Monthly Archives: March 2012

For my fellow geeks out there I took photos recently of what SantaBarbara.com looks like behind the scenes. This is the air conditioned, generator backed-up room in Goleta where SantaBarbara.com has been running 24/7 for more than a decade. I … Continue reading →

This just in from Miró at the Bacara Resort 8301 Hollister Ave in Goleta: Join us on April 8th for Easter Brunch at Miró.  Experience Easter Bacara Style with sweeping views of the Pacific while dining on exceptional cuisine.  Easter … Continue reading →

This just in from Leslie Thomas, wine consumption specialist: BYOB Wine & Dine Series Resurfaces at Max’s Cucina Santa Barbara, CA. – For all those bemoaning the end of the four-year run of wildly popular winemaker dinners with the unique … Continue reading →

This just in from the Canary Hotel at 31 West Carrillo St.: Kimpton’s Canary Hotel Invites Guests to Easter Brunch on The Rooftop Perch Santa Barbara, Calif. March 2012 – Kimpton’s Canary Hotel will host a buffet brunch this Easter … Continue reading →

If you have any suggestions for All for Animals, Inc. founder and writer Karen Lee Stevens, please leave a message in the blog. Hi John, Hope this note finds you well! I’m writing a feature article for Seasons magazine on dog … Continue reading →

I received word today that a new local dining web site has been launched: John, My wife and I are fans of your blog. This month we launched a local website called CentralCoastDining.com. The site features a lot of the … Continue reading →

This just in from the new Presto Pasta at 2830 De La Vina St: Local Favorite, Presto Pasta, Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary with Opening of New Location on De La Vina Street SANTA BARBARA, Calif.,  – Presto Pasta today announced the … Continue reading →

This just in from Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Paseo Nuevo: Please alert all your readers- Next Tuesday April 3rd the Ben & Jerry’s  at 305 Paseo Nuevo (Center Court) will celebrate Free Cone Day from 12pm to 8pm. … Continue reading →

This just in from the Culture Shock food truck: Hi John! Culture Shock will be available to the public starting April 4th from 11am-2pm at 5383 Hollister @ Mentor Drive by Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital. We want to thank all … Continue reading →

Reader Andre tells me that Jungle George Grill at 5722 Calle Real in Goleta has closed. It opened in November 2008. John, My wife drove by Jungle George on her way back from Blenders and said she noticed paper over … Continue reading →

A late night Sicilian-style pizzeria has opened at 17 W. Ortega St. Owner Ben Dougherty tells me that his family started Nardonne’s La Famiglia Pizzeria in San Luis Obispo in 1976 and that the Santa Barbara eatery is their second … Continue reading →

Brothers Matt and Jeff Nichols served their last dinner at Brothers Restaurant inside Mattei’s Tavern on Saturday, March 24th. They will need some time to pack up their pans, knives, and plates, but you can be sure that they will … Continue reading →

Sources tell me that Dennee’s Furniture at 3569 Sagunto St. in Santa Ynez will become “Ranch & Reata Road House” – a bar, a restaurant, a stage (for shows) and a radio station all under one roof. The kitchen will be … Continue reading →

Last Thursday I wrote that a Parisian pub named Le Relais de Paris is coming to 734 State St (formerly Ruby’s Cafe & Spirits Lounge, not to be confused with the former Ruby’s Diner is Paseo Nuevo). Sources tell me that … Continue reading →

Last November, while enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, the Rumor Machine popped out a message boldly stating that a business named “Pickle and Swiss” is coming to Paseo Nuevo. Reliable sources tell me that a business named Pickle and Swiss is indeed … Continue reading →

Last October I wrote that the Snack Shack is coming to 801 State St., the former home of Rocks. I stopped by over the weekend and noticed that their signs are up. I message posted in the window reads: “Fast-fresh-food. … Continue reading →

I was filling up at the Vons gas station in Goleta today when I noticed that the vehicle in front of me was the Culture Shock food truck. I wrote in January that they were planning to return to Santa … Continue reading →

Here are pictures from the Jordano’s 2012 Food and Equipment Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds (March 25-26).

This just in from Youth and Family Services YMCA: FOOD FOR THOUGHT: LOCAL CHEFS CREATE AN EVENING TO REMEMBER TO BENEFIT AREA YOUTH Reaching for Stars, the annual fundraiser supporting Youth and Family Services YMCA (YFS) will be held Tuesday, … Continue reading →

In January 2011 I wrote that Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant of Camarillo was interested in opening a location on the South Coast. Owner Brendan Searles was a co-founder of Dargan’s. Sources tell me that Brendan’s opened a second location … Continue reading →

This just in from Bistro 1111 at 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd Bistro 1111, the casual ocean-front dining destination located in the newly renovated Hyatt Santa Barbara has announced the addition of two new, limited time burgers, the “Juicy Lucy Burger” … Continue reading →

Considering that French restaurant Mimosa recently opened nearby at 714 State St. and that Pacific Crepes is just around the corner, it appears the 700 block of State St. is becoming our little French Quarter. This just in from reader … Continue reading →

A rumor running around town is that “Santa Barbara Cantina” will move into 416 State St., the current home of Sharkeez. Sharkeez is moving to 525 State St., the former home of Madison’s Grill & Tavern. As always, this rumor … Continue reading →

Whenever I take a vacation, like I did the last 10 days or so in Colorado, the first thing I do when I get back is try to figure out what changes took place in the local dining scene while … Continue reading →

For the first time since 1972 Burger King is no longer the No. 2  burger chain behind No. 1 McDonald’s. Dave Thomas’s Wendy’s restaurants became the No. 2-selling hamburger chain in the country last year, pushing Burger King back to … Continue reading →

Mimosa restaurant, which moved to State St. last November, is having a grand opening party this weekend: Hi John, We would like to announce Restaurant Mimosa’s Grand Opening of our State St. location, this coming weekend, March 23rd, 24th and … Continue reading →

The Restaurant Guy is away on vacation in Steamboat Springs, CO. Below is a photo I took today of the Steamboat ski resort on Mt. Werner. Winter weather has been perfect; think Santa Barbara with snow.

I am going skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, starting tomorrow, so you won’t hear from me for a week or longer, except perhaps for a few photos from the snow. See you soon!

If you have a suggestion please leave a message in the blog. Restaurant Guy: Help! Desperately seeking a great hot fudge sundae in SB. We need an alternative to McConnell’s and the other sites I have tried on your site’s … Continue reading →

This is an update to a September 6, 2011 blog. I received a tip that Crushcakes & Cafe and Pizza My Heart will be coming to a new housing and retail development called “The Loop” at 6533 Trigo Rd in … Continue reading →

If you have a suggestion please leave a message in the blog. Hello John, My fiance and I are getting married in April. We are eloping to Santa Barbara and getting married at sunset on the beach. We would like … Continue reading →

Reader Art and reader Kim let me know that bakery Montecito Confections has completed their move from Yanonali St to 1150 Coast Village Rd, the former home of Whodidily.

Owner/chef Jeff Snyder sent me an email letting me know that his new restaurant Pace at 413 State St (formerly Momma Donna’s) opened on Wednesday February 29th. Our family is blessed to be here in Santa Barbara. Our goal is … Continue reading →

Here is an official press-release from the new Jersey Mike’s opening March 14th in Goleta: EAST COAST SUB SENSATION OPENS FIRST LOCATION IN GOLETA Owners Celebrate Grand Opening with Free Subs GOLETA, Calif., March 8, 2012 – Jersey Mike’s Subs, … Continue reading →

If you have a suggestion please leave a message in the blog. Hello, Do you know if there will be another location for Elements Restaurant? My kids bought their dad a $100.00 gift certificate for Elements. We were so looking … Continue reading →

The Oreo cookie is celebrating its 100th birthday today. The first Oreo cookie was made on March 6th, 1912 at Nabisco’s Chelsea factory in New York City. Fun Facts from Kraft Foods: 100th Birthday: March 6, 2012 Birth year: 1912 — … 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: Arlington Tavern 21 W. Victoria St (formerly Epiphany) Ca Dario Pizzeria Victoria St … Continue reading →

This Saturday, March 10th, 7-10 p.m. the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center will be holding their annual Chocolate de Vine fundraiser at The Music Academy of the West 1070 Fairway Rd in Montecito. VIP reception begins at 6 p.m. General … Continue reading →

I was contacted by Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich shop and have been told that they will open their new Camino Real Marketplace location next Wednesday, March 14th. They will be taking over the spot previously occupied by Sweet Alley. Hours … Continue reading →

Savoy Cafe & Deli at 24 W. Figueroa St. was recently filmed for the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show. Reader Steve tells me that they are having a party open to the public tonight (March 5th) starting at … Continue reading →

As mentioned in the column last August 25th, Presto Pasta, located at 827 E. Montecito St., plans to open a second location at 2830 De la Vina St. This is the old pet store on the end cap of the … Continue reading →

Panda Express (represented locally at 605 Paseo Nuevo, 3849 State St, 131 N. Fairview Ave in Goleta and the UCen at UCSB) is testing a new “Paw Plate” offering at 56 stores, including Santa Barbara. Here is a press-release I … Continue reading →

Here is an update about Nardonne’s La Famiglia Pizzeria coming to 17 W. Ortega St: Nardonne’s will be open in the next couple weeks at Ortega Street. There were holdups due to the building being to code. It will definitely … Continue reading →

Today I added Panera Bread at 3851 State St. to the restaurant guide. Hours are Mon-Sat 6am-9pm, Sun 7am-9pm. For more information call (805) 687-7600 or visit panerabread.com.

This just in from Italia Pizza & Pasta at 149 N. Fairview Ave in Goleta: John, Italia Pizza & Pasta is now delivering hand tossed pizza, homemade Italian entrees, desserts and sandwiches to the Goleta area. Our delivery area will … Continue reading →