Monthly Archives: December 2010

Because SantaBarbara.com’s “Best Of” survey department has a staff of exactly one (The Restaurant Guy) I’ll be busy tabulating thousands of poll results all next week and probably won’t be updating this blog. That doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about … Continue reading →

This just in from reader John: Hi John, The restaurant site where Los Agaves was going to open up in La Arcada now has a liquor transfer license posted (double transfer, whatever that means). The new place is going to … Continue reading →

Today is the last chance to vote for your favorite restaurants in the annual “Best Of” poll. The results will be displayed in the restaurant guide throughout 2011. Have a great New Years eve!

I have been receiving messages from readers that Zia Cafe at 532 State St. has been dark for weeks. I called the eatery yesterday and the phone number is no longer in service. Last night I paid a visit to Zia Cafe and they … Continue reading →

 This just in from The Savoy at 409 State St.: Hi John, I wanted to let your readers know about the special night we have in plan for those that would like to spend their New Year’s Eve with us at … Continue reading →

  This just in from the Canary Hotel 31 West Carrillo St.: Santa Barbara, CA – Attention New Year’s Eve party jet setters… the captain has turned off the “fasten seatbelt” sign, and you are now free to move about … Continue reading →

My foodie duties for the year wouldn’t be complete without summarizing activity at food & drink destinations on the South Coast: In 2010 there were 40 openings and 37 closures of food-related businesses (with walk-in storefronts). When compared to the … Continue reading →

Here is a complete list of local food & drink destinations that opened in 2010: December 2010: Sunnyside Market & Deli 436 E. Gutierrez St November 2010: Backyard Bowls 5668 Calle Real, Goleta; Cafe Zoma 7127 Hollister Ave, Goleta; Chipotle … Continue reading →

Here is a complete list of local food & drink destinations that closed in 2010: December 2010: Beach Grill at Padaro 3765 Santa Claus Ln, Carpinteria; Chino’s Rock & Tacos 714 State St; Miss Saigon Grill and Lounge 424 State … Continue reading →

This just in from EOS Lounge, 500 Anacapa St: Friends of Eos Lounge, an Announcement: Indeed our license was suspended for 10 days due to an oversight that amounted to a minor on premise in April and we will be … Continue reading →

I received this press release about an event being put on tomorrow by Pizza Mizza: Pizza Mizza is hosting a day long scavenger hunt around the city of Santa Barbara. We’ll be hiding 5 $100 Pizza Mizza Gift Cards in … Continue reading →

Here are statistics from the Santa Claus call center that was in operation all last week. For the third year in a row the most-requested toy from a boy was the Nintendo DS/DSi portable game player. The iPod Touch came … Continue reading →

December 20-24, 2010 – Accidental Santa call center volunteer photo album .

Last fall I developed software to help stop prank phone calls from taking down the Accidental Santa call center. Up until this year these tele-scrooges were an ongoing headache for volunteers. I am happy to report that the little pranksters … Continue reading →

The Beach Grill at Padaro at 3765 Santa Claus Ln in Carpinteria has gone out of business. I received a tip in November about their pending year-end closure so I decided to stop by last night and saw that a … Continue reading →

Reader Justin tells me this morning that there is a new sign on the front door of EOS Lounge at 500 Anacapa St. that reads: “NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Issued for These Premises Have Been Suspended By Order … Continue reading →

I am having fun with my new Pano app for the iPhone. I took this panorama last night inside a very cozy Brophy Bros. at the harbor while enjoying a nice dinner of clam chowder, Mahi Mahi and an oyster … Continue reading →

On December 2nd signs appeared in La Arcada indicating that Los Agaves restaurant (600 N. Milpas St.) would soon open a new location there. I have confirmed that lease negotiations have ended at that Los Agaves will not be coming … Continue reading →

I had dinner at Los Agaves (600 N. Milpas St.) last night and discovered their Salmon Tacos ($11.95) which now makes my top ten favorite dishes on the South Coast. The salmon taco meal was on the specials board and … Continue reading →

Our Santa Claus call center volunteer Cuca (a.k.a. “Cranberry the Elf”) kept some statistics about the names and states we received calls from during her volunteer session yeserday. Apparently the call center was featured in TV news broadcasts throughout Louisiana … Continue reading →

Dog lovers will be thrilled to know that you will soon be able to bring your beloved pet with you to outdoor patios at Santa Barbara County restaurants. Currently this is against the law though many people get around this … Continue reading →

This just in from Jill Brouillard, founder of Fresco Cafe: Hey John, Just wanted to wish you a Happy Christmas! Mark and I will be back in town for 2011. We will be working closely with the Fresco restaurants in … Continue reading →

Earlier this year I announced that Crushcakes & Cafe at 1315 Anacapa St. is opening a new location at 4945 Carpinteria Ave in Carpinteria. They will be open daily from 8am until 6pm. Owner Shannon Noormand sent me the following … Continue reading →

The 5th annual Santa Barbara restaurant survey is underway until December 31st. To vote for your favorite restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries visit SantaBarbara.com/survey. Poll results will be published in the restaurant guide in early January and will be displayed … Continue reading →

The Accidental Santa call center opened yesterday. If you would like your children to speak to Santa or Mrs. Claus have them call 800-726-8222. SIMA Management Corporation will once again be providing a home for the call center at 1129 … Continue reading →

The Restaurant Guy food news blog became 4 years old today. My restaurant guide had been online for more than 10 years at that point and I had never said a word to the public. I just kept plugging away, keeping the … Continue reading →

Reliable sources tell me that Brophy Bros. at the Santa Barbara Harbor has taken over neighboring Minnow Cafe and plans to serve take-out meals including clam chowder, hamburgers and more. It is unclear what the name will be called. I … Continue reading →

December 16, 2010 – SB Independent Holiday Party at El Paseo

December 16, 2010 – SB Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party

Today I added Kingston’s Candy Company at 3415 State St (upper State) to the Dessert section of the restaurant guide. They opened in October.

Today I added Yo a Lot at 7127 Hollister Ave in Goleta (near Costco) to the Dessert section of the restaurant guide. This frozen yogurt shop opened in August inside Albertsons Market next to their sister sushi restaurant Roll a … Continue reading →

December 15, 2010 – Bartending for Solstice at Pascucci 

Reader Tracy has informed me that Subway at 119 State St. (below the freeway) closed on December 8th. 

I recently heard that Olio Pizzeria at 11 W. Victoria St. has a “brown plate” special. If you are lucky enough to have your meal served to you on a brown plate (instead of the usual while plate), your meal … Continue reading →

Tonight John Palminteri and The Restaurant Guy will be bartenders from 5-10pm at Pascucci 729 State Street. 100% of everything you spend in the bar and at the surrounding tables goes to the Summer Solstice Parade. We will also have … Continue reading →

A new eatery has appeared at 436 E. Gutierrez St., across the street from the Home Improvement Center. Sunnyside Market & Deli is open for breakfast & lunch and has been in business for about two weeks.    Sunnyside’s breakfast … Continue reading →

Old King’s Road at 532 State St. now offers Pub Quiz (trivia night) every Wednesday at 7pm. Tim Duggan is the Quizmaster. Win free drinks, cash prizes and the respect you finally deserve. Admission is $5 per person. Nearby Mac’s … Continue reading →

The 5th annual Santa Barbara restaurant survey is underway until December 31st. To vote for your favorite restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries visit SantaBarbara.com/survey. Poll results will be published in early January and be on display in this guide throughout … Continue reading →

From December 20-24, noon-8pm your children can call 1-800-SantaBarbara (726-8222) to speak to Santa & Mrs. Claus at my “Accidental Santa” call center located at 1129 State St. #8. For details visit AccidentalSanta.com. Many thanks to SIMA Management Corporation for … Continue reading →

Sadly, it appears we lost a couple of eateries over the weekend. Chino’s Rock & Tacos at 714 State St., which opened in June 2009, has closed their doors.   Miss Saigon Grill and Lounge at 424 State St, which … Continue reading →

Kozmo’s at 718 State St, which closed last month after originally opening as California Crisp September 2009, will reopen soon as “Killer B’s BBQ and Bar.”

The James Joyce at 513 State St. goes through 10,000 pounds of peanuts per year. This works out to about 140,000 peanut shells tossed on the floor throughout the year. That’s a lot of sweeping.

This Saturday December 18th from 7-10pm they will be throwing a party for the Ulysses Dixieland Jazz Band. Ulysses has played on Saturday nights at The James Joyce for 13 consecutive years.

Many people have asked me what the odd looking squiggly-line graphic is that I posted above my December 8th blog. It is an icon commonly used to represent John Lennon who passed away 30 years ago Wednesday.

December 9, 2010 – Last night I took 82 pictures of the Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club Holiday Gala at The Savoy, 409 State St. Visit facebook.com/SantaBarbara

Add some holiday cheer to your holiday shopping. John Palminteri and The Restaurant Guy will be bartenders Wednesday, December 15th from 5:00 – 10:00 PM at Pascucci 729 State Street. 100% of everything you spend in the bar and at … Continue reading →

Being a computer geek since age 12, I periodically fail to refrain from sharing my enthusiasm for software discoveries. It appears I have failed again today. I recently found two great iPhone apps that I use a lot and that … Continue reading →

Mom’s Italian Village was a local institution for 62 years at 421 E. Cota St. It opened in 1933 and closed in 1995 after a storm caused significant flood damage. Though the restaurant has been gone for years the interior … Continue reading →

Like every year I have been receiving many inquiries asking if I will be publishing a list of restaurants open for Christmas. I have never bothered creating a Christmas Guide for the following reason: Unlike Thanksgiving where everyone wants to … Continue reading →

I overhauled much of the restaurant guide over the weekend to make it look better with the Firefox web browser. Most of the text throughout the guide had been displaying in a freakishly small font for years and nobody ever … Continue reading →

I added more information to last Friday’s story about Hook Burger Bistro. 

Last Thursday I wrote that Los Agaves Mexican restaurant on Milpas St. had posted notice of the pending arrival of a second location at La Arcada. Sources tell me that it is not a done deal yet and that no … Continue reading →

Montecito cupcakery Whodidily (1150 Coast Village Rd) has opened Whodidily World at 811 State St. in Paseo Nuevo. Owner Wendy Jones tells me their new dessert destination includes the world’s first self-serve cupcake frosting machine called “The Frostinator.” Next to … Continue reading →

The owners of The Habit, founded in Goleta in 1969, have started a new upscale burger business known as Hook Burger Bistro.  The restaurant, which opened at 1811 N Rose Ave in Oxnard in early November, falls in the category … Continue reading →

A celebration of female winemakers is being held at Jade Restaurant 3132 State St. to benefit Women’s Economic Ventures (wevonline.org). Cost is $90 all-inclusive. Seating is very limited; advance reservations by credit card required. Call Jade at 805-563-2007 to reserve. … Continue reading →

Reader Primetime tells me that there are only 12 storefronts empty on State St. now, down from nearly 30 a few months back.

Five Christmases ago I activated a new phone number 1-800-SantaBarbara (726-8222) for this web site. Much to my surprise I was flooded with calls from misdialing children trying to reach 1-800-SantaClaus (726-8225) which was one digit off, and, as it … Continue reading →

My good friend and Santa Center volunteer Harley Hahn maintains a special Santa Barbara Holiday Light Tour web page you can use to go on a free Christmas-light tour. Check it out.

More than 50,000 spectators are expected to line downtown Santa Barbara tonight for the 58th annual downtown Holiday Parade. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at State Street and Sola Street and concludes at Cota Street.

Reader Primetime sent me these photos from La Arcada. It appears that Los Agaves Mexican restaurant will be taking over the entire space formerly occupied by Stateside Restaurant & Lounge and Acapulco at 1114 State Street. The eatery plans to … Continue reading →