Reader Steve tells me that East Beach Wines in La Arcada Court is now closed after having a retirement sale. Their phone number is disconnected.

This just in from Chef Brian Parks:

John,

We are very excited about Georgia’s Smokehouse.  Paint’s not quite dry on the truck so we will be launching at the end of this month and ready to commit to stop/events by the 1st of March. Follow our progress on twitter and Facebook to see exactly when/where we’ll be.

Georgia’s Smokehouse specializes in down home southern smokehouse BBQ.  We’ll be serving up pulled pork sandwiches, baby-back ribs, burgers, smoked chicken, mac’n'cheese and seasonal greens – just to name a few. We’ll be making daily lunch stops throughout Goleta and Santa Barbara as well as evening dinner stops at some very popular bars. We’ll be available for events and catering on the weekends.

Thanks again for mentioning us on your blog. Keep an eye out for an invite to our launch party in late February.

Brian Parks
Chef/Owner
Georgia’s Smokehouse

Each year I publish the names of restaurants open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don’t maintain list of eateries that plan a special Valentine’s Day meal. If your restaurant is scheduled to have Valentine’s Day menu, please post details for readers here.

See if you can help reader Karen find buckwheat pancakes at a local restaurant:

Hi John,

My husband is in search of buckwheat pancakes (not crepes) in Santa Barbara or Goleta.  Any ideas?  He had them on a bike trip in northern California, and loved them!!

Thanks!
Karen

Reader Ed writes about Los Gallos at 2009 De La Vina Street:

Hi John,

There’s a sign in the window saying the restaurant is “closed for renovations” and reopening date is not set.

Have you heard anything else?

Hope they are indeed reopening and not going under.  Same people own/run the Daily Grind as you know.

Cheers,
Ed

Burger King at 3707 State Street was dethroned last July and fast-food chain Chick-fil-A opened at that address today. Chick-fil-A is the nation’s second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain with more than $3.58 billion in sales in 2010. The eatery has 1,540 locations in 39 states. On September 6^th, 2011 The Restaurant Guy broke the news about their pending arrival. Hours are Monday – Saturday 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

As has been widely reported, Chik-fil-A’s opening was partially delayed by political opposition to anti-gay rights views attributed to the chain’s corporate ownership. That controversy was the subject of another protest outside of City Hall this past Wednesday.

A periodic food event named Dishcrawl has begun touring the South Coast. At Dishcrawl’s events ticket-holders visit four restaurants in one night, sampling each restaurant’s specialties and meeting the chefs or owners. It’s like a pub crawl but with food and everything is within walking distance. Tickets are $45 and all food is included in the ticket price. Upcoming events include the Funk Zone Dishcrawl February 19th at 7:00 p.m. and Upper Downtown State Street Dishcrawl March 5th at 7:00 p.m. I am told they also have a big event coming up on Sunday, April 7th called a Neighborfood, where they spend the afternoon on a self-guided tour of 8 restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara. A portion of the proceeds for this event will be going to a local charity. For more information visit dishcrawl.com.

Owners Jeff Appareti, Andrew Elia and Geoff Jensen have launched the Genuine Bread Company with a tag line of “Bread Worth Breaking.” The products can be currently found at C’est Cheese, Goodland Kitchen and other places across the South Coast.

Reader Steve tells me that Isabella’s Gourmet Foods, a boutique artisinal grocery, is coming to 5 E. Figueroa Street (in La Arcada Court). 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.”

This just in from reader Brian:

Hi John, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I stopped by New China restaurant [at 5764 Hollister Avenue] in old town Goleta expecting to get some Chinese food on my lunch break and it looks like the restaurant is under new management/ownership. They’ve changed their menu and now serve Mongolian style BBQ and Japanese entrees such as Teriyaki flavored dishes.

Marsha Matanick, manager at vegan restaurant Adama, 428 Chapala Street, tells me that the eatery is now completely gluten free.

At the end of February local chef Brian Parks, formerly of Coast restaurant, launches a new food truck named “Georgia’s Smokehouse,” based at 3400 Calle Real in Goleta. I am told they specialize in Southern Smokehouse BBQ and American Comfort food. They have daily lunch and dinner stops and can cater private and corporate events. For more information call 845-4854.

A new food truck named “Sam Choy’s Pineapple Express” has rolled into the South Coast. Here is a message from their web site: “Aloha, mainlanders! Welcome to Sam Choy’s Pineapple Express, the first rolling restaurants to bring the food of Hawaii’s most famous chef to the mainland. Our menu features island favorites like Sam’s slow-cooked Kalua pork sandwiches wrapped in tea leaves, Wagyu Beef with Da Kine sauce, and Maui Wowie Chopped salads. Our wraps and Big Island bowls feature Firecracker ™ rice and toppings like Kona Sunset Shrimp, Kalua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken and Ahi Tuna. There’s even fresh poke and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.” To view their driving schedule visit samchoyspx.com.

After a month of renovation Eladio’s restaurant has reopened at 1 State Street. For more information call 963-4466.

This just in from readers Krista and Tony in Goleta:

Hi John,

Hope you’re recovering well. The last blog post has become too clogged with well wishes ( a good thing) so any new news gets lost. When you’re feeling better  I hope you’ll report that Meat and Potatoes [at 4444 Hollister Ave, Goleta] out near the Creekside has changed into The Bourbon Room. Similar menu but the lower prices have been upped due to (as I’m told by staff) a higher quality ingredient list. We got some take out and boy the quality of the steaks we definitely excellent and we can’t wait to go back for a sit-down dinner.

Feel Better man

Thanks Krista & Tony. It appears that a lot of horizontal time allowed my body to repair itself. It’s good to be back.

The Restaurant Guy is changing his name to “The Rest Guy” for at least the next week, perhaps longer. He’ll be on medical leave because of an injury that occurred over the weekend and won’t be updating the blog for the duration. If you have a restaurant news tip please post it as a comment here for others to read. See you soon.

This just in from owner Steven Giles:

John,

We are now OPEN at Sage & Onion Cafe… Monday -Saturday 8-5

We also offer a program called “From our Kitchen to Yours” fresh made daily meals ready to take home and give you a stress free evening and night off from cooking dinner all at an affordable price of $9.99

sageandonion.com

(805) 845-4134

Xocoffeeandteabar.com

(805) 899-2462

5599 Hollister Ave, located in the Historic Kellogg Square adjacent to the Toyota Dealership.

Cheers John,

And speedy recovery..

Steven Giles

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
  Philly 14 E. Cota St. (formerly Little Cantina)
• Brasil Arts Café 1230 State St., in early 2013
• Brothers Restaurant, 3539 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez
  (formerly Red Barn Steak House)
• C’est Cheese
  Café & Marketplace, 831 Santa Barbara St. (Our Daily
  Bread)
• Chick-Fil-A, 3707 State St. (formerly
  Burger King)
• Chocolate Lounge, 15 W. Gutierrez
  St. (formerly Le Crepe Shoppe)
• Daily Grind,
  2912 De La Vina St. (formerly Taco Bell), in January
  2013
• Deux Bakery 824 Reddick St.
• Fresh & Easy, 5955 Calle Real, Goleta (formerly
  SB Motor Sports)
• Fresh Market, 222 N. Milpas
  St. (formerly Scolari’s)
• Hibachi, 1208 State
  St. (formerly East)
• Hoffmans Brats / Josie’s
  801 State St. (formerly Rocks)
• Juice Ranch, 33
  Parker Way
• Los Agaves, 2911 De La Vina St.
  (formerly Jake’s)
• McDonald’s, 4719 Calle Real,
  Goleta
• Mullaney’s, 21 W. Montecito
  St.
• Our Daily Bread, 2700 De La Vina St.
  (formerly Mimosa)
• Panera Bread, 700 State St.
  (formerly Left at Albuquerque)
• Persona
  Neapolitan Pizzeria, 905 State St. (formerly The Taj
  Café)
• The Pickle Room 128 E. Canon Perdido St.
  (formerly Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens)
• Unnamed
  eatery, 198 Coast Village Rd. (formerly Peabody’s)
• Unnamed eatery by Suzanne Goin, 1020 Coast Village Rd.
  (formerly Vons Pharmacy), in May 2013
• Unnamed
  eatery, 532 State St. (formerly Zia Café)
• Whodelicious Cupcakes (unknown address)
• Yogurtland, 5880 Calle Real, Goleta (formerly
  Blockbuster), in March 2013

This just in from reader Mica:

Hi John,
I just walked by the old Snack Shack [at 801 State Street] and it looks like a German eatery has subleased it. Hoffmans Brats. Check it out.
Mica

Montecito Journal columnist Erin Graffy has posted on Facebook that longtime McConnell’s Ice Cream owner Jim McCoy has died. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams was founded in 1949 by Gordon F. “Mac” and Ernesteen McConnell, in Santa Barbara. In 1962, with Mac’s untimely passing, Ernesteen sold McConnell’s Ice Cream to local Santa Barbara businessman, Jim McCoy. Under the McCoy family’s stewardship McConnell’s Ice Cream flourished and grew from a single retail location to include wholesale and retail operations throughout California. In the 1970′s, McConnell’s moved to its current headquarters, the old Petan Dairy Building, at the corner of Milpas and Canon Perdido Streets, and shortly thereafter the original scoop shop also moved to its current location at the corner of Mission and De La Vina. In late 2011, after almost fifty years at the helm, Jim McCoy and his family decided to sell McConnell’s Ice Cream to two long-time local families: the Ein-Palmers and Barry and Kira Fay.

Here are some comments on Facebook:

• Clyde Osterhaus Thayer – Sorry to hear it, Erin. Thx for posting.
• Kathy Barron Sawyer – Thanks for remembering him “when”. I was lucky enough to meet he and his wife for the first time at the Granada on last New Year’s Eve! I can safely say he at least heard the beautiful Santa Barbara Symphony play a fabulous concert just days before he passed! My condolences to all who knew and loved this SB treasure!
• Kate McDermott – I remember many an evening walking there as a family to have a special treat. He made a lot of people very happy!
• Victoria Lemus Smith – RIP
• Leslie Mangini – Thank you Erin. Yep, an ice-cream for an A. Heaven.
• Leslie Turnbull – Aw
• Gloria Cavallero – A true SB loss.
• Patricia Nicoletti Searcy – So many wonderful memories of that great place.
• Nancy Harrah Holley – Indeed!!!!
• Tim Martinez – Absolutely the best french vanilla!! Yes, R.I.P.
• Thomas Bortolazzo – I still have some of the wooden chips he would pass out for free ice cream cones. Always a big smile and a friendly hello when we met on the street.
• John Stump – He created the best commercial ice cream that could be found. He was a very nice man and I’m sorry if a comment of mine about his past affiliation with an extreme political org was upsetting to anyone. I worked for him as a teen and he was even nice when he fired me, ha ha… In the end we are all human and all mortal. RIP, Mr. McCoy.
• Silvia Keller – RIP…
• Kathy Kelly – Sorry to hear this. God speed, Mr. McCoy.
• Katheryn Duncan – Awwwwwww…Thanks for the delicious Ice Cream for so many years…………
• Scott Whiting – Both he and his ice cream remain as some of my best memories of Santa Barbara.
• Sharon Creek-Siewert – Oh Dang, yes, he was so kind, we used to stop by often, after church functions from down the road. I remember how it was the only ‘iced cream’ in the area where the cream would stick to the roof of your mouth!
• Nansie Chapman – Thanks for sharing Erin. Chocolate malts with tons of whipped cream on top.
• Phil Stephens – Jim McCoy was an all-around good guy. Always honked at me from his Cadillac(?) Lincoln Continental (?) when I was walking/running in the neighborhood and beyond.
• Brian Palmer Evans – Jim loved his blue 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham with 2BHAPPY on his license plate. I rented a space from Jim on Philinda Ave from 1981 to 1993 to repair classic cars. He was a good friend and will be missed.
• Edie Robertson – Thanks for the update, I remember him well, when I skateboarded for Sims, our main office was on the corner on the other side of Canon Perdido. If I skateboarded, freestyle tricks, in front of the Ice Cream Shop, he would give me a Peach Ice Cream Cone…..my favorite at the time, great guy, he will be missed.

This just in from the El Encanto hotel which is planning to reopen in March:

EL ENCANTO NAMES EXECUTIVE CHEF PATRICE MARTINEAU

Highly Anticipated Opening Will Unveil a Culinary Icon on the West Coast

SANTA BARBARA, CA (January 9, 2013) – Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. announced the appointment of Executive Chef Patrice Martineau for El Encanto. Originally from Troyes, France, Martineau brings international and national award-winning experience to the iconic Santa Barbara property, scheduled to re-open in March 2013 as the only West Coast hotel under the luxurious Orient-Express portfolio. Set to become a culinary destination, El Encanto will incorporate the produce and seafood of the Santa Barbara region into the wonderfully inventive French and Asian inspired “California Coastal Cuisine,” highlighting Chef Martineau’s experience in Tokyo, London and New York City.

“Following a careful selection process, we are delighted to have someone of Chef Martineau’s caliber at the helm of our culinary offerings,” said Laura McIver, the General Manager of El Encanto. “I’m very excited to develop a Californian coastal cuisine (with my own unique French flair), especially given the wealth of fresh produce available in Santa Barbara, as well as my own Chef’s Garden at El Encanto,” added Chef Martineau. “Complementing our menu with a selection of great wines, fabulous service and of course our stunning views, we will have a winning recipe for our guests.”

Chef Martineau’s menu will incorporate freshly picked herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s Chef’s Garden as well as seasonal produce and Santa Barbara’s famous sea urchin. Customized offerings will include El Encanto’s personal Holstein cow, Ellie, who will produce signature El Encanto cheese. Upon re-opening in March, guests will enjoy spring favorites like Dashi Poached Local Halibut with Rosemary Flowers, Asparagus Risotto and Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes. Year-round dishes will include Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine, Slow-Roasted Daikon Radish and Parsley Sweet Garlic Sauce, Seaweed Custard with Poached Quail Eggs, and Caramelized Santa Barbara Uni and Yuzu Kosho Whipped Cream.

Prior to joining El Encanto, Chef Martineau was the Chef De Cuisine at PETER at THE PENINSULA TOKYO, where he was first selected as the Opening Chef to launch the gastronomic restaurant. His former international experience also includes a two-year Executive Chef position at THE SAVOY in London. Starting off as the Sous Chef in 1999, Martineau quickly moved up through the ranks at DANIEL in New York City and became the Chef de Cuisine in 2003. Martineau’s colorful resume also consists of numerous television appearances on BBC, including a guest judge on the popular Celebrity Masterchef. With a Masters in the Culinary Arts from Chambre Syndicale de l’Aube, Martineau worked with Christophe Cussac from whom he learned the essentials of gastronomic cuisine and the skills needed to achieve the highest level of culinary skills.

For more information about El Encanto or for reservations, please visit www.elencanto.com.

Eladio’s Restaurant at 1 State Street is closed for renovation until January 25th. Thanks to reader Rob for the tip!

Emilio’s Restaurant at 324 W. Cabrillo Boulevard closed April 2012. The official word is that it is a remodel though reliable sources say otherwise. Time will tell. I took this photo today to see how things are coming along.

A little Honduran restaurant, “Cinco Estrellas,” has opened at 316 N. Milpas Street, across from the old Scolari’s. The restaurant is hidden away behind Milpas Liquor and the House of Laundry.  It is not on the street so interested diners must keep their eyes open for a small homemade sign leading to the parking lot. The restaurant is clean, the menu is simple, the dishes are made to order and readers tell me that the pupusas are very tasty! For more information call (805) 450-8023. Thank you to reader Chris and others for the tips.

Early I posted that Altamirano’s at 422 N. Milpas Street had closed. That was incorrect. They were closed for renovations and have since reopened.

Reader Sandy is looking for a place that does NOT have a special Valentine’s Day menu on February 14th. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment.

Dear John,

I’m as much a fan of Valentine’s day as the next gal, but on this coming Feb. 14, I’m hosting a UCSB speaker and we want to take her to dinner someplace that’s NOT doing a big Valentine’s Day scene, so we can like talk shop. So we’re looking for a place (maybe ethnic?) which isn’t particularly romantic, whose managers aren’t trying to attract the couples with stars in their eyes, and who aren’t charging an arm and a leg for a simple supper, etc.

Yours,
Sandy

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

• December 2012: Little Cantina, 14 E. Cota St.; Open Cup, 728 State St.; Sizzler Restaurant, 5555 Hollister Ave., Goleta; Whodelicious, 811 State St. (moving to new location)
• 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.; 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. (might reopen); Ultimate Bagels, 1226 State St.
• March 2012: Brothers Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern, 2350 Railway Ave., Los Olivos; Cafe Shell, 1112 State St.; Jungle George Grill, 5722 Calle Real, Goleta
• February 2012: Elements Restaurant & Bar, 129 E. Anapamu St.; Madison’s Grill & Tavern, 525 State St.
• January 2012: Kobachi Izakaya Dining, 4141 State St.; Rudy’s, 811 State St.; Saigon, 318 N. Milpas St.; Spiritland Bistro, 230 E. Victoria St.

Zia Café closed at 532 State St. in early 2011. Reader Mike tells me that he spoke with a guy working on the old Zia and was told that a new place will be opening there soon but the owner is not sure of the direction yet. The worker did mention Tex-Mex as a possibility.

Rumor has it that owners of the recently-opened and recently-closed Little Cantina at 14 E. Cota Street are going to launch new concept in March called American Philly. Their web site is americanphilly.com

Several readers tell me that Little Cantina, which opened at 14 E. Cota Street in late November, closed on December 30th. I am told there is a closed sign on the door, that their web site is down and that all calls go to voice mail.

Here is a list of food & drink destinations that have opened in the last year:

• December 2012: Anchor Woodfire Kitchen, 119 State St.; iGrill Korean, BBQ 3132 State St.; Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, 1024 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; XO Coffee Shop, 5599 Hollister Ave., Goleta
• November 2012: Little Cantina, 14 E. Cota St. (now closed)
• October 2012: Angry Wings, 6530 Pardall Rd, Isla Vista; Ca Dario Pizzeria, 29 E. Victoria St.; French Press, 528 Anacapa St.; Good Cup, 918 State St.; Hana Kitchen, 6558 Pardall Rd., Isla Vista; Itsuki Restaurant, 7127 Hollister Ave., Goleta; Pickle and Swiss, 811 State St.;  Pizza My Heart, 6533 Trigo Rd., Isla Vista; Relais de Paris, 734 State St.; The French Table, 129 E. Anapamu St.; The Habit, 888 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista
• September 2012: Crushcakes & Café, 6533 Trigo Rd., Isla Vista; Eureka Burger, 601 Paseo Nuevo; State & Fig 1114 State St. (formerly Whale Tail Deli)
• August 2012: Maggie’s, 1201 State St.; Rosales, 827 E. Montecito St.
• July 2012: Nikka Fish Grill, 5722 Calle Real, Goleta; Open Cup, 728 State St.; Snack Shack, 801 State St. (now closed)
• June 2012: Cafe Blu, 506 State St. (now closed); Fresh & Easy Market, 336 N Milpas St.; Hidden Dolphin Café, 217 Anacapa St.
• May 2012: Blue Owl Café, 5 W. Canon Perdido St.; On The Alley, 117 Harbor Way
• April 2012: Arlington Tavern, 21 W. Victoria St.; Chipotle, 3851 State St.; Sides Hardware and Shoes, 2375 Alamo Pintado, Los Olivos
• March 2012: Jersey Mike’s, 7034 Marketplace Dr., Goleta; La Arcada Bistro, 1112 State St.; Nardonne’s La Famiglia Pizzeria, 17 W. Ortega St.; Panera Bread, 3851 State St.; Presto Pasta, 2830 De La Vina St.
• February 2012: Cuernavaca Taqueria, 201 W Carrillo St.; Pace, 413 State St.; Starbucks, 210 W. Carrillo St.; The Pan, 18 E. Cota St.; Wahoo’s Fish Taco, UCSB
• January 2012: Boca De Rio, 318 N. Milpas St.; Cafe Equilibrium, 6549 Pardall Rd., Isla Vista; Cielito, 1114 State St.; Petros, 1316 State St.; Recipes Bakery, 604 Santa Barbara St.; Wurst, 20 E. Cota St.

Chef Jason Tuley has announced the opening of Anchor Woodfire Kitchen at 119 State Street. After successful restaurant openings in Los Angeles, San Francisco & Santa Barbara, Chef Tuley, has created the opportunity to provide properly crafted wood fire dishes. He is excited to be joined by life long friend and Chef de Cuisine Charles Fredericks.

The eatery features organic meats, house-made cured meats, fresh sustainable seafood,  house-made pastas, breads, pastries made daily, a full bar, hand-crafted seasonal cocktails, beer on tap and wine list food pairings.

Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m to midnight with Sunday brunch from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., the restaurant is located in the Hotel Indigo Santa Barbara. For more information visit anchorwoodfirekitchen.com.

Reader Matt tells me that Whodelicious cupcakes in Paseo Nuevo has closed and is moving to a new, unnamed location. Here is a message posted on their web site:

Notice: Whodelicious is moving. Our new site is under construction. Last day in current store is Friday, December 28 – open til 6 PM. Watch Facebook and our web site at www.whodelicious.com for re-opening info. We hope it is finished to open at end of January 2013. Thank you for the past two years to ALL our loyal customers!

My foodie duties for the year wouldn’t be complete without summarizing activity at food & drink destinations on the South Coast. In 2012 there were 48 openings and 42 closings of food-related businesses (with walk-in storefronts) across the South Coast.

When compared to the activity in 2011 the number of openings increased by 19% while the number of closings increased by 1%. October 2012 was one for the record books. For the first time since I began tracking restaurant & coffee shop statistics back in 2005 the number of South Coast businesses opening in a single month reached double digits (10). The most closings were in January and September (6 each month).

Openings in 2012: American (15), Mexican (7), Coffee (5), Dessert (3), Burger (2), Deli (2), French (2), Pizza (3), Seafood (2), Bakery (1), German (1), Greek (1), Italian (1), Japanese (1), Korean (1), Market (1)

Closings in 2012: American (7), Mexican (9), Coffee (4), Deli (3), Bakery (2), Burger (2), Dessert (2), French (2), Japanese (2), Fusion (1), Hot Dog (1), Italian (1), Market (1), Smoothie (1), Steakhouse (2), Vegetarian (1), Vietnamese (1).

We lost 4 longtime dining institutions that, combined, represent more than 100 years of service on the South Coast. They are Burger King, Mimosa, Sizzler and Taco Bell on De La Vina.

Most-Reviewed Restaurants: Of the 709 eateries listed in the SantaBarbara.com Restaurant Guide, these locations received the most public reviews during 2012:

• Petros, 1316 State St. (35 reviews) – opened Jan. 2012
• Casa Blanca, 330 State St. (21 reviews) – opened Aug. 2011
• Pace, 413 State St. (21 reviews) – opened Feb. 2012
• Panera Bread, 3851 State St. (20 reviews) – opened Mar. 2012
• Eureka Burger, 601 Paseo Nuevo (19 reviews) – opened Sept. 2012
• Cafe Stella, 3302 Mc Caw Ave. (18 reviews) – opened May 2011
• Cielito, 1114 State St. (18 reviews) – opened Jan. 2012

Fewest Hours: The Pan which had a grand opening at 18 E. Cota Street last February is open just 14 hours per week: Fridays and Saturdays 5 p.m. – midnight.

Longest Remodel: Emilio’s at 324 W. Cabrillo Boulevard officially closed their doors for a remodel last April and have yet to reopen.

Flash In The Pan: Eateries that both opened and closed in 2012: Cafe Blu (5 months at 506 State Street), Little Cantina (1 month at 14 E. Cota Street) and Snack Shack (2 months at 801 State Street).

Merry Christmas! Because this is December 25th I thought I would let you in on a little-known secret: an optical illusion that today I’ll officially coin “Rincon Santa.” This effect, that happens on the South Coast right near Mussel Shoals, makes it appear that Santa’s sleigh and reindeer are coming in for a landing. To see Rincon Santa you need to be driving northbound on the 101 freeway at NIGHT. As you approach Mussel Shoals, over the ocean you will see Rincon Island and the Richfield pier which is lined with lights. To the left and above the island you will see a series of lighted offshore oil rigs far off in the distance. At night time, as you drive north toward Mussel Shoals, the rigs can appear to some to be a sleigh and reindeer that fly through the sky then suddenly race along the pier. Rincon Santa is a cool sight to see and it happens year round.

Reader Brendan tells me that 801 State Street, formerly Rocks and Snack Shack now says “leased”, and a liquor-license sign in the window mentions a business called “Josie’s.”

The Accidental Santa call center went live today and will be open noon – 8pm through Christmas eve. Children can reach the center calling 800-726-8222.

• Here is a short video of the call center in action on December 20, 2012.

Update: Jordan Ecarma of the Santa Barbara News-Press wrote a story about center volunteers in the Friday December 21, 2012 paper.

This just in from the new Ca’Dario Pizzeria:

Hi John.

We have finally opened our pizzeria at 29 Victoria street, two doors down from Ca’Dario restaurant. At the moment we are only open at night from 5:00 p.m. and in the new year will open all day, lunch and dinner. We have about 10 pizza options using flour from Italy …. they include traditional margherita and tartufata, which is truffle cheese topped with shaved black truffles… there is also a spicy salami with fresno chillies….  gluten free is also available. The appetizers range from olives, salads and to meat and cheese plates etc. There will be nightly specials as well. We are serving wines (local and Italian) … and beer on tap.  It is a small industrial style  restaurant but still has the coziness of Ca’Dario.

Hope to see you soon… and Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

All the best to you and your family.

Dario

Lance Orozco of KCLU news (1340 AM) published a radio interview today that is being broadcast this week about the Accidental Santa call center that opens this Thursday. Children can call 800-726-8222 from December 20-24 noon – 8 p.m. to speak with Santa, Mrs. Claus or perhaps an Elf.

Goleta dining institution Sizzler has closed at 5555 Hollister Avenue. On September 13, 2011 I reported that The Radius Group had published the address as available for lease. I spoke with a person on site who told me that demolition is beginning immediately. I don’t know if that involves just the interior or refers to the entire building. Thanks to reader Primetime for the tip.

Ca Dario Pizzeria opened last week at 29 E. Victoria Street in downtown Santa Barbara. The restaurant is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The pizzeria is the sister restaurant to the Italian eatery Ca Dario located next door. For more information call 957-2020.

• Update:  View the menu

A chef originally from Santa Barbara will be featured on the Travel Channel on Wednesday:

Hi John,
My name is Tim Buckingham. I was a Santa Barbara resident during the 80′s I went through the culinary program at S.B.C.C. and worked at various restaurants in S.B. Brophy Brothers, Sous Chef at San Ysidro Ranch and then was Chef at the Wine Cask from 1988 -90 after which I moved back to my home town of Moab Utah and opened a restaurant, Buck’s Grill House. The reason I’m writing you is that I will be featured on a program called Food Paradise which airs this Wed. Dec. 19th @ 8p.m.(P.T.) on the Travel Channel. The segment features my famous buffalo meatloaf. I hope you can post it so some of my old friends there can catch it. I still love Santa Barbara and come to out every once in awhile to visit fiends and the old stomping grounds, in fact, I will be there the week after Christmas.
Thanks,
Tim Buckingham

Here are some menus from Anchor Woodfire Kitchen coming to 119 State Street (formerly Subway):

• Breakfast menu
• Lunch menu
• Dinner menu
• Dessert menu

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 The Restaurant Gal and I made hundreds of phone calls in search of the answer. In the process of gathering the data I discovered an interesting rule of thumb. If you can’t remember which restaurants are open on December 25th you have a 99% chance of finding one if you think “hotels” or “Chinese.” It is important to note that each location’s holiday hours will likely be different from their regularly schedule hours so you might consider calling to be sure they are open during the time you plan to be there.

• View the new Christmas Day dining category (92 locations)

A new restaurant named The Shop Cafe has opened at 730 N. Milpas Street, formerly Taqueria el Refugio, La Chiripita Taqueria, Chili Town, DogHouse, Mexican Grill and Fosters Freeze (in the 1960’s). Co-owner Scott Manser tells me the business is a “coffee shop and American diner.” Breakfast offerings include wraps, eggs, pastries, muffins and more. Lunch offerings include burgers fries, chicken sandwiches, onion rings, milkshakes and more. Hours are Monday – Sunday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information call 845-1696 for visit facebook.com/TheShopCafe. Thanks to readers Lisa, Danny and others for the tips!

It appears that iGrill Korean BBQ at 3132 State St (formerly Jade) is accepting to-go orders Wed-Sun 5pm-9pm and hopes to open the full restaurant within a few weeks. When fully open the eatery will have 10 BBQ grills and space for up to 40 guests. This message from Executive Chef Mazeo L. Frazer:

We are currently accepting to go orders only. What began as an experiment with the Uptown Lounge to provide to go orders for their patrons has now evolved into a small limited menu of to go dishes that are being served to anyone interested. The menu has been posted on Facebook and we have received more response from it than I expected. It is available from 5pm to 9pm seven
days per week.

On another note, as I write this email, the Building inspector, architect, and contractor are meeting at the restaurant to hash out the final details so that the build out can be completed. That being said, my hopes are that we will be ready to go in a couple of weeks.

I am told that Ca Dario Pizzeria at 29 E. Victoria Street might open as soon as this Thursday.

I am told that Anchor restaurant at 119 State Street, formerly Subway, hopes to open December 18th or 19th.

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.

I went on the tour and shot an HD video of the tour grand finale “Miracle on East Quinientos Street” – a light-encased home decorated by Peter Estrada at 1209 E. Quinientos Street (pictured below).

This just in from owner Crista Fooks:

Scarlett Begonia,  Santa Barbara’s newish boutique eatery, has finally launched phase two of their master plan….dinner.  They will be open every week Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30 to 9:00.  The menu is driven by the local farmer’s market, sustainable meats, with modern, thoughtful cooking.  This week, a few of chef Joel Huff’s featured  ingredients will include carrots, potatoes, kohlrabi, kiwi, mushrooms, kale and parsnip, in ways you would never imagine, in chorus with short ribs, lobster and lamb to name a few.  The wine list is small but packed with local and exclusive wines from around the world.  Reservations are encouraged.

Scarlett Begonia, 11 West Victoria Street #10        805-770-2143

Like many in this community I am saddened to hear that Santa Barbara legend Peter Sklar, founder of the popular Edhat.com, has passed away at age 50 from pneumonia following a fifteen month struggle with inoperable brain cancer.

Peter was a terrific guy, kind as can be, overflowing with endless enthusiasm. When I launched SantaBarbara.com in the mid-1990′s at the Pacific Technology Center in Goleta, Peter had an office just down the hall where he had just started his online business coolmaps.com. That’s where I met him. I so much enjoyed spending time with Peter talking about all-things-Internet over the years. Sadly I didn’t see him that often and my last meeting with Peter was when I took the picture below during the 2011 SB Film Festival. I didn’t even know he was ill and his passing came as a shock to me on Monday when I read about it on the site he created.

During our periodic meetings in the 1990′s and 2000′s Peter would talk about his desire to build an online community and he eventually succeeded wildly with Edhat.com in 2003 – the gold-standard for how to do it right. During a coffee chat I was lucky enough to be one of the few people he ever told how the name “edhat” really came about and he made me swear to life-long secrecy.

In the mid-to-late 2000′s, Peter suggested we meet at Coffee Cat where he told me he wanted to have all local news sites work together as a team, to combine forces for the good of the community. I told him “you’re huge, you don’t need us!” after which he gave me the classic Peter Sklar grin. Soon after that meeting I started submitting a special Edhat-version of The Restaurant Guy every Tuesday for the next few years until 2010 when a rule update (Peter loved rules) didn’t allow promotion-style content to be published (the Restaurant Guy fell into that category). I agreed with his reasoning and fortunately he let me break the rules from time to time when there was big restaurant news.

Peter was a giant in the local online world and Edhat.com won the Santa Barbara Independent’s “Best Local Web Site” year after year because it was and continues to be. Like many others I use it multiple times per day. Whenever an emergency happens, such as a fire starting in the hills, it is usually the first news source for much of the city.

Peter Sklar, you will be missed. You will be remembered. You left us way too soon. My condolences to his wife Sue Foley, his two sons, Nick and Zack, and the Edhat staff.

• Edhat readers comments
• Edhat obituary
• KEYT
• Independent
• Noozhawk
• Santa Barbara Review
• Doc Searls Weblog
• Craig Smith
• Peter’s Facebook page

Peter Sklar

Peter Sklar left, and John Palminteri at the 2011 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Over the last decade I have been asked why I run an annual Santa Claus call center, and why my friends take the same photo every 5 years at a lake in northern California. Though much of my day-to-day activities revolve around writing about the local restaurant scene, I have never been interviewed about it, that is, until Matt Kettmann, senior editor of the Santa Barbara Independent, recently came knocking on my door.

Owner Rori Trovato has opened Rori’s Artisanal Creamery at 1024 Coast Village Road in the Montecito Vons shopping center. Trovato describes her business this way: “We create organic ice creams that not only take you to a new planet, customers even credit it for making them want to be better humans! Personally, we just want you to fall madly in love with the passion, inspiration and pure desire we put into all our ice cream. Every ingredient in our ice cream is hand selected, local and organic whenever possible. We don’t use any bio-gastric, bla bla blas or flavorings; it’s all real folks! We use Straus Family Creamery organic milk, cream and eggs. All those cows eat is grass baby!  Sit back and enjoy the experience.” Hours are Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information call 770-2266 or visit rorisartisanalcreamery.com.

A new Brazilian restaurant and fitness spot named Brasil Arts Cafe is coming to 1230 State Street in early 2013. Chef Lica Sfredo will offer 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. For more information call 637-5355 or visit brasilartscafe.com or facebook.com/BrasilArtsCafe. Thanks to readers Chris and Bruce for the tips!

There is a discussion on Edhat about a rumor that says Le Petit Valentien in downtown Santa Barbara is going to begin serving Ethiopian food on an occasional basis. Is this true? Your guess is as good as mine. Thanks to reader Carla for the tip.

Owner Steven Giles closed his Sage & Onion restaurant on Ortega Street in downtown Santa Barbara in December 2007. In January 2013, just over 5 years later, he intends to open “Sage & Onion Cafe” at 5599 Hollister Avenue in Goleta, next to Sizzler and the former home of Deli Planet. Hours will be Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Earlier this week, at the same address and just across the hallway, Giles opened a new coffee and tea bar named XO.

A new coffee and tea bar named XO has opened at 5599 Hollister Avenue in Goleta, next to Sizzler and the former home of Deli Planet. XO is brought to you by Steven Giles, founder of Sage & Onion restaurant. Hours are Monday – Sunday 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information call 899-2462.

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

Restaurant Guy,

Please help! We are having our company’s holiday party in Santa Barbara this weekend and need a restaurant for Saturday night. We will have 12 people, and are looking for a classy but lively atmosphere with decent food and a full bar. We have a reservation on hold at Coast, but are looking for others. If you have any advice, I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks!
Casey

The San Francisco Chronicle (story) and Los Angeles Magazine (story) published news today that Fresh & Easy is considering closing all 200 stores in the United States. In the meantime, Fresh & Easy stores are staying open. The grocery chain opened a store at 336 N. Milpas Street last June and has been planning to open a second location in Goleta in 2013. Here is a snippet of news from the Chronicle:

British supermarket chain Tesco is considering closing down its 200 American Fresh & Easy grocery stores – 19 in the Bay Area – after they failed to deliver acceptable shareholder returns, the company announced Wednesday.

“Whilst the business has many positives, its journey to scale and acceptable returns will take too long relative to other opportunities,” Phillip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive, said in a written release.

The firm said it will conduct a strategic review of the U.S. grocery chain before making a final decision, which could include selling off the stores instead of shutting them down. Company officials say they have been approached by a number of parties interested in acquiring either some or all of the business, or partnering with Tesco.

In the meantime, Fresh & Easy stores are staying open.

“Our focus remains on our people and our customers,” said Brendan Wonnacott, director of Fresh & Easy’s corporate affairs. “It is business as usual in our stores.”

This 12/5/2012 update from reader Ted:

Hi John,

A bit last minute, but could you do a plug for tonight’s 2nd Annual Prohibition Repeal Day celebrations downtown? We have 6 bars participating–Marquee, Milk & Honey, Roy, Cadiz, Wildcat, Joe’s Cafe.

We have a bar crawl starting at Marquee at 530, but you can join anytime, or check out any one of the bars.

December, 5, 1933 ended 13 years of Prohibition and returned our right to drink alcohol, repealing the 18th Amendment. So we celebrate it with a pub crawl, vintage cocktails, and special deals at the above bars for vintage outfits.

We have more info here:
http://repealdaysb.com/

and twitter feed here:
https://twitter.com/RepealDaySB

Thanks!

Ted Mills