805 Living Spring 2020 by 805 Living

SPR I NG 2020

Home + Garden

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just one click away from enjoying this digital edition of 805 Living presented by

SPR I NG 2020

Home + Garden

#805STRONG

WE WOULD LIKE FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THANK A L L T H E P E O P L E T H AT W O R K T I R E L E S S LY T O ENSURE OUR SAFETY AND WELFARE WITHIN OUR H E A LT H C A R E O R G A N I Z AT I O N S . A S W E A L L F A C E T I M E S O F U N C E R TA I N T Y W E R E M I N D O U R S E LV E S T H AT E A C H D AY I S A N O P P O R T U N I T Y T O M A K E A D I F F E R E N C E N O M AT T E R H O W B I G O R S M A L L . CONTINUING TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND SHOP SMALL. WE REMAIN #805STRONG.

RAMSEYASPHALT.COM

H A R D W O OD

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D O ORS

WINDOWS

LOC ALLY SO U RCE D · S E A SO NAL I N G R E D I E NTS · WOO D FI R E D O P E N DA I LY 6 : 3 0A M - 1 1 P M

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COINANDCANDOR .COM

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805.238.9593

opolo.com

A peaceful space begins with exceptional interior designers, fluent in all design styles N EW CON ST RUCT ION

RE MODE LING

HOME MA KEOV E R

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Congratulates

Seth Haye Ranked # 1 in America Forbes 2019 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors The Oaks Group at Morgan Stanley 100 N. Westlake Blvd. #200, Westlake Village, CA 91362

805-494-0215

FRONT, LEFT: Sharon Stepenosky: Registered Associate; Barry Garapedian: Managing Director-Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Seth Haye: Managing Director-Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Carlos Garcia: Vice President, Financial Advisor; BACK, LEFT: Elisa Decker: Group Director; Stephanie Hartmire: Senior Registered Associate; Missy Garapedian: Financial Advisor; Duncan Hizzey: Financial Advisor Associate; Katie Arnold: Financial Advisor; Clint Spivey: Consulting Group Analyst; Jessica Hudson: Client Service Associate

Source: Forbes Magazine (July 2019). Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/19. 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. ÂŠ2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC

CRC# 2940110

2/20

Majorelle Spa at Hotel Californian For reservations call (805) 882-0100 or email majorelle@thehotelcalifornian.com

hotelcalifornian.com

For those making dreams come true WESTLAKE VILLAGE BROKERAGE 805.495.2000 | 3075 TOWNSGATE ROAD, SUITE 100, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91361

CHANNEL ISLANDS BROKERAGE 805.382.8200 | 3600 S. HARBOR BLVD, SUITE 112B, OXNARD, CA 93035

Property Website: 29453Mulholland.com © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Contents

Features 68

LIFESTYLE RULES

A comfortable contemporary home checks every one of a Montecito family’s desired boxes. By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gar y Moss

WORLD-CLASS RELAXATION

Spa Relais at the Westlake Village Inn offers a new experience in rejuvenation. By Heidi Dvorak

PATTERN PLAY

Interior designer Alexandra Rae uses color and prints to update the traditional look of a Lake Sherwood residence. By Joan Tapper Photographs by Madeline Tolle

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

An airy foyer is filled with modern art in a Montecito home design by Westlake Village interior design and custom furnishing studio Designs of the Interior. For more, see page 68.

SPRING 2020 • HOME + GARDEN

Contents SPRING 2020 • HOME + GARDEN

61 33

39 Departments of the 805

Finds 39 Clean Sweep

Tidy up this spring with neat new tools. By Jennie Nunn

42 STYLE: Spring Greens

Cultivate a lush wardrobe this season with fashions in Mother Nature’s signature shade. By Frances Ryan

44 TRAVEL

By Erin Rottman

Insider By Heidi Dvorak

48 Local Events & Family Fun 50 Hot Ticket 52 Show Your Support 54 Worth a Drive 54 Give Back

Arts & Culture 56 Baskets of Possibilities For fiber artist Sherri West, twining means more than just tea.

By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades 61 Raising Cane

Elevate the interest in a casual space with furnishings enhanced by the classic webbing. By Frances Ryan

Good Deeds 64 Community Conscience

and Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts By Mark Langton Photographs by Ali Beck Photography, Judi Bumstead, Conejo Photo Booth, and Janett Perez

Taste 86 FOOD: Peas Offering

From pod to tendril, these harbingers of spring shine in three recipes from Central Coast chefs. By Jaime Lewis

90 WINE:

On the Sweeter Side Wines to enrich the dessert course. By Alex Ward

92 DINING OUT:

Sushi on a Roll After a recent renovation, Onyx restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village dishes out new menu innovations.

95 Where to Eat Now P.S. Sketchpad 104 Unusual Local

Microclimates By Greg Clarke

In Every Issue

16 Editor’s Note 20 Masthead 26 Behind the Scenes

By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

Visit Us Online! 805living.com Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest keyword: 805Living Check out our website for the free digital version of 805 Living (smartphone and tablet compatible, it’s also on issuu.com) and to tune in to our free 805 Living Eats, podcasts. 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, lastminute 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.

33: HOLLY LEPERE; 92: GARY MOSS

Pulse 33 Tracking the Beat

For those who have big plans Your home is more than a building or an address. It’s where you experience life, family, connection, growth. Your home should be as exceptional as you are, and as you are going to be. Only LIV Sotheby’s Internaional Realty offers a lifestyle inspired by your potential.

livsothebysrealtyca.com | Camarillo, California | Property ID: 9Y6T7B 554 E Main Street, Ventura • 805.641.0125 727 W Ojai Avenue, Ojai • 805.646.7288 Cal DRE 01904034

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Larry Krogh 805.312.0512 | Ellen Halverson 805.407.3261

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OJAI, CALIFORNIA

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA

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473 Lincoln Drive

LIVSOTHEBYSREALTYCA.COM/ID/8T9CMW | $1,995,000

LIVSOTHEBYSREALTYCA.COM/ID/8KWNNG | $1,400,000

Larry Krogh 805.312.0512 | Gwen Mulligan 805.320.7691

Karen Davidson 805.320.2489

SANTA PAULA, CALIFORNIA

CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA

1240 Rancho Vista Lane

6851 Pueblo Vista

LIVSOTHEBYSREALTYCA.COM/ID/63KCWG | $2,7505,000

LIVSOTHEBYSREALTYCA.COM/ID/R47ZQ7 | $1,425,000

Larry Krogh 805.312.0512 | Gwen Mulligan 805.320.7691

Larry Krogh 805.312.0512

LARRY KROGH Broker 805.312.0512 lkrogh@livsothebysrealty.com

ELLEN HALVERSON Realtor® 805.407.3261 ehalverson@livsothebysrealty.com

KAREN DAVIDSON Realtor® 805.320.2489 kdavison@livsothebysrealty.com

GWEN MULLIGAN Realtor® 805.320.7691 gmulligan@livsothebysrealty.com

© 2020 LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. All data, including all measurements and calculations are obtained from various sources and has not and will not be verified by Broker. All information shall be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. LIV Sotheby’s International Realty is independently owned and operated and supports the principals of the Fair Housing Act. DRE numbers: Larry Krogh: 01305510 | Gwen Mulligan: 01364978 | Karen Davidson: 01938274 | Ellen Halverson: 01306217

Editor’s Note

Keep Calm and Stay 805 Strong A COUPLE OF MONTHS INTO THIS NEW REALITY, many of us are already longing for the good ol’ days of January. I certainly am. Obviously, our Home + Garden issue was planned long ago and put together before the crisis began hitting our country so hard—and well before emergency measures like what we’re living through were implemented. So as I write this, I’m quite unsure of what our communities will be like by the time you read it. Some of us are truly aching for connection—the kind of connection we’ve grown used to and, yes, the kind we once took for granted. That’s why we never considered not publishing this edition and are enlisting new strategies to ensure we get the issue out to our readers. 805 Living has always been about you and your neighbors, and that isn’t going to change. I hope the magazine as well as our social media platforms serve as a bright spot as we get through these tough times. It’s somewhat interesting that as so many of us are spending time sheltering in place this issue emphasizes home. Home is where our safety lies, home is where families come (and stay) together in times of uncertainty (as well as in times of celebration and fellowship), home is—now more than ever—where our lives are centered. There’s nothing in this issue to contradict that. I can’t say all the events we’re promoting will be available to visit and experience; I also don’t know how many of the products we showcase will be easily attainable. But I don’t think either should take away the enjoyment to be found in the pages that follow. This issue highlights what an amazing place the Central Coast is, even if much of it is temporarily out of reach. We have been through traumatic situations before, and we’ve always been proven to be resilient, caring, and 805 Strong. It is my wish that we stay that way until we get to the other side. However you can, please support the small businesses in your area—both those that are open and temporarily closed—but remember that we need to focus on the individuals who are affected, isolated, and most at risk. We’re all in this together. Take care of yourself and each other. Stay informed. Use good judgment. Enjoy this issue.

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher

GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

“Start with a Sofa

...end with a room” - Paul Trent, Owner/Designer, The Sofa Guy

Visit our showroom, get inspired, and create your favorite space.

Family Owned!

A sofa is the heart of a room, so we put our heart into everything we do. We bridge the gap between a design firm and a furniture store. Like a design firm, we value the creative process. We make house calls, collaborate with clients and coordinate many of the little details you never thought existed. Like a furniture store, you can come in and select anything from our showroom, order it in the fabric you want and call it a day.

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Agoura Sash & Door, Inc.

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 WRITERS

Leslie Dinaberg, Victoria Woodard Harvey, Jaime Lewis, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper, Alex Ward CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITOR

Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Gary Moss, Madeline Tolle, Victor Elias Photography CONSULTING EDITOR

Anthony Head

interior design

home furnishings

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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805 LIVING, SPRING 2020

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Jennifer S. Vogelbach

Home furnishings and design, fine jewelry, fashion, jennifer@805living.com 818-427-3496

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

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

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

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

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Automotive, financial/banking, mortgage, nonprofit organizations lisa@805living.com 818-268-8001

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Sophie Patenaude sophie@805living.com OPERATIONS MANAGER

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ADVERTISING QUERIES

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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

ESTABLISHED 2004

805 LIVING, SPRING 2020

o m s i P ach e B DES

Pismo Preserve (this page and opposite top)

TI O A N I

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

ne of Pismo Beach’s great appeals besides its famed pristine beaches is that getting there requires only a short drive, no planes or airports required. On arrival you’ll find its other charms: many open spaces for outdoor play, sparse crowds, and great choices of lodgings, fine dining, and wine tasting.

Vespera on Ocean

PLAY

The newly opened Pismo Preserve (lcslo.org/ project/pismopreserve/) offers more than 900 acres of truly exceptional recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Thanks to the efforts of the Land Conservancy, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can enjoy more than ten miles of existing ranch roads and new trails that meander throughout the property, a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife. The trails traverse serene oak woodlands and coastal ridgelines with stunning panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Easy access from Highway 101 at the Mattie Road exit leads to visitor parking, with ample room for horse trailers. Once you’ve experienced this piece of native California paradise up close, take to the skies in a bright-yellow biplane to view the gorgeous scenery from above. Banner Airways (bannerairways.com) has been giving aerial tours and thrill rides for 30 years.

STAY

These fine hotels offer a variety of special discounts and value-added packages to help you enjoy and save on your next stay: Vespera on Ocean (vesperapismobeach. com) evokes an upscale beach house and

offers a fun, pet-friendly escape for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy miles of beach, steps from the hotel. Book Vespera’s Autograph Discount and receive 15 percent off your midweek stay through the end of May. At the luxurious Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa (thedolphinbay.com), sixty wellappointed suites offer an escape from the ordinary. Take advantage of its spectacular Spring Special, offering 25 percent off, Sunday through Thursday until May 21. For a most memorable Memorial Day, make a reservation for a three-night stay at The Cliffs (cliffshotelandspa.com) to receive discounted rates and a $25 dining voucher. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, The Cliff’s Tee & Sea Golf Getaway includes two rounds at nearby Avila Beach Golf Course or Blacklake Golf Course. Stay longer and play longer at SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel (seacrestpismo.com). Book the Sweet Spring Savings by April 30, and you will get rewarded with 10 percent off your next twonight stay, with increasing discounts up to five days. Treat yourselves and your pet to the Celebrity Pet Package which includes canine amenities and a $30 gift card to pet-friendly Zorro’s Café. Come for the beachfront fun and stay for the savings at the luxurious boutique Inn at the Pier (theinnatthepier. com). Until May 31, a midweek stay at Pismo’s new luxury hotel is rewarded with a 25 percent discount and comes with two welcome drinks on arrival. Stay three or more nights and save 35 percent off your entire stay, until the end of June. For more information on hotel specials, go to ExperiencePismoBeach.com/places-tostay/deals/. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

ExperiencePismoBeach.com

Lido

EAT

The Inn at the Pier’s new restaurant, Blonde Restaurant and Bar (theinnatthepier.com/ blonde) offers casual, upscale contemporary fare, including local, fresh-catch seafood dishes and the classic Blonde burger. Dine indoors or al fresco on the patio, and be sure to visit the Lobby Bar for inspired handcrafted cocktails. Sunday Supper at the award-winning Lido at Dolphin Bay (thedolphinbay.com/ lido) provides a great reason to stay in town for an extra day. Three delicious courses for $30, plus $5 wine parings, show off Lido’s renowned farm-to-table cuisine. The ocean view is priceless. The newest hotspot in Shell Beach, Cape Cod Eatery & Taphouse (capecodeatery.com) offers 38 remarkable beers on tap and serves East Coast seafood with a California vibe. You’ll find lobster classics, oysters, clam fritters, crab cakes, chowders, and more, but leave room for the signature street corn. Kanpai (kanpaibythesea. com) literally means “empty glass” or “cheers,” and the popular Shell Beach restaurant encourages diners to “live life to the fullest.” Japanese-inspired décor compliments a menu of classic Japanese dishes and original creations like the Pismo Roll, with an excellent selection of fine wines and sakes.

Behind the Scenes Refreshing an ordinary house can turn it into a home that sparkles with personality. Our featured contributors tell what they would like to incorporate into their places of residence. Jennie Nunn “I am always inspired by Kelly Wearstler’s designs,” says contributing editor Jennie Nunn (Finds, page 39). “I love hints of glam and lots of pattern and texture. Right now, I’m into rattan. It brings a boho casual but refined touch to any space.”

Victoria Woodard Harvey

“I don’t usually follow trends, but the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year has caught my eye,” says contributing writer Victoria Woodard Harvey (Dining Out, page 92). “It’s Classic Blue, a more exciting shade than navy, which would make a dramatic accent wall in the kitchen where I spend a lot of my time.”

“Everyone always ends up in the kitchen,” says contributing editor Erin Rottman (Finds/Travel, page 44). “I’d like to make this social centerpiece as special as a formal dining room or living room by trading the predictable light fixture over the island for something sculptural and hanging art all around.”

NUNN: JEN SISKA; WOODARD HARVEY: JRS PHOTOGRAPHY

Erin Rottman

Behind the Scenes Our featured experts share their wishes for updated home designs. “We are looking to install hardwood floors utilizing a sustainable wood option.” —Masa Shimakawa

(Dining Out, page 92) chef de cuisine Onyx at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining

“I love the ongoing neoclassicism trend. The clean lines work beautifully in modern or traditional interiors. My home is very eclectic, so neoclassical fits right in.” —Alexandra Rae

(“Pattern Play,” page 74) owner Alexandra Rae Design Westlake Village alexandrarae.com

“Smart home automation has become more reliable and is so convenient. It’s my next project.”

“A fireplace in our bedroom. It would make the room even more cozy.” —Alexandra C. Cuilty

(“World-Class Relaxation,” page 80) director of spa and wellness Spa Relais at the Westlake Village Inn westlakevillageinn.com

SHIMAKAWA: JAKOB LAYMAN/FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE; SHOENER: GARY MOSS

—Karen Shoener

(“Lifestyle Rules,” page 68) CID, ASID, president Designs of the Interior Westlake Village interiordesignwestlake.com

Oaks Christian Continues Educational Dominance with Addition of Residential Boarding

Oaks Christian School celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, achieving extraordinary growth and accomplishments in just two decades. Early on, the school established itself as an athletic powerhouse, winning five CIF championships, which kicked off a multiyear winning streak. The artistic and academic accomplishments are also impressive with numerous local and national artistic awards and honors for performing and visual arts as well as graduates consistently admitted to top-tier universities each year. Illustrious achievements aside, the school is not resting on its laurels. This is a remarkable time as Oaks Christian continues to dominate as an educational vanguard with the addition of residential boarding, which opened this year.

International and Domestic Students Welcomed

The boarding facility is a state-of-the-art dorm that will eventually house 150 international and domestic students. In this inaugural year, the program welcomed students from Indonesia, China, Ghana, Vietnam, and locally from Orange County. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was nervous about coming here, but I am very happy here now. The school is really welcoming, and the dorm parents are amazing. The faculty and staff made me feel like they wanted to get to know me, not just as a student, but as a person,â&#x20AC;? said Anna Fonseca, junior, from Brazil.

Modern Amenities Rival University Facilities

The program makes Oaks Christian one of the few national Christian secondary schools to offer both a day and boarding option. Indeed, the building with three modern kitchens, a fitness room, lounge areas, computer study areas, and dorm rooms that rival and even surpass those of universities, does impress. Included are genderspecific dormitory floors, a high-tech security system, movie and game room, and a chapel.

Living Out the Mission

But beyond the bells and whistles, the residential boarding program provides a unique opportunity for Oaks Christian to live out its mission. “No doubt, this is a milestone for the school; a brand-new building and a new place for student life to happen. As I walk in here and see the smiles of the students, I know this will have a tremendous impact on their lives,” said Head of School Rob Black, “but this is also an opportunity for us to do life on a deeper level than we can on the main campus.”

31749 LA TIENDA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 OAKSCHRISTIAN.ORG RESLIFE.OAKSCHRISTIAN.ORG

Pulse

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

Room ensembles and decorative accents at Summerland’s new Field + Fort offer home design inspiration.

GARY MOSS

ON A NESTING QUEST

Recently opened in Summerland, new lifestyle store Field + Fort (fieldandfort.com) houses an eclectic selection of one-of-a-kind vintage and antique furnishings, found objects, kitchen and bath goods, bedding, artisan foods, gifts, and garden items. A variety of design services are also available. The store’s café, Feast, offers an all-day menu of dishes highlighting local ingredients as well as fresh baked goods. Co-owners Kyle Irwin (who previously owned local home and garden boutique Botanik) and Susie Bechtel have collaborated on numerous design projects. “Following the devastating Thomas fire and subsequent debris flow, we were inspired by the need of our resilient local communities to recover, rebuild, and thrive once again,” says Bechtel. “We wanted to create a place to gather, nourish, and inspire—a real destination retail experience.” —Nancy Ransohoff SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Pulse

GARDEN PLOTS Two recently released books aim to celebrate and galvanize the gardening ambitions of 805-region residents.

Private Gardens of Santa Barbara: The Art of Outdoor Living (Gibbs

A Design Guide for Outdoor Rooms and Containers (Ten

Speed Press, 2020) may prove to be an invaluable resource. “We couldn’t find a gardenmeets-design book,” says Santa Barbara–based writer Jennifer Blaise Kramer, who co-authored the realistic take on fashioning gardens with Isa Hendry Eaton of Isa Bird Landscape Design (isabird.com). The book starts with a fun quiz to help readers determine their small-garden style. “Everyone deserves to have a little garden in their home,” says Eaton. “Why not make it something that really feels like you by bringing your individual aesthetic?” The variety of ways to bring your own unique style to your garden are lovingly documented by local photographer Leela Cyd. “We really wanted it to be fun and inspirational but also very practical and useful,” says Eaton. “A container is a miniature garden; it’s the best place to start.” —Leslie Dinaberg

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

In her new coffee table book (left), landscape designer Margie Grace showcases environmentally conscious gardens featuring plants that thrive in the 805.

With their guide (far left), co‑authors Jennifer Blaise Kramer and Isa Hendry Eaton aim to help readers create compact plant-enhanced settings infused with personal style.

Smith, 2020) by landscape designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates (gracedesignassociates.com), offers an intimate look at 18 distinctive gardens set on the grounds of large estates, modest homes, and surf retreats, including Grace’s own secret garden, which she affectionately dubs “Lotusland South,” after her storied Montecito neighbor. “Coffee table books for me can be a threeminute vacation that refreshes,” says Grace, who hopes her new book will offer just that to readers. With beautiful photography by Holly Lepere, the book is also packed with inspiration and takeaways for sustainable home garden designs with all-important water-conscious, maintenance-friendly, and fire-safety priorities in mind. “We are starved for beauty in nature,” says Grace. “If we can get a little dose every day, we just feel better.” For those with big garden dreams and small spaces in which to realize them, Small Garden Style:

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Pulse

50 YEARS’ WORTH OF SAVING THE EARTH

Homeowners looking for trusted professionals to help with a home repair or renovation may be interested to hear that a new online service can lead the way. After renovating and flipping more than 350 homes, local real Looking to facilitate good experiences estate investor Paul Dashevsky was looking for his next project when among homeowners he came to a realization. “The most brutal part of my own experience who embark on doing hundreds of remodels was working with contractors,” says remodels, Jon Grispul Dashevsky “and I did this professionally. I started and Paul Dashevsky doing my homework and realized it must be really (at left, left to hard for the homeowner that does this every 10 right) co‑founded years.” This prompted him to co-found GreatBuildz GreatBuildz concierge service. (greatbuildz.com), an online concierge service connecting homeowners with home-repair and -improvement professionals. “The best experiences come from a referral,” says co-founder Jon Grispul, Dashevsky’s nephew. “People typically start online. What we do is take this a few steps further.” Free to homeowners, GreatBuildz currently provides services in Los Angeles County, the Conejo Valley, and parts of Ventura County, using a 10-step vetting process that includes interviews, background and reference checks, and verification of contractor licenses. Once homeowners submit project information, a GreatBuildz concierge reaches out to learn more about their renovation needs and then matches them with up to three approved contractors available in the area. The concierge stays involved throughout the project because, Grispul says, “We always want to ensure the contractor is doing the work promised and that our clients are fully satisfied.” —L.D.

SOW SMART Getting ready to play in the dirt this spring? The Plant Good Seed Company (plantgoodseed.com) offers a large assortment of certified organic vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, including improved rare and heirloom varieties. “Connecting plants and people, that’s really what it’s about for me,” says co-founder and owner Quin Shakra,

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whose business offers hundreds of unique seeds sourced from farmland they steward in Ojai. “I believe we’re making some really unique agricultural contributions to this region,” says Shakra, who started the business as an organic farm in 2011 but soon realized that there wasn’t a gardenbased small-scale organic seed company in the area. “It turned out that we had stumbled upon a niche that nobody else was covering here,” she says. The seeds can be purchased seasonally at Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market and many retail stores throughout the 805 area as well as from the company’s website, which also provides free, charmingly illustrated seasonal planting calendars designed to aid customers’ planting and planning decisions for every crop in the catalog —L.D.

April 22 is Earth Day, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the event and of the nonprofit Community Environmental Council (CEC; cecsb.org), whose mission is to identify, advocate for, and raise awareness about environmental issues in the Santa Barbara region. The organization will host the 2020 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival at Alameda Park July 10 through 12. In the meantime, CEC partnership council member Kristin Hogue offers these earth-friendly tips for everyday living.

• Try to avoid food waste. Shop thoughtfully, eat leftovers, and organize your refrigerator to prompt the consumption of food before it spoils and before buying more.

• Eat from lower on the food chain. Plant-focused diets are planet-friendly.

• Buy recycled paper products.

Supersoft toilet paper gets its softness from old trees. Buying recycled varieties saves trees.

• Unplug phone chargers and small appliances such as blenders, mixers, hair dryers, and curling irons when not in use. They draw electricity when plugged in.

• Avoid plastic packaging whenever possible. China and other countries no longer accept most plastic waste from food products for recycling, so it ends up in landfills.

• Carbonate water with a home carbonator. Producing and transporting bottled sparkling water is energy intensive. • Grow herbs, fruits, and veggies at home in a yard or window box. —N.R.

KITCHEN: LANGOWORKS PHOTOGRAPHY; CO-FOUNDERS: COURTESY OF GREATBUILDZ; PLANT: © DANIL NEVSKY/STOCKSY UNITED; SEED PACKETS: QUIN SHAKRA

PUTTING HOMES IN GOOD HANDS

Patty Murphy country estates

Luxury Living Wine Country Style Happy Canyon Ranch offered at $6,995,000

Beautiful iconic Santa Ynez Ranch on approx. 130 acres. Stunning views of the San Rafael wilderness with sophisticated main residence and detached guest suites plus charming office and studio, caretakers cottage and stables.

Westerly Road Equine and Olives! offered at $5,750,000

A rare opportunity in Happy Canyon to own a world-class residence and equestrian estate with a producing olive grove in the Ag Preserve. Adjacent to vast open space with panoramic views. Best priced large ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Patty Murphy Patty Murphy Country Estates

www.pattymurphy.com patty@pattymurphy.com (805) 680-8571

Follow me on Instagram @PattyMurphyEstates

Foxen Creek Ranch offered at $9,900,000 © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and Opportunity. Patty Murphy DRE: 766586

A gently rolling and oak studded approx. 574 acres lies in a picturesque valley surrounded by vast ranches owned by founding families since the 1800’s. Features 3 residences and located in famed Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

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

Clean Sweep TIDY UP THIS SPRING WITH NEAT NEW TOOLS.

JASON VARNEY

By Jennie Nunn

Barn brooms ($65 each); lostine.com.

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Finds 1

5 3 4

1. Kazi “Odetta Carbon Box I” handwoven storage basket ($270); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. 2. White metal smiley dustpan with hand broom ($17); Cost Plus World Market, Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com. 3. Steele canvas laundry cart ($130); Crate and Barrel, Woodland Hills; crateandbarrel.com. 4. “Cat” water hyacinth bin ($20); The Container Store at The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, containerstore.com.

5. Etched metal pencil storage boxes ($26 for a set of two); Cost Plus World Market, Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com. 6. Saint Olio No.1 citron aromatic cleaner ($25); Beautiful Mess Home & Garden, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmesshome.com. 7. Wool dryer balls ($25 for a set of six); The Container Store at The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, containerstore.com.

8. White wooden clothing rack ($130); Urban Outfitters, Thousand Oaks, The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Canoga Park, and Malibu; urbanoutfitters.com. 

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For more, visit our Pinterest page, keyword: 805living.

Spring Sale

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Finds Style By Frances Ryan

2 1

“Baguette” jacquardinterlace bag ($3,390); fendi.com.

Marquise-cut peridot and 18-karat-gold pendant with 18-karat-gold biglink chain (sold separately; prices upon request); Silverhorn, Santa Barbara, silverhorn.com.

“Idol” warpedtiger-print lace midi skirt ($75); topshop.com.

Spring Greens CULTIVATE A LUSH WARDROBE THIS SEASON WITH FASHIONS IN MOTHER NATURE’S SIGNATURE SHADE.

L’Agence “Margot” jeans ($235); Sharon Segal Nina Segal, Westlake Village, facebook.com/ sharonsegalninasegal.

Striped basic shortsleeve sweater ($30); Zara, Thousand Oaks and Canoga Park; zara.com.

“Vlad” army croc-printed nubuck espadrilles ($495); Jimmy Choo, Canoga Park, us.jimmychoo.com.

8 Smythe “Duchess” blazer ($695); Diani Boutique, Santa Barbara, dianiboutique.com.

Canvas Jewelry “Felicity” hoop earrings ($40); Nordstrom, Thousand Oaks, Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, and Canoga Park; nordstrom.com.

10 Christian Louboutin “Elisa” compact logo wallet ($570); Neiman Marcus, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com. 

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For more, visit our Pinterest page, keyword: 805living.

Coco and Breezy “Pram” sunglasses ($325); Solstice, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara; solstice.com.

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Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

SAN LUIS OBISPO RAISES THE BAR

here’s a green ring surrounding San Luis Obispo, and it’s no accident. In 1994, the city officially established a greenbelt to preserve what gives the city a sense of place: its natural landscape. Since then, the city has negotiated agreements with private property owners to secure 7,500 more acres, expanding the greenbelt to 54,000 acres that are now full of hiking and biking trails. One of the best 360-degree

kind of visitor who wouldn’t have considered San Luis Obispo before,” says San Luis Obispo tourism manager Molly Cano of the four-month-old downtown hotel. The hotel has a lively lobby bar with a fireplace and couches, as well as a gym, and an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Its Sol Spa has saunas, meditation rooms, and a relaxation room where saltinfused foot soaks help guests wind down before facial and body treatments. The bright

which sells handmade home decor created from vintage finds, as well as chain stores, such as Williams-Sonoma, that serve the city’s more than 47,000 residents. Trendsetting restaurants have opened in town to provide what visitors expect from a wine country destination, and Hotel San Luis Obispo’s Ox + Anchor, led by Thomas Keller alum Ryan Fancher, is one of the newest. Its steak and seafood menu includes 10 different cuts of beef as

At Hotel San Luis Obispo (above) bright, modern guest rooms (left) are accented with warm touches like natural wood and hand-woven rugs.

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and airy guest rooms are designed with white oak floors, natural-fiber indigo rugs, and colorful paintings of iconic local buildings by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo associate professor of studio art Sara Frantz. Nespresso coffee machines, water jugs that can be refilled at filtered water stations on every floor, and ultra-soft robes add a homey feel. Located a block from downtown, Hotel San Luis Obispo is ideally situated for exploring the walkable town’s mix of independent shops like Brown Butter Cookie Company and Junk Girls,

well as salmon with sage pesto and grilled swordfish with lobster dumpling and soy dashi. Whatever the choice of main course, the baked Alaska makes for a dramatic finish.

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport now offers daily nonstop service to San Diego on Alaska Airlines, which accommodates one case of checked wine per passenger for free. The Central Coast airport also serves seven other destinations, including Seattle, Denver, and Las Vegas, and plans to introduce service to Portland in June.

TANVEER BADAL

perspectives of the treasured greenbelt, which is roughly comprised of the Morros volcanic peaks, Cuesta Ridge, Irish Hills, and High School Hill, can be seen from the rooftop bar at the new Hotel San Luis Obispo (hotel-slo. com; from $395). Developed by the group that started Hotel Healdsburg, the modern, 78-room Hotel San Luis Obispo introduces an elevated level of luxury to the city, which is anchored by Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and Edna Valley wine country to the south. “This type of property will attract a new

• Montecito • Santa Barbara • Hope Ranch • Beach •

Daniel Encell •# 6 Berkshire Hathaway Agent in the Nation • Wall Street Journal “Top 100” Agents Nationwide (out of over 1.3 million) • Graduate of UCLA School of Law and former attorney • An expert in the luxury home market • Alumnus of Cate and UCSB Remember — it costs no more to work with the best (but it can cost you plenty if you don’t!)

“ The Real Estate Guy ” Phone: (805) 565 - 489 6 Email: danencell@aol.com Visit: w w w.DanEncell.com DRE # 0 0976141

Finds Travel

CARLSBAD BLOOMS

CAB UNDER THE OAKS The Dryland Sports fitness center offers functional training for guests of Breckenridge, Colorado’s Gravity Haus, a hub for outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOCIAL CLUB

ravity Haus

(gravityhaus. com; from $109) in Breckenridge, Colorado, is a hotel and gathering space–social club for local outdoor-adventure enthusiasts, which makes it an alluring destination for visitors. “When I travel anywhere, I want to know where the locals hang out,” says Denver-based founder and CEO Jim Deters, who has had a home in the ski resort town for 15 years. Full of Coloradans training

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for ski and bike competitions, using the dog-friendly co-working space StarterHaus, and congregating at Unravel Coffee or Cabin Juice restaurant, the property features 60 hotel rooms, Dryland Sports fitness center, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse, and Colorado Adventure Guides, a tour company with trained professionals who lead visitors down mountain bike trails and up 14,000foot peaks. Deters plans to open additional locations in Winter Park and Vail.

Somehow wine tastes better when sipped outside in the shade of oak trees next to rows of grapevines on a 1,200-acre estate. In Sonoma County, Jordan Vineyard & Winery provides such a setting for its 90-minute Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting (jordanwinery.com; $75 per person) on Thursdays through Sundays from May through October. “We’re kind of go, go, go on some of our other experiences, so to be able to introduce an experience that’s casual but also upscale and relaxed was really special,” says assistant guest services manager Whitney Beery, who leads most of the tastings. Guests may sample the 2009, 2014, and 2016 cabernet sauvignons while snacking on artfully presented selections of olives with Meyer lemon and herbs, Marcona almonds, and charcuterie, such as Parmesan porcini salumi from nearby Journeyman Meat Co. 

Sip and snack in Healdsburg at Jordan Vineyard & Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tastings.

FROM TOP: MARCIE GONZALEZ/COURTESY OF THE FLOWER FIELDS AT CARLSBAD RANCH; COURTESY OF GRAVITY HAUS; COURTESY OF JORDAN WINERY

About 70 million ranunculus blanket the hills of Carlsbad during peak season, now through Mother’s Day, at The Flower Fields (theflowerfields.com), estimates general manager Fred Clarke. “It’s a feast for the eyes,” he says, adding that the farm breeds 13 different colors of the flower variety, including purple, rose, and gold hues, for distribution across the country. In addition to strolling the ranunculus fields, visitors can lose themselves in a fragrant sweet pea maze, take an antique tractor ride, and listen to live music on weekends. Less than a mile away is the upscale Mediterraneanstyle Cassara Carlsbad (tapestrycollection3.hilton.com/ tc/the-cassara-carlsbad; from $179), which opened in December. The 90-room hotel boasts coastal views, an adult pool, a family pool with a waterslide, and free transportation to The Flower Fields.

LAURA DRAMMER To p 1 % o f B e r k s h i r e H a t h a w a y A g e n t s W o r l d w i d e Successfully Representing Buyers & Sellers for over 25 Years 46 Transactions & $68+ million closed in 2019 805.448.7500 | Laura@LauraDrammer.com www.LauraDrammer.com DRE: 01209580

www.3777Roblar.com | $5,900,000 2 homes, vineyard, views, private well, 9.77+/- AC

ÂŠ2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices National Awards based on 2018 production of more than 42,000 sales associates nationwide.

Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805 By Heidi Dvorak April 14

April 25–May 10

May 3–5

MARINA

GARDEN TO TABLE: POETRY, POTTERY, COMMUNITY

BBQ BOOTCAMP

The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara. Those who watched the Netflix film To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You are probably already hooked on “About Love,” the Welsh-born vocalist’s featured song. Hear more from her acclaimed album Love + Fear at her one-woman show; thearlingtontheatre.com.

4/18

Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks. The growing and harvesting of locally sourced food is the subject of this exhibit of photography, video, written narrative, and ceramic vessels made by students and community members; callutheran.edu.

The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, Solvang. Bone up on those grill skills while relaxing at a 10,000-acre luxury dude ranch. Barbecue pros Hugh Mangum, Frank Ostini, Paula Disbrowe, Valerie Gordon, Bob Oswaks, and ranch chef Anthony Endy serve as experts; alisal.com.

April 18

May 2

May 29–30

GODDESS: A WORKSHOP WITH MARYANN CORD

SANTA BARBARA VINTNERS FESTIVAL

THE CLASSIC AT PISMO BEACH

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Ojai. Create an earthmother goddess sculpture under the guidance of an expert ceramicist, who shares her knowledge of ancient techniques such as using a dowel, texture, oxides, underglazes, mason stains, and mark-making with ordinary objects and stamps. The workshop includes kiln firing; beatricewood.com.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery, Santa Maria Valley. Enjoy new-release wines from 70-plus wineries, tastings from 30-plus food purveyors, live music, wine and culinary demonstrations, local artisan booths, a silent auction, and a grand tasting; sbvintnersweekend.com.

Pismo Beach Hotel. Classic cars and trucks line the streets to be ogled and judged for their uniqueness and beauty. Activities centered around the event include a sunset car cruise, a charity auction, and a casino night; theclassicatpismobeach.com.

5/3−5

Family Fun Help kids get a leg up on learning at Cuesta College’s COLLEGE FOR KIDS program in San Luis Obispo. Designed for students entering the 5th through 9th grades in the fall, the curriculum is about exploration, enlightenment, and enjoyment. More than 80 classes are offered, such as Cartooning, Archery, Lunch and Appetizer Creation, Beginning Spanish, Mythology, Kids in Business, Internet Video Game Designing, and Creative Writing. Registration begins on April 8. Session I takes place from June 15 to July 1; session II from July 6 to July 22; cuesta.edu.

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April 10

April 18

May 2

FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNT

SANTA MARIA BBQ FESTIVAL

PREA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Pleasant Valley Fields, Camarillo. A funny bunny must’ve come up with this one: Easter egg treasure seekers ages 13 and older can comb sports fields from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a nocturnal hunt. Prizes include candy, toys, and golden tickets. BYO flashlight; pvrpd.org.

Pioneer Park. Watch grill masters compete in a professional cooking contest judged by local celebrities; amateurs also show their stuff as they vie for the title of Best Backyard Cook at this fun foodie fair. The action includes a kids corner, a corn hole tournament, and live entertainment; santamariavalley.com.

Summerwood Winery, Paso Robles. The Paso Robles Education Alliance puts on a whopper of a family fundraiser with food, raffles, and, of course, plenty of local vino to support area schools. Emily Smith, Bear Market Riot, and Route 66 of San Luis Obispo supply the entertainment; goprea.org.

April 11 EGG SCRAMBLE & FESTIVAL

Mae Boyer Park, Oak Park. The little ones won’t get trampled by the bigger kids at a holiday happening that divides the competitors by age into four races. That way, everyone’s hoppy. BYO basket; rsrpd.org.

April 25 TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center. Horns are bound to blare when youngsters are given license to explore different types of trucks as well as public safety and utility vehicles at this tactile exploration of transportation; ahccc.org.

May 3 THOUSAND OAKS CHILI COOK OFF, CAR SHOW, AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Conejo Creek North. It’s a Rotary extravaganza that goes all-out with two stages featuring local bands, craft breweries, classic and tricked-out cars, gourmet food trucks, loads of chili tasting, and a fun zone with a bounce house, obstacle course, giant slide, face painting, and water balloon toss; chili-cook-off.com. >

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Hot Ticket

Book your seats now for these hot upcoming events. APRIL Through April 15 Board a whale-watching vessel and take a half-day cruise from Ventura Harbor through the waters off Santa Barbara Channel to see marine mammals on a WHALE-WATCHING EXCURSION. It’s a great opportunity to spot gray, fin, and humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and dolphins in their natural habitat; Ventura Harbor Village, islandpackers.com.

Design • Construct • Manage

Through June 15 Sometimes it’s good to be in the dark, especially when an art exhibit is devoted to all that goes on at night. In STARRY NIGHTS: VISIONS OF THE NIGHT SKY, paintings, poetry, and astrophotography from the Las Cumbres Observatory telescope network interpret all things nocturnal; Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, Solvang, wildlingmuseum.org. April 1–May 10 Honoring the 10th anniversary of the Santa Paula Art Museum, the exhibit THE FIRST DECADE: CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF ACQUISITIONS gives a nod to the institution’s

growth, specifically its permanent collection of more than 330 significant works. The show includes works by historic and contemporary California artists such as Cornelis Botke, Jessie Arms Botke, Horace Bristol, Robert Clunie, Carlisle Cooper, Maynard Dixon, Otto Heino, Ralph Holmes, Norman Kirk, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, Douglas Shively, Hiroko Yoshimoto, and others; Santa Paula Art Museum, santapaulaartmuseum.org.

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April 1–July 12 The works of Ventura sculptor Duane Dammeyer and Ventura painter Rima Muna are on view in INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCE, an exploration of these two themes. The dual exhibit also demonstrates how an artist working in one medium can be influenced by another artist’s work in a different medium; Santa Paula Art Museum, santapaulaartmuseum.org. April 10–13, May 22–25, June 19–22, July 24–27, August 21–24, September 4–7, October 2–5, November 20–23 Are those New Year’s resolutions history by now? Up the odds for stick-to-itiveness at a four-day FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE SIGNATURE RETREAT.

Included are luxury accommodations and access to the on-site California Health & Longevity Institute, where participants engage in customized, curated experiences such as cooking classes, fitness training, group workouts, and consultations. Don’t wait, pick a date; Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, fourseasons.com/westlakevillage. April 12–26 A quirky, romantic comedy about love and loss, ALMOST, MAINE unfolds through nine vignettes, all of which take place on a

midwinter night when the citizens of Almost—a place too disorganized to be called a town and too populated to be called a wilderness—discover the power of the human heart. Strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. This may be just the play to lift spirits in these trying times; Rubicon Theatre, Ventura, rubicontheatre.org. April 18–19 Touted as the largest art festival in San Luis Obispo County, PASO ROBLES ART IN THE PARK is an outdoor community show saluting springtime and creativity. On view are handmade arts, crafts, woodwork, jewelry, photography, clothing, and pottery. Local vendors offer a variety of food and beverages; Downtown City Park, pasoroblesartinthepark.com.

Now Open in San Luis Obispo!

April 19 Flutist Alice K. Dade, pianist Anna Polonsky, violinist Scott Yoo, and cellist Robert deMaine perform three chamber music works in the WINTERMEZZO III CONCERT. The program consists of Nino Rota’s Trio for flute, violin, and piano, Schubert’s Introduction and Variations, D. 802 for flute and piano, and Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major; Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, festivalmozaic.com. April 24–26 Strawberry season is the cause célèbre at the 2020 SANTA MARIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, in which most everything is centered around the designated fruit. Activities and entertainment include cooking demonstrations, educational and wildlife shows and exhibits, strawberry tasting and dessert-eating contests, pony rides, a traditional carnival, a kiddie carnival, commercial displays, a petting zoo, and a children’s activity center. Try out strawberries in a host of incarnations: deep fried, chocolate dipped, and prepared in pizza, tamales, nachos, kettle corn, and churros—to name a handful; Santa Maria Fairpark, santamariafairpark.com. April 25–May 16 The graduating multimedia students of Cal Lutheran University salute the Golden State through interactive works they’ve designed and organized as part of the Festival of Scholars. Among other important elements, CLUFEST 2020: THE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE

represents the culture and diversity of the state; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu. April 26 Listen to the haunting strains of the clarinet as the SINGER CHAMBER PLAYERS deliver a rousing concert. Founded by David Singer, the principal clarinetist of the Grammy Award– winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the trio includes cellist Virginia Kron and pianist Miriam Arichea; Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, hillcrestarts.com.

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MAY May 12 Brendan Perry, Lisa Gerrard, and the full backing band of DEAD CAN DANCE are on tour for the first time since Coachella 2013. The band >

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SAN LUIS OBISPO 857 Monterey St.

Insider performed songs from its three-decadespanning set that includes music from their 2018 studio album Dionysus and classic works such as The Host of Seraphim, The Carnival Is Over, and Yulunga. Danish artist Agnes Obel is a special guest; Santa Barbara Bowl, sbbowl.org.

Show Your Support

Fun and fundraising go hand-inhand at these local events. APRIL April 17 Celebrity judges and guests get to weigh in on dishes prepared by local chefs at COOKING UP DREAMS, a culinary extravaganza that features a chef competition, a wine raffle, an auction, and live entertainment. Competition categories include the People’s Choice Award and Judge Award. The food, wine, and beer are complimentary. Live entertainment is provided by Tina Schlieske and the Graceland Exiles and Sister Laura. Proceeds benefit Family Service Agency’s program for at-risk children, families, and seniors; Rincon Beach Club, Carpinteria, cookingupdreams.org. April 18 Show off that Corolla, rev the engine of that Kia, pop the hood of that Prius. Whether old, new, cherry, or not-so, any car or truck with an owner of any religious denomination can be part of the ST. JOHN LUTHERAN’S CAR SHOW. So enter ol’ Bullitt in the show and get a gander of some real-people autos, tricked-out wheels, and awesome vintage vehicles. Proceeds benefit St. John’s Lutheran School athletic department; St. John’s Lutheran School, Oxnard, stjohnslutherancarshow.com. April 19 Bling is the fashion order of the day at SEQUINS & SNEAKERS, a cocktail party and dinner honoring Zack and Leslie Schuler for their contributions to the community. Held by Sherwood Cares, a nonprofit organization that supports programs for educational, medical, nutritional, and safety needs of children and families, the soiree features fine food, wine, live music, and auctions: Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, sherwoodcares.org. April 23 Complimentary champagne, boutique shopping, and a high-end silent auction make for a merry time at the Mary Health of the Sick SPRING LUNCHEON: VISIONS OF OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. This year’s special emcee

is Ventura County’s Queen of Comedy Denise Carter. Proceeds support the organization’s mission to provide care and compassion to longand short-term residents; Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, maryhealth.com.

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

April 24 Hang out with women who make it a point to help those in need at THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Not a TV soap, the charity luncheon and fashion show hosted by the Thousand Oaks Woman’s Club is far more interesting and relevant. This year’s beneficiaries are The Westminster Free Clinic and Senior Concerns; Los Robles Greens Banquet Hall, Thousand Oaks, thousandoakswomansclub.org. April 24–25 Since 1988, the Datsun has captured the hearts of car aficionados, so pay homage to all models past and present at SOLVANG DATSUN ROADSTER CLASSIC. Attend the barbecue meet and greet, banquet, and the show itself, in which cars are judged in the categories of stock class, modified, pre-1963 roadster, diamond in the rough, racer, JDM (all Datsuns other than roadster modified or stock), best of show, and display only. Raffle proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. Join organizers in meeting their goal to break the record for the most Datsun roadsters to ever attend this event—125. Bring those D-cars and be counted; Solvang locations, solvangroadstershow.com.

GET RIGHT WITH YOUR SKIN

MAY May 11 Luxury prizes, food stations, and an open bar are only part of the perks at the SHERWOOD CARES GOLF CLASSIC. Golf, of course, is the main event, but afterward gamblers can try their luck at the on-site casino night. The affair honors community members Zack and Leslie and Schuler for their charitable efforts; proceeds benefit programs that address the educational, medical, nutritional, and safety needs of children and families in the community; Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, sherwoodcares.org. May 16 Give those quads a run for their money on the Century bike ride at OPERATION: RIDE FOR THE RED, an American Red Cross of Ventura County volunteer-led event to support the armed forces. If 100 miles sounds too daunting, opt for the ½ Metric Century (30-mile) or Metric Century (60-mile) courses. An early bird breakfast kicks off the race; American Red Cross Ventura County, Camarillo, redcross.org.

JUNE June 5 Enjoy a seven-course gourmet dinner under the stars at the seventh annual YUMMIE TOP CHEF DINNER featuring some of Ventura County’s best chefs, who are all past winners of the Yummie Culinary Competition. Dinner includes wine pairings and the 2019 winner of the Best in Fest beer award. Live and silent auctions along with live music make for a perfect summer evening; Cal State University Channel Islands, casapacifica.org. June 25 The volunteers of Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower program bring comfort and >

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Insider cheer by delivering floral bouquets, fresh-baked cookies, fine chocolates, and cards to those in hospices, cancer centers, and homes. To find out about this organization and show support attend the FLOWER EMPOWER LUNCHEON to honor the dedicated donors, volunteers, and flower professionals that contribute their services; Rockwood Women’s Club, Santa Barbara, dreamfoundation.org.

Worth a Drive

Venture just outside the 805 for this choice event.

The Agoura Antique Mart A Vintage Marketplace

April 1–ongoing Film fans of The Lego Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part should be supremely stoked to find out that THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD is open! As if the main theme park doesn’t hold enough to capture children’s imaginations, the new two-acre park takes movies to another dimension with an elaborate recreation of the town of Bricksburg. Kids of all ages can meet the films’ favorite characters at Emmet’s Super Suite; take a wild ride on a triple-decker flying couch soaring under a virtual screen on Emmet’s Flying Adventure; explore Benny’s Play Ship, a 40-foot-tall space-themed playground structure with slides; experience Unikitty’s Disco Drop, a tower ride with a rapid, 30-foot descent; and have an adventure in Cloud Cuckoo Land; Legoland California Resort, Carlsbad, legoland.com.

Give Back

Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you. It’s all happening at the zoo, or at least it is at the SANTA BARBARA ZOO. That’s where volunteers

Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5 818-706-8366 28879 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, CA 91301 agouraantiquemart.com

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are needed to serve as docents to connect with zoo visitors to help develop an appreciation for the natural world. One of the perks of being a docent is that candidates receive in-depth training on interpretation, natural history, conservation, and the zoo’s history before they connect with visitors in order to interpret exhibits, help out with activities, lead tours, participate in observational research, and assist with children’s programs and special events. Docent candidates must be 18 years of age or older, be strong public speakers, possess customer service skills, and make a six-month commitment to work for two hours a week. Volunteer opportunities are also available for keeper aides, junior docents, junior zoo ambassadors, and camp counselors; sbzoo.org.  Event dates shown are valid as of press time. Please check organizer websites for updates. 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.

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Arts & Culture By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

Artist Sherri West applies innovations to historic basketweaving techniques and found natural materials to make contemporary sculptures of all sizes.

Baskets of Possibilities

FOR FIBER ARTIST SHERRI WEST, TWINING MEANS MORE THAN JUST TEA.

’m a big tea drinker,” says basket maker Sherri West. “I brew my loose-leaf tea, and it’s part of the routine of my day. I got interested in the Japanese tea ceremony, and I have a couple of iron pots.” Recently the fiber artist began to imagine how she might turn her talents toward recreating those vessels in waxed twine. “To get the shape, you have to experiment,” she says. Not functional for actually serving tea, West’s pots are simply beautiful objects in an array of colors with

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fanciful bodies and wavy, knotted, or ridged decorations. One pair evokes images of earth and sea—the pebbly ocher surface of one contrasting with the undulating aqua embellishments on the other. She creates more than teapot designs, however. The wide range of basketry pieces in West’s home and studio includes woven willow-bark containers, asymmetrical sculptural forms, bowls that incorporate date palm inflorescence (included because “I love the varied

EYE ON DESIGN Local specialists reimagine the home from blueprints to bathroom finishes and front doors to furnishings.

Buena Tile and Stone offers the highest quality, globally sourced porcelain, ceramic, stone, cement, and glass. Since 1976 weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve provided design and technical solutions in the hospitality and luxury residential markets. As leaders in innovation and design we work with you to bring your vision to life on time and within budget. Call us today to set up an appointment! Buena Tile 1717 Palma Drive, Ventura, 805-650-1252 518 E. Haley Street, Santa Barbara, 805-963-8638 buenatile.com

Since 1989, Tim and Kay Hine have curated unique furnishings, antique Mexican doors, artifacts, and dĂŠcor from Mexico. Made from a variety of indigenous hardwoods, including mesquite and mango, handcrafted dining room tables feature lustrous finishes and handsome proportions, including two- to three-inch tops. Casa Mexicana Imports specializes in creating oneof-a-kind pieces fabricated from a vast collection of antique Mexican doors.

Vellum has been designing and building quality custom homes and commercial buildings on the Central Coast for more than 17 years. We lead the process from start to finish with in-house design and coordinate our consultant team through entitlements, permitting, sitework and custom-crafted construction. This top-down collaboration ensures the exceptional design and quality of our turnkey projects. Contact us today to discuss your next venture.

Casa Mexicana Imports 810 Lawrence Drive, Suite 108, Newbury Park casamexicanaimports.com; 805-480-4864

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Arts & Culture

Bowl, cylinder, and teapot shapes are just a few of the forms West’s works take. She designs each one, choosing, preparing, and often dyeing the materials before winding them into intricate textured patterns and contours.

West weaves using a time-honored, overand-under technique. “But my work is not traditional,” she says. “I’ve stretched the form.” texture,” she says), and tiny canisters topped with bright-hued sea stars that look much like the actual tidepool creatures. She has woven birdhouses, small wall hangings inspired by concepts like time and space, and even several rather tasty-looking apples. Though West moved to Santa Barbara just a couple of years ago after living for several decades in Minnesota, she considers herself a Westerner. “I was born in Denver and moved a lot,” she says. “But I always missed the mountains.” She started tapestry weaving—using a floor loom technique—while in college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she was assigned to create an intriguing project. “The professor asked us to make a piece that someone who’s blind could view,” she says. She earned an art education degree and began teaching art. “Living in Arizona you can’t help but be affected by the native population,” says West, who has learned the techniques of native makers from various groups, including the Tohono O’odham tribe and Julia Parker, a noted Coast Miwok-Kashaya Pomo basket maker. “I fell in love with basket making.” A move to Michigan and later Minneapolis brought West in contact with Ojibway artists. “I learned from traditional makers who gave me the basics,” she says. She weaves using a time-honored, over-and-under technique. “But my work is not traditional,” she says. “I’ve stretched the form; it’s all about what you can invent with it.” In addition to waxed twine, West has used gourds, beads, and a variety of plant fibers. Her travels to Ireland and Italy have introduced her to more materials, forms, and methods. “I love learning about the cultures, what they value, and the materials they collect,” she says. “I’m

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now a bit concerned for basket makers who harvest from their environment, as the materials are disappearing.” After a number of visits to Santa Barbara, where her son was working on a Ph.D., West and her husband made the move permanent in 2017. For inspiration and materials, she looked to her new environment. “Coming here, I needed a sense of place,” she says. “I collected date palm; a friend gave me a bag of stuff from Lotusland. If it’s on the ground, I pick it up.” Beach walks have turned up driftwood, which West has transformed into handles for pieces that resemble dance rattles or talking sticks with woven tops that enclose other finds— bits of sea glass, shells, even an assortment of dice that washed up on the sand. “My work rests on three ideas,” she says: beauty, the environment, and women’s issues. She created her sea stars after seeing fewer and fewer of them during her tide-pool explorations and learning that some of the species were succumbing to disease. After the 2017/2018 Thomas fire and debris flow, she wove a bowl that evokes forest, flames, and flood in the colors and shapes of its designs. She also created a sculptural work as a tribute to women with breast cancer. “One thing I keep wanting to do is something really big, using a random weave shape,” she says. “Maybe a life-size woman, to show the power of women.” Meanwhile, she has begun an Earth series in which one piece made of woven bark is totally enclosed. “It’s a new sculptural form influenced by the fires,” she says. She’s considering charring part of its surface and leaving the rest unmarked. “I’d like to get across the idea of mending, how we might mend things,” she says. She is imbuing the work with a sense of possibilities. 

EYE ON DESIGN

Mixt Fine Things, a 4,000-square-foot storefront, is an exciting collective of pop-up shops, designers and dealers specializing in contemporary, vintage, antique, and local-artisan made items. Come and explore a treasure trove of home furnishings and accents, tabletop, art, jewelry, clothing, apothecary items, unique gifts, special one-of-a-kind pieces, and much more. @mixtfinethings

Pacific Stoneworks is passionate about stone! We continue to lead the market in stone fabrication technology. Modern tooling combined with 25 years of fine craftsmanship offer customers and builders professional expertise, consistency and follow through. Visit our website and showroom or call 805-648-4098 for a consultation. Pacific Stoneworks is licensed and a member of the Marble Institute of America.

Mixt Fine Things 28859 W. Agoura Road, Agoura Hills mixtfinethings.com; 818-879-8698

Pacific Stoneworks, Inc. 31 Peking Street, Ventura pacificstoneworks.net; 805-648-4098

Every Keefrider is an original. For 25 years, we have designed and handcrafted heirloom-quality pieces with our clients across a broad range of styles. Each one is unique and created with the finest materials and traditional handcrafted joinery to ensure its beauty lasts for generations. That’s what makes it a Keefrider. Let us design your original piece with you.

April showers bring May flowers, and plenty of sunshine too. All across the 805, Santa Barbara Umbrellas are shade-protecting discerning homeowners. Design your own, choose from hundreds of colors, valance silhouettes and trims, in aluminum or teak. Whether your style is modern, Spanish, Mediterranean, Tuscan or traditional, there’s an umbrella for you. Visit our showroom in Oxnard, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.

Keefrider Custom Furniture 434 E. Haley Street, Unit C, Santa Barbara keefridersb.com; 805-617-3342

Santa Barbara Designs 201 N. Rice Avenue, Suite K, Oxnard santabarbaradesigns.com; 800-919-9464

EYE ON DESIGN ALEXANDRA RAE DESIGN

The full-service design firm of Alexandra Rae has been nationally recognized for her fresh take on classic design. Her signature look balances beauty and function, color and pattern, traditional and modern. Blending elegance with practicality, she creates homes ideal for family life, easy entertaining, and perfect California living. What’s in: rooms that feel curated, collected, and welcoming What’s out: gray, grey, and even greige

Alexandra Rae 3625 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., #257, Westlake Village alexandrarae.com; 310-579-9338

PACIFIC INTERIOR DESIGN GROUP BY DENISE ANGELINI

As an educated designer/color expert and excellent listener, Denise can create a plan that fits your lifestyle, taste, and budget. She specializes in kitchen/bath and whole house interior/exterior design and believes in cohesion both inside and out. Denise oversee all stages of design, construction, and installation. Best of Houzz Service winner 2017–2020.

Pacific Interior Design Group PO Box 7072, Ventura pacintdesign.com; 805-641-0808

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACLYN SZABO

What’s in: warmer tones with a rich accent color added throughout What’s out: cool tones only

INDIGO INTERIORS

As a full-service design studio, Indigo Interiors has evolved over 36 years into one of the area’s foremost style setters. Recognized for simplicity of design, married with natural materials and adding surprise touches of handcrafted finds, we aim to unveil and implement our clients’ deepest creative expectations. What’s in: uncluttered design, large-scale wallcoverings as art, colorful sustainable gardens What’s out: pure white walls and everything yellow

Genny Cummings 3211 Calle Cedro, Santa Barbara indigointeriors.com; 805-962-6909

Upgrades

Raising Cane ELEVATE THE INTEREST IN A CASUAL SPACE WITH FURNISHINGS ENHANCED BY THE CLASSIC WEBBING. By Frances Ryan Hickory White “Panama” oak and cane chair with brass accents ($2,010); Alderman Bushé Interiors, Thousand Oaks, aldermanbusheinteriors.com. SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades

1 2

1. Normann Copenhagen “Salon” tray ($135); The Copenhagen House, Solvang, thecopenhagenhouse.com. 2. Noir “Porto” bed ($3,330 for queen); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com. 3. “Cayla” pendant light ($89); Urban Outfitters, Thousand Oaks, The Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, and Malibu; urbanoutfitters.com. 4. “Atrium” oak-and-cane dining table topped with honed white Volakas marble, by Ceci Thompson ($1,299); cb2.com. 5. Palecek “Belvedere” cane lounge chair ($2,922); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com. 6. Solid ash wood and cane partition ($2,500); industrywest.com. 7. Solid ash wood and cane sofa ($3,000); industrywest.com. 8. “Lisbon” armchair with upholstered seat ($599); Pottery Barn, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; potterybarn.com. 9. “Nadia” chair by Jannis Ellenberger ($349); cb2.com. 10. Selamat Designs “Stockholm” chair ($874); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. 11. “Mateo” pine and cane nightstand with brass hardware ($945); mcgeeandco.com. 

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For more, visit our Pinterest page, keyword: 805living.

EYE ON DESIGN JANELLE INTERIORS

Janelle Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in residential, hospitality, and commercial design. Our services range from new construction specifications, remodeling, home staging, and consulting for any design needs. Call to schedule a free consultation. “Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.” –Nate Berkus What’s in: designing your home with things you love What’s out: trying to copy everybody else’s design aesthetic

Janelle Kandziora 963 W. El Roblar Drive, Ojai janelleinteriors.com; 805-640-0194

CABANA HOME

Cabana Home, a retail home furnishing store with an online presence as well as a full-service design studio, celebrates the indoor/outdoor lifestyle of California. The vignette-style presentation showroom includes furnishings, art, accessories, and an extensive textile library with workroom resources. Our design offerings include building plan review, project management, design consultation, and interior/exterior design. What’s in: smart use of space What’s out: rooms we don’t frequent

Caroline Thompson, Partner 111 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara cabanahome.com; 805-962-0200

VAN PARYS ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Rosa Van Parys’ background as an artist, an architect and interior designer is woven into each of the interiors she creates together with her team. She blends her passion for beauty, symmetry, color, and composition into unique architectural creations that balance the use of materials, textures, and light. Her interiors, crafted for contemporary lifestyles, push the boundaries of design yet remain elegant and timeless What’s in: a layered warm neutral palette of French greys, taupe tones, and white, with oiled wood and timeless metal finishes What’s out: the combination of white and cool greys

Rosa Van Parys 960 S. Westlake Blvd., #201, Westlake Village vparc.com; 818-450-3693

Good Deeds By Mark Langton

Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts

1. Amanda Moose, Sherry Villanueva 2. Patty and John MacFarlane, Cynthia and Eric Spivey 3. Sharon and Billy Harris 4. Carla Labat, Rick Pederson 5. Michael Cimarusti, Nancy Silverton, Jason Paluska, Suzanne Goin 6. Marni and Doug Margerum 7. AJ and Valerie Rice, David Goldmuntz and Leesa Wilson Goldmuntz 8. Eric Friedman 9. Tim and Audrey Fisher 10. Jeff and Josie DeVine, Krista Harris 11. Bruce Heavin and Lynda Weinman

805 LIVING–SPONSORED EVENT

Photographs by Ali Beck Photography

In mid-March the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (SBCE; sbce. events) was ready to commence—a community-wide celebration of the region’s epicurean riches inspired by Santa Barbara resident Julia Child, a pioneer in culinary education and entertainment. Due to recent social restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19, the event has been postponed until 2021, although the Founding Sponsors Dinner fundraiser took place in late February at The Lark restaurant in Santa Barbara. The Lark chef Jason Paluska teamed up with James Beard Foundation Award–winners Suzanne Goin, Michael Cimarusti, and Nancy Silverton to prepare an intimate dinner, which featured wine pairings from local vintners. The SBCE is the result of a partnership with the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts (juliachildfoundation. org), which provides grants to other nonprofit organizations that educate and encourage the community to live well through the joy of cooking, eating, and drinking well. 805 Living was lead regional magazine sponsor for this event.

Community Conscience

For more than 30 years Community Conscience (communityconscience.org) has provided local nonprofit organizations with rentfree office space, saving those organizations almost $300,000 annually. In late February, the organization held its 28th annual Mardi Gras Ball and fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Westlake in Westlake Village. Each year the organization recognizes the King and Queen of the event for their outstanding volunteer contributions to the community, and this year John Bradley and June Glasmeier were honored. Currently Community Conscience’s Human Services Center in Thousand Oaks hosts 13 nonprofits that provide a wide variety of health, wellness, and educational services to more than 50,000 people a year. The organization also offers a referral service with immediate access to community services in the region. To see more photos from these events, visit 805living.com.

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1. Linda Parks, Marilyn Adams, Frank Bellinghiere, Rosemary Allison, Al Adams 2. Eloise and Chuck Cohen 3. John and Karen Bradley 4. Fran Brough, Chuck Cunningham 5. Chuck Huffer, Susan and Ed Holt 6. Jacque and Greg Lockwood 7. Cheryl and Frank Dawson 8. Justin and Gemma Barkhuff 9. Robin Britt, Kenny Shirey 10. John and Maria Prescott 11. Michael and Susan Kelly

Photographs by Judi Bumstead, Conejo Photo Booth, and Janett Perez

Now Leasing Beautiful 2 & 3 bedroom townhomes. Prices starting at $2,850

Mayfair Townhomes at Wagon Wheel are now leasing and ready for you! Come be our neighbor and enjoy living in our master planned community featuring pet friendly parks, tot lots, walking and bicycle trails. With spacious floorplans of up to 1,838 square feet and 9 foot ceilings, Mayfair Townhomes bring elegance to your home. Come be our neighbor and enjoy where you live. Call to schedule your tour today! 805.278.4888

California Rooms

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560 Winchester Drive #106 | Oxnard, CA 93036 | 805.278.4888 | www.MayfairTownhomes.com Floor plans, renderings, features, prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. They should not be relied upon as representations, expressed or implied. Please see a Leasing Consultant for clarification.

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

REALTORS of DISTINCTION

DEBORAH KERNAHAN, Compass deborahkernahan.com | deborah@deborahkernahan.com 818-519-8357 | 2945 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village

KAY FIELDS, Compass kayfieldsrealtor.com | kay.fields@compass.com 818-419-1172 | 2945 Townsgate Road, Suite 300, Westlake Village

Deborah is an accomplished and dedicated real estate professional with a highly regarded track record of success. Knowledge of the marketplace and trends is a priority for the clients she serves. She earned the notable CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALISTÂŽ designation and MILLION DOLLAR GUILDÂŽ recognition, extending her reach into the million dollar and above housing market. Deborah is part of a cadre of agents who work in the top 1.2% of our marketplace.

Kay Fields is a luxury property and accredited home-staging specialist at Compass. With nearly 20 years of experience, Kay provides her clients the peace of mind of having a practiced professional as their real estate advocate. Known for her strong work ethic, honesty and confidentiality to her clientele, she takes pride in offering the highest level of personalized service, always going the extra mile to ensure she exceeds the expectations of her clients.

KAREN SANDVIG, Coldwell Banker Realty karensandvigproperties.cbintouch.com karen.sandvig@camoves.com 818-941-7437 | 883 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village

Since 2005, Karen Sandvig has been providing real estate services in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Her unique marketing experience and strategies bring her clientele top dollar and sometimes record breaking home sales. She provides every client with the highest quality of hands-on service, professionalism, and confidentiality. A top-producing Diamond Society Award recipient, she will always surpass your expectations. Whether buying or selling, call for a confidential appointment.

TAMARA CAMPBELL, Coldwell Banker Realty calltamara4homes.com | tamara@calltamara4homes.com 805-750-6577 | 883 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village

Global Luxury specialist Tamara Campbell is a consistent top producer for Coldwell Banker and has been awarded membership in the coveted International President's Circle. It is her knowledge, experience, and reputation that sets her apart. Masterful negotiating skills, aggressive marketing, and a hands-on approach to every transaction along with her integrity and commitment to excellence have earned her a stellar reputation and consistent referrals. Results speak volumes. Call today for a confidential consultation to discuss your real estate goals.

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

REALTORS of DISTINCTION

DEBORAH FAGAN Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Realty deborahfagan.com | dfagan@bhhscalhomes.com 818-424-5990 | 1155 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village

SIGI ULBRICH & PAM MORAN Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Realty sigiandpam.com | sigiandpam@sigiandpam.com 818-879-2999 | 1155 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village

With more than 25 years as a licensed real estate professional in the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys, Deborah consistently ranks in the top two percent nationwide and frequently ranks in the top five company wide. Deborah knows firsthand how to read and navigate a volatile market having succeeded through the highs and lows over the years. She works closely with clients to develop a sound business strategy for their sale or purchase.

This powerful, highly dedicated, real estate team is perennially honored for their presence in the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 1% nationwide in earnings. No other sales team in the Conejo Valley dedicates as much time, energy, experience, and investment in marketing to provide the best possible client service in this ever-challenging market. There is no substitute for the experience of Sigi Ulbrich & Pam Moran.

MARIA POWELL, Pinnacle Estate Properties mariapowell.com | maria@mariapowell.com 818-535-3303 | 971 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village

CHRISTY BASSIRI, Pinnacle Estate Properties Westlake Village christybassiri.com | christy4realestate@gmail.com 818-620-4901 | 971 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village

For more than two decades, Maria has specialized in residential real estate sales throughout Southern California, with an emphasis on the Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, and Oak Park areas. She attributes her success to her honesty, hard work, caring nature, and sense of humor. Maria is consistently a top-producer, selling large volumes of homes while treating every client like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the only client, always devoting 100 percent.

Christy Bassiri is a third generation residential real estate professional working and residing in the Conejo Valley for nearly two decades. Her motto "Excellence through Experience" is nothing short of describing her knowledge and expertise. She prides herself on her strong, practiced negotiation skills, integrity and discretion for her exceptional clientele. Christy values her relationships, and represents each individual with the utmost attention and consideration.

SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Lifestyle Rules A comfortable contemporary home checks every one of a Montecito family’s desired boxes.

BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS

Designed to accommodate an easygoing indoor-outdoor lifestyle, the Ennisbrook neighborhood residence is centered around a great room that embraces an open kitchen and extensive patios for lounging and dining.

Indoor-outdoor living on a single story. A contemporary look. Pops of color. An easygoing, informal vibe. That was the wish list for a family’s dream home in the Ennisbrook neighborhood of Montecito. How to combine those features with the Spanish-influenced architecture required within that community was an issue, but it was solved impeccably in plans drawn up by Los Angeles–based architecture firm DesignArc and a quietly elegant layout orchestrated by Westlake Village interior design and custom-furnishing studio Designs of the Interior (DOTI). “We bridged the two [looks],” says Karen Shoener, CID, ASID, and president of DOTI. “The house was designed around the lifestyle.” The blend begins at the entrance, where the white-plaster, red tile–roofed exterior is complemented by sleek, modern light fixtures, and continues in the foyer, which is graced by contemporary art and a driftwood sculpture. Inside the three-bedroom, 4,000-squarefoot main house, an open floor plan can be expanded to the outdoors thanks to two exterior walls in the great room that can disappear completely. With a patio fireplace, dual sofas, and a huge faux-stone cocktail table, the space is the epitome of indooroutdoor living. In the great room itself, > SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

The entrance sets the tone for an amalgam of Spanishinfluenced architecture and contemporary style with sinuous light fixtures on the white-plaster exterior (right). Modern art fills the airy foyer (below).

Blue and orange accents and a neutral palette reflect the owners’ penchant for pops of color. custom furnishings—swivel chairs with textured fabric, sectional sofas that invite lounging, and a handsome Laloi rug—combine blue hues with orange accents that reflect the owners’ penchant for color. The color scheme extends to the dining room, where an oversize iron-framed window incorporates French doors to the back patio. A custom sideboard is finished in dusty blue, and brass-based barstools are appointed in crocodile leather dyed blue to match. The use of performance fabric on the dining chairs underscores the family’s casual approach, while a Hubbardton Forge light fixture is another example of their contemporary taste. “We selected all the wood finishes and fixtures,” says Shoener, pointing out French oak planks that run throughout the home. For the kitchen, streamlined cabinets—no handles in sight—were custom made with wood finishes, and subtly veined porcelain tops two islands, one with a sink, the other with a cooktop. A dozen mirrors over a low dresser add drama to the master bedroom, which boasts its own doors to a patio furnished with sky-colored chaise longues. For late-night TV watching, a customized lift raises a television from the > 70

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The slab-top dining table is surrounded by comfortable chairs covered in performance fabric and illuminated by a geometric light fixture. Huge iron-framed doors and windows showcase the view of the back patio.

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footboard of the king-size bed, while a blue daybed and orange throw carry out the home’s palette. For a playful sense of design, though, there’s nothing quite like the eye-catching powder room. “We designed the back wall with mosaic lily pads in white, blue, and gray,” using materials from Westside Tile and Stone in Beverly Hills, says Shoener. Then she had a partial privacy wall painted with a faux finish that evokes a cloudy day.

The geometric arrangement of a dozen mirrors dramatically complements the paned glass wall that opens the master bedroom (above) to additional space for relaxation. Opposite: a floral fantasy awaits visitors to the powder room.

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Of course, Southern California’s cloudy days bring rain only rarely; Ennisbrook’s water regulations dictated the choices for landscaping on the expansive lot, which includes a casita that doubles as a studio. A front lawn is actually artificial turf, bordered by mounds of prairie grass, while olive and strawberry trees fill other parts of the property. After a year of construction, the family moved in late last fall, just in time to celebrate the holidays indoors and out. 

In a playful design, a mosaic wall depicts lily pads in the powder room.

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PATTERN PLAY Interior designer Alexandra Rae uses color and prints to update the traditional look of a Lake Sherwood residence.

BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY MADELINE TOLLE A corner of the family room doubles as a dining area and recreation center. The top of the central walnut table can be flipped to host card games or removed for bumper pool. Beige velvet chairs with nailhead trim add casual comfort, while a Windsor hanging shade of brass and ivory silk illuminates it all. The designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penchant for pattern is evident in hand-blocked hemp fabric shades from India.

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A bedroom for the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandchildren sports bright stripes and a hint of a nautical theme reflected in red-whiteand-blue bedding and the azure sea in a print on glass by celebrity photographer Slim Aarons. A campaign-style nightstand and a caned twin bed add their own informal accents.

NEUTRAL TONES and a sleek minimal look are frequently the decor of choice for contemporary homes, but interior designer Alexandra Rae prefers a different approach. “I love to mix color and pattern,” says Rae, who works out of her Westlake Village studio. “That’s my design aesthetic, but you have to know how to mix scale and balance it all.” When longtime clients—a couple in their 70s whose main residence was in Lake Sherwood— called Rae in after a house emergency, she had free rein to redecorate. The couple was at another property they own in Hawaii in fall 2018 when their housekeeper telephoned to say that a pipe had burst in the kitchen and the downstairs of their home was totally flooded. A contractor was making repairs, but the family wanted Rae, who had previously designed the main-floor rooms, to completely redo the lower level, which opens to the lake. Over the course of nine months Rae moved out the furniture and “took everything down to the studs,” she says. “They had total trust in me, and I worked with them long distance. I wanted it traditional but freshly traditional. The design flows out of the design upstairs, which includes fine antiques.” The lake-level rooms are intentionally more casual. The hallway is covered with a masculine box plaid flannel–pattern wallpaper and opens to a great room that’s part man cave and part family room. The husband, an avid golfer, loves to watch tournaments, so Rae commissioned custom cabinetry to accommodate his huge TV and numerous golf awards, then painted the room a rich, deep green. Leather chesterfield sofas are complemented by an

embroidered ottoman, while contrasting handblocked prints pattern the drapes and shades. Beyond the great room is a covered, screened-in porch that looks onto the lake and a putting green just outside. “The view is incredible,” Rae says, “sweeping and unobstructed. When the family is in California, they’re down here all the time.” In the cozy dining area, which abuts a kitchenette with a bar, microwave, and refrigerator, she added a solid walnut game table for poker and bumper pool—favorite family pastimes. Color and pattern similarly distinguish the three bedrooms, which frequently welcome guests and the couple’s grandchildren. The kids’ room sports bright striped wallpaper; the other two are covered with more subdued blue grass cloth. Rae deftly orchestrates these colors as they flow from room to room. “When you walk downstairs, you enter a hallway covered in camel wallpaper,” she says. “To the right it’s dark navy. Beyond that is the great room, which is green. Rae uses complementary or contrasting prints or tones in the bathrooms. “You can put stripes, plaids, or checks with florals, but not with each other,” she says. So the bath outside the blue grasscloth bedrooms has an exuberant floral pattern. However, “once we decided to put the stripes in the other bedroom,” she explains, “the bath had to be a bluish gray. It’s like putting a 3D jigsaw together.” Is Rae’s use of color and pattern the harbinger of a trend? “There are people with the money and sophistication to take a risk,” she says. “Nationally, people don’t want what’s cold and boring. They’re looking for personality and pretty!” 

“You can put stripes, plaids, or checks with florals, but not with each other,” says designer Alexandra Rae. 76

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A rich shade of green sets the tone for the custom cabinetry and window trim in the lakelevel family room (below). Shelves accommodate not only an oversize TV—perfect for watching golf tournaments— but also the owner’s trophies. In addition to classic camel leather chesterfield sofas, a large ottoman with an embroidered linen fabric (also above) provides extra seating, a place to stretch one’s legs, and a spot for accessories. A putting green lies just beyond the screened-in porch (left), which affords a view of Lake Sherwood.

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Patterns abound throughout the home, and colors flow from room to room. A subtle camel-colored wallpaper in a glen-plaid flannel design covers the hallway (below), where a whimsical turtle lamp adorns a side table. Beyond lies the master guest room where navy grass cloth serves as a backdrop for a queen bed with a tufted cream velvet headboard and floral bedding. In the adjacent bath (right), a lively bird-and-thistle wallpaper motif twines around lacquered cabinets. Another guest room (opposite) has a sky blueâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; sisal wall covering, a pretty complement to the peony and roseâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;print drapery fabric and a vintage cane chair.

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World-Class RELAXATION SPA RELAIS AT THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN OFFERS A NEW EXPERIENCE IN REJUVENATION.

BOTTOM: VICTOR ELIAS PHOTOGRAPHY; OPPOSITE; GARY MOSS

BY HEIDI DVORAK

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The grounds contain an ensemble of buildings ensconced in a European villageâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;style ambience imagined on Tuscan and Italian hillside architectural precedents.

Relax. Restore. Revive. These three words embrace the philosophy of Spa Relais and speak volumes about the new world-class retreat on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn. With an imposing stone facade, flower-filled gardens, private courtyards, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, an inviting pool, and luxurious treatments, Spa Relais is a world unto itself, a private sanctuary for a brief time-out, a daylong getaway, a staycation, or an indefinite retreat. It’s the brainchild of Westlake Village Inn proprietor John L. Notter, a business developer, philanthropist, and financier whose developments within the once-quiet town have turned it into a thriving, exciting place to live and do business. Notter’s vision for the spa, along with COO Chris Cuilty and architect Doug Mansfield of R. Douglas Mansfield Architect, Inc., was to create an exceptional destination reminiscent of his travels to Europe and to build upon the European village experience he and Cuilty had previously established at the inn’s Stonehaus restaurant. All three worked to make the vision a reality. “We loved the idea of using stone, reclaimed beams, and bricks to create a truly authentic and comfortable experience, something grounded by history,” says Mansfield. Spa Relais offers a seamless combination of Old World luxury and lush modern amenities. Upon approaching the main building, the first thing guests might notice is the Tuscan-style bell tower. The bell was Notter’s idea, and it will ring on special occasions, as it will on opening day. The grounds contain an ensemble of buildings ensconced in a European village–style ambience imagined on Tuscan and Italian hillside architectural precedents. Each building stands within private flower-filled courtyards with arched brick doorways and zigzagging corridors to convey an ultra-private feel. Mansfield incorporated reclaimed parefeuille bricks on the railings and

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A natural wood trellis (above) leads to a gateway within a brick arched corridor below the Spa Relais bell tower. A unique chandelier augments the sunrays that flood the Murano Lounge waiting area (below) through a huge skylight framed by reclaimed beams.

A corner treatment room offers a rose petal–infused soak in a copper tub.

GARY MOSS; OPPOSITE: VICTOR ELIAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Spa and wellness director Alex Cuilty has devised a unique treatment menu with therapies based on healing properties from the earth, sea, air, and vine. latticework imported from France. A welcoming reception area awaits guests opposite a gift shop stocked with items curated by director of sales and marketing Maria Solarzano and spa and wellness director Alex Cuilty, including L Space swimsuits, Billini sandals, and Cosabella lingerie, to name a few. The property’s pièce de résistance is the 25,000-square-foot spa. The men’s and women’s locker rooms feature flooring made of French limestone, Arto Brick, and custom-cut marble tile with wood inlays. Once checked in, robed guests head for the Murano Lounge, an open sunshine-filled waiting area that meshes old and new: Bright white and cornflower blue couches and chairs are crowned by reclaimed wood beams

sourced from old barns across the country and a showstopper of a chandelier created by Italian glass artist Fabio Fornasier. Each guest is met by a spa host and treated to a foot soak while waiting for a treatment. Alex Cuilty has devised a unique treatment menu with therapies based on healing properties from the earth, sea, air, and vine, such as the Lemon Verbena Polish and Wrap, the Himalayan Salt Scrub, the Vichy Shower with seven pulsating shower heads, and the Sommelier Facial and Crushed Cabernet Scrub, both of which incorporate resveratrol’s antiaging benefits. Special treatments cater to brides, gentlemen, moms-to-be, and sports enthusiasts. Eleven custom treatment rooms named for > SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

For those who dream of relishing the spa life a bit longer, an on-site, 14-suite boutique hotel sits on the spa property.

types of wine—cabernet, merlot, pinot noir— have private patios and outdoor showers. Corner rooms offer copper soaking tubs filled with rose petals floating on the water. Two couple suites boast fireplaces and soaking tubs. However, a visit doesn’t end at the conclusion of a treatment. A magnificent pool sparkles on an expansive patio with comfy chaise lounges, a Jacuzzi, and a cold-plunge pool. A spa café with a full bar features wines from Stonehaus as well as organic, keto, carb-conscious, and vegan items such as Greek Yogurt Parfait, Smoked Salmon Salad, wraps, seasonal gelato, and vegan sorbet popsicles. Opposite the pool, the gym is equipped with treadmills, StairMasters, stationary bikes, and free weights. To ensure his spa had unparalleled amenities, Notter decided to incorporate into each locker room a SnowBliss Shower, perhaps the only ones on a commercial property in the United States. At the press of a button, a snowfall commences— ranging from a light fall to a snowstorm—an experience most beneficial following a sauna. 84

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“After you heat your core body temperature, you go in the snow shower to cool your body down, jump-starting your metabolism, immune system, and muscle regeneration,” says Alex Cuilty. For those who dream of relishing the spa life a bit longer, an on-site, 14-suite boutique hotel sits on the spa property with views of the lake, the golf course, the mountains, and a koi pond. The guest rooms have a clean Central Coast vibe with earth and ocean tones, wood-plank flooring, soaking tubs, steam showers, and TVs. Two luxury spa suites sport wet bars, two fireplaces, and two televisions. Notter’s goal for Spa Relais is to share with others his philosophy of a healthy lifestyle, incorporating wine, exercise, and moderation. “I have had the opportunity to experience some of the finest hotels, restaurants, and spas, which I wanted to recreate here in Westlake Village,” he says. Mission accomplished. 

BOTTOM, RIGHT: VICTOR ELIAS PHOTOGRAPHY; OPPOSITE: GARY MOSS

Guest rooms in the on-site boutique hotel (above) have views of the lake (right). Named for wine varietals, custom spa treatment rooms (left) have private patios and outdoor showers.

An especially novel apparatus, a SnowBliss Shower is available in both locker rooms for an invigorating followâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;up to a sauna.

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Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Peas Offering

FROM POD TO TENDRIL, THESE HARBINGERS OF SPRING SHINE IN THREE RECIPES FROM CENTRAL COAST CHEFS.

By Jaime Lewis

or many, peas summon childhood memories of pushing bland, mushy, sallow rounds out to the far reaches of the plate. But ask chefs about vegetables that inspire them, and peas are sure to make the list. “They’re one of my favorite ingredients in spring,” says executive chef José Fernandez of Coin & Candor (coinandcandor.com) at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, “all varieties, sugar snap peas, pea tendrils, and English peas.” Executive chef Adam Horton of Saddle Peak Lodge (saddlepeaklodge.com) in Calabasas feels the same way. “They’re the quintessential spring ingredient,” he says. “They’re how I know spring is here. For some it’s fava beans. For some it’s ramps. For me, it’s peas.” So what’s the difference between those substandard peas of childhood memory and the peas that these chefs find so delectable? “Using fresh peas and vegetables purchased at a local farmers’ market is an absolute necessity,” says Brian Collins, chef and owner of Ember (emberwoodfire.com) in Arroyo Grande. “The flavor cannot be captured with anything else.” Each of these chefs showcases peas in a recipe shared here. Follow their tips for maximizing the delicate vegetable’s flavor and freshness, and you may find another reason to celebrate spring. SHELLING PEA SOUP WITH CRÈME FRAÎCHE & MEYER LEMON ZEST At Ember Restaurant in Arroyo Grande, chef Brian Collins takes the waste-not, nose-totail concept seriously, and when making this recipe he also goes whole hog with peas and other vegetable ingredients, using pods, peels, and trimmings. “Don’t be afraid to shortchange your compost pile—there’s lots of flavor in those scraps,” he says. Collins also suggests looking to young family members for helping hands. “If you have little kids, they love to shuck peas,” he says. Serves 4 3 pounds fresh shelling peas in pods 1 spring onion bulb 1 small carrot 1 small rib of celery 1 bay leaf

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6 cups water Salt 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ cup crème fraîche Black peppercorns Meyer lemon zest, to taste Remove peas from pods by splitting pods open lengthwise and scraping thumb along the inside of the pod to release the peas into a bowl. Reserve the empty pods. Peel the onion and carrot, reserving peels. Finely dice onion, celery, and carrot, reserving scraps. To a large pot, add pea pods, vegetable peels and trimmings, bay leaf, water, and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Stir and reduce heat to simmer stock for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium heavy-bottomed

pot with a lid, warm olive oil over medium heat and add diced vegetables. Cover with lid and cook 10 to 15 minutes, removing lid to stir every 2 minutes, until vegetables are tender but not caramelized. Just before vegetables are done, strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding pea pods and vegetable scraps. Return stock to pot and bring to a boil. When diced vegetables are tender, add 1 tablespoon butter. Then add peas and increase heat to high. Don’t stir until you hear the vegetables sizzle, after 1 to 2 minutes, then gently stir from the bottom of the pan, folding ingredients together. Cook 1 minute, then carefully add enough boiling stock to just cover the peas. Continue cooking for 2 to 4 minutes more, until peas are just tender. Working in batches, carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender bowl, filling it no more than ¼ full per batch. Be sure lid is securely attached to blender bowl, then puree each batch for 30 seconds to 1 minute, starting at the lowest speed and gradually increasing speed until puree is velvety smooth. Transfer batches to a large bowl. Return pureed soup to medium pot. Whisk in remaining butter and season with salt to taste. Serve soup in individual bowls with a dollop of crème fraîche and a sprinkling of fresh cracked black pepper. Using a Microplane, grate lemon zest over each bowl of soup. Serve immediately.

LABNEH AND SNAP PEA SALAD Tangy and soft labneh yogurt cheese serves as the backbone of this salad by executive chef José Fernandez of Coin & Candor at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Although it must drain for 24 hours, “It’s super simple to make,” Fernandez says. “It’s just yogurt, strained to take the whey out of the equation, plus some lemon juice. And it takes this dish to the next level.” The dish also calls for lemon-infused olive oil. To make your own, begin Fernandez’s recipe (following this one) two days before you plan to serve the salad. To find pea tendrils, Fernandez suggests shopping for peas at a farmers’ market, where they usually come with tendrils attached. >

Geniatem. Dae dollat aspere et mincimi nulpario. Itae. Ut im endit hicatint magnisc iamusae pel inis sequi omnihit ecaepta natquosandi aditatquae. Milique

Taste Food

Serves 4 LABNEH 12 ounces plain Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Salt to taste SALSA VERDE 6 tomatillos 3 garlic cloves 1 jalapeño ½ onion 1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon lime juice (or to taste) 1 teaspoon white vinegar Salt and pepper to taste SOURDOUGH CROUTONS 5 slices sourdough bread (preferably day-old), in ½-inch cubes 2 teaspoons olive oil Salt and pepper SNAP PEA SALAD Water Ice 1 teaspoon salt 10 snap peas, tips and strings removed, cut into 1-inch pieces 6 asparagus stalks, peeled 1 inch at the bottom, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup wild arugula 12 leaves basil ½ cup pea tendrils Lemon-infused olive oil, to taste GARNISH 1 teaspoon lemon zest To make labneh: 24 hours before serving, line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth and set over a deep medium bowl. In another medium bowl mix yogurt, lemon, and salt. Pour yogurt mixture into the cheeseclothlined sieve. Tie the four corners of the cheesecloth to squeeze the yogurt mixture snugly. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours until almost all of the liquid drains through the cloth, leaving yogurt slightly firm but still creamy, similar to room-temperature cream cheese. To make salsa verde: Shortly before the salad is served, preheat oven to 400°F. On a baking sheet, place tomatillos, garlic cloves, jalapeño, and ½ onion. Roast 30 minutes, until vegetables are brown and charred. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Transfer cooled vegetable mixture to a blender bowl, add cilantro, and blend until smooth. Add lime juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and blend until combined. To make sourdough croutons: Lower

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More Peas, Please To celebrate its first anniversary, Coin & Candor (coinandcandor.com) brasserie at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village hosts a series of special dinner menus that bring the farm to your fork throughout the month of April. The Mother Earth Farmers’ Feast dinners feature hyper-seasonal, single-ingredient-focused dishes designed by executive chef José Fernandez and executive pastry chef Patrick Fahy. Featured produce includes beets, avocado, tomatoes, and an entire Peas on Earth menu highlights the humble pea. For more information, visit the restaurant’s website.

oven temperature to 350°F. Toss diced bread cubes with oil, salt, and pepper and place them on a baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool. To make snap pea salad: Set out a medium bowl of ice and water for an ice bath. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add salt and blanch snap peas and asparagus for 30 seconds. Cool vegetables in ice bath, then drain completely. Toss with arugula, basil, pea tendrils, and lemon-infused oil to taste. Season with salt and pepper. To assemble dish, place ⅓ cup labneh on each plate and drizzle each with a spoonful of salsa verde. Top with snap pea salad and sprinkle with croutons. Garnish with lemon zest.

LEMON OIL Chef José Fernandez makes this lemon oil to dress his Labneh and Snap Pea Salad, and he says it lends a touch of bright spring flavor to any salad. The recipe requires infusing olive oil in a lemon mixture for 48 hours. Makes 32 ounces 8 large lemons, halved 1 cup salt ½ cup sugar 10 whole black peppercorns 2 sprigs thyme 4 cups olive oil Agave syrup to taste Place lemon halves in a 2-quart (or larger) airtight container. In a small bowl, whisk together salt and sugar and pour mixture over cut lemons. In a hot sauté pan, toast peppercorns over medium heat for no more than 1 minute. Add toasted peppercorns, thyme sprigs, and olive oil to lemon mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 48 hours. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth. Strain oil through cheesecloth-lined sieve into a medium bowl. Whisk in agave syrup.

Lemon oil can keep in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.

SEARED DIVER SCALLOPS WITH VARIATIONS OF PEAS “Generally speaking, I build dishes around produce, not around proteins,” says executive chef Adam Horton of Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas. “Knowing that peas were coming into season, I started building a pea dish. I’ve done a lot of different variations based on the season, and this is my favorite.” For best results, Horton recommends swift action: “Peas turn brown quickly,” he says, “so work with them straight from the farm and get them cooled as quickly as possible.” For peas that don’t get such speedy handling, he suggests making a puree or soup: “Hit [it] with a little bit of fresh spinach, and it will stay green longer,” he says. Serves 4 as an appetizer, 2 as an entrée 1 cup milk, plus more as needed to adjust texture 1 shallot halved; half sliced into small rings, half diced 1 garlic clove, chopped Ice 1 cup frozen English peas Salt 1 cup heavy cream, divided 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) whole, unsalted European-style butter, divided 1.75 ounces (50 grams) uni, available at seafood markets or by order from Whole Foods Market 3 tablespoons grape-seed or other neutral oil with a high smoke point, divided 1 cup fresh pea shoots Black pepper 1 black garlic clove (available at amazon.com), chopped, or standard white garlic clove, chopped 1 cup fresh English peas 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1 pound fresh diver scallops In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sliced shallot, and chopped garlic clove. Bring to a boil, taking care not to let it boil over. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Set a medium bowl over a larger bowl full of ice. Carefully transfer hot milk mixture to a blender bowl leaving the blender lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape and holding a towel tightly over the gap to ensure that the hot mixture does not splash out. Blend on low speed, slowly increasing speed to medium. When a vortex occurs, add frozen

peas slowly. This will cool the liquid and begin cooking the frozen peas. Gradually increase blender speed to its highest setting and blend for 1 minute on high. Transfer puree to bowl over ice and season with salt. To cool puree and preserve its green color, use a spatula to move puree around in the cold bowl. Set aside. In a small saucepan with a lid, combine ½ cup cream and 3 tablespoons butter. Bring mixture to a boil and carefully transfer to a clean blender bowl. Add uni and blend on high, using the same precautions for steam escape and hot liquid containment as used previously for blending hot milk mixture. Return uni sauce to saucepan and cover to keep warm. Set the oven at its lowest temperature and place an oven-safe plate in it to warm. In a sauté pan over high heat bring 1 tablespoon oil to a light smoke. Add pea shoots, using a spatula to press them down onto pan. Cook shoots on 1 side for 30 seconds without moving them. When shoots begin to pop and blister, season with salt and pepper and immediately turn them, cooking until the other sides are just wilted. Remove warm plate from oven and transfer pea shoots to warm plate. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine garlic, remaining ½ cup cream, and English peas and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes, until cream-pea mixture reduces and becomes thick; do not simmer longer or cream may separate. Remove English pea fricassee from heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in chopped chives. Line a baking tray with paper towels. Detach adductor muscle from scallops. Preheat 1 large nonstick sauté pan for 1 to 2 minutes over high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons grape-seed oil to pan. When oil begins to smoke, add scallops to pan one at a time with space between each. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side over high heat until golden brown. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter; as butter foams spoon it over scallops to baste. Transfer scallops to paper towel–lined baking tray and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. To serve, add small dollops of pea puree to a large platter. In the center of the platter, spoon English pea fricassee into one circular pile. Using tongs, spread the pea shoots in an even and slightly wider layer. Carefully place scallops across the layer of pea shoots. Spoon uni sauce over scallops and around platter, filling in some of the gaps between dollops of pea puree. 

3701 Brigantine Circle, Westlake Village Lakefront family home featuring four bedrooms, three and a half baths with one bed and bath downstairs. Cathedral wood beamed ceilings greet you in the light-filled living room with fireplace. Special step-down den with additional fireplace and bar leads to a lovely dining room, spacious family room, and upgraded kitchen with separate breakfast nook. All with wonderful views of your private lake oasis. Wood-ceiling secondary bedrooms upstairs share a bath. The spacious master offers two walk-in closets, a sitting area, fireplace, and private lake-view balcony. Master bath features granite, double vanity, separate soaking tub, and shower. This home is on one of the larger lots on a small cul-de-sac with main channel views, large patio, grass yard, and private dock. Three-car garage with plenty of extra storage. Come make this your family home and enjoy everything lake living offers. Offered at $1,799,000.

MARIAPOWELL.COM 818.535.3303 MARIA@MARIAPOWELL.COM LIC#01240417

Taste Wine By Alex Ward

On the Sweeter Side WINES TO ENRICH THE DESSERT COURSE.

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Opolo Vineyards Flirtations Moscato

With a honeyed finish and notes of crenshaw melon on the palate, Opolo Flirtations Moscato ($14, opolo. com) is an easy entrée into the world of dessert wines. It’s crisp and light with a pleasing acidity and a relatively low 12.5 percent alcohol content. “You could have a fruit salad with it or a nice little lemon pound cake,” suggests Opolo’s tasting room supervisor Meghan Heimer. “It would balance out the tartness of the lemon with the floral and melon notes.” Produced from muscat grapes grown in the Lodi AVA, Opolo Flirtations is gently sweet with just the right amount of texture.

essert wine gets a bad rap. An after-dinner staple in Europe and Australia, wines crafted to be enjoyed after dinner are often overlooked in the United States or dismissed as a cloying harbinger of headaches to come. But beyond the syrupy treacle that typifies many mass-production varieties, exquisitely well-crafted bottles of dessert wine exhibit all the sophistication and subtlety one might expect from the very finest of their dry counterparts. Frequently produced from distinctive varietals and by way of innovative operations, dessert wines can make for an intriguing addition to a home wine collection, and some extraordinary examples of the craft are produced right here on the Central Coast.

Casa Casarra Winery & Vineyard Tawney Vino Dolce

Blending traditional Portuguese varietals including touriga, tinta madeira, and tinto cão, Casa Casarra Tawney Vino Dolce ($44, ccwinery.com) is the next best thing next to a trip to Portugal’s Douro River Valley. Solera aging in barrel lends this wine delightful oxidative notes of roasted almond and hazelnut while each sip greets the palate with flavors of blood orange and honey. With a silky mouthfeel and opulent texture, this is a bottle that would make a stellar companion to crème brûlée or a selection of dark chocolate. From the first pour to the last, it’s clear that it is an exceptional dessert wine that’s meant to be savored.

Kalyra Chardonnay Ize T

Produced in an ice-wine style, Kalyra’s Chardonnay Ize T ($30, kalyrawinery.com) is a tantalizingly sweet white that could very well serve as a dessert unto itself. Because the grapes are frozen before they are pressed, their water content becomes solidified and easily extracted, leaving behind a concentration of sugar and juice that produces a stunningly flavorful wine. Kalyra’s Ize T is rich and smooth with prominent flavors of honey and tropical fruit. Served chilled, it pairs perfectly with a platter of bold cheeses or provides a cooling complement to a spicy entrée.

Carr Winery Late Harvest Viognier

Carr Winery’s Late Harvest Viognier ($20, carrwinery. com) is produced from Santa Ynez–grown grapes that have been botrytised—affected by a fungus colloquially known as noble rot. The fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and acids, which results in a wonderfully complex wine. A delicious representative of this process, Carr’s Late Harvest Viognier has honeysuckle and stone fruit flavors with a smooth and lingering finish of vanilla. Fermented using exclusively native yeast, it’s a tremendously nuanced dessert wine worthy of slow sipping.

PasoPort Angelica White Port

Made from a blend of verdelho, muscat, and chenin blanc grapes, PasoPort Angelica White Port ($46, pasoportwine. com) may well be one of the 805’s most distinctive dessert wines. “This is by far my favorite wine to make every year,” says PasoPort owner Steve Glossner, “because [we] really are just bringing in all kinds of different components.” While traditional white port tends to be dry and is generally served as an aperitif, the Angelica is a true dessert wine, showing sweet notes of white peach and tangerine. Gently fortified with neutral brandy and barrel aged between seven and nine years, it reveals a long nutty finish with hints of caramel and birch sugar. This is a remarkably elevated port and a must-try for dessert wine drinkers on the hunt for something special.  SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Taste Dining Out By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

Sushi on a Roll

AFTER A RECENT RENOVATION, ONYX RESTAURANT AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE DISHES OUT NEW MENU INNOVATIONS.

any sushi restaurants have popped up in the region in recent years, but Onyx (fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/ dining) at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village remains a stalwart for a satisfying fix that local diners opt for again and again. Chef de cuisine Masa Shimakawa has been a steady presence since the restaurant’s 2006 opening, and a major renovation within the past year suggests that Onyx will continue to provide its popular traditional sushi amid plans to introduce more options in keeping with the wellness focus for which the hotel is known. “We’ve phased out some of our earlier dishes, like the fried popcorn shrimp,” says manager Amanda Black, “and are looking into incorporating an ancient-grain mix in addition to traditional sushi rice for rolls and nigiri. We are also moving toward more sustainable fish options.” Located down a hotel corridor from the lively brasserie and bar scene of Coin & Candor, the new Onyx is its own soothing world. The most striking visual of the intimate interior is the illuminated aquarium wall, where resident angel and puffer fishes glide among rocks and beautiful corals. A long communal table runs the length of the calming neutral interior and is set with chairs made of black leather and Japanese wood. The new design elements include sculptures and artifacts in dramatically lit alcoves and hanging natural ropes tied with white notes of good fortune, an elegant feature borrowed from ancient Shinto temples.

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The culinary action takes place behind the ivorycolored sushi bar, where a team of chefs knocks out classic nigiri, sashimi, and a variety of sushi rolls either cut or served as hand rolls. A new menu features a large platter of hon maguro or bluefin tuna with prime fatty cuts of chu toro and otoro and is meant to be shared, as is the popular Onyx Dream Box, which Shimakawa calls “a deconstructed chirashi [mixed ingredients] bowl” and serves in nine individual black lacquer dishes set in a bamboo box for a stunning presentation. Sushi connoisseurs will appreciate the freshly grated wasabi available upon request. While traditional offerings in any sushi restaurant demonstrate skill and refinement, Shimakawa’s imagination in combining flavors particularly shines in Onyx’s specialty rolls. The delicious Hakodate roll, aptly named after the chef’s native seaside town on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, is made with snow crab and avocado wrapped in king salmon and topped generously with mounds of tobiko roe and a sprinkling of chives. The Onyx Himitsu is an equally delicious arrangement of toro tuna, fresh shiso leaf, and crunchy pickled daikon with ikura salmon roe, black caviar, and Japanese uni delicately arranged on top. Not often seen on sushi menus is yamaimo or mountain yam. The slippery tuber thought to be an aphrodisiac since the Edo period (from 1603 to 1868) and loaded with B vitamins is served here in the Yuzu Yamaimo roll with bigeye tuna wrapped in thinly sliced avocado and topped with a ginger ponzu, >

The Onyx Dream Box (above, left) is a seafood sampler showcasing the skills of chef Shimakawa (below, left). In the redesigned dining room soft neutral tones are a foil for black and red accents (below). Rows of ropes (above) dangle from above in nooks furnished with banquettes.

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Taste Dining Out

Chef de cuisine Masa Shimakawa exhibits talent with a restrained creativity that does not rely on gimmicks like wild splashes of concocted sauces.

The Onyx experience (from top): White light shades hover above a long communal table. The Dream Box assortment is ideal for sharing. The Shibui cocktail is a Japanese twist on an Old-Fashioned.

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golden tobiko caviar flavored with yuzu citrus, and cilantro sprouts. Starters include miso soup with nameko (butterscotch mushrooms), Japanese parsley, edamame three ways (the black truffle is a popular choice), and a salad of green, romano, and yellow wax beans tossed with sesame oil and topped with fresh pea shoots. The hot dishes are few but varied: an American Wagyu skirt steak marinated in sweet soy and served with curried cabbage, Tokyo turnips, and sweet black beans; a kaisen udon noodle bowl with a generous assortment of shrimp, calamari, tender scallops, and clams in a mild dashi broth; and a yuan yaki–style sea bass fillet marinated in soy, mirin, sake, and yuzu citrus then grilled and served on a bed of assorted Japanese mushrooms laced with steamed baby spinach and topped with a mix of delicate sea beans and myoga ginger shoots. For a sweet finish, pastry chef Patrick Fahy, formerly of Yountville’s The French Laundry and a threetime James Beard Award nominee, has developed spectacular desserts for Onyx in addition to simpler offerings of mochi ice cream and sorbets. The Zen Garden is a visually stunning plate of espresso cheesecake, chocolate cookie crumble, matcha sponge cake, blueberry sauce, and chocolate-coated yuzu raspberry sorbet, all assembled to resemble a miniature Japanese Zen garden. The Kemuri (Japanese for “smoke” or “fume”) collectively transforms vanilla ice cream, fresh fruit, banana and passion fruit foam, strawberry jam and sauce, sesame powder, and a yogurt coconut shell with a dramatic flash-freezing cloud of liquid nitrogen. The beverage program at Onyx offers craft cocktails such as the Shibui, a Japanese Old-Fashioned made with Kikori single malt, one of several Japanese whiskies available. Manager George Vassen is available to recommend a perfect pairing from the long list of predominantly Californian wines available by the glass, including Fiddlehead Cellars 2015 Grüner Veltliner and a selection of French rosés. The all-Japanese beer offerings include favorites like Hitachino Red Rice or Classic Ale, and several premium Junmai Ginjo and Junmai Daiginjo sakes are available in smaller sizes, by the bottle, or as tasting flights. Sake pairings and guest chef dinners are among the special events hosted by Onyx throughout the year, as well as hands-on sushimaking classes that are a manifestation of this Four Seasons’ mission to encourage healthy habits at home. Pleasantly humble with a rare and genuine smile, Shimakawa, who started in Tokyo and held positions in Montreal, Chicago, and New York before landing in Westlake Village, exhibits talent with a restrained creativity that does not rely on gimmicks like wild splashes of concocted sauces. Instead, there is a timeless quality that perseveres in all that he consistently delivers in this small and sumptuous oasis. 

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

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

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

THE DINING GUIDE Our aim is to inform you of restaurants with great food that you might not have experienced yet. This 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 chef-driven cuisine, regardless of atmosphere. “Good Eats” 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 Where to Eat Now in every issue. Please send any comments and suggestions to edit@805living.com. MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

Fine Dining

These restaurants have a skilled kitchen team, a lovely dining room, and great service. BELLA VISTA RESTAURANT IN FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA 1260 Channel Drive Santa Barbara, 805-969-2261 fourseasons.com/santabarbara/dining Californian and Italian Entrées $19–45; Sunday Brunch $85 per person Great Views

Named for its sweeping views of lawn, ocean, and sky, Bella Vista has an Italian bent featuring local fish and organic farmers’ market produce, handmade pastas, and herbs from the chef’s garden in dishes such as Tajarin Carbonara di Mare, and jidori chicken with farrotto and smoked corn. Specials include tableside service of spaghetti with caciocavallo cheese and Tellicherry pepper. At the adjacent Ty Lounge, an extensive menu of Spanish tapas echoes the Haciendastyle decor featuring a fireplace, an ocean-view terrace, and hand-painted walls and ceilings. The wine list offers local and international labels. Happy hour Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. includes specials on featured tapas ($5 to $9), draught beer and wine on tap ($4 to $6), and select cocktails ($7).

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.

CAFÉ ZACK 1095 E. Thompson Blvd. Ventura, 805-643-9445 cafezack.com Global; Entrées $20–$34

It’s appropriate that this hidden gem is set in a charming renovated house, since owner Hector Gomez has been making customers feel at home for the past 20 years. Gracious service and impeccably executed dishes keep loyal followers coming back for lunch and dinner. For the evening meal, chef Salome Cervantes offers classic dishes with global influences, such as Tellicherry peppercorn¬–encrusted Choice Beef Filet Mignon and Slow Roasted Boar Shank in a rich demiglace. Fresh locally sourced fish, pastas, and salads round out the menu along with house-made desserts including crème brûlée. Lunchtime offerings include soups, pastas, and salads like Zack’s Tostada, which comes with a choice of grilled shrimp, chicken, or vegetables. The wine list highlights local bottlings.

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

Three dining concepts at this resort offer a variety of options. At Coin & Candor, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner brasserie, chef Jose Fernandez combines thoughtfully sourced local ingredients with woodfired cooking techniques. The recently remodeled Onyx boasts a new menu by chef de cuisine Masa Shimakawa. With a spotlight on bright, fresh nigiri sushi and sashimi, the menu includes specialty rolls like the Hayabusa, with yellowtail, shrimp, asparagus, avocado, and creamy ponzu. The American Wagyu beef skirt steak is also a highlight on the well-rounded menu. Prosperous Penny is a sophisticated, comfortable social watering hole pouring inventive cocktails, aged bourbons and whiskeys, and rare spirits. Fernandez provides accompaniments in a seasonally driven lightbite menu. For a sip of joe, Stir coffee bar, located off the lobby, is open daily from 6 a.m., offering a graband-go menu of baked on-site pastries and savory options along with cold-brewed coffee, juices, gelato, and other treats. Valet parking is $10 with validation; self-parking is free for up to four hours with validation.

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

Steaks and chops are legendary here and at the original Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills, the ultimate power-lunch spot. At this location, whether out on the patio or in the dining room and bar, diners enjoy American comfort food with international flair. Sushi is available at lunch and dinner, and the menu’s friendly reminder that “any turf can surf” is an invitation to

MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table. SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Where to Eat Now order jumbo prawns and other seafood with your filet mignon or dry‑aged New York strip. Weekend brunch offers avocado toast, Niman Ranch slab bacon and eggs, and $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., when you can make a meal of the specially priced lollipop chicken wings, spicy tuna rolls, and woodfired cheeseburger bites offered with cocktails, draft beers, and wines by the glass.

LA DOLCE VITA RISTORANTE 740 S. B St. Oxnard, 805-486-6878 ladolcevitadimare.com Mediterranean; Entrées $11–Market Price for Steaks and Seafood Romantic, Great Views, Live Music

From the pergola-covered patio of this pretty Colonial Revival house, diners can often see docents in Victorian-era costumes giving tours of Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Dining rooms inside the historic former home offer bird’s-eye views of the grounds through diamond-pane windows. The eclectic menu by co-owner and executive chef Michelle Kenney includes grilled onion chowder, lemon-pistachio pasta, and portobello Florentine, the latter topped with sautéed spinach, pancetta, Gruyère, and capellini. Afternoon teas and hands-on cooking classes are available. Named for the year in which the house was built, the 1901 Speakeasy Lounge in the basement specializes in live music and Prohibitionthemed cocktails.

NEW LES PETITES CANAILLES 1215 Spring Street Paso Robles, 805-296-3754 lpcrestaurant.com French; Entrées $17–$40

Offering a taste of Paris in Paso without the pretense, this buzzing French farm-to-table bistro focuses on sophisticated, modern cuisine in a casual, comfortable setting. Julien Asseo, chef and co-owner with his wife, Courtney, received his culinary education in France and honed his skills at Michelinstarred eateries Restaurant Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas and La Fontaine de Mars in France. Following dishes like steak tartare, escargot in puff pastry, steak frites, dayboat scallops, beef cheek Bourguignon, and Le Burger, it’s easy to say oui to crème brûlée or profiteroles for a very French ending.

Café Ana (cafeanasb.com) in Santa Barbara now offers a full-service dinner menu on Fridays and Saturdays, with more evenings in the works. Chef Adam Shoebridge helms the evening meal with a menu that changes weekly and includes main dishes such as New York Strip Tagliata, Pollo à la Plancha With Herbed Potatoes and Jus, Ricotta Dumplings With Snap Peas, Pecorino, and Parmesan Broth, and recurring favorites like the cheeseburger with grilled onions and roasted tomato. Reservations are recommended and are available through the website. 96

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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 $16–$58 Great View, Weekend Brunch

Recently reopened after a major makeover, this favorite of locals and hotel guests retains an elegant yet comfortable vibe. Located on the 17-acre property of the Westlake Village Inn, the all-new design includes an expansive bar for sipping craft cocktails and international wines. Executive chef Lisa Biondi has reimagined the menus to include bright Mediterranean dishes such as salatim, seasonal Israeli salads and spreads like street corn with lemon, yogurt, feta, and a punch of Aleppo pepper, at lunch and dinner. Dinner entrées include old favorites like classic prime steaks and housemade pastas, along with lamb sirloin souvlaki and grilled whole branzino. Weekend brunch options include Benedicts, shakshuka, pancakes, and waffles. Patios offer views of the lake or vineyard.

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 Pamela Ganci’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.

OJAI VALLEY INN 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojaivalleyinn.com Various cuisines; Entrées $11–$60; Saturday Buffet Brunch $32; 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-Italian cuisine (see separate listing). Start the evening with small bites and 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 venues include the tranquil Spa Café in Spa Ojai, where light breakfast, fresh-pressed 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 of the resort’s golf course. 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, 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 Fine Ice Creams.

NEW OKU 29 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, 805-690-1650 okusantabarbara.com Asian Fusion; Entrées $16–$38

This sleek, contemporary Asian spot across from the beach boasts spectacular ocean and Stearns Wharf views and a lively atmosphere. The first-floor dining room is anchored by a cocktail bar on one side and sushi bar on the other, with an outdoor patio. Upstairs, a dining room with a cocktail bar opens to a roomy patio with an outdoor fireplace and sofas. Menu favorites include Wagyu steak, Miso Yuzu Black Cod, and Crispy Korean Cauliflower. Sip craft cocktails, local draft beer, sake, or a selection from the well-curated wine list spotlighting Santa Barbara County wineries. The restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner, and happy hour.

PACIFIC BY NORU 394 E. Main Street, Suite B Ventura, 805-205-9618 pacificbynoru.com New American; Entrées $10–$29

This star serves innovative coastal fare in an upscale yet laid-back setting that includes a lovely covered patio. Housed in the 1924 Beaux Arts–style Bank of Italy building on Ventura’s buzzing main drag, it’s a locals’ go-to for dinner and happy hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). The menu changes seasonally, but chef Ren Weigang and co-owner James Norton serve up recurring favorites like sake-glazed salmon, hamachi sashimi, braised short rib, chicken katsu sliders, and Wagyu Bavette Bulgogi with chimichurri. Sip an inventive cocktail or local wine or beer.

ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH 1759 South Jameson Lane Montecito, 805-900-8388 rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beachmontecito Californian and Italian; Entrées $19–$55 Great Views, Saturday and Sunday Brunch

Set in a spectacular seaside location, this luxury beachside resort’s seven distinctive restaurants and bars are open to the general public as well as hotel guests. Executive chef Massimo Falsini oversees the dining destinations, which emphasize locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. Caruso’s, the signature oceanfront eatery, is open daily for dinner and features alfresco seating over the sand in addition to a stylish dining room outfitted with deep blue leather booths. Menu highlights include starters such as hand-pulled burrata as well as Baja kampachi crudo, house-made pastas including the chef’s signature carbonara, uni tagliolini, and main courses such as pan-roasted petrale sole and grass-fed Watkins Ranch beef fillet. Local and international wines and traditional handcrafted signature cocktails are also offered. Malibu Farm at Miramar, the first California resort outpost of Helene Henderson’s well-regarded farm-to-table restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in a refined yet relaxed setting. Standout dishes include mini Swedish crepe-style pancakes for breakfast, coconut and avocado striped bass ceviche for lunch, and crispy

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Where to Eat Now baked whole fish tacos for dinner. Beverages on the menu range from juices to specialty cocktails. At dinner, guests can dine family-style with shared plates such as a roasted Rocky Canyon half chicken.

Pico at The Los Alamos General Store (losalamosgeneralstore.com) welcomes new executive chef John Wayne Formica, whose dinner menu embraces local bounty and reflects Formica’s Italian roots and global culinary stints. Expect dishes like local crudo, Grilled Octopus with diavola sauce, Pappardelle Short Rib Ragu, and Double-Cut Smoked Pork Chop with local polenta. The popular Sunday Burger Night remains with weekly burger specials and an edited dinner menu. Pico coowners Will Henry and Kali Kopley also helm the restaurant’s wine bar, wine retail shop, and new tasting lounge for Henry’s Lumen Wines. SAN YSIDRO RANCH 900 San Ysidro Lane Santa Barbara, 805-565-1700 sanysidroranch.com/san_dining.cfm American; Entrées $18–$56 at Plow & Angel; $38–$63 at The Stonehouse; Sunday Brunch, $75 Great View, Romantic, Sunday Brunch The five-star treatment at this historic resort starts the minute you turn onto the long drive lined with olive trees and lavender; it continues as you are greeted by a valet who whisks away your car from the circular entrance to its two restaurants, both overseen by executive chef Matthew Johnson. At Plow & Angel, the menu and setting are in keeping with a well-appointed tavern. Thick stone walls and a fireplace create a cozy space for enjoying barrel-aged cocktails and a menu of grilled flatbreads, beer-battered halibut and chips, and grilled New York steak with cognac Bordelaise sauce. Upstairs, The Stonehouse dining room gleams with copper and burnished wood and has a sheltered terrace with views of Montecito, the ocean, and Channel Islands. Seating is also available on outdoor patios below, furnished with a fireplace and fountain and flanked by loquat trees. At lunch, served Mondays through Saturdays, a warm salad of kale grown on the premises, house-smoked bacon, and dates is topped with a poached egg. A three-course market menu also emphasizes local ingredients. Served from 6 p.m. daily, the dinner menu includes seared scallops with braised oxtail, sweet corn puree, and black garlic vinaigrette and Steak Diane prepared in the classic style—flambéed tableside. The list of wines and spirits is varied and deep; the wine selection garnered the 2018 Wine Spectator Grand Award. Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes starters, entrées, desserts, and free-flowing Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne.

TIERRA SUR RESTAURANT AT HERZOG WINE CELLARS 3201 Camino del Sol Oxnard, 805-983-1560 tierrasuratherzog.com

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New American; Entrées $16–$144 (for 32-ounce rib eye for two); Buffet Brunch $65 Sunday Brunch

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 maintains a local, seasonal vibe at lunch and dinner. Marinated olives and lamb bacon are made in-house. Tapas feature Wagyu sliders and a Margherita pizza with basil-cashew cheese. 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 fried kale and roasted potatoes. Desserts include frozen custards, vanilla-spiced doughnuts, and a show-stopping Baked Alaska. Surrounded by the coppery glow of the walls and the burnished-wood wine rack that frames the kitchen pass-through, diners may forget they’re at a kosher restaurant in an Oxnard industrial park. The restaurant is closed on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath. Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is served buffet style, with carving and omelet stations and weekly specials inspired by ingredients from local farms.

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.

WATER’S EDGE RESTAURANT AND BAR 1510 Anchors Way Ventura, 805-642-1200 watersedgeventura.com American; Entrées $14–$50

This aptly named bar and grill offers well-prepared plates from both land and sea in an elegant setting with views of the harbor and boats. Start with a cocktail in the piano bar and move on to dinner for starters such as Bloody Mary shrimp cocktail and pesto-stuffed mushrooms and main dishes like seared sesame seed–crusted ahi and braised short ribs. Brunch, served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 3 p.m., offers fried calamari and crab cakes appetizers and traditional breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict, pancakes, and waffles, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and freshly caught fish. Happy hour is every day from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (except holidays) and features $8 cocktails and $5 to $10 plates and pizzas. There’s a pet-friendly patio, too.

ZIN BISTRO AMERICANA 32131 Lindero Canyon Rd., Suite 111 Westlake Village, 818-865-0095 zinwestlake.com Eclectic; Entrées $15–$42 Great View, Romantic

The fire pit on the patio and the view of the lake make this quite a romantic spot for dinner. Begin by nibbling on oysters, or a seafood cocktail, or a cheese and charcuterie plate. Main courses have influences from France and England. Farfalle pasta is tossed with roasted salmon and caviar, and at lunchtime, a British steak and ale stew over mashed potatoes. A long list of main-course salads includes tuna Niçoise with seared ahi, mixed greens, caper berries, and potatoes. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday though Friday.

Foodie

Cuisine that shines regardless of decor, service, ambience, or even views. 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.

NEW BASTA 28863 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, 818-865-2019 bastaagoura.com Italian; Entrées $16–$55, Pastas $16–$21

Located in Whizin Market Square, Basta is the real Italian deal, serving authentic scratch-made dishes, including pasta and wood-fired pizzas for lunch and dinner. Helmed by Florence-native chef Saverio Posarelli and wife Devon Wolf, the bustling eatery features a menu of tradition-rich dishes that reflect Posarelli’s Tuscan roots, such as the Tagliatelli With Wild Mushrooms and Black Truffle Sauce, as well as grilled steaks and fresh fish. Other standouts include the Wagyu Beef Burger, Grilled Spanish Octopus Salad, and Basta’s take on ramen, Tagliolini in Brodo.

BELL’S 406 Bell St. Los Alamos bellsrestaurant.com French; Entrées $18–$27

Daisy and Gregory Ryan, alums of Per Se, Thomas Keller’s Michelin-starred New York restaurant, helm this French-inspired bistro in the historic town of Los Alamos. Located in a building that served as a bank in the early 1900s and as a biker bar later, Bell’s delivers classics like steak tartare, wild Burgundy snails served with bread from Bob’s Well Bread Bakery down the street, and coq au vin. For lunch, try the French dip made with roasted rib eye. Reservations are available through the website or via email to info@bellsrestaurant.com.

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

A short stroll from Stearns Wharf and the beaches along the Santa Barbara waterfront, Bibi Ji presents an approachable and modern twist on traditional Indian cuisine. The spacious restaurant, designed with a vibrant, eclectic decor, also has a private back patio for dining while taking in the fresh ocean air. Owners Alejandro Medina and James Beard Award–winning sommelier Rajat Parr offer a menu that highlights an abundance of local seafood, traditional coconut curries, a bounty of fresh regional produce cooked in Indian spices, a Chef’s Tasting menu,

and an extensive list of natural wines. The critically acclaimed restaurant was included in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2019.”

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

Located in a refurbished 1920s-era service station with its original Douglas fir floors intact, this artisanal bakery is well worth a visit. For the best selection, arrive at 7 a.m. on Thursdays through Mondays, when the doors open and aromatic scones, bagels, kouign-amann, pain au chocolat, and other pastries come out of the ovens. Loaves of naturally leavened, burnished-crust breads follow soon after. Special daily breads include gluten-free Centennial Loaf and pain aux lardons (Saturdays and Sundays). 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. Well Bread Wines created by Doug Margerum are available by the glass or bottle.

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.

FINCH & FORK 31 W. Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, 805-879-9100 finchandforkrestaurant.com American; Entrées $22–$36 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, flatbread, 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 cioppino every Thursday. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays includes drinks starting at $5 and snacks starting at $3. Go ahead and splurge on the $8 harissa buffalo wings, served with pickled celery and crumbled Point Reyes blue cheese.

NEW FLOR DE MAIZ 29 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, 805-869-6559 flordemaizsb.com Mexican; Entrées $14–$28

Restaurateur Carlos Luna and the team behind the Los Agaves restaurants and Santa Barbara’s Santo Mezcal delivers Oaxacan cuisine to the Santa Barbara waterfront at this rustic yet refined eatery. Lunch, dinner, and happy hour seating with ocean views is available inside or outside on two patios, one of which

features a firepit. The menu is a combination of dishes that showcase traditional moles (grilled mahi-mahi with mole verde, for example) and contemporary Mexican plates. Innovative cocktails complement the food and are also perfect for sipping after dinner on the patio.

HELENA AVENUE BAKERY 131 Anacapa St., Suite C Santa Barbara, 805-880-3383 helenaavenuebakery.com Baked Goods, California-Eclectic Entrées $4–$14

The artisanal bakery and café is brought to you by the masterminds behind The Lark, Lucky Penny, and Loquita in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The address says Anacapa Street, but walk in from Helena Avenue for the quickest access to Dart Coffee drinks and croissants, scones, cookies, and other pastries made with seasonal ingredients. Open daily, the bakery serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., when don’tmiss items include Green Eggs & Ham made with spicy green harissa and grits topped with a fried egg. The lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers salads and sandwiches, plus specials like Nashville Hot Chicken served with house-made pickles. The bakery’s rustic patio is shared by its neighbor, the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, which offers curated tasting flights and wines by the glass and bottle.

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 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 $9–$45

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 a mural of floating sausages, carrots, and wine glasses. Inside, you’ll find imported cheeses, housecured meats, and locally sourced dishes by owner and executive chef Jeff Olsson. The frequently changing menu is noted on pull-down rolls of butcher paper behind the order counter. Wood-fired pizzas can be simple (rosemary with Parmesan) or adventurous (crispy pig’s ear salad with sriracha and an egg on top). Offerings from the Not Pizza section of the menu include chicken liver with guanciale, while the sandwich list offers selections like the Next Level BLT and a beef-tongue pastrami Reuben. Clipboard specials often feature a must-have oyster-uni-avocado combo. Local wine and beer options are on tap. Located two doors down, The Grand Room is available for large private parties and is the setting for monthly chef dinners. Tickets go fast. Next door to the Grand Room is the new Here to Go, offering grab-and-go items like premade and hot sandwiches, salads, cheese and charcuterie plates, and pizzas. Also find house-cured meats, kimchi, dressings, hot sauces and salsas, fresh fish, meats, and baked goods.

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.

LIDO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 2727 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach, 805-773-8900 thedolphinbay.com/lido Californian; Entrées $16–$58 Great View, Daily Brunch

Chef Richard Pfaff brings his eye for fresh and local ingredients to a menu that echoes the creativity displayed by the art glass in Lido’s dining room. Appetizers include oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette and beef carpaccio with dijon aioli. Entrées include pasta carbonara, house-made burgers, and a generous rib eye with herbed porcini 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 three-course plated option with bottomless mimosas as well as à la carte dishes.

Need a laugh? The Original Pizza Cookery (pizzacookery.com) in Thousand Oaks hosts free Hump Day Comedy shows on the first Wednesday of each month. Stop in for some giggles (pizza optional) on April 1 and May 6 from 7:30 p.m. to about 9 p.m. Produced in conjunction with Funny Girl Events, the midweek pick-me-ups showcase headliner comedians who have been featured on Comedy Central, HBO, and Conan.

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

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

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Where to Eat Now 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 solar-powered 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 Backyard on Thirteenth (thebackyardpaso.com) in Paso Robles is a new open-air beer, wine, and food venue with the feel of a German beer garden. Sip Central Coast craft beers, ciders, and local wines on tap at shared tables and join in family-friendly outdoor games. Bring Fido, too. Also on-site, walk-up-style partner restaurant Roots on Railroad (rootsonrailroad.com) offers lunch and dinner options such as Lobster Mac and Cheese, Smash Burger, and a Fried Chicken Sandwich.

NEW NOI DUE TRATTORIA 29020 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, 818-852-7090 noiduetrattoria.com Italian Entrées $28–$42; Pastas $15–$24

With a hospitality background that includes stints at Le Cirque in New York and Toscana in Brentwood, owner Antonio De Cicco joins forces with chef Daniele Gallo, who grew up with De Cicco outside Naples, Italy, to head up this warm, sophisticated yet unstuffy eatery. Enduring Italian favorites include pastas such as Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, Eggplant Parmigiana, grilled filet mignon, and branzino. Tiramisu made tableside is a special treat. The wine list offers Californian and Italian labels, some priced at $10 a glass during happy hour.

NOVO RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 726 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 805-543-3986 novorestaurant.com Global; Entrées $16–$32 Sunday Brunch

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Novo’s full-service bar and lounge area fronts the busy downtown, beckoning passersby to peek inside. Walk through the lounge to the back of the restaurant and a different Novo presents itself: a multilevel wood patio that backs up to San Luis Obispo Creek. It’s a serene setting livened by the hum of diners’ conversations and crickets. Like its sister restaurant, the nearby Luna Red, Novo offers global cuisine and local ingredients. Executive chef Michael Avila presides over a menu that includes sought-after Southeast Asian and Indian curries and fresh avocado-shrimp spring rolls. Calling out gluten-free and vegan menu items is a nice touch as is identifying teas by caffeine level. Central California and international wines and spirits accent the menu. Late night on Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ fills the lounge with music.

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 extravirgin olive oil from a grove near Alberto’s home village in Italy is so popular, patrons buy bottles of it for their own use. At the Ristorante, salads are fresh and the pastas and sauces are house-made. Standouts include gnocchi alla Riviera, which combines spinach-and-ricotta dumplings with fresh tomato sauce. With its glass shelves and glowing marble walls, the crudo bar is a jewel-box showcase for carefully executed dishes. Thinly sliced pieces of raw fish are accented with simple but excellent olio e limone (olive oil and lemon) and sometimes a bit more: Try the Atlantic Bluefin tuna belly with ginger vinaigrette and wasabi shoots for a meaningful experience. Selected appetizers, beers, cocktails, proseccos, and wines by the glass are half-price during happy hour service available Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OLIVELLA 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojaivalleyinn.com California-Italian Entrées $37–$65 (a three-course experience is $90 or $150 with wine pairings; four-course experience is $110 or $180 with wine pairings) Romantic, Great Views

This fine-dining restaurant at Ojai Valley Inn features California cuisine with an Italian twist. From chef de cuisine Andrew Foskey’s menus come beautifully plated dishes like Kabocha Squash Ravioli, Tails & Trotters Farm Tenderloin of Pork, and Wild Pacific Sea Bass. Save room for the Citrus Olive Oil Cake or Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta, just two of executive pastry chef Joel Gonzalez’s creative dessert options. Dining spaces include a private wine room as well as a veranda overlooking the first and final holes of the property’s world-class golf course. The restaurant also hosts winemaker dinners.

UPDATE PARADISE CAFÉ 702 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, 805-962-4416 paradisecafe.com New American; Entrées $15–$35 Great Patio

Founded in 1983, the longtime locals’ favorite Paradise Café is now helmed by the Acme Hospitality team, offering lunch and dinner daily. Local ingredients inform the evolving seasonal

menu, which includes the signature oak-grilled Paradise Burger. Also look for hearty salads and dishes featuring fried chicken, beef, and fresh fish. Housed in a 100-year-old building, the eatery boasts a brick and wood dining room, a shaded patio, and for a special taste of paradise, a charming separate bar with original murals.

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

This combination café, wine shop, and cheese store occupies adjoining storefronts in Ventura’s historic downtown. Both spaces feature original brick walls and delightfully creaky wood floors. While 218 E. Main St. is devoted to wine sales and cheese and charcuterie displays, 222 offers wine tasting and soups, salads, cheese plates, and pâté samplers. Panini-style sandwiches include the Italiano, packed with arugula and truffle cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. (That’s right: The meat is on the outside.) Named for chef and co-owner Kelly Briglio, Kel’s Killer Mac is made with a new over-the-top combination of ingredients each week. (Gluten-free options are available.) Typically scheduled once a month, Sunday brunch features such dishes as Kel’s crab cakes with Meyer lemon crème fraîche, and French toast made with cinnamon brioche. Join the email list for news of upcoming pop-up appearances by visiting chefs and winemakers.

PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN GRILL 100 S. Westlake Blvd. Westlake Village, 805-373-9300 paulmartinsamericangrill.com American; Entrées $13–$36 Romantic, Saturday & Sunday Brunch

The farm-to-table movement never looked as elegant as it does at this bistro-style restaurant, which also has locations in Irvine, Roseville, El Segundo, San Mateo, and Mountain View. Tortillas and infused vodkas are just two of the items made in-house to augment the menu showcasing organic produce and artisanal ingredients. The kale Caesar salad features wild white anchovies, mesquite-grilled salmon is served with a chilled salad of quinoa and bulgur wheat, and natural meats are used for burgers, steaks, chops, and “brick” chicken (flattened and cooked evenly under the weight of a brick). Weekend brunch service starts with freshly baked millet drop biscuits and honey butter before moving on to your choice of entrée. Three-course dinner specials include prime rib on Sundays and fried chicken on Tuesdays.Available daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Taste of Paul Martin’s menu offers small plates, burgers, and signature cocktails from $5 to $13.

UPDATE PICO AT THE LOS ALAMOS GENERAL STORE 458 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-1122 picolosalamos.com New American Shared Plates and Entrées; $9–$46 Live Music

The spirit of a one-stop general store lives on in the historic town of Los Alamos, the northern gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley. The outstanding chef-driven, locally sourced dinner menu from executive chef John Wayne Formica changes frequently but offers dishes like local crudo, grilled octopus, house-made pastas, smoked pork chop, and dry-aged rib-eye steak. Charcuterie and cheese platters are a mainstay. Pair the fare with a signature cocktail, beer, or wine from the well-curated list spotlighting small-scale vintners, which earned Pico “Top 100 Wine Restaurant”

recognition from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The spacious, refurbished building is also the tasting room of Lane Tanner and Will Henry’s Lumen Wines of Santa Maria. Sunday is Burger Night. Upscale but down home, Pico is keeping destination diners as well as the local cowboys coming back for more.

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.

Twisted Oak Tavern & Brewery (twistedoaktavern.pub) is poised to open a second location of its popular Agoura Hills eatery and brewery in Camarillo. Look for 21 beers on tap, a full bar, and daily happy hour with deals on drinks and bites (macaroni-and-cheese balls, anyone?). The brewpub’s lunch and dinner menus include sandwiches, salads, burgers, flatbreads, and decadent desserts, along with main dishes such as Stout-Braised Short Ribs.

S.Y. KITCHEN 1110 Faraday St. Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794 sykitchen.com Italian; Entrées $20–$38

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, salmon puttanesca, and a don’t-miss grilled globe-artichoke appetizer. With its firepits and padded lounge seating, The Courtyard is a great place to settle in for pre-dinner cocktails and glasses of local wine or to stay for the whole meal. A lunch menu of salads, pastas, and oakgrilled meats and seafood is served daily.

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 chef Libry Darusman 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 Loo Loo Farms tomatoes in the pickled stone fruit and house ricotta salad.) Wine, beer, and ciders from the region are also featured, adding to the restaurant’s farm-to-table bona fides. A new dessert bar served in the front bar and lounge area offers a

selection of treats crafted both in-house and by local purveyors. Try Darusman’s spin on s’mores.

TYGER TYGER 121 E. Yanonali St. Santa Barbara, 805-880-4227 tygertygersb.com Thai-Vietnamese Entrées $13–$17; Platters $21–$23

Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Tyger Tyger burns bright with creativity. Hundreds of illuminated pink lanterns ring the exterior of the restaurant’s shared marketplace space. Open daily at 11 a.m., the order-at-the-counter eatery offers a menu of street food–inspired dishes by chef Daniel Palaima, who’s now back in his native Santa Barbara after stints with culinary heavyweights Grant Achatz and Stephanie Izard. Dishes include pork belly bahn mi, crispy chicken wings with caramelized fish sauce, octopus salad with glass noodles and a Vietnamese fish sauce called nouc cham, and Vietnamese crepes with duck and shrimp confit. Beer and wine selections are from around the globe. Also on site is Monkeyshine, which serves frozen treats flavored with Asian spices and ingredients. Dart Coffee, a small-lot specialty roaster, opens its coffee counter at 7 a.m. daily.

Good Eats

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.

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BRAXTON’S KITCHEN 317 Carmen Drive Camarillo, 805-384-7566 braxtonskitchen.com American; Breakfast and Lunch Entrées $8–$13

This beloved order-at-the-counter breakfast-andlunch spot serves updated classic dishes with a side order of down-home friendly vibes. Hearty breakfasts include lemon-poppyseed pancakes and the Scorpion Bowl of fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, jalapeños, and a sriracha drizzle. Lunch offerings are fresh salads and sandwiches, including the vegan Somis Sammy with marinated eggplant and hummus. The dog-friendly patio is a given, as the restaurant is named after co-owner Steve Kim’s rescue pooch.

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

805-990-7524 bruceprotennis@yahoo.com Lindero Country Club 5719 Lake Lindero Dr., Agoura Hills SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

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Where to Eat Now 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 fourlayer 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.

CAFÉ BIZOU 30315 Canwood St., #14 Agoura Hills, 818-991-9560 cafebizou.com French; Entrées $17–$28

Cozy and candlelit, Café Bizou offers French comfort food in an unstuffy atmosphere. It’s known for wellcrafted classics such as traditional bouillabaisse, lobster bisque, escargots persillade, steak au poivre, double truffle pommes frites, along with plats du jour. Also look for grilled fresh fish, steaks, chops, chicken, pastas, and risotto. This is high-end food without the prices to match. A salad added to your dinner is $2 or $3, and wine buffs rejoice at the $2 per bottle corkage fee.

NEW CISKO KID LOS ALAMOS 346 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-1960 thestationlosalamos.com California Barbecue; Entrées $14–$40

Chef, caterer, and restaurateur Conrad Gonzales developed a reputation in the Santa Ynez Valley with his ValleFresh wood-fired barbecue fare and creative tacos made with handmade tortillas. He brings those and much more to The Station, a landmark 1926-era building (look for the original gas pumps in front), a western-style space that he shares with Ranchos de Ontiveros wines. Many plates are shareable and include smoked and fried chicken wings, pork belly tacos, and a barbecue combo plate. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are also offered. With an outdoor garden area, it’s also a popular spot for private events.

UPDATE FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Suite 2 Westlake Village, 805-230-9950 and 494 E Main St., Ventura, 805-628-3312 and 35 State St., Suite A Santa Barbara, 805-845-3100 and 857 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo, 805-439-2556 finneyscrafthouse.com American; Entrées $10–$16 Kid-Friendly

Get in the pink and attend the annual Rosé All Day at The Stonehaus at the Westlake Village Inn (the-stonehaus.com) on May 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sip rosés from around the world, including the 2017 Stonehaus Rosé, and nibble charcuterie and cheese plates and other small bites while enjoying live music. Check online for ticket price, which covers rosé tastings and a commemorative glass. The dress code is pink chic. 102

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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 variations in decor between locations (look for the skee-ball machine and photo booth in San Luis Obispo), the menu remains the same. Shareable appetizers include gluten-free buffalo cauliflower tossed in yuzu sauce and chickenand waffle bites that come with a tangy surprise: Tabasco-brased kale. The house burger is made with a chuck, brisket, and hanger steak patty on a brioche bun (options include gluten-free buns and plantbased Impossible Burger patties). Crispy tacos, salads, and flatbread pizzas are also available. Seating is first-come, first-served at the copper bar.

LOUISIANA SEAFOOD HOUSE BY EMC 511 Town Center Drive, Space 3015 Oxnard, 805-278-4997 emcseafood.com Cajun; Entrées $15–$22; Seafood Boil is market price The Big Easy comes to Oxnard with the brandnew menu at this stylish eatery serving lunch and dinner daily in The Collection at RiverPark. Created by NOLA-raised wife-and-husband chefs Aliza and Guy DuPlantie, old-school New Orleans dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp Creole, house-made sausages, and blackened catfish are the real deal. French bread for authentic po’boys comes from Leidenheimer Baking Company in New Orleans, and crawfish is flown in seasonally. Patio seating is available. Happy hour takes place Mondays through Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SOCIAL MONK ASIAN KITCHEN 4000 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Space C1 Westlake Village, 805-370-8290 socialmonk.com Asian; Entrées $9–$14

Spicing things up at The Promenade in Westlake Village, this new fast-casual restaurant offers madeto-order Asian dishes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Award-winning chef Mohan Ismail oversees the approachable menu that features starters, salads, sandwiches, rice and noodle bowls, classic entrées, noodles, and sides, as well as a Little Monks menu for children. Pair the bold flavors with a glass of wine or beer, or Vietnamese iced coffee, and sit in the bright, contemporary dining room or on the outdoor patio.

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.

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

Seven restaurants offer as many dining experiences at this public market-style spot in the heart of The Collection at RiverPark. House-roasted coffee, avocado toast, and gluten-free muffins help jumpstart the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls made with local berries and honey. Other order-at-the-counter options include Love Pho, Taqueria el Tapatio, and PokeCeviche, specializing in build-your-own Hawaiian poke bowls and chefcurated Latin American ceviche. Seoul Sausage Kitchen, the season-three winner of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race, offers an updated take on Korean barbecue. The craft-beer bar Bottle & Pint serves local brews and ciders on tap and by the bottle and can; wines are available by the glass. Fun artwork, inventive communal seating areas, 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 semiprivate groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through roll-up doors. Inside, bronze curtains and silver wall sconces shimmer in the mood-setting darkness. (Some areas are available by reservation.) It all adds up to a great backdrop for a menu that includes happy hour specials like $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and dinner-and-drink duos ($10 to $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.

A new breakfast and lunch option in Ventura, Immigrant Son Caffé (immigrant-son.com) offers a unique blend of American and southern Italian fare with menu items for both meals served every day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Owner Alessandro Tromba honors his family’s Italian heritage in dishes such as Maicho’s Morning Carbonara and Molise Eggs Benedict with prosciutto and pancetta. Linger over a mimosa, glass of sangria or wine, a Peroni on draught, or a coffee drink.

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 apricotcashew 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.

THE CRUISERY 501 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-770-0270 thecruisery.com American Fusion; Entrées $9–$18

This lively brewpub located in the former Santa Barbara Brewing Company space serves top-notch beers from award-winning master brewer Dave “Zambo” Szamborski as well as a satisfying sudsfriendly menu. Not your typical pub grub, offerings include banh mi flatbread, yellowtail crudo, and steak frites, along with sandwiches, tacos, salads, and appetizers like beer-battered green beans. Beer not your jam? Try a craft cocktail with house-made infusions and freshly squeezed juices. Happy hour is Sundays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with deals on cocktails, beers, and bites.

CUBANEO 418 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-250-3824 cubaneosb.com California-inspired Cuban; Entrées $10–$15

Sister restaurant to Barbareño in Santa Barbara, this order-at-the-counter spot has a fun vacay vibe and shares space with tropical-cocktail bar Shaker Mill and Modern Times Beer. Cubaneo offers lunch, dinner, and late-night eats with a reasonably priced menu of sandwiches, platos, and sides. Plates include plato mixto ($15) with choice of mojo pork loin or roast, marinated chicken breast, shrimp, or goat cheese croquetas. A standout sandwich is the Cubano ($13) with mojo pork roast, Benton’s country ham, and Jarlsberg cheese. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

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.

HITCHING POST II 406 E. Highway 246 Buellton, 805-688-0676 hitchingpost2.com Steak House; Entrées $26–$56

A fan favorite since its star turn in the 2004 movie Sideways, Hitching Post II radiates a western-style steak-house feel with down-home service and hearty portions of Santa Maria–style barbecue. In addition to oak-grilled steaks, the menu features ribs, quail, turkey, duck, and seafood. Sip from the Wine Spectator award-winning wine list that includes a selection of Hitching Post labels.

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

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

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

Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, this orderat-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-place-named 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. 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.

THE PROJECT: CORAZON COCINA & TAPROOM 214 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-869-2820 theprojectsb.com Mexican; Entrées $10–$24

Chef Ramón Velazquez of Corazon Cocina teamed up with Captain Fatty’s Brewing Company to create this easy-breezy hangout spot on the edge of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Fun-loving folks dig into fresh and creative tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, and ceviche while quaffing from a frequently changing selection of more than 20 craft beers, including Captain Fatty’s, local guest taps, and Mexican brews. A full bar features signature tequila- and mezcal-based margaritas. Catch the ocean breeze on the State Street–facing outdoor patio or the game on TVs in the bar.

RUMFISH Y VINO 34 N. Palm Street Ventura, 805-667-9288 rumfishyvinoventura.com Caribbean–Central American inspired Entrées $13–$27 Sunday Brunch

Rumfish Y Vino brings the taste and feel of the tropics to Ventura. The airy dining room and bar area and roomy outdoor patio with lush plantings and a fireplace puts diners in vacation mode. Begin by nibbling crispy Conch Fritters, Ahi Tuna Crudo, or Peruvian Ceviche. Move on to Caribbean Fish Stew, braised pork tacos on house-made corn tortillas, or vegetarian rice and beans with roasted vegetables. Sip an inventive cocktail or local beer and wine. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, and daily happy hour.

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. 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.  SPRING 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

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