805 Living Summer 2020 by 805 Living

SU M M E R 2020

A New Perspective

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SU M M E R 2020

A New Perspective

SILVERHORN

1235 COAST VILLAGE ROAD I 805.969.0442 FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA I 805.969.3167 I MONTECITO, CA 93108 W W W . S I LV E R H O R N . C O M

OUTLIER MEET INSIDER.

SANTA BARBARA

WELCOME TO THE CALIFORNIAN thehotelcalifornian.com

H A R D W O OD

F LO OR I NG

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We Stand

Against systemic racism and discrimination in all forms.

United with our Black brothers and sisters.

Up to those who turn their backs on others.

In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement.

With all those raising their voices for a desperate change.

WE STAND FOR LOVE

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 Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

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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

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Contents

Features 66

There’s no shortage of art in the time of COVID-19.

Take part in carefree summer activities that put your well-being first.

CREATIVITY UNBOUND

By Joan Tapper, Produced by Lynne Andujar

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

OUT FOR FUN By Heidi Dvorak

QUARANTINE by Pedro de la Cruz. For more works inspired by recent events, see page 66.

QUARANTINE INK AND ACRYLICS ON PAPER, PEDRO DE LA CRUZ

SUMMMER 2020 • A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Contents

SUMMMER 2020 • A NEW PERSPECTIVE

41 00

50 Departments Good Deeds 62 National Charity

92 Where to Eat Now

By Leslie Dinaberg

League and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Finds 47 Veggie Tenders

By Mark Langton Photographs by David Khorsandi and Mayra Romero Photography

By Greg Clarke

of the 805

Grow your own garden-totable ingredients with these updated takes on classic essentials. By Jennie Nunn

50 STYLE: Desert Sunset Burnt orange and purple haze speak to summer’s fashion craze. By Frances Ryan

52 TRAVEL: Stay Safe

Local hotels adopt pandemic protocols to provide worry-free vacation luxury. By Erin Rottman

Upgrades 57 Keepin’ It Cool

Create a modern outdoor oasis with these sleek patio and pool essentials.

Taste 84 FOOD: True Blue

The easygoing blueberry finds its purpose in both sweet and savory recipes. By Jaime Lewis

88 BEER:

Sweet on Sours Casa Agria brings specialty brews to the Central Coast. By Alex Ward

90 DINING OUT:

Dash and Dine Restaurants continue popular delivery and take-away programs to augment a new era of in-person dining. By Nancy Ransohoff Photographs by Gary Moss

P.S. Sketchpad 104 Summer COVID Couture

In Every Issue

18 Editor’s Note 22 Masthead 28 Behind the Scenes

Visit Us Online! 805living.com Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest keyword: 805Living Check out 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.

By Frances Ryan On the Cover A snippet of The Garden, a triptych painted by John Galan to spread joy during the pandemic. See the full work and others on page 66.

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

41: VICTORIA PEARSON; 52: NATHAN WICKSTRUM; 84: © YAROSLAV DANYLCHENKO/STOCKSY UNITED

Pulse 41 Tracking the Beat

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

LOVE WINE? JOIN THE CLUB. An esteemed Central Coast family’s wine club delivers world-class wines to your doorstep.

Jonathan Nagy enjoys time among the vines with his wife, Clarissa.

Q&A WITH JONATHAN NAGY Director of Winemaking

What is the concept for the wine club? To connect the Miller family’s history and the wines they create with the people who continually reach for them.

ince 1871, the Miller family has farmed and ranched the fertile lands of the Central Coast. Currently in its fifth generation, the family-run business continues its commitment to maintaining sustainable vineyards and producing premium-quality wines. And to the delight of oenophiles throughout the 805, the Miller Family Wine Company has recently launched a monthly wine club that represents one of the absolute best values in subscription wine services. The Miller Family Wine Club (millerfamilywineclub.com) provides members three bottles of carefully curated wine each month, with each selection perfectly paired to the season in which it arrives. At just $39.95 a month (shipping included), the club offers an exciting opportunity to sample a collection of worldclass wines at a remarkably reasonable price. Club members will also enjoy twenty percent off any additional purchases of Miller Family Wines, $10 flat-rate shipping for orders up to 12 bottles, as well as four complimentary tastings per year at the J. Wilkes tasting room in Santa Barbara. Drawing from the Miller family’s diverse portfolio of brands, the shipments deliver an eclectic array of themed varietals. July’s collection, titled “Celebrate Summer,” includes three whites well-suited to warm weather: Ballard Lane sauvignon blanc, Olelo chardonnay, and J. Wilkes pinot blanc. Future bundles will complement seasonal activities, highlight wine trends, provide pairings for regional cuisine, and much more.

What can you share about each of the Miller Family Wine brands and their respective wines? Smashberry offers unique blends of grapes sourced from the Paso Robles Highlands. The brand focuses on blending different varieties to produce wines that are fruit-forward and balanced. Ballard Lane focuses on the coastal appellations of the Central Coast to produce elegant sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, and zinfandel. Barrel Burner focuses on the enhanced oak expressions that can often

make wine complex and compelling. J. Wilkes focuses on small-lot, high-quality crafted wines from Santa Maria Valley and Paso Robles. Olelo features wines created by master sommelier Michael Jordan with an eye to his roots in Hawaii. The chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon are made in an “Island Style,” which means they pair well with fresh and light tropical and Asian cuisines. What is the vision for the wine club going forward? To continue to create exciting products under the diverse style of our brands with an eye toward evolving and growing as opportunities arise. The focus will always be family-owned vineyards that are sustainable and world-class.

To start enjoying curated selections of wine sent straight to your door for just $39.95 a month including shipping, visit millerfamilywineclub.com.

NOW OPEN FOR TASTINGS J. Wilkes tasting room is now open from12–7 pm daily. Enjoy the modern, industrial chic décor as well as wines by winemaker Jonathan Nagy. Explore our food menu or simply enjoy the pours. Offering tastings on-site, as well as to go. Reserve your spot by visiting our Yelp page. J. WILKES TASTING ROOM HOTEL CALIFORNIAN 805-318-6680 | jwilkes.com 35 State Street, Suite B | Santa Barbara

Editor’s Note

Lifting Spirits SOMETIMES, THE BEAUTY AND EXCITEMENT OF THE WORLD is on full display for all to see and enjoy. Other times, like now, it’s a different story. I’m calling this time of life the “new abnormal,” and if I think too long about how everything— the reality of where we are as a society, and the uncertainty of our future—turned upside-down in a minute, my head starts to spin. Yet, among the background of uncertainty, I remain inspired by how our local creative community has been at work during this time. Artists of all stripes continue using their platforms to lift spirits, call for action, and create beauty in places where there was none before. I find solace in seeking out those people who are determined to respond to this new abnormal with creativity, cleverness, and humor. Currently, my favorite pandemic-era tune is “The Barrel” by New Zealand performer Ardous Harding (and many thanks to local singer and songwriter Shane Alexander for turning me on to the song); and when I need a smile, I check out Laura Clery’s totally silly Quarantine Workout YouTube video (bit.ly/clearyqw) as well as any new updates from “Pluto Living” (facebook.com/plutoliving). For me, those are a couple of well-needed distractions. But I was very careful and deliberate when helping to produce Joan Tapper’s feature story “Creativity Unbound” (page 66). This is art of the moment, and because this moment we are living through is of a truly historic nature, we felt it was important to hear directly from the artists themselves. So, in addition to showcasing some engaging works (such as John Galan’s “The Garden” featured, in part, on the cover), we asked the people behind the canvas, so to speak, to provide commentary in order to lend insight and meaning to their art. Since our last printed issue of 805 Living, local businesses have had to get pretty innovative to keep delivering goods and services to customers. We’re doing our best to support them (while keeping in touch with our readers) with The Get Together, The Post, and other regularly posted digital dispatches; and I want to encourage you to keep supporting local businesses, including our advertisers, whenever possible. We’ve all been squeezed into the coronavirus corner together. I hope you keep finding the right diversions to lift your spirits. And if you come across any good stuff, let me know. Until our next issue, stay safe.

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher

GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

More than ever, home is your sanctuary M A KE I T EXCEP T ION AL

W E ’ R E OP E N !

…and doing everything possible to make your experience safe, sanitary & satisfying. Call or visit today.

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

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Wells Fargo Private Bank provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2020 Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Member FDIC. WCR-0420-00101

EDITOR IN CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Lynne Andujar

edit@805living.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bernard Scharf EXECUTIVE EDITOR

le t ’s be gi n w i t h a f i n i shi n g t ou ch

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, Jaime Lewis, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper, Alex Ward CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITOR

Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

Anthony Head

805 Living is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. 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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ESTABLISHED 2004

805 LIVING, SUMMER 2020

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

farmers’ market DIRECTORY

Arroyo Grande*

Carpinteria*

Oxnard

Solvang*

1464 East Grand Ave. slocountyfarmers.org

800 block of Linden Ave. sbfarmersmarket.org

3600 Harbor Blvd. rawinspiration.org

Copenhagen Drive and 1st St. sbfarmersmarket.org

SATURDAYS 12 P.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

Goleta*

THURSDAYS * 9 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.

Templeton

WEDNESDAYS 8:30 A.M. TO 11 A.M.

Olohan Alley in the Village slocountyfarmers.org

Atascadero WEDNESDAYS 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M.

6505 El Camino Real northcountyfarmersmarkets.com

Baywood/ Los Osos MONDAYS 2 P.M. TO 4:30 P.M.

2nd and Santa Maria streets northcountyfarmersmarkets.com

Calabasas SATURDAYS 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

23504 Calabasas Road rawinspiration.org

Camarillo* SATURDAYS 8 A.M. TO 12 P.M.

2220 Ventura Blvd. camarillofarmersmarket.com

THURSDAYS 3 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.

SUNDAYS 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

Fifth and C streets oxnardfarmersmarket.com

SUNDAYS 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 7004 Marketplace Drive sbfarmersmarket.org

Paso Robles TUESDAYS 9 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M.

Malibu

Spring and 12th streets northcountyfarmersmarkets.com

SUNDAYS 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. 23555 Civic Center Way malibufarmersmarket.net

San Luis Obispo* SATURDAYS 8 A.M. TO 10:45 A.M.

Montecito*

325 Madonna Road slocountyfarmers.org

FRIDAYS 8 A.M. TO 11:15 A.M.

1100–1200 Coast Village Road sbfarmersmarket.org

Morro Bay* THURSDAYS 2 P.M. TO 4:30 P.M.

2650 Main St. slocountyfarmers.org

Santa Barbara* SATURDAYS 8:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

119 E. Cota St. sbfarmersmarket.org

TUESDAYS 4 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. 600–700 State St. sbfarmersmarket.org

Ojai*

SUNDAYS 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. 300 E. Matilija St. ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com

Simi Valley* FRIDAYS 11 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.

2757 Tapo Canyon Road facebook.com/simivalleymarket

PRESENTED BY

WEDNESDAYS 2:30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.

SATURDAYS 9 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M. 6th and Crocker streets northcountyfarmersmarkets.com

Thousand Oaks* THURSDAYS 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

Wilbur Road and Oaks Mall Drive vccfm.org/thousand-oaks

Ventura* WEDNESDAYS 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

3301 N. Main St. vccfm.org/midtown-ventura

SATURDAYS 8:30 A.M TO 12 P.M. Santa Clara and Palm streets vccfm.org/downtown-ventura

Westlake Village SUNDAYS 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 2797 Agoura Road rawinspiration.org *A certified farmers’ market regulated by State of California law.

Behind the Scenes We asked our featured contributors if the recent quarantine motivated them to do something out of the ordinary. Here are their answers. Jaime Lewis “I’ve always been an early bird,” says contributing writer Jaime Lewis (Taste/ Food, page 84), “but for the past several months, I’ve been letting myself sleep in. It’s amazing the difference a little more shut-eye makes. I may never go back.”

“In the era of the new normal, I’ve found myself cooking elaborate meals that are far more ambitious than my usual weeknight fare,” says contributing writer Alex Ward (Taste/Beer, page 88). “It’s been a nice distraction but I’m not sure my waistband can endure it much longer.”

Nancy Ransohoff “I wish I could say that I’ve learned a new language, written a novel, planted a garden, or baked sourdough bread,” says contributing writer Nancy Ransohoff (Dining Out, page 90), “but mainly I’ve discovered the many splendors of binge-watching.”

LEWIS: JENNIFER OLSON; WARD: LAURIE GOW; RANSOHOFF: STEPHANIE BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Alex Ward

Behind the Scenes Our featured experts share their quarantine-inspired pursuits. “I’ve enjoyed getting back into surfing with my older brother.” —Daniel Goldberg

(Pulse, page 41) founder ZoomersToBoomers Santa Barbara zoomerstoboomers.com

“Consuming less and redefining what is truly essential.” —Jennifer Moray

(Pulse, page 41) founder, designer Ninakuru Ojai ninakuru.com

“COVID-19 forced us into a web-store style business model that worked out quite well.” —Eric Drew

(Taste/Beer, page 88) co-founder, head brewer Casa Agria Specialty Ales Oxnard casaagria.com

“I learned how to make YouTube tutorials to keep art alive in the community.”

DREW: THOM CUNNINGHAM

—John Galan

(Cover art and “Creativity Unbound,” page 66) owner John Galan Art Oak Park johngalan.com

The Great Escape Destinations for the perfect summer staycation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OJAI VALLEY INN

Ojai Valley Inn guests enjoy trail rides through the valley with breathtaking views of the Topatopa mountain range.

OJAI

Retreat in Relaxed Luxury Tucked within the Topatopa Mountains in the mystical Ojai Valley, the iconic AAA Five-Diamond Ojai Valley Inn continues to redefine luxury, beckoning travelers since its opening in 1923 to the tranquil setting known as “Shangri La.” Located in the chic bohemian enclave of Ojai, the resort balances the relaxed glamour of Southern California with reverence for the unspoiled natural beauty of the region for an unrivaled experience that

embodies the authentic spirit of Ojai. Sprawled across 220 lush, oak- and olive-tree-studded acres scented with wild sage and lavender, Ojai Valley Inn offers an abundance of freshly renewed settings, activities, and amenities for inspired escapes. For more information, visit www.ojaivalleyinn.com.

THE CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS Olivella: The Inn’s signature dinner restaurant features distinctly California cuisine with Italian influences and a

seasonally driven menu that fuses a commitment to valley-grown ingredients with a nod to Italian tradition. The refined dining room serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday evenings. Indigo Pool: Sweeping valley views and relaxed elegance await at the adult-only Indigo pool. Oversize cabanas and daybeds allow for blissful sunbathing and relaxation. Our thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced poolside small plates, salads, and sandwiches will tempt your taste buds. Unwind with handcrafted cocktails, refreshing sparkling beverages, and craft beers from California’s top producers. Golf: Ojai Valley Inn’s classic George Thomasdesigned course has been lauded as one of the finest courses in Southern California.

Cutting-edge programs and expansive instruction combine for an elevated playing experience on this historic and treasured course.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OJAI VALLEY INN

OJAI VALLEY INN

ÂŠ2020 Ojai Valley Inn

In these unprecedented times, an authentic California moment has never been more desirable than at Ojai Valley Inn. Come home to the warmth and comfort of family and of being together again. Life is unpredictable, and here is where you can rely on the unique quality of a place where new memories are made, connections are renewed and where life itself is restored. Reserve a NEW moment today.

844.259.6316 OjaiValleyInn.com

Images of treasured moments shared by guests on Instagram

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE

Wellness at its Best Plan a Great Escape to Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village and experience a fresh take on Los Angeles. Tucked within the Santa Monica Mountains, the 12-acre urban retreat is just moments away from the region’s most scenic hikes, rolling vineyards, Malibu beaches, and endless outdoor recreation, making it near nature and near perfect. Indulge in wood-fired fare at Coin & Candor or visit ONYX for Chef Masa Shimakawa’s sushi and other traditional Japanese-inspired dishes.

Find bliss at the hotel’s chic outdoor pool or relax in a private cabana while sipping on a refreshing seasonal cocktail. California Health & Longevity Institute, the hotel’s on-site wellness partner, makes this coastal California hotel a leader for wellness within the Four Seasons brand. Guests may choose from lifestyle retreats, fitness workshops, or interactive culinary experiences to discover lasting health.

For more information, visit www.FourSeasons.com/WestlakeVillage

THE CONCIERGE RECOMMENDS ”Westlake Village is second to none when it comes to hiking and mountain biking. The hotel is situated in close proximity to countless scenic trails perfect for all levels.

Malibu Creek State Park is a guest favorite. It offers stream-side trails through oak and sycamore woodlands and chaparralcovered slopes. For a leisurely afternoon with incredible views, I recommend a sunset hike in the Santa Monica Mountains complete with a seasonal picnic from Coin & Candor, our California Brasserie. Nothing compares to the blissful summer feeling of sipping on a crisp chardonnay while watching the sun dip into the sea.”

HANNAH YOHO —Concierge, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

SOLVANG

#SOdelightful.

#SOlvang. #SOclose. your escape. Our open-air downtown center is ready for your return. Five authentic Danish bakeries. Dozens of restaurants, cafés, and gourmet goods purveyors. Nearly 20 wine tasting rooms, wine and beer bars. Walkable streets lined with unique shopping opportunities, art galleries, and museums. Surrounding farms, vineyards, hikes, horseback rides, cycling, and golf. And at the end of the day, more than 800 hotel rooms, designed to suit all tastes and budgets. All, ready when you are. Velkommen, again.

New spots for global— via local—eats, Ramen Kotori and peasants FEAST serve internationally inspired comforts with definitive Southern California twists.

For more information, visit www.SolvangUSA.com.

So worth the splurge, The Winston’s 14 impeccably designed hotel rooms and suites pamper guests with individualized amenities, contactless check-in, and unrivaled privacy, opening this summer in the heart of Solvang. Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours provide active experiences full of fresh air.

SOLVANGUSA.COM

We know that waiting was tough, but it was worth it. We’re right where you left us, with even more to love. Nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley wine country, just 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, Solvang’s famous aebleskiver and Danish pastries are always sweet enticements, but the historic village boasts a new, exclusive boutique hotel, the debut of farm-fresh restaurants serving up California comfort food, and always-evolving world-class cultural pursuits. Solvang’s iconic Danish-heritage sights still lure, Northern European-style architecture frames your adventure, and multiple, whimsical windmills anchor

Now on view at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, a heralded collection of 21 Dutch Master Rembrandt prints in the powerful new exhibition, “Legacy of Decency: Rembrandt, Jews & Danes.”

‘50’ is fabulous: Indie bookstore The Book Loft, with its elevated, antiquarian book section and attic-space Hans Christian Andersen Museum, turns fifty this year, as does Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery.

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Pulse

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

VICTORIA PEARSON

PAWS AND PIVOT

After its closure during the COVID-19-related stay-at-home order, the Humane Society of Ventura County (hsvc.org) recently re-opened for pet adoptions. “We have room for three appointments per day,” says director of community outreach Greg Cooper. “We have stopped the intake of adoptable animals since the start of the pandemic, so our on-site population is way down,” he says. Thanks to the power of social media and photographer Victoria Pearson’s Instagram pet portraits (@victoria pearsonphotographer; see a sampling above), Cooper says, “engagement on our feeds has increased by close to double since the pandemic began. People show a great deal of interest if they can see what the dog, cat, horse, or pig looks like before coming up for a visit at our shelter.” He also credits the contributions of volunteers. “The work they produce is stellar,” he says. “We consider ourselves lucky to have access to such a great resource.” SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Pulse

CHEERS TO CONNECTING Treat friends to a drink, even if you’re not there to raise a glass with them. It’s easy via the Get Your Drink On (GYDO; gydo.me) app, which works with U.S. wineries and breweries that accept Apple Pay or Google Pay. “In the 805 area alone, we have almost 200 participating wineries and breweries, [so] friends can buy friends a drink at their favorite spot,” says Ryan Williams, cofounder of the Carpinteriabased company. The app was conceived, Williams says, to help the beverage companies increase their sales and expand their user base. “However,” he says, “as GYDO began to take shape, the focus became more on the actual experience of the GYDO user and how they felt when buying or receiving a drink.”

The rad, retro beachy spirit of the 1970s and ’80s lives on in Hammies Shorts (hammiesshorts.com). Named after Hammond’s Beach, a favorite Montecito surf spot of co-owner Grant Nestor during his formative years, the Santa Barbara-based brand is inspired by the era’s classic OP corduroy shorts, which Nestor wore long after they stopped being manufactured in the 1980s. For years, he says, he thought, “If somebody doesn’t start making these shorts again then I’m going to have to.” He and his wife Sarah Kozusko started Hammies to bring the retro style back, and their timing turned out to be right on trend, with short shorts coming back in a big way. Hammies are available at Coco Cabana in Montecito and Canyon Supply in Ojai, as well as online.

Buy a buddy a drink from afar via the Get Your Drink On app.

A nod to a popular style of the past, Hammies shorts come in mens and womens cuts. Sarah Kozusko (left), co-owner of the Santa Barbara-based brand, sports a red pair.

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TOP, LEFT: ANNABELLE SADLER; BOTTOM, LEFT: TONY; KOZUSKO: GRANT NESTOR

CATCH THE SHORT SHORTS WAVE

Pulse

MINDFUL MILLINERY Lovely, handcrafted works of art, the bespoke hats of Ojai-based Ninakuru (ninakuru.com) are also environmentally friendly. “Felt hats are ethically sourced and handshaped,” says founder and designer

To accompany its signature treats, Hook and Press Donuts offers Moon Mylk Lattes served hot (left) and cold (below: Rose Mylk Latte, Golden Mylk Latte, Matcha Latte, and Yerba Mate Latte).

The colorful Moon Mylk Lattes at Hook & Press Donuts (hookandpressdonuts. com) in downtown Santa Barbara are more than just a pretty pour. “We wanted to offer more than just coffee and doughnuts at Hook & Press, and a line of plant-based, adaptogenic [containing ingredients believed to help the body resist stress] drinks that are healthy, delicious, and colorful was the perfect answer,” says owner John Burnett. Available hot or iced (perfect for summer), the blends are made with almond, coconut, or oat milk, and their colors come straight from the allnatural ingredients. Flavors include Rose Mylk Latte with rose, almond, and subtle beet notes that go perfectly with fruity doughnuts; Yerba Mate Latte, featuring a slightly grassy taste with a hint of cacao that pairs well with chocolate doughnuts; Matcha Latte, infused with green tea and citrus flavors; and Golden Mylk Latte, a mingling of warm spices that marries well with the cinnamon crumb browned-butter doughnut.

Jennifer Moray (left). “I source beautiful materials from around the world, such as vintage grosgrain and brocade ribbons, leather, turquoise, and other finishes, ensuring each hat is one-of-a-kind.” Made of sustainable toquilla straw from Ecuadorean rainforests, the company’s authentic Panama hats are handwoven by master artisans in Ecuador before final touches are added in Ojai. “The art of weaving an authentic Panama hat is such a cherished skill and so worthy of appreciation,” Moray says, “that in 2012 the handweaving of Panama hats was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. I’m honored and humbled to be able to create sustainably made products and do my part to preserve a precious cultural tradition.”

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DOUGHNUT AND LATTES: DENISSE SALINAS

COLOR THEM LATTES

FETCHING FOOD FOR SENIORS

Stuck at home for the remainder of his junior year at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara due to the pandemic, Daniel Goldberg felt the urge to help others in some way. He texted a few friends about it, and within a matter of days, Zoomers to Boomers (zoomerstoboomers. com), a free grocery delivery service for the elderly, was born. Since early

March, the program has grown to encompass 29 cities nationally and an affiliate in India. “With the pandemic, I think there is this universal feeling of helplessness,” says Goldberg, “where everyone is just trying to stay away from people, and you feel like there’s nothing you can do. Just seeing how many people are reaching out and saying, ‘I want to do something similar [to Zoomers to Boomers],’ has been a very welcome surprise.” Jackie Kaplan, one of more than 100 local volunteers, recently finalized a partnership with The Foodbank of Santa Barbara to deliver hot meals from Chef’s Kitchen to seniors, further cementing Zoomers to Boomers community collaborations.  Santa Barbara teen Daniel Goldberg (above) started a free grocery-delivery service for senior citizens.

Luxury Living Wine Country Style

oming over the San Marcos Pass, the first glimpse of Cachuma Lake and the vast Santa Ynez Valley beyond, checkered with small farms, horse ranches, vineyards, and wide-open vistas, never loses its appeal. Six unique small towns give the Valley its character, but the wine country lifestyle, easy living, and slow pace are the real draw. Visitors come from all over the world to taste wines that rival Napa’s at more than 200 wineries, many family-owned. They relish epicurean meals at convivial restaurants with celebrated, Michelin-recognized chefs, and they enjoy hospitable lodgings, with new world-class five-star brands on the horizon. Irresistibly drawn to this paradise of laidback luxury, some return to put down roots. Among them are extraordinary people who could live anywhere in the world. Patty Murphy understands the allure of this special place. She moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1979 after an international corporate career. She sought the equestrian lifestyle as well as the open space her young family could enjoy. She fell in love with the unchanging beauty of the land and has cherished the welcoming spirit of the residents who share her conservationist views and appreciation for this remarkable area. With a penchant for hard work, Patty began a career in luxury real estate that would take her to its highest echelons. People seek her out because of her knowledge, personal connections, and passion for the Valley, and she has forged lifelong relationships with many of her clients. With the real estate market in the Valley at its hottest ever, Patty has already sold 50 million dollars of properties this year and she has seen many of her global buyers switch their homes from part-time getaways to primary residences. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty and fascinating, cosmopolitan, down-toearth people, Patty is delighted to share the Santa Ynez lifestyle she loves every day. To view Patty’s properties, visit Patty Murphy Country Estates at www.pattymurphy.com; follow her on Instagram @PattyMurphyEstates; email patty@pattymurphy.com; or call 805-680-8571. © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. 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. Patty Murphy DRE: 766586

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

Veggie Tenders GROW YOUR OWN GARDEN-TO-TABLE INGREDIENTS WITH THESE UPDATED TAKES ON CLASSIC ESSENTIALS.Â By Jennie Nunn

The Farmstand self-watering and self-fertilizing hydroponic system (starting at $348 for a 12-plant holder; seedlings $2 each); lettucegrow.com. SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds

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1. Agrarian tool basket ($40); Williams-Sonoma: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com.

2. Womanswork leather work gloves ($32); womanswork.com. 3. Eva Solo hanging birdbath ($69); Field+Fort, Summerland, fieldandfort.com. 4. Hunter Boots women’s gardener clogs ($95); Urban Outfitters: Thousand Oaks, The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Canoga Park, and Malibu; urbanoutfitters.com.

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5. “Kiera” speckled ceramic watering can ($49); Urban Outfitters: Thousand Oaks, The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Canoga Park, and Malibu; urbanoutfitters.com. 6. Barebones large walnuthandled garden scissors ($22); Heritage Goods & Supply, Carpinteria, heritagegoodsandsupply.com. 7. “Slim & Light Professional” food-safe polyurethane garden hose (from $70); WilliamsSonoma: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com.

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

8. Hearth & Hand With Magnolia plant markers ($13 for a set of five); Target: Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; target.com. 

Finds Style By Frances Ryan

Desert Sunset 1

BURNT ORANGE AND PURPLE HAZE SPEAK TO SUMMER’S FASHION CRAZE.

“Miller” bikini (halter top and bottom, $128 each); toryburch.com.

18-karat rose-gold bracelet with rare pink rutile quartz ($9,500); Silverhorn, Santa Barbara, silverhorn.com.

“Perry” needlepoint card pocket for cell phone ($98); toryburch.com.

4 “Oishe” sunglasses ($432); Oliver Peoples at Malibu Country Mart, oliverpeoples.com.

Knotted bandana pony scrunchie ($8); Free People, Malibu, freepeople.com.

5 Border-striped sarong ($58); Banana Republic: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; bananarepublic.com.

7 Armenta “Rose World” 14-karat rose gold, garnet, kyanite, and topaz beaded fringe earrings on 12-millimeter hoop with champagne diamonds ($3,215); Polacheck’s Jewelers, Calabasas, polachecks.com.

8 UO “Patchwork” bucket hat ($24); Urban Outfitters: Thousand Oaks, The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Malibu, and Canoga Park; urbanoutfitters.com.

Pendleton “Crescent Butte” oversize spa towel ($55); Len Collective, San Luis Obispo, lencollective.com. SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Mar Y Sol “Cyprus” tote ($149); Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, fourseasons.com/ westlakevillage.

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

Dr. Scholl’s x Kate Spade “Originally” sandal ($100); drschollsshoes.com. 

Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

Stay Safe

E From its retro sign (right) to its cowboy hat–covered walls and custom-built wooden beds (bottom, right), the recently renovated Cuyama Buckhorn roadside inn infuses modern comforts with rustic charm and provides COVID-19conscious adaptations.

urope may be off the itinerary this summer, but Westlake Village Inn (westlakevillageinn.com; from $200) brings a little bit of the Mediterranean to the 805 with its new Spa Relais, comprised of 14 suites (from $400), a 25,000-squarefoot spa, Starr MedSpa for anti-aging treatments, gym, and pool. “Our owner was inspired by the great spas of Europe,” says Maria Solorzano, director of sales and marketing. “He really wanted people to be transported to Tuscany or somewhere in Europe.”

Only guests staying in the spa suites can access that pool and gym. The suites, set along the golf course, have steam showers, soaking tubs,

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fireplaces, and decks. Westlake Village Inn offers curbside check-in with minimal contact. If this is the summer of the road trip, then Cuyama Buckhorn (cuyamabuckhorn. com; from $175) offers a stylin’ roadside inn at just the right time. Situated on Route 166 between Ojai and New Cuyama with easy access to Los Padres National Forest, the 21-room pet-friendly inn kept its wood and metal sign from the 1950s but installed Tesla chargers and 2020s comforts. Bright white rooms have modern geometric-print tile flooring, custom-built rustic wood beds, and Brooklinen bedding. Cowboy hats, a

tribute to the West, hang on the walls. The inn has adapted to the pandemic with new offerings like no-contact clean linens and spray sanitizer delivery for guests who prefer not to have housekeeping. The inn’s Buckhorn Restaurant, which sources ingredients from local farms, ranches, and wineries, is open for lunch with favorites like the Santa Maria tri-tip sandwich and Buckhorn burgers. Guests can order dinner—and breakfast boxes for the next morning—delivered to their room and enjoy meals on their own semi-private patio. Learn how to achieve the perfect pan sear on a piece of fish or make elevated hummus using a couple of unexpected ingredients via Tuesdays with Travis, a weekly culinary demonstration on >

An elegant, Tuscan-style treatment room (above) at Westlake Village Inn’s new Spa Relais (top, left) opens to an outdoor soaking tub.

Chef Travis Watson of Hotel Californian’s Blackbird restaurant demonstrates his expert culinary techniques weekly on Instagram.

SPA: VICTOR ELIAS; CHEF: JACQUELINE PILAR PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF HOTEL CALIFORNIAN; HOTEL: STEPHANIE RUSSO/COURTESY OF CUYAMA BUCKHORN

LOCAL HOTELS ADOPT PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS TO PROVIDE WORRY-FREE VACATION LUXURY.

Finds Travel of public relations and communications. “They come and meet their husband afterward for sushi at Onyx or to go to Coin & Candor.” Coin & Candor recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and has reopened after providing safer-at-home orders with a seasonal vegetable-focused menu that also includes the signature house-made red fife sourdough bread and woodfired Baja California red snapper with adobo.

Instagram offered by Santa Barbara’s Hotel Californian (hotelcalifornian.com; from $499). Chef Travis Watson, who apprenticed with Chef Georges Paccard of the Michelin-starred La Ciboulette in France, joined Hotel Californian last fall and leads the on-site Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Blackbird. Follow @hotelcalifornian on Instagram for notifications on when the events begin. Pismo Beach’s Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa (visit thedolphinbay.com for rates) has always been a favorite with the staycation crowd, but it’s even more popular now during the pandemic, says marketing manager Christina Stieb. The 60 rooms have full kitchens with granite countertops, travertine flooring, and everything needed for staying in. Call 48 hours ahead, and the hotel will do your grocery shopping. With smart TVs allowing guests to log in to personal Netflix accounts, two-bedroom suites in 1,600-square-feet, and the beach and tide pools a five- to seven-minute walk away, it’s a vacation with the comforts of

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home. Ask for the fourth night free promotion or 20 percent off weekdays, both available through September 3. Shaded by oak trees and lined with chaparral, Wills Canyon Trail may be the coolest of the 27 miles of trails managed by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Make base camp a five-star experience at Ojai Valley Inn (ojaivalleyinn. com; from $459), which is offering 20 percent off all room types through the Time for Ojai package, available weekdays through December 23. While there, check out the Farmhouse for a whiskey and chocolate tasting, an artisan pizza-making class, or a vegan culinary workshop. Events have been modified to ensure physical distancing. Date night, girls’ night, or, or just plain get-out-of-thehouse night can be doubly special at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village (visit fourseasons.com/ westlakevillage for rates), which has introduced hair color and cuts to its Rhythm & Hair salon, located inside the spa. “People don’t just come for their hair,” says Jacqueline Kerns, director

Belmond El Encanto has combined some of its rooms and suites with connecting doors to create six private cottages (belmond.com/ elencanto; from $1,575) ranging from one to four bedrooms that accommodate up to 10 guests. The Santa Get your sushi fix at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village’s Onyx restaurant.

Book a staycation at Ojai Valley Inn to explore Ojai Valley Land Conservancy trails through nearby scenic landscapes like the Ventura River Preserve.

Barbara resort, known for its spectacular coastline views, offers private fitness and meditation sessions as well as picnic menus to enjoy on private terraces with choices like fresh fruit and cheese, grain bowls, and local wines. End the day with an alfresco movie screening, complete with truffle popcorn. 

FROM TOP: COLTON HAYES; COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE; NATHAN WICKSTRUM

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Pismo Beach is a great stay-at-home away from home beach destination with full kitchens in every room, smart TVs for use with personal Netflix accounts, and grocery shopping provided by the hotel staff upon request.

• 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!)

Semi-Annual Sale 20%-70% Off

1881 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks 805.498.5588 AldermanBusheInteriors.com Mon–Fri 10-5 Sat–Sun by Appt.

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

Upgrades

Keepin’ It Cool CREATE A MODERN OUTDOOR OASIS WITH THESE SLEEK PATIO AND POOL ESSENTIALS. By Frances Ryan

Janus et Cie “Katachi” chaise lounge ($4,133, including standard cushion); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades 1

1. Shadowspec “SU6 Duo” cantilever umbrella (from $6,590); Pampel Design Solutions & Awnings, Santa Barbara, pampeldesignsolutions.com. 2. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet “Artisan Fire” pizza station with oven and pizza-making-essentials kit (price upon request); Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design, thousandoaksfiresideanddesign.com. 3. Bernhardt “Captiva” chair and ottoman ($2,953 and $1,293); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com. 4. Palecek “Brunswick” outdoor pendant light ($908); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com. 5. Klaussner Outdoor “Urban Retreat” daybed ($2,999, including pillows); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com. 6. Janus et Cie “Ria” stackable armchair ($800); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com.

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

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

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7. Kalalou bamboo lantern with glass ($50); Botanik, Summerland, botanikinc.com. 8. Round “Sail” side table designed by Allison Paladino for Century Furniture ($1,347); Alderman Bushé Interiors, Thousand Oaks, aldermanbushe.com. 9. Mama Green “Aiko” daybed ($16,200); Pampel Design Solutions & Awnings, Santa Barbara, pampeldesignsolutions.com. 10. Cane-line “Cube” footstool ($420); Room and Board, Los Angeles, roomandboard.com. 11. Palecek “Delano” molded composite-stone outdoor dining table ($6,238); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com. 12. Barkley Butera for Casteel “Savannah Collection” cushioned wing chair (from $2,182 each, including accent pillow); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com.

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades

Summertime Blues: Make a splash in pools, on spa walls, and in outdoor showers with these water-friendly tiles. 1

1. Seneca Tiles “SenecaStudio” 8-inch circular, glazed quarry tile in Blue Lagoon with small inserts in Coastal Blue ($38 a square foot); Tileco: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo; tilecodist.com. 2. KJ Patterson “Kasbah” 6-inch-square high-fire ceramic tile ($100 a square foot); Filmore Clark, West Hollywood, filmoreclark.com. 3. Arto “Scirocco Collection H8D” hand-silked, high-fire terra-cotta tile ($70 a square foot; available in 4-inch-square, 6-inch-square, and 8-inch-square tiles); Buena Tile and Stone, Ventura and Santa Barbara; buenatile.com. 4. Arto “Studio Collection Arabesque 8C” high-fire terra-cotta tile in turquoise ($38 a square foot); Buena Tile and Stone, Ventura and Santa Barbara; buenatile.com. 5. Arto custom hand-painted, high-fire terra-cotta tile (price upon request); Buena Tile and Stone, Ventura and Santa Barbara; buenatile.com. 6. Seneca Tiles “SenecaStudio” 2-by-9-inch hexagonal quarry tile in Coastal Blue ($24 a square foot); Tileco: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo; tilecodist.com. 7. Anthology “Splash” translucent glass tile in Sandy Seas ($23 per 12-by-13-inch sheet); Tileco: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo; tilecodist.com. 8. Cepac “Rhine Collection” 1¾-by-5¾-inch Japanese porcelain tile in Cloud ($11 a square foot); Tileco: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo; tilecodist.com. 9. Ann Sacks Idris by Ait Manos Mosaics “Guercif” zellige tile in blue ($167 a square foot); available through Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. 

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

ABRAM IMPORTS QUALITY. BEAUTY. VALUE.

Good Deeds By Mark Langton

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National Charity League Conejo Valley

To see more photos from this event, visit 805living.com.

1. Brigitte Shulze, Cindi Havert 2. Denise Coffaro, Dawn Conahan 3. Leah Merjam, Emma Rider, Lauryn Wang 4. Dave Muscatel, Quinn Muscatel, Gina Muscatel 5. Ava Maimone 6. Alisa Macarelli, Anne Marie Marasco, Cindi Gortner 7. Molly Valestrino, Abigail Valestrino 8. Glenn and Tricia Cohen 9. Maya Rosen, Anita Wilson 10. Laura Leff, Sofia Leff, Jim Leff 11. Jessica Maimone, Kristen Valladeras Photographs by David Khorsandi

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

The Conejo Valley chapter of the National Charity League (NCL, conejovalley.nationalcharityleague. org) kicked off its 50th year with its annual Day of Giving boutique and Modelette fashion show fundraisers in early March. Held at the Hyatt Regency Westlake in Westlake Village, the Modelette event featured members of the organization who are 10th and 12th grade students. This year’s proceeds from the fashion show benefit the NCL’s philanthropy fund, which traditionally gives scholarships to high school girls in the community who have a passion for community service. The NCL is an organization of women and their daughters— students in grades 7 through 12— who volunteer in their communities with the goal of strengthening the mother-daughter relationship through philanthropy, leadership activities, and cultural events. Other organizations that benefit from NCL efforts include Manna Food Bank, Senior Concerns, Cancer Grief for Children, Operation Gratitude, Many Mansions Homework Club, Paw Works pet adoptions, and Mary Health of the Sick.

The Care You Need Shouldn’t Wait

We’re Always Here For You

For over 100 years, Community Memorial Health System has been taking care of this community. Now more than ever, we want you to know it’s SAFE to rely on the care you’ve always counted on.

Emergency Care

Our emergency departments at Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Ventura and Ojai Valley Community Hospital (OVCH) are OPEN, safe and ready to care for ALL your needs.

A Procedure, Treatment or Test

Our enhanced screening and cleanliness policies help to ensure your safety at all our hospitals and outpatient facilities.

Surgery and a Safe Place to Recover

Advanced sterilization technology, reinforced safety protocols and specialized patient monitoring systems mean you can be confident in your safety at CMH and OVCH.

To Learn More About Our Enhanced Safety and Cleanliness Protocols, Visit CMHSHealth.org

805/948-5011 | cmhshealth.org

Good Deeds By Mark Langton

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (teddybearcancerfoundation.org) held its Little Heroes Breakfast in late February at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The event honored and celebrated pediatric cancer survivor Jolie Ebadi, who recovered from cancer in her teens and became an advocate for pediatric cancer awareness. The keynote speaker was famed clown and social advocate, Patch Adams, M.D., who in 1971 founded The Gesundheit Institute, a nonprofit organization that advocates for healthcare reform. Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation was founded to help the families of children who are diagnosed with cancer with the many costs that are not covered by insurance, such as unplanned and extended hospital stays and expensive medications. Programs include financial, emotional, and educational support. 10

To see more photos from this event, visit 805living.com.

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

1. Brittany Dobson, Matt Fish, Heather Ayer 2. Jolie Ebadi 3. Svetlana Ahokhina, Joe Ferreira 4. Jeff and Erika Zamora 5. Drew Ferris 6. Becca Solodon, Tessa Boyca, Kirsten Stuart, Eryn Shugart 7. Joanne Tudor 8. Lauren VanVeelen, Erin Griffin, Alexis McCaw, Lynda Dees 9. Patch Adams 10. Gisselle Madrigal, Jennie Price, Stephen Watson 11. Joanna Kemp, Jessie Sessions, Shannon Wertelet, Stephanie Morgan, Felice Peardon Photographs by Mayra Romero Photography

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Explore. Discover. Be Inspired. Take a summertime stroll in the Garden!

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Whether seeking moments of solitude on your own or a natureexperience with friends and family, the Garden is here for everyone.

Have you visited us lately?

Garden Membership: Memberships start at $75/year and always provide free entry. Become a Garden Member today! *Check our Admissions page for COVID-19 related restrictions and requirements

www.sbbg.org 1212 Mission Canyon Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 â&#x20AC;˘ 805.682.4726

Creativity Unbound There’s no shortage of art in the time of COVID-19. BY JOAN TAPPER PRODUCED BY LYNNE ANDUJAR

Yes, times are tough, but artists will be artists. We’ve been checking in on many of them on Instagram since mid-March and have been amazed at the ways they have responded to the events and constraints of the last few months, from enforced isolation due to the shutdown for the pandemic to calls for social justice. The styles, media, and content of what they have created are as varied as the artists themselves. What’s constant is their ability to express their emotions in a way that touches and inspires us.

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Pedro de la Cruz, Santa Barbara

By row from top, left: Quarantine, Food for Families, Lockdown, Nature Heals, Songs From Balcony, Children Can’t Play, Reading a Lot, and Lady Liberty Asking for Help; all ink and acrylics on paper pedrodelacruz-artist.com; Instagram: @pedrodelacruzartstudio “To me, red in this series is the color of crisis and is emblematic for the times we are living. The black ink, these are like hieroglyphs on the wall documenting our society. However, the white of the paper sheds light of faith and love. We shouldn’t lose faith despite our current situation. We can still look toward the future. Also, when I draw this series, I’m trying to find the historical lesson; there has to be a lesson to be learned from this situation.” SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

John Galan, Oak Park

The Garden triptych, acrylic on wood, commissioned by Art Trek, Inc., a nonprofit art center in Newbury Park johngalan.com; Instagram: @johngalanart “I’ve spent my last semester working hard during clinical practice to implement my teaching practices I’ve learned. So much so that I barely had time to [create] art myself. School is over, and I feel confident about teaching. I’m finally painting my emotions away. “When you plant seeds, be patient, they will unveil themselves to the world when they’re ready. Welcome to the garden of my mind. Let it spread joy in our hearts and bring hope to all who’ve endured this pandemic.”

SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Audra Lucas, Ventura

Don’t Tell Me What To Do, acrylic and collage on canvas, from the Ventura Artists’ Union exhibit Cells—Art in Isolation ventura-artists-union.org/cells; Instagram: @audsfreedom “Inspiration for this piece came from listening to the news at my kitchen table while talking to my teenage daughter. Oftentimes we ignore the truths that are hidden in reality and follow the path we are told to. This is my frustration with the mass media and the system of conformity. Don’t Tell Me What To Do is about confronting the lies and propaganda and making wise decisions while standing tall. The rest is easily seen in the art piece.”

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Madison Mok, Camarillo

Something Missing, oil, acrylic, and watercolor, from the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks exhibit Life Interrupted, A Digital Art Capsule of Our Time Through the Lens of Generation Z cmato.org/life-interrupted “This piece is symbolic for what is missing in my life, or what quarantine took away from me. There is a hole in my head because of school closure, and learning through a screen is just not the same as being in class and being immersed in learning. “There is a hole in my right shoulder because softball is canceled for school and for my travel team that was supposed to play over the summer. Softball during senior year was supposed to be an exciting year, but now it is missing from my life. “There is a hole in my heart because of the feelings of emptiness I have had for the past few months. With no social interaction and not talking to anyone for days, I feel like my chest physically hurts from isolation, like there is an actual hole in my chest.”

Elijah Green, Newbury Park

Shut In, digital photography and Photoshop, from the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks exhibit Life Interrupted, A Digital Art Capsule of Our Time Through the Lens of Generation Z cmato.org/life-interrupted “I created Shut In to show people’s desire to leave their homes while forced to remain at home. The proportion of the black background to the white shows how we view our own houses compared to the outside world where people want to go. Man is represented on the left and COVID-19 on the right. COVID-19 is shown spread out, and the harsher edges pointing toward the man demonstrate what is keeping him away from his desired place.”

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Evan Mendel, Ventura

Portrait Study, Sharpie on USPS shipping label evanmendel.com; Instagram: @awonderfulmistake “I’ve been making these little drawings on USPS labels lately. They are more or less studies and a bit of a warm-up to get the creative juices flowing. I came across this image of a man screaming. It was early in the morning before I had my coffee, and I felt a connection to him. So I figured that would be a good drawing to start my day with.”

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Arna Bajraktarevic, Santa Barbara

From the series Contemplating Corona, 35mm camera studioarna.com; Instagram: @arna___ “This surreal global experience has given me time to contemplate, to heal, to ask questions, to feel, to wonder, to mourn, to hope. A few weeks ago, after a kind of stagnant resistance and discomfort, I wanted to participate in a project that would ask others similar questions I’ve pondered. And in asking these questions and driving from address to address, I would be reminded about how truly interconnected we all are. “These images are from my long weekend, April 11 to 13, 2020, capturing people at home with a few spontaneous images that presented themselves while [I was] driving. I’m still uncertain how the final part of this project will manifest with everyone’s responses to my prompts, but at this time I felt an urgency to share what we created together a few weeks ago.” SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Daren Thomas Magee, Ojai

Intentional (top) and Grace (bottom), both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop realfunwow.com; Instagram: @realfunwow “My voice isn’t the important one right now. I’ll admit I’m just beginning this work. This is where I’m starting: reading Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, reading How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, donating to Black Lives Matter and The Loveland Foundation, and staying in dialogue with my partner. Let those with the lived experiences be the ones you listen to and share. “Thanks to Kaley Kocinski for allowing me to take inspiration from her work with Hanno Riak [to create Grace]. This past week has been a learning experience. Taking focus off of [Instagram] is something I haven’t ever done in the eight-plus years I’ve been posting. I am recognizing how much awareness is tainted, distorted, and numbed when my head is buried so deep here. Thank you to all who are continuing to make their voices heard and not relenting from the task at hand. Your resilience is ever inspiring.”

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Kelly “Risk” Graval, Thousand Oaks

Keep On Keepin On, acrylic, spray paint, crushed abalone on hand-painted, hand-cut strips of printing paper, with hand-distressed edges riskrock.com; Instagram: @riskrock “During the COVID-19 lockdown we did an extensive cleanup and inventory of all the work in my studio. I found several mats I had done several years ago. The mats were made of hand-painted hand-woven strips of printing paper. COVID-19 gave me some time to look at past work and reimagine it. I took the hand-woven material and did a series of paintings that had a hopeful outlook but also referred back to my roots as an artist. “ ‘Keep on keeping on’ is a saying synonymous with the California car and lowbrow art scene. I have used that saying in the past in my art. I also saw it as an appropriate sentiment for COVID-19. I added my signature monarch butterflies as a symbol of rebirth and hope.”  SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

TAKE PART IN CAREFREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES THAT PUT YOUR WELL-BEING FIRST.

Summer should be a time for communing with nature, catching a concert or a movie, playing a round of golf, or trying a new sportâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;yet health restrictions remain in place. We found nine fabulous ways to venture out for fun experiences at places that have adopted practices to protect against COVID-19. But keep in mind that local mandates can change quickly, so make sure to contact these spots to see if requirements have been updated and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for safety. 76

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Lessons at Santa Barbara Trapeze Company offer the same soar-to-new-heights thrill that they did pre-COVID-19, but new safety measures protect against the coronavirus.

GRACIE WHITE

BY HEIDI DVORAK

Fly through the air with the greatest of ease at Santa Barbara Trapeze Co. (flytrapezesantabarbara.com), where

concern for safety—from both coronavirus and physical injury— is paramount. Located in an open-air setting at Earl Warren Showgrounds, classes are limited to 10 participants or fewer. During ground instruction, students are situated a safe distance from one another under pergolas, and only one flyer mounts the trapeze platform at a time. Instructors are outfitted with face masks and gloves, although students must be bare-handed and chalked for a secure grip (sanitizer is plentiful). A student is only in contact with an instructor while on the platform and after a net landing. “Anyone who can hang on a monkey bar can do the flying trapeze,” says co-director and coach Randy Kohn. Classes and workshops for kids and adults begin on July 4.

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Become immersed in local Native American culture courtesy of Margarita Adventures (margaritaadventures.com). The company’s brand-new Native American Lifeways hiking tour takes place at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch and accommodates groups of 10 or less. The one-mile trek is narrated by a local naturalist, who speaks about the property’s native plant species, the sustainable cattle operation, and artifacts recreated to exemplify Native American culture—specifically moonstone and sunstone carvings that illustrate the history of time as far back as the BC era.

When the coronavirus hit, Vincenzo Giammanco, the owner of festival event company CBF Productions, was in a quandary about how to bring people a safe yet exciting experience. The answer turned out to be Concerts in Your Car (concertsinyourcar.com), California’s first socialdistancing concert series. The newly built pop-up at Ventura County Fairgrounds accommodates 500 cars, so patrons can enjoy a live concert while ensconced in their own vehicle. Shows take place on a raised stage and are also projected on five large video screens; audio comes through each car’s FM radio. Check the schedule for theater performances from Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre Company, too. Take in a drive-in concert at Ventura County Fairgrounds.

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TOP: COURTESY OF MARGARITA ADVENTURES

Margarita Adventures adds to its zip-line offerings with a Native American Lifeways hiking tour for groups of up to 10 in Santa Margarita.

A few months before social distancing became a thing, Hunter Ranch Golf Course (hunterranchgolf.com) in Paso Robles purchased scooters so players would have a novel way to traverse the course. Now that maintaining a safe distance is a necessity, the one-person vehicles have turned out to be more valuable than anyone could have predicted. Riding one is fairly easy—the scooters operate like motorized bikes—but there is a bit of a learning curve since riders have to slow down for bumps on the fairways.

Stay in touch with Mother Nature at home and in Santa Barbara.

FROM TOP: ISTOCK.COM/SBAYRAM; COURTESY OF HUNTER RANCH GOLF COURSE; © CARA DOLAN/STOCKSY UNITED; © SEAN LOCKE/STOCKSY UNITED

As early as March 25, the staff at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (sbnature.org) anticipated the

Cart your clubs on a scooter in Paso Robles.

need to keep nature lovers engaged in learning despite the health restrictions. The happy result was SB Nature From Home, a virtual museum that enables everyone with a computer to expand their knowledge about the natural world from a digital platform. Activities are structured for outdoors (how to dig up backyard bugs, how to observe critters like a scientist, birding), for indoors (animal charades, downloadable coloring sheets, vocabulary tutorials), and for online interaction (nature webcams, teacher-friendly guides). Now that the museum’s doors are open, the program remains as a valuable learning tool. For further involvement with natural wonders, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (sbbg.org) offers virtual talks, garden tours, meetings of the garden book club, and classes, such as “Enjoy a Meditative Moment in the Garden,” throughout the summer.

Everything that’s old is new again, and the

Sunset Drive-In (facebook.com/sunsetdrivein) in San

Luis Obispo drives home that point. Since patronizing indoor movie theaters is currently verboten, this outdoor cinema, built in 1950, is a safe alternative. The theater still accommodates carloads of families, date-night make-out mavens, and anyone wanting to see a late-run movie. Wear pajamas, pack a pillow, blanket, and goodies, and relax in your own vehicle. Rather than two cars parked between designated parking poles, for distancing reasons, now only one car is allowed. The restrooms have a three-person limit. Check out the retro snack bar.

Catch a movie from the car in San Luis Obispo.

Throwing axes onto a wooden target is a great way to relieve stress, according to Theresa Niehoff, owner of Simi Valley’s Lazertag Axtreme (lazertagaxtreme.com), which sees so much demand for its newly featured sport that it started a Tuesday throwers night. “The sound of the axe hitting the target is oddly satisfying,” says Niehoff, “and unlike some sports, you do not need a lot of strength to be successful.” Coaches start with a safety briefing and rules summary then teach throwers the best technique (it’s all in the feet) for hitting the bullseye at the end of the throwing lane. For a more informal, outdoor axe experience, head to Dark Star Cellars (darkstarcellars.com) near Paso Robles, where in addition to showing off his wines, owner Mike Emling lets visitors bury the hatchet at the winery’s axe-throwing pitch. Hit the bull’s eye in Simi Valley and Paso Robles. SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Wineries are now all about safe distancing in fresh air with spectacular scenery. In Paso Robles, two notable wine makers are taking it outside. Niner Wine Estates (ninerwine.com) incorporates safe practices with outdoor wine and food service on its grounds. Parties are seated at their own tables outfitted with umbrellas, and flights are served on tables preset with poured wine. A new menu showcases on-site-sourced ingredients for a gourmet picnic experience. Opolo Vineyards (opolo.com) now offers Pairings on the Patio by appointment. Menu items include three types of pizza and a Balkan-inspired platter, and each comes with a glass of wine. In the Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (presquilewine.com) introduces an outdoor Food + Wine Experience featuring a flight of six current-release wines and a Mediterranean picnic composed of estate-grown ingredients prepared by chef Julie Simon. In Gaviota, Folded Hills (foldedhills.com) provides socially distanced al fresco tastings of its Rhône varietals by appointment daily, and for guests who prefer exclusive options, private tasting experiences can be arranged in choice settings on the 600-acre working ranch, all with service provided by a private wine steward. On weekends, the farmstead barn opens, offering organic produce from the adjacent fields, organic house-made baked goods, and other locally sourced products. Kids can feed the animals, including Cornelius and Sebastion, the farmstead’s “greeter” goats.

Sip and savor safely al fresco at 805-area wineries, including (clockwise from above) Presqu’ile, Folded Hills, Opolo Vineyards, and Niner Wine Estates.

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TOP: ERIN FEINBLATT; OPPOSITE, TOP: JACK CARLISLE

Stretch those legs safely at the Pismo Preserve (lcslo.org/pismopreserve), 880 acres of protected open space that provides fresh-air opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. To responsibly enjoy breathtaking ocean and mountain views, changes have been implemented to take visitors through 11 miles of woodland trails. Rubbing elbows with fellow hikers and mountain bikers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be an issue, since the open trails are now one-way (narrow trails are currently closed). For those heading out on horseback, only three equestrian trailer spots are available, so go online early to reserve one. To keep numbers in a safe range, preserve hours are limited to weekdays from 4 p.m. until dusk. Precautions are also in place at restrooms: They are cleaned once daily, only two adults are permitted inside at a time, and the outside door is always kept open. ď&#x201A;ˇ Erin Rottman contributed the item on axe throwing to this article.

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Explore 11 miles of trails at a new preserve opened this year in Pismo Beach.

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Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

True Blue

THE EASYGOING BLUEBERRY FINDS ITS PURPOSE IN BOTH SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES.

By Jaime Lewis

hough blueberries are native to North America and have grown wild here for centuries, it wasn’t until just over 100 years ago that they became domesticated (and delicious). In 1911 the daughter of a New Jersey cranberry farmer teamed up with a USDA botanist to breed the best qualities of wild blueberries and began marketing them as a commercial crop five years later. The result was a dark, sweet, and earthy little berry, delectable on its own or suspended in any number of baked goods, from muffins and pies to pancakes. Today, it’s hard to believe that domesticated blueberries are barely a century old, especially in July, when they hang heavy on bushes across the Central Coast. Five miles south of Buellton on Highway 101, Santa Barbara Blueberries (santabarbarablueberries. com) sees thousands and thousands of people every summer wander its rows of blueberries to pick their own. “It was just a hobby for my dad,” says Shay Seaman, whose father, Rolland Jacks, first conceived the idea to plant blueberries on the family’s ranch. After purchasing the 955-acre property in 2002, Jacks had the soils tested and found that they were perfect for the sweet little fruit. Then he planted a whopping 30,000 plants (eclipsing “just a hobby”), and Santa Barbara Blueberries was born. Like so much produce, blueberries are at their most fragrant and sweet straight from the plant. And while store-bought will work in a pinch, nothing compares to the flavor of ripe, farm-fresh fruit. So get picking, and add a blue note to salads, cocktails, and sandwich wraps to discover a whole new way with this iconic summer fruit.

BLUEBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD When it comes to blueberries, “I like the smaller berries, which have a more intense floral note,” says Pascale Beale (pascaleskitchen.com), a cookbook author, cooking instructor, and purveyor of kitchen goods out of Santa Barbara. “They are versatile and can be used as accents in everything from salads to garnishes for grilled poultry, or more commonly showcased in desserts.” As the author of Salade and Salade II: More Recipes From The Market Table, Beale has a knack for composing harmonious salads. In this recipe, she uses blueberries as a base for the vinaigrette and in the salad itself, tucked amid the greens. Topped with

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warm goat cheese rounds covered in a sweet pecan crumb, this lunchtime or first course dish is decadent enough to serve as a fruit and cheese dessert. Serves 8 VINAIGRETTE 4 tablespoons fruity vinegar, such as white or aged balsamic ¼ cup fresh blueberries 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup olive oil PECAN CRUMB 1 cup pecans ¼ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon salt 1 8-ounce log excellent quality goat cheese SALAD 16 ounces mixed salad greens, cleaned and dried 1 pint fresh blueberries To make vinaigrette: Place the vinegar, blueberries, mustard, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. With motor running, slowly pour in olive oil. Refrigerate vinaigrette until ready to dress salad. (Can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours prior to serving.) To make pecan crumb: Grease a sheet pan and set aside. Place pecans, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large sauté pan >

Â© YAROSLAV DANYLCHENKO/STOCKSY UNITED

Taste Food

Blueberry Basil Frosé

Pour wine into ice cube trays; freeze for 6 to 8 hours until almost frozen solid (it will not freeze completely because of alcohol content). In a blender, pulse together wine ice cubes, 2 cups frozen blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons basil leaves until smooth. Divide among 4 glasses. Garnish with remaining blueberries and basil leaves.

BLUEBERRY BALSAMIC CHICKEN WRAP Blueberries lend their earthy sweetness to this easy-to-assemble chicken wrap. Spiked with tangy balsamic vinaigrette, feta cheese, and basil, it takes just 10 minutes to prepare and makes a healthy lunch or snack. Crumbled goat cheese can be substituted for the feta cheese. To change it up: Add some peppery arugula to the mix. Makes 4 wraps 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette 4 7-inch whole-wheat tortillas 1 cup fresh blueberries ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil Toss chicken with balsamic vinaigrette. Spoon a quarter of the mixture down the center of each tortilla, leaving a small border on both ends. Top with blueberries, feta, and basil. Fold the bottom of each tortilla up over filling, then fold in sides and roll up tightly, burrito-style. Serve.

SLOW COOKER BLUEBERRY PLUM COBBLER Cinnamon and plums add subtle warmth to the blueberry filling in this biscuit–topped dessert. Accompany each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The following recipes are from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

BLUEBERRY BASIL FROSÉ Blueberries and basil marry in locally made rosé for a fresh wine cocktail that’s perfect for a late summer afternoon. To make a nonalcoholic version, use lemon sparkling water in place of the rosé. Makes 4 cocktails 1 bottle (25 ounces) rosé wine, such as Palmina’s 2018 Rosato from Los Olivos 2⅓ cups frozen blueberries, divided ⅓ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, divided

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Blueberry Balsamic Chicken Wrap

Serves 6 FILLING 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed 3 cups sliced plums ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 2 teaspoons orange zest 2 tablespoons orange juice ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg BISCUIT TOPPING 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into cubes 1 egg ¼ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract To make filling: Grease bowl of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter; set aside. In a large bowl, toss together blueberries, plums, brown sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Scrape mixture into slow cooker. To make biscuit topping: In another large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or work it in with your fingertips. In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, and vanilla until blended; stir into flour mixture just until dough starts to come together. Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough onto filling. Cover and cook on high setting for 3 to 4 hours or until filling is bubbly and biscuits are cooked through. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. 

Slow Cooker Blueberry Plum Cobbler

COURTESY OF U.S. HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY COUNCIL

over medium heat. Keep moving the pan until the sugar melts and the ingredients are melded together. Watch the mixture closely, it can burn very quickly. Pour on a greased sheet pan to cool. When cool, place pecan mixture in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a pie pan. Cut goat cheese log into eight 1-ounce slices. Dredge slices in pecan mixture. In a medium sauté pan warm pecan-coated goat cheese slices for 30 to 35 seconds each side. Take care not to overheat or the cheese will become runny. To assemble salad: Place equal portions of greens on 8 salad plates. Top each with one slice of warmed, pecan-coated goat cheese and sprinkle with fresh blueberries. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Taste Beer By Alex Ward

Sweet on Sours CASA AGRIA BRINGS SPECIALTY BREWS TO THE CENTRAL COAST.

he plan was for Eric Drew and Michael Weyandt to keep their day jobs. While working together at an architectural firm in the late 2000s, the two Ventura County natives began collaborating on home brews in Weyandt’s garage as a weekend hobby. With their shared passion for sours, the funky beer style characterized by high acidity and bracing tartness, it was only natural that they would try producing one of their own. “Sours were hard to find,” Drew says, “and when you could find them, they were really expensive. We wanted to make our own sour beer so that we could have it whenever we wanted.”

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Used bourbon barrels (top) are among the elements that bring unique nuances to the craft beers turned out at Casa Agria Specialty Ales boutique brewery and tasting room in Oxnard. Head brewer Eric Drew (above) takes a sample.

One of the more successful results from these early efforts was a Flanders Brown that earned the fledgling enterprise accolades at home-brewing events and a trip to the National Homebrew Competition finals. Soon after, Drew was sharing his barrel-aged sours with local like-minded enthusiasts. “That’s when I saw that people were enjoying my beer as much as any commercial sour that was being brought,” Drew says. “So that gave me the confidence to start looking into the possibility of starting a business.” Casa Agria (casaagria.com), which translates to “sour house” in Spanish, launched as a private bottle membership club in 2015, providing locals with the opportunity to pick up an order of Drew and Weyandt’s small-batch brews. But when the club turned public, opening enrollment to consumers of sours around the country, the scale of the operation changed in an instant. “Mike

THOM CUNNINGHAM/INSTAGRAM: @THOM_CUNNINGHAM

Fruits, like fresh strawberries from local farms, lend their flavors to the fermentation process.

and I were in our staff meeting at the architecture firm,” Drew recalls, “and we were getting a notification whenever somebody signed up. Our phones were buzzing, buzzing, buzzing.” Drew and Weyandt, along with partner Ryan Exline, are now full-time operators of a sprawling brewing facility and tasting room in Oxnard, featuring an eclectic range of specialty beers. Opening in Ventura County has afforded the brewers the opportunity to source ingredients from the area’s abundant agricultural resources. “Our intention was to make use of having lots of farms really close by,” Drew says. “We have relationships with the owner of the strawberry fields behind us, and we’ve gotten raspberries locally and stone fruit from the Moorpark/Somis area. It’s a trick combining acidic beer with fruit that could also potentially be acidic and keeping that in balance.” Even trickier is convincing uninitiated customers to give sours a shot and to overcome the beer style’s potentially steep initial learning curve. “I always tell people: [Take] three sips. Let your palate adjust to the sourness level,” Drew says. “Then you can really start tasting the flavors.” Casa Agria’s sours derive their distinctive taste from a fermenting process that combines brewer’s yeast and wild yeast with acid-producing bacteria. Barrel aging adds additional character and complexity to brews like the Saison de la Casa, a delicious blend of young and mature saisons that’s dry and crisp with honeyed notes of citrus and lemongrass. For those whose taste buds lean toward the more traditional, Casa Agria offers a rotating roster of IPAs, pilsners, and stouts. The Caleón, an American Adjunct lager, brewed with rice, corn, and wheat, is packaged in oversize 19.2-ounce “stovepipe” cans. “We’re a little niche-ier than most but we’re starting to broaden,” Drew says. “We started off very niche, and in some aspects I kind of liked

it because I really like those types of beers. But there’s something to be said about brewing a beer for every person.” Casa Agria’s inventory consists almost exclusively of limited-run batches, with popular brands routinely selling out in a matter of weeks. Never content to settle, Drew is in constant pursuit of fresh flavors and new brewing challenges. “Coming from a home-brew background, I’m not brand focused, I’m more experimentation focused,” he says. “I’m more like, oh, I found this really good batch of apricots from this farmer, I need to do something cool with these, what do I have?” While the tasting room has been closed due to the county’s pandemic restrictions, Casa Agria plans to reopen a new and improved version this summer. In the meantime, the company’s beers can be purchased for pickup at their facility or ordered online for delivery. 

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Taste Dining Out By Nancy Ransohoff Photographs by Gary Moss

Dash and Dine

RESTAURANTS CONTINUE POPULAR DELIVERY AND TAKE-AWAY PROGRAMS TO AUGMENT A NEW ERA OF IN-PERSON DINING.

ver the past few months, as bars and restaurants were closed to dine-in service to slow the spread of the coronavirus, many establishments pivoted to creative, working models that kept their customers well fed. Now that dining rooms have opened, some of the programs they developed, such as online grocery ordering for pickup and delivery, have been such a hit that they’re slated to continue.

simplifies grocery shopping with its Grabbagrocery program, which reflects the fast-casual restaurant’s focus on fresh, natural whole foods. “During quarantine, when people were eating at home, we wanted to provide another healthy and convenient option apart from grocery stores,” says owner Dustin Wilson. “We’ll continue it because it’s been so popular.” Groceries available include produce boxes, organic when possible and sourced from Ventura County farms.

Nicola Allegretta, chef and owner of Peruvian restaurant Mistura (misturarestaurants.com) and Italian eatery Mama’s Meatball (mamasmeatball.com), both located in the Creamery Marketplace in San Luis Obispo, converted the unused Mama’s Meatball dining area into a walk-in market offering grocery items for pickup (or discounted delivery through FoodJets Slo). Shoppers may continue to order market items, including pantry staples, organic produce, local products, Italian and Peruvian specialties, cheeses, and fresh meats and fish online, from either of the restaurant websites or by phone (805-544-0861). Also available are packaged meals and house-made soups, pasta sauces, empanadas, and desserts. Families love the make-it-yourself pizza kits ($10), which include dough for two pizzas, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, basil, and pepperoni. In another pandemic pivot, Allegretta’s custom in-house distillery, which was intended for pisco production, was adapted to make all-natural hand sanitizer that is sold in the market as well. Now that Allegretta’s restaurants have reopened, guests can check items off their shopping lists from printed market menus while they dine, and servers will gather and package the selected items to go. Nonna (nonna.restaurant) in Westlake Village offers a one-stop shop for Italian specialties, including hardto-find pastas like spaghetti alla chitarra and delicacies like squid-ink gnocchi. Shoppers also find dairy items, produce, dry goods, wine, and a basic essentials package that includes a choice of chicken, salmon, or beef, along with eggs, milk, ciabatta, butter, rice, onions, potatoes, carrots, and toilet paper. Groceries must be ordered online by 5 p.m. and are available for pickup or delivery the next business day, Tuesday through Friday. Grabbagreen (grabbagreen.com) in Thousand Oaks

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Grocery basics as well as Italian specialties are available for order and pickup or delivery from Nonna in Westlake Village.

Meats by the pound, sauces, almond milk, and eggs are also sold. The Grabbagrocery service is available by messaging through Instagram (@grabbagreento) or Facebook (Grabbagreen Food + Juice), texting Wilson directly (805-798-0219), or phoning Grabbagreen’s 593 N. Moorpark Road location (805-917-6776), where grocery orders are fulfilled. Free delivery by Grabbagreen staff

BOTTOM: COURTESY OF FULL OF LIFE FLATBREAD

Stock Up

Choose ice cream flavors, sauces, and toppings for Little Calf Creamery custom dessert kits, available for curbside pickup in Thousand Oaks. The Morro Bay Oyster Kit from Full of Life Flatbread (below, right) is among the offerings from local restaurants that are available for delivery to coastal points south via Los Alamos Delivers.

is provided six days a week, after 2 p.m. (Grabbagreen restaurant food is delivered by a third-party service.) Bettina (bettinapizzeria.com), located in the Montecito Country Mart, has made a name for itself with its craveworthy pizzas. It has also introduced a Provisions section on the website’s takeout menu. Shoppers can fill their virtual carts with hard-to-find specialty items including Brujula Spanish sardines and Italian fusilloni pasta along with some of the restaurant’s fan-favorite sourdough bread, house-made ranch dressing, harissa tomato sauce, and even a negroni cocktail. “When COVID-19 first started, everyone was struggling to procure basic items like bread and pasta,” says co-owner Rachel Greenspan, “so we ramped up our bread production and brought in retail items we knew we could use in the restaurant. Since the experience of going to grocery stores was also extremely stressful in the beginning, we hoped that giving our patrons the chance to just add on some items to their take-out orders would help make life easier.” Groceries are available for pickup and delivery through Restaurant Connection, a delivery business serving Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Montecito.

projects (hello, sourdough) and revisit old favorites, but sometimes even the most committed home cook needs a break. One program that has come to the rescue is Los Alamos Delivers (losalamosdelivers.com), which brings food from beloved restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley’s tiny foodie town to pickup locations in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, and Los Angeles (some restaurants are not participating in Los Angeles delivery). The service delivers select menu items and family meal packages from Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, Full of Life Flatbread, Plenty on Bell, and Pico in Los Alamos and from Hitching Post II in Buellton as well as wines and beers. There is still quite a bit of demand, and people continue to order and express their appreciation for the service,” says Thomas Oretsky, cofounder of Los Alamos Delivers. “As long as people keep ordering, we will keep delivering to show our appreciation to them for supporting small local businesses.” For a sweet treat, it doesn’t get much better than the custom dessert kits from Little Calf Creamery (littlecalfcreamery.com), available for curbside pickup at the café (652 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks) and scoop shop (3980 Thousand Oaks Blvd., #2, Westlake Village). Customers choose three pints of ice cream, three sauces, and three toppings. Special ice cream flavors for July are Stars & Stripes (a swirl of strawberry, vanilla, and blueberry ice creams), Gimme S’more, and Peach Sorbet. The kit comes with six house-made waffle cones. Another option is the whole mud pie, made with coffee ice cream on an Oreo cookie crust with fudge and whipped cream—perfect for a summer celebration. 

Pick Up

While spending more time at home, some of us have been inspired to explore new recipes and culinary SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Afternoon tea (reservations highly recommended) is served Monday through Saturday. In-the-know locals and hotel guests take in the sunset, cocktail in hand, on the terrace.

CA’ DARIO 37 E. Victoria St. Santa Barbara and 38 W. Victoria St. Santa Barbara and 1187 Coast Village Road Montecito and 250 Storke Road, Unit B Goleta 805-884-9419 cadariorestaurants.com Italian; Entrées $11–$30

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. ANGEL OAK 8301 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, 805-968-0100 ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/ santa-barbara/dining/angel-oak Steaks & Seafood; Entrées $31 to Market Price

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

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

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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 table-side service of spaghetti with caciocavallo cheese and Tellicherry pepper. At the adjacent Ty Lounge, an extensive menu of Spanish tapas echoes the Hacienda-style 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.

The flagship of Dario Furlati’s growing restaurant empire sits at the corner of Victoria and Anacapa streets somewhat off the Santa Barbara tourist path but decidedly worth the walk. House-made pastas here come with Bolognese or tomatoes, olives, and capers or smoked salmon, peas, tomatoes, and cream. Terra-cotta-baked chicken, roasted quails with porcini ragout sauce, and fish-of-the-day specials are also available. For faster fare, check out Ca’ Dario Pizzeria Veloce, found inside the Santa Barbara Public Market. People of Goleta, take note: Ca’ Dario Cucina Italiana serves lunch and dinner in a Storke Plaza space decorated with dark woods and white tablecloths. A recently opened Montecito location also serves lunch and dinner.

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 demi-glace. 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.

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.

COVID-19 restrictions affecting dining options are subject to change, but local restaurants need your support whenever possible.

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

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

FIRST & OAK 409 First St. Solvang, 805-688-1703 firstandoak.com Modern European; Tasting Menus $59–$89

This charming eatery at the Mirabelle Inn was recognized with the Plate designation in the Michelin Guide California 2019. Chef JJ Guerrero offers a unique create-your-own tasting menu of three, four, or five courses that combine local ingredients with French techniques. The menu changes with the seasons; small plates include options like Truffle Roasted Cauliflower and Dungeness crab. A well-curated wine list spotlights Santa Ynez Valley vineyards. Check online for the afternoon high tea, which is served on selected dates.

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 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.

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La Dolce Vita 1901 RESTAURANT

CATERING

SPEAKEASY

WE ARE YOUR DESTINATION LOCATION Begin downstairs at the 1901 SPEAKEASY with Craft Cocktails and Live Music. Then move upstairs to the LA DOLCE VITA 1901 restaurant for a classic Italian Mediterranean dinner with exquisite wine. Ah, The Sweet Life. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER DELICIOUS TAKE OUT LaDolceVita1901.com ◆ (805) 486-6878 ◆ Heritage Square ◆ 740 South B Street ◆ Oxnard CA 93030 SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Where to Eat Now LA DOLCE VITA 1901 740 S. B Street Oxnard, 805-486-6878 ladolcevita1901.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 Prohibition-themed cocktails.

Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars (tierrasuratherzog.com) in Oxnard has added cocktails to go to its online ordering program. Sip libations such as Raspberry Lemon Drop made with four-month-infused raspberry vodka, Spicy Pineapple Margarita, and Watermelon Basil Frozé. Cocktails come in six-ounce jars with serving instructions. Cheers!

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 Michelin-starred 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.

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.

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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.

OLIVER’S 1198 Coast Village Rd. Santa Barbara, 805-969-0834 oliversofmontecito.com Plant-based; Small Plates $8–$20, Large Plates $20–$24 Great Patio

The dining room’s sleek decor complements beautiful plates of plant-based cuisine at this elegant yet relaxed spot. An adjacent bar area with a communal table opens to an expansive heated patio where even Fido is welcome. Although you won’t find dairy, meat, or eggs on executive chef Craig Riker’s imaginative menu, you won’t miss them. Enjoy the kung pao cauliflower at dinner as well as artichoke cakes or burgers made with Beyond Meat plant-based patties at lunch or dinner. Valet parking is complimentary.

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

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 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 woodburning 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 burnishedwood 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.

TOMA RESTAURANT & BAR 324 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, 805-962-0777 tomarestaurant.com Italian; Entrées $26–$38 Romantic

ESTABLISHED IN 1993 • LICENSE #764241

PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT IN OUR VENTURA SHOWROOM

Located along Santa Barbara’s palm tree–lined waterfront with views of the harbor, Toma offers a romantic atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance of upscale but unstuffy, consistently top-notch food, and attentive service. Executive chef Nat Ely uses locally sourced ingredients to put his own spin on Italian and Mediterranean dishes like gnocchi with rock shrimp, rack of lamb revved up with harissa, and house-made pastas like braised beef and pork ragù lasagna. Dinner is served nightly, and there’s a full bar and wine list with local and international labels.

1500 Callens Road, Ventura 805.658.0440 • kitchenplacesventura.com

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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

CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL 805-444-1228.

Even though locals know what they want without opening a menu, the kitchen at this restaurant in the Malibu Country Mart can still impress the rest of us with its handmade pastas, shaved truffles, grass-fed beef, local olive oil, and salads made with produce from Malibu’s Thorn Family Farm. The spaghetti carbonara manages to be both low fat and delicious, and the seasonal specials are a treat. The well-curated wine list matches the food and offers prime selections for sipping on the patio.

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

Village dwellers pack this beautiful space for its warm, friendly service and top-notch food. The menu is small, but the nightly specials are worth

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-totable 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 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.

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Where to Eat Now investigating. High rollers and celebs consider this their neighborhood boîte. Others come just for special occasions. The lobster and shrimp martini salad has hearts of palm, avocado, and pink grapefruit segments; the baby greens salad has shaved fennel and toasted pine nuts; the whole Dover sole is topped with a lemon-chervil sauce; and the chicken breast comes under a sun-dried tomato pesto.

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.

Ca’ Dario Montecito (cadariorestaurants.com) is now open, serving dinner at chef and owner Dario Furlati’s fourth location of his popular Italian eatery. Specializing in northern Italian food, the restaurant offers indoor and patio seating with umbrellas and heaters, takeout, and delivery. Fans can expect to find their favorite menu items, including fresh-from-the-oven pizzas, antipasti, salads, pastas, and grilled meats. Regulars can’t get enough of the ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta with browned butter and sage, grilled rack of lamb, and roasted branzino.

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.

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Foodie

Cuisine that shines regardless of decor, service, ambience, or even views. 101 NORTH EATERY & BAR 30760 Russell Ranch Rd., Suite D Westlake Village, 805-852-1588 101northeateryandbar.com New American; Entrées $22–$46 Sunday Brunch, Late-night Menu

Award-winning chef and owner Anthony Alaimo delivers seasonal dishes that are big on international flavors along with wine, beer, and signature cocktails. The restaurant’s relaxed, modern setting includes a bar with a large flat-screen TV, a rustic communal table, and an outdoor patio. Expect starters like wild albacore kabobs with Calabrian chili tapenade and grilled Spanish octopus with white bean hummus and mains such as a cumin-rubbed lamb rack, Mediterranean sea bass with green romesco, housemade tagliolini pasta with Selva prawns, and woodfired, thin-crust pizzas. Sandwiches and sides are on the happy hour menu on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A late-night menu is offered on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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.”

UPDATE THE BLUE OWL AT CANON PERDIDO 5 W. Canon Perdido Santa Barbara, 805-705-0991 theblueowlsb.com Asian-American; Entrées $9–$13

Late-Night Menu East meets West at this popular lunch-and-dinner spot, where a banh mi sandwich with oyster-chili mayo is on the menu along with a Thai basil cheeseburger infused with green curry and topped with an egg. The café also offers a fried-rice bar with kimchi, pork, and poached eggs among the optional add-ons (vegan and gluten-free versions are available). Beverages include house-made herbed lemonade and local beer and wines on tap. The Blue Owl really lives up to its name on Fridays and Saturdays, when an everchanging late-night menu of munchies-slaying dishes greets diners from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

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.

BOSSIE’S KITCHEN 901 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara, 805-770-1700 bossieskitchen.com American; Entrées $12–$20 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

Chef Lauren Herman and pastry chef Christina Olufson, alums of James Beard Award–winning Suzanne Goin’s Los Angeles restaurants A.O.C. and

Lucques, helm this farmers’ market– inspired eatery in a landmark building topped with a cow statue. Their sweet and savory talents focus on entrées with globetrotting influences made from seasonal organic ingredients, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, and salads. Day-of-the-week specials include Tuesday chicken tagine and Saturday pork belly with coconut rice. Happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays includes local draft beers and wines for $6 to $7 and bites starting at $2 for Mom’s deviled eggs.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Steve Sprinkel is the farmer and wife Olivia Chase is the cook at this combination café, bakery, market, and community center in the Meiners Oaks area of the Ojai Valley. A soup-andsalad bar offers fresh, organic fare for those on the go. The daily menu of vegetarian Mexican dishes like Swiss chard enchiladas and huaraches topped with grilled veggies, Feta, and Jack cheeses, and salsa roja can be made vegan with the substitution of a house-made cashew “cheese.” Glutenfree and raw foods are also available. On Friday and Saturday nights, the weekend farm café menu features dishes inspired by what Chase has harvested from the couple’s farm less than 3 miles away.

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’t-miss 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.

FINCH & FORK 31 W. Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, 805-879-9100 finchandforkrestaurant.com American; Entrées $22–$36 Weekend Brunch

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

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

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 graband-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, house-cured 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. Woodfired 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 SUMMER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Where to Eat Now 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.

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.

The recently opened Peasants Feast (peasantsfeast.com) is making a name for itself in Solvang. Owned by chef Michael Cherney, an alum of Las Vegas’ L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon’s, and his wife Sarah, a hospitality whiz, the family-friendly restaurant focuses on seasonal scratch-made food prepared with local ingredients. Sit inside or on the patio and dig into crowd-pleasers like Solvang Hot Chicken sandwich, Atterdag Smash Burger, Mushroom Tacos, and Reina’s Ice Cream by the Scoop, made by the Cherneys’ daughter (we suggest trying the popcorn flavor).

MADE IN ITALY BISTRO BY ANTONIO SESSA 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Unit F Westlake Village, 805-370-8667 madeinitalybistro.com Italian; Entrées and Pizzas $16–$27

Chef-owner Antonio Sessa serves up warm hospitality and authentic southern Italian cuisine at this bustling bistro. Order at the counter, then dig

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into Neapolitan-style pizzas from the Italian woodfired pizza oven, house-made pastas, fresh insalate, and main dishes from family recipes. Try Sessa’s handmade cavatelli ricotta pasta with his nonna’s Bolognese. At lunch, you can’t go wrong with panini such as the braised brisket, veggie, or turkey and pancetta with house-made tomato jam. Lunch and dinner are served every day except Sunday.

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

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

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

Don’t let the multicolored chalkboard menu or the 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.

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

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,

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

Paradise Pantry (paradisepantry.com) in Ventura uncorks a new way to pair its scratch-made seasonal menu items with the perfect glass of wine. Wine director Tina Thayer curates an always-evolving list of finds that include unique, handcrafted gems available by the bottle, flight, six-pack, or case. Join the Paradise Pantry Wine Club to keep the new discoveries coming, and sign up for the What’s Hot in Paradise weekly newsletter for foodie news.

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.

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

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

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.

UPDATE WINE CASK 813 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-966-9463 winecask.com Wine Country Cuisine Entrées $28–$42; Chef’s tasting menu $75 for five courses, $95 for eight courses Romantic

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Where to Eat Now Founded in 1981, the Wine Cask is pleasing palates with executive chef Jeremy Van Kralingen, a native of Hilo, Hawaii, in the kitchen. Local ingredients still inform dishes at every turn, especially in the tasting menus that feature Santa Barbara County labels in the optional wine pairings. The regular dinner menu includes Santa Barbara Channel sea bass with gremolata, duck confit with farro and strawberry sofrito, and pan-roasted rib eye with umami potatoes. Desserts echo the elegant simplicity of the restaurant: Bread pudding with bourbon-salted caramel sauce is a traditional standout, joined by newer options like lemon meringue ice-cream tart and a Nutella cheesecake with pretzel brittle. California wines are the focus of the international wine list.

Poised to open at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos, Nella Kitchen & Bar (nellakitchen. com) is the latest food venue from the hospitality team behind S.Y. Kitchen in Santa Ynez. Helmed by chef, owner, and partner Luca Crestanelli, the refined-rustic eatery starts by offering shareable plates from its all-day cheese and charcuterie bar and Roman-style pizzas along with a full cocktail bar and a global wine list. Look for full lunch and dinner menus with a focus on local farm-fresh ingredients. Outdoor dining spaces abound: a front patio, a wrap-around porch, and an interior courtyard.

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

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.

CASA NOSTRA RISTORANTE 717 Lakefield Road, Unit H Westlake Village, 805-495-0053 casanostralake.com Italian; Entrées and pastas $16–$29 Great Patio

It’s apt that casa nostra translates to “our house,” as diners are well taken care of in the cozy, relaxed setting and lovely outdoor patio of this hidden gem. Couples, families, and groups of friends soak up the warm hospitality while nibbling antipasti including fried calamari, prosciutto, and burrata, along with housemade pastas. For secondi, classics like chicken piccata and osso buco are highlights, but look for daily specials such as braised lamb shank and papardelle with porcini and truffles. Choose from an extensive list of Italian and California wines. For dessert, the tiramisu is a standout.

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

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.

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

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

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.

UPDATE MESA BURGER 315 Meigs Road, Suite F Santa Barbara, 805-963-7492 and 7010 Market Place Drive Goleta, 805-869-2247 mesaburger.com Burgers; Entrées $10–$14

A laid-back beach vibe prevails at both the original location in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood and at the new Goleta outpost in Camino Real Marketplace. Local gal and executive chef Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef on Food Network’s Iron Chef America, and chef Aimee DiMase offer a simple menu of mouthwatering burgers, fries, salads, and shakes. Try the Montecito burger, gussied up with griddled goat cheese, bourbon-glazed mushrooms, onion ring, truffle aioli, arugula, and grilled onions. Wines and ontap beers are from the Central Coast. Both locations are open daily for lunch and dinner.

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.

The newly opened 101 BBQ Hut (101bbqhut.com) in Thousand Oaks offers a wallet-friendly menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and desserts. Chef and owner Marco Gonzalez, who also owns Tavern 101 Grill & Tap House in Agoura Hills, recommends ordering sandwiches southern-style, topped with coleslaw. Try the pulled pork, brisket, or barbecued pulled chicken sandwiches and finish with warm Louisiana Bread Pudding. The order-atthe-counter shop offers inside and outside seating for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

NEW WEST VILLAGE CAFÉ 30869 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Westlake Village, 818-532-7218 westvillagecafe.net Mediterranean; Entrées $17–$23

Chef-owner Milad Esmaeili’s bright Mediterranean flavors complement the cheery, friendly vibe at his order-atthe-counter eatery. Open for lunch daily, dinner every day except Sunday, and breakfast on the weekends, the café features menu items including grilled skewer combinations, souvlaki, Greek-style sandwiches, and falafel in a sandwich, a salad, or solo on a plate. Regulars tout the lentil soup. Dessert options include pistachiosaffron ice cream, house-made baklava, and pastries from Porto’s Bakery in Burbank.

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 jump-start the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls made with local berries and honey. Other order-at-thecounter options include Love Pho, Taqueria el Tapatio, and PokeCeviche, specializing in build-your-own Hawaiian poke bowls and chef-curated 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 craftbeer 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

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Where to Eat Now place to get your groove on: Live music and/or club nights are scheduled nearly every night of the week. On the patio, wicker chaise lounges are arranged in semi-private groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through roll-up doors. Inside, bronze curtains and silver wall sconces shimmer in the mood-setting darkness. (Some areas are available by reservation.) It all adds up to a great backdrop for a menu that includes happy hour specials like $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and 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.

The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort (alisal.com) in Solvang brings back its popular After Hours program on Thursdays through Saturdays at the River Grill, located at the resort’s River Golf Course. Cocktails and bites are offered for dine-in and takeout at budget-friendly prices from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sip a zesty Bees & Honey or a refreshing Cool as a Cucumber Tonic (both $14 each) and nibble St. Louis Barbecue Pork Ribs ($6), a Grilled Castroville Artichoke ($8), a variety of tacos ($3 each), and a cheeseburger with secret sauce ($5) while enjoying live music.

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

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

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

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

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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 suds-friendly 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.

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO. 1462 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande, 805-474-8525 and 45 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-694-2252, ext. 110 and 2363 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-694-2252, ext. 343 and 137 Anacapa St., Suite F, Santa Barbara, 805-694-2252, ext. 344 and 30770 Russell Ranch Road, Suites E and F, Westlake Village, 818-874-1305 figmtnbrew.com New American Entrées $8–$34, depending on location

Founded in Buellton in 2010, this family-owned craft brewery now has brewhouses and taprooms throughout the 805. Each offers a unique, local-flavor lineup of beers, with individual menus to match. The overall theme is gastropub, with beer-friendly fare such as burgers and pretzels available at locations that include on-site kitchens. In Arroyo Grande, guests will find Avila Fish Tacos and a turkey, bacon, and avocado sandwich dubbed The Dunes. The flagship Buellton site adds Animal Fries topped with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and Thousand Island dressing to the mix, while Westlake Village serves flatbreads and, after 5 p.m., entrées such as grilled salmon and rib eye.

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.

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

four courses, is a popular alternative.) Tuesday’s “Pasta With Frank” promotion includes live music inspired by the Chairman of the Board.

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

PRIME STEAKHOUSE 2009 E. Thompson Blvd. Ventura, 805-652-1055 primesteakvc.com American; Entrées $17–$50 Live Music

The cast of Mad Men would feel right at home here. The lighting is low, the bartenders make a mean martini, and the menu includes a mix of the old school (iceberg wedges draped in blue cheese dressing) and the modern day (tuna tartare with avocado and Thai chili sauce). Sides like creamed spinach and mac-andcheese are à la carte additions to main courses that include prime rib with house-made horseradish and Chilean sea bass. (The Best of Prime menu, $35 for

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 housemade 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.

Gino’s Pizza (ginospizzaslo.com) in San Luis Obispo adds carhop service (bobby socks optional) for fun, family-friendly delivery of its full menu right to your ride. Gino’s is uniquely designed for this throwback service; a previous restaurant provided it in the same location in the 1950s. Pizzas, calzones, pastas, sandwiches, and salads arrive on classic aluminum trays that hook onto car windows. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery options are also available.

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. 

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True Blue: The Easygoing Blueberry Finds Its Purpose In Both Sweet and Savory Dishes