Monthly Archives: December 2011

Reader Sarah says: “Hi John. We just drove by the old Tapayec Taquitos location and it has a sign for Taqueria Cuernavaca coming soon.” Reader Adam says: “New restaurant alert: Former home of Tepeyac has a sign/logo on the front … Continue reading →

Tipsters let me know that the phone number for Cafe Zoma in Goleta is disconnected. I called Cafe Zoma downtown and was told that their Goleta location is no longer in business. Cafe Zoma Goleta opened in November 2010. This … Continue reading →

I called Rudy’s Mexican restaurant in Paseo Nuevo and was told that December 31st is their last day in business.

In mid-November I wrote that Eureka Burger will be coming to Paseo Nuevo in the old Ruby’s Diner location next to California Pizza Kitchen. I am told that Eureka has now put signs up in Paseo Nuevo indicating their pending … Continue reading →

I called Petros in Los Olivos today and was told the opening for their new location at 1316 State St. has been changed to next Tuesday, January 3rd.

Because the opening of the Santa Barbara location for Petros restaurant has been moved to the new year, the official year-end stats have changed: Openings in 2011: 39 Closings in 2011: 40

My foodie duties for the year wouldn’t be complete without summarizing activity at food & drink destinations on the South Coast. In 2011 there were 40 openings and 40 closings of food-related businesses (with walk-in storefronts) across the South Coast … Continue reading →

I am told that a new natural food restaurant named “Route 217” and a Subway deli opened inside the UCen at UCSB earlier this year. These eateries replaced Gaucho Cafe and Wendy’s. Chilitos, which closed earlier this year, will be … Continue reading →

A tipster tells me that “ANQI Bistro & Noodle Bar” has been taking a look at 18 E. Cota St., the former home of Cafe Luck.

I called Petros in Los Olivos and was told that their new Santa Barbara location at 1316 State St. (formerly Cafe Buenos Aires) will have a soft opening at the end of this week.

A new sandwich shop named Tony’s Market & Deli is planning to open in the near future at 27 Parker Way, which is just around the corner from Santa Barbara Roasting Co. as well as across the street from Yoga … Continue reading →

I spoke with owner Jeff Snyder who tells me that he plans to open an American cuisine restaurant named “Pace” at 413 State St., the former home of Momma Donna’s. Snyder, who has been a chef for 30+ years at … Continue reading →

Xanadu Bakery at 1028 Coast Village Rd in Montecito, originally scheduled to reopen by Christmas, now plans to open in January. The business closed in July 2010 after a fire damaged the building.

Downtown eatery Momma Donna’s at 413 State St. has closed their doors. The restaurant opened in February of this year, replacing Billies, which itself replaced Lettuce B. Frank.

I hear Lito’s Mexican Restaurant of Santa Barbara will be featured on the Food Networks ‘Diners Drive-Ins and Dives’, hosted by Guy Fieri, tonight December 26th at 10pm, December 27th at 1am and January 6th at 9pm.

Today I updated the restaurant guide and added The New Black BBQ (food truck), eBar (coffee shop extension of Nordstrom),  Costa Terraza (airport upstairs), Coffee Bean (airport upstairs) and Coffee Bean (airport downstairs).

I received a tip from reader Primetime and blogger/Montecito Messenger columnist Craig Smith that it is unlikely that Maggies will open this December as planned at 1201 State St, the former home of State & A. I’m told the interior … Continue reading →

Sources tell me that a new bakery will arrive in February at 1150 Coast Village Rd in Montecito, the former home of Whodidily.

Reliable sources tell me that new restaurant Petros at 1316 State St. (formerly Cafe Buenos Aires) will be opening this Thursday or Friday.

KEYT paid a visit to the Accidental Santa center and here is their news story about it. For the first time this year we kept track of where calls originated.  I put a red dot on a map on each … Continue reading →

The Accidental Santa call center launched today at my home which means things will be so busy you might not hear from me much until next week. Children can speak to Santa & Mrs. Claus (or an Elf) by calling … Continue reading →

Unity Shoppe at 1219 State Street helps fulfill people’s basic needs which can prevent homelessness and welfare dependency. They serve more than 22,000 people who are referred yearly by more than 300 non-profit agencies, churches, schools and hospitals. By providing … Continue reading →

“The Restaurant Guy” food news blog was launched 5 years ago on December 19, 2006. The first blog entry was titled Hello World. At that point I had been running the SantaBarbara.com Restaurant Guide for 10 years, silently in the … Continue reading →

Reader Daryl tells me that a few doors down from Ca Dario on Victoria St. a new ABC license notice has appeared for “Ca Dario Pizzeria.” I spoke with the restaurant and they confirmed that they plan to open a … Continue reading →

I have heard from a few sources that the recently closed Sweet Alley in Camino Real Marketplace will likely become a Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich shop.

While making the 694 phone calls required to assemble a list of restaurants open on Christmas Day I discovered that Pizza By The Slice in Paseo Nuevo had a disconnected phone number. I did some research and found out that … Continue reading →

Ever since Ruth’s Chris in La Cumbre Plaza closed last June, rumors about their replacement have hit my inbox fast & furious. The rumor I most frequently receive is Cheesecake Factory which I believe is false. The rumor of the … Continue reading →

Two weeks remain for the 6th-annual SantaBarbara.com Restaurant Survey of your favorite places for food & drink. The online survey runs each year throughout December and the results will be published during the first week of January. The survey results, … Continue reading →

This just in from Casa Blanca at 330 State St.: Hey John, Just wanted to let you know that Adam has recently hired a new Head Chef at Casa Blanca Restaurant to help with overall operations (cuisine and menu). His … Continue reading →

Sources tell me that Panera Bread, coming to the La Cumbre Plaza area, has ramped up construction once again and is in high gear now.

Sources tell me that Fresh & Easy Market, coming to Milpas St., added a bakery to their plans last week. I am also told that they finally received a building permit 3 weeks ago.

Reader Tony found another ABC sign. It was posted yesterday. It’s at Whole Foods Market on upper State St. and is an application by Whole Foods Market.

“The Three Johns” will again be bartending at Pascucci restaurant 729 State St. tonight (December 14th). 100% of proceeds from the bar area of the restaurant will go to the Solstice Parade. John Palminteri, John Dixon (Tri County Produce) and … Continue reading →

Reader Tony spotted an ABC sign that says “Arlington Tavern” is coming to 21 W. Victoria St., the former home of Hob Nob and Ephiphany. The sign was posted December 10th.

Most local restaurants and coffee shops are open on Christmas Eve. If you want to know who’s open on Christmas Day, however, it’s absolutely impossible to find a complete list so last week I made 694 phone calls in search … Continue reading →

I just received this press release from my good friend and press contact Mo McFadden: SANTA BARBARA BAKER WINS ‘CUPCAKE WARS’ Creative flavors and designs win Alison Riede the $10,000 prize Alison Riede, owner of the Santa Barbara-based online cupcake … Continue reading →

Super Cucas in Isla Vista has moved around the corner to a new location at 6527 Madrid Rd, the former home of Little Asia (and next to Woodstock’s Pizza). A few months ago I reported that this would be a … Continue reading →

Five years ago, in mid-December 2006, I activated a new phone number 1-800-SantaBarbara (726-8222) to be an offline companion to SantaBarbara.com. That was the same week I launched this food news blog. Much to my surprise I was soon flooded … 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, self-guided Christmas-light tour.

Pizza Mizza in La Cumbre Plaza celebrates their 10th anniversary on Saturday. Here is a message from Pizza Mizza: Pizza Mizza celebrates our 10 year anniversary on December 10th!!!!!!  Ten years ago we opened our doors at 900 N. Milpas … Continue reading →

Here is a list of local food & drink destinations that have closed in the last year: December 2011: Baja Fresh 3851 State St; Whodidily 1150 Coast Village Rd, Montecito November 2011: Deli Planet 5599 Hollister Ave, Goleta; Jade 3132 … Continue reading →

Cielito Taqueria at 1114 State St, formerly Stateside and Acapulco restaurant, will open up a taco counter this Wednesday. The sit-down restaurant will open 2 or 3 weeks later. Tacos and tamales start at $3.

Baja Fresh at 3851 State St. (La Cumbre Plaza) has closed their doors. The location is set to become a Chipotle early next year.

Reader Erica says that Xanadu French Bakery at 1028 Coast Village Rd in Montecito, which closed July 2010 because of fire damage, is under renovation and will open again the third week in December. Montecito Journal columnist Richard Mineards tells me: “I … Continue reading →

Reader Shawn says that Petros, coming to 1316 State St (the former home of Cafe Buenos Aires) has their new signage in place. If you happen to be in the area could you let me know if they have opened? … Continue reading →

Reader Dan told me that he saw a moving truck and boxes outside of Whodidily Cupcakes (1150 Coast Village Rd in Montecito) last Saturday night. This morning I called my mom, who lives in Montecito, and I asked her if … Continue reading →

The 6th-annual SantaBarbara.com Restaurant Survey of your favorite places for food & drink has begun. The online survey runs each year throughout December and the results will be published during the first week of January. The survey results, which cover … Continue reading →

Cafe Stella at 3302 Mc Caw Ave has temporarily closed because of damage from the recent wind storms. They hope to reopen Monday. Here is a message about it from owner Philippe: Hi John, The phones have been ringing non- … Continue reading →