survivors of sexual assault.  SBRCC offers a 24-hour hotline, crisis and long-term counseling, self-defense programs, and sexual assault prevention education programs.  All services are offered, regardless of ability to pay, in English and Spanish.

Event location: 670 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. For more information and to purchase tickets, review our website at www.sbrapecrisiscenter.org.

Participants include:

Chocolates
Brazil Arts Café, The French Table, Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates , Piece of Mind, Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro, Rincon Catering & Beach Club,  Santa Barbara Fudge, Shaybu Chocolates, Sojourner Café

Wines
Beckmen Vineyards, Brewer-Clifton, Dierberg Estate Vineyard, Dogwood Cellars, Giessinger Winery, Imagine Wine, Oreana Winery, Palmina, Rideau Vineyard, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, Starlane Vineyard, Whitcraft Winery

Life Lesson #62: keep your expensive clothes in a garment bag even if they are just hanging in your closet. Last weekend I discovered that a wool-loving carpet beetle found its way in to my closet and chewed holes in my favorite Italian-cut suit resulting in complete destruction. Or perhaps someone secretly borrowed my suit, was hit by a hail of bullets and survived, then secretly returned it.

This just in from James Sly of Sly’s Restaurant, 686 Linden Ave, Carpinteria:

John,

In celebration of the reopening of the El Encanto this week, Sly’s will be serving the famous “Floating Islands” just like I used to make when I was the Executive Chef at the venerable hotel some 24 years ago.

Ile Flotante, or Floating Islands, is an extremely simple dessert – a poached cloud of lightly sweetened meringue, vanilla-bean scented crème anglaise, a few threads of caramel, and some toasted sliced almonds. It’s simplicity is perhaps it’s main attraction. We had a large bowl in sparkling crystal at the entrance to the dining room, competing for the diner’s attention with the beautiful vista of Santa Barbara through the dining room windows ahead.

We’re all excited here in town to see the El Encanto Hotel reopen after seven years. It’s a bit nostalgic for me, as I first came to Santa Barbara in 1989 to be the chef at the El, and had an enjoyable time there until leaving in 1993. Nothing will ever compare to the view, of course, – the view from the terrace at 7 am before a busy Easter Brunch is the best view of Santa Barbara ever. It was great fun working at the “El”, and I have fond memories of the old place. I’m sure the new one will be stunningly better.

Sly’s will be serving the Floating Islands for a couple of weeks to celebrate the long awaited reopening.

Sincerely,
James Sly