805 Living December 2017 by 805 Living

DEC E M BE R 2017

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

Experience a California Closets system custom designed specifically for you and the way you live. Visit us online today to arrange for a complimentary in-home design consultation.

800.274.6754 SANTA BAR BARA

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SANTA M O N I CA - Coming Soon

W E ST H O LLYWO O D

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W E STLAK E VI LLAG E

A single grape variety. A single vineyard. A single block.

A singular wine.

93 PASO ROBLES

2015

EDITOR’S CHOICE

POINTS

Join us in celebrating Paso Robles’ history & heritage with the special release of our D Block Zinfandel as we kick off our 30th vintage.

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celebrate under the stars

lightsculptures The functionality of lighting with the intrinsic qualities of art give your room something to say. Handmade by artist Timothy J. Ferrie Studio: 31200 La Baya, Suite 305 Westlake Village, CA 91362 Email: tjferrie@me.com 805/276-5655 www.tjferrie.com

VISIT TASTE RELAX Jerry Lohr helped pioneer Paso Robles Wine Country. For 25 years, our J. Lohr Paso Robles Wine Center has been an iconic, “must stop” for visitors. Warm hospitality. Fun, never stuffy wine education. And, of course, awardwinning vintages – many, like our Gesture Rhône-style releases available only here, “at the source.” Stop by and see why J. Lohr is Paso Robles. TASTING DAILY 10AM - 5PM

6169 AIRPORT ROAD (Off Hwy 46 East)

PASO ROBLES, CA 805.239.8900 | JLOHR.COM

Home...

for the holidays

We hope the holidays bring you peace and joy! BHHSCALHOMES.COM

THOUSAND OAKS

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

CHANNEL ISLANDS

CAMARILLO

©2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

MOORPARK

inspire • design • build

Arteriors Home • Bradington Young • Global Views • John-Richard Lisa Taylor Designs • Palecek • Rene Cazares • Worlds Away

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SAN YSIDRO RANCH

More awards than any other hotel/resort in the United States.

#1 Favorite Leisure Hotel Anywhere in the world ... Forbes #1 Resort in the United States ... Travel + Leisure #1 Top 20 U.S. Hideaways ... Andrew Harper #1 America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants ... Wine Enthusiast #1 Top 20 Food + Wine Resorts ... Andrew Harper #1 Most Romantic Restaurant ... Santa Barbara News-Press #1 Diner’s Choice ... Open Table Grand Award - Stonehouse Restaurant ... Wine Spectator Hall of Fame Award ... TripAdvisor 900 SAN YSIDRO LANE, SANTA BARBARA, CA 805-565-1700

Contents D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 • T H E H O L I DAY I S S U E

Starry Night: Afghan briolette tourmaline (63.99 carats total), accented by intense blue zircons (12.96 carats total) and diamonds (1.61 carats total) set in platinum (price upon request); Silverhorn at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, silverhorn.com. Turn to page 84 for more dazzling looks.

FEATURES 76 Gifted

Produced by Frances Ryan and Carmen Juarez-Leiva

Night Moves

Get the party started in glorious style. Photographs by Gar y Moss

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

GARY MOSS; COVER: © ALITA ONG/STOCKSY UNITED

50 Nifty presents to delight everyone on your list.

THE DAY-DATE 40 The international symbol of performance and success, reinterpreted with a modernized design and a new-generation mechanical movement. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 40 IN PLATINUM

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oyster perpetual and day-date are ® trademarks.

Contents

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 • T H E H O L I DAY I S S U E

39 42

44 Good Deeds

DEPARTMENTS Pulse

Mind Body Soul

Finds

Get glam for the holidays with these low-to-no-downtime beauty fixes.

33 Tracking the Beat of the 805 39 Gold Fever Dazzle dinner guests this holiday with gilded tableware. By Jennie Nunn

42 Crimson Tidings

Spread good cheer with rich shades of red.

By Frances Ryan

44 Travel By Erin Rottman

48 Beverly Hills

By Heidi Dvorak

Insider By Heidi Dvorak

52 54 57 59 59

Local Events & Family Fun Hot Ticket Show Your Support Worth a Drive Give Back

60 Turnaround Treatments

By Linda Kossoff

Arts & Culture

62 Reflections in Silver

Leslie Lewis Sigler calls upon dining utensils to serve up her unique still life portraits. By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Services, Kiwanis Conejo Valley, Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation By Mark Langton Photographs by Mark Langton and Michael Garcia Photography

Taste

90 FOOD: Cinnamon Roll Redux The warm, spiced flavors of the beloved breakfast hero find their way into three tasty recipes. By Jaime Lewis

94 SPIRITS: Ruby Sippers

Keep things merry with these five festive red-hued cocktails. By Shauna Burke

Faces in the Crowd 66 Karen Earp

As general manager of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, this seasoned hospitality-industry veteran celebrates the historic property’s 90th year. By Nancy Ransohoff Photograph by Gary Moss

Upgrades

69 Making Spirits Bright

Chic bar cabinets take cocktail hour to new heights. By Frances Ryan

72 Interface Children & Family

98 DINING OUT: High-Flying Dining Blackbird restaurant takes off at the Hotel Californian as executive chef Alex La Motte’s imaginative cuisine rekindles Santa Barbara’s dining scene. By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

102 Dining Guide

P.S. Sketchpad

120

Santa Pause Holiday Respites in the 805 By Greg Clarke

In Every Issue

18 Editor’s Note 22 Masthead 28 Behind the Scenes

Visit Us Online! 805living.com Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest keyword: 805Living Check out the free digital version of 805 Living on our website and on issuu.com. It’s smartphone and tablet compatible. Become an 805 Living Insider! Sign up to receive “The Insider,” our free mid-month newsletter that provides additional suggestions for local events and activities, last-minute getaway ideas, and little extras—like food and wine tips—to help you get through the month. Insiders will also receive special offers, contest news, event invitations, and more. Subscribe at 805living.com.

62: GARY MOSS; 44: VAIL RESORTS

Beauty. Warmth. Comfort. (Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we do best.)

I N T ERIOR D ESIG N | R EM AR KAB LE R ESO URC ES

Left to right: Kristen Love, Genaro Lagdameo, Karen Shoener, Marcella Van Huisen, Carla Padour

960 South Westlake Blvd., Suite #6, Westlake Village (805) 418-1890 www.InteriorDesignWestlake.com

Barry Garapedian

Seth Haye

Top 400 Advisors in America

Forbes Top Next-Gen Advisor

—Financial Times

(#2 in CA and #16 in USA)

FRONT, LEFT: Seth Haye: Executive Director, Financial Advisor; Barry Garapedian:

Top 40 Under 40

Managing Director–Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Gregory Givvin: Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; BACK, LEFT: Anna Quirino-Miranda: Client Service Associate; Carlos Garcia, Financial Advisor; Elisa Decker: Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager; Stephanie Hartmire: Senior Registered Service Associate; Clint Spivey: Relationship Manager; Lanelle Morin: Client Service Associate

—On Wall Street

The Oaks Group at Morgan Stanley | 805-494-0215

The Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisors is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times (March, 2017). The FT 400 is based on data gathered from advisors, broker-dealer home offices, regulatory disclosures and the FT's research. The listing reflects each advisor's status in six primary areas: assets under management, asset growth, compliance record, experience and online accessibility. The award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. The rating may not be representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of the Financial Advisor's future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for the rating. Source: Forbes Magazine (July, 2017). Data provided by SHOOK TM Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/17. SHOOK considered Financial Advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience, who have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience and is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information see www.SHOOKresearch.com. On Wall Street's Top 40 Under 40 asks brokerage firms to nominate their top young brokers. Of those nominated, On Wall Street bases its rankings on quantitative and qualitative criteria. Financial Advisors are ranked by their annual trailing-12 month production (as of Sept 30, 2014). The rating is not indicative of the advisor's future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its financial advisors pay a fee to On Wall Street in exchange for the rating.

CRC# 1913332

10/17

AmaWaterways Perfectly Curated

COLLECTION Of Gift-Giving Ideas

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

inding ideal gifts for the holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions can present a challenge. But when you’re on an AmaWaterways river cruise, you can show your friends and loved ones that you were thinking of them by purchasing unique mementos at each of your destinations. AmaWaterways has curated the perfect collection of gift ideas, so when you’re in each port, go on a treasure hunt and stock up on these wonderful keepsakes that mark your journey.

AmaWaterways' Executive Vice President & Co-Owner, Kristin Karst

THE JOY OF GIVING What’s your idea of the perfect gift to bring someone home after you travel? For many guests traveling on an AmaWaterways cruise, the ideal memento is unique, inspires fond memories, and isn’t readily available back home; they might even be handcrafted. One of Kristin's favorite gifts she brought back while on the “Riches of the Mekong” cruise was the candy she made while visiting a small Vietnamese village.

Apricot liqueur tasting in Wachau Valley, Austria

Sweets For Your Sweetie

Handmade Toys For Young Ones

Easily packed in your hand-carried luggage, Belgian chocolates and Stroopwafels, the signature Dutch cookie, are hard to resist when traveling through the Netherlands and Belgium. When in Vienna, do as the Viennese do, and share the joy of Mozartkugel, a candy confection made of marzipan, nougat, and dark chocolate, in honor of Mozart. And while in Austria’s Wachau Valley, renowned for its apricots, pick up a few regional delights made with the fruit, such as jam, candy, and liqueur.

Handmade toys may be hard to come by in the U.S. But the craft of toymaking is alive and well in Europe. The Czech Republic’s marionettes have been a part of the country’s culture since the 18th century, when puppeteers roamed Central Europe telling stories and entertaining crowds. Prague is the perfect place to find these marionettes. Handmade dolls from Hungary can be purchased in Budapest. Dressed in either traditional Hungarian peasant costumes or elegant ball gowns, they are admired for their delicate features and embroidered clothes.

Beauty Guru Gifts Bulgaria is among the world’s leading producers of rose oil, used in fine French perfumes and cosmetics. While in Bulgaria, you can find a variety of beauty products scented with the country’s Rosa Damascena extract. And while in France, pick up the world’s best lavender from Provence.

Handcrafted Collectibles When in Delft, Netherlands, buy authentic Delftware, the city’s iconic blue and white porcelain. Bruges, Belgium, is home to some of the world’s finest lace and tapestry studios, so when there, treat your special someone to these highly prized luxuries.

Collect Your Gifts While Sailing on the Highest-rated Ships When you journey with award-winning AmaWaterways, each day you’ll experience thrilling adventures, expand your horizons, and indulge in delicious cuisine accompanied by perfectly paired wines. So join AmaWaterways and start collecting your unique gifts as you sail from one captivating destination to the next. For more information, contact your Travel Agent, call our river cruise specialists at (888) 626-1439 or visit www.AmaWaterways.com

LEADING THE WAY IN RIVER CRUISING

Pictured left: AmaSerena on the Danube River

Proudly located in Calabasas

Editor’s Note

Can You Guess What’s at the Top of My Wish List? HEIDI DVORAK, OUR SENIOR EDITOR WHO PUTS TOGETHER THE BEHIND THE SCENES COLUMN EACH MONTH, ASKED CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONGS, THE ONES THAT REALLY put them in the best mood. As you can see on page 28, they’ve singled out a lot of great tunes. Well, I played along for no other reason than it was a fun thing to do and the

Still Dishing It Out There’s still time to make a difference for someone else. Our second annual “Dishing It Out for Charity Challenge” continues through the end of December, so visit participating Central Coast restaurants and for every special dish that’s ordered, $2 will be donated to the restaurant’s chosen charity. Find out more at bit.ly/805diofc, spread the word, and I’d love to see you enjoying those delicious dishes, so post photos with #805livingdishingitoutforcharity.

choice was easy. When David Bowie appeared on Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde

Christmas and the two sang a really cool mash-up of “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Peace on Earth,” I was glued to the TV. Even though I can now watch that video online anytime I want, that song remains very special to me. If you and I cross paths anytime this month, I might even be singing it. Why? Because I plan to have fun during the holiday season. Maybe nostalgia isn’t everyone’s bag. But my family is still getting a Christmas tree and, just like I loved doing as a child, we will decorate it while listening to a lively orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, only now I get to have a glass of Champagne to add to all of the fun. Fun, of course, comes with each issue of 805 Living, and this one is no different. With my last few words of the year to you, however, I simply want to encourage you to have a good time at holiday gatherings—yes, make them meaningful, make them special, even make them elegant—but make them fun, too. (This means for the guests and the hosts!) And don’t forget all the time in between the parties, because smiles and laughs aren’t reserved just for the kids. Happy holidays!

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Interior Design

Furniture

Home Accents

Unique Gifts

Antiques

a beautiful mess home

Kevin Fitzgerald 2012

Joanne Nelson 2000

Isabelle Muller-Gupta 2011

Renee Rosen 2003

North Ranch Single Story View Estate 1403 Kingsboro Court, Westlake Village Enjoy panoramic views from most rooms of this privately gated hilltop Estate. The old world craftsmanship welcomes you with comfort and elegance. Gracious indoor and outdoor entertaining is made easy with a fluid floor plan, high ceilings, and natural light. Enjoy the enormous covered patio, sparkling pool, spa, gazebo and a chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barbeque center. Located on a pretty cul-de-sac in the heart of North Ranch. Steps to North Ranch Country Club.

Offered at $3,195,000 - www.1403Kingsboro.com

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Kevin Fitzgerald 2012

Joanne Nelson 2000

Isabelle Muller-Gupta 2011

Renee Rosen 2003

Beautiful Country Estate On Park-Like Grounds In North Ranch 4172 Oak Place Drive, Westlake Village Of all the neighborhoods in the Conejo Valley, the former CEO of Realtor.com & his family selected Oak Place Drive. This carefully designed architectural masterpiece of approx. 7,100 sq.ft. features magnificently scaled rooms with the highest quality finishes. The serene and private setting is due to the nearly 1 acre of privacy-enriching trees and plantings which sequester the back of the home. The character of this home is extremely comfortable for both family gatherings and important celebrations!

Offered at $2,750,000 - www.4172OakPlace.com

The Lowest Price Per Sq. Ft. in North Ranch @ $382/SF

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.ÂŽ Equal Housing Opportunity.

EDITOR IN CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Lynne Andujar

edit@805living.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bernard Scharf MANAGING EDITOR

Kathy Tomlinson DESIGNER

Sophie Patenaude PHOTO EDITOR

Gary Moss

photo@805living.com SENIOR EDITOR

Heidi Dvorak CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Mark Langton (Philanthropic Events), Jennie Nunn (Shopping), Erin Rottman (Travel), Frances Ryan (Fashion, Interior Design) CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Jaime Lewis CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ryan Brown, Shauna Burke, David Gadd, Victoria Woodard Harvey, Hilary Dole Klein, Linda Kossoff, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITORS

Gaylen Ducker Grody, Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

home furnishings

interior design

online w w w.c a b a n a h o m e .c o m

i n - s t o re santa barbara

805 Living content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. 805 Living is not responsible for loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned. 3Digit Media, LLC, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. 3Digit Media’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. 3Digit Media does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

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Please recycle this magazine when you are finished.

805 LIVING, DECEMBER 2017

e r a Sh

y o J

the

T H E B E S T R E TA I L , D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T F O R E V E R YO N E O N YO U R L I S T T H E P R O M E N A D E AT W E S T L A K E

Nike Westlake • Joie • Intermix • Vince • Vintage Grocers Sharon Segal Nina Segal • Sephora • Brandy Melville • and more T H E C O M M O N S AT C A L A B A S A S

Sephora • Kate Spade • Paper Source • The Kingdom Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop • Lululemon Athletica Polacheck’s Jewelers • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams See’s Candies • Williams Sonoma Home • and more

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805 LIVING, DECEMBER 2017

Sold

4354 Hunt Club Lane Asking $2,550,000 5 Bed | 7 Bath | 5,480 Sq Ft

24902 Old Stone Way Kernahan & Associates 818.519.8357

CalBRE 00909823

Sold for $1,385,000 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,023 Sq Ft

Lauren Rauschenberg 818.731.7333 CalBRE 01881132

Sold

2251 Victoria Ave Sold for $1,598,000 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,906 Sq Ft

13754 Valley Vista Blvd Cindy Jacobson 805.340.7692 CalBRE 01184280

Asking $1,569,000 4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,055 Sq Ft

Tomer & Isidora Fridman 310.926.3777 CalBRE 01750717

Meet Me at the Rink Join us at our VIP Lounge at the Annual Holiday Ice Rink presented by Compass at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks through January 28. 2200 Thousand Oaks Blvd

2654 Yellowwood Dr Asking $1,465,000 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,719 Sq Ft

Lydia Gable Realty Group 818.383.4335 CalBRE 01704493

compass.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478.

Berson Group

Lydia Gable Realty Group

Jim Cicchese

Kaufman Real Estate Group

Teri Pacitto Group

Kernahan & Associates

Cindy Jacobson

We are proud to welcome these top agents to the Compass Westlake Village and Calabasas family.

The Arledge Group

818.462.5799 26565 Agoura Road Calabasas, CA 91302

Behind the Scenes

Whether it’s “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” or “Silent Night,” music plays a major role during the holidays. Give a listen to which songs warm the hearts of our featured contributors. Greg Clarke “It’s an old warhorse,” says contributing illustrator Greg Clarke (P.S. Sketchpad, page 120), “but I’ve always responded to the bittersweet melancholy of Bing Crosby’s ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ sung from the perspective of a World War II soldier stationed overseas.” Clarke’s work appears in The New Yorker and Chicago Tribune.

Victoria Woodard Harvey Contributing writer Victoria Woodard Harvey (Dining Out, page 98) admits she’s pretty sappy for all the classics, like “I Saw Three Ships,” “We Three Kings,” “The Little Drummer Boy” and “especially the remakes by contemporary vocalists for a little extra zip, but only in December,” she says. “Anytime earlier feels like cheating.” Her work appears in Ceramics Monthly and she is currently working on a collection of short fiction.

“It’s tough to pick one song,” says contributing editor Jennie Nunn (Finds, page 39), “but I love ‘White Christmas’ and ‘O Holy Night.’ ” Nunn is a co-author of Louis Vuitton San Francisco City Guide and her work appears in Denver Life, Luxe Interiors+Design, Organic Spa, California Homes, Westways, Modern Luxury Orange County, and 5280.

CLARKE: GREG CLARKE; NUNN: JEN SISKA

Jennie Nunn

Home...

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Behind the Scenes The weather outside might be frightful, but the fave tunes of our featured experts are utterly delightful. “ ‘Charlie Brown The Christmas Song.’ ” —Ivan Madrigal

(Taste/Spirits, page 94) lead bartender and food and beverage supervisor Belmond El Encanto Santa Barbara

“ ‘White Christmas’ by the Drifters. It has to be by the Drifters.” —Lalo Tejeda

(Taste/Food, page 90) owner of Pardon My French Bakery Grover Beach

“ ‘The Christmas Song’ by Nat King Cole.” —Mary Resnick

“ ‘Frosty the Snowman.’ It’s sad. Frosty ends up avoiding the law, but not the sun.” —Brad Nack

(Pulse, page 33) artist Santa Barbara

MADRIGAL: TYLER GAMBINO; RESNICK: KITTI M cMEEL

(Good Deeds, page 72) owner of Les Boudoirs Boutique Westlake Village

EXPERIENCE

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Pulse

T R AC K I N G T H E B E AT O F T H E 8 0 5

A COLORFUL HOLIDAY HERD

Forget Dasher and Dancer, and, no, Rudolph will not be making an appearance. Instead, artist Brad Nack has created 70 idiosyncratic antlered images for his 20th anniversary 100% Reindeer Art Show (bradnack.com; prices $175–$300) December 8 through January 2 at Roy restaurant in Santa Barbara. Nack works on the oil paintings all year, layering colors, line drawings, and graphic

elements onto small canvases, which he frames. “I don’t start with a preconceived notion,” he says. “Each one is a little exploration.” He has made some 1,700 quirky reindeer over the past two decades, and the project has become a crowd-pleaser. A reception starts at 6 p.m., but aficionados can come after 4 p.m. to pick up a number for admittance. —Joan Tapper 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Pulse

AMARO WITH A CALIFORNIA ACCENT

805 Holiday Amaro Fizz The makers of Amaro Angeleno created this drink exclusively for 805 Living. To make the cinnamon syrup, bring 1 cup each sugar and water to a boil with 4 large crushed cinnamon sticks. Let steep to taste, and then strain. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Makes 1 cocktail 1 ounce Amaro Angeleno 1 ounce añejo rum ½ ounce cinnamon syrup ½ ounce fresh lemon juice 2 ounces Dreamcôte Original Dry Hard Apple Cider 2 ounces prosecco Cinnamon stick Combine amaro, rum, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, then strain into a highball glass. Top with hard apple cider and prosecco and garnish with cinnamon stick. —David Gadd

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Examine a digital reproduction of The Creation of Adam and many other Michelangelo ceiling frescoes in brilliant detail at Westfield Topanga.

RENAISSANCE REBORN

Through December 31, the Renaissance comes alive at Up Close: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel (westfield.com/upclose; adult admission $10), an exhibit of 34 photographic reproductions of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes from the Sistine Chapel, now at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park. Experience the maestro’s brilliance more intimately than ever before; take in the baroque figures printed on strikingly backlit silk screens while walking through a softly lit, incense-scented room that establishes the perfect atmosphere for appreciating the art of the Vatican. —Ryan Brown

A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TUNES

“It’s basically a food truck, but it brings music instead of food,” says San Luis Obispo DJ Mano Gil (aka Gil Braga) of the Boogie Bike (djmanogil.us), his custom-built batterypowered sound system on three wheels. Spinning ’60s soul, vintage jazz, and records from his native Brazil, Gil travels to events within 200 miles of SLO, but admits he doesn’t pedal the Boogie Bike the entire way. “It’s pretty heavy with all that equipment on there,” he says. —Jaime Lewis

TOP: RYAN BROWN

Los Angeles–based photographer Stephen Sakulsky and his business partner, Wes Miles, a mixologist with a chemistry background, have created what they call “an amaro of place,” Amaro Angeleno (amaro.la), their new brand of Italian-style bitters. Two years in development and based on grape brandy and fortified wine produced from pinot grigio grapes grown in Paso Robles, Amaro Angeleno is made at Ventura Spirits Company and is designed to reflect California, with its citrus-focused flavor profile (a nod to the area’s orchard history) and its top-secret blend of as-local-as-possible botanical and herbal components. Enjoy this bracingly bitter “Cali amaro” on the rocks as an aperitif, splash it with soda or tonic water for a cool spritzer, or put it to creative use in more complex, California-themed cocktails, such as the recipe that follows.

Pulse

A BIRD SPREADS ITS WINGS

In one fell swoop, The Flying Owl (theflyingowl.net) paper goods shop relocated from an upstairs branch of Whizin Market Square in Agoura to a ground-floor perch. Now, aside from owner Kym DeGenaro’s wacky and often-irreverent greeting cards and other paper-related items, she’s feathering her roomier nest with unique additions such as seltzer-bottle lighting, coloring books, lavatory mist, jewelry, and items emblazoned with wacky (and also often-irreverent) sayings: socks (“I hate everyone too”), moose flasks (“Shut the buck up”), books (The Boozy Baker), journals (“Half-assed Ideas”), tea towels (“If you met my family you would understand”). To make DeGenaro’s curatorial cut, items must make people smile, laugh, or just feel better. “I don’t go to gift shows,” says the self-confessed paper junkie. “I look for smaller artists at art shows or street fairs and through Etsy. It’s all about what I like.” —Heidi Dvorak

AN ICE VIEW

Note: On December 14, The Flying Owl is holding a candle-making workshop.

NO TIME TO WASTE

Making good use of its brainpower and technological resources, the University of California (UC) system has adopted Zero Waste 2020, an initiative to achieve zero waste across all 10 campuses by the year 2020. To divert all waste from landfills, each school has offered its own unique solution, such as professor Ruihong Zhang’s anaerobic digestion technology that converts food waste into clean energy at UC Davis. The UC organization encourages local residents to participate in the conservation effort as well, even if they don’t have access to cutting-edge technology. “People can reduce their packaging waste by avoiding packaged items at the supermarket, buying in bulk, bringing their own bags and containers to stores, and saying no to unnecessary items like plastic straws when eating out,” says UC associate director of sustainability Hilary Bekmann. Join the cause via social media at #MyLastTrash and take action to follow UC’s light carbon footprints.  —R.B.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

FROM TOP: © JEN GRANTHAM/STOCKSY UNITED; COURTESY OF THE FLYING OWL

Spreading seasonal cheer, the Holiday Ice Rink returns to the Lakes at Thousand Oaks from November 9 to January 28. For $15 per person, guests can rent skates and carve up the ice with friends and family. New at the Lakes this year is Compass Real Estate’s VIP lounge, where everyone is welcome to recline on chic white-leather furniture while watching the flurry of skaters circle the rink outside. Information on the community and local real-estate listings are available for interested parties. —R.B.

You’re Invited!

DINE, DANCE, AND DREAM YOUR WAY TO 2018 WITH A NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION—HAVANA NIGHTS–STYLE—AT THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN.

Louie Cruz Beltran lights up the night at Bogies on New Year’s Eve.

The Westlake Village Inn makes ringing in the new year a blast.

It just takes a couple of reservations, park the car once, and let the fun begin! Start by checking into your well-appointed guest room at the inn and head to Mediterraneo restaurant, where select dinner choices can be enjoyed before 8 p.m. After dinner take a stroll down the garden path that leads to Bogies, where you’re magically transported to the romantic streets of Havana. Champagne kicks off the Havana Nights party as Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Orchestra let loose with the percolating sounds of Afro-Cuban rhythms coupled with Caribbean, contemporary R&B, jazz, and pop. Beltran is a percussionist extraordinaire, so get ready to do a little cha-cha, mambo, bolero, and Pechanga. DJs Sweet Pea and Lunacy are also on hand to spin the latest hits. Stop by the mojito bar and food stations brimming with an array of Cuban-inspired street fare to fortify you for casino games, cigar rolling, a raffle to win exciting prizes, and the sultry steps of professional Cuban dancers. Grab some party favors, because the evening leads up

to an exciting midnight confetti countdown. The festivities continue until 2 a.m., but it’s a comfort to know that at any time, you can retreat to your cozy hotel room. The minute your head hits the pillow, you’ll know you made the right choice.

G E T I N O N T H E A C T I O N E A R LY The New Year’s Eve Package (from $405 depending on room selection) includes VIP admission to Havana Nights for two adults plus chilled champagne delivered to your room; westlakevillageinn.com. Tickets only for Havana Nights at Bogies are $75 per person if purchased from December 1 to 15 or $100 per person if purchased from December 16 to 31; bogies-bar.com.

Finds S H O P P I N G / S T Y L E / T R AV EL

Gold Fever

Dazzle dinner guests this holiday with gilded tableware. By Jennie Nunn Kim Seybert “Flare” napkin ring ($34 each); Coast 2 Coast Collection, Santa Barbara, c2ccollection.com. 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Finds

1. “Aerin” coasters ($50 for a set of four); Williams Sonoma at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, The San Luis Obispo Collection, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com.

2. “1948°” salad bowl ($148); Jonathan Adler at The Village at Topanga, Woodland Hills, jonathanadler.com. 3. Michael Aram “Palm” cheese board with spreader ($135); The Malibu Colony Company at Malibu Country Mart, malibucolonyco.com. 4. “Manu” brass salad cutlery ($70 for a set of two); jungleeny.com. 5. Ice bucket ($80); Williams Sonoma at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, The San Luis Obispo Collection, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com. 6. “Golden Luster” stemware ($6 each); Pier 1 Imports, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles; pier1.com.

7 8

7. L’Objet “Pave Sphere” place card holders ($350 for a set of six), Coast 2 Coast Collection, Santa Barbara, c2ccollection.com; and lobjet.com. 8. Kim Seybert paillette decanter ($182); Coast 2 Coast Collection, Santa Barbara, c2ccollection.com. 9. “Gold Autumn Mosaic” tumblers ($48 for a set of four); Williams Sonoma at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, The San Luis Obispo Collection, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com. 

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds Style By Frances Ryan

Crimson Tidings Spread good cheer with rich shades of red.

4 3 2

6 1. Zimmermann “Flounce” wrap dress ($630); Intermix at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, and Malibu Lumber Yard; intermixonline.com. 2. Tom Ford “Original Sin” lip color ($54); Nordstrom at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 3. Satin “Court” pumps with contrasting heel ($56); Zara at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; zara.com.

4. “Fawn” jacket ($1,395); Alice + Olivia at Malibu Lumber Yard, aliceandolivia.com.

5. Bordelle “Bondage-Belle” crop top ($443); Les Boudoirs Boutique, Westlake Village, lesboudoirs.com.

6. Hermès “Clic H” bracelet ($600); Hermès, Beverly Hills, hermes.com.

7. Ring featuring 3.12-carat ruby with diamonds set in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold (price upon request); Raiman Rocks, Calabasas, raimanrocks.com. 8. Liz Genetti Jewelry “Garnet Flower” carved agate earrings ($315); Les Boudoirs Boutique, Westlake Village, lesboudoirs.com. 9. Steve Madden “Wagner” boots ($130); Nordstrom at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 10. Valextra “Iside” micro bag ($2,180); The Kingdom at The Commons at Calabasas, shopthekingdom.com. 

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

BEAVER CREEK COMFORT

hether it’s the rich aroma of coffee available on each floor every morning or the sweet smell of après-ski chocolate chip cookies in the lobby, the vibe at the slope-side resort, The Pines Lodge (pineslodge.rockresorts.com; from $299), in Beaver Creek, Colorado, echoes home. The entrance appears grand with a valet standing at a porte cochere. “Then you walk in and all of a sudden, you’re brought into this property that is very intimate and very comfortable,” says general manager Houston Perkins. “That’s the most important feeling to me.” Guest rooms were recently upgraded at the Europeanstyle boutique hotel in pale grays and dark blues with dark-gray wood trim. And if coffee and cookies aren’t homey enough, about half the rooms have been set aside to accommodate pets, with doggie beds and nightly rawhide bone turndown, and a valet team to walk pooches whose humans find the groomed ski runs too good to leave.

Cozy, recently renovated accommodations await skiers and their pets at The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Featuring contemporary styling in light neutral colors and views of mountain surroundings, Stein Eriksen Residences in Park City, Utah, range from guest rooms to units with one to six bedrooms—something for everyone looking for a base beside the slopes at Deer Valley Ski Resort.

Die-hard skiers have won the skiersnowboarder feud at Deer Valley Resort, one of only three ski areas in the country that bans boarding. Now there’s a posh place to stay at Park City’s newest luxury property, Stein Eriksen Residences (steinres.com; from $679), a collection of houses and condominiums nestled between Last Chance Ski Run and Silver Dollar Ski Trail at Deer Valley. Unlike facilities at other luxury

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

hotels in the area, amenities at Stein Eriksen Residences are available only to homeowners and guests, who enjoy access to an indoor-outdoor infinity pool and hot tubs; the openall-day restaurant and lounge; ski valet services with locker room, sport shop, and tips on the best powder stash; and Silver Aspen Spa treatments, which are performed by therapists from the spa at The Stein Eriksen Lodge, the only Forbes five-star spa in Utah.

“The exclusive nature of the property, where you are a little bit more cut off from in-and-out traffic, really helps personalize the experience,” says marketing communications and public relations manager Jessica Turner. The front desk staff further personalizes the experience by having lift tickets ready upon arrival, arranging for in-home private chefs, and booking dogsledding tours and hot air balloon rides. >

THE PINES LODGE: VAIL RESORTS; STEIN ERIKSEN RESIDENCES: STEIN ERIKSEN RESIDENCES

STEIN ERIKSEN EXPANDS

Finds Travel

CULTURAL IMMERSION IN MEXICO

HOT TIP Seventh Heaven, a five-bedroom property in Breckenridge, Colorado, with 25-foot-tall walls of glass that helped win it a spot on HGTV’s Extreme Homes in 2013, is one of many houses available through

InvitedHome (invitedhome. com; $149–$20,000). The hospitality and property management company offers a cushy place to stay as well as concierge services at ski destinations like Vail, Jackson Hole, and Park City. Wendy Purvey, chief marketing officer, likes the space the homes allow for hanging out, baking, and watching movies. The goal is to offer “that experience with your friends and family that you can’t get in a hotel,” Purvey says.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

family-style feast, prepared by and enjoyed with locals living in the palapa-style huts of Tankah Mayan Village on the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, centers around handmade corn tortillas filled with cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork cooked over coals in a ceramic underground oven) and ends with hibiscus

FLYING TO PISMO

tea and Mayan coffee brewed with spices, brown sugar, and fruit rinds. It’s all part of the Unico 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya (unicohotelrivieramaya. com; all-inclusive rates from $600 double occupancy) Mayan Village and Tankah Cenotes signature tour, which also includes zip lining through the jungle and cooling off in a natural swimming hole.

Between November and February, western monarch butterflies migrate from Oregon and Washington to the warmer climate of the California coast. One of their favorite spots is the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, which sees an average of 25,000 of the orange and black beauties a year. Danielle Bronson, state park interpreter, says people are in awe when they see the butterflies clustered in the trees. “There’s no other time that you would actually see that many butterflies in one location,” says Bronson, who remembers her own elementary school field trip from Santa Maria to Pismo. Butterfly chasers can now stay at the newly opened Inn at the Pier (theinnatthepier.com; from $250). The beachfront craftsman-style hotel heats its rooftop pool year-round and offers residents of Pismo Beach 10 percent off at the Blonde Restaurant and Bar and The Rooftop bar, which boasts a 360-degree view.  Settle into casual luxury at Pismo Beach’s new waterfront Inn at the Pier and pay a visit to the nearby site where tens of thousands of western monarch butterflies congregate each winter.

FROM TOP: INN AT THE PIER; UNICO 20˚87˚ HOTEL RIVIERA MAYA; COURTESY OF INVITEDHOME

Guests of Mexico’s Unico 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya can enjoy a luxurious room with an ocean-view balcony as well as a tour of a nearby Mayan village and natural swimming holes.

In addition to the signature tour, the luxury adults-only, all-inclusive property augments its focus on cultural immersion with spa treatments, golf, and select excursions, such as a snorkeling adventure and a curated visit to the nearby resort town of Tulum by boat, all for a 20-percent service fee. Within the hotel, guests can participate in mezcal tastings, mixology classes, and demonstrations by artists and musicians. Most rooms have ocean views, and ground floor rooms feature individual swim-up pools. Each room comes with an anfitrión, a local host who can coordinate reservations, assist with laundry, and prepare the in-room spa tub. For New Year’s Eve, Unico 20˚87˚ offers a three-day package ($687 for double occupancy) with boozy yoga, spa treatments, and anti– New Year’s resolution pool parties.

Go Beverly Hills By Heidi Dvorak

World-Class Weekend Whether it’s shopping, sipping, sleeping, or seasonal celebrating, Beverly Hills has it all.

New in the 90210 (from top): The elegant Lobby Lounge at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills welcomes patrons for a quick bite or afternoon tea; OnlyRoses blooms show their long-lasting colors; for its Avocado Carpaccio Pizza, JeanGeorges Beverly Hills piles a soft crust with slices of the creamy green fruit sprinkled with lime, cilantro, and serrano chiles.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

STAY A fitting tribute to all this perfection is the opulent 12-story Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (waldorfastoria beverlyhills.com), designed with custom Italian marble and Lalique installations. All 170 rooms offer panoramic views (of course, the higher the room, the better). Technology is tantamount to the exceptional personal service aided by an in-room iPad smart system that controls lighting, temperature, music, even the drapes. La Prairie spa beckons. A chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce or Maybach takes guests anywhere within two miles (thankfully, Rodeo Drive’s only a half mile away); the ultra-luxe men’s clothier Bijan is on site, as well as on Rodeo. Prefer to rough it, BH style? Head for the rooftop of Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel for the Urban Glamping Experience (fourseasons.

com/beverlywilshire; from $3,500). A 16-by-10-foot tent sits upon a 2,140-squarefoot terrace and is outfitted with a queen bed, a crystal chandelier, marble lamps, and a fur rug. The marble bathroom, however, is inside the adjacent Veranda Suite (completely furnished and included), where Warren Beatty resided for 10 years. SHOP An excursion to Rodeo Drive and environs is a must. The high-end designer stores have staying power—Bulgari, Chanel, Tom Ford, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Tiffany & Co., and oodles of others. A standout is the chic twostory Goyard (goyard.com) boutique, which showcases its 164-year history of French luxury leather craftsmanship in luggage, bags, accessories, even dog accoutrements, all emblazoned with the distinguished chevron logo. Say it with flowers as Simon Cowell and Madonna do with arrangements from OnlyRoses (only-roses.com), the first U.S. location of the prestigious London brand that specializes in longlasting Ecuadorian fresh roses. The boutique carries 12 rose varieties (from a rotating selection of 250) at all times as well as Infinite Roses that last for a year or more and come in 24 colors, including chocolate, Tiffany blue, and black. >

FROM TOP: COURTESY OF THE WALDORF ASTORIA BEVERLY HILLS; COURTESY OF ONLYROSES; WILLIAM RUST

verything is perfect in Beverly Hills. Everyone dresses better, the streets are cleaner, the service is sharper. And even without snow, it’s a smartlooking town for holiday shopping, as visitors and well-to-do locals shop side by side. Here’s what’s new in the flats of Beverly.

Protecting your wealth. It all starts with one meeting. Life is filled with one meeting after another, but this one is important. It’s about your future, and what you can do to prepare for it. My name is Jeff Antoniotti, and I’m a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor with more than 23 years of experience. Meet with me, and I’ll sort out your financial goals to create a wealth plan that helps you manage your assets. Call today to schedule an appointment, and let’s get your future started.

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Jeff D. Antoniotti Financial Planning Specialist Senior Investment Management Consultant Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 100 N. Westlake Blvd., Suite 200 Westlake Village, CA 91362 805-494-0200 jeff.d.antoniotti@morganstanley.com www.morganstanleyfa.com/antoniotti

CRC1853724

SPECIFICATIONS

NOTES

FAS010

CS 9086515 11/17

Go Beverly Hills

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Crudités) as is the ambience, which reinvents itself from breakfast to lunch to dinner with subtle changes in lighting and linens. Michelin-starred JeanGeorges Vongerichten brings Jean-Georges Beverly Hills to the Waldorf Astoria. Designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, its terrazzo flooring, Murano glass chandelier, and floor-to-ceiling windows make a spectacular backdrop for the chef’s repertoire of dishes that range from simple to decadent to succulent: Meyer Lemon Gelée with Caviar and Crème Fraîche, black truffle pizza, and roasted Maine lobster. GET IN THE SEASONAL SWING The main drags—Rodeo Drive, Canon Drive, North Beverly Drive, and South Beverly Drive—strive to outdo the ordinary and wildly succeed. Conventional tinsel, banners, and lights are complemented by geometric and iridescent light installations, most notably an installation of polyhedral sculptures by HYBYCOZO (The Hyperspace Bypass Construction Zone, two avant-garde artists who create geometric works) at Beverly Canon Gardens. The area goes BOLD (Beverly Hills Open Later Days; lovebeverlyhills.com) by featuring extended shopping hours, nightly entertainment, DJ performances, sidewalk art, a Chanukah celebration on December 18, and Santa visits at the Paley Center for Media and Two Rodeo Drive. 

FROM TOP: ABRAN RUBINER, COURTESY OF BEVERLY WILSHIRE; DYLAN + JENI; COURTESY OF LADURÉE; COURTESY OF ST. SUPÉRY

Uncommon indulgences (from top): Glamping goes urban at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; Ice Box Crudités at Georgie is a standout starter; Ladurée’s Ispahan takes a macaron to new heights with raspberries and rose petal and lychee cream; St. Supéry’s Rodeo Drive tasting salon raises the bar for wine tasting.

EAT Holiday shopping requires sustenance, and refined refueling abounds. Ladurée (laduree.com/us) is a prettyas-a-picture pink-andgreen Parisian patisserie, whose founder created the first macaron. Pastries take center stage here, but don’t miss the positively decadent French lunch entrées such as Vol au Vent de Volaille (chicken in puff pastry with mushroom cream sauce). Turning the tables is exclusively vegan fare at Gratitude Beverly Hills (cafegratitude.com). Servers pose philosophical questions, such as “What’s eclectic about you, today?” as they serve plant-based gourmet dishes with an emphasis on inventive bowls, detox drinks, and spins on burritos and pasta. “Tasting room” doesn’t do justice to the expansive, sophisticated St. Supéry Estate Tasting Salon (stsupery.com). It’s easy to while away the hours at a bistro table or the custom curved bar while mulling over flights, bottles, or by-the-glass choices from the eponymous Napa Valley producer’s Rutherford and Dollarhide estate vineyards. Celebrated chefs are as revered as film stars here. Partner and chef Geoffrey Zakarian offers cultivated American takes on global cuisine, such as Moroccanspiced lamb shank and Oxtail Cavatelli at Georgie (georgiesrestaurant.com) in Montage Beverly Hills. Platings are remarkably pretty (check out the Ice Box

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Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805 By Heidi Dvorak Through December 26

December 16

December 30

NOW! CONTEMPORARY ART

SIP, TASTE & TOUR

10 West Gallery, Santa Barbara. Examine remarkable pottery from the Mexico village of Mata Ortiz. The intricate designs and ancestral symbols used are based on the ceramicists’ 800-yearold Paquimé heritage; 10westgallery.com.

Oxnard Historic District. Enjoy gourmet bites, local wines, and craft beers while gazing at beautifully illuminated homes on Christmas Tree Lane. And just like the good old days, some residents plan to open their doors to tour participants; heritagesquareoxnard.com.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER: THE SPEAKEASY TOUR

12/13

DE COLORES ART SHOW: PORTRAITS OF THE PAST

Santa Paula Art Museum. Portraits by Latino artists including Carlos Almaraz, Judy Baca, Sergio Hernández, Gilbert “Magú” Luján, and Sylvia Raz are on exhibit. The centerpiece is Miguel Angel González’s Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life); santapaulaartmuseum.org.

December 31 December 19

NEW YEAR’S EVE TRAIN

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS SHOW

Fillmore & Western Railway. Get on board a vintage train and party toward 2018 in oldfashioned style. Perks include dinner, dancing, character actors, and a midnight champagne toast; fwry.com.

Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo. These gospel music icons can really rev up a crowd with their soulful renditions of seasonal songs. Also appearing are The Preservation Hall Legacy Horns and blues vocalist Ruthie Foster; pacslo.org.

Family Fun December 6, 11, 13, 18 SANTA NIGHTS

THROUGH 1/28

Here’s an Idea: St. Patrick’s Day may be three months away, but there’s no reason not to get your shamrock on early. Kerry Irish Productions presents THE IRISH SERIES, a trio of performances about Ireland’s culture, taking place at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. On December 13, An Irish Christmas features holiday music and dance of the Emerald Isle; on February 1, Irish actor Sheelagh Cullen shares the country’s literature, songs, and music in Heart of an Irish Woman; and on March 11, the Kerry Traditional Orchestra, the Kerry Voice Squad, and dancer Connor Reider recreate an authentic Irish celebration in St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland; civicartsplaza.com.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Camarillo Ranch. Despite the title, the event takes place partly during daylight hours, making it all the better for the wee ones to be brighteyed upon meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They can also visit Santa’s workshop, next door at The Red Barn; camarilloranch.org. December 9

Oaks. Ventura County achieved a no-kill status one month after the formation of Paw Works, a nonprofit group dedicated to rescuing unwanted animals and giving them safe refuge. If that isn’t enough reason to donate to this organization, then attend this family- and dog-friendly food and wine-tasting pawty with live music and a holiday marketplace. 805 Living is a sponsor; pawworks.org.

December 13 MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER

The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara. Witness a classic ballet as it was meant to be performed. Forty dancers partake in an extravagant production with special effects, elaborate Victorian-style costumes, and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s timeless score; thearlingtontheatre.com.

PARADE OF LIGHTS

Channel Islands Harbor. Watch St. Nick fly across the sky as he kicks off this fanciful boat procession themed Fairy Tales Afloat. Pre-parade, kids can engage in snow activities and an arts and crafts fair; channelislandsharbor.org. December 9 PAW WORKS WOOF AND WINE

Los Robles Greens, Thousand

December 9, 23

DECEMBER 17

WINTER WONDERLAND

CHANUKAH FESTIVAL

Malibu Country Mart. The idea of going on a shopping excursion might actually create excitement for kiddos, since this center has live reindeer, Santa Claus, a menorah, twinkling lights, and an ice sculpture artist—not to mention a year-round playground; malibucountrymart.com.

Ventura Harbor Village. Watch the lighting of a giant menorah at a party honoring the Festival of Lights, presented by Chabad of Oxnard. Kids can play games and adults can peruse Judaica boutiques for gift-giving opportunities; chabadofoxnard.com. >

FROM TOP: COURTESY MOSCOW BALLET; ÁRBOL DE LA VIDA, MIGUEL ANGEL GONZÁLEZ, CLAY, COLLECTION OF THE SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM, GIFT OF KENT KIRKTON

Through January 28

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Easy on the eyes and pitch perfect, this nine-member a capella group makes merry with contemporary pop tunes and holiday hits; civicartsplaza.com.

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Book your seats now for these upcoming events. DECEMBER Through December 17: Modern and contemporary works from Guatemala are spotlighted in GUA-

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TEMALA FROM 33,000 KM: CONTEMPORARY ART, 1960–PRESENT, which includes art from Pacific

Standard Time: LA/LA; The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, westmont.edu. Through December 23: Misunderstood teens and their parents can relate to the Disney musical FREAKY FRIDAY, which opens the theatrical season at the Marian Theatre. It’s a humorous story about an overworked mother and her rebellious teenage daughter who magically swap bodies and experience what each other’s life is like; Marian Theatre, Santa Maria, pcpa.org. Through December 31: It’s a yearly tradition: Three theatrical presentations make up the HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA, a show for all ages. It features Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, wacky characters in a fairy-tale opera, and the music of the season in the Holiday Vaudeville Revue; The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville, Oceano, americanmelodrama.com. Through December 31: The themes of love, desire, memory, and time are interpreted in VALESKA SOARES: ANY MOMENT NOW, an exhibition of 49 artworks, consisting of installation, sculpture, photography, and video, dating from the early 1990s to the present. The artist uses collected and found objects, such as carpets, books, light fixtures, antique stools, mirrors, portrait paintings, and flowers; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net. Through January 5: The entire month and a handful of days in 2018 are devoted to JULEFEST, the Danish acknowledgement of the Christmas season. The town offers a slew of activities including unique shopping and eating opportunities, a tree lighting, a parade, appearances by Santa Claus, wine and beer walks, a community nativity pageant, and holiday light tours, all culminating in the Christmas Tree Burn; Solvang locations, solvangusa.com. Through January 7: Whimsical interpretations of nature rife with meaning are in THE ART OF DENNIS SHIVES, a lifetime Ojai resident, painter, and visual artist. His portrayals of bears, snails, and fish can be charming and sometimes alarming; ojaivalleymuseum.org.

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Through February 1: Curated by representational artist Hernán Miranda, CONVERGENCIA/ CONVERGENCIA is an exhibition of work by contemporary Paraguayans, some of whom now live in other countries. Media include oil, acrylic, charcoal and graphite, and sculptures in

bronze and glass; Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture, Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu.

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December 8–23: There’s nothing like a singalong to bond family and friends. And when it takes place aboard a 64-foot catamaran for a one-hour Island Packers evening tour of decorated homes along a harbor, it adds an extra dose of fun to the festivities. The CAROLING CRUISE departs on select weekday evenings, so brush up on “Jingle Bells” and venture out for a seaworthy adventure; Ventura Harbor Village, venturaharborvillage.com. December 9: Equestrian units, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and dance groups comprise A FAIRY-TALE CHRISTMAS, a daylong celebration with one of the largest parades in Southern California. NBA player Anthony Davis presides as grand marshal. The merrymaking also includes an exhibition of antique cars and restored vehicles, a Santa’s Village with food, crafts, inflatables, and roaming characters, as well as Images in Ice by the Chainsaw Chicks and music by the Tempo Cats; Community Center Park, Camarillo, pvrpd.org. December 10: Get into a jolly frame of mind at HOLIDAY ON THE HILL, an evening of exhibits,

a buffet dinner, photo ops with Santa, and live music performances given by Oak Park High School Choir, Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, and other local groups. Admission includes access to Titanic at the Reagan Library, an exhibit of authentic artifacts and documented stories of those who were on the ill-fated ship, as well as An American Christmas, a showcase of 24 decorated trees that define America’s road to greatness; Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, reaganfoundation.org. December 15–16: Two days of action-packed family-friendly activities make for a swell coastal celebration at the VENTURA HARBOR VILLAGE ANNUAL PARADE OF LIGHTS. The first day offers carnival rides and games. During both days, there is a Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace with crafts, carolers, faux snowfall, treats, and roaming holiday characters. This year’s parade theme is When You Wish Upon a Star, so expect lots of happy, hopeful messages; Ventura Harbor, venturaharborvillage.com.

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December 15–17: Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo presents THE SNOW QUEEN, Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about how a girl tries to find her friend and encounters evil in the form of many obstacles, most notably a queen made entirely of ice; Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo, pacslo.org. December 16: Costumed docents lead the procession of LAS POSADAS through the grounds of a Spanish mission, singing tunes in Spanish and English. The tradition dates back to more than 400 years in Mexico and reenacts the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem; La Purisima Mission State Historical Park, Lompoc, lapurisimamission.org. >

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Insider

We’ve Moved

December 16: Talk about a captive audience. Teddy bears are on their best behavior at the VICTORIAN TEDDY BEAR TEA. Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and the Snow King and Queen are stopping by to visit and participate in the party, which includes eating gingerbread cookies and candy canes, cookie decorating, live music, storytelling, and coloring. Everyone gets a commemorative teacup and saucer; Park Ballroom, Paso Robles, pasoroblesdowntown.org. December 28: Gifted with an e-gadget? Find out the mysteries behind electronic gizmos at the WINTER TECH FAIR. Volunteers are prepared to demonstrate use of the iPhone, iPad, iPod, digital camera, cell phone, and laptop computer. Reservations are required; Pleasant Valley Senior Center, pvrpd.org.

I’ve Moved

December 30: He’s not only one of the best musicians around he’s also unexpectedly funny. While he’s not a comedian, TODD RUNDGREN is an all-around showman, and his concerts spotlight his composing skills as well as his vocal and instrumental artistry, wry wit, and wisdom. He always sings his hits and new tunes; hopefully he’ll do a little shtick; The Canyon, Agoura Hills, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com. December 31: Ring in the new year with those seven big bad boys of ’90s swing, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY. Bid adieu to 2017 with handclappers such as “Me and You & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight” and “Go Daddy-O”; Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, civicartsplaza.com.

JANUARY January 12: Hells bells. AC/DC fans should get a charge out of HIGH VOLTAGE, a tribute band that performs a range of songs from the Bon Scott era to the Brian Johnson days. Look forward to hearing tunes such as “Back in Black,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Whole Lotta Rosie”; Discovery Ventura, discoveryventura.com.

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January 12–28: Based on the book published in 1995 by Frances Hodgson Burnett, THE LITTLE PRINCESS is a captivating story about a young girl who must attend a fancy London boarding school, away from her beloved father. The story line adheres to the original plot, rather than the plot of the movie version, so be in for a few surprises. The tale deals with cultivating strength while dealing with hardship. This is a youth-performed production and is appropriate for all ages; San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, slorep.org. January 18: With its latest album Hot Thoughts topping the charts, Austin’s rock ambassadors SPOON surely plan to dish out some of the band’s newest tunes. Britt Daniels and members Jim Eno, Rob Pope, and Alex Fischel have been wowing ’em at top festivals and venues across the country. White Reaper opens; Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, thearlingtontheatre.com. January 25: Spend AN EVENING WITH CONDOLEEZZA RICE as the former secretary

of state and national security advisor in the George W. Bush administration talks about her experiences. She is the first black woman to hold these positions and is currently a professor of political science at Stanford University in Palo Alto; Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, thearlingtontheatre.com. January 27–28: Conductor Kynan Johns takes the rostrum to lead the New West Symphony in TCHAIKOVSKY’S PATHÉTIQUE, along with Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, and a world premiere commission by Bruce Broughton. The Lyris Quartet also performs; Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and Oxnard Performing Arts Center, newwestsymphony.org. January 28: Far from conventional, PILOBOLUS DANCE THEATER, presented by UC Santa Barbara

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Arts & Lectures, is known as an extraordinary company of dance illusionists that mixes humor, invention, and drama in its performances. The group creates message-laden experiences as their bodies seem to defy physical limits; The Granada, Santa Barbara, artsandlectures.ucsb.edu. January 28: Making its Chamber on the Mountain debut is TRIO VALTORNA. The group, composed of David Jolley on French horn, Ida Kavafian on violin, and Gilles Vonsattel on piano, play a program of classic and contemporary works; Logan House, Ojai, chamberonthemountain.com. January 28–May 13: Examine the museum’s photography holdings at BROUGHT TO LIGHT: REVELATORY PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION. Artists

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include Berenice Abbott, Ansel Adams, Dawoud Bey, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Mike Disfarmer, Harold Edgerton, Barbara Kasten, Yevgeny Khaldei, Inge Morath, Gordon Parks, and Masao Yamamoto; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net.

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February 12: At CAMERON CARPENTER FEATURING THE INTERNATIONAL TOURING ORGAN, presented by UC Santa Barbara Arts

& Lectures, the flamboyant Juilliard-trained musician draws in the audience with his personality and performing prowess. Check out his Swarovski-studded shoes; The Granada, Santa Barbara, artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Show Your Support Fun and fundraising go handin-hand at these local events.

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DECEMBER December 9–10: Wave to the famous Santa statue at SANTA TO THE SEA, a half marathon, relay, 5K, kids run, and Diaper Dash (no standers or walkers, please!) presented by Oxnard Auto Center. Courses run through strawberry fields, >

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Insider historic Oxnard, the beach, and Channel Islands Harbor. Get into the spirit by wearing a Santa beard, a holiday costume, or just a color of the season. Afterward, hang out at the Expo Village. Proceeds provide scholarships to local high school seniors and adults continuing their education; Oxnard locations, santatothesea.com. December 10: Some decorators really know their way around a wreath. Those who don’t might consider stealing top tips at HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a tour of homes in the Pleasant Valley. Afterward, head for the RED BARN HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE, where decorations are available for purchase, as well as refreshments and homemade treats. Proceeds benefit Meadowlark Service League; Pleasant Valley locations and Camarillo Ranch, meadowlarkserviceleague.org. December 16: Whether Fido and Fluffy have been naughty or nice, it’s a given that they receive fitting presents. A sparkly collar? A catnip mouse? It’s all at the PURRS AND PAWS HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE AND VINTAGE MARKET, a Humane Society of Ventura County fundraiser. Gifts for obedient humans are on offer, too, such as home décor, jewelry, terrariums, yard art, aprons, and gift baskets. New this year is the Vintage Market, adjacent to the boutique; Chaparral Auditorium, Ojai, hsvc.org.

JANUARY

The Agoura Antique Mart A Vintage Marketplace

January 13: Even those who failed P.E. can enjoy taking part in the SANTA MARIA FITNESS SERIES. Sign up for the Kids Dash (over 3 years of age), a 5K, a 10K, or just have fun at the after-race party. Forty percent of the net proceeds goes to the Santa Maria YMCA; Santa Maria YMCA, runwalkfitness.org. January 26–28: Eighty primo dealers sell home goods, glassware, decorative accessories, vintage pieces, furniture, paintings, jewelry, textiles, garden art, and china at the ANTIQUES, DECORATIVE ARTS AND VINTAGE SHOW & SALE to benefit CALM (Child Abuse Listening

Mediation). This fundraiser contributes to the organization’s efforts to prevent and treat victims of child abuse; Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, calmantiqueshows.com.

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February 3: Get in the habit of helping others by competing in the SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME NUN RUN 5K, as well as a 1-mile fun run. Top finishers in each age bracket receive awards and overall male and female winners receive additional prizes. Afterward, attend the Community Service Fair. Proceeds support the SND Life & Ministry Fund, which provides spiritual, educational, and social outreach around the world; La Reina High School & Middle School, Thousand Oaks, nun.run. February 11: Create a masterpiece at PAINTING WITH A PURPOSE, a monthly art event aimed at raising money for a specific organization. Each participant gets an easel, a canvas, art supplies,

and paint, and a local artist provides instruction. Wine, beer, and soda are available, so grab a drink and a brush and start painting. Proceeds benefit the Apex Protection Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of wolves; Painting With a Twist, Camarillo, paintingwithatwist.com.

Worth a Drive Venture just outside the 805 for these choice events. Through January 7: Hightail it to L.A. ZOO LIGHTS for an illuminating experience. The animals are asleep, but humans can enjoy a disco ball forest, a twinkle tunnel, 3-D animated projections, a musical holiday tree, a water show, a glittering North Pole setting for Santa photos, glowing Northern Lights (spotlighting animal constellations that come to life), and a Wild Wonderland finale exhibiting endangered and vulnerable species; Los Angeles Zoo, lazoolights.org.

Photos: Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

December 13–January 7: Ice is nice, especially for Southern and Central California residents. Experience CHILL ICE ADVENTURE PARK, featuring bumper cars, ice tricycles, an Alpine zip line, ice shuffleboard, a two-story, 100-foot-long ice tubing slide, an international food fair with traditions from around the world, music, and highkicking entertainment courtesy of the Rockettes; Queen Mary, Long Beach, queenmary.com.

Give Back

Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you.

Photos: Gary Moss /garymossphotography.com

When young girls feel confident, they can accomplish great things. GIRLS INC. OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA has been changing girls’ lives for the better since 1958. The nonprofit organization depends on its volunteers to help inspire girls to reach their highest potential so that they may become economically independent leaders in the community. As an advocacy group, its members and programs serve to teach girls that it is their right to be free of gender inequity, harassment, and violence. Volunteers are needed to work in a number of areas at the Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara centers as homework helpers, tutors, mentors, fundraisers, and assistants at special events; girlsincsb.org.  Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you. If you would like to submit your event or organization for possible inclusion in Insider, please email the information and a contact number/email to insider@805living.com. Please submit your request no later than 14 weeks prior to the issue in which you’d like the information to appear.

Photos: Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

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Mind Body Soul By Linda Kossoff

Turnaround Treatments

t is notoriously easy to fall behind in your hair color maintenance during the holiday season, which is, ironically, when you want to look your most put-together. That is why Rootementary (rootementary.com), a salon that opened its first location just two years ago in Westlake Village and now has more than 2,000 clients, seems like a gift from the hair color angels. Geared toward customers who have little time and immediate hair color needs, Rootementary has garnered a lot of attention for its one-hour, $45 Root Refresh touch-up service. It’s just the thing for that same-day dinner invitation. The salon also offers full color, highlights, deep-conditioning

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

treatments, and blow-dries—but no cuts—provided by licensed stylists, as well as the assurance of a free preliminary color consultation with software to store each client’s unique shade. Rootementary’s modern, upscale environment and its amenities, such as a processing lounge with a refreshment bar and TV, belie its affordable price point. And the salon accepts same-day and walk-in appointments. All is bright when your complexion gets a goingover at Beyond Aesthetics (seewhatsbeyond.com) in Village at the Park in Camarillo. The medical spa offers a range of skin treatments, but if you need to look flawless in a hurry, opt for the DermaSweep service (30 minutes; from $150 to $225). The noninvasive facial treatment has two stages: First, the aesthetician uses a hand-held device to provide a full dermabrasion to exfoliate and resurface your skin and stimulate blood flow to its inner layers. Next, the same device and wand is used to provide a serum-like infusion to your well-prepped skin. Different types of DermaSweep infusions are chosen to address specific needs: EpiFusions is for healthy skin maintenance; PremiumFusions is used to combat signs of aging, as well as acne and other conditions; and PeelFusion works on hyperpigmentation issues such as melasma and sun damage. There is no discomfort, and skin is left smooth, glowing, and party ready. If you have more time before a big event and would like to look younger with a short and minimally invasive procedure, there is now a longer-lasting alternative to injectables, such as Botox and Dysport. What’s more, it is on the medical aesthetics menu at The Center for Dermatology Care (dermatologycenter.com) in Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara. Called ThermiRase, this wrinkle-fighting service is an FDA-approved nerve ablation procedure that uses a radiofrequency device to injure (or ablate) the motor nerve under the skin that is responsible for creating creases. At the Center, the procedure is performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, who places a probe beneath the skin and uses it to locate the nerve and deliver heat generated via radiofrequency to its target. The treatment causes heat sensations, so you may choose to undergo an amnesiac twilight sleep or opt for a sedative. Reactions also vary; a majority of those who have had ThermiRase report a moderate amount of swelling that lasts approximately two weeks. The treatment takes about an hour and prices are determined at consultation. 

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Arts & Culture By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

Reflections in Silver Leslie Lewis Sigler calls upon dining utensils to serve up her unique still life portraits.

Santa Barbara artist Leslie Lewis Sigler says she is fascinated by old technology, which is often apparent in her works.

ot long ago, Silver Spoon #125, The Import appeared on a wall in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, one of almost a dozen murals that are part of the Arts Fund’s public art program. The 14-foot-high painting, which depicts a sparkling utensil with an elaborate handle and a shimmering bowl, somehow suggests that there’s an interesting story behind this gorgeous piece of silverware. It’s the work of Leslie Lewis Sigler (leslielewissigler.com), who has incorporated an air of mystery and individuality into the utensils and vessels she has been painting over the last few years. Sigler grew up in a small town south of Austin, Texas, studied art at the University of Texas at Austin, and followed her fiancé (now husband), Nathan, to Los Angeles, where she found work as a graphic designer. When the couple moved to Santa Barbara 62

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in 2008, she continued her freelance graphic design business and started to focus on painting and connecting with the local art community. “I’ve always drawn realistically,” she says. In college, Sigler painted a large diptych of red Everlast boxing gloves bathed in light, and it sold to someone who saw it on her website. “After that I started borrowing old objects,” she adds, “typewriters, telephones, beautiful objects that we don’t use anymore. I’m fascinated by old technology.” Her interest in metalware was sparked by a visit to a friend who had inherited a lot of silver. “She had a tea set—a teapot, tray, creamer, and sugar bowl,” Sigler says, “and I wanted to borrow it to paint. It was a family of things, and each had its own posture and personality. I imagined their past life and made up stories about their history. They’re portraits to me.” >

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Arts & Culture Though still life art traditionally shows groupings of objects, she posed each piece of the tea set on a separate canvas or panel, which she still does for her portraits of utensils, trays, pitchers, and other vessels. Each work is given a name, such as Silver Spoon #103, The Belle; Silver Spoon #107, The Goddess; and Silver Spoon #108, The Cavalier. Most are part of a numbered series with titles like Relatives for utensils, Matriarchs for large vessels, and Founders for platters. The shelves of Sigler’s studio hold elegant silver pots and pitchers in various states of tarnish. “I’m fascinated by the condition, the shine, and patina,” she says. A set of flat file drawers reveals myriad forks, knives, spoons, and serving pieces ornately designed for some now-arcane purpose. “My husband’s godmother was an eccentric collector,” she says, “and after she passed away, we inherited much of her random collection of silver flatware.” Other friends have also lent Sigler bags full of utensils that might catch her imagination.

Reflecting on silver (from top): Sigler’s Funk Zone mural, Silver Spoon #125, The Import; the artist at work; pieces of inspiration.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Though her first paintings of silver didn’t have much color, Sigler realized she could manipulate that by wearing, say, a red blouse, which changed the reflections in the metal. There are many steps from fork to artwork, however. Sigler begins by photographing an object, and though her first paintings of silver didn’t have much color, she realized she could manipulate that by wearing, say, a red blouse, which changed the reflections in the metal. Using the photograph as a model, she draws the object on a composite panel. She underpaints the image in a single hue before adding layers of color with tiny brushes and mixing in glaze for other subtle variations. All the images are life-size. “I want them to be relatable,” she says. And indeed more than once someone at one of her gallery shows has told her, “My mother had that spoon.” When the Arts Fund invited her to create the Funk Zone mural, which was funded by the Squire Foundation, a Santa Barbara–based nonprofit dedicated to civic and educational art programs, Sigler faced new challenges. For instance, the image was to go on a 20-foot wall, which outstripped the length of her studio by six feet. She solved that problem by recreating one of her paintings sideways on a 14-foot roll of special fabric, using large brushes and fast-drying acrylics. When the work was completed, she painted the wall of the designated building gray, adhered the painting to it with a gel glue, and painted a shadow of the spoon directly on the building. “It was a good project,” she says, “and it has inspired me to do bigger work. I’m playing with scale. I did a series of platters that were 16 inches by 16. Now I’d like to explore the abstraction in the silver reflections on a grand scale.” It sounds startling to talk about abstraction in work that is as hyper-realistic as Sigler’s. But those small interplays of light and color also hold another surprise: They’re reflections of the artist herself: “I’m in a lot of paintings,” she quietly admits. “They’re abstractly self-portraits. 

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Faces in the Crowd By Nancy Ransohoff Photograph by Gary Moss

Karen Earp As general manager of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, this seasoned hospitalityindustry veteran celebrates the historic property’s 90th year. 66

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

t takes focus, energy, passion, and leadership skills to head up the day‑to-day operations of a worldclass resort. In the case of Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara—which is celebrating its 90th anniversary—general manager Karen Earp is up to the task. Originally from England, Earp earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel, catering, and tourism management at

the University of Surrey and a master’s in business administration at City, University of London Cass Business School. The hospitality industry called to her at a young age. “I was initially attracted by the opportunities,” she says. “I’ve had the pleasure of wearing many hats in my career and see the hospitality industry from different angles. It is rare that an occupation can offer something new and challenging every day.” Her 33-year globe-spanning career includes management positions at Four Seasons hotels in London, Paris, and Istanbul, as well as The Pierre New York and Disneyland Resort Paris. She began her work at The Biltmore resort in 2005, overseeing its more than $240-million historic restoration, which included the adjacent Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. “Mr. Ty Warner, the resort owner, has done an exceptional job maintaining the original character of the 1927 architecture,” she says. “Some recent highlights we’re especially proud of are seven new bungalow suites with plunge pools, our gold leaf hand-painted ceilings in the front of the property, and our new oceanfront Palm Nail Suite in The Spa.” Celebrating its 90th anniversary with style and creative collaborations, the resort partnered with renowned photographer Gray Malin to shoot a oneof-a-kind photo series and video at Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, as well as with Sunstone Vineyards & Winery to produce two custom wines for the resort’s restaurants, and with OPI to create a special nail polish collection at The Spa. Earp is also excited about the resort’s ongoing community involvement and its wide range of causes, including the United Way and the annual Cancer Center Walk/Run hosted by the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. “The resort takes great pride in giving back to the community,” she says. “I am personally very connected to our local partners and find joy in supporting them and their worthy causes.” Today, after living and working all over the world, Earp is happy to call Montecito home. “I’m always in awe of the coastline and the year-round warm temperatures,” she says. “We have one of the most beautiful pieces of the California coast at our doorstep.” 

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5. Century Furniture “CR9-783” ($6,297); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com. 6. “Graydon Shagreen” ($3,295); Restoration Hardware at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, and Santa Barbara; rh.com. 7. Palecek “Callahan” ($5,978); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com. 8. Resource Decor “Durham” ($3,597); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com. 

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

NOW SELLING! STARTING IN THE LOW $800s

Cortona Homes is nestled into the beautiful hillside of Pismo Beach. The community is surrounded by open space and offers panoramic views! Contact: Greta Jensen, Sales Agent • BRE01152405 • greta@CortonaHomesPismoBeach.com • 805-556-7010 cortonahomespismobeach.com • tourfactory.com/1775479 Plans, specifications, standards features, availability and pricing are subject to change without notice. BRE#00850027

Good Deeds By Mark Langton

9 4

Interface Children & Family Services

In October, Les Boudoirs Boutique (lesboudoirs. com) in Westlake Village hosted a fashion show to benefit Interface Children & Family Services (icfs. org). The event took place at Aldabella Winery in Westlake Village and featured the newest designs from popular lingerie designers. Serving greater Ventura County since 1973, Interface Children & Family Services provides social services for 35,000 clients and assists 150,000 callers annually, focusing on children and families in programs dealing with mental health and trauma treatment, domestic violence and child abuse prevention, youth crisis intervention, human trafficking, and justice services. It also functions as an information and a referral service (dial 211 or visit 211ventura.org).

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

1. Denise Vona, Mary Resnick, Joe Vona 2. Susie Johnson, Armando Soria, Trisha Lyle 3. Kouros Azar, Liz Genetti 4. Mark and Wendy Englander 5. Kelly and Andy Shaver 6. Jerome James, Lori Barkley 7. Dave and Marla Remedios 8. Cindy Jackson, Raymond Lee 9. Renee Weider, Catherine Kort 10. Deena and Gary Clevenger Photographs by Michael Garcia Photography

WESTLAKE VILLAGE • THOUSAND OAKS • AGOURA • NE WBURY PARK • VENTURA JUST SOLD 1768 Upper Ranch Westlake Village 4 beds - 4.5 baths - Approx. 4,234 sq.ft Represented Buyer

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Good Deeds

Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation 1

As part of the PowerShares QQQ Tournament Week held at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks in late October, the Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation (sherwoodcares. org) held a fundraiser at the home of members Bob and Audrey Byers. Inspired by the Byers’ modern villa, the event was dubbed An Evening in Tuscany. Guests mingled with PGA tour champions and officials while helping to raise money for medical, nutrition, education, and safety assistance programs for children and families in the community, with a goal of providing approximately $200,000 in services per year.

1. Judy and George Carney 2. C.J. Morden, Lisa Furfine, Dina Furash, Stephanie Hunter 3. Deva and Matthew May, Christine and Aki Yorihiro 4. Pat and Ellen Henahan 5. Cindy Huffman, Audrey Byers, Gary and Susan Stephani 6. Carrie and Jim Portman 7. Don Lavi, Gary Nesen 8. Kim Byers, Bob and Audrey Byers, Shelli Turner 9. Steve and Catherine Bardwil 10. Jennifer Hasbrouck, David Frost

Kiwanis Conejo Valley

Conejo Uncorked (conejouncorked.com) is an annual food and wine festival now in its second year with proceeds directly benefitting Kiwanis Conejo Valley (conejokiwanis. org). This year’s event took place in October at the Gardens at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks. The Conejo Valley chapter is dedicated to serving children’s needs in area communities. Funds raised benefit many medical, social, economic, and other local programs. Kiwanis programs often enlist the youth of the community to promote civic involvement.

1. Sonia Agresti, David Yeomans 2. Paul and Marty Campbell 3. Esrom Jayasinghe, Sheromie Vittachi 4. Ryan Wharton, Randy Gould 5. Amy Hastings, Robert Wing 6. Amra and Tim Neal 7. Linda and Roger Klausler 8. Dave Strong 9. Juliet Akob, Laura Fair, Charis Thompson 10. Anjela and David Nichols Photographs by Mark Langton

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Not feeling well? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on our way.

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50 NIFTY PRESENTS TO DELIGHT EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST. PRODUCED BY FRANCES RYAN AND CARMEN JUAREZ-LEIVA

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Love Mae “Forest Feast” tableware set ($35); Len Collective, San Luis Obispo, lencollective.com; and lovemae.com. “Forget Me Not” 14-karat-gold bangle with 18-karatgold mini flowers and diamonds ($4,500); Susan Cummings Retail, Ojai, susancummings.com.

“Karaoke” Bluetooth microphone ($40); The Container Store at The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, containerstore.com.

“Westlake Village” custom map poster ($60; all U.S. cities available); yourownmaps.com.

Leather table tennis paddles and ball ($650); Tiffany & Co. at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, tiffany.com. Marc Jacobs “Snapshot Colorblock” bag ($295); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com.

Meadow Rose Photo Art wood prints (shown: Surfboards; $35–$55); The Guilded Table, Santa Barbara, guildedtable.com. 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

1 Bow and arrow set ($40); Fig Curated Living, Ojai, figojai.com.

Heartshake Studios “Flour Sack” tea towels ($18 each); Fig Curated Living, Ojai, figojai.com.

Wild & Wolf “English Mustard” globe light ($100); General Store Paso Robles, generalstorepr.com.

“Butcher Chart” bank ($19); San Luis Traditions, San Luis Obispo, sanluistraditions.com.

T is for Toffee “Homemade English Toffee” ($13–$23); A Beautiful Mess Home, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmesshome.com.

“Crystal Buddha” snow globe ($56); Hands Gallery, San Luis Obispo, handsgallery.com.

Tote+able four-ounce canteen ($17); Sharon Segal Nina Segal at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, facebook.com/ sharonsegalninasegalthecloset.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Sir/Madam “DIY Doll” ($40); The Arte Department, Carpinteria, theartedepartment.com.

Peter Millar “Disruptor” golf shoes ($225); Ranch Men’s Store, Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara; ranchmensstore.com.

Sisters of Los Angeles “805 Area Code” glasses ($58 for a set of four); Sharon Segal Nina Segal at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, facebook.com/sharonsegalninasegalthecloset.

Modern Staples “Zig Zag” throw ($350); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com.

William Henry “Dauntless” sterling silver and sodalite beaded bracelet ($450); West, Beverly Hills, westbh.com; and williamhenry.com.

“Le Marché des Merveilles” watch ($1,100); Gucci at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, gucci.com. Yes Cocktails “Cranberry Spice” cocktail mixer ($15); General Store Paso Robles, generalstorepr.com.

Leather dominoes set ($171); Restoration Hardware at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, and Santa Barbara; rh.com. 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Tom Ford “Adrenne” sunglasses ($445); Solstice Sunglasses Boutique at Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, solstice.com.

“The Babydécor” sneakers ($44); Stuart Weitzman at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, stuartweitzman.com.

Votivo Red Currant Collection “Studded Glamour” votive ($26); Agoura Antique Mart, Agoura Hills, agouraantiquemart.com.

Choc Stars dark chocolate bar ($5); Blue Table, Agoura Hills, bluetable.net; and Chocolate Maya, Santa Barbara, chocolatemaya.com.

Triumph & Disaster “Little Helper” hand wash ($30); A Beautiful Mess Home, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmesshome.com. Sonos “One” voice-activated smart speaker ($199); Wilshire Media Systems, Thousand Oaks, wilshirehe.com.

Thule “Chariot Cross” trailer, jogger, and stroller ($900); Trek Bikes of Ventura, trekbikesofventura.com.

Suunto “Traverse” GPS multifunction watch ($419); REI at The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, rei.com.

Kinto “SCS-02” brewer stand set ($188); Len Collective, San Luis Obispo, lencollective.com.

“Zodiac” trinket dish ($14 each); Anthropologie at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; anthropologie.com.

Acme Studio Peter Shire “Mangia” rollerball pen ($80); Folio Press & Paperie, Santa Barbara, woottonprinting.com.

“Nordic” boots ($178); J.Crew at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; jcrew.com.

Lavender and Canvas “Stuff” carpenter bag ($175); Chandeliers & Tulips, Agoura Hills, chandeliersandtulips.com; Porch, Carpinteria, porchsb.com; and Los Olivos General Store, losolivosgeneralstore.com.

Bloom Honey gift jars ($3 for two ounces); Bloom Honey, Westlake Village, bloomhoney.com. “Liqueur Malette” match striker ($23); Agoura Antique Mart, Agoura Hills, agouraantiquemart.com.

805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Lord Nut “Dill Pickle Ranch” peanuts ($4–$5); Blackbird General Store, Calabasas, blackbirdgeneralstore.com; and General Store Paso Robles, generalstorepr.com.

Globe “GSB Chromantic” skateboard with Bluetooth technology and built-in speaker ($190); Moondoggies Beach Club, San Luis Obispo, moondoggiesbeachclub.com.

Castelbel “Ciao Roma” soap ($10); Beautyhabit, Westlake Village, beautyhabit.com.

Jellycat “Cordy Roy Fox” ($25); Chicken Little, Santa Barbara, chickenlittlekids.com.

William Henry “Spearpoint High Desert” pocketknife ($1,400); West, Beverly Hills, westbh.com; and williamhenry.com.

Faux-fur stole ($60); J.Crew at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; jcrew.com.

Daneson “Bourbon No. 22” whiskey toothpicks ($9); The Iron & Resin Garage, Ventura, ironandresin.com.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

“Herringbone Aged” brass box ($405); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com.

Self-watering herb jar with seeds ($30); The Container Store at The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, containerstore.com.

Lollia “Dream” bubble bath ($50); Bijou, Paso Robles, bijouonthepark.com.

Bernardo “Miami” shearling sandals ($100); Diani Boutique, Santa Barbara, dianiboutique.com.

Rebecca Minkoff “Leo Saffiano” clutch ($95); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com.

Twine “Chateau Golden Arrow” stainless-steel stir sticks ($20); Los Olivos General Store, losolivosgeneralstore.com. 

For more nifty ideas, visit our “Gifted” Pinterest board, keyword: 805Living. 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Shimmer & Shine From top: Valentino Garavani “Twist Heel” calf-hair ankle boots ($1,375) and Aquazzura gunmetal satin “Party Bootie 85” with embellished heels ($1,195); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com.

Night Moves Get the party started in glorious style. PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Opulent From left: Fine, rare 34.08-carat Ceylon oval moonstone ring with 66 round diamonds (.45-carats total) in handmade 18-karat yellow gold setting; 25.95-carat oval cabochon tanzanite ring with blue melee sapphires (6.82 carats total) in handmade 18-karat white gold setting; 6.07-carat Sri Lankan blue star sapphire ring with melee diamonds (1.43 carats total) in handmade 18-karat rose and white gold setting; (prices upon request); Silverhorn at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, silverhorn.com.

805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Bold Edie Parker “Jean” acrylic box clutch with kiss-lock closure ($895 each); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Dashing Ted Baker “Global Luxe” paisley velvet jacket ($1,495) and “Bug Print” silk pocket square ($49); Ted Baker at Malibu Country Mart, tedbaker.com.

805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Glowing Nina Segal Jewelry pyrite necklace with labradorite flower pendant set in sterling silver with pavĂŠ diamonds ($1,195) and pyrite necklace with labradorite teardrop pendant set in sterling silver with pavĂŠ diamonds ($995); Sharon Segal Nina Segal at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, instagram. com/ninasegaljewelry.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Dapper Brackish natural, sustainably sourced peacock and pheasant feather bow ties ($195–$224). From top: “Jeffery,” “Switchback,” “Dawho,” “Codell,” and “Aberdeen”; Upstairs at Pierre Lafond, Montecito, upstrs.com. 

805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Cinnamon Roll Redux The warm, spiced flavors of the beloved breakfast hero find their way into three tasty recipes.

lthough they can be found in bakery cases all year long, cinnamon rolls showcase the hallmark flavors of winter. To be sure, the scent of a batch puffing up in the oven invites nostalgia for chilly mornings gone by. Here, two Central Coast bakeries share their methods for making treats that put a new spin on the spicy-sweet rolls: Recipes Bakery and Australian Coffee House (recipesbakery.com) in Santa Barbara shares its formula for quick-rising cinnamon rolls that flirt with the flavors of fruitcake, and Pardon My French Bakery (pardonmyfrenchslo.com) in Grover Beach provides its recipe for a white layer cake with cinnamon caramel sauce, cream cheese icing, and a cinnamon crumb topping. In addition, I disclose my technique for blending up a sweet, nutty smoothie that delivers cinnamon roll flavor with none of the frosting guilt. So what are you waiting for? Let’s roll!

CANDIED-FRUIT CINNAMON ROLLS Recipes Bakery and Australian Coffee House in Santa Barbara is a “cinnamon roll haven,” according to owner Meichelle Arntz, who uses her family recipe to make her signature treats, which are available at the bakery year-round, baked and par-baked (frozen and ready to bake at home) as well as sliced into cinnamon roll French toast. While her signature rolls go through a double-rise and take about three and a half hours to make, Arntz’s recipe for fruitcake-inspired cinnamon rolls takes just 45 minutes from start to finish, thanks to a warm (but turnedoff) oven used for an accelerated rise.

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Makes 12 rolls DOUGH ½ cup warm water 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon dry instant yeast 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled 1 egg ⅓ cup whole milk 1 teaspoon salt 3½ cups all-purpose flour Nonstick cooking spray FILLING 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, melted 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ cup sugar ⅛ cup dried or candied fruit (such as cherries, pineapple, raisins), chopped ⅛ cup pecans, chopped Kitchen string or unflavored dental floss (for cutting rolls)

GLAZE 2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon brandy (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2–3 tablespoons whole milk Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. To make dough: Place warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl combine melted butter, egg, milk, and salt, and whisk until combined. When yeast mixture begins to bubble, whisk it into the melted butter mixture. Transfer to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or leave mixture in large bowl. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition with the dough hook or by hand for 4 minutes, until dough is no longer sticky and pulls away from side of bowl. (If dough is still sticky, add more flour, little by little, until it is no longer sticky.) Preheat oven to 200°F. Allow dough to rise for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out to form a rectangle, ¼-inch thick. To add filling: Brush melted butter onto rolled-out dough and sprinkle dough with cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, dried fruit, and pecans. Starting at one long end of the rectangle, roll dough into a loose cylinder. To cut dough into rounds, slide a piece of kitchen string or floss beneath it, crosswise 1½ inches from one end of cylinder. Cross ends of string over one another and pull them until roll is cut through. Repeat process to end of cylinder. Place rolls on prepared baking sheet, cut-side down, spaced ½ inch apart to allow for rising. Turn off oven and wait 10 minutes, then place baking sheet in the still-warm oven to proof for 15 minutes. Remove pan gently >

By Jaime Lewis

Recipes Bakery and Australian Coffee Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Candied-Fruit Cinnamon Rolls are imbued with the festive colors and flavors of fruitcake. Calling for an accelerated rise in an oven that is off but still warm, they require just 45 minutes to make.

805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Taste Food and turn oven on again, preheating to 350°F. Bake rolls for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. To make glaze: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk as needed until glaze reaches drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls and allow to set, about 10 minutes. Serve.

CINNAMON-ROLL LAYER CAKE Pastry chef Lalo Tejeda and his wife, Jamie, opened Pardon My French Bakery (pardonmyfrenchslo.com) in Grover Beach nearly two years ago with a menu of composed desserts like bread pudding and chocolate tarts, in addition to specialoccasion cakes and cupcakes. In an adaptation of their popular Cinnamon Roll Cupcake formula, this show-stopping cake is made from layers of white cake bound with cinnamon caramel sauce and cream cheese icing with an addictive cinnamon crumb topping. Note: For a version of this recipe written in grams, visit 805living.com. Serves 15 to 18 CAKE BATTER 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2½ teaspoons baking powder 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups plus 4 teaspoons sugar 4 whole eggs 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1½ cups whole milk CREAM CHEESE ICING 3 cups cream cheese, room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract CINNAMON CARAMEL SAUCE 1 cup caramel sauce (Tejeda recommends Hershey’s or Lyons brand) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon CINNAMON CRUMB TOPPING 1 cup plus ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease three 8-inchround cake pans. To make batter: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until creamy, scraping down sides of bowl

using a rubber spatula. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Gradually add sifted dry ingredients, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes until cake is firm in center. To make icing: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in butter and vanilla until smooth. Set aside until ready to assemble cake. To make cinnamon caramel sauce: In a medium bowl, mix caramel and cinnamon with a fork until well combined. Set aside for cake assembly. To make cinnamon crumb topping: Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and beat until well combined. Spread mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake 10 minutes until topping turns a light, golden brown. Remove sheet from oven, and set aside for cake assembly. To assemble cake: Remove cooled cakes from pans. Using a long serrated knife, level by slicing off rounded tops. Place a small dab of icing on a cake pedestal or plate and top with first cake layer. Spread ½ cup of icing over top of cake layer. Drizzle top with half of caramel sauce, and sprinkle with ¾ cup of cinnamon crumb topping. Top with second cake layer and repeat with icing, remaining caramel sauce, and another ¾ cup of topping. Top with third cake layer. Using an offset spatula, cover entire cake with a thin layer of icing. Chill in refrigerator 15 minutes, then cover cake with remaining icing and top with remaining topping.

CINNAMON ROLL SMOOTHIE Whenever I zip this smoothie through the blender for my kids, I know they’ll slurp it down within minutes and request another. I’m happy to grant their wish because the pecans lend protein and dates are the only sweetener. That’s good news during a season rife with sugary treats. Serves 2 2 cups unsweetened almond milk 2 teaspoons cinnamon Pinch of salt 4 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 Medjool or Noor dates, pitted 3 tablespoons pecans 1 cup ice Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide between two tall glasses. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of each and serve with straws. 

Taste Spirits By Shauna Burke

Place simple syrup and superfine sugar in separate small bowls and set aside. Lay a piece of wax paper on the counter. Hold one rosemary sprig about two inches below the top. Strip the needles from that point to the bottom of the stalk and dip the remaining needles into simple syrup, then immediately into sugar to coat completely. Set sprig on wax paper and repeat with remaining sprigs. Allow sprigs to dry for about 1 hour, then slide a red raspberry onto the bottom of each. RASPBERRY PUREE Makes enough for about 16 Red Tidings 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries ¼ cup sugar 1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Combine ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar has melted and raspberries are extremely soft. Strain, pressing berries with back of spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Store puree in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Keep things merry with these five festive red‑hued cocktails.

othing brightens up a holiday gathering or a dreary winter afternoon like a fresh, aromatic cocktail. Enjoy the bounty of the season with these festive recipes from local expert mixologists featuring aged balsamic vinegar, yuzu, chiles, and other flavorful ingredients.

RED TIDINGS Pull that bottle of aged balsamic vinegar out of the pantry to add savory notes to this beautiful cocktail by Jacopo Falleni, food and beverage director at Westlake Village Inn (med-rest.com).

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Makes 1 cocktail ¾ ounce simple syrup ½ ounce Raspberry Puree (recipe follows) 3 red raspberries 4 lime wedges 12–15 dashes aged balsamic vinegar 1½ ounces vanilla rum Ice 1 Sugared Rosemary Garnish (recipe follows) Chill a martini glass. Combine simple syrup, raspberry puree, raspberries, lime wedges, and balsamic vinegar in a shaker and muddle. Add rum. Fill shaker with ice and shake until mixture is cold. Double-strain into martini glass and garnish with a sugared rosemary sprig. SUGARED ROSEMARY GARNISH Makes garnishes for 4 cocktails 4 ounces simple syrup ⅓ cup superfine sugar 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, each 4 to 5 inches long 4 fresh red raspberries

Makes 1 cocktail 1 large strawberry 1 large raspberry 1½ ounces gin ½ ounce elderflower liqueur ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ½ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce gomme syrup 1 egg white* Ice Fresh mint sprig, for garnish Pomegranate seeds, for garnish Muddle the strawberry and raspberry in a shaker, then add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, lime juice, gomme syrup, and egg white. Fill shaker with ice and shake well, then strain into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top. >

*For recipes that call for raw egg, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises using eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella by pasteurization or another approved method.

Ruby Sippers

Garnished with a sugared rosemary sprig, which almost looks like a snow-covered fir, this makes the ideal holiday party drink.

CLUB OF CLOVER Alberto Battaglini, general manager and resident mixologist at S.Y. Kitchen (sykitchen. com) in Santa Ynez, makes the most of gorgeous fresh produce behind the bar. The season’s cocktail menu is filled with ingredients like kiwi, pomegranate, fig, basil, and parsley, all of which keep the cold months fresh and bright. Note: If you can’t find gomme (gum) syrup, substitute simple syrup.

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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ENTERTAIN FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT BELMOND EL ENCANTO

Select from six beautifully appointed private event spaces including the picturesque Arbor Lily Pond, Riviera Ballroom, Channel Islands Terrace and additional venues overlooking Santa Barbara. The Wine Room, just steps from The Dining Room, is ideal for intimate festive gatherings. Our unique indoor and outdoor space can accommodate grand parties or more intimate affairs.

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Famous Bagels & Catering www.bagelnet.com santa barbara 53 S Milpas St. (805) 564 – 4331 M – F 6am – 4pm | Sat – Sun 7am – 3pm

carpinteria 5050 Carpinteria Ave. (805) 566 – 1558 M – F 6:30am – 3pm | Sat – Sun 7am – 3pm Justen, Director of Catering justencater@cox.net (805) 319 – 0155 | (805) 566 – 1558 x4

DECEMBER 2017 / 805LIVING.COM

Taste Spirits

DRAGON’S BREATH COSMO Trevor Nare, bar manager and sommelier at Q Sushi (qsushi.com) in Westlake Village, created a zippy tipple to combat the winter blues. His light, slightly sweet spin on the classic cosmopolitan finishes somewhere between tart and spicy. Note: If you can’t find 100-percent yuzu juice without added salt, substitute with equal parts fresh lemon and lime juice. Makes 1 cocktail 2 ounces Skyy Infusions Dragon Fruit vodka ½ ounce yuzu juice, available at Asian markets ½ ounce agave nectar ½ ounce cranberry juice Ice Lime wheel, for garnish Dash cayenne pepper, for garnish Chill a martini glass. Add vodka, yuzu juice, agave nectar, and cranberry juice to an icefilled shaker and shake until very cold. Strain into martini glass. Make a small cut halfway across diameter of lime wheel. Sprinkle lime wheel with cayenne pepper and slide the cut side onto rim of glass. JULEP DE APEROL Ivan Madrigal, lead bartender at Belmond El Encanto (belmond.com) hotel in Santa Barbara, shares the recipe for this light, aromatic, and bittersweet cocktail that makes a perfect accompaniment to hors d’oeuvres, such as the pork belly tacos or pear flatbread served at the hotel bar. Makes 1 cocktail 1½ ounce Pisco 1 ounce grapefruit juice ½ ounce Aperol ½ ounce simple syrup Crushed ice Fresh mint sprig, for garnish Add Pisco, grapefruit juice, Aperol, and simple syrup to an ice-filled shaker and shake until cold. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. MULA PICANTE This savory chile-infused cocktail also hits the high spicy notes and is sure to be a wake-up call at any time of day. Sean Sepulveda, bar manager at Santo Mezcal (instagram.com/ santomezcal_sb) in Santa Barbara, created this recipe to use with either Serrano chile–infused tequila or Fresno chile–infused mezcal, and both options are available at the restaurant.

Makes 1 cocktail Chipotle Salt (recipe follows), for garnish 1 lime wedge, to rim glass 2 ounces Serrano-Infused Tequila (recipe follows) 1 ounce Chipotle-Agave Syrup (recipe follows) 1 ounce fresh lime juice Ice Ginger beer 1 slice red bell pepper, for garnish Pour some Chipotle Salt into a shallow dish. Rub lime wedge around rim of a Collins glass. Dip rim of glass into Chipotle Salt to coat. Set glass aside. Add Serrano-Infused Tequila, ChipotleAgave Syrup, and lime juice to an ice-filled shaker and shake until cold. Strain cocktail mixture over ice into glass. Top off with ginger beer and garnish with red bell pepper slice. SERRANO-INFUSED TEQUILA Makes enough for 12 Mula Picante cocktails 1 750-milliliter (about 25 ounces) bottle tequila 2–3 fresh Serrano chiles, sliced Combine tequila and chiles in a glass container; cover and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours. The longer the mixture is refrigerated, the spicier it becomes. To speed the process, instead of refrigerating the mixture, allow it to sit at room temperature for 5 to 6 hours. (Sepulveda prefers the lengthier process.) CHIPOTLE-AGAVE SYRUP Makes enough for 25 Mula Picante cocktails 3 tablespoons chipotle powder 1 750-milliliter (about 25 ounces) bottle Tres Agaves agave nectar Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container or clean, dry bottle. CHIPOTLE SALT Sepulveda uses this spicy salt to rim the glasses in which he serves his Mula Picante. If you can’t find chipotle powder, substitute Spanish paprika.

3 parts kosher salt 1 part chipotle powder

In a small bowl, stir salt and chipotle powder to combine. The mixture is best if allowed to sit for about 1 day before using. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Cami can tell you the names of all of Mary’s grandchildren — in order, from youngest to oldest. As a Belmont Village caregiver, she’s passionate about enriching the lives of our residents through personal, skillful and thoughtful attention to every detail. From daily care to choosing the perfect birthday gift for the littlest grandchild, we’re there for our residents whenever — and however — they need us.

To us, they’re family.

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Taste Dining Out By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

High-Flying Dining Blackbird restaurant takes off at the Hotel Californian as executive chef Alex La Motte’s imaginative cuisine rekindles Santa Barbara’s dining scene.

he grand opening of the Hotel Californian (thehotelcalifornian.com) in Santa Barbara this fall ended a decades-long wait for the ambitious resurrection of the historic hotel of the same name, originally built in 1925. Three city blocks of the hotel property are now reopened, expanding the connection between the State Street corridor to the newer, sprawling Funk Zone. It’s a majestic resort with a ballroom, a boutique, paseos and fountains, an allday gourmet café, and a dazzling Moroccan-style spa. But just as exciting for hotel guests and the local community is what’s going on at Blackbird, the street-level hotel restaurant where executive chef and culinary director Alex La Motte is making a splash and just settling into his post-opening stride. His seasonal menu, with a distinct seafood focus, relies on the best of the Central Coast bounty, and his carefully considered goal is to provide the kind of experience that he found missing from Santa Barbara’s robust dining scene. Blackbird offers imaginative, elevated cuisine that cleaves to the currently prevalent philosophy that all good food conveys a profound sense of place. “I love it here,” says La Motte, whose accolades include a recent stint at MKT Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The scallop appetizer on the opening night menu exemplified La Motte’s penchant for utilizing what he calls “the versatility of a vegetable,” treating it in as many ways as possible on one plate: whole salsify (a root cousin of the dandelion) is braised in mineral water and butter like a Vichy-style carrot; a salsify puree is blended with fresh sorrel; and a salsify ribbon is fried to a delicate, crisp wafer. The perfectly tender diver scallops are served on a bed of tabouli-style quinoa, replete with chopped parsley plus sorrel for a lemony, grassy flavor, and topped with a fresh, graceful stem of red currants sweetened in a glistening gastrique of honey and red wine vinegar. “I’ve worked for some really great guys and picked up some tips,” says the gracious and affable La Motte, who seems too

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young to have culinary credits that include Jean-Georges and Daniel in New York City, The French Laundry in Yountville, Café Boulud in Palm Beach, and The Park Chalet and Clift Hotel in San Francisco, among others. Back before finding his path to The Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park,

LA MOTTE: COURTESY OF DOUG ELLIS; FOOD: JULIA G./SB FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Blackbird’s calling (clockwise from opposite): Black walls flank the Spanish Moorish–style dining room where white globe light fixtures hang from gold leaf tray ceiling designs over white tabletops and geometric chair patterns. Reflections of light from arched, paned windows interplay with graphic tile patterns. Artwork gives a nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Executive chef and culinary director Alex La Motte designs menus with a Mediterranean influence and an emphasis on seafood. Signature cocktails, spirits, and wine are poured at the sleek, modern bar. Spiny lobster is the cornerstone of a colorful dish.

La Motte studied math, biology, and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin. Even now, his approach to creating a dish is, not surprisingly, like solving for X. “That’s the way my brain works to bring ingredients into harmony,” he says, “to balance the equation of factors, of flavors and textures, while creating different effects on each plate. Also, the whole menu has to be balanced, like a long formula.” One dish to try from that highly calculated menu is the Kurobuta Pig appetizer, a tender slice of Watkins Ranch pork belly, both crisp and melty, with a sweet corn puree, mustard greens, a sweet date mustard sauce, and tight flavor bites of cheddar gnocchi made in the Parisian style of lightly > 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

Taste Dining Out poaching a pate a choux (flour and egg dough). The petrale sole entrée is another inspired feat. Moist and flaky fillets are cleverly layered with a thin plank of butter and Santa Barbara pistachios (two grinds, fine and coarse, are bound in frozen butter, then torched to create a crust over the fish) and served with a fresh, straight-from-theshell uni topping, shaved tricolor cauliflower, bits of pickled cauliflower, and whole smoked maitake mushroom clusters doused with a very subtle uni vinaigrette for added richness. The beef offering one night is a pan-seared, Holstein rib eye from Brandt Beef, a sustainable, family-owned source La Motte brings from his MKT experience. For those keen on beef facts, Holstein is typically a dairy cow, with a unique structure and fat content unlike the more common Angus, or the more expensive wagyu or Kobe beef varieties. “I’m so extremely proud of this product and of everything the Brandt brothers are doing, [such as] growing their own [corn],” La Motte says. The result is an unbelievably tender and succulent steak, presented with a red chermoula sauce—made with roasted tomatoes, dried tomatoes, capers, white anchovies, cumin, and coriander—a few sweet, red Jimmy Nardello peppers charred whole, and potato puffs that resemble croquettes, made with a smoked blue cheese. Although the preparations for these dishes are elaborate and somewhat mysterious, the descriptions of them on the menu are kept minimal. Similarly, the restaurant’s Spanish Moorish interior by designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is unfussy and pleasantly approachable, with black walls and white-topped tables, flickering candlelit lanterns, and a softly illuminated gold leaf ceiling with modern chandeliers featuring simple white globes. On the floor is a pattern of geometric tiles in russet and black, (tiles are a key design element throughout Hotel Californian, which boasts a grand total of more than two million). A long open bar mirrors a wall of doors that open onto a dining patio. The bar offers signature cocktails, spirits, and a wide selection of wines, with an especially good representation from Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys. La Motte is exuberant about all the culinary opportunities the new restaurant presents. There are the white oysters he is creating with The Jolly Oyster in Ventura and cultivating in Baja, Mexico, aiming he says, “for the small, buttery belly like a Kumamoto, with a high sea taste.” He looks forward to hosting banquet dinner events for companies that want to build local traditions. He has just tasted the amazing new desserts created by Blackbird’s executive pastry chef Benjamin Kunert using Buddha’s hand citron (a juiceless fruit with a lemony rind, sweet pith, and fingerlike sections) and what he dubs an “ode-to-bread-making” chocolate mousse creation that uses a sourdough starter and is served with rye ice cream, torched-wood flavored ganache, and cranberries. With winter’s gifts of spiny lobster, root vegetables, fresh porcini mushrooms, and black truffles from Burgundy, France, hearty celebrations are definitely in the air. In the hands of La Motte, such culinary treats for Blackbird guests just may rival the thrill of Christmas morning. 

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The Guide W H E R E TO E AT N OW

Our aim is to inform you of restaurants with great food that you might not have experienced yet. The guide is arranged not by cuisine type, but by style of restaurant. “Fine Dining” choices have an elegant atmosphere and very professional service. Restaurants included under the “Foodie” heading are heralded for their wonderful chefdriven cuisine, regardless of atmosphere. “A Good Bet” listings are just that—solid, casual, and delicious. The “Fun, Fun, Fun” category brings you spots geared toward a good time. New listings will appear in The Guide in every issue. Please send any comments and suggestions to edit@805living.com. ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations

at many of the restaurants listed here through Open Table.

Fine Dining

These restaurants have a skilled kitchen team, a lovely dining room, and great service. UPDATE ANGEL OAK 8301 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, 805-968-0100 ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/ santa-barbara/dining/angel-oak Steaks & Seafood; Entrées $31 to Market Price

Great Views, Romantic Located on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Angel Oak takes full advantage of its perch above the Santa Barbara County coastline and of the talents of chef Alexander Bollinger. The menu is modern steakhouse with a seafood twist—and guests can choose from among 12,000-bottles in the restaurant’s wine cellar.

For the latest entry in Lompoc’s expanding culinary scene, look for the city’s newest hotel. The Hilton Garden Inn is home to Valle Eatery + Bar, which serves braised pork belly tacos, wood-fired oven pizzas, and beer-battered Brussels sprouts made by executive chef and owner Conrad Gonzales. Open daily, the restaurant is an extension of his Valle Fresh (vallefresh.com) catering service and of the Valle Fresh tasting counter open Thursdays through Sundays in Los Alamos. ARTISAN 843 12th St. Paso Robles, 805-237-8084 artisanpasorobles.com New American; Entrées $14–$31

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Vegetables from the restaurant’s own farm, sustainably raised meats, and an award-winning chef combine to form a temple of gastronomy in the heart of 805 wine country. Chef and co-owner Chris Kobayashi prepares seasonal food for daily dinners, and weekend brunches. An afternoon menu of small plates, wood-fired pizzas, and drink specials is available daily at the bar. Chris’ wife, Shandi, matches excellent wines to her husband’s cuisine.

BELLA VISTA IN THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT The Biltmore Santa Barbara 1260 Channel Drive Santa Barbara, 805-969-2261 fourseasons.com/santabarbara/dining.html Californian and Italian Entrées and Sunday Brunch $20–$75

Great Views Named for its sweeping views of lawn, ocean, and sky, Bella Vista has a slightly Italian bent thanks to executive chef Marco Fossati. He uses local fish and organic farmers’ market produce, handmade pastas, and herbs from the chef’s garden at the resort to create such dishes as prime bistecca tagliata with salsa verde and crispy potatoes. Weekly specials include a Seafood at Sunset menu of shucked oysters and barbecued shrimp. (At the adjacent Ty Lounge, Fossati’s Mussel Madness Tuesdays menu features the shellfish prepared six ways and presented in cast-iron bowls from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.) The wine list offers local and international labels. Afternoon tea is served on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and requires reservations; call 805-565-8237.

BELMOND EL ENCANTO 800 Alvarado Place Santa Barbara, 805-845-5800 belmond.com/el-encanto-santa-barbara Entrées $28–$48

Great Views, Romantic The luxe Belmond El Encanto hotel perches atop its seven-acre hilltop property with sweeping city and ocean views. Settle in on the spacious terrace or in the elegant dining room and linger over artfully presented California coastal cuisine crafted by executive chef Johan Denizot. Local ingredients shine, including herbs from the chef’s garden and cheese made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s cow. The seasonal menu features appetizers such as halibut sashimi and mains like king crab leg in lobster-chili broth and classic New York steak with a choice of sides. The wine list includes Santa Barbara County gems and globetrotting

labels. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, although Sunday lunch is replaced with a bottomless Bellini brunch. Afternoon tea (reservations highly recommended) is served Monday through Saturday. In-the-know locals and hotel guests take in the sunset, cocktail in hand, on the terrace.

CA’ DARIO 37 E. Victoria St. Santa Barbara, 805-884-9419 cadario.net Italian; Entrées $15–$32

At the corner of Victoria and Anacapa streets, Ca’ Dario is somewhat off the Santa Barbara tourist path. That doesn’t mean it isn’t jammed with people twirling forks laden with al dente pastas sauced in Bolognese, or tomatoes with olives and capers, or smoked salmon with peas and tomato and cream. The Ravioli al Burro e Salvia is a fine example of a spinach-ricotta ravioli sauced in browned butter and crispy sage leaves. Steaks, lamb chops, and breaded chicken breast are quite filling. There’s a fresh fish special daily and sometimes a wonderful seafood risotto. Wines from Italy and the Central Coast line the walls.

UPDATE CELLO RISTORANTE & BAR 2700 Buena Vista Drive Paso Robles, 805-369-2503 allegrettovineyardresort.com/dining.aspx Mediterranean; Entrées $14–$38

Romantic Located at the luxurious Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Cello showcases the cuisine of executive chef Justin Picard, a veteran of kitchens in San Francisco and Aspen who has made two guest appearances at the James Beard House in New York. Look for local, seasonal ingredients (some grown on site) in his pastas, salads, flatbreads, steaks, and seafood. A serene covered patio near the substantial kitchen garden is a fine place for enjoying breakfast, lunch, small plates, or dinner outdoors. Cello also offers an extensive farm-to-bar cocktail menu and a wine list that includes several otherwise impossible-to-get bottles.

NEW THE CHASE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 1012 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-965-4351 chasebarandgrill.com Italian; Entrées $16–$44

Romantic With the cozy upscale ambience of an old-fashioned supper club, The Chase Restaurant and Lounge has offered enduring Italian favorites along with American steaks, chops, and seafood, since 1979, proving that the classics never lose their appeal. Sparkling garlands of tiny white lights, white tablecloths, a marble-inlaid bar, tip-top service, and Frank Sinatra in the background set the scene for traditional, satisfying meals.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE 2 Dole Drive Westlake Village, 818-575-3000 fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining Californian and Japanese; Entrées and Sunday Brunch $15–$72

Trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in his native Spain, executive chef Jose Fernandez brings a refined farm-and-ocean-to-table approach to the resort’s

The Dining Guide elegant dining rooms. At Hampton’s, posh furnishings and waterfall views are backdrops for a Champagne brunch buffet with live jazz on Sundays. The more casual Lobby Lounge features waterfall views with breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a Sustainable Living Menu. Located near the lobby, Stir is open daily from 6 a.m. with a grab-and-go menu of baked-on-site pastries and savory options to go with cold-brewed coffee, gelato, and other treats. With its fire pits and urban vibe, The Lookout is a sophisticated outdoor spot to start the evening with a cocktail and a small plate or two. Open Fridays through Sundays, The Tasting Room features California labels and a menu of wine-friendly nibbles. Sushi fans will want to visit Onyx, which gets its own write-up in the Foodie section of this guide. Valet parking is $7 with validation; self-parking is free for up to four hours with validation.

THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY 120 E. Promenade Way Westlake Village, 805-418-1760 thegrill.com American; Entrées $11–$59

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Steaks and chops are legendary here and at the original Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills, the ultimate power-lunch spot. At this location, whether out on the patio or in the dining room and bar, diners enjoy American comfort food with international flair. Sushi is available at lunch and dinner, and the menu’s friendly reminder that “any turf can surf” is an invitation to order jumbo prawns and other seafood with your filet mignon or dry-aged New York strip. Weekend brunch offers avocado toast, Niman Ranch slab bacon and eggs, and $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., when you can make a meal of the specially priced lollipop chicken wings, spicy tuna rolls, and wood-fired cheeseburger bites offered with cocktails, draft beers, and wines by the glass.

HOLDREN’S STEAKS & SEAFOOD 1714-A Newbury Road Newbury Park, 805-498-1314 and 512 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-965-3363 holdrens.com Steak House; Entrées $23–$49 (more for surf‑and-turf combos)

Romantic, Sunday Brunch The décor is sophisticated enough for business, while the lighting is low enough for romance. Comfy seating and friendly servers encourage lingering. Appetizers, like the baconwrapped prawns stuffed with feta cheese and jalapeño, are hearty enough to be main courses. Steaks are marbled, tender, and seasoned right. The signature Cowboy Cut is huge and sits atop a pile of spicy onion strings. All steaks come with sauce, a side dish, and a choice of soup or salad. Both locations are open for lunch on Monday through Friday; happy

hour runs daily at both, on the patio and in the bar, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Newbury Park location serves a Sunday brunch menu of omelets, Tiki Toast, and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All meals are served inside or out on the patio at both locations.

IL CORTILE RISTORANTE 608 12th St. Paso Robles, 805-226-0300 ilcortileristorante.com Italian; Entrées $18–$34

Il cortile is Italian for “the courtyard.” At this upscale restaurant at the edge of downtown Paso, the courtyard invites diners to breathe in beautiful evenings. A more intimate experience awaits inside, where diners find what the owners call contemporary Old World styling. Northern and Southern Italian dishes are the heart of executive chef and co-owner Santos MacDonal’s seasonal menu. Along with caldi (hot) and freddi (cold) antipasti, there is a section of the menu dedicated to mozzarella. Pasta, ravioli, and gnocchi have fresh, inspired flavors, hallmarks of being house-made. Secondi (main courses) cover beef, lamb, and seafood; osso bucco is particularly nice. The restaurant has a small bar area and a wine list that raises a glass to California’s Central Coast and Italy.

LUCKY’S 1279 Coast Village Road Montecito, 805-565-7540 luckys-steakhouse.com Steak House; Entrées $16–$69

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Black-and-white portraits of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Warhol, and Julia Child adorn the walls of this upscale steak house in Montecito. The plates and napkins are monogrammed, the patio is tented and heated for year-round enjoyment, and the bar opens an hour before dinner service begins. Steaks can be dressed with seven different sauces, there are eight versions of potato side dishes, and the onion rings should have their own Facebook Fan Page.

MEDITERRANEO 32037 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-889-9105 med-rest.com Mediterranean; Entrées $11–$105 (to share)

Great View, Kid-Friendly (breakfast and lunch), Sunday Brunch Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, Mediterraneo provides plenty of dining options for locals and guests of the Westlake Village Inn, where it is located. Executive chef Lisa Biondi showcases local, seasonal ingredients in starters such as Kurobuta pork belly with crispy white polenta and apple agrodolce, Italy’s answer to sweetand-sour sauce. Entrées include an array of flatbreads, swordfish with sautéed rapini, Niman Ranch doublecut pork chops and oven-roasted carrots with rosemary garlic potatoes, and an 18-ounce free-range veal chop Milanese. The à la carte Sunday

brunch choices range from light to decadent. Happy hour, on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., features live music, a $5 menu, and thematic foodand-drink specials (think Mozzarella Mondays and Truffle Tuesdays). Worth a splurge: classic and craft cocktails filtered through the imagination of mixologist and food and beverage manager Jacopo Falleni. Patios offer views of the lake or vineyard; a private room is available for special events.

MR. CHOW 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 18A Malibu, 310-456-7600 mrchow.com Chinese Family-style service $60–$80 per person; à la carte service available Romantic Located in the Malibu Country Mart, this Mr. Chow location shares a menu and sense of showmanship with its famous older brother in Beverly Hills. (Both offer hand-pulled noodle demonstrations.) Décor is minimalist, putting the cuisine in sharp focus. Favorite dishes include honey-glazed prawns with walnuts, enlivened with dabs of spicy chili sauce from the small pots found on each table. A three-course Beijing Duck dinner ($78 per person) is among the prixfixe, family-style dining options, which tend to be less spendy than going à la carte. A small-bites menu is available in the bar, where the cocktails change with the seasons.

NOBU 22706 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, 310-317-9140 noburestaurants.com Japanese with Peruvian Influences; Entrées $8–$46, Omakase Menu $100–$150

The stars love to come to Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant for its sushi bar and Peruvian-influenced Japanese cuisine as well as the omakase (chef’s choice menus) and other high-budget treats. The rest of us might need to check our bank accounts before ordering the lobster shiitake salad with spicy lemon dressing (nearing the $50 mark at lunch and dinner). The ocean views available from nearly every seat are priceless—and a little easier to squeeze into the budget during breakfast and brunch service on Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when selections range from Jidori chicken and waffles ($24) to the caviar “hot pot” of steamed eggs topped with crème fraîche, crispy mushrooms, and caviar ($21).

THE RANCH HOUSE 102 Besant Road Ojai, 805-646-2360 theranchhouse.com Farm-to-table Prix fixe $45 for three courses, $55 for five

Romantic The Ranch House is much changed from the early 1950s, when it was founded as a pay-what-you-can vegetarian restaurant by Alan and Helen Hooker. But its sense of magic remains: A stream runs through the

property, spilling into a koi pond with a bridge that leads to the gardens. Tables draped in white linens are tucked behind stands of bamboo throughout the garden and arranged on a sheltered patio strung with twinkle lights. (The table nearest the pond is a prime spot for marriage proposals.) The current menu channels the Hookers (who added meat to the menu in the 1960s) with prix-fixe dinners that continue to showcase local produce, some of it from the on-site herb garden. Don’t miss the braised pork belly appetizer, which might come with a sweet pineapple poppy sauce one season and other accompaniments the next. The wine list offers 600 imported and domestic labels. A note about the address: The Ranch House is located where South Lomita Avenue meets Besant Road, prompting Yelp and other online sources to place it at 500 S. Lomita Ave.

SABOR COCINA MEXICANA 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, 805-497-2457 saborcocinamexicana.com Mexican; Entrées $14–$24

Romantic, Sunday Brunch It’s flashy and fancy—not your usual Mexican cocina. Eat in the bar area where huge margaritas are being blended, or on the front patio while people watching, or in the main dining room with the massive chandeliers strung with red glass hearts. Chefowner Leticia Hansen turns out beautifully plated entrées like chicken enchiladas with Oaxacan cheese and cochinita pibil, which is pork in achiote sauce. Her partner and husband, Mark Hansen, makes sure the dining areas are running smoothly.

SAN YSIDRO RANCH 900 San Ysidro Lane Santa Barbara, 805-565-1700 sanysidroranch.com American; Entrées $18–$56 at Plow & Angel; $38–$63 at The Stonehouse; Sunday brunch $75

Great View, Romantic, Sunday Brunch The five-star treatment at this historic resort starts the minute you turn onto the long drive lined with olive trees and lavender; it continues as you are greeted by a valet who whisks away your car from the circular entrance to its two restaurants, both overseen by executive chef Matthew Johnson. At Plow & Angel, the menu and setting are in keeping with a well-appointed tavern. Thick stone walls and a fireplace create a cozy space for enjoying barrel-aged cocktails and a menu of grilled flatbreads, beer-battered halibut and chips, and grilled New York steak with cognac peppercorn sauce. Upstairs, The Stonehouse dining room gleams with copper and burnished wood and has a sheltered terrace with views of Montecito. Seating is also available on outdoor patios below, furnished with a fireplace and fountain and flanked by loquat trees. At lunch, served Mondays through Saturdays, the rightfully famous BLTA is made with house-smoked bacon and Little Gem lettuce grown on the premises. A three-course market menu also

The Dining Guide emphasizes local ingredients. Served from 6 p.m. daily, the dinner menu includes house-made fettuccine with speck ham and carrot nage and Steak Diane prepared in the classic style—flambéed tableside. The list of wines and spirits is varied and deep. (Stonehouse is just one of 88 restaurants worldwide to earn the 2016 Grand Award from Wine Spectator.) Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes starters, entrées, desserts, and free-flowing LaurentPerrier Brut Champagne. At $75, it’s a steal.

Like the idea of home-baked gifts more than actually making them? Call on The Ranch House (theranchhouse.com) in Ojai for help this holiday season. Typically made for dinner service on Tuesdays through Sundays, the mini loaves of date-walnut and honey-oat breads served at the restaurant are also available as one-pound loaves for purchase at $5 each. (To inquire, ring the doorbell next to the bakery sign). Add festive cellophane wrapping, and it will look like you baked them yourself.

SUZANNE’S CUISINE 502 W. Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-640-1961 suzannescuisine.com New American; Entrées $15–$28

Romantic Travelers to Ojai make Suzanne’s a part of their itinerary so they can explore what she’s up to in any given season. Relying heavily on the produce around her, Suzanne Roll turns out lunch and dinner dishes that are interesting and handcrafted. Breads for the sandwiches are made by a local bakery; soups change daily. You might see a rainbow trout grilled with rosemary and lemon or a stuffed Cornish game hen with an apricot-marsala sauce. The atmosphere is casual with seats on the back patio next to the garden and a most pleasant gurgling fountain and outdoor fireplace. For cooler weather, there’s also an enclosed patio. Note: The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

TIERRA SUR RESTAURANT AT HERZOG WINE CELLARS 3201 Camino del Sol Oxnard, 805-983-1560 tierrasuratherzog.com New American; Entrées $16–$58 Wine-Tasting Menu $70

Tucked inside Herzog’s winery and tasting room, Tierra Sur specializes in wine-friendly meals made with careful attention to detail. Executive chef Gabe Garcia, who’s also a fan of local, seasonal fare, maintains the Mediterranean vibe of the menu. Marinated olives, lamb bacon, and corn tortillas are made in-house. Tapas feature beet salad as well as pastrami and corned beef tongue. Watch carefully, and you may see your bone-in rib eye for two prepared on the patio’s wood-burning grill before it is served with kale and sous vide oyster mushrooms. Desserts are elegantly plated variations on sorbets and flourless chocolate cake. Surrounded by the coppery glow of the walls and

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the burnished-wood wine rack that frames the kitchen pass-through, diners may need to pinch themselves as a reminder that they’re at a kosher restaurant in an Oxnard industrial park. On Fridays, only lunch is served. The restaurant is closed on Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath.

UPDATE TRA DI NOI RISTORANTE 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 8A Malibu, 310-456-0169 tradinoimalibu.com Italian Entrées $18–$36; market price for some seafood Sunday Brunch Even though locals know what they want without opening a menu, the kitchen at this restaurant in the Malibu Country Mart can still impress the rest of us with its handmade pastas, shaved truffles, grass-fed beef, local olive oil, and salads made with produce from Malibu’s Thorn Family Farm. The spaghetti carbonara manages to be both low fat and delicious, and the seasonal specials are a treat. The well-curated wine list matches the food and offers prime selections for sipping on the patio.

TUSCANY IL RISTORANTE 968 S. Westlake Blvd. Westlake Village, 805-495-2768 Italian; Entrées $18–$32

Romantic Village dwellers pack this beautiful space for its warm, friendly service and top-notch food. The menu is small, but the nightly specials are worth investigating. High rollers and celebs consider this their neighborhood boîte. Others come just for special occasions. The lobster and shrimp martini salad has hearts of palm, avocado, and pink grapefruit segments; the baby greens salad has shaved fennel and toasted pine nuts; the whole Dover sole is topped with a lemon-chervil sauce; and the chicken breast comes under a sun-dried tomato pesto.

Foodie Cuisine that shines

regardless of décor, service, ambience, or even views. AZU 457 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-640-7987 azuojai.com Mediterranean-Californian, Gastropub Tapas and bar snacks $5–$16, Entrées $9–$32

Weekend Brunch A long, dark-wood bar dominates the front room at this popular lunch, dinner, and tapas spot, creating the perfect setting for the Ojai Valley Brewery taproom. Small-batch ales and lagers made with local botanicals by Jeremy Haffner, the son-in-law of owner and chef Laurel Moore, are available by the pint, tasting flight, and take-home growler. Pair them with gastropub fare such as tacos, flatbreads, and poutine topped with braised beef and salsa roja. Lunch and dinner options include falafel chiles rellenos, and a vegan paella of white beans, peas, cauliflower, broccolini, and artichoke hearts. Blueberry-lemon pancakes and croquette eggs Benedict with preserved lemon hollandaise are on the weekend brunch menu served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional seating is available on the sidewalk, in the brick-lined dining room, and—in warmer months—on a sheltered, ivy-covered back patio.

UPDATE BARBAREÑO 205 W. Canon Perdido St. Santa Barbara, 805-963-9591 barbareno.com Californian; Entrées $18–$29

This restaurant highlights ingredients from the Central Coast in menus that feature a few changes monthly. Head chef Justin Snyder focused on pastry in his previous culinary lives, evident from the carefully composed salads, tartares, and desserts that emerge from the kitchen. Recurring favorites include starters like avocado roulade made with hamachi crudo and coconut-oolong milk, and cheeky Eggamuffins featuring buttermilk blini stacked with Seascape cheese, speck, and shavings of salt-cured egg yolk. Hope Ranch Mussels with fennel and mustard broth and slow-cooked Wagyu tri tip are also available, along with an extensive inventory of local beers and a wine list that recently garnered a Wine Spectator award of excellence.

UPDATE THE BEAR AND STAR 2860 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, 805-686-1359 thebearandstar.com American; Entrées $15–$49

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Named for the motifs on the California and Texas state flags, this restaurant, located at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, sources much of its beef, poultry, and produce from the nearby 714-acre Parker family ranch. The wood-smoked traditions of both states are represented on what is referred to as a “refined ranch cuisine” menu by chef and partner John Cox. Dishes have included cured Wagyu carpaccio topped with shavings of cured egg yolk, stuffed local quail with molasses gastrique, grilled catfish with charred onion dressing, and, for dessert, a chess pie to make Cox’s Lone Star–state brethren proud. Brunch features an à la carte menu with specialty cocktails.

BELL STREET FARM EATERY & MARKET 406 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-4609 bellstreetfarm.com American; Entrées $10–$15

Kid-Friendly Farm-to-fork dining goes country chic at this spot in Santa Barbara County wine country. The tables are covered with butcher paper—the better to catch spills from glasses of regional wines while giving kids a canvas for crayon masterpieces. The deceptively simple menu features soups, salads, and sandwiches made with local produce, Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, and artisanal meats. Prepared on a rotisserie visible from the order counter, free-range chicken from Santa Clarita’s Huntsinger Ranch stars in the tamarind chickensalad sandwich served with house-pickled veggies. Assemble-your-own picnic baskets are available; ask about after-hours dinners with local vintners.

BIG SKY CAFE 1121 Broad St. San Luis Obispo, 805-545-5401 bigskycafe.com Eclectic; Entrées $14–$25

A comfortable artist and foodie hangout, Big Sky serves fresh market cuisine with a Southern inclination for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a list of 20 local wines by the glass. Chef and owner Greg Holt prepares two types of soup (one vegetarian) from scratch daily and fish specials like wild-caught salmon in an ancho chili glaze made of harissa, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar or Thai catfish with tofu. Among the breakfast highlights are beignets and huevos rancheros; lunchtime offerings include a turkey burger with sweet potato fries and buttermilk-fried chicken salad with

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Bar & Grill

The Chase Restaurant Santa Barbara’s Best Italian Food Since 1979

Join Us for a Great Santa Barbara Tradition USA Today Top 10 Most Romantic Santa Barbara Restaurant

Sunday – Thursday 11 am to 9:30 pm s Friday – Saturday 11 am to 10 pm Happy Hour Monday – Friday 3 pm to 6 pm

For reservations go to chasebarandgrill.com or call 805-965-4351 1012 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

The Dining Guide peppered walnuts and beets. In summer, market vegetables become gazpacho and green chili-flecked cornbread mini-muffins are perfect for dunking.

BOB’S WELL BREAD BAKERY 550 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-3000 bobswellbread.com European; Pastries and Breads $1.50–$20, Entrées $7–$13

Located in a refurbished 1920s-era service station with its original Douglas fir floors intact, this artisanal bakery is well worth a visit. For the best selection, arrive at 7 a.m. on Thursdays through Mondays, when the doors open and aromatic scones, bagels, kouign-amann, pain au chocolat, and other pastries come out of the ovens. Loaves of naturally leavened, burnished-crust breads follow soon after. Special daily breads include pain aux lardons (Saturdays and Sundays), and gluten-free Centennial Loaf (Mondays). The on-site café serves breakfast and lunch (think avocado toast tartine, croque monsieur sandwiches, and grilled bread with pâté and onion-bacon marmalade) until 3 p.m. Grab-and-go items for DIY picnics include ficelle sandwiches made with French ham, Emmentaler cheese, and house-made butter. Check the Facebook page for details about monthly meet-the-winemakers gatherings that include foodand-wine pairings.

Man (and woman) cannot live by Christmas cookies alone, so the timing is good for the debut of Nourish (nourishslo.com) at the Granada Hotel & Bistro in San Luis Obispo. The focus is on healthy, grab-and-go options for breakfast and lunch (think local-fruit smoothies, superfood bowls, farmers’ market soups, and more), but diners are also welcome to sit and enjoy the scenery.

BOTTLEST WINERY BAR & BISTRO 35 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-686-4742 bottlestbistro.com Californian Entrées $21–$33, Small Plates $13–$28

Located adjacent to Terravant Wine Company at the end of Industrial Way, Bottlest is inspired both by the neighborhood’s status as a foodie magnet and by the custom wine-blending and bottling program. Executive chef Owen Hanavan, formerly at Babareño in Santa Barbara, uses locally sourced meats, seafood, and produce in carefully composed small plates (bite-size lamb meatballs with mint, poached yellowtail with rice crackers) and entrées (16-spice pork shoulder, catch-of-the-day with creamy potatoes) served on dishes of varying shapes and sizes. Lunch and bar menus are more casual, focusing on salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. Local beers and creative cocktails are featured with 52 wines on tap for self-service using a card that tracks your choices. Most are from Terravant’s customcrush facility, visible through a window in the dining room. A few are library selections sourced from other wineries in the region, giving diners a chance to try rare, cellared wines by the glass.

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BOUCHON 9 W. Victoria St. Santa Barbara, 805-730-1160 bouchonsantabarbara.com Wine Country Cuisine; Entrées $26–$38

Romantic Bouchon celebrates the local, from its carefully curated wine list to the craftspeople overseeing the successful remodeling of the garden patio at the front entrance. Executive chef Greg Murphy follows suit, using farmers’ market ingredients in dishes like panroasted local white fish with wilted dandelion greens or a soup featuring white carrots from Tutti Frutti Farms. (Murphy’s Foodie Stroll menu includes a tour of the Tuesday farmers’ market followed by a threecourse meal with wine for $95 per person.) Add the gracious presence of proprietor Mitchell Sjerven and you have the ingredients for the first Santa Barbaraarea restaurant in a decade to earn the AAA Four Diamond award for excellence.

NEW CAFÉ FICELLE 390 S. Mills Road Ventura, 805-941-3444 cafeficelle.com French; Baked goods, $2–$9; Entrées $10–$17

Saturday & Sunday Brunch With rustic loaves of bread and flaky pain au chocolat, Café Ficelle is Ventura’s answer to that charming boulangerie-patisserie you discovered the last time you were in Paris. Baked goods change with the seasons and artisanal whims of co-owner Bryan Scofield and son-in-law and executive baker Jarrett Chambers. Breakfast items include crepes, avocado toast, and house-made granola. Lunch features soups, salads, and sandwiches made on titular ficelles (thin loaves of French bread). Craft beers and local and imported wines are available for DIY pairings with the Evening Faire dinner menu of French specialties (think escargots, pommes soufflés, and beef Bourguignonne) available on Thursdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Brunch from 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays is à la carte, with mimosas and Ficelle Royales.

EMBER RESTAURANT 1200 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande, 805-474-7700 emberwoodfire.com California-Mediterranean Small Plates $10–$17, Pizzas $18–$20, Entrées $23–$32

Named for the wood fires used to cook the restaurant’s seasonal and farm-fresh dishes, Ember is the project of executive chef Brian Collins, an Arroyo Grande native who shares skills he honed at Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos with his hometown. The menu, like the beer and wine list, is locally focused, changes monthly, and includes rustic specialties such as crispy kale and house-made fennel sausage pizza, Jidori chicken alongside a wedge of grilled polenta and farmers’ market veggies, and grilled rib eye served over roasted potatoes and topped with a decadent garlic confit and avocado chimichurri.

FARMER AND THE COOK 339 W. El Roblar Drive Ojai, 805-640-9608 farmerandcook.com Vegetarian; Entrées $6–$14

Kid-Friendly Steve Sprinkel is the farmer and wife Olivia Chase is the cook at this combination café, bakery, market, and community center in the Meiners Oaks area of the Ojai Valley. A soup-and-salad bar offers fresh, organic fare for those on the go. The daily menu of vegetarian Mexican dishes like Swiss chard enchiladas and huaraches topped with grilled

veggies, Feta, and Jack cheeses, and salsa roja can be made vegan with the substitution of a housemade cashew “cheese.” Gluten-free and raw foods are also available. On Friday and Saturday nights, the weekend farm café menu features dishes inspired by what Chase has harvested from the couple’s farm less than 3 miles away.

FINCH & FORK 31 W. Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, 805-879-9100 finchandforkrestaurant.com American; Entrées $10–$35

Weekend Brunch Located in the Kimpton Canary Hotel, the restaurant has its own entrance at Chapala and Carrillo streets. The vibe in the dining room is sophisticated but comfortable, words that also describe the locally sourced menu by executive chef James Siao. Creative starters, flatbreads, salads, and entreés change with the seasons for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The latter, served from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, even has its own cocktail menu. The daily specials menu offers Siao’s famous buttermilk fried chicken on Tuesdays and a new pork dish every Thursday. The happy hour menu is so good they offer it twice a day on Mondays through Fridays: Early Bird is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Night Flight is from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Both feature drinks and snacks starting at $3. Go ahead and splurge on the $8 S&P wings, tossed in a sweet chili glaze and served with pickled celery.

FIRST & OAK 409 First St. Solvang, 805-688-1703 firstandoak.com California French Small Plates $8–$19, Entrées $34–$38

Named for its address, this restaurant inside the newly renovated Mirabelle Inn is a showcase for the talents of British-born executive chef Steven Snook, a veteran of the Michelin Star–rated kitchens of Gordon Ramsay. Snook marries classic and molecular gastronomy techniques with local ingredients, creating a small plates–focused menu that changes with the seasons. Artful platings of butternut squash soup poured over brown-butter sage tortellini as well as sous vide carrots with a 63-degree (Celsius) egg echo the drama of the Belle Époque–inspired dining room. For spring, heirloom tomato consommé is ramped up with vegetables and preserved lemon and a spring wedge salad showcases baby gem lettuce, topping it with green goddess dressing, fresh herbs, and pistachios. (Outdoor patio seating is also available.) Co-owner, sommelier, and general manager Jonathan Rosenson oversees the wine list, which includes selections from his family’s Coquelicot Estate Vineyard, also in Solvang, along with other Santa Barbara County labels. France, Italy, Germany, and New Zealand are represented, too. Call for news about winemaker dinners.

UPDATE FOREMOST WINE CO. 570 Higuera St., Suite 105 San Luis Obispo, 805-439-3410 foremostslo.com American, Eclectic Small plates $9–Market Price; Entrées $22–$31 In the heart of San Luis Obispo, this combination restaurant, wine bar and lounge, and burrata bar offers a metro-rustic vibe and globe-trotting wine list. The menu by the culinary team of chefs Andrew Cross and Drew Vaughan pairs worldly flavors with ingredients sourced closed to home. Dishes include farro risotto with roasted vegetables, a crudo of the day featuring local fish or beef, and grilled petite

Experience

Kitá Wines Kitá, “Our Valley Oak” in the Chumash native language of Samala, embodies the spirit of the Santa Ynez Valley that carries the voice of the vineyard to the bottle.

kitawines.com Private Tastings Available By Appointment 300 N. 12t Street Unit 1A Lompoc CA 93436 805.819.1372

The Dining Guide tenderloin with mushroom–blue cheese bread pudding. The burrata bar serves several combos: The Bee Keeper marries the creamy cheese with shards of chewy honeycomb and a seasonal fruit or vegetable. Happy hour on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. includes $5 by-the-glass wine specials, a $4 to $10 happy hour menu, and draft beers.

GRANADA BISTRO 1126 Morro St. San Luis Obispo, 805-544-9110 granadahotelandbistro.com Californian, French-Asian; Entrées $14–$29

Romantic, Sunday Brunch Connected to the 17-room Granada Hotel, the bistro is both intimate and big-city urban, combining exposed brick walls with velvet upholstery and an eclectic art collection. (Check out the sculptural “tree” on the patio.) Executive chef Kenny Bigwood’s seasonal menus start with creative small plates, sides, and cheese and charcuterie selections. Don’tmiss entrées include cherry cola–braised ribs at dinner, Cuban panini, and a chef’s selection bento box at lunch, and eggs Benedict made with corn bread, bacon, and chipotle hollandaise during Sunday brunch. The wine list focuses on small-production labels from around the world. Cocktails often include locally foraged ingredients like lavender, rosemary, and pink peppercorns.

NEW HOTEL CALIFORNIAN 36 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-882-0100 thehotelcalifornian.com/santa_barbara_ restaurants/ Eclectic; Entrées $31–$50

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Built on the grounds of the original Hotel Californian less than a block from Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara’s newest resort pays careful attention to all the luxurious details while retaining a casual yet elegant vibe. Its dining options are equally skilled. At Blackbird, dinner menus by executive chef Alexander La Motte showcase local ingredients in dishes inspired by the Mediterranean with some North African influences; the bar serves signature cocktails in addition to local brews on tap. (Fans of Alfred Hitchcock will get a kick out of his photo in the dining room.) Located in a separate building from Blackbird, Goat Tree is an order-at-the-counter café with its own patio and, in the dining room, windows with a view of the kitchen. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with grab-and-go options for impromptu picnics.

INDUSTRIAL EATS 181 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-688-8807 industrialeats.com New American; Entrées $6–$20

To find this destination restaurant on Buellton’s aptly named Industrial Way, drive past the Central Coast Water Authority office and look for a building painted with floating sausages, carrots, and wine glasses. At night, a neon “Eats” sign points to the front door. Inside, you’ll find imported cheeses, house-cured meats, and locally sourced dishes by New West Catering owner and executive chef Jeff Olsson, making his debut as restaurateur. Frequent changes to the menu are noted by pull-down rolls of butcher paper behind the deli counter. Wood-fire pizzas can be simple (rosemary with Parmesan) or adventurous (crispy pig’s ear salad with sriracha and an egg cracked on top). “Not Pizza” selections include veal sweetbreads with arugula and a beef tongue pastrami Reuben. Press Gang Cellars is among the local labels with wines on tap.

NEW LA COSECHA MODERN COCINA 450 E. Harbor Blvd. Ventura, 805-652-5151 lacosecharestaurant.com Mexican; Entrées $13–$23

Located inside the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach hotel, this casually upscale restaurant is named for “the harvest” in Spanish. The menu by executive chef Luis Martinez, a native of Jalisco, marries authentic Mexican flavors with contemporary cooking techniques and locally grown produce. Shareable plates include shrimp and octopus ceviche as well as barbacoa beef taquitos with avocado-tomatillo salsa. House specialties include chicken tinga enchiladas and grilled salmon marinated in orange and achiote and served with tequila butter. Thematic specials are available throughout the week: On Margarita Mondays, the featured drink is $6.

THE LARK 131 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-284-0370 thelarksb.com New American; Entrées $18–$42

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone takes flight with The Lark, named for the Pullman train that once made overnight runs between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The past is present in the restaurant’s setting, a former fish market remodeled to include exposed brick walls, subway tile, a communal table atop vintage radiators, and private booths fashioned from church pews. As culinary conductor, executive chef Jason Paluska oversees a thoroughly modern menu that highlights local ingredients. Deviled eggs with jalapeño and crispy pancetta are popular starters to shared plates of roasted chicken served with black-pepper grits and black garlic-glazed lamb shank, depending on the season. Craft brews and wines by the glass extend the artisanal spirit into the bar. Desserts by pastry chef Jeff Haines include honey cremeux with spice-roasted strawberries, pistachio crumble, lemon curd, and smoked vanilla ice cream.

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LES MARCHANDS WINE BAR & MERCHANT 131 Anacapa St., Suite B Santa Barbara, 805-284-0380 lesmarchandswine.com European; Small Plates $8–$16; Entrées $18–$30

Weekend Brunch The vibe is Parisian bistro, but selections at this combination wine bar, restaurant, and retail shop in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone give equal opportunity to the United States and other countries. The by-theglass wine selection is well-rounded, craft beer is available on draft and in bottles, and the cocktails showcase vintage and contemporary recipes. The menu by executive chef Weston Richards includes charcuterie, cheese platters, and artisanal toasts made with bread from the neighboring Helena Avenue Bakery (you’re also welcome to bring in a pizza from the nearby Lucky Penny). Dinner is served daily from 5 p.m. Monday Night Chicken & Waffles features Richards’ lemon-brined fried chicken and sourdough waffles with house-made butter and hot sauce. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. offers dishes such as shakshuka (a Middle Eastern poached-egg dish) and tres leches French toast.

UPDATE LIDO AT DOLPHIN BAY 2727 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach, 805-773-8900 thedolphinbay.com/lido Californian; Entrées $16–$46

Great View, Saturday & Sunday Brunch Executive chef Kurt Steeber brings his eye for seasonal ingredients to a menu that echoes the creativity of the art glass displayed in Lido’s dining room. A baby beet salad is served with white bean puree and walnut chutney, while an appetizer of local octopus appears with linguica, fingerling potatoes confit, and black olive aioli. The casual portion of the menu offers fennel sausage pizza and Teixeira Cattle Co. beef 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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The Dining Guide burgers; plates range from slow-cooked chicken breast and roasted chanterelle mushroom ragout to a decadent filet of beef tenderloin with smoked blue cheese. Saturday and Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. features a three-course plated brunch with bottomless mimosas as well as à la carte dishes.

NEW LOQUITA 202 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-880-3380 loquitasb.com Modern Spanish; Entrées $19–$42 Great Patio

Loquita is Spanish slang for a wild, fun-loving girl, but this eatery’s menu and food are seriously irreproachable. Executive chef Peter Lee sources the finest meat, fish, cheese, and produce to create festive, communal, à la carte meals, including tapas, pintxos (small bites typically pierced with a toothpick), and signature paella dishes. Drinks autentico include sangria and Spanish-style gin and tonics. Enjoy the spacious patio with two inviting fireplaces, or try the small-bites bar named, naturally, Poquita.

MAD & VIN 1576 Mission Drive Solvang, 805-688-3121 thelandsby.com Eclectic; Entrées $16–$34

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This restaurant located inside one of Solvang’s newest hotels is named for the Danish words for “food” and “wine.” You won’t find a single aebleskiver in the sleek but comfy dining room, but Mad & Vin still pays homage to Solvang’s heritage with a cheese fondue starter of melted Gruyère and fontina touched with brandy and the Nordic Caesar salad of local greens, white shrimp, and warm cheese croutons. At dinner, the lamb porterhouse with mint chimichurri and seafood hot pot, paired with selections from the primarily Santa Barbara County wine list, are not to be missed. Open from 4 p.m. on weekdays and from noon on Saturdays and Sundays, the bar is a Scandinavian-chic spot to meet friends for cocktails, like The Countess (think vodka, blood-orange shrub, and rhubarb bitters) and for bites that range from small, such as herbed olives, to large, like a rib-eye burger that also appears on the dinner menu.

MOUTHFUL EATERY 2626 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, 805-777-9222 mouthfuleatery.com Peruvian, Californian; Entrées $9–$14

Kid-Friendly Don’t let the multicolored chalkboard menu or the solarpowered toy pigs decorating the dining room fool you: This order-at-the-counter café may specialize in salads, sandwiches, and what are called “powerbowls” in a fun, casual atmosphere, but chef and co-owner Luis Sanchez is serious about the food—witness Mouthful’s inclusion on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2015. La Sarita, a sandwich of house-roasted pork shoulder served with fried sweet potatoes and pickled red onions, gets its heat from an aioli made with aji amarillo, a pepper from Sanchez’s native Peru. Additions at dinner might include malbec-braised short ribs on polenta one night and savory chicken stew called aji de gallina the next. Desserts include alfajores, delicate shortbread cookies filled with salted caramel. The Foodies in Training children’s menu includes a turkey slider with fruit, yucca fries, and a drink, all for $6.

NEW THE NEST 401 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-798-9035 Californian; Entrées $8–$15

Don’t let the order-at-the-window casualness fool you: The Nest serves high-quality fare with options

for vegans and carnivores, plus craft cocktails that change with the seasons. Chef and co-owner Kiona Wachter is an Ojai native, a fact that turns up in such dishes as The Tireman, a brisket sandwich named for her uncle’s tire business in nearby Oak View, and in the Tico Salad, sprinkled with Fritos corn chips just as it was when her father and godmother served it at their Nest of Ojai restaurant more than 20 years ago. Pizzas, rice bowls, cauliflower tacos, shave ice, and desserts round out the menu. Indoor seating is limited; the most popular spot for dining is the semi-sheltered patio, which offers views of the Topa Topa mountain range.

OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojairesort.com Various cuisines Entrées $11–$60; Saturday Buffet Brunch $29; Sunday Bluegrass Brunch $49

The resort’s beautiful setting can be enjoyed by hotel guests and others who simply want to patronize the restaurants. As the fine-dining flagship, Olivella and Vine features California cuisine with a Northern Italian twist that comes courtesy of chef de cuisine Andrea Rodella. Beautifully plated dishes are served in dining spaces that include a private wine room as well as a veranda overlooking the first and final holes of the property’s world-class golf course. Olivella also offers a four-course prix fixe menu, available with or without paired wines, and hosts monthly winemaker dinners. Start the evening with small bites and craft cocktails, both made with local ingredients as often as possible, in the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar, located in the resort’s original golf clubhouse and named for the architect who set the inn’s Spanish Revival tone. Other dining options include the tranquil Spa Café in Spa Ojai, where light breakfast and spa lunch are served inside or on the spa’s poolside terrace. The Oak is famous for its casual but attentive lunch service on a shaded patio overlooking the 10th hole. It also serves breakfast and dinner and two styles of brunch: buffet on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bottomless champagne with live bluegrass music on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indigo Pool & Bar offers salads, sandwiches, and adult libations served poolside and in cabanas. The Pixie Café is located at the family-friendly Pixie Pool. Jimmy’s Pub offers a menu of pizzas, burgers, microbrews, and barrel-aged cocktails. Next door, Libbey’s Market + Boutique is the place to go for a quick sandwich and a scoop of McConnell’s ice cream.

OLIO E LIMONE RISTORANTE AND OLIO CRUDO BAR 11 W. Victoria St., Suites 17-18 Santa Barbara,805-899-2699, Ext. 1 olicucina.com Italian; Entrées $18–$41; Crudo Bar $12–$25

Husband-and-wife owners Alberto Morello and Elaine Andersen Morello treat their restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara like the gems they are: No ingredient is too good to employ. The organic extra-virgin olive oil from a grove near Alberto’s home village in Italy is so popular, patrons buy bottles of it for their own use. At the Ristorante, salads are fresh and the pastas and sauces are house-made. Standouts include gnocchi alla Riviera, which combines spinach-and-ricotta dumplings with fresh tomato sauce. With its glass shelves and glowing marble walls, the crudo bar is a jewel-box showcase for carefully executed dishes. Thinly sliced pieces of raw fish are accented with simple but excellent olio e limone (olive oil and lemon) and sometimes a bit more: Try the Atlantic Bluefin tuna belly with ginger vinaigrette and wasabi shoots for a meaningful experience. Selected appetizers, beers, cocktails, proseccos, and wines by the glass are half-price during happy hour service available Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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The Dining Guide 805 Living helped Sharon Segal and Nina Segal celebrate the two-year anniversary of their eponymous boutique at The Promenade at Westlake earlier this year. Alisan Porter, winner of season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice,” was the celebrity host.

ONYX AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE Two Dole Drive Westlake Village, 818-575-3000 onyxrestaurant.com Japanese; Entrées $15–$45

Romantic, Great View A master at sushi, chef Masa Shimakawa also serves modern Japanese fare inspired by his training in Japan and influences from Thailand, China, and beyond. Cocktails and sake flights are available to pair with artfully prepared crab-and-smoked salmon rolls and with such dishes as roasted black cod and beef sirloin grilled in hoba leaves. Dinner is served Mondays through Saturdays at the sushi bar on the patio overlooking the resort’s waterfall and in the stylish dining room decorated with saltwater aquariums and the restaurant’s titular stone.

UPDATE OUTPOST AT THE GOODLAND 5650 Calle Real Goleta, 805-964-1288 outpostsb.com Cal-Eclectic Shareable plates $7–$29

Weekend Brunch The mint-condition Airstream trailer parked out front is one sign that The Goodland hotel is not the Holiday Inn it once was. Another is the menu at Outpost, the on-site restaurant guided by executive chef James Siao, who also holds that title at sister restaurant Finch & Fork in Santa Barbara. At Outpost, Siao offers playful takes on classics like guacamole (served with toasted pumpkin seed gremolata) and pork ribs (in a chipotle-pomegranate glaze with popcorn polenta on the side). Local wines, beers, and craft cocktails are great for sipping poolside, in the dining room, and at the hotel’s The Good Bar, which offers meal-worthy snacks. Happy hour specials are available on Mondays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ramen is a Sunday-night thing from 5 p.m. until while supplies last. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

PARADISE PANTRY 218 and 222 E. Main St. Ventura, 805-641-9440 paradisepantry.com Rustic; Entrées $9–$22

Sunday Brunch This combination café, wine shop, and cheese store occupies adjoining storefronts in Ventura’s historic downtown. Both spaces feature original brick walls and delightfully creaky wood floors. While 218 E. Main St. is devoted to wine sales and cheese and charcuterie displays, 222 offers wine tasting and soups, salads, cheese plates, and pâté samplers. Panini-style sandwiches include the Italiano, packed with arugula and truffle cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. (That’s right: The meat is on the outside.) Named for chef and co-owner Kelly Briglio, Kel’s Killer Mac is made with a new over-the-top combination of ingredients each week. (Gluten-free options are

available.) Typically scheduled once a month, Sunday brunch features such dishes as Kel’s crab cakes with Meyer lemon crème fraîche, and French toast made with cinnamon brioche. Join the email list for news of upcoming popup appearances by visiting chefs and winemakers.

UPDATE Q SUSHI & KIEU HOANG WINE LOUNGE 30770 Russell Ranch Road, Unit A Westlake Village, 818-540-3231 qsushi.com Japanese; Sushi and Sashimi $5–$24; Shared Plates $5–$24; Entrées $11–$20

This restaurant at the Shoppes at Westlake Village feels worlds away, thanks to its blend of traditional techniques, modern comforts, and one showstopper of a chandelier fashioned from found tree branches. Surrounded by a sushi counter of Carrara marble, the open kitchen equipped with a robata grill also produces sushi, sashimi, and special rolls showcasing delectable cuts of Scottish salmon, Hawaiian amberjack, and more. (Don’t miss the sashimi pizza, dotted with flower petals and miso beet cream.) The lunch menu served Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. offers salads, bowls, and quick-order assortments of sushi or sashimi. The beverage list includes wines from Europe, the Central Coast, and, as promised, Napa Valley’s Kieu Hoang Winery. Beer, hot and cold sake, and craft cocktails are also featured. Happy hour on Tuesdays through Sundays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. offers specially priced drinks and appetizers.

UPDATE SADDLE PEAK LODGE 419 Cold Canyon Road Calabasas, 818-222-3888 saddlepeaklodge.com New American; Small plates $15–$23; Entrées $36–$58; Chef’s Tasting Menu $145 for nine courses

Romantic, Sunday Brunch Chairs woven from willow branches and game trophies hanging high on walls made of stone and wood speak to the rustic nature of this multistory restaurant nestled in the hills of Malibu. Executive chef Adam Horton is back and over-seeing menus that are both elegant and stick-to-your-ribs: Small-plate options include Peruvian marinated quail, while composed entrées include seabass with housemade pasta and New Zealand lamb rack with smoked miso potatoes. The Chef’s Game Trio offers a diner’s choice of emu, elk, or buffalo with sides. On Mondays through Wednesdays, the three-course Supper Menu is $39 per person. The outdoor patio is a spectacular place for brunch.

SIDES HARDWARE AND SHOES, A BROTHERS RESTAURANT 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave. Los Olivos, 805-688-4820 sidesrestaurant.com American; Entrées $14–$35

Brothers Jeff and Matt Nichols named their restaurant after a business that occupied the building in the early 1900s. The country-store vibe appears in the decorative tin ceiling and menu items like the Hammered Pig, a lunch dish of pork tenderloin that has been pounded thin, breaded, deep-fried, then served in a salad of arugula, pecans, and Parmesan or as part of a sandwich with apple-mustard seed slaw. Lunch options also include fish tacos, sandwiches, and an array of burgers. You can’t go wrong with the ever-changing chef’s burger by chef de cuisine Michael Cherney, who also lets loose with a new Taco Tuesday menu available at lunch and dinner each week. Dinner fare takes on an international flair: A banh mi-inspired appetizer pairs miso-cured bacon with steamed buns, mussels are served in coconut broth and red curry, and lamb sirloin comes with goat cheese gnocchi and maitake mushrooms. Desserts by pastry chef Stephanie Jackson are homey yet elegantly plated. Local wines are available by the glass and in carafes, supplementing the full bar.

NEW THE SPOON TRADE 295 West Grand Ave. Grover Beach, 805-904-6773 thespoontrade.com American; Entrées $15–$32

Great Patio, Sunday Brunch The Spoon Trade serves what chef Jacob Town calls “elevated comfort food” in a bright and comfortable neighborhood hangout. Classic dishes (think: fried chicken, pasta, and upside-down cakes) are reimagined with of-the-moment flavors and local ingredients alongside a progressive beer and wine list.

UPDATE S.Y. KITCHEN 1110 Faraday St. Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794 sykitchen.com Italian; Entrées $17–$37

Located on a quiet side street in Santa Ynez, this cozy spot is an oasis of craft cocktails and rustic Italian fare in wine and tri-tip country. Executive chef Luca Crestanelli lets his native Italian roots show in house-made pastas such as wild mushroom pappardelle and a warm octopus salad with olives, potatoes, and cherry tomatoes. A lunch menu of salads, pastas, and oak-grilled meats and seafood is served daily. Also originally from Italy, mixologist and bar manager Alberto Battaglini makes his own bitters and stashes away dried fruits and herbs in glass jars that double as décor. The wine list features local and Italian labels. Available Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Aperitivo menu offers special pricing on beer, wine, cocktails, and light bites.

UPDATE THOMAS HILL ORGANIC KITCHEN 1313 Park St. San Luis Obispo, 805-226-5888 and 858 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo, 805-457-1616 thomashillorganics.com Wine Country Cuisine

Entrées $13–$40

Sunday Brunch Opened in 2009, the original Paso Robles restaurant feels a little bit country, with its exposed brick and barn-door décor. The sister site is part of the Chinatown project in downtown San Luis Obispo, where its sleek, second-floor dining room and lounge are joined by a wraparound patio. Both locations serve farm-to-table cuisine created by executive corporate chef Kurt Metzger, under the direction of owner and founding chef Debbie Thomas, at lunch, brunch, and dinner. The San Luis Obispo site also offers farm-to-bar cocktails in addition to local beer and wine.

TRE LUNE 1151 Coast Village Road Montecito, 805-969-2646 trelunesb.com Italian; Entrées $18–$37

Tre Lune, or “three moons,” is part of the Montesano Group, which owns Lucky’s in Montecito and Joe’s and Bucatini in Santa Barbara—and it shows. The walls are dressed in blackand-white photos of celebrities from yesteryear, the floors are Old World wood, and the tables are covered in white linen. Teeny tiny chairs mounted high on the wall bear brass plates engraved with the names of regular patrons. A ring-shaped, rolled pizzabread appetizer is stuffed with smoked mozzarella and braised radicchio. It’s crispy outside and delicious inside. Pizzas from the stone oven can be topped with roasted eggplant, spicy sausage, or mushrooms and truffle oil. The wide selection of pastas are available in half or full portions. Veal scaloppine, rack of lamb, chicken Marsala, and even a cheeseburger round out the menu and support the extensive Italian wine list.

UPDATE WINE CASK 813 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-966-9463 winecask.com Wine Country Cuisine Entrées $24–$38; Chef’s tasting menu $75 for five courses, $95 for eight courses

Romantic Founded in 1981, the Wine Cask reinvents itself every time executive chef Brandon Cogan goes to the farmers’ market in Santa Barbara. Local ingredients inform dishes at every turn, especially in the tasting menus that change weekly and sometimes nightly but almost always feature Santa Barbara County labels in the optional wine pairings. The regular dinner menu is a mix of seasonal mains and classical mains, the latter a collection of longtime favorites like wild mushroom risotto and pan-roasted local white sea bass. Desserts echo the elegant simplicity of the restaurant itself (bread pudding with bourbon–salted caramel sauce is a standout). California wines are the focus of the international wine list. Co-owner and vintner Doug Margerum also has one tasting room adjoining the restaurant, and a second, devoted to reserve wines, located elsewhere in the same complex.

Westlake Village • brentsdeli.com • Northridge

taste, tour, picnic OPEN DAILY 10:30AM TO 4:30PM

featuring TALLEY VINEYARDS & BISHOP’S PEAK WINES 3031 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande, CA 805.489.0446 | TalleyVineyards.com 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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A Good Bet Not too fancy, not too expensive, and a good experience all around.

NEW BAZILLE AT NORDSTROM AT THE OAKS 346 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks, 805-418-4010 restaurants.nordstrom.com New American; Shared Plates $6–$11; Entrées $15–$24

Nordstrom’s second floor restaurant is a fine and semi-private place to dine between shopping forays. Previously known as Blue Stove, the space now features more natural light, a full bar, and greater emphasis on entrées over tapas. Shared plates include crisp calamari with lemongrass-sweet chili dipping sauce and maple sriracha-glazed bacon deviled eggs. Main dishes are organized under the headings of “meat” (selections include French dip on toasted Parmesan baguette), “poultry” (house-made chicken sausage with burrata), and “seafood” (crab, mango, and avocado salad).

Taste before you buy: Already in practice at wineries and craft breweries, the idea now also applies to Ventura Spirits Co. (venturaspirits.com), which has added an on-site tasting room furnished with a counter that seats five. Visitors can tour the premises, then sip samples of the label’s gin, vodka, and brandy made from local fruits and botanicals. (Minicocktails as part of a $10 tasting are another option.) Take-home bottles, logo T-shirts, and free recipe cards are available, too.

BLUE TABLE 28912 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills, 818-597-2583 bluetable.net International; Entrées $8–$15

Live Music A few blue tables provide seating for outside dining at this charming deli with high-quality Italian eats for lunch and dinner. The indigo theme continues inside, where blue-wash wooden tables are topped with bouquets of fresh flowers. Different salads rotate through the deli case, and the list of sandwiches is written on a blackboard. (The proscuitto and burrata panini is not to be missed.) Pizzas, soups, cookies, and all other items here are made fresh daily. A small freezer carries pastas and sauces for home use, but anything on the menu can be taken to go. You’ll want to stay for dinner, available daily from around 6 p.m. The menu of comfort-food classics includes eggplant Parmesan and spaghetti with organic ground turkey meatballs. Local musicians are featured on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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BOLLYWOOD INDIAN RESTAURANT #3 860 Hampshire Road Westlake Village, 805-777-7100 bollywood3.net Indian; Entrées $10–$15

Fresh vegetables are used in the curries, masalas, and kormas at this casual Indian restaurant. Chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp are prepared a variety of ways: in the tandoori oven, with coconut-milk sauces, and in spicy vindaloos. Naan comes topped with garlic, basil, cilantro, and onions, or stuffed with cheese or potatoes. Beer and wine are on offer, along with excellent yogurt drinks like mango lassi and Indian spiced tea.

BRENT’S DELI 2799 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, 805-557-1882 brentsdeli.com Deli; Entrées $6–$20

Kid-Friendly For amazingly good Reuben sandwiches on rye bread piled high with pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, you can’t beat this slick deli. The booths are cushy and roomy, leaving space for your tummy to expand as you down a four-layer slice of chocolate cake or a plate full of stuffed cabbage rolls. A separate bar also offers the full menu. The patio out back allows for even more seating. A counter up front expedites take-out orders. Brent’s Deli is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

ELADIO’S RESTAURANT & BAR 1 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-963-4466 harborviewinnsb.com American; Entrées $12–$25

Great View, Saturday & Sunday Brunch It’s tough to beat the view of the wharf and the ocean from the open, spacious patio with a fountain in the middle. Eladio’s whips up breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily for guests of the Harbor View Inn and anyone else who stops in. Morning staples include vanilladipped brioche French toast, crab cake Benedict, and smoked salmon scramble made with locally smoked fish. New England clam chowder, cheeseburgers, ahi salad with mango salsa, and fish-and-chips in a Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Double Barrel Ale batter show up at lunchtime. Pasta, steaks, and fresh fish round out the dinner menu. Happy hour specials are available daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE & KITCHEN 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Suite 2 Westlake Village, 805-230-9950 finneyscrafthouse.com American; Entrées $10–$25

Kid-Friendly The “craft beer spoken here” neon sign at the back of the dining room doesn’t quite say it all at this casual but polished gastropub owned by Greg Finefrock, a local whose childhood nickname inspired the restaurant’s moniker. In addition to the 30 brews on tap, you’ll find craft cocktails, California wines by the glass and bottle, and a fun atmosphere and menu that has something for everyone. Shareable appetizers include gluten-free buffalo cauliflower tossed in yuzu sauce and chicken-and-waffle bites that come with a tangy surprise: Tabasco-braised kale. The house burger is made with a chuck, brisket, and hanger steak patty on a brioche bun. Other options include tacos, salads, and flatbread pizzas (don’t miss the prosciutto and grilled pineapple combo). Families and other groups will gravitate to the communal tables available inside and on the patio. Seating is first-come, firstserved at the copper bar.

FOOD HARMONICS 254 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-798-9253 foodharmonicsojai.com Gluten-Free; Entrées $7–$16

Ojai’s historic Arcade is the setting for this light-filled café specializing in gluten-free fare. There’s something for almost every diet, including vegan and paleo. Highlights include a raw vegan pizza that tends to sell out early in the day, the vegetarian sundara dosa with egg and sliced avocado tucked into a crepe-like wrapper, and the bison burger accompanied by greens and sweet potatoes. Bison bone broth is available with optional add-ons like ghee and seaweed. Beverages include beer, wine, and turmeric matcha lattes.

HARVEST KITCHEN & BAR AT HYATT WESTLAKE PLAZA 880 S. Westlake Blvd. Westlake Village, 805-557-4710 westlake.regency.hyatt.com Californian; Entrées $11–$29

Kid-Friendly Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, Harvest welcomes hotel guests and the public alike. The dining rooms are sleek and comfortable with natural light, and patio and garden views. Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients shine in executive chef Daniel Buss’ house-made potato gnocchi with sautéed kale and English peas, roasted jalapeño and chicken flatbread, and the Chef’s Daily Catch with vegetables. The For Kids by Kids children’s menu features dishes created by Haile Thomas, host of the YouTube series Plant-Powered Haile. Furnished with fire pits and lounges, the outdoor patio is the perfect place to sample $5 cocktails and food specials during happy hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

HIMALAYA 35 W. Main St. Ventura, 805-643-0795 and 720 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, 805-409-1041 himalayacuisine.com Nepalese, Indian, Tibetan; Entrées $8–$32

Live Entertainment Adventurous eaters will delight in dishes such as the Sherpa curry goat and chef specials featuring yak meat. Even the pizzas and burritos on the fusion-food portion of the menu are on the exotic side, since they’re made with naan and chapati from the tandoori oven. Vegetarian selections include bhindi masala, which is okra cooked with tomatoes and Indian spices. Feeling nimble? Try sitting cross-legged at one of the low tables set on a raised platform. The Ventura location serves beer and wine; the Thousand Oaks site has a full bar. Both offer a belly dance show about once a month.

JANE 1311 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-962-1311 and 6940 Marketplace Dr. Goleta, 805-770-5388 janeatthemarketplace.com janerestaurantsb.com Eclectic; Entrées $9–$25

Lots of interesting salads, sandwiches, and burgers are set down at lunchtime on small wooden and marble tables in this cute spot on State Street from the family that owns the Montecito Cafe. Jane is the name of the owner (Jane Chapman) and her grandmother (Jane Moody), whose pictures adorn the high walls. The loft seating and upstairs patio are cool and a bit secluded compared to the downstairs tables, which are always packed in the afternoon. The eclectic dinner menu offers pastas, steaks, and grilled duck breast. For dessert, the soft-serve ice cream is a fun choice, as is the coconut cake.

LINN’S RESTAURANT 2277 Main St. Cambria, 805-927-0371 linnsfruitbin.com American; Entrées $10–$34

Kid-Friendly What started as a farm stand is now a family-owned business that includes a restaurant, a gift shop, a café that specializes in freshly baked fruit pies, and the original farm stand, for those on a sentimental journey. No visit to Cambria is complete without at least one breakfast, lunch, or dinner spent at the combination bakery and restaurant, located in the seaside town’s historic East Village. Berries are a recurring theme on the menu, appearing in fruit-filled scones, glasses of olallieberry lemonade, and the raspberry-orange-cranberry sauce served with roasted Shelton Farm chicken. Executive chef Matt Beckett is as skilled at whipping up comfort food classics (think beef Stroganoff and chicken potpie) as he is with gluten-free options and dishes featuring grass-fed beef from Hearst Ranch.

UPDATE LOS AGAVES RESTAURANT 600 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara, 805-564-2626 and 2911 De la Vina St. Santa Barbara, 805-682-2600 and 7024 Market Place Drive Goleta, 805-968-4000 and 2810 Portico Way, Suite 1105 Oxnard, 805-278-9101 and 30750 Russell Ranch Road, Suite G Westlake Village, 818-874-0779 los-agaves.com Mexican; Entrées $9–$17

Launched in Santa Barbara in 2008, this family-owned and operated group of restaurants has clearly struck a chord: Its original location was No. 16 on Yelp’s list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2016. The mix of authentic Mexican cuisine with casual but attentive orderat-the-counter service can now be found at five sites in and around the 805. Each offers the same menu of house-made tortillas, ceviche, salads, and burritos filled with all manner of seafood, poultry, or beef. Signature dishes include the show-stopping Land and Sea molcajete, a bubblinghot mixture of meat and seafood with house-made salsa, avocado, chorizo, grilled onion, and nopal, served in a three-legged bowl carved from volcanic rock. Los Agaves restaurants in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Oxnard serve beer and wine as well as agave margaritas and micheladas. The Shoppes at Westlake Village location has a full bar that offers top-shelf tequilas and drink specials. Diners who sit at the bar can order food there, too.

MARMALADE CAFE 4783 Commons Way Calabasas, 818-225-9092 and 3894 Cross Creek Road Malibu, 310-317-4242 and 3825 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-682-5246 and 140 Promenade Way Westlake Village, 805-370-1331 marmaladecafe.com American; Entrées $10–$22

Salads, sandwiches, soups and waistline-friendly half-orders of pasta are lunchtime mainstays at this chain known for its cozy, French-country décor. But chef Aaron Johns also showcases fresh produce and California ingredients in newer dishes like the Petaluma chicken potpie, served upside-down in a bowl of flaky puff pastry. Happy hour deals are especially sweet, with half-price appetizers (think Maryland crab cakes), $5 well drinks, and glasses of premium wines available for $9 to $12 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Or take advantage of the free corkage and half-off pricing on all bottles during Wine Down Wednesdays from 4 p.m.

PISMO BEACH. LITERALLY. Ocean View Rooms | Private Balconies with Hot Tubs In Room Fireplaces | Full Ocean View Restaurant On Site Massage | Beach Weddings & Event Space 3 Blocks South of the Pier | Walk to Downtown Pismo 10 Minute Drive to SLO Wine Country

MERSEA’S 3985 Avila Beach Drive Avila Beach, 805-548-2290 merseas.com Seafood; Entrées $8–$15

Great View, Kid-Friendly Located on the Harford Pier, this modern take on a casual seafood restaurant offers a lot of sightseeing bang for the buck. Indoor tables are placed near tall windows, and outdoor seating includes a row of colorful barstools at a counter that doubles as the pier’s railing for a stretch. (Look down: You just might spy an otter frolicking in the kelp.) The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burritos, but seafood is the star at this spot operated by members of the family behind Dorn’s Original Breakers Café in Morro Bay and Duckie’s Chowder House in Cayucos. Highlights include a crab melt sandwich with avocado, chowders of both the Manhattan and New England variety, and daily specials like garlic fries topped with blackened shrimp, blue cheese, and avocado. Decorated with whimsical octopus pendant lamps, the bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails.

805.779.1009 SeaVenture.com 100 Ocean View Ave. Pismo Beach, CA

POOKIE’S THAI CUISINE 900 Hampshire Road Westlake Village, 805-381-0094 Thai; Entrées $7–$13

Kid-Friendly Downstairs in the Water Court Plaza office complex, owner Pookie creates delicious Thai dishes for lunch and dinner daily. Lunch specials are a steal at $7 to $8 each. She also has a wide selection of interesting salads like the Outrageous Beef Salad with a spicy lime dressing and the protein-rich Yam Yai salad with shrimp, chicken, egg, and peanuts in a sweet-andsour dressing. Noodle dishes are generously sized and include the classic pad Thai and the interesting Hi Yo Silver with fried noodles, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Curries, vegetarian options, and fish dishes (such as the crispy sole with tamarind and chili sauce) give diners lots of great choices not found elsewhere.

PUBLIC SCHOOL 805 120 Promenade Way, Suite A Westlake Village, 805-379-3909 psontap.com American; Entrées $8–$28 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

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The Dining Guide Named for the area code and the goal of offering guests “an education in the art of food and beer,” this gastropub makes the most of its schoolyard theme. Baseball mitts decorate one wall and happy hour is known as “recess.” (It’s also known as a bargain: Meal-worthy bites are just $4 to $6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays). More than 40 craft beers, most on rotating taps, are available to pair with executive chef Phil Kastel’s inventive fare. He earns extra credit for adding crispy fried capers to an appetizer of salmon “pastrami” carpaccio. Burgers, salads, and wood-fired flatbreads are lunch and dinner options; fried Jidori chicken and waffles are on the breakfast menu, available from 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Organize your own field trips to Public School 612 in downtown Los Angeles and Public School 310 in Culver City.

THE STONEHAUS 32039 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-483-1152 the-stonehaus.com Mediterranean; Sandwiches & Platters $10–$17

Dog-Friendly, Great Views, Kid‑Friendly, Romantic Patterned after an Italian enoteca, the aptly named Stonehaus starts each day as a coffeehouse, serving kale-berry smoothies along with baked goods, wraps, and breakfast sandwiches from Lisa Biondi, executive chef at the adjacent Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. It switches to wine bar mode in the afternoons and evenings, when the menu includes charcuterie and crostini platters, salads, panini, and desserts. The outdoor pizza oven is fired up nightly (check website for hours). Wine flights are arranged by regions, varietals, and themes. Patios overlook the waterfall and the working vineyard, which is open for picnicking on Stonehaus fare (check website for information about seasonal tastings and festivals). The picnic tables and bocce ball court are family friendly, and visiting canines get a water fountain of their own near the courtyard fireplace.

Lunch is served at Café Bizou (cafebizou.com/) in Agoura Hills, and it’s a bargain. The prix-fixe approach includes three courses (lobster bisque, a six-ounce filet mignon burger, and tiramisu are among the choices) for $20. Order an entrée from the à la carte menu and you have the option of adding the soup of the day for $2 or a Caesar salad for $3. SUSHI PLANET 951 S. Westlake Blvd., Suite 114 Thousand Oaks, 805-379-9844 sushiplanet.net Japanese; Entrées $7 and up Prices vary for sushi, sashimi, and premium rolls.

Tempura, bento boxes, udon, and sashimi are on the menu. But what this local chain is really known for is its colorful and creatively named rolls. The Saint Valentine consists of crab salad, avocado, tuna, salmon, and shrimp rolled in soy paper to form a teardrop shape; they’re served in pairs, which resemble hearts. Some of the simplest preparations are also the best: You can’t go wrong with tuna tataki, a beautifully plated dish of seared tuna cut into thin pieces and topped with slivers of jalapeño; baby spinach leaves

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and a sweet ponzu sauce help cut the considerable heat. Beer and wine are available.

TOSCANOVA 4799 Commons Way, Suite A Calabasas, 818-225-0499 calabasas.toscanova.com Italian; Entrées $15–$44

Garden View, Romantic Like its sister site at the Westfield Century City shopping mall, this restaurant at the Commons at Calabasas re-creates the feel of a Tuscan getaway without the airfare. In Calabasas, diners have the option of lounging around a patio fire pit or sitting at a table overlooking a garden that is a draw for barefoot children at play on the grass. On the menu set by owner and founding chef Agostino Sciandri is a section devoted just to mozzarella (burrata with sautéed eggplant, anyone?) as well as a pizza topped with seasonal truffles, house-made pappardelle with wild mushrooms, and grilled sliced filet mignon with baby arugula and shaved Parmesan. Lunch adds sandwiches and flatbread pizza to the mix. The bar is the place to be on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., when your first order of the featured beverage is 5 cents.

Fun, Fun, Fun Look to these eateries for

festive food, an upbeat atmosphere, and a good time. ANDRIA’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & MARKET 1449 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, 805-654-0546 andriasseafood.com Seafood; Entrées $8–$24

reservation.) It all adds up to a great backdrop for a menu that includes happy hour specials like $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and dinner-and-drink duos ($10–$14) on Mondays through Fridays from 5 pm. to 7 p.m. Spanish influences are evident in dishes like paella and crispy patatas bravas with Fresno chilies and garlic aioli.

CAFÉ HABANA 3939 Cross Creek Road Malibu, 310-317-0300 cafehabana.com Pan-Latin; Entrées $9–$25

Sunday Brunch Café Habana isn’t limited to Cuban food or cocktails. Dishes represent all of Latin culture, from South American ceviches to Mexican grilled corn and huevos rancheros to Cuban pulled-pork sandwiches. Owner Sean Meenan is an eco-warrior while partner Rande Gerber brings in the celebs and keeps the nightlife hopping. The food is good, the cocktails are great, and the coconut flan is out of this world.

THE CAVE AT VENTURA WINE COMPANY 4435 McGrath St., Suites 301-303 Ventura, 805-642-9449 venturawineco.com International; Small Plates $3–$18; Salads and Sandwiches $7–$11

Saturday Brunch Patrons at The Cave conduct their own tastings via Enomatic machines, which dispense 1-, 3- and 5-ounce pours at the push of a button. Executive chef Alex Montoya’s creative, wine-friendly menu of shareable small plates changes on the first Tuesday of each month. Look for combinations like prosciutto-wrapped pork chops with apricot-cashew stuffing and Arctic char with sinigang broth and tomato concasse, plus an assortment of pizzas, burgers, and desserts. (Save room for one of Montoya’s award-winning frozen custards.) For the best acoustics, nab a table in the Barrel Room decorated with dozens of glass balls hanging from the ceiling. It’s also available for private events.

Kid-Friendly No visit to Ventura Harbor—or to Ventura, period—is complete without a stop at Andria’s, a locals’ favorite since 1982. On weekends, the fast-moving line to order can stretch out onto the restaurant’s front patio. Additional seating includes indoor dining rooms decorated with vintage photos and fishing gear, and a protected patio with a view of the docks. Charbroiled fresh catch of the day dinners come with rice pilaf, bread, and a choice of salads. Some items are available in stir-fry dishes. But deep-fried is the preferred method of preparation for everything from onion rings (served in a towering stack) to halibut and chips, oysters and chips, popcorn shrimp and chips, and, well, you get the idea. The atmosphere is beach casual: Orders are called out by number when ready, and it’s up to diners to gather utensils, tartar sauce, and other fixin’s from a counter near the kitchen. Beer and wine are available. An on-site fish market is open daily.

THE COPA CUBANA 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 103 Ventura, 805-642-9463 805copa.com Cuban; Entrées $12–$18

BOGIES BAR & LOUNGE 32001 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-889-2394 bogies-bar.com Spanish-California; Small Plates & Entrées $4–$15

DUKE’S MALIBU 21150 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, 310-317-0777 dukesmalibu.com Seafood; Entrées $14–$45

Great Views, Live Music Surrounded by greenery and water, this bar on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn is a gorgeous place to get your groove on: Live music and/or club nights are scheduled nearly every night of the week. On the patio, wicker chaise lounges are arranged in semiprivate groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through roll-up doors. Inside, bronze curtains and silver wall sconces shimmer in the mood-setting darkness. (Some areas are available by

Great Views, Live Music This lively spot in Ventura Harbor Village may inspire you to book a flight to Cuba. Owner Andres Fernandez runs it and the neighboring 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese out of the same kitchen (the two eateries share a phone number), but the Copa Cubana maintains its identity with a separate menu that includes a classic Cubano sandwich, the hash-like picadillo topped with fried eggs, and lechón asado, which is roasted pork served with black beans and yucca marinated in garlic. The dog-friendly patio, with views of nearby boat docks, is an especially fine place to sip a piña colada on a lazy afternoon. Live entertainment is scheduled most days, with an emphasis on Latin jazz.

Great Views, Sunday Brunch Gorgeous ocean views are maximized in the dining rooms and bars of this large, Hawaiian-themed seafood and steak house, which in summer 2016 marked its 20th anniversary with updates to the décor and menu. Swinging chairs and a life-size bronze statue of surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku greet diners before they step through the front doors and into an interior filled with wood screens, glass mosaic tiles, and chairs sporting surfboard stripes.

New dishes presented by chef Eric BosRau showcase regional ingredients in beautiful platings. Fresh fish is available in a variety of preparations, including Parmesan-herb crusted with lemon, capers, and macadamia nuts. Longtime Duke’s fans, take note: Your favorite coconut shrimp dish is back as coconut shrimp croquettes. Kimo’s Original Hula Pie remains as advertised. A Sunday brunch buffet is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the Barefoot Bar for breakfast items (think loco moco and banana and macadamia nut pancakes) from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Poké tacos, fish and chips, and pulled-pork sandwiches are served daily.

UPDATE FLOUR HOUSE 690 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 805-544-5282 flourhouseslo.com Italian Starters $5–$21; Pizzas $15–$20; Pastas $19–$28

include chicken, fish, and beef entrees, as well as pasta, antipasti, salads, cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and house-made dolci. The pizzas, with thin, chewy crusts, are individually sized and topped with excellent ingredients—sautéed rapini, spicy salami, cremini mushrooms, and black truffles among them. Lunch or brunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the dinner menu is available daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Wines from California and Italy are available by the glass, carafe, half liter, and bottle.

With a sleek interior, dynamic menu, and portrait of Sophia Loren, Flour House isn’t just a pizzeria: It’s a love song to Italy. Co-owner and Salerno native Alberto Russo works magic with imported flour and a Stefano Ferrara pizza oven, the gold standard for traditional pizza napolitana. During Meter Mondays, pizzas are available in different sizes depending on the number in your party: a half-meter for four people includes a choice of three tastings ($28), while a full meter serves eight with a choice of six tastings ($50). Don’t miss Russo’s housemade pastas or the weekday-night aperitivo hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring cocktails such as the classic Negroni and Aperol Spritz as well as beer and wine and appetizers from $4 to $6.

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE 29281 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, 818-477-4566 ladyfaceale.com French, Belgian, and American; Entrées $8–$17

TAVERNA TONY 23410 Civic Center Way Malibu, 310-317-9667 tavernatony.com Greek; Entrées $13–$37

LOS OLIVOS WINE MERCHANT & CAFÉ 2879 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, 805-688-7265 losolivoscafe.com Wine Country; Entrées $12–$29

This retail wine shop adjoins an all-day café with seating indoors by the stone fireplace and outside on the wisteria-covered patio. Cheese plates and olives are small bites perfect for pairing with wines at the bar. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and pizza comprise the lunch menu. At night choices get a little fancier with pot roast, lamb shank, pasta, chicken, steak, and fresh fish. The wine selection from the shop (available to diners) has more than 400 labels and specializes in picks from California’s Central Coast. Now that’s fun.

OLIO PIZZERIA 11 W. Victoria St., Suite 21 Santa Barbara, 805-899-2699 oliocucina.com Italian Small and Shared Plates $5–$19; Entrées $15–$21 This combination Italian pizzeria and enoteca is brought to you by the owners of Olio e Limone Ristorante, the more formal eatery located next door. The Victoria Court setting includes a long bar with a peekaboo view of the pizza oven, plus small tables. Menu offerings

AGES 3

TO ADULT

PLATA TAQUERIA & CANTINA 28914 Roadside Drive, Suite 10 Agoura Hills, 818-735-9982 plataagoura.com Mexican; Entrées $14–$26

Plata means “silver” in Spanish—and a good time in the Whizin Market Square. The menu at this taqueria is homey but elevated: House-made tortillas and mix-and-match trios of soft tacos are featured, the latter with a choice of veggies or eight types of protein, including ahi tuna and short ribs. Spa Nachos are made with roasted cauliflower and crispy kale; guacamole is available in three variations, including tradicional and ranchero, made with bacon and roasted pumpkin seeds. Other standouts include chamorro de cordero, a chile-marinated lamb shank served with spinach tamales, and pollo con Elvia’s mole, named for chef Elvia Saldivar, who is co-owner with her husband. Nearly a dozen specialty margaritas star on the cocktails list. Pull up a colorfully upholstered stool at the copper-topped bar to enjoy $7 margaritas and other drink and food specials during daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A brewpub with a Belgian accent, Ladyface delivers top-notch beers from brewmaster David Griffiths and an elegant menu that includes moules frites (mussels and fries), ale-brined chicken, and chocolate porter cake. Ale-pairing suggestions are printed on the menu. A communal table lends to the convivial atmosphere as do the beer floats made with local ice cream. Growlers (reusable half-gallon glass jugs) filled with Ladyface ales are available for takeout.

Suzuki Method Violin Lessons

This huge space at the northeast corner of the Malibu Country Mart is almost never closed and never empty. There’s always fun to be had: If the classical guitarists aren’t playing, the waiters might be singing, or the owner, Tony Koursaris, might be telling stories at one of the tables. Every meal starts with Greek-style country bread and house-made dip. The roast baby lamb is a specialty of the house for good reasons: The meat is garlicky and mostly tender with some crispy bites. The accompanying potatoes are roasted with lemon juice and the carrots are cooked with dill. Greek coffee is a perfect end here.

NEW WICKED’S BREW 4561 Market St., Suite C Ventura, 805-275-2334 wickedsbrew.com Eclectic; Entrées $20–$38 Live Music; Saturday & Sunday Brunch

A playful sense of theatricality adds spice to this combination café, coffeehouse, and gift shop located in a Ventura business park. Owner Gwendolyn Zero’s entertainment-industry background is especially evident during regularly scheduled Wicked Dinners, thematic affairs that feature live music, special menus, and servers who may or may not be who they say they are. Everyday meals served on Wednesdays through Sundays are pretty special, too: Sauces, condiments, and dressings are made in-house, and area farms and ranches get shout-outs on a menu that includes baked goods and egg dishes at breakfast and an array of soups, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads at lunch. Steamed mussels with white wine and crostini and prosciutto-strawberry bruschetta are two of the appetizers on the Witching Hour menu, and coffeecrusted Watkins Cattle Co. short ribs are among the dinner menu options. Adding to the fun: Sparkling Potions, aka cocktails made with wine, hard cider, or champagne. Bottled beer is also available. 

Suzuki experts recommend children begin lessons as early as three years old —Suzuki Association of the Americas My student group loves to perform in concerts throughout the Los Angeles area. Kathy Linke, Westlake Village, CA

805-551-2596 | KathyLinkeViolin@gmail.com

TENNIS INSTRUCTION by

BRUCE PROCTOR

USPTA Certified Elite Professional All Levels and Abilities

805-990-7524 bruceprotennis@yahoo.com Lindero Country Club 5719 Lake Lindero Dr., Agoura Hills 805LIVING.COM / DECEMBER 2017

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P.S. Sketchpad By Greg Clarke

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