The Gleason Family Vineyards Santa Ynez Valley portfolio of brands (Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Refugio Ranch Vineyards, Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard) has officially announced the launch of food service at the hospitality group’s Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard, a … Continue reading →

Hi John, Not a tip, but a request for help. I’m trying to find a recipe or even an ingredient list for a dish I used to enjoy at Hector’s Mexican Restaurant, which was located in Goleta on Calle Real … Continue reading →

The SantaBarbara.com email newsletter debuted in 1995 when I started sending messages out manually every week with Pegasus Mail about a variety of things happening around the South Coast. In 2006 the newsletter was moved to Feedburner and at the … Continue reading →

You know Valentine’s Day is near when round pizzas suddenly become scarce. Rusty’s is ready to deliver some serious love to your favorite valentine February 11th-14th! Their delicious Heart Shaped Pizza hits  the spot – outlined with pepperoni and your … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Steve H.: Ciao, John, For the Crystal Ball: A trattoria will open at 1027 State Street, the former home of Tamira Indian food. This will result in side-by-side Italiano restaurants, as it is next to … Continue reading →

Hi John, We hope you’re doing well! If you’re working on any local Valentine’s Day dining roundups, we’d love for you to consider Carpinteria’s Little Dom’s Seafood for inclusion! To celebrate the occasion, Little Dom’s Seafood, the seaside sister restaurant … Continue reading →

Reader Annie sent me a photo of Crushcakes & Cafe at 1315 Anacapa Street that shows an ABC license application to serve alcoholic beverages has been posted in the window. Photo by reader Annie

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If Valentine’s Day feels like a fake holiday with just roses and chocolate, Rare Society plans to be the antithesis of that, offering fine dining with the one you love. , Brad Wise’s latest restaurant pays homage to the retro … Continue reading →

In May 2019 reader Don noticed a “Coming Soon” photo on Instagram for Dave’s Drip House, an ice cream and cereal bar that reader Walter H. says has finally opened at 193 South Turnpike Road near Vons. The new dessert … Continue reading →

Finch & Fork will host a four-course “Wild About You” Valentine’s Day menu in their recently redesigned space within the Kimpton Canary Hotel. The dinner will take place on February 14 with seating between 5-9 p.m., at 31 West Carrillo … Continue reading →

Acme Hospitality’s group of restaurant and beverage venues including The Lark, Lucky Penny, Pearl Social,  Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Helena Avenue Bakery, Loquita, La Paloma Cafe, and Tyger Tyger celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14 with holiday specials to … Continue reading →

The Santa Barbara City Council is allowing restaurants to continue using parklets on the street but they will no longer be free. Prices range from $3 per square foot per month to $9 depending on configuration. Current businesses may have … Continue reading →

Bedda Mia Italian restaurant at 1218 State Street plans to reopen in February. The downtown eatery temporarily closed after New Years.

Mexican restaurant Azul Cocina is opening soon at 7 East Anapamu Street, the former home of Arts & Letters Café which closed in April 2015 and was followed briefly by La Cocina, Smithy, and Somerset restaurants. I stopped by and … Continue reading →

Last August reader Terry passed the word that the Funk Zone’s popular Brass Bear Brewing Company is opening a second location at 3302 McCaw Avenue, the former home of Café Stella. Reader Matt now tells me that the uptown Brass … Continue reading →

Santa Barbara Independent writer Callie Fausey reports that South Coast Deli at 1436 Chapala Street, which opened in February 2008, closed January 20th because the landlord did not renew their lease. “At this point we want to focus on the … Continue reading →

Eureka Burger at 601 Paseo Nuevo has introduced a new menu that includes French Dip (roast beef, whiskey caramelized onions, Havarti, horseradish aioli, au jus), Barbeque Pork Ribs (slow cooked ribs, truffle corn), Chilled Salmon Campanelle Bowl (burrata, broccolini, heirloom … Continue reading →

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara celebrates its neighbors with a new 805 promotion. All 805 area code residents are eligible to receive discounted experiences–priced at $80.50–in The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Spa, both Angel Oak and San Setto restaurants (a prix-fixe menu), and the … Continue reading →

This just in from General Manager Miguel Flores: “Hi John, FYI, here at Moby Dick we are doing a Valentines Dinner for two for 89.99 per couple. It is a three course dinner with a bottle of champagne included. Reservations … Continue reading →

Ca’ Dario will be serving a 4-course prix fixe dinner for $90 per person at their 3 locations (Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Goleta) from 4- 9:30 p.m. on February 14th. The menu can be viewed online at cadariorestaurants.com or by … Continue reading →

Dry January and Black History Month (February) at Finch & Fork: Finch & Fork is having a Zero Proof Mixology class for Dry January, taught by Beverage Director Jazz Moralez, and later will partner with Uncle Nearest for Black History … Continue reading →

A Santa Barbara restaurant has joined the ranks of the most celebrated restaurants in North America. The Distinguished Restaurant of North America (DiRōNA) Award – one of the most prestigious awards for fine dining, has just added 11 new locations … Continue reading →

Reader David P. showed me an Instagram post by actor, comedian, and filmmaker Seth Rogan where he displayed a picture of the cover of the 2022 end-of-year issue of the Santa Barbara Independent. Rogan highlighted where it says “New Year’s … Continue reading →

This is part of a batch of news from early January: Reader Primetime tells me that The Ellwood, formerly Beachside Bar – Café, was pounded by the recent storm: “Waves that hit with a ‘boom’ damaged a restaurant under construction … Continue reading →

I have been taking care of a family member which has limited the amount of time I had to post restaurant news. A new batch is coming.

This just in from reader Mark P. I found out the Plaza Deli at La Cumbre Plaza is closed. Larry (the owner) and who operated this business for 40 years, told me a couple of weeks before Christmas, that he … Continue reading →

My foodie duties for the year wouldn’t be complete without summarizing activity at food & drink destinations on the South Coast. Undoubtedly this was a difficult year for many local restaurants as we emerge from the COVID-19 epidemic but some … Continue reading →

I’m 78 and lived in SB until graduating from Westmont in 1965. I returned 20 years ago and now live in Montecito. Can you confirm that a restaurant was on the south side of the 101 frontage road near State … Continue reading →

My family was looking for a way to burn off our Christmas prime rib lunch so we decided to go in search of Santa Barbara’s funky “Cielo Lounge.” And exercise we did as it was nowhere near where I thought … Continue reading →

Caya Restaurant has opened at 5650 Calle Real in Goleta in the former home of The Outpost Restaurant which closed last November after 8 years in business. AWH Partners has purchased the property where the restaurant resides and Spire Hospitality … Continue reading →

Chef Nate Peitso, chef/owner of Solvang’s Sear Steakhouse at 478 4th Place in Solvang has expanded the restaurant’s service and hours with the introduction of a weekend brunch and a weekend happy hour, the latter offered only at the bar. … Continue reading →

Reader John P.S. says the landlord for Five Points shopping center has posted Little Alex’s business name on their tenant list. And the map he sent me indeed shows that the former Fresco space is the destination.

This just in from reader Gary S. Little Alex’s is open or opening at Five Points, where Fresco used to be. Little Alex’s closed this year after decades in business in Montecito. I have not confirmed with the business or … Continue reading →

The Black Sheep “SB Brasserie” had a soft opening at 18 East Cota Street tonight to give the place a test drive and the years of experience by management and team members made for as perfect an evening as one … Continue reading →

Saint Remy, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant inside the new Courtyard Marriott at 1601 State Street near Arrellaga Street, is opening on Monday, December 26th. It will be available for dining seven days a week for breakfast, and offers small bites the … Continue reading →

Last January, Texas Tacos opened on the shores of Lake Pardall, at 910 Embarcadero del Norte, and unfortunately the eatery has set sail for calmer seas. Lake Pardall is a popular recreational facility in the heart of Isla Vista, California, … Continue reading →

Popular east side eatery Tacos Pipeye at 217 North Milpas Street, known in part for using handmade corn tortillas for their tacos, is planning to adding beer to their menu soon. Which leads to the question: what beer goes best … Continue reading →

The Black Sheep “SB Brasserie” opens Friday, December 16th at 18 East Cota Street, around the corner from Joe’s Cafe. This turn of the century historic building has housed many eccentric tenants over the last century including one of Santa … Continue reading →

A new restaurant, brought to you buy the owners of SB Sweets and City Hats in the Paseo Nuevo mall, had a grand opening today at 738 State Street in the former home of Kai Sushi. Husband and wife team … Continue reading →