Monthly Archives: March 2011

If this is not the first time you have read this column then you know I like tacos. On a typical day I will have two tacos for lunch. Over time I found that local-only restaurant tacos (without rice & beans) cost around … Continue reading →

Today I added photos of Momma Donna’s at 413 State Street to the restaurant guide. They opened in February, replacing Billies.

Hello from my office at Coffee Cat! This just in from Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood: Hey John, Just wanted to let you know about a special that we are going to be running.  For the month of April we are … Continue reading →

This just in from Here’s the Scoop: Hi John, Here’s the SCOOP will be celebrating their 7th anniversary this Saturday, April 2nd We want to thank you, our customers and your loyal readers for their support.  As a special treat … Continue reading →

This just in from Los Tarascos – Goleta: Hi John, My name is Enoch Rojas, owner of los Tarascos Mexican Restaurant; previously Bakery and Deli.  This is exactly the reason for my message.  I wonder if you could let all … Continue reading →

I am fortunate to have a business that you can run entirely from a laptop, though I usually operate from my home desktop computer. Over the next couple of weeks I will be running SantaBarbara.com (and several other endeavors) from … Continue reading →

Though the owner and the Indy might turn my body into Swiss cheese for saying this, I am going to officially declare Zia Cafe at 532 State St closed. This is because Zia failed my 5-point restaurant mortality test: 1) Is the phone number … Continue reading →

IHOP – Goleta closed yesterday to remodel the interior and repave the parking lot. They will reopen later this week.

Today I added photos of Southern Mediterranean restaurant Cadiz to the guide and also scanned their menu. The entrees will change periodically so every item listed here might not always be available. 509 State Street has been through an amazing transformation in … Continue reading →

I received this email yesterday from Cafe Buenos Aires: We are sad to announce that we will be serving tomorrow and saying good bye after 19 years. I recommend to make reservations since we may be pretty busy, especially if it … Continue reading →

This just in from Greek House Cafe at 5 W. Haley St: Hi John, Thanks again to you and all our customers as we celebrate our 4th anniversary. We are pleased to announce the completion of our new kitchen and grill. … Continue reading →

I spoke with Cafe Buenos Aires on the phone Thursday evening and was told that the restaurant will be closed for good next week and will be replaced by “another restaurant.” A friend, who meets every week at Cafe Buenos Aires for Argentinian tango, … Continue reading →

I was looking at a map of the Verizon Wireless coverage area today and noticed that they have Santa Barbara listed as one of the cities slated to have high-speed 4G data coverage this year. On the map below, the … Continue reading →

Though the final closing party is Friday night starting at 6pm, there are three bands playing tonight (Thursday) at State & A Bar and Grill for another goodbye party. Here is a message about it from Steve Epstein: Bad news: State and A is … Continue reading →

I was at Coffee Bean 3052 De La Vina St last weekend having a chat with Richard Payatt, owner of 4 local Taco Bell restaurants, when we were approached by two girls conducting research for a class project at Peabody School. … Continue reading →

Join law enforcement is support of Special Olympics Santa Barbara at local restaurants. The Santa Barbara Police and Probation Departments will be on hand to “serve” a great meal. All Tips Benefit Special Olympics programs in Santa Barbara. The public is … Continue reading →

The Santa Barbara Daily Sound newspaper, where I have been writing a weekly restaurant news column for nearly 4 years, is celebrating their 5th birthday today. Congratulations!

This just in from reader Jennifer: “There was a yellow ‘notice of proposed construction’ sign near the McDonalds in the Camino Real Marketplace that said they are proposing to put in a drive thru at the McDonalds. I saw it … Continue reading →

Santa Barbara will soon have two vegan restaurants right next to each other. Alchemy Arts Cafe just opened at 430 Chapala Street and The Chamomile is opening soon, 30 feet away, at 426 Chapala Street.

A new restaurant named Cádiz has opened at 509 State St, the former home of Bricks Café and Casa Blanca. The food is Southern Mediterranean cuisine (Spanish, Southern Italian, Sicilian, Southern France, and Moroccan) with farm-to-table ingredients that I am told is … Continue reading →

Star Trek’s William Shatner is celebrating his 80th birthday today. Co-star Leonard Nimoy turns 80 this Saturday. (I’m a computer geek. I’m obligated to report this stuff.)

A new cafe and rental kitchen named “Goodland Kitchen” opens at 231 S. Magnolia Ave in Old Town Goleta on Monday, March 28th. Hours will be Mon-Fri 7am – 2pm. Here is a description found on their web site goodlandkitchen.com: … Continue reading →

A new vegan restaurant named Alchemy Arts Cafe open last Friday at 430 Chapala St. It is part of a new wellness spa named the Alchemy Arts Center. The cafe serves juices and “holistic cuisine” which includes primarily raw items made … Continue reading →

I recent heard about a business named Pink Velvet Cupcakes that sells specialty sweets online at pinkvelvetcupcakes.com. Here is a description from their web site: Pink Velvet Cupcakes is a catering cupcakery.  With over fifteen years of baking experience, our … Continue reading →

Empress Palace at 2251 Las Positas Rd is promoting a new restaurant named “Wok Wok Fusion” in their Axxess book advertisement and say that it is “coming soon.” I called Empress Palace and was not able to get further details about it.

This just in from Silvergreens: Hey John, Wanted to let your readers know Silvergreens on Chapala has a new Seasonal Dinner Menu every night from 5-10pm.  Norwegian Salmon, Cowboy Steak, Chicken Parmesan, “Green Fries” (made from hand breaded green beans), Mashed … Continue reading →

In a post last year I wrote about a law change that is being considered that would allow dogs on restaurant patios (provided it is ok with the merchant). I am told that at a recent meeting at the Environmental … Continue reading →

I recently wrote that something was happening at 2911 De La Vina St, the former home of Jake’s Cafe. Reader Richard tells me that La Bella Rosa Bakery at 1411 San Andres St will be opening a second location at Jake’s old stomping … Continue reading →

New Baja Grill at 7024 Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta offers a “Taco Tuesday” special from 4pm-9pm: 2 tacos for $2.99, 2 beers for $3.50 and 99 cent sodas. Speaking of Camino Real Marketplace, Borders announced today that they are closing … Continue reading →

Watch as Bagpipes & Greenies in the Santa Barbara Independent’s St. Patrick’s Day Stroll march down State Street yesterday afternoon then suddenly storm Joe’s Cafe.

Last night I joined Santa Barbara’s famous Happy Hour Housewives as they checked out Killer B BBQ and Bar at 718 State St. To the right is a picture of “City Wife,” “Party Wife” and “Wine Wife” along side the friendly founders of Killer … Continue reading →

February 25, 2011 – Here are pictures from last month’s grand opening party for Crushcakes & Cafe at 4945 Carpinteria Ave in Carpinteria

There has been discussion recently about the use of public streets in Santa Barbara for food trucks. Reader Ken sent me a link to the official Santa Barbara Municiple Code for everything you can and cannot do in Santa Barbara. Below … Continue reading →

NASA’s Messenger spacecraft will make history tonight when it becomes the first probe to orbit the planet Mercury. Since it launched in August 2004, the orbiter has made nearly 15 laps around the sun, flying by Earth, Venus and Mercury … Continue reading →

Reader Jill let me know that there is a new Gourmet Curry Truck wandering the South Coast named Culture Shock. They describe themselves as a “Gourmet Curry Truck serving exotic and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine.” For more information call 682-5636, view their menu online at cultureshocksb.com … Continue reading →

This response below from reader Jonathon. Perhaps I should make a section of the guide for food trucks? Currently there is not a page dedicated to mobile cuisine. Hi John, How come Don Paco’s truck hasn’t made it in the … Continue reading →

This press-release just in from Hollister Brewing Co. 6980 Marketplace Drive in Goleta: Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Hollister Brewing Company! Please join us on March 17th to help celebrate! Enjoy Our Irish Fare A La Carte…..Patterson Porter, Irish Red Ale, … Continue reading →

 The press-release just in from Canary 31 W. Carrillo St: Get Lucky this St. Patrick’s Day and Get into “MARCH MADNESS” on The Perch at Canary Hotel Santa Barbara, CA. March, 2011 – Get lucky this St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, … Continue reading →

On May 3, Starbucks is introducing a huge 31-ounce cup named the “Trenta” that will cost 50 cents more than their current largest drink, the 24-ounce Venti. Trenta has already launched at select locations in 14 states including California. Has … Continue reading →

There are a couple of categories I forgot to include in the SantaBarbara.com Restaurant Guide’s “Best of 2011” poll and one of them is Best Drive-up Window. Where is your favorite?

On February 14 I posted a story about the pending change of ownership at State & A Bar and Grill at 1201 State Street. Here is an update from long-time owner Gary Lynd: Hi John, Just so you know we have … Continue reading →

A new cafe named Peebee & Jay’s opened last Wednesday at 1007 Casitas Pass Rd in Carpinteria, the former home of Caje. I first mentioned their pending arrival in this blog on October 27th of last year. Peebee & Jay’s was founded by … Continue reading →

Reader Gordon let me know that the web site for Rudy’s restaurants ( http://www.rudysrestaurants.com ) is no longer active. I did a little research and – I could be wrong - it appears that Rudy’s lost their domain name early last year. I have removed all … Continue reading →

Youtube Video Blog: 150-200 people lined up to buy an iPad 2 in downtown Santa Barbara today. The first group entered the Apple Store to cheers from staff at around 5pm. UCSB student William Bourlier was first in line, having arrived at 7am … Continue reading →

I am hearing that the windows at the former home of Jake’s Cafe at 2911 De La Vina St are now papered (or frosted?) over. I have not confirmed that this is true.

I just received this press-release from Fox asking me to let you know they are casting for the new season of Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares.” NOW CASTING! FOX’s hit show “KITCHEN NIGHTMARES” Gordon Ramsay needs your help finding his next … Continue reading →

A television commercial for the Baja Fresh restaurant chain will be filmed locally on Friday, March 18. Baja Fresh at 7127 Hollister Ave in Goleta will be the restaurant featured in an advertisement for the new Baja Bowls menu item thas was launched in … Continue reading →

Here is a press-release I received today from the Wine Cask: New “Chef’s Counter” at Wine Cask Offers Personalized Dinner with Chef Brandon Hughes Santa Barbara, CA. March 2011 – The Wine Cask has long been known as one of … Continue reading →

From the organization that brought you Black & Blue Ball comes Winter Wine Down. Having been a successful event for a number of years in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Mid-State Chapter of the Musculular Dystrophy Association is holding the event … Continue reading →

Local restaurant manager Warren Butler plans to open a meeting and events center April 1 at the former site of the Downtown Brewing Co. at 3744 State St which closed February 2010. He recently signed the lease and tells me that … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Jill: Got a sandwich from Sam’s to go Hollister/Fairview and they have flyers that they are serving Persian food, (if you order one day in advance).  I took a pic of the flyer. I will … Continue reading →

Word on the web today is that Microsoft is planning to launch a new global music and video service called “Ventura” that will compete with iTunes and Pandora. It seems really odd that Microsoft would build an entirely new Ventura brand without … Continue reading →

Here is a press-release from the Solvang Visitors Bureau: Delicious Details Revealed for 19th Annual Taste of Solvang ~Dessert Reception is 3/18; Walking Smorgaasbord & Wine Tasting Walk on 3/19; Picnic in the Park is 3/20      Solvang, California, USA … Continue reading →

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: Brendan’s (location to be determined) Cadiz 509 State St (formerly Bricks Café & … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Liana: Just saw that Renauds in Arlington Plaza has expanded seating. They created a new patio area outdoors that has about 8-10 tables. Liana

Today Apple announced the iPad 2. Steve Jobs did the demonstration. Here is a summary of what’s new: The iPad 2 ships March 11, 2011 Same price as iPad 1, starting at $499 Comes with new version of operating system: … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Will: John, Walking to my car this morning, I saw a boarded-up building with an application for alcoholic beverage sales.  The notice said it was to be called Mullaney’s, and it’s at 22 W Montecito … Continue reading →

Santa Barbara Independent Food Editor George Yatchisin, in addition to appearing in the weekly print edition and on the Independent.com website, also has his own food blog, too, George Eats, that includes plenty of food-oriented material that often doesn’t make … Continue reading →

Escrow closed on the property in Summerland, formerly known as the Big Yellow House.  “We have had the Big Yellow House on the market for over a year and couldn’t make a deal stick until January 2011 when all of … Continue reading →