805 Living May 2018 by 805 Living

M AY 2018

#cre805ers

RAISING THE BAR LOWERING THE FEE

One-of-a-kind boutique concierge experience where performance and quality create the ultimate outcome

at a reduced 1.5% listing commission Roger Ewing 818.517.3101

Lori Davis 818.437.3307

RogerEwingRE@icloud.com

LoriDavisRE@icloud.com

DRE #00627274

DRE #01936694

www.EwingDavisLuxuryHomes.com Listing side commission 1.5%. Selling side MLS commission 2.5%. Ewing & Davis representing both buyer and seller 3%.

IMAGINING THE FUTURE

1155 COAST VILLAGE ROAD I BY APPOINTMENT FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA I OPENING SOON 805.969.0442 WWW.SILVERHORN.COM

You are going to need a valid pilot’s license. For the plane, too. The nation’s first and only standalone AMG® showroom has landed at Mercedes-Benz of Thousand Oaks. With over 3,000 square feet of iconic, modern design, the AMG Elite Performance Center is the latest manifestation of 50 years of fanatical dedication to the pinnacle of automotive performance. Come experience the soul-stirring rumble of hand-built V8 motor, or configure your dream machine in life size on a video screen that’s bigger than most garage doors. The world’s fastest family finally has its own home, and it’s right here in Thousand Oaks. Fly on in any time.

Mercedes-Benz of Thousand Oaks

3905 Auto Mall Drive Thousand Oaks, CA (805) 371-5400 www.mbzthousandoaks.com

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

Pasadena Showcase 2018, Billiard Room

Pasadena Showcase 2018, Petite Lounge

Pasadena Showcase 2018, Living Room

INT E R I OR DE S I G N | REMA RKAB LE R ESOURCES

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

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

light. waves.

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

Contents M AY 2 0 1 8 â&#x20AC;¢ # c r e 8 0 5 e r s

FEATURES 74

HANDCRAFTING ART, HANDING DOWN TRADITIONS

With classes and workshops, three fine artisans offer a glimpse into their creative process. By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gar y Moss

BEYOND WORDS

Pedro de la Cruz communicates his feelings about love, art, beauty, and peace through his paintings. By Joan Tapper

LIVE, WORK, THINK CREATIVELY! At SBCAST the goal is to promote inspiring interactions.

Vessels forged by silversmith Randy Stromsoe (from left): Circle handle creamer in pewter with applied patina, Orb teapot in pewter and ebony, and Penguin teapot in pewter with applied patina. For more on Stromsoe, see page 74.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

GARY MOSS

By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gar y Moss

THE ROLEX DEEPSEA Built for extremes and capable of withstanding depths of up to 3,900 metres, exceeding the demands of professional divers. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

OYSTER PERPETUAL ROLEX DEEPSEA

rolex

oyster perpetual and deepsea are ® trademarks.

Contents M AY 2 0 1 8 • # c r e 8 0 5 e r s

64 44

40 Good Deeds

70 Lustgarten Foundation and By Mark Langton Photographs by Mark Langton, Christian Tierney, and Mark Webb

Grandmother Knows Best With the opening of Nonna, veteran restaurateur Jacopo Falleni reinvents the art of eating Italian-style in Westlake Village.

Taste

By David Gadd Photographs by Gary Moss

One805 Kick Ash Bash

DEPARTMENTS 33 Tracking the Beat of the 805

Finds

37 A Place to Grow

Get garden-ready this spring with these cheery wares. By Jennie Nunn

40 Homegrown Vogue

Infuse your wardrobe with locally designed duds. By Frances Ryan

44 Travel By Erin Rottman

Local Voices

48 After-Hours Ingenuity Creative professionals tell how they fuel their innovative natures outside the workplace. Interviews by Heidi Dvorak

Insider By Heidi Dvorak

52 Local Events & Family Fun 54 Hot Ticket 56 Show Your Support 58 Worth a Drive 59 Give Back

Mind Body Soul 60 Gray Matters

Head off brain-related health issues with smart preventive care. By Linda Kossoff

Faces in the Crowd

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

The sweet little fruits hit market stands this month. Here’s how to make the most of their short season.

100 Dining Guide

By Jaime Lewis

By Greg Clarke

94 SPIRITS: Bent on Ferment

Mixologists shake up the local cocktail scene with the delicious funk of ingredients like kombucha, kefir, and jun.

P.S. Sketchpad

112 Mother’s Day Cre805ers

In Every Issue

18 Editor’s Note 24 Masthead 28 Behind the Scenes

By Shauna Burke

64 Darla Bea

A local radio personality and event DJ gets the party started with her creative mix. By Nancy Ransohoff Photograph by Gary Moss

Upgrades

67 Local Mojo On the Cover Randy Stromsoe keeps the art of silversmithing alive. See more about him and other artisans perpetuating their crafts on page 74. Photograph by Gary Moss

90 FOOD: Cherries on Top

Create a sense of place with furnishings designed close to home. By Frances Ryan

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.

64 AND 96: GARY MOSS

Pulse

96 DINING OUT:

Shown: Duquesa Fatima Decorative Field in Mezzanotte.

What will you create?

Tile & Stone Showroom Stone Slab Gallery 16719 Schoenborn St. North Hills, CA 91343 818.280.8300

Tile & Stone Showroom 8750 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.659.1234

Authentic, handcrafted natural stone and ceramic tile, since 1952 walkerzanger.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

Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most innovative real estate company Calabasas 5010 Parkway Calabasas Suite 200 Westlake Village 2945 Townsgate Road Suite 300

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Editor’s Note

Tag, You’re It ON MARCH 16, 2014, I INTRODUCED A NEW HASHTAG TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD: #CRE805ER. I’VE BEEN USING IT EVER SINCE AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE THOSE IN THE 805 REGION who participate in any kind of artful endeavor. In true social style, others have caught on and have been using the tag in a similar manner. The internet is a fabulous way to discover all things creative, so when you find someone local whose talents float your boat, I encourage you to celebrate them by using the #cre805er hashtag yourself. This issue takes its cue from the hashtag and shines a spotlight on some very imaginative and skilled artisans, including a silversmith, a furniture maker, and a weaver, who are preserving their craft by teaching it to others (page 74), a mood-boosting DJ with a spirited personality (page 64), and a clever 5-year-old who created a unicorn-and-rainbow-inspired ice-cream flavor that will help fund the dreams of three Make-A-Wish kids (page 33). I hope you are inspired by all of the #cre805ers in this issue and find a way to bring innovative energy into your life. Beyond simply enjoying the fruits of your labor, you’ll find that self-expression provides countless other benefits. If you’d like to learn how flexing your brain can keep it healthy, check out Mind, Body,

Soul (page 60); if discovering a new place to dine is how you find inspiration, read up on Nonna (page 96), where regional Italian cuisine is steeped in tradition. So you see, there are many ways to find creativity and apply it to your life, and the more cre805ers the better. Enjoy the issue!

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher

GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Financial Planning & Investment Management

PalmCM.com | 805.727.2000

2945 Townsgate Road, Suite 200 Westlake Village, California 91361 Schedule Your No-Obligation Consultation With An Experienced Fiduciary Wealth Advisor.

Alano Massi, MBA, CFPÂŽ Palm Capital Management, LLC is a d/b/a of Dynamic Wealth Advisors. All investment advisory services are offered through Dynamic Wealth Advisors. The material contained in this ad is not a solicitation to purchase or sell any security or offer of investment advice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only. A copy of Dynamic Wealth Advisorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ADV Part 2A Firm Brochure is available upon written request and can also be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD by searching under CRD#151367.

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, Linda Kossoff, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITORS

Gaylen Ducker Grody, Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

interior design

home furnishings

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, MAY 2018

FLAWLESS INTEGRITY

EXPERT KNOWLEDGE

UNCOMPROMISED VALUE

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Jennifer S. Vogelbach Home furnishings and design, fine jewelry, fashion jennifer@805living.com 818-427-3496 ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Dave Bottom San Luis Obispo County dandkbott@aol.com 619-994-3344

Ingrid C’deBaca Real estate, home builders, architects, landscape, attorneys, senior living, Ojai businesses ingrid@805living.com 818-597-9220

Diane Dreyer Santa Barbara County Real estate, home builders, architects, wineries diane@805living.com 818-879-3951

Amra Neal Travel, entertainment, dining, food and beverage, education, health, fitness, beauty amra@805living.com 310-924-2631

Lisa Kitchin Automotive, financial/banking, mortgage, nonprofit organizations lisa@805living.com 818-268-8001 ADVERTISING DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Sophie Patenaude sophie@805living.com OPERATIONS MANAGER ACCOUNTING

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805 Living is published 10 times a year and is a property of 3Digit Media, LLC. 3717 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village, CA 91362 CEO

805 LIVING, MAY 2018

GRILL, CHILL & SHINE

SAVE UP TO $1,750 ON OUTDOOR KITCHEN PRODUCTS

Rebate available on eligible Sub-Zero, Wolf and Asko Outdoor Products. See stores for details.

Agoura Hills 30621 Canwood St. 818.991.8846

Burbank 851 N. San Fernando Blvd. 818.844.0900

Moorpark 14349 White Sage Rd. 805.222.1380

Santa Barbara 3920 State St. 805.898.9883

www.wdcappliances.com

Oxnard 887 Ventura Blvd. 805.278.0388

Torrance 20901 Hawthorne Blvd. 310.802.6380

Behind the Scenes

In the spirit of our #cre805ers issue, we asked our featured contributors what item they’ve made with their hands that they take the most pride in. Gaylen Ducker Grody “Whenever I visited my grandmother, I’d find her working on a needlepoint project,” says research editor Gaylen Ducker Grody. “I loved watching her and would ask her to teach me the stitches, too, but she never did. Eventually, I taught myself and am now always working on a new canvas. My pieces have won blue ribbons at the Los Angeles County Fair, which I feel would surprise and, hopefully, please my grandmother.”

Shauna Burke Talk about ambitious. Contributing writer Shauna Burke (Taste/Spirits, page 94) says, “I love smoking fish and vegetables, so I decided to build my own smoker in the backyard. The taste is infinitely better and feels so much more satisfying than any store-bought version.”

Tajinder Rehal “After my grandmother passed away, I was given several of her silk dresses,” says research editor Tajinder Rehal. “None were my style and I knew I wouldn’t wear them, so I put them away. A few years later, I was pregnant with my first child and wanted my child to have a link to my grandmother since they would never meet, so I made a quilt out of the dresses. My son spent lots of tummy time on that quilt and hopefully he or his sisters will pass it along to their own kids.”

Some dream. You deliver.

W E L L S FA R G O P R I VAT E B A N K Wealth Planning Investments Private Banking Trust Services Insurance

Where there’s uncertainty, you see opportunity. You’ve got a good sense of what lies ahead and you surround yourself with people who know what it takes to get there. The Private Bank is your ally in developing a wealth plan that takes advantage of the potential opportunities of a changing economic climate. As you consider new possibilities, talk things through with seasoned professionals you know and trust. To start a new kind of conversation, contact your local Wells Fargo Private Bank office: Wells Fargo Wealth Management 2829 Townsgate Rd., Suite 215 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805-777-8375

Wells Fargo Wealth Management 118 E. Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-564-2876

wellsfargoprivatebank.com Wells Fargo Private Bank provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Brokerage services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and separate nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates in addition to non-affiliated companies of Wells Fargo & Company. Insurance products are available through insurance subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company and underwritten by non-affiliated Insurance Companies. Not available in all states. © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801 IHA-5486903

Behind the Scenes Our featured experts name their handmade creations they are most proud of. “Every piece that I weave, in the spirit of both ease and challenge.”

—Rhiannon Griego

(“Handcrafting Art, Handing Down Traditions,” page 74) artist and owner Ghost Dancer Collection Ojai ghostdancercollection.com Instagram: @theghostdancer

“The MacPacq—one of the first data acquisition systems for the original Macintosh computer— which led to Biopac.” —Alan Macy

(“Live, Work, Think Creatively!” page 86) R&D director Biopac Systems, Inc. Goleta biopac.com

“The remodeling of my new restaurant, Nonna.” —Jacopo Falleni

(Dining Out, page 96) owner Nonna Westlake Village nonna.restaurant

“My [flatbread] dough. How can four ingredients be so versatile and magical?” GRIEGO: ASHLEY GORDON

—Justine Whitney

(Taste/Food, page 90) chef and owner Justine’s Private Cuisine Thousand Oaks justinesprivatecuisine.com

We Bring You Home BHHSCALHOMES.COM THOUSAND OAKS

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

CHANNEL ISLANDS

CAMARILLO

©2018 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

Sensational for all the senses CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

31943 Agoura Road | Westlake Village, CA | 91361 | westlakevillageinn.com | 818.889.0230

Pulse

GARY MOSS

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

WE ALL SCREAM FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Having raised more than $30,000 in four years by selling a new ice-cream flavor each summer, Doc Burnsteinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice Cream Labs (docburnsteins.com) are at it again: Parlors in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, and (slated to open this month) Santa Maria now offer Unicorn Swirl, made from white cake ice cream with a strawberry swirl and chunks of piecrust. > 805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Pulse

HOT LIST

Invented by Maysie, a 5-yearold leukemia patient, it will be offered through July 31. A portion of the proceeds go to the Make-AWish Foundation, helping to fulfill the wishes of three

STUFF WE LOVE

• Wonder Walnuts at Global Gardens in Los Olivos

Central Coast children with lifethreatening medical conditions. Doc Burnstein’s ups the ante on frosty fun by opening its production facility to the public for a new factory tour covering the science and history of ice cream, tastings straight from the machine, and the opportunity to ask questions of Doc himself. Available all summer long, tours can be scheduled online. —Jaime Lewis

One year ago, Sofar Sounds (sofarsounds.com/santabarbara), an international company that arranges pop‑up musical performances, struck a chord with 805 locals by opening a Santa Barbara branch. Unlike conventional concerts, Sofar gigs offer a unique level of intimacy by capping their audiences at 30 to 150 people, waiting until the day before the show to reveal each event’s location to ticket holders, and keeping performers’ names secret until showtime. “The whole point of Sofar Sounds is to have a place where an audience can be present with the performer,” says Sophia Recalde, city leader of Sofar Santa Barbara. Booking venues from Montecito mansions to Funk Zone industrial properties, Recalde keeps her audiences guessing. “We’re very fortunate in Santa Barbara to have so many beautiful backdrops,” says Recalde, who works to give her audiences “a fun journey around town.” Past events have treated guests to such rising stars as Santa Barbara–based Conner Cherland, whose impassioned lyrics and smooth, crooning vocals are electrifying the music scene. For $15, adventurous music lovers can attend one of Sofar Santa Barbara’s monthly events—first come, first served. —Ryan Brown

CREATIVE CAMP Keep the kids enlightened and happy this summer by enrolling them in camp at

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

(moxi.org/camp) in Santa Barbara. Two programs focus on fun, creativity, and science: The Institute of Cardboard Engineering imparts wildly inventive ways to use boxes to create art projects, useful items, and interactive games; Digital Creativity Camp hones audio and visual skills for recording and editing. The one-week sessions separate campers by age-appropriate curricula and accommodate 1st through 6th graders. Camp meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 11 through August 17 with an option for extended hours. —Heidi Dvorak

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

• Argentinian empanadas from Buena Onda’s commercial kitchen in Santa Barbara • Live music at the Log Cabin Bar on Sundays at Cold Springs Tavern in Santa Barbara • Thai-style ice-cream rolls at Choppa in Goleta • Ventura County Surfrider Foundation’s monthly beach cleanups • Golden Delicious wine (yep, made with those apples) from Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards in San Luis Obispo • Warm Toffee Butter Cake at Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn • Beek sandals at Sharon Segal Nina Segal in Westlake Village. For every pair sold, a day’s worth of meals is donated to a child in need through Kids Café • The eclectic sounds of Próxima Parada —The Editors

FROM TOP: NICOLE C. BERRY; BLAKE ANDREWS/SLOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF MOXI, THE WOLF MUSEUM OF EXPLORATION + INNOVATION

SO FAR, SO GOOD

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Associate Brokers. ©2018 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.

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

A Place to Grow Get garden-ready this spring with these cheery wares. By Jennie Nunn

“21L” bird shelter by Malcolm Leland ($240 for glazed; $195 for bisque); vesselusa.com.

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Finds 1 2

3 4

5 1. Heritage garden hose (50 feet for $59; 100 feet for $98); Anthropologie at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; anthropologie.com. 2. Floral gardening gloves ($24); Anthropologie at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; anthropologie.com.

3. Hunter for Target waterproof boots ($40); Target, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Ventura, and Santa Maria; target.com.

7 8

4. “Jacobson” straw lifeguard sun hat ($15); Hats Unlimited at Ventura Harbor Village, Santa Barbara, and Solvang; hatsunlimited.com. 5. “Guest Bee” organic goat-milk soap gift set ($9); Poco Farm, Ojai, pocofarm.com. 6. Classic English garden shears ($65); Diani Living, Santa Barbara, dianiliving.com. 7. Edible flower seed kit ($50); Williams-Sonoma at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, La Cumbre Plaza, Santa Barbara, The San Luis Obispo Collection, Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, and The Commons at Calabasas; williams-sonoma.com. 8. Fair trade African basket ($32 for small; $62 for large); Heritage Goods & Supply, Carpinteria, heritagegoodsandsupply.com. 

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds Style By Frances Ryan

Homegrown Vogue

Infuse your wardrobe with these locally designed duds. 1

2 3

1. Blueberry Jewelry, San Luis Obispo: “No. E103” large, handforged circle earrings ($70); shopblueberryjewelry.com. 2. Tribute Project, Montecito: “The Clash Safety” denim jacket ($1,950); tributeproject.net.

5 6

3. Nina Segal, Westlake Village: Moonstone and diamond ring ($850); ninasegal.com; and Sharon Segal, Nina Segal at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, facebook.com/ sharonsegalninasegalthecloset. 4. Kendall Conrad Design, Santa Barbara: “Luz” Napa-leather wallet ($450); Kendall Conrad Design at Montecito Country Mart, kendallconraddesign.com. 5. Sheryl Lowe Jewelry, Santa Barbara: Mexican Turquoise bracelet with pavé diamond bar ($1,400); sheryllowejewelry.com. 6. BedStü, Camarillo: “Stevie Navy Glove” soft leather bag ($245); BedStü at Malibu Country Mart, bedstu.com.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

8. The Office of Angela Scott, Santa Barbara: “Mr. Colin” double monk-strap shoes ($435); theofficeofangelascott.com. >

FURO: PAULO ROSAS

7. Furo, Ojai: “Dansa” top ($161); Cattywampus Crafts, Ojai, cattywampuscrafts.com.

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Finds Style 2

4 5 6 1. Ace Rivington, Santa Barbara: “US Army Air Corps Pre-WWII Stearman Roundel” cap ($26); Ace Rivington, Santa Barbara, acerivington.com.

2. BedStü, Camarillo: “Luke Steel Lux” handcrafted leather bag ($395); BedStü at Malibu Country Mart, bedstu.com. 3. Saltura, Santa Barbara: “Rincon Dip” boardshorts ($125); saltura.co.

4. Make Smith Leather Company, Santa Barbara: Leather keychain with clip ($40); Make Smith Leather Company, Santa Barbara, makesmith.com. 5. SeaVees, Santa Barbara: “Maslon” desert boots ($98); seavees.com. 6. Ace Rivington, Santa Barbara: Slim-tapered “PT 17” light, vintage jeans ($190); Ace Rivington, Santa Barbara, acerivington.com.

7. Blue Planet Eyewear, Carpinteria: “Annica” sunglasses ($45); blueplaneteyewear.com. 8. Coastaoro, Simi Valley: “Hidalgo” sport shirt ($99); Nordstrom at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 9. Foxtail Goods, San Luis Obispo: Minimal card holder ($55); foxtailgoods.com. 

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

TRIBUTE TO SEATTLE

Originally opened as the Roosevelt, Seattle’s tallest building in 1930, the new Hotel Theodore (hoteltheodore.com; from $199) reflects the casual vibe of the Pacific Northwest while staying rooted in history through a partnership with the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI).

MELLOW IN MENDOCINO

The restorers of Mendocino Grove campground combine tents with elegance.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Hotel Theodore does its historic building proud with art exhibits in every room that celebrate Seattleborn innovations past and present.

Guest rooms chronicle the development of Seattle with photos of Boeing airplanes, blueprints of the Space Needle, and patent drawings of the first Eddie Bauer down jacket—all from the museum’s archives— while guest-room corridors feature artifacts like saw blades used in the timber industry and the first Amazon Kindle. A MOHAI guest speaker series at the hotel focuses on current museum exhibits. Hotel Theodore is walking distance to Pike Place Market, which inspired the design of the hotel’s restaurant, Rider. The eatery is finished in glazed subway tile, exposed concrete, and 1-by-1-inch tile flooring that echoes the look of the city’s original farmers’ market. The Seafood Plateaus—feasts of oysters, prawns, and Dungeness crab on ice—scream Seattle.

TENTS AND TENT INTERIOR: COURTESY OF MENDOCINO GROVE; HOTEL THEODORE: COURTESY OF PROVENANCE HOTELS

owering white firs rule the bluff overlooking the Pacific, a quarter-mile from Big River Beach and a half-mile from the town of Mendocino, where husband-and-wife team Chris Hougie and Teresa Raffo have created a place to decompress. “It was a visceral reaction that I had to the land,” says Raffo, who immediately knew the dilapidated campground had to be restored. “It’s a very nourishing environment.” Entering its second season, Mendocino Grove (mendocinogrove.com; from $125) offers 50 furnished tents designed with European mountain cabins in mind and featuring painted plywood floors, redwood decks, electric lanterns, down comforters, and flannel duvets. It’s not luxury as much as it is comfort; the couple wanted to create a seamless transition for people to exit hectic everyday life into nature by providing necessities without building too much infrastructure. Each tent has a steamer trunk from the early 20th century for storing clothing and using as a tabletop as well as a box with information on beaches and hiking, a flashlight, and towels. Coffee and a campfire usher in each morning at a central gathering area. A new bathhouse provides hot showers. Hougie and Raffo restored a late-1800s home for themselves on the 38-acre property, but Raffo prefers sleeping outdoors. “When there’s a tent free,” she says, “I always sleep at the campground.”

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Finds Travel

AT HOME IN WEHO

Living up to its location around the corner from the Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood’s new La Peer Hotel strives for spatial harmony through avant-garde architecture, materials, fixtures, furnishings, and art.

est Hollywood’s Design District has become a focal point of shopping in L.A. with high-end stores that tout home furnishings and fashion clustered along Melrose Avenue and Beverly and Robertson boulevards. New to the mix is the design district’s first hotel,

La Peer Hotel (lapeerhotel.com; from $425), with elegant white oak wood flooring, leather walls, and gold columns. “The aesthetic itself is modern, but you have a lot of warm natural tones,” says general manager Nick Rimedio, noting that the living room lobby is designed as much for locals to

relax and work as it is for out-oftown guests. “It’s a place that feels very, very cozy.” The menu at the hotel restaurant, Viale dei Romani, from chef Casey Lane of The Tasting Kitchen in Venice, offers wood-fired seafood and pastas inspired by Lane’s trips to the Mediterranean.

It is one of the longest continuously running businesses in Malibu, has free Tesla transportation to the beach, and is about 25 miles from Santa Monica and about 60 miles from Santa Barbara, but it remains off the radar for weekend getaways. Tucked in the rolling hills and oaks of the Santa Monica Mountains, Calamigos Guest Ranch (calamigosguestranch.com; from $490) is a working ranch with 70 cottages available for guests along with a spa, yoga studio, and gym. “If you’re walking on the property, there’s a good chance you’re going to run into Glen Gerson wearing denim on denim and his boots,” says director of operations Valentino Caceres of the ranch’s co-owner. “He’ll definitely talk to you, and he’ll never mention that it’s his ranch.” Cottage amenities include bathrooms outfitted in Carrera marble and outdoor decks. At the Calamigos Beach Club restaurant, a six-mile Tesla shuttle ride away, the staff sets up chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, surfboards, and tandem ocean kayaks for guests to enjoy an afternoon at the shore. 

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

HOT TIP

During a stay in a comfortable cottage bedroom suite at Calamigos Guest Ranch in Malibu (above), when guests aren’t headed to the nearby private beach club at the seashore, they can lounge in a cabana by the pool (above right).

Want a camping spot with showers on site and water activities nearby? Search for the ideal place to pitch a tent at campgrounds, ranches, and vineyards throughout the United States at Hipcamp (hipcamp.com), an online guide and booking service. Searches can be filtered by location, desired amenities, and area activities.

LA PEER: LAURE JOLIET; CALAMIGOS GUEST RANCH: JOHN BOONE

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Local Voices Interviews by Heidi Dvorak

After-Hours Ingenuity Creative professionals tell how they fuel their innovative natures outside the workplace.

As a calligrapher and an artist, my creative outlet is also my career. It’s crucial I stay inspired. I do that by surrounding myself with other creatives—innovative and supportive people who push me to be better and keep that spark lit. —Heather Brown

calligrapher, designer Brown & Co. Designs Ventura brownandcodesigns.com

Travel. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to travel with my work and with each travel job I try to extend it. Whether it’s Morocco, the Maldives, Bali, or good ol’ New York, I’m greatly inspired by the colors, culture, and fashion around me. Reading is also a place where I find inspiration—fashion mags and books on travel.

I will go on walks and enjoy nature. The beauty and design found in physics, natural systems, and plants are fascinating to me and I find them very inspiring. —Reilly Newman

I started an Instagram account/blog called TheMariaMethod, which showcases everything creative. I use it as my personal portfolio to keep track of my life in hospitality, style, and design. I’m always in search of inspiration, which correlates with my love of reading. When I have a creative block, I exercise to clear my mind. The physical movement has an incredibly positive effect on my innovative thinking. —Maria Solorzano

director of sales and marketing Westlake Village Inn westlakevillageinn.com

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

principal, lead designer Newman Creative Studios Paso Robles newmanstudios.us

BROWN: AMBER JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY; NEWMAN: JACE LUMLEY FOR EXPRESS

—Mar R.

founder, creative director Team Hair & Makeup Santa Barbara teamhairandmakeup.com makeupbymar.com

Local Voices

A few years ago, I discovered the art of weaving and became completely engaged with the meditative process. The act of combining color and pattern to form tactile wall hangings and other textiles has given me a new form of inspiration and lends itself to my landscape design practice. —Nicole Hilary Cook

landscape designer NC Designs Los Osos ncdesigns.co

I love to swim. I often have melodies in my head swirling around 24/7 and the quiet of underwater helps me sort them out. I can put whole songs together this way. I have this idea of titling my next record “Under Water Sessions.” We’ll see.

Conversations, meals enjoyed with friends, being outside, spending time with loved ones, listening to music, enjoying art, road trips, visiting new cities, watching films, reading. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me, and everything I experience with my senses seems to find its way into my films and photographs.

—Dina Mande

filmmaker and photographer Juice Media Paso Robles hellojuice.com

Before I can even begin to be creative, I have to get myself grounded and eliminate any feelings of stress. That usually means meditating, which is pretty informal for me these days. I either quietly sit or go for a hike and consciously breathe and notice my surroundings. That connects me to the present moment and opens my mind to new ideas. —Anna Nozaki

owner Cattywampus Crafts Ojai cattywampuscrafts.com

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

I go into nature a lot, and I get creatively energized by the natural elements of our beautiful Earth. I also love looking at all kinds of gemstones and raw materials, which can inspire my creativity.  —Nina Segal

mother, jewelry designer, store owner Nina Segal Jewelry Westlake Village ninasegal.com

COOK: LOVERIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY; SEGAL: CARLO ALBERTO ORECCHIA; NOZAKI: DEWEY NICKS

—Jen Baron

executive director Girls Rock Santa Barbara girlsrocksb.org

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Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805 By Heidi Dvorak

Sérgio Mendes

5/18–19

May 12

May 18–19

GET IN TOUCH: GEORGE LOPEZ

SLO JAZZ FESTIVAL

May 19–20 25 UNDER 25 FILM FEST

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles. Comedy often contains a component of truth, and this standup’s schtick rings truer than most as he pokes fun at human foibles in a gotcha kind of way; vinaroblesamphitheatre.com.

Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo. Sérgio Mendes headlines an international showcase with more than 20 live acts performing throughout the city. The musical mix includes New Orleans, Dixieland, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and contemporary original jazz; slojazzfest.org.

Palm Theatre, San Luis Obispo. Nab a prime seat to view the work of up-and-coming filmmakers under the age of 25 when they screen their films of 25 minutes or less. Meet them, discuss their works, and connect with others in the biz; 25under25fest.com.

May 17–20

May 19

May 25–27

PASO ROBLES WINE FESTIVAL

MODEST MOUSE

Paso Robles locations. The wines are world-class at this libation celebration featuring 70-plus wineries. Sip in style at a grand tasting, a reserve event, a winemaker seminar, and a Big Bottle Dinner; pasowine.com.

Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara. The name of this indie alt-rock band from the Pacific Northwest was derived from a passage in a Virginia Woolf story. Their music may be just as enduring if not as poignant and complex; thearlingtontheatre.com.

WEST COAST KUSTOMS CRUISIN’ NATIONALS

Santa Maria Fairpark. Got regrets about selling that Imperial? BYO tissues at a show featuring pre-1961 American-made vehicles; westcoastkustoms.com.

Family Fun

Here’s an Idea: Santa Barbara possesses a thriving performing arts scene within the HISTORIC THEATRE DISTRICT. Instead of scrambling to figure out what’s happening at individual venues, such as The Granada Theater, the Lobero Theatre, and the Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic, it’s now possible to visit one website to buy tickets and get pertinent information on all the theaters and shows; ticketssb.org.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

May 12–13

May 19–20

GENGHIS KHAN

OKLAHOMA!

Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley. The brutal barbarian and leader of the Mongol Empire who brought the concept of democracy to the west stars in his own exhibit featuring 13th-century weapons, costumes, jewels, instruments, and documents; reaganfoundation.org.

Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Find out what happens to one girl “who can’t say no” at the Opera San Luis Obispo production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical about pioneer spirit; operaslo.org.

CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

May 10–13 CONEJO VALLEY DAYS

Conejo Creek South Park. What could be more fitting than competing in an outhouse race to pay homage to the community’s western roots? Mosey on over to a hoedown with carnival rides, bands, arts and crafts, and home décor; conejovalleydays.us.

Strawberry Meadows of College Park, Oxnard. The time is ripe for a carnival with 50-plus food booths, contests, rides, arts and crafts, and cooking demonstrations, all devoted to the red berry; castrawberryfestival.org.

May 19 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

May 26–28

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Don’t look for Maleficent in the Pacific Festival Ballet production based on the original fairytale. It’s Carabosse who does Aurora wrong in the Brothers Grimm version, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s score; civicartsplaza.com.

I MADONNARI ITALIAN STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL

Santa Barbara Mission. In Italian, madonnari means “street painters,” so venture no farther than the sidewalks to see imaginative works in pastels. An adjacent Italian marketplace offers live music, food, and wares; imadonnarifestival.com. >

CARS: LUKE KAROSI, KUSTOMS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE

5/25–27

Through August 19

Insider

Hot Ticket

Book your seats now for these hot upcoming events. MAY Through May 12: See what the future holds for technology at CLUFEST 2018: RETROFUTURISM. Designed and curated by the senior multimedia majors, exhibits include original games housed in a custom-built arcade cabinet, a simulated moon landing, an interactive photo booth, and other inventive projects from digital media students; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu. Through May 13: Examine the museum’s photography holdings at BROUGHT TO LIGHT: REVELATORY PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION. Artists

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. Through May 27: After the 19th century, photographic portraiture became an art form in its own right. It was appreciated for the ability to replicate the colorful effects, dignified poses, and surroundings of its subjects. Over time, technical processes expanded with experimentation of exposure times and darkroom manipulation. From hybrid works from just after the birth of photography in the late 1830s to artful Pictorialist expressions in the early 20th century, CROSSCURRENTS: AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHS, 1840–1900 presents nearly 100 photographic art

works; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net. Through May 27: Before photography, there was portraiture. And anyone who was anybody had his countenance immortalized by commissioning a painting. The work of portraitists from the Colonial period through the Industrial Revolution is represented in CROSSCURRENTS: THE PAINTED PORTRAIT IN AMERICA, BRITAIN, AND FRANCE, 1750–1850. And leave it to artists: Despite political

opposition between the British and Revolutionary colonialists and the British and the French during the Seven Years’ War, portraitists from rival factions managed to maintain open channels of communication; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net. Through June 10: LESS MISERABLE BY MIKE TODD is a twist on the Victor Hugo classic. The stage production contains song parodies, comedy, and a vaudevillian kick; Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville, Oceano, greatamericanmelodrama.com.

Through May 13, June 14–July 8: Little did novelist Victor Hugo know that back in 1831 when he wrote a story about a deformed church bell ringer, it would one day be the impetus for a musical. Yet that’s exactly what happened on the big screen and then onstage when songwriters Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz teamed up to deliver a dramatic and beautiful score for Disney’s THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. The classic tale maintains its integrity as it unfolds the story of Quasimodo, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, and the beguiling gypsy, Esmeralda; Marian and Solvang Festival theaters, pcpa.org.

Look for our newest location in Oxnard at The Collection!

Through July 8: Prepare for the beauties of spring at BOTKE BIRDS AND BLOSSOMS, an exhibit of Jessie Arms Botke’s early 20th-century decorative paintings paired with arrangements of flowers created by the Ventura County Orchid Society; Santa Paula Art Museum, santapaulaartmuseum.org. May 4–20: This production of a kids classic should keep youngsters from stepping on spiders—and maybe from eating ham sandwiches. CHARLOTTE’S WEB tells a riveting story about friendship, sharing, and caring between a little girl, a wise rat, an unwitting pig, and a feisty spider; Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, yaeonline.com. May 12: Simi’s takin’ it to the streets with all that’s great about the city at the SIMI VALLEY STREET FAIR, a gathering of food artisans, business owners, and service providers from all over the valley. Listen to music and meet up with a few neighbors and Chamber of Commerce members; Simi Valley Town Square, simivalleychamber.org. May 17: Who knew that actor and Santa Barbara resident Michael Imperioli was a gifted writer? At a CONVERSATION AND BOOK SIGNING WITH MICHAEL IMPERIOLI AND COLIN GARDNER, the UC Santa Barbara professor interviews Imperioli on his first novel, The Perfume Burned His Eyes; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net.

Los Agaves is a family owned Mexican restaurant serving traditional handcrafted recipes from the finest ingredients… Always.

May 19: The third annual DRAGON BOAT MUSIC FESTIVAL is fire-breathing hot with live acts from musicians and dancers from the Thousand Oaks community. Performers include the Yang-Sheng Choir, the Thousand Oaks Chinese Folk Ensemble, and the Thousand Oaks Dance Ensemble; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu. May 19–20: Watch talented youths at their finest when the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre performs LES MISERABLES. The cast consists of 30 actors from ages 9 to 17. Montecito flood survivor Lauren Cantin performs the role of Fantine at the Sunday evening performance; Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, lobero.org. >

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Insider May 20: BYO instrument or listen to others play within a scenic mountain open-air location at the TOPANGA BANJO FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL. Three stages are jam-packed with musical performances. Filling the bill are band and singing playoffs, clogging, square dancing, cowboy music and poetry, arts and crafts, and workshops devoted to flatfoot dancing, ukulele, and backup guitar. Performers include the Highlife Cajun Band, Richie and Rosie, Crooked Jades, Ira Bernstein, Skillet Licorice, the Hollow Trees, and others; Paramount Ranch, Agoura Hills, topangabanjofiddle.org.

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May 25: As a father of five, this three-time Grammynominated comedian knows the pitfalls and pratfalls of family life, so the JIM GAFFIGAN: THE FIXER UPPER TOUR is right on the nose when it comes to finding the humor in life’s everyday minor problems and major fiascos; Santa Barbara Bowl, sbbowl.com. May 26: What’s new pussycat? TOM JONES is probably still posing that same question and women are probably still responding with girllike glee. Get nostalgic and let the panty tossing begin; Santa Barbara Bowl, sbbowl.com.

before

after

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JUNE June 16: Ding! Comics Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley square off with stories about the stresses and successes of parenting in MOM’S NIGHT OUT: ROUND 2! Between them are four children, two husbands, and three dogs, so there’s plenty of solid material for this wacky stage show, part of the #IMOMSOHARD Cross-Country Comedy Tour; Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles, vinaroblesamphitheatre.com. June 21–23: Summer’s here and that means ROLL OUT THE BARRELS WEEKEND is underway. The

microneedling with PRP

shebang takes off on Thursday with Barrels in the Plaza, a culinary street party with more than 30 wineries, each offering its own vino along with artfully prepared plates from more than 20 local chefs. On Friday and Saturday, select tasting rooms and vineyards provide special access to those with a Passport to Wine Country; San Luis Obispo locations, slowine.com.

Show Your Support

Fun and fundraising go hand-inhand at these local events. Leslie Petersen, Nurse Practitioner & Clinical Director

Schedule your FREE consultation today!

805.312.7070

seewhatsbeyond.com 268 Village Commons Blvd. Suite 19 Camarillo, CA 93012

MAY May 10: Glasses ready? Start sipping at the MARGARITA MIXOFF, which boldly goes forth to offer a Margarita Taste Test. Soroptimist International of the Conejo puts on this festive fundraiser for local charities, such as the RAIN Project Transitional Living Center, Safe Passage, Hospice of the Conejo, Villa Esperanza Services, Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, and the Conejo Free Clinic. There’s food, live music, and,

as if that’s not enough, a tequila tasting. Vamos de fiesta!; The Gardens at Los Robles Greens, Thousand Oaks, siconejo.org. May 11: Hats, gloves, and frilly frocks are suitable fashion fare for LOVE IS BREWING, a very proper tea and champagne luncheon to Support Interface Children & Family Services’ programs for domestic violence prevention, intervention, and awareness; Camarillo Ranch, icfs.org. May 17: Not only has the United Way of Ventura County helped raise money for victims of the Thomas fire, but it also assists the underserved all year long in the areas of education, health, and income. The needs of single mothers are addressed at WOMEN UNITED, a luncheon geared toward helping them create a successful and secure future; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, vcunitedway.org. May 19: Get in high gear for cycling at OPERATION: RIDE FOR THE RED, part of the

American Red Cross Ventura County chapter’s effort to assist military families and veterans of Camarillo. Choose from three rides: 100 miles, 62 miles, and 30 miles. Fuel up beforehand with free breakfast, even though there are plenty of stops along the routes for water and energy drinks and bars; Ventura County locations, redcross.org. May 19: Honor the Carpinteria High School boys’ soccer team win of the California Interscholastic Federation Regional Soccer Championship at the CARPINTERIA KIDS AUCTION. The United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County fundraiser includes a silent and live auction and lots of community commingling; Carpinteria Club, unitedbg.org/events. May 19: Join the 2018 Alzheimer’s Leadership Award recipient and keynote speaker Kimberly Williams-Paisley at the inaugural YOUR BRAIN MATTERS HIGH TEA. Hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association and local community partners, the informative occasion is dedicated to exploring the Alzheimer’s Women’s Initiative and the latest developments regarding Alzheimer’s disease; Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, act.alz.org/awivta. May 19–20: Cancer survivors and their friends and family as well as those who’ve lost someone to cancer or just support the fight against this disease can participate in RELAY FOR LIFE of Conejo Valley, an American Cancer Society fundraiser. The opening ceremony honors everyone who’s been affected by cancer and is followed by the Survivor Lap. Following the walk is a Luminaria Ceremony. Each light represents a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or support for someone currently fighting it; Conejo Creek South Park, Thousand Oaks, relayforlife.org/conejovalley/ca. May 21: Tee off at the 31st GOLF TOURNAMENT for the Hospice of the Conejo. The non-medical volunteer hospice, grief support center, and >

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Insider education center provides services free of charge, so every dollar raised counts; Sunset Hills Country Club, Thousand Oaks, hospiceoftheconejo.org.

JUNE June 9: Four luxury homes open their doors for visitors at the MAKING IT HOME TOUR, a PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) fundraiser. Food and wine pairings from chefs and local restaurants are available at each residence. The festivities continue at an after-party reception, with raffles and refreshments; Santa Barbara and Montecito locations, sbhometour.org. June 9: Hightail it on over to the Woods Humane Society’s fundraising gala, TIKI TAILS. The Polynesian-style party with food, wine, and an auction is aimed at raising $100,000 for programs and operations, such as aiding rescue animals, at the privately funded nonprofit’s two facilities; Oyster Ridge at Ancient Peaks Winery, Santa Margarita, woodshumanesociety.org.

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June 11: Compete for prizes and trophies at the ninth annual GOLF CLASSIC, a tournament to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley. Activites include raffles, lunch, a cocktail reception, dinner, and an awards presentation; Moorpark Country Club, bgcconejo.org. June 23: Help promote positive development of youths in Cambria, Cayucos, and San Simeon by participating in the 18th annual GENE CERISE MEMORIAL COUNTRY COAST CLASSIC BIKE RIDE. The original ride was founded by Cerise, an

avid cyclist, as a fundraiser for the Cambria Youth Center, but he succumbed to leukemia in 2004. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 to fund and support youth programs. Pick from three rides: the ¾ Century (72 miles), ½ Century (45 miles), and ¼ Century (25 miles). Directly after, cyclists and others can enjoy a Lions Club barbecued meal and try their chances for prizes in a raffle; Cambria Pinedorado grounds, countrycoastclassic.org.

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MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

28879 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, CA 91301 agouraantiquemart.com

June 23: Three cheers for the RED, WHITE & BLUE BALL, which honors one military service and one patriotic citizen of the year. The prestigious gala is put on by two national veteran organizations, the Conejo Valley Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and the Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart; Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, reaganfoundation.org.

Worth a Drive

Venture just outside the 805 for these choice events. Through May 18: Doth thou want to speak like it’s the 1300s? If the answer, pray tell, is yea, sally

forth on any weekend to the RENAISSANCE PLEASURE FAIRE, where knights joust on horseback, costumed minstrels and troubadours bandy about, and fair damsels abound; Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, renfair.com. Though June 24: The impact of Indian art and culture on Rembrandt’s style is explored in REMBRANDT AND THE INSPIRATION OF INDIA.

The exhibit spotlights 20 of his drawings that depict the Mughal court in Northern India. Juxtaposed against those drawings of Mughal rulers and courtiers are Indian paintings and drawings of similar compositions to illustrate how Mughal art influenced him to draw in a very different, refined style; J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, getty.edu. Through January 27, 2019: As the most comprehensive Porsche exhibit outside of Stuttgart, THE PORSCHE EFFECT showcases a historically significant collection of the German brand’s street and race cars as well as artifacts, historical documents tracing the marque’s history in engineering, kinetic art, branding, and the new underground Porsche Vault Tour, which showcases rare models. Vehicular eye candy includes the 1938 Berlin-Rome Type 64 race car, a 906 race car, the 919 Endurance racer, the Petersen Collection’s 901 and 356 Continental Cabriolet, a rare model X83 Turbo S Flachbau 964, a rally-spec Type 953 911, the Gulf 917K, the Jägermeister 962, and the legendary 935 K3 Le Mans winner; Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, petersen.org.

Give Back

Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you. Can’t stand looking at litter on the city streets? In Paso Robles, the ADOPT-A-STREET PROGRAM gives volunteers a chance to adopt a street and beautify it. Adoption requires litter pickup on a section of street at least once a month for one year. It’s a great way to promote community pride and goodwill within an organization, among family, with friends, or as a solo activity and improves the quality of the environment by preventing trash from entering storm drains, creeks, and the Salinas River. Participants must be at least 13 years of age; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Safety gear, trash bags, and trash disposal are provided. The best part: Aside from getting an immaculate environment, picker-uppers get a sign of recognition posted on the street; prcity.com.  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.

Walk

en m e r h t ave h u o y e lik wal king u. o y d n i h e b la Renta e d r a c s O

D e s i g n e r Fa s h i o n at A ff or d a bl e P r ic e s

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By Linda Kossoff

Gray Matters ike all other organs in the body, our brains rely on us to keep them in optimal condition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans show that a healthy brain is well-sized and symmetrical with smooth surfaces and clear signs of activity and blood flow. If a brain is healthy, it does not call attention to itself, it simply functions well. Conversely, a damaged or unhealthy brain can eventually present symptoms that may include pain, vision problems, ringing in the ears, and difficulties related to speech,

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

movement, emotions, cognition, and memory. Among the most feared brain-related maladies is the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), an incurable condition that most often occurs after the age of 65 and, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, currently afflicts 5.7 million Americans. Although a family history of AD increases the risk of developing the disease, heredity is not the only determinant, says Rhonda Spiegel, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Chapter (alz.org/cacentral) of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. >

Head off brain-related health issues with smart preventive care.

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Follow Your Heart. Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke—obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.

Heads Up! Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls.

Fuel Up Right.

10 Ways to Love Your Brain Break a Sweat. Engage in regular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Hit the Books. Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce 62

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For example, take a class at a local college, community center, or online.

Butt Out.

Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction.

Catch Some Zzzs. Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.

Take Care of Your Mental Health.

so seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.

Stump Yourself.

Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have shortand long-term benefits for your brain.

Buddy Up.

Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community. If you love animals, consider volunteering at a local shelter. If you enjoy singing, join a local choir, or help at an after-school program. Or, just share activities with friends and family. 

805 Living editor in chief and publisher Lynne Andujar is honorary chair of the inaugural Alzheimer’s Association Your Brain Matters High Tea on May 19 at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. For more information, see “Show Your Support,” page 56.

Some studies link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline, “10 Ways to Love Your Brain” reprinted with permission from the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence through lifestyle and effective management of other health conditions,” she says. The matter is complex and still under study, but current research affirms the potential of everyday wellness choices in increasing the brain’s ability to ward off cognitive decline. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association has come up with the following “10 Ways to Love Your Brain.”

As a lifelong dancer, Alice has always projected confidence and grace. Sidelined by injuries and illness, she worried that she would never dance again. As a Belmont Village resident, Alice stays active every day in a holistic wellness program that includes personalized fitness, therapy, and rehab programs developed by experts in senior health.

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Faces in the Crowd By Nancy Ransohoff Photograph by Gary Moss

Darla Bea

A local radio personality and event DJ gets the party started with her creative mix.

he energy level revs up a few notches when DJ Darla Bea (djdarlabea.com) is in the house. The award-winning, in-demand disc jockey, master of ceremonies, and on-air radio personality has presided over parties, weddings, public and private events, and nonprofit fundraisers from Oxnard to Cambria for the past 10 years. Known for her creative mash-ups of costumes, wigs, and carefully curated set lists, Bea spins beats geared to her audiences and events. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Bea’s “Rock It Properly” weekly radio show on KCSB-FM. “I enjoy the creative freedom to explore diverse genres of music, Afrobeat

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to zydeco, and interact with my listeners in a different way than I do when I DJ public events,” she says. It was her radio show that got the Santa Barbara native and UC Santa Barbara graduate started in her career. “One of my regular listeners owns a club in town and asked me to DJ there. I crafted a weekly ’80s-themed night, decorated the venue, played retro movies on the TV screens, wore a costume, and began to get inquiries from couples attending to DJ their weddings. It pretty much snowballed from there,” she says. A history of art and architecture major, Bea finds inspiration for her shows in pop culture, art, music, and fashion. “I like to build upon ideas, themes, and musical

content that I have been interested in, starting from a young age,” she says. Fans can catch the versatile Bea in the DJ booth poolside at The Kimpton Goodland hotel in Goleta, at Santa Barbara’s Kimpton Canary Hotel rooftop dance parties and Pacific Pride Foundation’s monthly mixers, and at the Wildcat Lounge’s Bobcat Room in downtown Santa Barbara. She also rocks guests and locals twice a month, on Fridays, at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara’s Ty Lounge. “I love making a personal connection through the music I play with people of all walks of life, age ranges, ethnicities, and genders,” she says, “and seeing them respond to the music [with] fun, laughter, dancing, and joy!” 

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This is your opportunity to own a finely crafted townhome of superior quality built by

Aldersgate Home

o n e o f t h e a r e a ’s p r e m i u m h o m e b u i l d e r s .

In the continuing effort to improve the homes we build, Aldersgate reserves the right to change floor plans, materials, features and pricing without prior notice or obliagtion. Such changes may not always be reflected in our Sales Center, models, brochure ot the listing of included, custom and decorator items. Windows and square footage vary by elevation. Floor plans, site plans and square footage are approximate and should not be relied upon for exact dimensions. Renderings are an artist’s conception and are not intended to be exact replica of homes or landscaping. Please see your New home Sales Counselor for further information. Each C21 office is independently owned and operated.

Memorial Day Sale

COM PL ET E IN T ER IOR DESIGN SHOW ROOM Featuring more than 200 manufacturers Alderman Bushé Interiors would like to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to all the fire and flood victims. We will be offering extensive factory supported discounts. Let us help you with all your Interior Design needs.

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You’ve got a fresh new life to look forward to, complete with a private swim club. Pinnacle’s spacious townhome designs embrace family life with sunny open floorplans in a magnificent setting. Join the interest list to receive a Model Grand Opening invitation. Explore a panoramic new address.*

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*Views vary significantly by lot location and may be affected by future development or other activities. Neither Seller nor the payment of any premium guarantees the preservation of any view which may be present at the time of purchase or anytime thereafter. Offered for sale by BMC Realty Advisors, Inc. CA Broker License #01920450. General Contractor License #971581. Price, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are conceptual. Decorative items and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. Persons in photos do not reflect racial preference and housing is open to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. ©04/2018 Century Communities

Upgrades Local Mojo

Create a sense of place with furnishings designed close to home. By Frances Ryan

COURTESY OF NATIVE TRAILS

Native Trails, San Luis Obispo: Handcrafted “Avalon” NativeStone concrete soaking tub ($8,990); nativetrails.net.

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Upgrades

1. Miri Mara, Carpinteria: “Gubbio” ceramic pendant light ($690); mirimara.com. 2. Shaun Boyd Made This, Buellton: “Hootie” bluetooth speaker ($545); shaunboydmadethis.com.

3. Scott Coppersmith Designs, Ventura: “California” marquee light (from $400); scott-coppersmithdesigns.myshopify.com. 4. Paul Trent, Thousand Oaks: “Onyx” sofa ($3,295); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com.

5. Keefrider Custom Furniture, Santa Barbara: Sculpted live-edge cocktail table in black walnut ($860); keefridersb.com.

7. Timothy J. Ferrie, Westlake Village: Black high-gloss table light ($650); tjferrie.com; and A Beautiful Mess Home, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmesshome.com. 8. BWilliam Design, Ventura: Walnut credenza (from $3,550); bwilliamdesign.com. 

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

PENDANT LIGHT: FATMIR MARA

6. Amber Interiors, Calabasas: “Mulholland” lounge chair ($2,400); amberinteriordesign.com.

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Good Deeds

805 LIVINGâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SPONSORED EVENT 1

By Mark Langton

One805 Kick Ash Bash

10 9

Dedicated to showing gratitude to the first responders who assisted in the Thomas fire and Montecito mudflow events, the One805 Kick Ash Bash was held at the Bella Vista Ranch and Polo Club in Summerland on February 25. Of the 3,000 tickets available, 2,300 were donated to first responders and their families. The starstudded event featured music performances 10 and family activities and raised money to assist victims, purchase emergency equipment, and provide psychological support for first responders. Proceeds will be administered by the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance (sbfirefightersalliance. org), which has formed a committee of members from local police and fire agencies to determine allocations. Direct Relief International (directrelief.org) created its own financial assistance program to determine distribution of funds for survivor relief.

8 7

1. Wilson Phillips 2. David Crosby 3. Bonnie Kerwin, Pat McElroy 4. Dennis Miller 5. Ashley Iverson, Nina Terzian 6. The Sisterhood Band 7. Richard Marx 8. Lauren Cantin 9. David Foster 10. Pat Nesbitt, Katy Perry, Ursula Nesbitt 11. Alan Parsons 12. Portia de Rossi, Ellen DeGeneres Photographs by Christian Tierney and Mark Webb

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

18 Oliver Road 5 Bed | 4 Bath | Ocean and Island Views Price Upon Request Expertly built 2-story Mesa home at the end of Oliver Road with full ocean and island views in Washington School District. 4 bed, 4 bath + office or 5th bed, located 5 minutes from the Mesa Center and Mesa Lane Beach. Delight in patios with ocean views on both levels, fresh landscaping, gardens and oversized 2-car garage. Enjoy a chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen with top-of-the-line amenities, 12-ft marble island and auxiliary pantry with wine cooler. Perfect for entertaining or serene retreat, given the spacious design, abundant natural light and ocean breeze. Quintessential California lifestyle and the best of elevated Mesa living.

Ocean and Island Views on The Mesa 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 805.253.7700

Chris W. Hunt 805.453.3407 chris@chrishunthomes.com chrishunthomes.com DRE 01326111

Good Deeds

Lustgarten Foundation

On February 24, the Lustgarten Westlake Village Run/Walk (aka PAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run, in honor of avid runner Pam Bardwil, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2008) celebrated its 10th anniversary. The start and finish and festivities took place at the Westlake Village Community Center. The annual event raises money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research and so far, has amasssed more than $1 million cumulatively for the cause. The current recipient, the Lustgarten Foundation (lustgarten.org), received 100 percent of the proceeds raised. It is Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest private funder dedicated to pancreatic cancer research and is behind a collaborative effort between Johns Hopkins University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in cooperation with Indiana University.

1. Kristen Bardwil van Den Houten, Lucie van Den Houten, Jessica Bardwil Reiss 2. Elex Michaelson, Brian Zimring 3. Jerry Esposito, Cathy Weber 4. Max Butler, George Sugarman, Steve Bardwil, Johnny Stachela, Aaron Leibowitz, Vince Fossett 5. Lori Shakel, Mary Brown 6. Scott Fest 7. Daphne Panagotacos, Kumar Desai 8. Renatta Retter, Terry Weyman, Katie Fiore, Grayson Pomeroy 9. Dede Drucker, Deborah Fagan, Gloria Rios, Shari DeLuca 10. Melissa Flavin, Connor Flavin, Kim McCurdy Photographs by Mark Langton

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

805 memorial sale FP.indd 1

4/6/18 11:44 AM

Handcrafting

Art Handing Down Traditions WITH CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, THREE FINE ARTISANS OFFER A GLIMPSE INTO THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS.

Talented craftspeople have a way of bringing beauty into our daily lives. They can transform ordinary objects into treasured artworks and inspire others to follow their lead. In that vein, Randy Stromsoe, Rhiannon Griego, and Jory Brigham not only have taken traditional forms and techniques and interpreted them in contemporary ways, but they have also helped their students understand and appreciate what goes into crafting even the smallest piece of art. They want their students to experience the pleasure of taking something home and saying, “Look what I made!” BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Randy Stromsoe (right) has a tool for every task in his master silversmith’s workshop, some handed down from several generations of craftsmen. Chisels of varying sizes and thicknesses (left) await just the proper project, perhaps a silver or pewter bowl, like the one Stromsoe is shaping and chasing (bottom) at his workbench. One of his finished masterpieces (below) appears to ripple organically.

There are sleek, shining objects in Randy Stromsoe’s (stromsoestudios. com) Templeton showroom and on the table in his workshop—fluted and chased shell-like cups, a sophisticated collar necklace, a martini shaker with a hammered finish. But perhaps equally arresting is the meticulously arranged collection of tools that attest to the generations of silversmiths’ knowledge that are embodied in this master craftsman’s work. Stromsoe grew up in the San Fernando Valley and was making things even as a boy. But it was a jewelry class he took at Los Angeles Valley College when he was about 19 that set him on his career path. “The teacher was awesome,” he says, “and it was an introduction to European metalsmiths that got me excited.” A class field trip introduced him to

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

FINISHED BOWL: RON BEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Silversmith Randy Stromsoe

then-octogenarian Porter Blanchard, who produced fine silver objects for Hollywood celebrities and national department stores and would become his teacher and mentor. By 1979 Stromsoe had moved to the Central Coast and set up shop on his own, garnering commissions from the White House, Colonial Williamsburg, the Vatican, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as creating pieces that are in the collections of the Renwick Gallery in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Oakland Museum of California, among many others. Working with gold, silver, pewter, copper, and other metals, he continues to handcraft traditional works, such as sinuous coffee sets and subtly shaped bowls, but his style has also evolved in a more

personal way to embrace contemporary organic forms. “I’m always experimenting,” he says. “I like the technique. I enjoy holding the metal. I’m a fan of the process. I like doing everything.” Students—from beginners to metalwork instructors—flock to the twoday classes Stromsoe holds perhaps a dozen times a year. The focus might be on crafting a bracelet or a ring or how to hand-forge a spoon from a narrow bar of silver. “People want to come here,” he says. “It’s a rare opportunity to be in a silversmithing workshop that looks like it did years ago.” As for the work, Stromsoe says, “You have to stay focused and not get sidetracked. Some things are nerve-racking, but it can be joyous.” 805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Weaver Rhiannon Griego

“Textiles are mysterious,” says Rhiannon Griego (ghostdancercollection.com), who took up weaving about five years ago when she was living in Northern California. Originally from Orange County, she had been designing jewelry when she decided to study with a woman who taught saori zen, a method that began in Japan in the 1960s. “It’s mindful, thoughtful weaving,” Griego says of her craft, in which there’s no such thing as a mistake. Instead the emphasis is on free expression. Griego moved to Ojai in May of 2017 and set up her beautifully handcrafted portable loom in a studio at her home, which is filled with the tactile evidence of her materials and her artistry. There are indigo-and-black wall hangings, skeins of pale silks and linens, a man’s churro wool poncho on a hanger, and a woman’s ivory-colored wedding cape draped over a life-size mannequin. Another upright loom leans against a wall and is soon to be used for larger, more dimensional pieces in hemp. “I like neutral colors and primarily work with natural fibers,” Griego says, pointing to some of the vintage yarns that a former boyfriend’s aunt gave to her. However, sometimes she’ll use metallic fibers and gold Lurex threads for accents or weave jewelry from spools of delicate minuscule brass and silver chains. “I start with a vision of what I want to do, but the pieces have a life of their own. I execute just 25 percent of what I see in my mind. The work is not symmetrical, and that’s intentional. I look for ways of testing myself and allow the loom to teach me.” Once a season, Griego holds frame loom classes for groups of eight to 12 students at selected locations outside of her studio. She also teaches beginning weavers one-onone in her studio. The private classes, typically five hours long, are intense. “I show them how to start, teach them to thread,” she says. “I want them to learn to weave but also to understand the components and hours that go into it. Everyone wants to make a wall hanging. I’ll show them what’s possible, but I want them to tap into their creativity.” Comfortably barefoot and surrounded by examples of her creativity, Rhiannon Griego (opposite) prepares to add a contrasting thread to the growing textile on her handmade Japanese loom. From raw materials to finished product (clockwise from left): a spool of thread and a shuttle; Griego’s deft hands move a shuttle loaded with weft thread across the warp; the weaver models one of her works—the Stevie cape.

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

The woodworker in his element (opposite): Jory Brigham is happily surrounded by racks of raw wood, cases of tools, well-worn benches, and a cabinet in progress in his workshop. Realizing a vision (from top): Patterns for specific furniture parts are layered on a wall. Brigham and an assistant carefully measure and mark. The Mack—a signature credenza with aluminum risers.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

“My whole family made furniture,” says Jory Brigham (jorybrigham. com), who continues the tradition— albeit in his own style—in a huge barnlike workshop in Paso Robles that looks out on vine-laced hillsides. “My dad comes from a long line of woodworkers and went to Cal Poly [San Luis Obispo] for architecture,” says Brigham, who grew up in Hawaii and moved to California when he was 18. That’s when he started building and designing pieces with his uncle, which led to several years of woodworking for Fess Parker’s family businesses in the Santa Ynez Valley. By age 27, though, Brigham had tired of working within the prevailing rustic look. Influenced by furniture makers like Sam Maloof and Vladimir Kagan, he incorporated a bit of a midcentury-modern vibe into his cabinets, benches, and seating. “It’s important to put different eras, cultures, and styles into pieces,” he says. “It gives them a warmth and makes them timeless. You don’t have to go overboard, but touches like that turn furniture into heirlooms.” Racks of wood line the workshop walls, along with templates for curved details and tools like saws, drills, routers, and sanders. He’s cleared a space for an asymmetrical black walnut credenza he’s currently working on. “I design as I go,” he says. “It’s all in my head.” Elsewhere there are elements of four of his signature Ping-Pong tables. He made the first one a few years ago when he was a contestant on a reality TV show, and they’ve proved popular with male clients. “Gaming tables are colorful and playful,” he adds. “It’s fun to make them.” He teaches six or eight students at a time in classes held around 13 times a year. “People come from all over,” he says, “but they need to know something about tools first.” Instruction lasts two-and-a-half days. “At the end they take home a bench, an end table, or a stool,” says Brigham. The classes are fun, but at the moment he is excited about a pool table someone has asked him to build. “I enjoy commissions,” he says. “Without them you don’t learn anything new.” 

BOTTOM: RON BEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Furniture Maker Jory Brigham

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

BEYOND WORDS PEDRO DE LA CRUZ COMMUNICATES HIS FEELINGS ABOUT LOVE, ART, BEAUTY, AND PEACE THROUGH HIS PAINTINGS.

By Joan Tapper

rt is always about community and people,” says Santa Barbara artist Pedro de la Cruz (pedrodelacruz-artist. com). Indeed, you can see those twin themes strongly reflected in his lively hillside townscapes and bold portraiture. Those are also the elements that prompted him to produce what has become a fundraising image for victims of the Montecito mudslide. “I did the drawing to make the drawing,” he says, “not for a specific cause but because my friends live there.”

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

Artist Pedro de la Cruz’s use of strong lines and bold colors is apparent in his work, Landscape With Tree.

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Worried about those who were affected by the flood of early January, de la Cruz had called a friend, Isabel Arias, who worked at a shop on Coast Village Road. She turned out to be unharmed and encouraged him to draw something Californian. Inspired by the image on the state flag as well as his love of animals, he came up with a picture of a bear carrying a village of white-walled, redroofed houses on its back and tied it all together with a heart and the message “Montecito Strong.” When he posted the drawing on Instagram, it immediately attracted a huge response. Arias and a neighboring shopkeeper arranged to have the image reproduced on tote bags, and proceeds from those sales, amounting to thousands of dollars, have gone to families affected by the tragedy. Says de la Cruz, “I was really surprised by the response. Art is so powerful. There were so many thankyous and notes from people who had lost their houses, it got overwhelming.” De la Cruz, 44, is originally from Tijuana but came to the United States when he was 11. In the 1980s, the family moved to Santa Barbara, where his junior high and high school teachers encouraged his artistic talent. “As a kid, art was a way for me to communicate without talking,” he says. Later, at Santa Barbara Community College, his art classes were ambitious and demanding. They also introduced him to art history. “I discovered Picasso and through him Matisse, Modigliani, Warhol, and Basquiat. I’m attracted to their 84

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drawings,” he adds. Their influence is reflected in his own Cubist-like portraits and use of line and color. Also evident in de la Cruz’s work is the area’s Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. “I’ve lived here most of my life,” he says. “Everywhere you go you see white walls and red roofs. I paint Santa Barbara, but I give it a Latin twist. I see artists who say, ‘I’m a New York artist’ or ‘I’m an L.A. artist.’ I’m going to be the Santa Barbara artist. I want to own it.” While most of his paintings are about 2 by 3 feet, de la Cruz sometimes creates much larger works—5- or 6-feet across— on the patio of the home he shares with his wife, Adela, and his young daughter, Paloma. “I throw the canvas on the floor. There are no limits. You let go, play music. I put all my soul into the big ones.”

Over the past few years de la Cruz has experimented with different media and palettes. At one point, when fans of his work kept telling him how much they liked his use of color, he asked himself, “What if I didn’t use color? Would they still like it?” Prompted by those questions, he took old-school India ink pens and produced a series of 120 blackand-white drawings. More recently he’s been working with collage, which he has found to be both intimate and time consuming. “It’s got me thinking about minimalism,” he says, “and removing elements from the overall image.” He has also started work on a Mexican series, though he hasn’t shown anything to anyone yet. “I want to celebrate heritage and memories— bullfighters, women with floral headdresses, characters, but nobody specific. I might do a mariachi band, big! “It’s a kind of self-healing and escapism,” he says. “I shy away from politics and religion. I’m attracted to love, art, beauty, and peace. I’m trying to say that being an immigrant is the new beautiful. I like going against the grain in a positive way.” 

DE LA CRUZ: MONICA MONTIGNY PHOTOGRAPHY

Concern for friends in Montecito after last January’s mudslide prompted de la Cruz (below, right) to create Montecito Strong (above), which became an icon and a fundraising source for the recovery from the disaster. His portraits, such as The Red Hat (below, left) and So Stylish (opposite), reflect his cubist tendencies.

As for portraits, he says that he’s been inspired by his mother, “a strong woman who’s not afraid to say the truth about you in front of your friends. I like to get at the character and essence of someone who’s pushing hard.” He might start with a photograph or several photographs, using varied poses and elements as starting points but essentially painting from memory or impressions. Some of the art is autobiographical in an abstract way, he notes, pointing to a recent oversize painting of two guys cooking. “My daughter and I like to cook,” he says. Although not a picture of them, it celebrates their enjoyment of being in the kitchen.

“I LIKE TO GET AT THE CHARACTER AND ESSENCE OF SOMEONE WHO’S PUSHING HARD,” SAYS DE LA CRUZ. 805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Live,Work, Think Creatively At SBCAST the goal is to promote inspiring interactions. BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS 86

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You only need to walk past 513 Garden Street in Santa Barbara to realize that something a little different is at work here. You won’t see a Spanish-style red-tile roof on this complex. Instead there are three contemporary cubelike structures whose steel facades have acquired a rusty patina. A wide gate separates the broad entryway from a huge courtyard, while overhead a pedestrian bridge links two of the blocky buildings. This is SBCAST (sbcast.org), which stands for Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science and Technology, a tantalizing name for a forward-thinking community of living, working, and exhibiting spaces. It’s the brainchild of Alan Macy, an artist and a biomedical engineer, who first conceived of something like this in 2009 as a way of repurposing shipping containers in an innovative architectural way and putting a roof over artists’ heads at the same time. There are thousands of shipping containers at U.S. ports,” he says, “and they lend themselves to all kinds of things. They’re strong, ready to go, weatherproof. It’s natural for architects to think of them.” So when a warehouse and large dirt lot came up for sale, he acquired them and worked with his architect brother, Mark, to draw up plans that incorporated the containers. However, although the city approved the project, no one could figure out how to bid out the job. Macy ultimately pivoted to a design—again the work of Mark—for two three-story buildings powered and heated by solar-energy systems, with seven simple studios for permanent residents, two furnished penthouse units for short-term artists-in-residence, and two ground-floor spaces for events A work in progress by artist Masha Keating fills the easel in her SBCAST studio (right) with energetic curves and tendrils in vibrant blues and purples. A detail in one of Allison Leigh Holt’s sculptural installations (opposite) from an April 2018 exhibit at the complex explores the spherical distortions of hyperbolic space.

and exhibits. Though the live-work units include kitchen appliances and baths, they’re just 400 square feet, recalling those shipping containers. The warehouse at the back of the courtyard allows for louder, messier activities. The complex, which opened in early 2016, “is super beautiful,” Macy says, “aesthetically pleasing, and well conceived.” But his creative thinking didn’t end with architecture. He envisioned a campus experience that would combine the permanent and the ephemeral. A colleague proposed an 18-month tenure for residents that would give them “three months to settle in, one year to work on > 805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

a project, and three months to figure out where to go next.” The majority of the first group cycled out in fall 2017, while national and international artists-in-residence have come and gone after a few weeks or a month. “It’s been endlessly surprising,” Macy says. “We have had artists who wanted peace and quiet, and we gently discourage that. This is about chance encounters, evolving ideas, crossfertilization, not solitary monasticism.” To involve the public, Macy included as residents two curators who became responsible for First Thursday exhibits and other programming. One of them, Maiza Hixson, who recently left for UC Santa Barbara to pursue an MFA that focuses on performance, digital, and socially engaged public art, says, “I was helping an exciting organization get off on the right foot, trying to create diversity in the art. We’ve had

“I THINK OF A PLACE LIKE SBCAST AS A CAST OF CHARACTERS LIVING IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX,” SAYS CURATOR AND TENANT LYNN HOLLEY. “WE HAVE DIFFERENT SENSIBILITIES, DIFFERENT AGES, ALL WITH A CREATIVE MOTIVE.” 100‑plus exhibits.” Among her favorites was a show with Oaxacan weaver Porfirio Gutiérrez, whose work begins with gathering plants for dyes, then dyeing and spinning wool, and finally weaving intricate colorful patterns. Hixson also did her own performance pieces, one of which involved running for mayor and holding stump speeches at SBCAST. “Art should make you think,” she says. Her co-curator Lynn Holley was actually the first tenant in the complex and will remain there until the end of 2018. “I came here as the owner of two film festivals, including the international 3-Minute Film Festival, which has screened the works at SBCAST,” she says. For a May exhibit she’s curating the work of two Israeli video artists as part of a multivenue Santa Barbara show entitled 70.70.70. “I think of a place like SBCAST as a cast of characters living in an apartment complex,” Holley says. “We have different sensibilities, different ages, all with a creative motive. There are no rules that you have to interact, and for some people it’s easier than for others. But there’s a sense of respect that you don’t necessarily get in other places.” One of the group’s newest residents is architectural researcher and musician F. Myles Sciotto, whose artistic expression includes drawings, installations, and soundscapes. “I’m interested in the relationship between sound and space,” says Sciotto. He moved to SBCAST from Los Angeles, “to be around other creative makers,” he says, “and the experience is fascinating. There are spontaneous conversations that are inspiring for your work, and the events add to it. The space itself is quite comfortable—well designed and efficient. Alan has a vision. It’s careful but not controlled, structured but still very organic. I want to see communities like this flourish. It’s not for everyone, but everyone could take something or learn from it.” 

A dressmaker’s dummy (left) proclaims its provenance in the filled-tothe-brim warehouse, where Santa Barbara seamstress Megan Illgner (opposite, bottom, left) maintains her studio workshop.

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CENTER: BIANCA SCIOTTO/BIANCASCIOTTO.COM

Artist and biomedical engineer Alan Macy (right) finds a congenial spot for an overview of the creative complex he brought to fruition. Robot Head (left), a sculpture by Dominique Reboul, seems to take in the scene at the warehouse. New tenant F. Myles Sciotto, standing in front of drawings from his Allotope Krotona series (below), does research that combines architecture and music. A pedestrian bridge (bottom, right) links two starkly contemporary SBCAST buildings.

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Cherries on Top The sweet little fruits hit market stands this month. Here’s how to make the most of their short season.

By Jaime Lewis

CHERRY CHOCOLATE PORTER PIE

for dusting 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water for egg wash Raw sugar, as needed Pinch of edible dried rosebuds (such as Sadaf brand, available at amazon.com and at Mediterranean markets), ground to a powder with mortar and pestle, plus more as needed

In 2015, absences for treatment of a heart condition forced Jeneane Nicodemus to abandon a long teaching career. She turned to the baking skills passed down from her mother and opened Sugar Momma Pies in San Luis Obispo, a professional pie shop Nicodemus operates from her home. This recipe puts her special twist on classic cherry pie, incorporating locally made Santa Maria Brewing Co. (santamariabrewingco.com) Black Gold Chocolate Porter into the filling. Sometimes, instead of a traditional blanket crust, Nicodemus covers her pies with multiple cookie-cutter heart shapes she says, “because I am a heart disease survivor and I like to be reminded of this every opportunity I get.” Makes one 9-inch pie CRUSTS 1 cup shortening, chilled or frozen, and cut into small pieces ¼ cup rose water (available in the spice section of Whole Foods Markets), chilled 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more

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FILLING 3 cups pitted fresh (or frozen) sweet cherries 1½ cups sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Juice and zest of 1 small orange 1 cup chocolate porter (such as Black Gold by Santa Maria Brewing Co.) 1 teaspoon salt To make crusts: Combine shortening, rose water, flour, and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture reaches the consistency of cornmeal. Transfer to a lightly

floured surface and form dough into a ball. Cover ball with plastic wrap and chill in the freezer while preparing filling. Preheat the oven to 400°F. To make filling: In a medium saucepot over low heat, combine 2 cups of cherries with remaining filling ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, remove dough ball from freezer and cut into two halves. Use a rolling pin to roll out one half on a lightly floured surface, forming a circle large enough to fill a 9-inchround glass pie dish to the top edge. Loosely roll the dough circle onto the rolling pin and then unroll the dough circle into the pie dish. Pour cooled filling into crust. Top filling with remaining 1 cup fresh cherries. Roll out the remaining half of the dough ball into a circle large enough to cover top of pie. Loosely roll the dough circle onto the rolling pin and then unroll the dough circle onto the top of the pie. Pinch top and bottom crusts together around edges. (Option: Roll >

n a summer morning in Italy several years ago, I bussed to market in a nearby town and met a farmer selling the most perfect red cherries I’d ever seen. Powerless against their burnished allure, I spent my return fare on a bag of them and walked the whole way back to my hostel, cherry skins snapping under my teeth, juice dribbling down my fingers onto the roadside. Cheerful, luxurious, and gone in a blink, cherries are one of the warmer months’ most precious gifts. “You know summer has arrived when cherry season comes around,” says chef and caterer Justine Whitney of Justine’s Private Cuisine ( justinesprivatecuisine.com) in Thousand Oaks. “There is nothing like having a large bowl of golden-red or deep-purple sweet cherries on the kitchen counter.” It’s uncommon to find cherries grown in the 805, but plenty of farms in the Central Valley truck their harvest to the coast to sell at our local farmers’ markets. While delectable straight from the tree or baked into a dessert, like the Cherry Chocolate Porter Pie from Sugar Momma Pies (sugarmommapies.com) in San Luis Obispo, cherries also provide a sweet counterpoint to savory dishes, as in Whitney’s Cherry, Brie, and Crispy Prosciutto Flatbread or Grilled Lamb Chops With Cherry Compote, Spring Onions, and Fingerling Potatoes from executive chef Lauren Herman at Santa Barbara’s Smithy Kitchen + Bar (smithykitchensb.com). Ready to get cherry? The recipes follow.

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Taste Food out remaining crust and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Then cover pie in overlapping shapes.) Pierce top of crust with fork several times to vent. Brush egg wash over top of crust. Dust with raw sugar and a few pinches of ground dried rosebuds. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until crust is lightly brown on top.

CHERRY, BRIE, AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO FLATBREAD “This recipe is great to serve as an eyepopping appetizer or a mouthwatering main course with a crisp summer salad,” says Justine Whitney, owner and namesake of specialty catering company Justine’s Private Cuisine in Thousand Oaks. Whitney says fresh cherries work well on pizzas and flatbreads because their “liquid and high sugar content are perfect for hot ovens.” They retain their shape and don’t exude too much juice. Make the par-baked flatbread (recipe follows) a day ahead. Serves 6 1 cup balsamic vinegar 4 slices prosciutto 1 par-baked flatbread (recipe follows) 6 ounces Brie, sliced into ¼-inch wide strips ½ cup fresh cherries, pitted and sliced into four rings apiece ½ cup fresh baby arugula To a small saucepot over medium heat add balsamic vinegar and simmer until vinegar reduces to ¼ cup, about 8 to 12 minutes. (Vinegar tends to burn easily toward the end of the reduction process, so watch closely to

THAT’S THE PITS

Cherry pits are easy to remove with a couple of simple kitchen tools. (Just remember to don an apron to avoid stains, as pitting can be messy.) The easiest way is with a cherry pitter, a simple little device that can be purchased at a specialty store like Williams-Sonoma (williams-sonoma. com). But if you don’t have a pitter, for a rustic dish like chef Herman’s compote, try pressing down on a cherry with the flat side of a chef’s knife until the skin breaks and the pit can be removed and discarded. Alternatively, once the stem is removed, use a chopstick to push the pit through the top. For a more refined dish like chef Whitney’s pizza, use a paring knife to score around the circumference of the fruit in several places before popping the pit out with your fingers.

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see when tiny bubbles develop, an indication that the sugars have concentrated and the reduction is ready.) Let the glaze cool, then transfer to a squeeze bottle or small pitcher. To manage spills, cover the bottom of oven with foil. Place rack in the middle of oven and preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil, place prosciutto on it, and bake until crisp, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Crumble prosciutto. Increase oven temperature to 475°F. To assemble flatbread: Place par-baked flatbread on a cutting board. Starting ¼ inch from edge, arrange Brie on flatbread evenly, leaving ½ inch between slices to allow for melting. Dot with cherries, and sprinkle with crumbled prosciutto. Place flatbread directly on the center rack of the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and caramelized. When flatbread is done, take cutting board to the oven and, using tongs, transfer flatbread directly from rack to cutting board. Cut into 3-inch squares and arrange on serving platter. Sprinkle with arugula and finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze.

PAR-BAKED TRADITIONAL FLATBREADS After two years of testing, Whitney says her 24-hour-fermented dough recipe promises foolproof flavor and texture. It’s “simple and only needs a few ingredients,” she says, “the main one being patience.” Whitney suggests doubling this recipe to stock the freezer with up to 10 par-baked flatbreads at a time. “Then you can grab one or two, add toppings, and bake,” she says. Makes 5 flatbreads 5½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1¾–2 cups filtered water, room temperature Olive oil, as needed In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together with a metal spoon, combining well. Transfer mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 1¾ cups water and mix on low about 4 to 7 minutes, scraping down the sides of bowl and adding a little more water, if necessary, to make dough come together in a ball that does not stick to hands or sides of bowl. Coat a large glass bowl with a little olive oil. Transfer dough to oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature, 30 minutes. Refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove dough from the refrigerator and let sit for 2 hours at room temperature. Divide dough into 5 even balls.

Preheat oven to 475°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into an oval about 14 inches long, 11 inches wide, and ¼ inch thick. Prick dough all over with a fork and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake until a few golden spots appear, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer par-baked flatbread to an airtight container. Repeat until all dough balls are par-baked. Par-baked flatbreads will keep in a refrigerated airtight container for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH SPICED CHERRY COMPOTE, SPRING ONIONS, AND FINGERLING POTATOES This sweet and savory dish from executive chef Lauren Herman at Smithy Kitchen + Bar in Santa Barbara kicks off grilling season and bridges the foods of spring and summer by pairing spiced cherries with tender lamb. If you can’t find bulbous spring onions, Herman recommends substituting two well-washed leeks or two to three torpedo onions. Serves 4 3–4 bulbous spring onions, trimmed and sliced lengthwise 1 pound fingerling potatoes, washed thoroughly 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 pinches fresh thyme, divided Salt and pepper to taste 4 lamb chops, rib or loin, 1 inch thick Leaves from 1 sprig of rosemary Spiced Cherry Compote (recipe follows) Prepare a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss onions, potatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of thyme, salt, and pepper. Tear off and stack two large sheets of aluminum foil. Transfer onion-potato mixture to top sheet of foil. Wrap both sheets of foil around mixture to form a single packet and fold edges together to seal tightly. Place packet on grill and close lid. Roast for about 1 hour or until potatoes are tender. Remove from grill and set aside. Increase heat to 400°F. In another large bowl, rub lamb chops with remaining tablespoon of olive oil, rosemary, remaining pinch of thyme, salt, and pepper. Grill chops about 6 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium-rare. Remove from heat and rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, open packet and place onions and potatoes on a plate or serving dish. In a saucepan, rewarm Spiced Cherry Compote, 3 to 5 minutes. Place chops on top of onions and potatoes. Spoon warm cherry compote over chops and serve.

HOW TO CHERRY

Cherries come in two forms: sweet and sour. Most consumers purchase sweet cherries while food companies process sour cherries through baking, saucing, juicing, or drying. Of the hundreds of sweet varieties, the most common in California are dark-red Bing cherries and golden-pink Rainiers, both of which appear at farmers’ markets between May and August. When buying cherries, look for fruit with firm, taut skin. They spoil quickly, so be sure to consume, refrigerate, or freeze cherries immediately, rinsing only at the last minute to prolong their lifespan.

SPICED CHERRY COMPOTE Cherries and oranges make a bright, sweet base for Herman’s spicy compote. Serve it warm with savory dishes like her grilled lamb chops or over pancakes or vanilla ice cream. Makes about 1 pint 1 whole clove 1 whole star anise ½ teaspoon whole allspice berries 1 cinnamon stick Piece of cheesecloth to form sachet ¼ cup grape-seed oil (or other neutrally flavored oil) 1 dried arbol chile ½ sprig rosemary ½ red onion, diced ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ½ cup port Juice of 1 orange Zest of ½ orange Pinch of fresh thyme 2 cups pitted cherries Salt and pepper to taste Place clove, star anise, allspice berries, and cinnamon stick in cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine to form sachet. Set aside. In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, heat grape-seed oil over medium heat until it shimmers, then add arbol chile and rosemary for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Remove chile and rosemary and reduce heat to medium-low. Add red onion and cook until caramelized, about 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Deglaze pan with balsamic vinegar, port, and orange juice, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Add orange zest, thyme, sachet, and approximately ⅓ of cherries. Continue cooking until mixture reduces by half and resembles a glaze, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and remove sachet. Fold in remaining cherries. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Compote will keep in a refrigerated airtight container for up to one week.  805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Taste Spirits By Shauna Burke

Fermented ingredients like kombucha give cocktails a unique twist.

Makes 1 cocktail 1½ ounces gin 1½ ounces kefir with honey, such as Lifeway brand ½ ounce Bigallet Thyme Liqueur ½ ounce simple syrup ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon peach jam Ice Fresh peach slices, for garnish Fresh thyme sprig, for garnish Combine first seven ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with peach slices and a sprig of fresh thyme.

MEGGERZ MULE Greg Finefrock, proprietor of Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen (finneyscrafthouse.com)

Bent on Ferment

Mixologists shake up the local cocktail scene with the delicious funk of ingredients like kombucha, kefir, and jun.

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cocktails, like the creative recipes that follow, which were expertly crafted by local mixologists and are simple enough to shake up at home.

Makes 1 cocktail 2 ounces vodka ¾ ounce Chili Mango Shrub (recipe follows) ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice ¾ ounce simple syrup Ice 1 bottle Q Ginger Beer (as needed) Dried chili mango, for garnish Combine first five ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain into an ice-filled copper mug, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with a piece of dried chili mango.

CHILI MANGO SHRUB This recipe makes enough shrub for about 13 Meggerz Mules.

THESE DREAMS In this dreamy drink, Robin Wolf, cocktail czar at The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar (hatchpasorobles. com) in Paso Robles, balances the creamy tang of kefir with the sweetness of peach jam and the aromatic flavor of gin. Wolf says she likes to throw a curveball into each of her cocktail recipes. “The thyme in this one elevates the cocktail with great herbal notes and a subtle earthiness,” she says.

Makes 10 ounces 7½ ounces mango puree ½ ounce water 2¼ teaspoons ancho chili powder ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup apple cider vinegar Pour mango puree and water into a saucepan and stir to combine. Whisk in ancho chili

ermented beverages are all the rage at the moment. They seem to be staking out more and more territory on grocery store shelves, as well as popping up behind the bar and on cocktail menus across the nation. Whether it’s kombucha, kefir, kvass, ginger beer, jun, or even more traditional options like beer, wine, or sake, every culture seems to have its own time-honored fermented libation. These are seriously tasty beverages that deserve to be the star in their own

in Westlake Village and its new location in Santa Barbara, named this refreshing mule, which he says is “by far, our most popular cocktail,” in honor of his wife, Meghan. At the restaurant, it’s served in Finney’s signature copper mug. The fermented ingredient is in the Chili Mango Shrub (recipe follows), which gets its zing from apple cider vinegar. The recipe calls for a garnish of dried chili mango, which is available at specialty markets and amazon.com.

powder, sugar, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and allow shrub to cool completely. Transfer to a lidded container. It can be refrigerated for up to 10 days.

SWEET AS In this seasonally appropriate cocktail, Jillian Coalson, manager and sommelier at Aroha New Zealand Cuisine & Bar (aroharestaurant. com) in Westlake Village, combines guavaflavored kombucha and elderflower liqueur, which both lend seductive floral notes. With just three ingredients, plus ice and garnish, it’s simple enough to shake up all year round. Makes 1 cocktail 2 ounces GT’s Synergy Organic Kombucha Guava Goddess 1½ ounces gin ¾ ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur Ice 1 large, fresh basil leaf, for garnish

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Combine first four ingredients in a shaker, shake well, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.

ENLIGHTENER As a classically trained chef and certified sommelier, I offer my contribution to this celebration of fermentation with this refreshing tipple, combining jun with Ventura Spirits’ unique Wilder gin, which is distilled with wild-harvested local botanicals like pixie mandarin peels and chuchupate. Jun is very similar to kombucha in that they are both fermented, effervescent beverages. The main difference is that honey is used in the jun fermentation process instead of sugar. Serve it with a spoon straw. Makes 1 cocktail 5 fresh raspberries, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice ¾ ounce Ventura Spirits Wilder gin ¾ ounce Aperol Ice Wild Tonic Jun-Kombucha Raspberry Goji Rose Lemon wheel, for garnish Combine raspberries and lemon juice in a shaker and muddle. Add gin and Aperol, fill with ice, then shake well. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass, then fill to the top with jun. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a lemon wheel. 

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Taste Dining Out By David Gadd Photographs by Gary Moss

Grandmother Knows Best With the opening of Nonna, veteran restaurateur Jacopo Falleni reinvents the art of eating Italian-style in Westlake Village.

ometimes, a grandmother’s ways are the best. That’s the idea behind Nonna (nonna.restaurant), the Italian restaurant that well-known restaurateur Jacopo Falleni just opened in Westlake Village as a tribute to both of his grandmothers and to grandmothers everywhere (its name means grandmother in Italian). Falleni’s trajectory to this highly anticipated new project has been long and packed with myriad experiences. Born in Florence, he graduated with high honors from the Istituto Professionale per i Servizi Alberghieri e Della Ristorazione (Professional Institute for Hotel and Restaurant Service) Nonna nostalgia (from and flew through a course of study at the top): The décor pays tribute to owner Jacopo International Bartenders Association of Falleni’s grandmother Italy, where he won a bevy of mixology and his penchant for antiques. Executive chef competitions and was invited to become Gianluca Maita turns an instructor. When Falleni moved to out regional favorites. the United States in 2000, he opened Il Gelatone, the first Italian gelato shop in New York City. After moving out west, he became a high-profile fixture on the 805 dining scene, with tenures as general manager at Cafe Fiore in Ventura, co-owner and managing partner of Moorpark staple Café Firenze and Firenze Osteria (now closed) in Toluca Lake, general manager of Tuscany Il Ristorante in Westlake Village, and food and beverage director at the Westlake Village Inn. It has all led up to Nonna, where the new digs (in the space formerly occupied by Bellini Osteria Bar & Lounge) are emphatically casual and the atmosphere is boisterous and convivial. Falleni conceived the rustic look and feel of the 140-seat space, with its distressed wood walls and humble furnishings, but he is quick to credit friend and designer Tania Russell with helping Falleniesque (opposite, clockwise from top, left): him turn his ideas into reality. The genial owner also The cleverly designed lamp sculptures that acts as general manager. Pasta chef Pamela Ganci light the dining room and the comfortable makes Ravioli Ricotta e Spinaci (spinach ravioli) enclosed patio—including upside-down be served in butter pasta colanders electrified with Edison bulbs to sage sauce. A Timothy above the bar—are by local artist Timothy J. J. Ferrie light fixture resembles the whisks Ferrie, another close friend. Falleni family used in the kitchen. An photos and vintage kitchen tools complete antipasti platter delivers burrata, heirloom the nonna-approved look. “My father is in tomatoes, and Parma the antiques business,” explains Falleni, prosciutto, drizzled with “and I inherited a passion for antiques.” oregano dressing.

MAY 2018 / 805LIVING.COM

805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

Taste Dining Out On a bustling Thursday evening just two weeks in, the dapper Falleni is entirely in his element amid the cheerful crowd, checking the reservations list, popping behind the bar to adjust a cocktail, and pausing with a broad smile to shake hands with well-wishers who have come to experience the buzz and the food. Steering clear of here-today, gone-tomorrow trends, the menu, from executive chef Gianluca Maita, draws solidly on traditional mainstays from all over Italy, presented without pomp or pretense. “Italian food is very regional,” says Falleni. “I may know the traditions of my own land, but the food in the next region will be completely different, with different ingredients and different cooking techniques.” Falleni’s native Tuscany could hardly be better represented on Nonna’s menu than by the succulent gnudi, ricotta-and-

While the kitchen is in capable Italian hands, the dining room also boasts servers from as far afield as Orvieto and Sardinia. “We speak Italian here!” says Falleni. spinach dumplings, served with butter, sage, and pomodoro sauce. Pamela Ganci, who crafts the house-made pastas, is from Bologna (“the kingdom of pasta,” Falleni says with a wink) and contributes authentic Bolognese dishes such as Passatelli 3P, a breadcrumb-based pasta served with panna (cream), prosciutto, and peas. Ganci’s influence is also felt in the ultra-savory Petroniana, a pork cutlet topped with Parma ham and Parmesan fondue. Maita brings touches of his native Sicily in the form of arancini—saffron-laced rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and served with Bolognese sauce—a specialty of the island. For dessert, nothing could be more apropos than the Nonna’s cake, a classic Tuscan torta della nonna. While the kitchen is in capable Italian hands, the dining room also boasts servers from as far afield as Orvieto and Sardinia. “We speak Italian here!” says Falleni. They also speak wines and spirits, and Falleni created the cocktails for the bar, including several signature drinks, such as the Antonietta: white whiskey, crème de violette, and elderflower liqueur laced together with cold-pressed lime juice for what he calls “an intriguing floral experience.” Falleni is also a sommelier certified by the Italian Sommelier Association and has completed the first-level exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers. While his wine list is rich for the time being with California offerings inherited from the restaurant’s previous incarnation, Falleni, working with friend Giovanni Piero, plans to steer it in a much more Italian direction as inventory turns over. The engaging restaurateur says he has been through thick and thin during the course of his career but always sees adversity as opportunity. “Sometimes success is harder to handle than failure,” Falleni says, “but you never stop learning.” He especially appreciates the close-knit 805 community that continues to offer him support. “I’ve been in this market for 15 years,” he says, “and I have a lot of friends here. They’re happy for me.”  98

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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. ARTISAN 843 12th St. Paso Robles, 805-237-8084 artisanpasorobles.com New American; Entrées $14–$31

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.

If you haven’t strolled through downtown Paso Robles lately, you might have missed the news that Next Door Bistro (nextdoorbistropasorobles. business.site) has a new a neighbor. The breakfast-and-lunch spot operated by chef-owner Ed Drake moved late last year from its original 14-seat location next to an Italian Market on 13th Street to a larger space under Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse & Saloon on Riverside Avenue. The menu of build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, housemade soups, quinoa bowls, and a Spanish take on grilled cheese (think Manchego with quince paste) is worth seeking out. 100

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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.

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 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; selfparking 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 powerlunch 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 dryaged 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.

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 sweet-and-sour sauce. Entrées include an array of flatbreads, swordfish with sautéed rapini, Niman Ranch double-cut 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 food-and-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 threecourse Beijing Duck dinner ($78 per person) is among the prix-fixe, 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.

NEW NONNA 951 S. Westlake Blvd. #102 Westlake Village, 805-497-8482 nonna.restaurant Italian; Entrées $18–$45

Romantic, Great Patio A casually elegant dining room of distressed wood lit with unique light sculptures by artist Timothy J.

Ferrie is a beautiful fit for Florence-born and -trained restaurateur Jacopo Falleni. The menu avoids the faddish, instead cutting a culinary swath through the Italian peninsula and islands with tradition-rich dishes that reflect Falleni’s Tuscan upbringing (gnudi with pomodoro sauce), executive chef Gianluca Maita’s Sicilian heritage (arancini), and pasta chef Pamela Ganci’s influences from Bologna (passatelli with peas). Service is engaging and professional, while Falleni himself fills the role of sommelier and designed signature cocktails for the full bar.

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.

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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. Chef-owner 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.

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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

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The Dining Guide

Just say Cheese! Wedding cheese wheel cakes by Fromagerie Sophie fromageriesophie.com

of the walls and 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.

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.

Jack’s Bistro

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

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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.

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.

NEW BIBI JI 734 State Street Santa Barbara, 805-560-6845 bibijisb.com Indian, Australian, and American Street Food $10–$16, Grill $15–$25, Curries $10–$18, Chef’s Tasting $50 per person

Chef and restaurateur Jessi Singh partners with star sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr to offer vibrant Indian fare and local and international wines and beers in this casual downtown bistro. Don’t miss the gol gappa, surprising sweet-and-spicy flatbread balls flavored with mint, coriander, dates, and tamarind chutney or Singh’s signature dish, Mr. Tso’s Cauliflower, featuring the nutty florets tossed in a tangy chili sauce.

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, kouignamann, pain au chocolat, and other pastries come out of the ovens. Loaves of naturally leavened, burnishedcrust 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. Graband-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 food-and-wine pairings.

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 pan-roasted 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 three-course meal with wine for $95 per person.) Add the gracious presence of proprietor Mitchell Sjerven and you have the ingredients for the first Santa Barbara-area restaurant in a decade to earn the AAA Four Diamond award for excellence.

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.

UPDATE 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 Peter Cham, a Santa Barbara native. Creative starters, flatbreads, salads, and entrées 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 buttermilk fried chicken on Tuesdays and bouillabaisse every Thursday. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays includes 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.

NEW GASOLINA TAPAS 550 Collection Blvd., Suite 110 Oxnard, 805-225-7210 gasolinatapas.com Spanish; Shared Plates $6–$19

Owner-chef Sandra Cordero focuses on California cuisine–style tapas from her native Spain at the only restaurant to offer sit-down table service inside The Annex at The Collection at RiverPark. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and fun: Décor includes vintage trophies and, yes, even a gas tank or two from European motorcycle-racing culture. But Cordero is serious about the food, which is beautifully plated. Joining the menu of seasonal tapas inspired by local produce are such standout standbys as patatas bravas with garlic aioli and Morcilla sausage wrapped in beet leaves and served atop beet puree. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and Galician-style empanadas are also available. Local beers and wines are offered along with selections from Spain. Don’t miss the house-made sangria made with seasonal fruit.

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

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.

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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

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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.

UPDATE 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, communal tables, and private booths fashioned from church pews. As culinary conductor, executive chef Jason Paluska oversees a thoroughly modern menu that highlights local ingredients. West Coast oysters with Goleta caviar lime are popular starters to shared plates of roasted chicken with green peppercorn gastrique, depending on the season. Craft brews, wines by the glass, cocktails, and mocktails extend the artisanal spirit into the bar. Desserts by pastry chef Joey Vega include warm Meyer lemon fritters with slowcooked blueberries and lemon thyme.

UPDATE LES MARCHANDS RESTAURANT & MERCHANT 131 Anacapa St., Suite B Santa Barbara, 805-284-0380 lesmarchandswine.com European; Small Plates $5–$15; Entrées $18–$30

Weekend Brunch The vibe is Parisian bistro, but selections at this combination restaurant and retail shop in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone give equal opportunity to the United States and other countries. The by-the-glass 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. Dinner is served daily from 5 p.m., when selections include a local strawberry-arugula salad with house-made ricotta and mint pesto and lemon-brined chicken with crispy fingerling potatoes. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. offers dishes such as shakshuka (a Middle Eastern poached-egg dish) and fried chicken and waffles with rosemary honey.

UPDATE LIDO AT DOLPHIN BAY 2727 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach, 805-773-8900 thedolphinbay.com/lido Californian; Entrées $16–$58 Great View, Daily Brunch

Chef Hector Ibarra brings an eye for seasonal ingredients to a menu that echoes the creativity of the art glass displayed in Lido’s dining room. Appetizers include oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette and braised pork belly with fennel slaw. Entrées include house-made squid-ink pasta, quinoa veggie burgers, and a generous rib eye with curry compound butter. The Chef’s Tasting Menu offers five courses for $75 ($100 with wine pairings). A daily affair, brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., features a threecourse plated option with bottomless mimosas as well as à la carte dishes.

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 smallbites bar named, naturally, Poquita.

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

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.

NEW MATTEI’S TAVERN 2350 Railway Ave. Los Olivos, 805-729-2857 matteistavern1886.com California Classics; Entrées $18–$68 Since 1886, Mattei’s Tavern has dished up American favorites to stagecoach travelers, Danish dignitaries, the gentleman’s horseback-riding group Los Rancheros Visitadores (including Clark Gable and Joe

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The Dining Guide Kennedy), plus generations of Santa Ynez Valley folks. Newest proprietor and chef Maili Halme continues a beloved tradition with historic classics made modern: Mattei’s famous prime rib, oak-grilled rack of lamb and thick-cut pork chop with apple chutney, vegan Shepherd’s Pie, and vegan chili. The original wood bar beside one of the historic tavern’s three fireplaces serves up irresistible cocktails, local wine favorites, and several regional beers on tap.

MOODY ROOSTER 2891 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 805-370-3131 moodyroosterwlv.com New American; Entrées $13–$30

Born in the Year of the Rooster, owner-chef Collin Crannell cooks whatever he feels like putting on the menu each day at this foodie version of a neighborhood café located in a Westlake Village shopping center. That’s what’s in the name. On the plate, Crannell—formerly the executive chef at The Lobster in Santa Monica—focuses on from-scratch fare showcasing local, seasonal produce, seafood, and proteins at lunch and dinner. Trademark dishes include crispy gnocchi with roasted cherry tomatoes, Parmesan fondue, and a swirl of aged balsamic, as well as a half chicken with roasted garlic and butternut squash. Wine and craft beers are available (ask co-owner Vicki Crannell for pairing suggestions).

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.

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.

UPDATE OJAI VALLEY INN 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojairesort.com Various cuisines

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First responders and others affected by the Thomas fire and Montecito debris flows will be the guests of honor at the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation and Local Love Project (totallylocalvc.com) farm dinner on May 17 at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula. The menu will showcase local ingredients in dishes created by Ventura County–based chefs who teamed with World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization launched by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, to help feed victims, law enforcement personnel, and first responders throughout the disasters. More than 100 free tickets will be distributed. Additional tickets, available to the public at $145 each, cover beer tasting, wine pairing, passed appetizers, a five-course meal, and what promises to be some unforgettable conversation around the table.

Entrées $11–$60; Saturday Buffet Brunch $29; Sunday Bluegrass Brunch $55

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 features California cuisine with a Northern Italian twist 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 winemaker dinners. Start the evening with small bites and craft cocktails 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, freshpressed juices, and spa lunch are served inside or on the 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 salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas and entrées, plus craft beers and cocktails (it’s also one of the few restaurants in Ojai to stay open past 10 p.m. on weekends). Next door, Libbey’s Market 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 halfprice during happy hour service available Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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. Playful takes on classics like guacamole (served with toasted pumpkin seed gremolata) join pork belly bao buns and roasted sea bass lettuce wraps with crispy shallots. 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 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Ramen is a Sunday-night thing from 5 p.m. (go early). 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. (Glutenfree 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 pop-up appearances by visiting chefs and winemakers.

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.

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 overseeing menus that are both elegant and stick-to-your-ribs: Small-plate options include Peruvian marinated quail, while composed entrées include seabass with house-made 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 miinspired 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.

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.

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.

dune

MODERN HOME FURNISHINGS

641 Higuera, Suite 101 San Luis Obispo, 93401

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The Dining Guide UPDATE THOMAS HILL ORGANICS 1313 Park St. Paso Robles, 805-226-5888 thomashillorganics.com Wine Country Cuisine; Entrées $15–$41 Sunday Brunch

At this chic but casual restaurant in downtown Paso Robles, executive corporate chef Kurt Metzger builds on the vision of owner and founding chef Debbie Thomas by turning ingredients from local purveyors into elegant, satisfying fare at lunch, brunch, and dinner. (Why, yes, those are Windrose Farm apples in the burrata salad.) Wine, beer, and ciders from the region are also featured, adding to the restaurant’s farm-to-table bona fides.

Trying to go organic? Take those efforts to the next level at Rave Organics Café (raveorganics.com) in Newbury Park, where seating is available on a second-floor mezzanine furnished with a 150-gallon saltwater reef aquarium. Vegan-buttermilk flaxseed pancakes help kick off the breakfast menu at 6 a.m. daily. Organic smoothies, frozen yogurt, pizzas, and chicken shawarma keep the organic vibe going well into the night.

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 black-and-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 pizza-bread 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

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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.

A Good Bet

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

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.

UPDATE FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE & KITCHEN 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Suite 2 Westlake Village, 805-230-9950 and 35 State St., Suite A Santa Barbara, 805-845-3100 finneyscrafthouse.com American; Entrées $10–$16

Kid-Friendly The “craft beer spoken here” neon sign in the dining room doesn’t quite say it all at this casual but polished gastropub owned by Greg Finefrock, an 805 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. With slight variations between the Santa Barbara and Westlake Village locations, shareable appetizers include glutenfree 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 (options include gluten-free buns and plant-based Impossible Burger patties). Crispy tacos, salads, and flatbread pizzas are also available. Families and other groups gravitate to the communal tables inside and on the patio. Seating is first-come, first-served at the copper bar.

HARVEST KITCHEN & BAR AT HYATT REGENCY WESTLAKE 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. Executive chef Steve Johnson, a Hyatt Regency veteran, turns up the flavor in offerings such as the grass-fed burger and Alaskan Halibut in Rosemary Butter Sauce served with summer squash and jubilee rice. 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.

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 fruitfilled scones, glasses of olallieberry lemonade, and the raspberry-orangecranberry 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.

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 number 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 order-at-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 bubbling-hot 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.

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.

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-and-sour 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 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 805LIVING.COM / MAY 2018

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The Dining Guide 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.

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

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.

NEW THE ANNEX 550 Collection Blvd. Oxnard, 805-278-9500 thecollectionrp.com/the_annex Cuisines and prices vary by location

Kid-Friendly Ten restaurants offer as many dining experiences at this public market–style spot in the heart of The Collection at RiverPark. House-roasted coffee and gluten-free muffins help jump-start the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls made with local berries and honey. Scratch Sandwich Counter covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu that includes The Sabbich, a vegetarian combination of grilled eggplant, black

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bean hummus, and fried egg in soft pita bread, and baked goods including cookies and—at 4 p.m. on Sundays—chicken pot pies. Other order-at-thecounter options here also include: Love Pho; Taqueria el Tapatio; PokeCeviche, specializing in build-yourown Hawaiian poke bowls and chef-curated Latin American ceviche; and Seoul Sausage, the season three winner of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race with its updated take on Korean barbecue. Chef Sandra Cordero shares her dual heritage at Pancake, where the menu focuses on sweet and savory Dutch pancakes, and at the neighboring Gasolina Café, which mixes Spanish fare with local ingredients (see more under “Foodie”). The craft-beer bar Bottle & Pint serves local brews and ciders on tap and by the bottle; wines are available by the glass. Fun artwork, inventive communal seating areas (look for tables crafted from reclaimed bowling-alley lanes), and two retail shops add to the vibe.

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

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 semi-private 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 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 dinnerand-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.

Not so long ago, Industrial Way was a quiet side street in Buellton. Now it’s home to so many food-and-drink hotspots that it can be hard to keep up with which new must-try place is located where. Enter Industrial Way (industrialwaysbc.com), a travel-guide website launched by Hugh Margerum that offers a map of a dozen-plus wineries, breweries, and distillery tasting rooms, including one operated by Margerum Wine Company, which is owned by Margerum’s brother Doug. Also featured: restaurants (hello, Industrial Eats!) and hotels, all within walking distance. THE COPA CUBANA 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 103 Ventura, 805-642-9463 805copa.com Cuban; Entrées $12–$18

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 hashlike 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.

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

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 house-made 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

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 halfgallon glass jugs) filled with Ladyface ales are available for takeout.

NEW LUCKY PENNY 127 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-284-0358 luckypennysb.com Californian; Entrées $11–$16

Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, this order-at-the-counter spot ranks as one of the city’s most Instagrammed restaurants. The exterior covered in thousands of shiny copper pennies is a draw, but so is the creative menu of close-up-worthy salads, sandwiches, small plates, and wood-fired pizzas. The latter includes such local-placenamed favorites as the Milpas, topped with fingerling potatoes, chorizo, and a sunny-side-up egg. Salads are big enough to turn into a meal or to share with a friend who orders pizza. (A doggie bag might be required.) Seating is on a pet-friendly patio adjacent to The Lark restaurant. Coffee is served, along with beer, wine, cider, and a life-giving frosé accented with local strawberries and tarragon.

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 include chicken, fish, and beef entrées, 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.

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.

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

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.

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 entertainmentindustry 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 prosciuttostrawberry bruschetta are two of the appetizers on the Witching Hour menu, and coffee-crusted 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. 

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P.S. Sketchpad By Greg Clarke

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Try over 25 eateries at The Collection and The Annex. Visit thecollectionrp.com for menus and details. 805-988-7527 Located off HWY 101 at Oxnard BLVD.