The SB Post

Storm Watching in Santa Barbara

Posted On: Friday, Nov 11, 2011 10:55 AM

While Santa Barbara’s seasons may be more subtle than the snowy transition occurring in rest of the country, winter brings some impressive weather to our coastline. There’s nothing like hunkering down and watching a storm move across the Santa Barbara Channel, settle in over the Santa Ynez Mountains and soak the city in rejuvenating rain. We’re expecting a bit of weather today, and here are some great spots to watch the storm move in:

• Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar – head to the Harbor, grab a seat at the bar and order up a bowl of famous clam chowder. Protected and cozy in the wooden restaurant, savvy sailors and soggy locals gaze out at the bobbing sailboats and the wind-whipping wrath of a storm as it churns the normally calm West Beach waters. 
• Cold Spring Tavern – this historic stagecoach stop has been a place for travelers to hunker down for more than 100 years. Low ceilings, a brightly glowing fireplace and comfort food that must have been invented on a rainy day (their specialty is to-die-for chili), makes for a perfect place to wait out the storm.
• The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach – jutting out over the sand and facing west, directly into the storm path, The Boathouse gives diners a front-row seat to the Pacific Ocean’s turbulent show. Just down the beach, surfers jockey for position at The Pit, and dog owners brave the wind for one more walk before the weather settles in.  
• Montecito Café - located in the Montecito Inn, this charming jewel-box café has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the posh Coast Village Road. Order a hot bowl of pasta, and watch Range Rovers rally through puddles and tony residents wrangle with their rain gear.

epicure.sb - 1st Annual Feast with Local Fishermen & Women

Posted On: Monday, Oct 24, 2011 5:33 PM  - 1 Comment

On Saturday afternoon, we joined more than 50 locals and visitors to toast (and taste!) Santa Barbara seafood at the “1st Annual Feast with Local Fishermen & Women.” Laurence Hauben, a celebrated local chef who offers weekly Market Forays, put us to work prepping local produce and fresh catch including pacific lobster, rock crab, Santa Barbara Spot Prawns, local urchin, octopus and more.

Indulged: Of course the seafood was the star of the show, and my favorite was the fantastically fresh Halibut Tartare in Cucumber Cups. Cioppino was the main course, and while we prepped, the fish stock wafted through the garden, emitting the most intoxicating aroma and setting the mood for lots of culinary camaraderie among the stand-in sous chefs.

Imbibed: You can’t have local seafood without local wine! Seth Kunin did the honors and provided beautifully bright, locally produced Kunin Wines for the event. A chilled glass of the Stolpman Vineyard Viogner hit the spot as the afternoon sun waned and the cooking heated up!    

Inspired: In between chopping, peeling and generally avoiding touching the slimy stuff, I got a chance to speak with some of the guests of honor about their life at sea, passion for their trade and challenges they face to protect their livelihood and the creatures that sustain them. Stephanie Mutz, local urchin diver (the only female, local urchin diver), marine biologist and president of Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, told us about her involvement in guiding our local fishing operations to sustainable futures. One of her projects is developing a CSF (community-supported fishing program) in partnership with University of California at Santa Barbara. Similar to CSAs (community-supported agricultural programs), CSFs allow community members to purchase pre-paid shares of the weekly catch distributed through scheduled home deliveries of locally caught fish and shellfish.

In a press release about the project, Kim Selkoe, a marine ecologist at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara said, "The CSF is about our local fishermen getting credit for the regulations that they adhere to and giving them a leg up on imported seafood products that may be illegally caught, improperly labeled, and potentially contaminated."

While the stories were different from lobster fishermen to urchin divers, the take-away was clear – know your seafood seasons and support local operations. Luckily for us, Santa Barbara’s access to fresh seafood is about as easy as it gets with the weekly Fishermen’s Market (Saturday mornings at the Harbor), many locally owned seafood shops and the new CSF program.

Here are a few additional photos of the memorable event:

Indulge, Imbibe & Get Inspired with us at epicure.sb

Posted On: Thursday, Oct 6, 2011 6:20 PM

In October, Santa Barbara's bounty brims with harvests from the sea, the orchards, the fields and the vineyards which deliver the essential ingredients that make up a deliciously rich month we call epicure.sb! No matter where you go - from Stearns Wharf to State Street to Santa Ynez - there are opportunities to quench your cravings for cuisine, libations & culture, and indulge in Santa Barbara's tastefully refined way of life.

This month, we'll document our epicurean experiences around town, noting culinary treats we Indulged in, liquid concoctions we Imbibed and cultural observances that Inspired us. Check back often for tasty tips to uncover Santa Barbara's culinary & cultural hidden gems.

It's not too late to join us! Reserve your seat at epicure.sb with special hotel packages, and check out the full menu of events at www.epicuresb.com.

Cheers!

epicure.sb: taste the very best of Santa Barbara this October

Posted On: Monday, Aug 8, 2011 4:35 PM

This October, Santa Barbara serves up another helping of epicure.sb: a month to savor santa barbara. Now in its 3rd year, this community-wide celebration has ripened to become the crescendo of our culinary calendar with 31 days and 75+ ways to celebrate cuisine, libations and culture.

To whet your appetite, here's a quick taste of the 2011 epicure.sb line-up. For the full menu, visit epicuresb.com, and reserve your seat at the table with special epicure.sb hotel packages.

CUISINE: Seasonal dishes, tasting events and winemakers’ dinners are on the menu at dozens of participating restaurants. Tackle the “Eat Local Challenge,” presented by Edible Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market, and brush up on sustainable living with educational events including cooking demos presented by Whole Foods and gardening classes at Fairview Gardens’ Center for Urban Agriculture. The second annual SOL [Sustainable-Organic-Local] Food Festival (Oct. 1) features exhibitors and vendors representing every aspect of the food system, a farm animal petting zoo, inspiring workshops and a chef competition. Join in more lively, food-centric fun at the California Avocado Festival (Oct. 7 - 9), Harbor & Seafood Festival (Oct. 8), California Lemon Festival (Oct. 15 - 16) and Santa Barbara Chowder Fest (Oct. 23).  

LIBATIONS: Wine, microbrews and spirits take center stage at dozens of special tasting and pairing events throughout October. Join the wine-country buzz during the Celebration of Harvest (Oct. 8), or stay downtown and go car-free with Santa Barbara Pedicab, offering special rates for Urban Wine Trail tasters all month. Celebrate the season with Oreana Winery’s Rocktoberfest (Oct. 1) or Carr Winery’s Italian Sunday (Oct. 2). Sample regional microbrews at the Santa Barbara Beer Festival (Oct. 15), and learn the craft at Whole Food’s DIY Beer Making Class (Oct. 8). Please the palate at Margerum Wine Company’s “Wine & Chocolate Pairing Classes,” and get loose at Wildcat Lounge’s 3rd Annual Mai Tai Tasting (Oct. 20).  Sip, swirl & save with discounted tastings and special wine pairings at area restaurants throughout October.

CULTURE: Feed your mind and soul with epicurean-inspired art exhibits, live performances and cultural events. Discover “Julia Child’s Santa Barbara” on Road Scholar’s multi-day, educational tour. Uncover Santa Barbara’s “dry” past at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum’s Speakeasy & Stills: Prohibition in Santa Barbara exhibit highlighted at a scandalous reception with whiskey and wine (Oct. 13). Let the artistic juices flow at with Pies & Paint, a pie-tasting and painting session (Oct. 15). Get out of your gourd at the Contemporary Arts Forum Pumpkin Carving Contest and Fall-Themed Wine Tasting (Oct. 28). Sip & stroll through downtown Solvang on Third Wednesday & Wine Walk (Oct. 19). Gallery hop at 1st Thursday (Oct. 6), a monthly evening of art and music that takes a special focus on the culture of food and drink in October at more than 30 participating downtown venues.

Viva La Fiesta!
A Local's Guide to Santa Barbara's Party of the Season

Posted On: Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 2:23 PM  - 1 Comment

The name says it all; Old Spanish Days Fiesta is Santa Barbara’s party of the summer with five days feting our eclectic heritage with food, drink, music, dance, rodeo and more. Wednesday evening through Sunday (Aug. 3 – 7, 2011), thousands of revelers will take to the paseos, plazas and parks to taste authentic specialties, listen to traditional music, watch Spirit of Fiesta dancers and celebrate Santa Barbara’s mix of Spanish, Mexican Native American and early Californian flavors. Read on to uncover some of the weekend’s highlights and pick up few locals’ secrets to experience the best of Fiesta!

• Pack a picnic for Fiesta Pequeña. The official kick-off to the weekend’s festivities, dancers step to traditional songs of Fiesta on the steps of Old Mission Santa Barbara (celebrating its 225th anniversary this year!). Families and friends gather on the Rose Garden lawn to watch the spectacle as the sun goes down.
  Local’s Secret: avoid the parking snarl, and ride a bike, walk or catch the MTD Line 22 bus to the Old Mission. It’s an even better idea if you add a few margaritas to the mix!
  
  
• Taste your way through all the Mercados! There are three Mexican markets set up around town, and each has unique specialties that should not be missed. El Mercado de la Guerra is in downtown Santa Barbara and is the epicenter for State Street’s merry mayhem. El Mercado Del Norte, by Mackenzie Park on upper State Street, has fun for the whole family with rides and attractions for the kids and the Crazy Horse Cantina for adult refreshments. On Sunday, the weekly Cabrillo Boulevard Arts & Crafts Show transforms into another Mercado with artisans from across California displaying their works. 
  Local’s Secret: Make your way to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (227 N. Nopal Street) where an unaffiliated Mercado is stocked with some of the best Mexican food you’ll find in Santa Barbara.
  
  
• Join the generations. Fiesta’s centerpiece event takes the stage on Saturday night at Las Noches de Ronda (“Nights of Gaiety”). Santa Barbarans of all ages gather at the Sunken Gardens to watch a variety show of music, singing and fiery Flamanco dancing, and all backdropped by the architecturally stunning Santa Barbara Courthouse.
  Locals Secret: Before you head to the event, grab a cold beer at Casa de la Guerra where the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation sets up a beer garden in the birthplace of SB. It’s worth the small entrance fee to kick back a cold one while soaking in Santa Barbara’s history! 


• Arm yourself with plenty of “cascarones.” If it’s your first you Fiesta, you may be puzzled by the dots of paper covering the streets. You’ll soon find out when you receive a bracing crack on the noggin – they’re confetti-filled eggs! It’s best to take the “if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em” stance and grab a few to grease your friends.
  Locals Secret: Do a hearty head shake before hitting the sack. While you can’t get rid of all the confetti that seems to find its way into every nook and cranny, a little proactive prevention lessens the pile of paper you’ll discover in your bed the next day. 

For the full rundown of Fiesta events, visit OldSpanishDays-Fiesta.org. And for more locals’ secrets, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Santa Barbara is Seeking Royal Ambassadors!

Posted On: Friday, Jul 8, 2011 4:49 PM

We’re a low-key bunch in SB with plenty of our own American “royalty” and celebs living alongside us. Nevertheless, you can feel a swell of excitement surrounding the arrival of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge tomorrow. Most Santa Barbara residents are probably skipping the polo in favor of a dip in the Pacific, but many of us consider it a high honor that our beautiful coastal city was selected as one of two stops on their California tour. If only Will & Kate just had a little more time… we could really show off all that Santa Barbara has to offer!

While we can’t convince the newlyweds to stay longer, we’re hoping our Facebook fans can help us persuade them to make a vow to return. Each week, we’re asking fans to post Santa Barbara advice to Will & Kate on our wall. What should they have seen, experienced, tasted, remembered? Each Friday, we crown the fan with the best tips as our Santa Barbara Royal Ambassador; the Ambassador is bestowed our Royal Badge to wear with honor and added to our lineage of past Ambassadors.

For more details about the Santa Barbara Royal Ambassador program, become a Santa Barbara fan on Facebook and check out our special tab here: http://on.fb.me/SBRoyalAmb​assador. Join Santa Barbara’s Royal Summer at SBRoyalSummer.com where you reserve your own royal treatment!

Sunshine Celebrations Are in Santa Barbara’s Forecast!

Posted On: Friday, Jun 10, 2011 1:49 PM

"June gloom" got you down today? Sunshine celebrations are in our extended forecast! The weekend of June 25 & 26 is shaping up to be a fabulous fête of Santa Barbara's best assets: summer sun, local wines and organic cuisine. Here are three great events to put on your calendar:

• Summer Solstice Parade (June 24 – 26) – We take our sunshine seriously in Santa Barbara, and our annual Summer Solstice celebration is the largest, single-day arts event in the county, drawing crowds of over 100,000 dressed-up sun lovers. This year, for the first time ever, the festivities are stretching to include three days, kicking off with an afternoon of music in Alameda Park. Enjoy the eclectic parade, live music, arts and crafts, children's activities and more as the entire city gets loose for some fresh-air fun! http://bit.ly/gTjmv6
• Annual Santa Barbara Wine Festival™ (June 25, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.) - Swirl, sip and savor Santa Barbara wines at this alfresco event where 70 Central Coast wineries pour tastings alongside savory and sweet culinary delights. A summertime favorite, the festival takes place at the picturesque Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History under a canopy of oak trees and among wooded walking trails. http://bit.ly/fmSSS8
• Feast in the Field (June 25, 5 p.m.) – At this first-time event, Stolpman Vineyards, Palmina Winery and Santa Barbara Winery are uncorking their Italian varietals for “Feast in the Field” on June 25. Join in the epicurean fun at what is sure to become a classic Wine Country soiree. Enjoy side-by-side wine tasting, organic local cuisine and good times under a 300-year-old oak tree at Stolpman Vineyards. An added bonus, the $55-per-person ticket price includes complimentary tastings at all three wineries throughout the weekend. http://bit.ly/l7cn8w

Need more excuses to escape to Santa Barbara? Browse our Calendar of Events, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for last-minute deals and drive-worthy events.

Only-in-SB Father’s Day Fun

Posted On: Friday, Jun 3, 2011 11:15 AM

Father’s Day is coming up on June 19. Instead of the usual necktie, treat dad to a memorable only-in-Santa-Barbara experience. We have plenty of father-friendly outdoor adventure, food-and-wine (and beer) fun and unique ways to impress dear ol’ dad! Here are just a few ideas for Father’s Day experiences and gifts:

• Tough Guy Wine Tasting – For an ideal day out with dad, Cloud Climbers' "Back-Country Wine Tour" combines off-roading in a classic, custom CJ8 Scrambler with stops at four wineries and a no-frills picnic lunch. Or skip the wine and stick to the dirt on the “It’s a Blast Mountain Tour,” a four-hour mountain adventure including trap shooting, a short hike and a stop at Cold Springs Tavern to toast the day with a brew.
• Brew Cruise – Check out Santa Barbara’s microbrew scene with Santa Barbara Beer Tours and learn something along the way. Cruise to three breweries (Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, Hollister Brewing Company and Island Brewing Company) for tastings and behind-the-scenes production tours. Full lunch and a souvenir glass is included in the $80/person pricetag. Want to celebrate dad early? Grab a pair of tickets to the 2nd Annual Zoo Brew on June 11 when the Santa Barbara Zoo hosts 20+ local and regional breweries for an afternoon of tastings and animal encounters.
• Book Him at Bootcamp - Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort presents their first annual "BBQ Bootcamp" Oct. 27-30, 2011, with special guest Grillmaster and Hitching Post II owner Frank Ostini. During this three-night, four-day program, guests will hone their grilling skills, gain grilling confidence and learn the ins-and-outs of Santa Maria-style BBQ. There’s also horseback riding, golf and visits to the spa. In the evenings, local guest chefs and winemakers will man the grills, and guests can sit back and taste some of the rich varietals for which the Santa Ynez wine region is known. The package includes studio accommodation with wood burning fireplace for three nights, welcome basket with Western-style weekend amenities, all meals and special dinners with local celebrity chefs, winemakers and brew masters and more.
• Dine with Diversions – Santa Barbara has tons of restaurants with great food and fun games. Take dad to locals’ favorite Arnoldi’s Café for Italian eats and bocce ball on their full court. Or belly up to Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant for delicious traditional fare, live music and an entire room of darts, pool and more! Just thirsty? Head to the Carr Winery tasting room (on the Urban Wine Trail), and sip local vintages while playing shuffle board.
  
• Paddle Battle - Get stoked on Stand-Up Paddle Surfing with one of our many outfitters. Or take the adventure up a notch (or two!), and book a guided Channel Islands kayak excursion with Adventure Company of Santa Barbara or Channel Islands Outfitters, whose knowledgeable guides will fill you in on the island habitat and marine life while you paddle. Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, is considered the "Galapagos of North America" because of its pristine, isolated setting, which is home to over 150 unique species.

SB Brew Buzz

Posted On: Friday, May 20, 2011 5:57 PM

Memorial Day and summer’s start are just around the corner, and with longer, hotter days, it feels like time to crack open a cold one! We might be known for buttery chardonnays and earthy pinot noirs, but Santa Barbara is home to some stellar local breweries. Seven in fact…

On the south side, Carpinteria is home to Island Brewing Company, a production facility and tasting room with a sea breeze and an ocean view. Union Ale, The Brew House and Santa Barbara Brewing Company are lively, full service restaurants pouring their own beers as well as international brews. Telegraph Brewing Company, which made Wine Enthusiast’s list of top 25 beers in 2010, has a tasting room in SoCo (south of Cota Street) and is sold in select markets and served in local restaurants and bars. New on the scene, Corks n’ Crowns is a combo wine-tasting/beer-tasting room in the Funk Zone and a great stop for a palate cleanser when you’re cruising the Urban Wine Trail. Always hopping Hollister Brewing Company opened its doors in May 2007 in Goleta and offers gastropub fare best washed down with beers made onsite. And in Buellton, Firestone-Walker Brewery’s Taproom restaurant features their four award-winning beers, in addition to four alternating beers, on tap.

Cheers to a hot summer and cold beers!

2nd Annual CycleMAYnia in Santa Barbara

Posted On: Monday, May 16, 2011 2:00 PM  - 2 Comments

Santa Barbara has amazing cycling. Don’t believe us? Just ask the international professional cyclists who train here every winter. But you don’t have to be of the “Tour” caliber to enjoy our rides - two-wheeled fun comes in all speeds and slopes from leg-burning climbs and adrenaline-pumping descents to easy-cruising bike paths and traffic-free, scenic routes.

With longer days and warm weather, May is the perfect time to get on a bike and peddle around SB. And every May since 1994, the Bicycle Coalition, the City of Santa Barbara and Traffic Solutions have put together events to celebrate cycling in our coastal community. Now in its second year, CycleMAYnia is a 30-day fest bringing everyone from seasoned cyclists to first-time peddlers together for fun events like tomorrow’s Bike to School Day and Green Drinks at Carr Winery.  A centerpiece event of the month, the Amgen Tour of California comes to Santa Barbara County on May 20 for the “Race of Truth,” a high-speed time trial in downtown Solvang where more than 120 top cyclists race against the clock on the closed course.

So if you haven’t gotten in on the CycleMAYnia action this May, catch one of the remaining events, many which extend into June. Become a fan of CycleMAYnia on Facebook to keep up with the pack, and follow their chatter on Twitter.  

See you on the road!