John Bennett, from the family behind Brophy Bros., On The Alley, Benchmark Eatery, and Farmer Boy, offers some thoughts on the local restaurant workforce and how it has been affected by the pandemic: To Those We Wish To Serve Santa … Continue reading →

Evolving with the communities it serves, Gelson’s announced that it will be celebrating the grand reopening of its Santa Barbara location through May 23rd. The store is located at 3305 State St in Loreto Plaza. The beautifully remodeled and expanded … Continue reading →

Last March readers Steve H. and Brian told me that Monty’s Sports Bar, the dive bar at 5114 Hollister Avenue, in the Magnolia Center just east of Goleta (a region affectionately known as Noleta), had permanently closed and that a … 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 food and drink locations appearing in your future: Alessia Patisserie & Cafe, 134 E. Canon Perdido St. (formerly … Continue reading →

The Restaurant Gal and I enjoyed a couple of orders of wings (Thai Peanut and Lemon Pepper Rub) at 5892 Hollister Avenue, the new home of Wingman Rodeo which opened recently in Old Town Goleta. The space formerly housed Gimeal … Continue reading →

Le Cafe Stella at 3302 McCaw Avenue resumes dinner service on April 28th. Reservations are available via OpenTable and their website. “Our commitment to quality service returns with the an updated concept, slight modifications have been made to our menus, … Continue reading →

Reader Oxmyx inquired about new fencing around the building at 3052 De la Vina Street, the former home of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf that closed last July. Fortunately reader Leon quickly followed up with an answer: a new Starbucks … Continue reading →

Reader Josh inquired about the status of the South Coast Deli at 6521 Pardall Road in Isla Vista that opened in October 2011. This is the same building that is famous for being the original location of Kinko’s and (arguably) … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Aug: Whats going on at the old Cajun Kitchen on De la Vina street? They had bunch of balloons out front like a grand opening was happening.

Here is a list of area eateries that have permanently closed in the last year: February 2021: Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar, 500 State St.; Malibu Farm at Miramar, 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito (now The Revere Room); South … Continue reading →

Reader SB4Ever emailed me wondering if the extended delay of the opening of the La Sirena restaurant at the Cabrillo Pavilion, in the space formerly occupied by the East Beach Grill, is in anyway related to a lawsuit filed last … Continue reading →

Hi John. I’m hoping for some reinforcement on a trivia question that was started by my brother. He asked what restaurant was in the [La Cumbre Plaza] space where Red Robin was before it was Red Robin. The best answer … Continue reading →

Here is a list of area eateries that have opened in the last 12 months: April 2021: The Point Coffee, 370 Storke Rd., Goleta; The Revere Room at Miramar, 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito; South Coast Deli, 3534 State St.; … Continue reading →

The Lark and Santa Barbara Wine Collective celebrate the bounty of the Central Coast this Earth Day with a 4-course paired dinner event featuring Angela Osborne on April 22, 2021 at 7 p.m. Angela is the owner and winemaker at … Continue reading →

A drive-thru coffee pop-up named The Point has opened at 370 Storke Road in Goleta, formerly Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Brew Pub and the Storke Road Drive Inn. “State-of-the-Art on-demand machines create the freshest cup possible and allow customers to select … Continue reading →

The Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation Restaurant Fund in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation announced $500,000 in grants to 71 restaurants located in the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley (including Los Alamos). This new grant program … Continue reading →

Here is a press release from the Rosewood Miramar Beach: Rosewood Miramar Beach proudly unveils The Revere Room, a chic, all-day eatery helmed by the resort’s Executive Chef Massimo Falsini. Named in a subtle nod to one of Southern California’s … Continue reading →

Reader Elizabeth heard a rumor from a long time Winchester area resident that the eternally popular Woody’s BBQ at 5112 Hollister Avenue in Goleta wants to open a location across town at 10 Winchester Canyon Road, the former home of … Continue reading →

Santa Barbara’s popular South Coast Deli opened April 12 at 3534 State Street, near Ontare, the former home of Noemi Pizza Romana, Pizza Guru, and Little Alex’s. In addition to the new San Roque location other area outlets include 10 … Continue reading →

On April 8 at about 3 a.m. the Santa Barbara Police Department Combined Communications Center received a report of a fire alarm ringing inside a structure in the 800 Block of State Street, the home of Sushi Tyme restaurant. Santa … Continue reading →

Reader Primetime sends us the word that a sign for the all-organic Juice N Things has been posted at 4991 Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria, the former home of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf which closed in May 2020. That same … Continue reading →

Reader Ted says that 5892 Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta, formerly Gimeal Cafe and The Natural Cafe, is going to be a Wingman Rodeo according to a sign on the window. I’m told that they are applying for permission … Continue reading →

Last week reader Brendan told us that at Santa Barbara Wood Fire Pizza, 2840 De la Vina Street, all the kitchen equipment has been shoved to one side and you can see unclaimed mail on the floor. Reader Steve H. … Continue reading →

Edhat reports that IHOP at 4765 Calle Real in Goleta Calle Real will be closing its doors and reopening in the University Plaza shopping center, home to Albertsons and the DMV. There are a few empty spaces most of which … Continue reading →

Word on the street is that Cajé coffee house, already available locally at 416 East Haley Street, 1316 State Street, and 948 Embarcadero del Norte in Isla Vista, is coming to 811 State Street Ste. 1, the former home of … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Brendan: “I noticed worrisome signs at two restaurants in the De La Vina shopping center (home to Bargain Market, Jensen’s Guitar, etc.). New Si Chuan Garden has been dark for several days, and a note … Continue reading →

I am told that 370 Storke Road in Goleta, previously known as Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Brew Pub and the Storke Road Drive Inn, will become a pop-up coffee shop for a couple of months so that the property does not … Continue reading →

This month Rosewood Miramar Beach, will introduce The Revere Room, a new all-day eatery helmed by the resort’s Executive Chef Massimo Falsini.  The restaurant will celebrate the best of the American Riviera with a heavy emphasis on locality, sourcing primarily … Continue reading →

The Restaurant Guy is on a vacation touring the sites of New Mexico (Carlsbad Cavern, White Sands) and Arizona (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest). If you’re ever standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona be sure to try the nearby Turquoise Room … Continue reading →

Modern Asian Cuisine eatery Secret Bao, brought to you by the former Executive chef of Loquita, Peter Lee and former Executive Sous chef of Loquita, Felicia Medina, has opened at 1201 Anacapa Street, in the former home of Coffee Cat … Continue reading →

Reader Steve H. is spreading the word that the former Spanish Garden Inn at 915 Garden Street has reopened as Palihouse Hotel, Café and Bar, described as an elegant coastal hideaway in the heart of Santa Barbara’s downtown Historic Presidio … Continue reading →

Reader Brendan says the Sevtap Winery opened March 12th in the remodeled El Centro building next to the Lobero which was formerly office space at 23 East Canon Perdido Street. For the first week they are only serving Wine, Bread, … Continue reading →

Reader Brendan tells me that local wedding and events caterer Tondi Gelato has opened at 723 State Street, the former home of Wetzel’s Pretzels in Paseo Nuevo. Tondi Gelato’s website describes their business: “We make all-natural Italian gelato on-site, entirely … Continue reading →

4 Eggs & Pizza has opened at 1221 State Street Suite 10, in the former home of Scarlett Begonia which moved to 21 West Victoria Street, a building that once occupied Locavore Kitchen, The Nugget, Arlington Tavern, Hobnob Tavern, Epiphany … Continue reading →

Casa Blanca restaurant in the Andalucia building at 330 State Street closed as the pandemic began to unfold in early 2020. It briefly became the home of Yona Redz Queso Tacos which later moved to to 532 State Street. Reader … Continue reading →

What restaurant would readers recommend for Tex-Mex food? I am tending toward Rose’s. Any other current recommendations in this pandemic time?

Word on the street is that Malibu Farm, which opened with the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort at 1759 South Jameson Lane in Montecito in April 2019, has closed.

Update: “Our owner jumped the gun and looks like sale isn’t going through. Thanks! “ Original post: Here is a message to you from owner chef Norbert Schulz of The Nook which opened at 120 Santa Barbara Street in the … Continue reading →

Reader Primetime exercised his right to reveal that yoga classes by Divinitree are taking place inside El Paseo Restaurant which has been closed since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020. Photo by Primetime

Readers Steve H. and Brian tell me that Monty’s Sports Bar, the dive bar at 5114 Hollister Avenue, in the Magnolia Center, is permanently closed. There’s a sign up for its replacement: No Town Tavern which is not open yet.