805 Living Summer 2021 by 805 Living

SU M M E R 202 1

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O P E N DA I LY F O R D I N E - I N & TA K E O U T

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HARDWOOD FLOORING

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ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK

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DOORS & WINDOWS

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IPE DECKING

GO TIME 5

REASONS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER IN YOSEMITE

Yosemite is a magical place – especially in summer. With convenient lodging and popular tours, Tenaya Lodge makes it easy to take in the best of the region. Here are 5 things to experience in Yosemite this summer.

1 2 3 4 5

MARIPOSA GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS

Spending some time standing among some of the world’s largest trees is a staggering experience.

E-BIKE ADVENTURES

The gorgeous Yosemite wilderness is perfect for e-bikes, which were made for rugged terrain.

MIST TRAIL TO VERNAL FALL

This hike is a fan favorite. Ascend past churning rivers and stunning rainbows up to an extraordinary summit.

PANNING FOR GOLD

Gold can be found in the streams and rivers of Mariposa County, and the thrill is in the hunt.

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD STARGAZING

Yosemite offers one of the best vantage points in the U.S. to view the stars or observe meteor showers.

BOOK YOUR YOSEMITE ADVENTURE TODAY. 888-514-2167 TenayaLodge.com

EXPLORE THE NEW PASEO NUEVO

and our collection of local, regional and national retailers and restaurants Open 11am to 7pm Daily PaseoNuevoShopping.com

@ShopPaseoNuevo

651 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara CA 93101

Summer Sale

1881 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks | 805.498.5588 | AldermanBusheInteriors.com

Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate

Seth Haye

Named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors Ranked #10 – State of California, Los Angeles Area Being named to Forbes’ 2021 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list is a testament to your experience, professionalism and dedication to your clients. Thank you for the work you do each day and for carrying forward the culture of excellence at our firm. The Oaks Group at Morgan Stanley Seth Haye Managing Director Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 100 N. Westlake Blvd., Suite 200 Westlake Village, CA 91362 805- 494-0215 seth.haye@morganstanley.com http://www.morganstanleyfa.com/ theoaksgroup

Source: Forbes.com (February, 2021). Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: 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 and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. © 2021 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

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Contents SUMMER 2021 • SUN & FUN

EMBRACING THE SEASON

Getting back in the swing of summer.

By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

A PATTERN OF DELIGHT

Home goods designer Carly Blumberg takes being lighthearted seriously. By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Tracy Minus, co-owner of Los Olivos Lemons, serves the quintessential summer refresher—fresh-squeezed— from the company’s aptly shaped mobile lemonade stand. For more ways to enjoy the season, see page 66.

GARY MOSS

Features 66

Take time to revel in the joy of travel, share magical moments with loved ones, and discover new adventures at Ojai’s beloved 220-acre retreat— just a short drive away. Rejuvenate at our reimagined Spa Ojai following a yearlong transformation to enrich your wellness journey. Delight your palate with epic culinary experiences at The Farmhouse and sublime outdoor dining on our breathtaking open-air terrace. And find sanctuary in our new collection of luxury private villas and fully refreshed guestrooms. Our serene mountain valley setting welcomes you to celebrate every moment of Ojai’s rare spirit.

844.497.9357 OjaiValleyInn.com

Contents SUMMER 2021 • SUN & FUN

Pulse 39 Tracking the Beat of the 805

By Leslie Dinaberg, Nancy Ransohoff, and Erin Rottman

Finds 47 Sun Days

Put the whimsy back in summertime with playful accessories. By Jennie Nunn

52 STYLE: Dream Weaves Look and stay cool this season with fashion’s latest nods to the art of interlacing natural fibers. By Frances Ryan

54 TRAVEL

By Erin Rottman

Insider 58 Events In & Around the 805

By Heidi Dvorak

Mind Body Soul 60 Wellness News By Nancy Ransohoff

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades 63 Hello, Old Sol

52 90 Where to Eat Now

Extend a warm welcome to the sunroom with fresh, grandmillenial takes on tradition.

P.S. Sketchpad 104 Summer Tans 2021

By Frances Ryan

In Every Issue

Taste 80 FOOD: Just Peachy

Make the most of the seasonal fruit’s seductive flavor with these sweet and savory recipes. By Jaime Lewis

84 WINE: Eye-Opening Alternative Whites Crisp sipping options for a special summer.

By Greg Clarke

20 Editor’s Note 24 Masthead 30 Behind the Scenes

Visit Us Online! 805living.com Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Spotify, Apple, Google, and YouTube keyword: 805Living

86 DINING OUT:

Check out our website for the free digital version of 805 Living (smartphone- and tablet-compatible, it’s also on issuu.com). Tune in to our free Spotify playlists (keyword: 805 Living) and 805 Living Eats podcasts available on Apple, Google, and Spotify (keyword: 805 Living Eats).

By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

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 Matt Kettmann

A New Wine Shrine Thousand Oaks’ new Cork Dork restaurant and wine bar serves boutique wines, craft beers, and creative Californian cuisine.

On the Cover Two enthusiastic passengers take a flying leap off the Jenny Lane, a sailboat from the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, into the waters just off the coast. For details and more leads on classic summertime fun, see page 66. Photograph by Gary Moss

54: HALEY HILL; 63: COURTESY OF TARGET; 80 © JEFF WASSERMAN/STOCKSY UNITED

Departments

Luxury Living

Bespoke furnishings customized for you.

TSG Interior Design loves the creative process, collaborating with clients and coordinating

The Sofa Guy and its TSG interior design team design and build custom furniture (pictured above) and source unique pieces including lighting, rugs, and accessories to deliver the ultimate living spaces.

many of the little details one never thought existed. We believe the “sofa” is the heart of a room, and we put our heart into everything we do. Make an appointment to visit us soon. We’ll keep the candy bowl full.

“Start with a Sofa ...end with a room”

2520 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. | Thousand Oaks | 805.497.3222 | TheSofaGuy.com

Investment and Asset Management Wealth Planning Private Banking Business Advisory Services

The personal approach to wealth management Everything we do is built around you. In fact, we’re committed to working closely with you and your advisors to create a plan that fits your unique needs and goals. Ready to get started? Come meet the team of specialists at your local Santa Barbara/Ventura County Wells Fargo Private Bank.

Family Dynamics Philanthropic Services Trust Services

Let’s connect

Scott P. Hansen Senior Vice President, Regional Managing Director Phone: 805-777-8375 scott.p.hansen@wellsfargo.com Wells Fargo Wealth Management 118 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: 805-564-2876

Wells Fargo Wealth Management 2829 Townsgate Rd., Ste. 215 Westlake Village, CA, 91361 Phone: 805-777-8375 Wells Fargo Wealth Management 711 Tank Farm Rd., Ste. 200 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: 805-544-6918

wellsfargoprivatebank.com

Investment and Insurance Products: • NOT FDIC Insured • NO Bank Guarantee • MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Private Bank provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Brokerage products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates in addition to non-affiliated companies of Wells Fargo & Company. Insurance products are available through insurance subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company and underwritten by non-affiliated Insurance Companies. Not available in all states. © 2021 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLSR ID 399801. WCR-0421-00172 IHA-B22655

Editor’s Note

Out in the Open YES, CALIFORNIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS and yes, we’re excited to get out and take full advantage of it all! In just about every facet of the 805 that makes it such an enviable place to live, there is a summer experience ready and waiting for you. How about an alfresco dinner like the upcoming evening at Covell Ranch in Cambria, as Nancy Ransohoff describes on page 40? How about white wines for summer that aren’t chardonnay, like those Matt Kettmann highlights on page 84? How about enhancing backyard gatherings with the playful games and accessories Jennie Nunn discovered at local retailers on page 47?

ANOTHER CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION August 15 marks the 109th anniversary of Julia Child’s birth. It’s no secret that she’s a person I’ve admired for an awfully long time. It’s also no secret that she adored her years in Montecito and Santa Barbara. In her honor, The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience has scheduled a celebratory event that includes a webinar, Happy Birthday Julia! (sbce. events/#juliabirthday), at 11 a.m. on August 15. Speakers in this virtual panel discussion include Alex Prud’homme, coauthor of Child’s 2006 memoir My Life in France, and Julie Cohen and Betsy West, directors and producers of Sony Pictures Classics and Imagine Entertainment’s upcoming documentary Julia. Todd Schulkin, executive director of The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts moderates.

And, although peaches, as Jaime Lewis points out on page 80, have a fleeting season, she shares some recipes from local talent that make the most of the ephemeral fruit, like Creamy Peach Smoothies by Santa Barbara food blogger Marina Delio. They’re a delicious reminder that summertime itself is short-lived. Despite summer being the outdoor season, and even though many of us have recently finished spending an extended period of time indoors, you can’t really say there’s a season for home upgrading. And yet, on page 72, Joan Tapper profiles home goods designer Carly Blumberg, who brought her refined-yet-lighthearted aesthetic to Ojai in 2020. Gary Moss’ photographs capture how Blumberg’s recent designs reflect the colorful, atmospheric vibes of her adopted home. There are enough seasonal ideas and attractions in this Sun & Fun issue to last through to September, when we return with our Food & Wine issue. For even more great stuff to do in between the issues, you can always sign up for “The Insider,” our free e-newsletter. Also, check out the calendar at 805living.com for regularly updated happenings and follow us on social media. Stay in touch.

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher

GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Exceptional Spaces in All the Right Places SAN TA BA RBA R A

W E ST L A K E VIL L AG E

T HE SA ME Q UA L I T Y O F D E S I GN, R E S O U RC ES A ND S E RV I C E I N A B R A N D NE W LO CAT I O N

I N TE RIOR D ESIG N | R EMA R K A B LE R ES O U RCE S

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

Santa BarBara

DESIGNS OF THE INTERIOR

21 E. Canon Perdido Street, Suite 215 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 www.SantaBarbaraDesignsoftheInterior.com 805.418.1890

Something’s Brewing Over Here...

AMERICAN TAVERN WESTLAKE VILLAGE | SANTA BARBARA | VENTURA | SAN LUIS OBISPO PORTER RANCH NOW OPEN! COMING SOON: BURBANK AND ORANGE COUNTY

WWW.FINNEYSCRAFTHOUSE.COM Proud Supporter of Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties

Mov e be yon d i l l u m i n at i o n . . .

EDITOR IN CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Lynne Andujar

edit@805living.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bernard Scharf EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Kathy Tomlinson DESIGNER

Sophie Patenaude PHOTO EDITOR

Gary Moss

photo@805living.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Heidi Dvorak, Jennie Nunn (Shopping), Erin Rottman (Travel), Frances Ryan (Fashion, Interior Design) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Leslie Dinaberg, Victoria Woodard Harvey, Matt Kettmann, Jaime Lewis, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITOR

Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

Anthony Head

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805 LIVING, SUMMER 2021

Your favorite brands. Incredible food. Unforgettable events. Five-star concierge. Oceanside getaways.

It's all h e. Explore our neighborhood guide of what to do, shop and eat this summer. T H E G R OV E • T H E A M E R I C A N A AT B R A N D • PA L I S A D E S V I L L AG E T H E C O M M O N S AT CA L A B A S A S • T H E L A K E S AT T H O U S A N D OA K S WAT E R S I D E AT M A R I N A D E L R E Y • T H E P R O M E N A D E AT W E S T L A K E V I L L AG E AT M O O R PA R K • E N C I N O M A R K E T P L AC E R O S E WO O D M I R A M A R B E AC H

SUMMER.CARUSO.COM

Inspired by the

You have a vision for your project. How it looks, how it feels and most importantly, how it reflects your style. At Windsor Windows & Doors, we’re passionate about your vision and it’s our mission to produce high-quality windows and doors that exceed your expectations. Countless style options, expert craftsmanship and high-performance technology. Call us today or visit us at the Agoura Sash & Door Design Center to learn more about Windsor Windows & Doors. Visit ImagineWithWindsor.com to see performance information, hardware and glass options, and download our product guide.

AGOURA SASH & DOOR, INC. 2301 Townsgate Road | Westlake Village, CA (805) 449-2840 | agourasash.com

D O ORS • WIN D OWS • H A R DWA R E • D ES IG N CE NTER

1708 PAT E R N A R OA D | SA NTA BA RBA RA 5 BD | 4 BA | 3,216± SF | 0.38± AC | Upper Riviera | $4,750,000

IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET — Choose Experience

Compass is a licensed real estate broker in the state of California (Montecito DRE 0991628). All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal housing opportunity.

Behind the Scenes

Food, Family and Flying...and now Dinner!

Now serving dinner Friday and Saturday nights from 5 pm to 8:30 pm.

Looks like the coast is clear to resume activities. Here’s what some of our contributors are looking forward to doing locally this summer. Kathy Tomlinson “I can’t wait to meet my daughter in Santa Barbara to share our favorite Crab Salad Sandwich at The Andersen’s Danish Bakery & Restaurant and go see what’s new at the zoo,” says executive editor Kathy Tomlinson.

Nancy Ransohoff

Greg Clarke

Tues.–Sun. 8 am–3 pm | Fri. & Sat. 5 pm–8:30 pm 805.388.2535 | thewaypointcafe.com 325 Durley Ave., Camarillo, CA 93010

“I’m looking forward to sampling beers at Tarantula Hill Brewery Co., sipping cocktails at Oak & Iron [both in Thousand Oaks], eating at Rumfish y Vino, in Ventura, and heading down to Amoeba Hollywood,” says contributing illustrator Greg Clarke (P.S. Sketchpad, page 104).

FROM TOP: RYAN BROWN; STEPHANIE BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY; GREG CLARKE

“I can’t wait to settle into a seat at the Santa Barbara Bowl for a real live concert, see a movie in a theater, and dine at more of our fabulous local restaurants,” says contributing writer Nancy Ransohoff (Pulse, page 39; Mind Body Soul, page 60).

Behind the Scenes Now that pandemic-related restrictions have eased, here is what our featured experts are eagerly anticipating. “Seeing Rodrigo y Gabriela perform live at The Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara.” —Lauren Nichols

(Mind Body Soul, page 60) owner Local Bath Box Oak View localbathbox.com

“Allowing our kids to enjoy playdates and spending time with other parents without social distancing.” —Dan Margolis

(Dining Out, page 86) self-proclaimed “head dork” Cork Dork Wine Bar Westlake Village corkdorkwinebar.com

“Hosting barbeques and parties with friends. I also cannot wait to go to the movies.” —Carly Blumberg

“Getting back to using local seasonal produce and vegetables for new and exciting menu changes.” —Richard De Mane

(Taste/Food, page 80) executive chef Pearl District Restaurant Westlake Village pearldistrictrestaurant.com

NICHOLS: RYAN A. NICHOLS; BLUMBERG: MACKENZIE KERN

(“A Pattern of Delight,” page 72) owner, designer Carly Home Ojai carlyhome.com

O P Ea EN rly IN Fa G

We’re committed to providing exceptional care and security for the residents and peace of mind for their families. At Varenita™ , we use an innovative mix of dedicated, highly trained senior living professionals, supportive team members, comprehensive individualized care, and advanced technology to create an environment that offers the perfect balance of independence, inspiration, and support. This is just part of what makes our communities the most innovative in senior living. We invite you to visit Varenita and experience senior living ReEnvisioned.

• Assisted Living • Memory Care

805-519-7786 VarenitaWestlake.com

ReEnvision Senior Living

FIND OUT MORE

A N G E LU S PAV E R S . C O M / G R O W

8 0 5.4 8 5.113 7

SAND-STONE-MOCHA AQUALINA

TIME TO GRILL Download Free BBQ Plans: angeluspavers.com/grow

Your first step to carefree outdoor living. Year-round sunshine. Warm winter nights and cool summer breezes. A temperate outdoor climate extends the space you live in and the place you love. Southern California outdoor living – with Angelus Pavers & Walls, the foundation is assured.

Above and beyond Stephen W. Davis is ranked #21 on the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for 2021, in Southern California for High Net Worth There are few things more valuable than a trusted relationship with a financial advisor who empowers you to pursue what matters most with confidence. Certainly, that is how the clients of Stephen W. Davis feel. Their UBS Financial Advisor is known for going above and beyond for every client, every day, marshaling the global resources of one of the largest financial firms in the world to help them plan for their life’s goals. It is this commitment to excellence that Forbes recognizes with this recent honor. Join us in our congratulations. We encourage you to reach out to discuss what matters most in your life. Stephen W. Davis, CIMA® Managing Director–Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Manager 805-367-3680 stephen.w.davis@ubs.com The Davis Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 3011 Townsgate Road, Suite 300 Westlake Village, CA 91361 844-892-2438 toll free

ubs.com/team/davisgroup

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list is comprised of approximately 5,200 financial advisors. It was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to measure factors such as quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management (which vary from state to state) and revenue. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings. Past performance is not an indication of future results. 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 and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary. CIMA® is a registered certification mark of the Investments & Wealth InstituteTM in the United States of America and worldwide. © UBS 2021. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. ACC_03162021-8 IS2101037 Exp.: 03/31/2022

Pulse

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

Professionally made s’mores are hot! The mashmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers in Jessica Foster Confections’ version, for example, are made from scratch for take-home kits and catered events.

GARY MOSS

S’MORES GALORE

The nostalgia of the standard s’more—melty chocolate and gooey roasted marshmallows sandwiched between graham crackers—gets a major upgrade with these creative takes on the summer campfire classic. Glamping-style: For its ultra-luxe s’mores, Santa Barbara-based Jessica Foster Confections ( jessicafosterconfections.com) offers house-made, small-batch versions of each of the treat’s traditional components: the marshmallows, the chocolate, and the graham crackers. “Honestly the most exciting part of the whole thing is the graham crackers,” says confectioner Jessica Foster. “They are so buttery and crumbly that I have to get rid of them when I make them or else I’m going to eat all of them.” In addition to producing the elevated s’mores kit, Foster caters customized s’mores stations for events. At a celebration on National S’mores Day last year she served >

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Pulse

(S’MORES Continued)

house-made cinnamon s’mores (cinnamon graham crackers, cinnamon marshmallows, and dark chocolate bars with sea salt), lemon blackberry s’mores (graham crackers, vanilla bean marshmallows, Meyer lemon truffles, and sliced blackberries), key lime s’mores (coconut graham crackers, vanilla bean marshmallows, key lime curd, and optional chocolate), and mint chocolate s’mores (chocolate graham crackers, vanilla bean marshmallows, and mintinfused truffle sticks). For the ultimate touch, Foster even helped guests roast their own marshmallows to the perfect degree of gooey goodness with a portable blowtorch. Camping-style: “Everybody wants s’mores,” says Samantha Bearman, of SB Baking Besties (samanthabearman.com/ sb-baking-besties), “and we bake our s’mores with love in every bite.” Bearman cofounded the Santa Barbarabased sweets company with her best friend, Nikki Russo, last spring, and this summer they’re offering a S’mores With Love kit, which includes homemade chocolate hearts and homemade heart-shaped marshmallows, as well as a deluxe version that features extra-large homemade marshmallows atop homemade campfire cookies instead of standard graham crackers. “They’re great for when you want a really sweet treat that’s messy,” says Berman, “and so perfect for backyard camping because they’re gooey and ooey and oh, so great. —Leslie Dinaberg

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

CHIC NEW SHOP

Set to debut at the Montecito Country Mart, Montecito Mercantile (montecitomercantile.com) offers a wide array of curated wares that bring to mind a stylish, up-to-the-minute general store. A sister shop to the popular Salt House Mercantile in Bainbridge Island, Washington, founded by Seattle native Carrie Schei in 2014, the Montecito outpost is a one-stop shop for unique gifts, housewares, and home decor items by the likes of Amanda Lindroth, men’s and women’s accessories from established and emerging brands, and luxury bath and beauty products. On the hunt for a summer chapeau? The store is the only West Coast purveyor of Nantucket’s distinctive Peter Beaton hats. Also look for cards and paper products from Sugar Paper, Grove Street Press, and Amy Zhang, along with a selection of books and magazines. An evolving collection of works from area artisans adds local flair. —Nancy Ransohoff Find the lastest offerings from luxury brands like (above, left to right) Grove Street Press, Peter Beaton, and Amanda Lindroth at the new Montecito Mercantile.

With each of her Table & Vine Supper Club dinners, club founder Morgen Hoffman seeks to share the scenery, flavors, and culinary talent of the Central Coast.

ALFRESCO FEASTS Table & Vine Supper Club

(tableandvinesupperclub.com) dinners take outdoor dining to another level. Guests sit outside at a communal, custom-made, wooden table at Instagram-worthy locations, including rolling vineyards, rustic farms, and golden beaches, while enjoying a four- or five-course dinner paired with local wines. The one-of-a-kind dining experiences are the passion project of Morgen Hoffman, whose event planning company specializes in serving corporations and nonprofits. “I had been thinking about this for a long time,” says Hoffman, “and when events stopped during the COVID-19 quarantine,

I had the time to do it. I really want to spotlight the farmers, purveyors, chefs, winemakers, and local ingredients and incorporate them into this farm-to-table experience.” Upcoming dinners include one on July 29 at Covell Ranch in Cambria, which features the fare of Matthew Roberts, chef and farm liaison at Kindred Oak Farm in Paso Robles; wines from Cambria’s Stolo Vineyards; and a special visit from the ranch’s famed Clydesdale horses. Another dinner event takes place on August 25 at Sensorio in Paso Robles. Tickets may be purchased online. —N.R.

Wine Country Living Santa Ynez Style

Patty Murphy country estates

A Gathering Place $3,950,000 Summer fun for friends and family gathered around the pool or enjoying warm evenings with outdoor dining. This beautiful Woodstock home features sweeping mountain views and upscale remodel with a spectacular kitchen and living areas. The property includes a 2 bedroom guest house and shop. This is the perfect place to enjoy those long summer days!

Patty Murphy

Country Estates and Vineyards $100,000,000 in Closed Sales in 2020

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

A Modern Ranch Masterpiece $3,750,000 Massive ceilings and walls of glass are the background for this Cliff May inspired residence. This renovated home features the highest quality finishes from Indian slate flooring to Sun Valley bronze hardware. For the art connoisseur, the striking architecture features expansive walls with specialized lighting and a neutral palate. Dramatic views are enjoyed from every room. This is “le must”!

© 2021 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Patty Murphy DRE: 766586

Pulse

WHERE DIY DREAMS COME TRUE

The Crafter’s Library (thecrafterslibrary.com), located in Santa Barbara’s La Arcada Plaza, is a new place to channel creativity. The light-filled space offers dedicated crafting areas with sewing machines, 3D printers, cutting machines, laser etchers, and craft supplies. Memberships for those 15 and older are available for a single day, week, or month, along with annual passes. An evolving roster of group classes includes topics such as macramé, sewing, wirewrapped jewelry, and glass etching. Open-mic nights, musical performances, and other events are also on the calendar. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity to be social in a nonfood-and-drink experience, to find a sense of community, to make new friends, and have fun doing it,” says owner Andrew Rawls. Proceeds from selected classes go to local nonprofits such as Pacific Pride Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Santa Barbara Education Foundation. “I don’t think I’m an artist, but I can craft,” says Rawls. “Anyone can craft!” —N.R.

After seeing a family member end up in the hospital for alcohol-related issues, Westlake Village native and Oaks Christian School alum George Youmans began looking for more healthful beverage alternatives. But soda felt childish, mocktails were too sugary, and club soda? Boring. The lack of options led Youmans and his former University of Southern California roommate Evan Quinn to create Hiyo (drinkhiyo.com). Billed as a sparkling social tonic, the nonalcoholic drink contains ingredients like extracts of ashwagandha, an herb that reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and lion’s mane mushroom, which has been shown to improve cognitive function. “What we’re trying to do is help socialize healthier consumption,” says Youmans, who worked with a medicinal herbalist to create the drink with the goal of promoting an energy lift without caffeine. “We’re trying to change the status quo.” With just 25 calories a can, Hiyo comes in peach mango, watermelon lime, and blackberry lemon flavors. —Erin Rottman

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

GET IMMERSED IN A BOOK Bringing book covers to life scores volumes on social media via #BookfaceFridays on the

Santa Barbara Public Library Instagram account (@sbplibrary). A popular meme in the

book-loving community for quite some time, Bookface photos—images in which a person is strategically lined up with a book cover so that life and art appear to meld—are a great way to showcase literature from the library’s collections, according to library marketing specialist Erick Mendez. “We get a lot of positive feedback and a lot of reposts,” says Mendez. “It’s great to see the community of books and libraries sharing and getting inspiration from one another. It’s never about competing to see who can do the best one, it’s always about showcasing books we love and finding a way to promote literature through covers.” —L.D.

TOP, RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE CRAFTER’S LIBRARY; QUADRANTS: ERICK MENDEZ

HERE’S TO HEALTH

STAY AFLOAT IN VENTURA HARBOR VILLAGE

A LIFE WELL LIVED. A LIFE WELL EARNED. Since 1998, Belmont Village has safely delivered an unparalleled senior living experience for thousands of families. Collaborations with experts from the nation’s top healthcare institutions and universities, including UCLA and USC, have established our national leadership in demonstrably effective cognitive health and wellness programs. Combining the highest levels of hospitality and care, our communities make life worth living.

Staycation on the water this summer at the Ventura Boatel or The Boatel California (boatelonthewater.com, from $190/night), two 39-foot rental boats in Ventura Harbor Village. Each comes with a queen-size bed, two bunks, and 800 square-feet of indoor-outdoor living space. “It’s a very rare occasion when you can stay on a boat of this caliber and have everything within a very short walk,” says Ventura-born Glenn Willson, managing director of the boats. Inside, down comforters, Keurig coffee makers, and high-speed Wi-Fi make for comfy RV-like living; while outside, opportunities for activities await, like stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals, Surfer’s Knoll Beach, and waterfront restaurants. 805 Living readers who mention the magazine when booking two or more nights will receive complimentary brunch for two from Copa Cubana, a Cuban-American fusion restaurant in the village, and a bottle of wine or champagne. —E.R.

BelmontVillage.com/LosAngeles

The Community Built for Life.® Medication management with licensed nurse on-site 24/7 Circle of Friends® award-winning memory care Nationally-recognized, highly trained staff Dedicated Alzheimer’s care | Physical therapy, rehabilitation and fitness ©2021 Belmont Village, L.P. | RCFE 306005563, 197608468, 197608466, 197608467, 198601646, 565802433, 197608291, 197609518

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

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Sun Days PUT THE WHIMSY BACK IN SUMMERTIME WITH PLAYFUL ACCESSORIES. By Jennie Nunn Catch the breeze with the fringed “Biarritz” Turkish-cotton towel, worn as a cape before it becomes a soft, quick-drying beach blanket. Turn the page for details.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds 1 2 3

4 5

1. Ledge Lounger lawn checkers and tic tac toe ($319); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com. 2. Funboy “Mellow Yellow” striped oversized tube float ($39); Bonjour Fête, Calabasas, bonjourfete.com. 3. “Biarritz” Turkish-cotton towel ($26); Riviera Towel Company, Santa Barbara, rivieratowel.com.

4. Sandcastle ice mold ($25 for set of two); Williams-Sonoma: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com.

5.Sunnylife “Confetti” inflatable beach ball ($10); Cost Plus World Market: Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com.

6. “No. 2” Sun Squad personal fan in colorblock rainbow ($3); Target: Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; target.com.

7. Sunnylife “Nouveau Bleu” badminton set ($25); Cost Plus World Market: Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com. 8. Ledge Lounger in-pool chaise lounge ($759); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com. 9. Polaroid 16MP waterproof digital camera ($40); Target: Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; target.com.

11. Lexon “TYKHO 3” FM radio and 3W bluetooth speaker ($60); lexon-design.com. 

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

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

10. Fun In The Sun waterproof playing cards ($21); Anthropologie: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park; anthropologie.com.

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Finds Style By Frances Ryan

2 1 3 4

Dream Weaves

LOOK AND STAY COOL THIS SEASON WITH FASHION’S LATEST NODS TO THE ART OF INTERLACING NATURAL FIBERS.

1. Basketweave printed knit poplin polo dress ($448); toryburch.com. 2. “Elizabeth” grasscloth belt with rattan buckle ($88); J. McLaughlin, Montecito, jmclaughlin.com. 3. “Carrizo” straw hat with ethically-sourced horsehair band and removable strap ($350); Ninakuru, Ojai, ninakuru.com. 4. Artesano “Ghana” straw fan ($64); Hacienda by Bonita Lifestyle, Carpinteria, bonitalifestyle.com.

5. Cult Gaia “Iman” top-handle box bag ($418); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com. 6. Fendi “FF” woven crisscross slide sandals ($795); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com. 7. “Ara” straw and leather tote ($265); Ba&sh at Malibu Country Mart, ba-sh.com. 8. Crochet bralette ($195); Vince at Malibu Country Mart, vince.com. 9. Panacea rattan geometric drop earrings ($25); Nordstrom, Thousand Oaks, and at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

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

Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

A TELLURIDE TREASURE

Enjoy a mix of rest and play at Telluride’s Madeline Hotel: relax in the great room (top) or (above, from left) while raising a glass in the Timber Room bar after a fly-fishing adventure or a bird’s-eye view from a Telluride Mountain Village gondola.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

COURTESY OF MADELINE HOTEL & RESIDENCES, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

atching a fish in a creek with waders, fly rod, and net quickly becomes a five-star experience when base camp is the Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection (aubergeresorts.com/madeline, from $749), in Telluride, Colorado. The guide knows exactly where the cutthroat trout (a species of fish, not an ambitious fish) are hiding, and the hotel staff wouldn’t think of sending anyone to the river without a Wagyu flank steak sandwich on perfectly toasted buttery bread and chocolate pot de crème. Trading the traditional hotel concierge for adventure guides, the Madeline has completed a renovation that transformed its lounges into relaxation retreats where guests can settle in after adventures like fly-fishing, foraging for edible greens and mushrooms with the executive chef, and venturing off-road on Rocky Mountain passes. “Telluride is one of America’s best kept secrets,” says general manager Bryan Woody of the town in which the main street is lined with small businesses selling locally crafted furniture, jewelry, and art along with the requisite bookstore and coffee shops. “We just don’t see the swaths of development that you’d see in an Aspen or Vail or Jackson Hole or Park City.” Situated in Mountain Village, a free gondola ride from town, the Madeline has an open living area with shuffleboard, a pool table, and seating areas that represent an indoor interpretation of Telluride. “We added a bit of sheen in select areas and played with snowy textures in white throughout the design, creating a space that feels as fresh as the mountain itself but still layered in wood and cozy fabrics for warmth and comfort,” says interior designer Liubasha Rose of the Miami-based firm Rose Ink Workshop. Custom plaster reliefs on the walls loosely mimic topography of the area, quartz sconces recall the late-1800s mining period, and John O’Hara encaustic paintings of Talking Heads and Bob Dylan records honor Telluride’s music-festival culture. Another point of relaxation, the pool affords views of Mount Wilson (the iconic mountain on the Coors Light beer can), Wilson Peak, and El Diente Peak, all more than 14,000 feet tall. At night, dinner at the Madeline rivals the cuisine in other foodie destinations. The indoor-outdoor Timber Room doubles as a lounge-like après-adventure bar and upscale dinner spot, while the more traditional sit-down restaurant Black Iron Kitchen + Bar caters to families. But that doesn’t make it any less remarkable; heads turn when the 32-ounce, dry-aged, bone-in rib eye comes out of the kitchen on a custom serving board crafted by local artisan Matt Downer. Both are works of art.

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TAKE A SEAT. ENJOY THE WINE.

ENGAGE THE SENSES.

JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE OCEAN visit our downtown Santa Barbara tasting room to experience wines produced from the finest vineyards on the Central Coast. Enjoy wine flights, chocolate and wine pairings, and light fare on our expansive outdoor patio. Reservations recommended. Visit jwilkes.com. 805-318-6680 | jwilkes.com | 35 State St., Suite B | Santa Barbara

Finds Travel A guest room opens to a private patio with a panoramic view of the sea at the Ocean Park Inn, just across the boardwalk from San Diego’s Pacific Beach.

n 1967, Elvin Lai’s great grandfather gave some money to his own son to purchase a hotel. The property stayed in the family, and Lai, a fourth-generation owner, now runs Ocean Park Inn (oceanparkinn.com, from $309), which recently completed a renovation that honors the surf culture of San Diego’s Pacific Beach. Steps from the boardwalk and surrounded by casual bars and cafes, the hotel embodies its beachfront location with bright white interiors, sunshine-yellow accents, and heated pool. Photographs on the walls by local artist John Cocozza—like one of a Brazilian surfer in her rusted 1970s Ford truck after plying the waves— capture the essence of the lively neighborhood. “If you’re looking for ocean views and the sound of crashing waves coming into your room as a lullaby,” Lai says, “Ocean Park Inn is the way to go.”

CAVIAR WITH YOUR COTTAGE(?) IN SANTA BARBARA

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are now included in the regular room rate at San Ysidro Ranch (sanysidroranch.com, from $2,195), an idea originally conceived to simplify stays during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If somebody wants to come and eat the $250 caviar, that’s included,” says Ian Williams, general manager of the 2021 Forbes Travel Guide five-star hotel. “We’ve had so many guests come and they say, ‘Is this for real?’ ” The 550-acre Santa Barbara property with standalone cottages tucked in fragrant gardens of citrus trees, lavender, and jasmine has also upgraded every cottage with an electric car charger. But the most impressive addition may be the collection of Pétrus wine, among the best in Bordeaux, with price tags approaching $100,000 a bottle.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

PARTY UNDER THE STARS IN WASHINGTON

rystal Mountain Resort, the ski area next to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, has teamed up with upscale glamping outfit Under Canvas to create a 20-tent resort for group buyouts, like weddings, milestone birthdays, family reunions, and corporate retreats. Circled by Douglas firs and Alaskan cedar evergreens, tents at Crystal Sky Camp (crystalskycamp.com, from $750/ person/night all-inclusive) have wood floors and area rugs, plush beds, and daily housekeeping, and a full-time concierge is available to help schedule massages and activities like whiskey tasting and fly-fishing. Guests access the resort, which is located about 80 miles from Seattle, by two chair lifts. “You’re at the top of a ridgeline, where you’ve got these beautiful expansive views of the Cascade Mountains, and you’re surrounded by alpine lakes,” says Tiana Anderson, a marketing director at the resort. ·

Please check CDC and local guidelines before traveling.

FROM TOP: HALEY HILL; HALEY HILL; COURTESY OF UNDER CANVAS; COURTESY OF SAN YSIDRO RANCH

SURFIN’ PACIFIC BEACH

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Now open daily, 10 AM – 5 PM. Visit moxi.org for tickets + admission policies.

Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805 By Heidi Dvorak

8/22

July 8–August 14

July 16–17

July 31–November 7

TOWARDS A 21ST CENTURY ABSTRACTION

ROGER McGUINN

VISTAS, VARMINTS AND VAGABONDS: THE PAC6 PAINTS THE WILD WEST

Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, Santa Barbara. What is abstract art? See how eight artists communicate personal perceptions of the genre through their imageand composition-based works; westmont.edu.

Bank of America Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks. To everything there is a season, and this is the perfect time to appreciate the music of the former front man for The Byrds. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer performs four decades of hits; bapacthousandoaks.com.

Through August 1

July 24

ON LOCATION IN MALIBU 2021: PAINTINGS BY THE CALIFORNIA ART CLUB

Virtual. The beauty of the famous beach city is interpreted at Pepperdine University’s Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. The exhibition includes a virtual tour and videotaped artists’ conversations; arts.pepperdine.edu/museum. Through August 19 THE ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA

Through 10/3

Here’s an Idea: Get the kids busy this summer by enrolling them in the Rubicon Theatre Company’s MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP in Ventura from July 19 through August 15. This year’s musical production is Les Misérables; participants ages 15 and older are sure to learn about the French Revolution as well as the skills it requires to put on a major theatrical production; rubicontheatre.org.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Virtual. Learn about India’s monuments and complexes as well as how Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions, spanning the 2nd century BCE through the 16th century, played a part in developing the subcontinent at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s Summer Lecture Series; afsb.org. Through October 3 ART FROM THE TRAIL: EXPLORING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, Solvang. View 38 works, created by 27 local artists, showcasing the trail systems of the South Coast, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Lompoc Valley; wildlingmuseum.org.

PEACE OF MIND: 10,000 STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Alma Rosa Winery, Buellton. Tackle a 10,000-step, or approximately 5-mile, walk through a scenic wine estate to support two mentalhealth beneficiaries, Mental Wellness Center and One Mind. A virtual option to walk the property is available; almarosawinery.com. July 24 A FAERY HUNT ENCHANTMENT IN SHERWOOD FOREST

Corriganville Trails Park, Simi Valley. Kids can join the Faery Folk in an outdoor performance that takes place in a live oak forest. The interactive show, geared toward boys and girls ages 2 through 10, features music and role-playing; afaeryhunt.com. July 26 CARE FOR KIDS GOLF CLASSIC

Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo. Golfers hit the greens at this fundraiser for Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families and Rotary Foundation charities. A modified schedule of events includes a take-home dinner option, an online silent auction, and award announcements on Facebook Live; casapacifica.org.

Santa Paula Art Museum. The PAC6 Painters—Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver—interpret the American West with paintings of scenery, characters, and historic events; santapaulaartmuseum.org. August 21–22 WINGS OVER CAMARILLO

Camarillo Airport. Sky-high entertainment is on the itinerary, with the US Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Team, the Ventura County Sheriff’s water drop, flybys galore, and the Condor Squadron Officer’s and Airmen’s Association Missing Man Formation, along with a ground-level classic car parade; wingsovercamarillo.com. August 22 THE FUNNIEST SHOW IN TOWN AT THE MOMENT

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles. Everyone could use a good laugh right about now. So have a few with Steve Martin and Martin Short, who star in this live outdoor show; vinaroblesamphitheatre.com. August 28–29 SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO: NOBODY DOES THIS TOUR

Santa Barbara Bowl. The New York Times touted him as “the hottest comic in America,” so get ready for a gig that’s sure to be a howler, since he’s been saving up his kooky comments for a year and can now finally share them with a live audience; sbbowl.com. 

PAINTING: SPRING SPLENDOR, GOUACHE, CHRIS CHAPMAN, MIDLAND SCHOOL

Steve Martin, Martin Short

RECENT VENTURA REMODEL

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WELLNESS ESCAPES IN PISMO BEACH

Multipurpose Pampering

Here’s a soothing way to gift yourself or a friend and feel good about it. Ojai-based LOCAL BATH BOX (localbathbox.com) is a new subscription service that provides a monthly selection of small-batch bath and wellness products from artisans in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Owner Lauren Nichols sources goods made with high-quality, locally grown ingredients for her subscription and custom gift boxes. Each monthly box includes two solid soaps (one resembles a rock crystal) and two or three surprise items, such as custom candles, body oils and lotions, and sea salt scrubs. All are nestled in reusable and low-waste packaging. July promises a sea salt-themed box. For each new subscription sold, one allnatural soap is donated to a homeless shelter or a family in need. “Local Bath Box combines my passions for healthy skin products, helping the environment, and supporting local businesses and the community,” says Nichols.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

There may never have been a more important time for selfcare and rejuvenation, and Pilates instructor Misha Patel offers a fun way to rediscover the mind-body-spirit connection with Central Core Weekend Wellness Fitness Retreats, based at her Central Core Studio (centralcore. fitness) in Pismo Beach. A Reset and Recharge retreat, July 17 and 18, includes workouts, a hot springs soak, beach walks, massage, hiking, and fitness-friendly food. Water Weekend, on August 7

and 8, includes surfing and boogie boarding, standup paddleboard Pilates, fitness sessions, wine tasting, and mineral spring soaks. Retreats are open to all fitness levels and are limited to 12 participants. The fee for each weekend is $325 per person; lodging is not included. Look for more soulfeeding camaraderie in future programs that will include pottery making, horseback riding, advanced Pilates, and farm-to-table meals.

FIGHTING BACK, ONE PUNCH AT A TIME

Neuroboxing (neuroboxing.org) is a nonprofit organization in Westlake Village dedicated to improving the lives of those with traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, through noncontact boxing and other wellness therapies. Jennifer Parkinson-Iljin, a registered nurse who founded the organization with elite fitness trainer Josh Ripley, was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s in 2005 at age 32. In researching treatments, Parkinson discovered the benefits of therapeutic boxing, and now works to share them with others. Today, Neuroboxing is offered in three locations in the 805 area at in-person classes, online, and in hybrid versions. A new dedicated space at CKO Kickboxing in Simi Valley is poised to open in late summer. “Boxing is kind of a universal language,” says Parkinson. “One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that we discovered we could offer our classes, support, and education online, and now classes are offered in 10 countries.” 

TOP: BLUE ASCENSION MEDIA; BOTTOM LEFT: COURTESY OF LOCAL BATH BOX

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN THE 805 AND BEYOND.

PRINT • ONLINE • SOCIAL • MOBILE • PODCAST For advertising information, contact your sales representative or call 805-444-1228.

Upgrades Hello, Old Sol

EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO THE SUNROOM WITH FRESH, GRANDMILLENIAL TAKES ON TRADITION. By Frances Ryan

Crystorama “Southport” five-light chandelier in wet white ($346); West Coast Lighting, Templeton, westcoastltg.com.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Upgrades 4

3 2

5 7 1. Lloyd Flanders “Mackinac” loveseat (price upon request); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com. 2. Threshold floral, striped throw pillow designed with Studio McGee ($22); Target: Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; target.com.

3. Arteriors “Parasol” lamp from The Celerie Kemble Collection ($845); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com. 4. Threshold “Carlisle” high-back chair ($115 for set of two); Target: Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; target.com. 5. “Lanai” mirror in vintage indigo ($348 small, $429 large); Serena & Lily, Pacific Palisades, serenaandlily.com.

6. Visual Comfort Aerin “Jacqueline” wall sconce in hand-rubbed antique brass and white acrylic ($499); Alderman Bushé Interiors, Thousand Oaks, aldermanbushe.com.

7. Century Furniture “Dover” ottoman in chalk white finish ($2,940); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. 8. Nottene “Pressed Flowers” wallpaper in green motif ($410 for 30-by-27-foot roll) Anthropologie: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park; anthropologie.com.

10. Lloyd Flanders “Mackinac” square end table (price upon request); Pacific Patio Furniture, Agoura Hills, pacpatio.com. 11. Aerin “Ginger Jar” porcelain champagne bucket created in collaboration with Aerin Lauder ($160); Williams-Sonoma: Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com. 

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

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

2. AND 4.: COURTESY OF TARGET

9. “Scallop” side table ($498); Serena & Lily, Pacific Palisades, serenaandlily.com.

GRIMM’S Bluff

Grimm’s Bluff is a Certified Biodynamic Farm in the Happy Canyon AVA specializing in Bordeaux varieties planted to virgin soils using ancient methods without the use of chemicals. Our wines are honest, distinct, and classic.

VISIT US IN THE HEART OF LOS OLIVOS!

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Reservations are recommended. Sunday–Thursday 12–5pm | Friday–Saturday 12–6pm

Los Olivos CA 93441 805.691.9065 | grimmsbluff.com

G N I C A R B EM N O S A E S E TH mmer. u s f o g in w s in the Getting back

Certain things simply scream, “It’s summer!” A day at the ocean. Ice cream and lemonade. Fun family activities. Road trips! They’re cherished rituals all. Of course, for most of us, last year was summer interruptus. The quirky little things that mean so much were postponed or cancelled. So this year, we’ve found some folks whose work exudes a warm-weather vibe and asked for their summer faves—what they missed and what they’re looking forward to—to get us in the proper seasonal mood. BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS

Water, Water Everywhere

Skip Abed

The Santa Barbara Sailing Center (sbsail.com) is the place for all things ocean—sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and charters to the islands. Owner Skip Abed has been sailing since he was 4. He’s lived in the area for more than 30 years, and there’s nothing he loves more than introducing people young and old to the joys of water sports. Do you have any great memories of summers in the 805? So many summer days of festivals, concerts, full-moon rises. There were great shows at the Santa Barbara Bowl— Rod Stewart, Katy Perry. I’m showing my age. How about favorite summer activities? We’ve just kicked off this year’s Music on the Water— Friday night sunset cruises with local musicians on the Double Dolphin. What are you looking forward to? Kids’ camps at the Sailing Center. There’s kayaking and stand-up paddling in the morning and sailing in the afternoon. I like to watch the kids go out every day, then come back with their parents and take them sailing. We’ll do that this summer. It’s outdoors and COVID-19 restriction–friendly. What’s your quintessential road trip? I love sailing along the coastline and out to the islands. My carpool lane is East Beach toward Montecito with good friends and good food and cold champagne.

SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Monique and Gregory Leone

Chillin’ Gregory Leone, Brooklyn born and bred, has been wanting to bring authentic New York Italian ice to California since he first visited the Golden State in 1992. His three-decade-old dream turned into reality when he and his wife, Monique, established Leone’s Italian Ice (leonesices.com in Thousand Oaks last November. Do you have any favorite summer activities? Our kids, Vincent, 8, and Vienna, 4, absolutely love the splash pad in Oak Park, and we have a blast every time we take them there. What did you miss last year? The splash pad was closed, so that stunk. What are you looking forward to? The first summer in California with authentic Italian ices. Where do you go for a summer picnic? Our kids love going to Underwood

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Family Farms for fresh fruit, then going back to our house for a picnic in the yard. We also love going to Trancas Country Market for sushi, then going to the beach for a picnic. What’s your quintessential road trip? We haven’t been out of the area, probably because our kids are still young. Our list of places to see includes Big Sur, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite National Park. And the best summer book or movie? Jaws.

Retro Camp

Stephan Shay

Stephan Shay calls himself a “car guy.” Originally from northern Michigan, he has roots in the auto industry—his grandfather made Ford Model A and Model T replicas—and he always worked on vehicles. After a stint as a professional distance runner, he moved to California and started out in the vintage camper scene, then founded Epoch Collective Restorations and Adventures (epochcollective.co) in Ventura six years ago. Along with build-outs and conversions, he rents vehicles for films and production and also for family journeys. Do you have any favorite summer experiences? There’s lots to do here—discover new hikes, watering holes, and cool towns like Los Alamos. I really enjoy new trails, and I’m a fan of hot springs in Ojai and Santa Barbara. I try to get outside. What are you looking forward to? I’m pretty simple. I like to wander the area, go to the beach. Solimar is a good spot, and Emma Wood State Beach in Ventura stretches for a couple of miles. I want to surf more this summer. And I’m trying to find time to use the camper myself. What about road trips? I love going up to Big Sur. That’s the quintessential road trip for me. I love how raw it is up there. It’s a little less congested, and the trails are great. It always feels like an adventure.

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Juice It Up

Tracy Minus

This is not your mother’s lemonade stand. The humongous replica fruit that is Los Olivos Lemons proffers lemonade and doughnuts from its parent company, God’s Country Provisions (GCP; godscountryprovisions.com), which has permanent locations in Buellton and Los Olivos. The eye-catching lemon is available to rent for special occasions. Santa Barbara native Tracy Minus and her husband, Craig, are one-half of the team behind GCP; they moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2016 and partnered with Loren and

Sarah Ollenburger, who relocated from Orange County. Tracy offers her insights on summertime fun. Do you have a cherished memory of summer in the 805 area? Growing up, I spent summers at Butterfly Beach and the original Miramar, with trips to the wine and cheese shop for sandwiches and candy. Now, my kids ride their bikes around Los Olivos and Solvang with friends. What are your favorite summer experiences? We look forward to Fiesta; it’s fun to celebrate the history of Santa Barbara County, make a float for the

MIXOLOGY

MASTERS

children’s parade, and cheer on the mutton busters at the rodeo. And we always enjoy barbecues at the Alisal. What did you miss last summer? Our family vacations. Traveling to new places was lost last year. The kids grow up so fast; I cherish that time together. What’s your ideal picnic fare? This is a toss-up between fresh, homemade salsa with La Tolteca chips and a summer roasted-corn salad. And, of course, GCP doughnuts! What about a movie? Summer has to start with the classic family movie The Great Outdoors— on a big outdoor movie screen.

Set the Wheels in Motion

Sonny Grenier

Sonny Grenier, who grew up in the Oxnard/Ventura area, started skating when he was 11 and grew up to be a competitive figure skater, specializing in roller dancing. “I had a partner, and we won the nationals a couple of times,” he remembers. “Then I married her.” In 1979, when he was 22, he opened the Skating Plus (skatingplus.com) rink with a few other folks, and they’ve been welcoming recreational skaters, birthday parties, kids’ camps, and members of their figure skating club and roller derby team ever since. Do you have any great memories of 805-area summers? As a kid, I was always at Kiddie Beach in the Channel Islands Harbor. As I got older, I spent summers skating and then started working at the old Skate Palace when I was 13. What’s your go-to warm-weather experience? I’ve love Rincon Beach. We have a large motor home we call our beach house. We park overnight and invite friends to grill and have sunset cocktails. Then everyone leaves, and we get to stay. What are you looking forward to? Getting together with friends at Yolanda’s Mexican Café in Ventura or Oxnard for dinner and great margaritas. They named a drink after me: the Sonnyrita. Do you have a favorite summer movie? We always watch It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I saw it at the Cinerama Dome when I was a kid, and it made a huge impression on me. I showed it to my sons and now my granddaughters. It had every famous funny person of the time in it.  SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Home goods designer Carly Blumberg takes being lighthearted seriously. BY JOAN TAPPER PHOTOGRAPHS BY GARY MOSS

Inspiration flowers freely (opposite) as Carly Blumberg refines ideas and designs for her fabrics and wallpapers in a corner of her studio/shop.

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Blumberg’s popular pillows in rainbow colors (opposite) fill shelves with similarly scalloped edges, and paintings by artist Bayard Hollins, a part-time Ojai resident, share the space, along with an airy array of baskets. A sketchbook (below) reveals daubs of color taking shape as a multihued bouquet.

sk designer Carly Blumberg to characterize her creations and she’s quick to come up with a line of adjectives: whimsical, detailed, colorful, heartwarming, and happy. Indeed, those are apt descriptions of the fabrics, bedding, pillows, and other exuberant accessories that fill her new shop, the Carly Home Atelier (carlyhome.com) in Ojai. The space—on a street of burgeoning shops and restaurants in the Meiners Oaks neighborhood—serves as a studio as well as a boutique. One wall showcases designs in progress: hand-painted tendrils of blooms, miniature prints, repeating flight-of-fancy floral motifs in varied hues. “Basically I love flowers,” she says. “I worked for a floral designer in high school and college and became obsessed.” That doesn’t mean her images are botanical studies, though. “I can paint a perfect flower, but we have nature for that,” she says. “I can create hybrids!” Other print elements, like monkeys cavorting in a garden setting, reflect Blumberg’s sense of humor, while Madras-like plaids convey her penchant for layers of colors. As for the shop, she says she wants the place to be an experience that raises brand awareness and is more than just a showroom. She aims to fill it with things that are joyful and uplifting and that elicit an emotional reaction. “Your house should be a reflection of you, including tchotchkes that your grandmother got you,” she adds, noting that you shouldn’t be afraid to express your own style with objects you love. “Have fun!” Certainly, Blumberg enjoys displaying her textile work in imaginative and unusual ways; for example, she creates online photocollages. Using a photo she took of a white house, she photoshopped one of her wallpaper prints on it. “There are so many bland designs. I want color!” she says. The shop is just the latest step in Blumberg’s artistic journey. She grew up in New York, studied art history in college, and did an intensive year of graduate work in textiles at the Fashion Institute of Technology that led to a job with J.Crew. A desire to expand from fashion to home products took her to Anthropologie, where she designed “everything from the smallest Christmas ornaments to rugs and bedding.” Eventually she moved on to produce her own Camp Home line and freelanced as a product designer, but a new opportunity proved irresistible: She signed on with a manufacturer in Jaipur, India, to design 500 products a year, >

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Layer it on! Mix and match are the watchwords for Blumberg’s bedding fabrics (above). And when it comes to her photo collage work, imagination knows no bounds, as evidenced by one in which a solid white house gets spruced up (opposite).

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traveling five times a year to a country that had tantalized her even as a young girl. The company specialized in iron and metal cladding on furniture and produced side tables, mirrors, and lamps, to which she added chairs in wood and upholstery. Her affinity and affection for the Asian subcontinent are still discernable in her work. By the time that commercial connection faded— three years and 1,500 designs later—she had moved to Los Angeles, where she met her future husband, Ryan Sweeney. Even before the pandemic, the couple had thought about relocating for a nicer quality of life. Santa Barbara, where Sweeney had gone to college, was the initial thought, but the stars aligned in a different direction and they moved to Ojai in the fall of 2020. Along with finding a place to live, Blumberg came across the perfect store for rent, a former flower shop. “I had toyed with retail and knew this was my space,” she says. She opened the store in December, a few months before she and Sweeney were married on the grounds of the cottage they’d rented. They’ve since bought a home of their own close by.

Her work continues to evolve. “I think my designs are more intentional now,” she says. “Working for big retailers is wonderful, but you need to stay on trend. Now I think things through for myself. My aesthetic is not so precious. It’s more refined.” What’s on the horizon? Blumberg wants to expand her line, including the manufacture of her own wallpapers. Sometimes she finds vintage furniture—a pair of chairs, an ottoman, or a sofa with classic lines—that she can upholster in her signature fabrics and offer in the shop. And as pandemic restrictions recede, she’s thinking of using the space for social events. “I love Ojai,” Blumberg says. “A lot of magical things have happened. There’s something special here.”  Cross-platform application (from top): apron designs, botanical inspirations, the cassia flower print envisioned on a staircase wall. Blumberg’s worktable (opposite) blends comfortably with the wares in her Ojai atelier.

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Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Just Peachy

MAKE THE MOST OF THE SEASONAL FRUIT’S SEDUCTIVE FLAVOR WITH THESE SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES.

By Jaime Lewis

f you’ve ever bitten into a ripe peach fresh from the tree, you understand why that fruit figures so prominently in art and literature. Across the world and its cultures, peaches symbolize luck, sensuality, and bliss—all of which can be fleeting, just like peach season itself. Peaches reside in the magical class of fruits that ripen even after picking, so it’s possible to pull one from the tree that can be enjoyed several days into the future. They can also be frozen and canned for yearround use. Thus, with a little know-how and care, the peach season can be extended and even preserved. Three local culinarians have each shared a favorite

GRILLED SUMMER PEACH, CHERRY, AND BURRATA SALAD WITH TART CHERRY VINAIGRETTE AND MICRO BASIL Luscious, sweet, sour, creamy, and herbal, this salad recipe from chef Richie De Mane at Westlake Village’s Pearl District Restaurant & Bar combines complementary elements that evoke a blissful summer day. Of course, the riper and more in-season the fruit, the better it all will taste; seek out produce from farmers’ markets or directly from farmers whenever possible. Serves 4 TART CHERRY VINAIGRETTE 3 tablespoons tart dried cherries or dried cherries ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and black pepper

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recipe here for a peach delight: Santa Barbara’s Yummy Mummy Kitchen (yummymummykitchen. com) food blogger Marina Delio tells how to blend up her Creamy Peach Smoothies; chef Richie De Mane of Pearl District (pearldistrictrestaurant.com) restaurant in Westlake Village describes his method for assembling his Grilled Summer Peach, Cherry, Burrata Salad With Tart Cherry Vinaigrette and Micro Basil; and chef Julia San Bartolome, owner of Sweet Arleen’s (sweetarleens.com) in Westlake Village, provides instructions for making one of the bakery’s inaugural dishes, founder Arleen Scavone’s Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding.

GRILLED PEACHES 2 large, firm, ripe, yellow summer peaches 1 tablespoon olive oil (to coat peaches for grilling) Salt and freshly ground black pepper SALAD 2 cups loosely packed baby wild arugula 1 small head radicchio, chopped into 1-inch pieces 2 4-ounce burrata balls, cut in half 15 fresh (red bing or Rainier) summer cherries, cut in halves, stones removed 4 tablespoons micro basil 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper Cracked black pepper To make vinaigrette: Place dried cherries in a small cup or bowl. Add just enough hot water to cover cherries; soak them for 5 minutes.

Remove cherries from soaking liquid and place in a blender. Add vinegars and mustard. While blender runs on medium speed, stream in olive oil to emulsify. Season to taste with black pepper and salt. To prepare the peaches: Cut each peach in half, remove stones, then cut each half into 3 wedges. Toss in olive oil to coat, and season with salt and black pepper. Grill over highmedium heat for one minute per side until evenly caramelized (but not burnt). To assemble the salad: Toss arugula and chopped radicchio together, then divide the mixture among four medium salad plates or shallow bowls. Place ½ burrata ball on each plate of arugula and radicchio. On each plate, arrange 3 wedges of grilled peach around the cheese and dot with 6 cherry halves. Drizzle cherry vinaigrette over each plate of salad, and garnish with 1 tablespoon of micro basil on top. Sprinkle each serving with ½ teaspoon of Aleppo pepper and a grind of black pepper to finish. >

Taste Food

For this nostalgic dessert, which San Bartolome calls an alternative to the “tedious traditional peach pie,” she recommends making the peach filling in advance. “It will be fine for at least a week in the refrigerator,” she says. San Bartolome also offers a tip for serving the bread pudding the same way they do at the bakery: melt good quality vanilla ice cream and add a hint of amaretto liqueur for a quick and easy vanilla sauce to pour over the dish. Serves 8 to 10 PEACH SAUTÉ 1½ pounds frozen peaches, chopped into ½-inch cubes ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter 1 pinch salt 2 tablespoons peach liqueur COBBLER CRUMBLE ¼ cup flour ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ cup melted butter

CREAMY PEACH SMOOTHIES Santa Barbara blogger Marina Delio focuses on plant-based, “real food” recipes at Yummy Mummy Kitchen. She developed this pretty two-toned smoothie with her young daughter on a day she stayed home from school with a sore throat and needed something soothing and slurpable. “Peaches are in season for a short time,” says Delio. “Don’t forget to stock up and freeze some for the rest of the year!” While it’s simple to prepare, this smoothie packs a visual punch with its orange and pink layers. Makes 1 to 2 smoothies 1 whole navel orange, peeled 3 ounces plain yogurt (Delio uses plain almond milk yogurt) 1½ cups frozen sliced peaches 1 cup frozen sliced bananas 1 cup frozen strawberries or raspberries (optional)

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Place orange, yogurt, peaches, and bananas in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick for the blender to turn, add a little liquid (water or more orange). If you’d like it thicker, add more frozen fruit. To add a pink layer, if desired, transfer ½ to ¾ of the peach smoothie to glasses and add berries to blender. Blend until smooth and top each smoothie with a small amount of berry puree. Enjoy right away or freeze for later.

PEACH COBBLER BREAD PUDDING This recipe from Sweet Arleen’s in Westlake Village has been on the bakery’s menu since its doors first opened in 2009. “It was the first bread pudding Arleen ever served to me,” says owner Julia San Bartolome about founder Arleen Scavone’s popular dish. “I fell in love within the first bite.”

To make Peach Sauté: In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, sauté peaches, brown sugar, butter, salt, and liqueur. Once fruit is softened, about 5 minutes, set aside to cool. To make Cobbler Crumble: Whisk together flour, brown sugar, and spices in a medium mixing bowl. Once evenly blended, drizzle melted butter over the mixture and stir until a wet-sand texture forms. Set aside. To make Bread Pudding Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and spice. Gently fold in cubed bread and peach preserves. Then fold in cooled peach sauté, which will give the mixture a lumpy consistency. Allow this to sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or as long as overnight. Prepare a 9x9-inch baking dish or 12-cup muffin tin with a thick coating of cooking spray. Remove the bread mixture from the refrigerator and gently spoon it into the prepared baking dish. Bake at 300°F for 30 to 35 minutes for the 9x9-inch pan or 18 to 20 minutes for the muffin tins. ·

MARINA DELIO

Creamy peach smoothies get a two-tone look with a raspberry-tinged top layer.

BREAD PUDDING CUSTARD 3 eggs ¾ cup whole milk 1¼ cups heavy cream ¼ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 8 slices French bread, cubed ½ cup peach preserves

Alfresco Elevated

Event company setting the scene for intimate outdoor gatherings. Serving Ventura County picnicandplaydate@gmail.com picnic_and_playdate

S ANTA B ARBARA S TUDIO A RTISTS 20th Annual

Labor Day Weekend

OPEN STUDIOS TOUR Visit 28 acclaimed artists in their studios, Sept. 4-6. Opening reception and preview Friday, Sept. 3, 5-8 pm, Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street. Tickets, maps, details at SantaBarbaraStudioArtists.com.

To benefit the

Taste Wine

Eye-Opening Alternative Whites CRISP SIPPING OPTIONS FOR A SPECIAL SUMMER.

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By Matt Kettmann

veryone is expecting a 21st century version of the roaring twenties to kick off this summer, as we unleash pent-up pandemic pressure through exuberance and excess. I’m all for it, but I’m also feeling that these sunny months should be a time to reflect on how quickly the good times can stop and to realize that we should be smart in every choice we make— even when it comes to reaching for that next bottle. So skip those fresh (but often similar) rosés and your reliably hedonistic friend chardonnay (she’s not going anywhere), and opt for these delicious alternatives instead. Long known as a home for red wines, Paso Robles is popping with refreshing, mineral-flecked white wines today. Much of that is thanks to the grape varieties that Tablas Creek Vineyard (tablascreek.com) began importing in the 1990s. Their own 2020 Vermentino, Adelaida District ($27)—from a grape most common to Sardinia—offers both wet stone and stone-fruit flavors. But the family’s deep ties to France’s Rhône Valley continue to bring attention to such grapes as picpoul blanc and clairette blanche, now being grown by other vineyards as well. McPrice Myers (mcpricemyers.com) uses the latter grape in many ways, including as the core of its 2019 “Beautiful Earth,” Willow Creek District ($30), which pairs clairette blanche with equally racy grenache blanc. Myers also showcases the grape solo in the 2019 Clairette Blanche “Paper Street,” Willow Creek District

($38), a single vineyard expression that’s tense on the palate and full of citrus and melon flavors. “They show the diversity of our whites, and a welcome contrast to our powerful reds,” says Myers. “The drinkability can be enjoyed away from or at any table.” In the Edna Valley, John Niven is carrying on a white wine tradition that his grandfather sparked as a pioneer of this coastal region near San Luis Obispo. When his family sold their vineyard and winery operations to a larger company in 2020, Niven created a brand called Cadre Wines (cadrewines.com) to highlight zesty whites. He’s amped about the albariño, as the Edna Valley is much like the grape’s native Spanish home in Rias Baixas. Niven’s first release included the Cadre 2019 Albariño “Sea Queen,” Edna Valley ($28), as well as a sparkling albariño called “Ode to Pearls” from 2017 ($45).

“Albariños from the Edna Valley get the best of both worlds: beautiful ripe fruit all while preserving racy natural acidity,” says Niven, who believes that the Edna Valley is the grape’s New World home. “Albariño in the Edna Valley rewards patience. The end results are wines that are floral, energetic, and a great mix of citrus and tropical fruit.” Fresh acidity and vivid aromatics are also the hallmark of Santa Barbara County. Out in the Santa Maria Valley, the Miller family is putting prominence on pinot blanc in their J. Wilkes Wines (jwilkes.com) 2020 Pinot Blanc, Santa Maria Valley ($20), which demonstrates how this grape grown across Europe can brilliantly translate terroir. In this case, that terroir is the iconic Bien Nacido Vineyard, which makes this affordable bottling’s Asian pear and citrus flavors all the more appealing. Out in the Sta. Rita Hills, winemaker Wynne Solomon of Peake Ranch (peakeranch.com) added grüner veltliner ($30) to her repertoire in 2020. Solomon is glad she took that chance, as the grassy and floral results are a counterpoint to the winery’s lush chardonnays. Kristin Fione’s new label Adorato Wines (adoratowines.com) is processing Santa Ynez Valley fruit at the Cavaletti Vineyards facility in Moorpark. Her Adorato 2020 Grenache Blanc “Flora,” Santa Ynez Valley ($29) is tightly woven and refreshing, perfect for summer and much like the vermentino that inspired her during a 2019 trip to Sardinia. “I made what I like to drink, and I’m convinced that there’s a market for other white wines besides sauvignon blanc and chardonnay,” says Fione, whose grandparents’ love story is told through her brand. “It’s my goal to expose those wines to as many people as I can, especially the ones who claim they don’t like white wine.” Most eye-opening of all, at least when it comes to wines to ponder for a changing world, is the first release of a new white wine by The Ojai Vineyard (ojaivineyard.com). Made from two hybrid clones that are resistant to Pierce’s disease—which is becoming more common in a warming climate—the Ojai Vineyard Estate White, Ventura County ($35) is quite elegant, with subtle hints of guava and apricot served atop a tense structure. It tastes of hope in our interesting times. ·

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Taste Dining Out By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

A New Wine Shrine

THOUSAND OAKS’ NEW CORK DORK RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR SERVES BOUTIQUE WINES, CRAFT BEERS, AND CREATIVE CALIFORNIAN CUISINE. Cork Dork restaurant and wine bar general manager and sommelier Aaron Horwitz tends bar before a gleaming row of stainless-steel, temperature-controlled, automated wine-dispensing and -preservation units.

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he Conejo Valley restaurant scene adds another notch on its gastronomic belt with the recent opening of Cork Dork (corkdorkwinebar.com) restaurant and wine bar in the foothills of Thousand Oaks. “Cork dork” is an industry term for a sommelier, and this friendly neighborhood spot for wine encourages the inner somm in everyone, with an enticing food menu to fuel the venture. Owner and Conejo Valley native Dan Margolis has put together his own team after years of due diligence in roles from dishwasher as a college student to general manager at Mediterraneo in Westlake Village and director of operations at Chaya restaurant in Los Angeles. He’s also a level two sommelier. “I’ve worked with some great people over the years, and this is all about the best of what I’ve learned,” says Margolis. “Great service and a great meal can be found anywhere, but at the end of the day, it’s the fun that you remember. We want to be a community spot, a place to relax, learn about wine, and enjoy.” The welcoming interior has a modern bodega vibe, with simple hardwood tables and gray stoneware

Chef Danny Amirian (left) showcases local produce in dishes like baby beets with burrata, arugula, and crispy shallots (above).

plates, a tobacco-colored leather banquette along a textured concrete wall, and a sleek, stunning chandelier imported from Spain. White subway tile and a colorful splash of tile from Malibu Tile Works decorate the bar area. A 16-bottle WineStation, the high-tech dispenser designed for perfect pours, allows for tasting wines by the glass or as a curated flight of two-ounce sippers. A long wall of wine lockers holds monthly allocations for members of the Cork Dork Wine Club. Membership comes with benefits including waived corkage fees, invitations to special tastings, a newsletter subscription, and exclusive winemaker dinners. The menu is a hand-held tablet that, with a few swipes and clicks, provides lists of several suggested wine pairings for each dish. “The wine world now is less pretentious; barriers are down,” says Aaron > SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

Taste Dining Out

“Dan brings ‘home’ to the dish,” says Cork Dork owner Dan Margolis of chef Danny Amirian, his friend since high school.

Cork Dork owner Dan Margolis (left) is a level two sommelier and brings years of restaurant-leadership experience to the business. On one plate (above), pickled vegetables and edible flowers brighten house-smoked trout atop grilled bread. A Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine (below) keeps bubbly at the ready.

Horwitz, the general manager and on-site sommelier. “Our goal is to make guests feel comfortable in trying a new and exciting wine, and develop their own opinion,” he says. Horwitz admits he is “not a big points guy,” referring to the highly subjective measure of wine quality used by many wine critics. He follows his own nose and is pleased to highlight winemakers like Larry Turley, “a preservationist at heart,” he says, who rescued heritage zinfandel vines from being replaced by cabernet sauvignon, the money grape of Napa Valley. Horwitz’s knowledge and enthusiasm are boundless as he shares favorite finds from the restaurant’s 60-plus bottle selection, like a little-known Château Belá 2018 Riesling from Slovakia, or a Coelho Winery 2018 white 88

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pinot noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, known for its reds. The house red and white are custom, proprietary California blends made exclusively for Cork Dork by winemakers Kris Curran and Bruno D’Alfonso, longtime colleagues of Margolis. Chef Danny Amirian’s food reflects his Eastern European heritage as well as influences of the chefs he has worked with since he started out 20 years ago at his family’s Pizza Nosh in Agoura Hills, which is still run by his mother and sister. Amirian attended culinary school, but he credits his passion to his experience with longtime Los Angeles restaurateurs the Drago brothers. And his Gabe’s Aged Bone-in Ribeye, with a grilled-grape reduction, endive, and shoestring potatoes, is named in homage to chef Gabe Garcia, whose direction he worked under as a line cook at Herzog Wine Cellars’ Tierra Sur restaurant in Oxnard. The Tamai Farms Baby Beets with burrata and crispy shallots is an example of Amirian’s respect for locally sourced produce, which is based on much more than an ideology. Amirian recalls his labor in earning 10 cents a flat for strawberries or cabbage in the fields of Oxnard. “Dan brings ‘home’ to the dish,” says Margolis of Amirian, his friend since high school. The opening menu features a light and delicious yellowtail crudo with a bright citrus emulsion, whole steamed edamame, and sprouted radish, dotted with roasted red chile coulis. House-smoked trout spread on grilled toast, with pickled radish, carrot, and cauliflower florets is a tasty starter, as is the crispy battered cauliflower, served with silky eggplant tapenade, labneh with mint and dill, roasted spiced chickpeas, and marinated box peppers. Baba’s chicken comes on a bed of buttery Israeli couscous with plump golden raisins and a side of harissa-spiced rainbow carrots, charred and tender. “This dish, named after my father, represents who I am,” says Amirian whose grandmother left handwritten recipes that he had translated from Farsi. “The couscous is like the ‘celebration rice’ we used to have—and opening our doors is definitely worth celebrating,” he adds. Sugar snap pea risotto is made with Mexican cotija, whole tender peas, blanched pea pods, fresh pea tendrils, and shaved summer truffle. Dessert options include beignets, a nod to his mother’s Louisiana roots, drizzled with Rivendale Farms honey and served with whole fresh berries and slivered almonds; and Cork Dork chocolate custard on ground pistachios with blood orange segments, Luxardo cherries, and a white chocolate tuile. Finally, don’t miss the Moët & Chandon champagne vending machine. It’s one of those toys that makes cork dorks go crazy. 

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.

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. UPDATE BELMOND EL ENCANTO 800 Alvarado Place Santa Barbara, 805-845-5800 belmond.com/el-encanto-santa-barbara Entrées $26–$54 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 to experience the plant- and seafood-forward cuisine of executive chef Bruno Lopez in dishes such as king salmon, seared diver scallops, risotto with sea urchin or black truffle, glass noodles, and a grains and greens bowl. Taking influences from various California cultures, the menu showcases the flavors of local artisanal ingredients including fresh seafood, caught daily. Wine offerings from Santa Barbara County and around the globe, beers, and cocktails are among a wide selection of beverage choices. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, although Sunday lunch is replaced with a bottomless Bellini brunch. Afternoon tea is served Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with 24-hour advance notice. In-the-know locals and hotel guests take in the sunset, cocktail in hand, on the terrace.

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BLUEWATER GRILL 15 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, 805-845-5121 bluewatergrill.com Seafood; Entrées $16–$50 Great Views, Saturday and Sunday Brunch

This waterfront bar and grill turns out well-prepared plates using ingredients from land and sea with a focus on sustainably harvested seafood. Whether seated at the oyster bar, the cocktail bar, in the dining room, or on the upstairs deck, patrons savor dishes created by chef Chanel Ducharme like San Francisco cioppino, pan-seared sea scallops, and local sea urchin. Sip a cocktail, Central Coast wine, or craft brew from the extensive list. Happy hour takes place Sundays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the downstairs bar only.

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 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

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 housemade 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 features local, seasonal ingredients (some grown on site) in pastas, salads, flatbreads, steaks, and seafood. A serene covered patio near the substantial kitchen garden is a fine place for enjoying breakfast, lunch, small plates, or dinner outdoors. Cello also offers an extensive farm-to-bar cocktail menu and a wine list that includes several otherwise impossible-to-get bottles.

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

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

The Agoura Antique Mart A Vintage Marketplace

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, original dishes by chef Jesus Medina are driven by the seasonality of ingredients from local purveyors and influenced by his Latin roots. 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. Accompaniments are available from a seasonally driven light-bite menu. For a sip of joe, Stir coffee bar, located off the lobby, is open daily from 6 a.m., offering a grab-and-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.

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

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Where to Eat Now LA DOLCE VITA 1901 740 S. B St. 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 Prohibitionthemed cocktails.

There’s no knead to make your own, the new The Happy Little Loaf (thehappylittleloaf.com) delivers pizza, bread, and cookie dough right to your door. Order on the website by 1 p.m. on Friday for Saturday or Sunday delivery in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Montecito. Owners Jacopo Giacopuzzi and Michael Levin offer a varying selection of doughs, but the mainstay is the classic pizza romana. Additional options might include ciabatta, focaccia, baguettes, sweet rolls, and cinnamon rolls. “It’s fun for families to bake them together, and kids love it,” says Giacopuzzi. LES PETITES CANAILLES 1215 Spring St. Paso Robles, 805-296-3754 lpcrestaurant.com French; Entrées $17–$40

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

UPDATE LUCKY’S 1279 Coast Village Road Montecito, 805-565-7540 luckys-steakhouse.com and 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 18 Malibu, 310-317-0099 luckysmalibu.com Steak House; Entrées $16–$69 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

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At the Montecito location of this upscale steak house, black-and-white portraits of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Warhol, and Julia Child adorn the walls. 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. The Malibu location in the Malibu Country Mart offers the same mouthwatering steaks, chops, seafood, and cocktails, and carries on the black-and-white theme with an eye-catching jazz-themed mural in the dining room. Seating is also available on the covered and heated outdoor patio. Dinner is served daily in Montecito and Tuesday through Sunday in Malibu. Lunch is offered Monday through Friday in Montecito.

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.

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 Road 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 St., Suite B Ventura, 805-205-9618 pacificbynoru.com New American; Entrées $10–$29

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

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

Set in a spectacular seaside location, this luxury beachside resort’s seven distinctive restaurants and bars are open to the general public as well as hotel guests. Executive chef Massimo Falsini oversees the dining destinations, which emphasize locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. Caruso’s, the signature oceanfront eatery, is open daily for dinner and features alfresco seating over the sand in addition to a stylish dining room outfitted with deep blue leather booths. Menu highlights include starters such as hand-pulled burrata as well as Baja kampachi crudo, house-made pastas including the chef’s signature carbonara, uni tagliolini, and main courses such as pan-roasted petrale sole and grass-fed Watkins Ranch beef fillet. Local and international wines and traditional handcrafted signature cocktails are also offered.

UPDATE SAN YSIDRO RANCH 900 San Ysidro Lane Santa Barbara, 805-565-1720 sanysidroranch.com American; Entrées $48–$90; Sunday Brunch $95 Great View, Romantic, Sunday Brunch

This historic resort’s Stonehouse restaurant is helmed by executive chef Matthew Johnson. Set upstairs inside a 19th-century citrus-packing house, it boasts an inviting dining room with fireplaces, creek-side views, and a sheltered terrace. The lunch menu offers dishes like Crispy Halibut Tacos, while dinner mains include options such as Steak Diane, prepared in the classic style and flambéed tableside. Sip from the renowned wine cellar’s 12,000 bottles of varietals from around the globe. Sunday brunch includes starters, entrées, desserts, and Champagnes from Mumm.

NEW SEAR STEAKHOUSE 478 4th Place Solvang, 805-245-9564 searsteakhouse.com Steakhouse; Entrées $26–$125

Living up to its name, this restaurant and bar from owners Demetrios and Karen Loizides, owners of K’Syrah Catering and Events, serves up expertly prepared steaks and sides. Chef Erik Dandee oversees a seasonal menu that includes ingredients sourced from the Loizides family’s Santa Ynez Valley organic farm. Steaks range from a filet mignon center cut to a shareable tomahawk. Pork chop, lamb, and fresh seafood dishes are also on the menu. Restaurant co-owner and mixologist Alberto Battaglini applies the same high standards to the beverage program, which features a locally focused wine list and inventive cocktails. A separate menu is devoted exclusively to martinis.

THE TAVERN AT ZACA CREEK 1297 Jonata Park Road Buellton, 805-688-2412 zaca-creek.com Steak House; Entrées $20–$50 Sunday Brunch Located on a historic Santa Ynez

property that was carefully resurrected after almost two decades of dormancy, this sophisticated yet warm and welcoming tavern serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Executive chef Kaitlyn Paul offers menus that highlight the best ingredients from the region, including beef from the restaurant’s American full-blood Wagyu cattle program. Menus change often, but expect dinner entrees like KalbiStyle Wagyu Short Ribs and Seared Halibut with carrot-top chimichurri. For Sunday brunch, get fancy with a caviar flight, design your own omelet, or go down-home with steak and eggs. A remarkable selection of Santa Barbara County and imported wines, local beers, and signature and classic cocktails add to the experience.

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 wood-burning grill before it is served with fried kale and roasted potatoes. Desserts include frozen custards, vanilla-spiced doughnuts, and a showstopping Baked Alaska. Surrounded by the coppery glow of the walls and the burnished-wood wine rack that frames the kitchen pass-through, diners may forget they’re at a kosher restaurant in an Oxnard industrial park. The restaurant is closed on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath. Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is served buffet style, with carving and omelet stations and weekly specials inspired by ingredients from local farms.

TRA DI NOI RISTORANTE 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 8A Malibu, 310-456-0169 tradinoimalibu.com Italian; Entrées $18–$36; Market Price for Some Seafood Sunday Brunch

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

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Where to Eat Now 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 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.

UPDATE WATER’S EDGE RESTAURANT AND BAR 1510 Anchors Way Ventura, 805-642-1200 watersedgeventura.com American; Entrées $21–$55 This aptly named bar and grill offers well-prepared plates from land and sea in an elegant setting with harbor views. Starters like chorizo crab cakes, garlic shrimp, and the restaurant’s award-winning New England clam chowder set the stage for main dishes such as seared sesame seed–crusted ahi and braised Szechuan short ribs. Brunch, served every Saturday and Sunday, offers appetizers, egg dishes, beignets, and waffles, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and locally sourced fish. Pets are welcome on the patio. Happy hour is every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (except holidays).

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

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

Foodie

Cuisine that shines regardless of decor, service, ambience, or even views. 101 NORTH EATERY & BAR 30760 Russell Ranch Road, 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,

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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.

BELL’S 406 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-4609 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 St. 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.” 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 oysterchili 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

Old Town Coffee (otcoffeeshop. com) in Goleta is now open until 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with no WiFi after 5 p.m. It’s the time to relax with friends and sip a local beer or glass of wine. “It’s almost like a community center, with everybody just hanging out,” says Rachel Ward, who owns the shop with her husband, Tim. There’s a band every Saturday night on the back patio along with food trucks and vendors. Also look for game nights and open-mic nights. Check the website for a calendar of events.

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 ever-changing late-night menu of munchies-slaying dishes greets diners from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

BOAR DOUGH TASTING ROOM 5015 Cornell Road Agoura Hills, 818-889-2387 boardoughtastingroom.com American; Entrées $16–$28 Sunday Brunch

This cozy hidden gem is a perfect spot for dinner or a bite (or two) before or after a movie at the next-door theater. Sip from an international wine list (the friendly owners, Charles and Joanne Bruchez, are happy to help with a selection) while enjoying starters like charcuterie and cheese boards and bacon-wrapped dates with Manchego, fresh salads, and pizzas. Entrées include sweet and spicy fried chicken breast and crispy pork belly tacos. For a treat try Blueberry Bliss, a tarte flambé showcasing the all-American berries with goat cheese, thyme, and honey. Sunday brunch features omelets and other egg dishes, waffles (banana and Nutella, anyone?), and pizzas like the Mr. Johnstone with marinated salmon (also available at dinner). Happy hour on Wednesdays through Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. offers half-price pizzas and $5 house wines, beers, and sangria.

BOB’S WELL BREAD BAKERY 550 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-3000 and Bob’s Well Bread Bakery at the Ballard Store 2449 Baseline Ave., Ste. 101 Ballard, 805-691-9549 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 onionbacon marmalade) until 3 p.m. Graband-go items for DIY picnics include ficelle sandwiches made with French ham, Emmentaler cheese, and housemade butter. Well Bread Wines created by Doug Margerum are available by the glass or bottle.

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

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

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.

DECKER KITCHEN 4661 Lakeview Canyon Road Westlake Village, 818-735-9577 deckerkitchen.com American; Entrées $16–$42

Known for its upscale food and unpretentious neighborhood-hangout feel, Decker Kitchen is the creation of chefowner Graham Harris, who keeps the menu fresh and creative. Menu highlights include Harris’ naturally leavened sourdough bread, fresh-from-the-oven pizzas, starters such as Feta Mousse Toast with heirloom tomato, and entrées including barbecued pork ribs and seared rib-eye steak. Sip a craft cocktail or small-lot wine and nosh small bites on the patio Thursdays through Saturdays until midnight. Takeout is available.

NEW E + MON 2805 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 805-371-3693 eplusmon.com Sushi; Entrées $12–$27

Chef-owner Hidetoshi “Teddy” Seike, a restaurateur who was raised in Japan, joins forces with head chef Koji Miyamoto, whose cuisine has earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, at this stylish eatery in the Westlake Commons. They offer a creative lunch and dinner menu of sushi, sashimi, bao (steamed buns), and Asian salads that spotlight seasonal ingredients. Look for signature rolls such as the E + Mon Crunch Roll, featuring spicy tuna and shrimp tempura with chive mayo, avocado, sesame, sweet soy, cucumber, and citrus sauce. Premium sake, Japanese craft beer, and California wines are the perfect sips.

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

Named for the wood fires used to cook the restaurant’s seasonal and 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.

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EMBERMILL 1031 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-456-1212 embermillsb.com Caribbean/Californian Entrées $21–$32

When chef Harold Welch opened his restaurant, foodies who knew him from his stints at restaurants including Santa Barbara’s now-closed Citronelle and his World Cuisine Express catering company leaped for joy. The Barbados-born chef offers lunch and dinner with weekly specials and favorites such as Classic Jerk Chicken, Barbados Fried Red Snapper, and Curried Tempeh & Vegetable Stir Fry. Dishes from the Italian wood-burning oven such as Mussels & Clams with a coconut-ginger broth round out the menu. Housed in a historic building, the restaurant has a casual European feel with a lovely outdoor patio where steel drum music (Thursday through Sunday) adds to the ambience.

FLOR DE MAIZ 29 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, 805-869-6559 flordemaizsb.com Mexican; Entrées $14–$28 Restaurateur Carlos Luna and the team behind the Los Agaves restaurants and Santa Barbara’s

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Where to Eat Now 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.

FULL OF LIFE FLATBREAD 225 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-4400 fulloflifefoods.com Californian; Flatbreads and Entrées $9–$27

Opened in 2003, this down-to-earth gem has become a foodie destination. Dinner is served on Thursdays through Sundays, with lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Owner Clark Staub’s vision rings deliciously true in every bite of the fresh salads, flatbreads, and entrées made with seasonal ingredients from local farmers’ markets and artisan food producers. For flatbreads, look for the vegetarian Shaman’s Bread with a crunch of New Cuyama pistachios and the Nitrate-Free Pepperoni and Peppers. Diners who sit at the bar can order food there, too, and seating is available outside.

Set to open in Santa Barbara, the new Alessia Patisserie & Cafe (alessiapatisserie.com) is a bright, modern European–inspired eatery serving a full breakfast and lunch menu, including croissants, breakfast pastries, breads, cakes, coffee, chocolates, and candies. Owner and head pastry chef Alessia Guehr, who most recently worked at Nook in Santa Barbara and Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, is known for thinking outside the pastry box with her imaginative creations.

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

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

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HOTEL CALIFORNIAN 36 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-882-0100 thehotelcalifornian.com/santa_barbara_ restaurants/ Eclectic; Small Plates $12–$19

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. Blackbird, a cocktail bar located on the ground floor of the hotel, features lounge-style seating, a creative menu of small plates from executive chef Travis Watson, and inventive cocktails by mixologist Devon Espinosa in addition to local wines and craft beer. (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-atthe-counter café with its own patio and, in the dining room, windows with a view of the kitchen. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with grab-and-go options for impromptu picnics.

HOTEL SAN LUIS OBISPO 877 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, 805-235-0700 hotel-slo.com Various Cuisines; Entrées $13–$46

Chef Ryan Fancher, who brings a culinary pedigree that includes a stint at Napa Valley’s French Laundry, oversees the dining options at this modern urban resort, which has a playful vibe. A contemporary spin on a classic steak house, Ox + Anchor sets an elegant yet approachable tone for dinner. Large sliding glass walls in the stylish dining room open to a covered alfresco terrace. In addition to signature steaks and seafood, the menu features shared plates like Crispy Crab Cake and Goat Cheese Croquettes. Central Coast wines take the stage on the thoughtfully curated wine list. The bright, casual Piadina offers a fresh California take on Italian cuisine based around the wood-fired oven for all-day service. Adult libations and light bites are served at The Rooftop Terrace and High Bar amid lush planted greenery and a bocce court with views of the rolling hills.

UPDATE INDUSTRIAL EATS 181 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-688-8807 industrialeats.com New American; Entrées $10–$18

Part restaurant, part butcher shop, and part takeout, this popular spot is hard to miss—just look for the colorful mural with floating sausages and the retro neon “EATS” sign in front. Inside, you’ll find locally sourced dishes by owner and executive chef Jeff Olsson. The frequently changing menu features an array of wood-fired pizzas, such as rosemary with Parmesan or skirt steak, tomatillo, and queso fresco (a soft, mild, white Mexican cheese). Small plates include chicken liver with guanciale (Italian cured pork), while the sandwich list offers selections like the Crispy Pork Banh Mi. Local wine and beer options are on tap. Check out the deli case for imported cheeses, house-cured meats, and other delicacies.

INTERMEZZO BY WINE CASK 813 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-966-9463 intermezzosb.com Modern American; Entrées $19–$29

Located in the historic El Paseo, Intermezzo is the casually stylish sister restaurant to the long-beloved Wine Cask. A collaboration between proprietor John O’Neill and executive chef Josh Brown, the eatery features modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Favorites include Spicy Capicola

Pizza, Faroe Island Salmon, and the Cask Burger. Nightly specials reflect seasonal farm-fresh picks. Sit by the fireplace or at the bar and sip signature cocktails and wines from Santa Barbara County and around the globe. A Mezzo-A-Go-Go take-out menu is also available.

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

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone takes flight with The Lark, named for the Pullman train that once made overnight runs between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The past is present in the restaurant’s setting, a former fish market remodeled to include exposed brick walls, subway tile, communal tables, and private booths fashioned from church pews. As culinary conductor, executive chef Jason Paluska oversees a thoroughly modern menu that highlights local ingredients. West Coast oysters with Goleta caviar lime are popular starters to shared plates of roasted chicken with green peppercorn gastrique, depending on the season. Craft brews, wines by the glass, cocktails, and mocktails extend the artisanal spirit into the bar.

LE CAFÉ STELLA 3302 McCaw Ave. Santa Barbara, 805-969-7698 lecafestella.com French, American; Entrées $15–$36

French-country charm prevails at this hidden gem where chintz curtains and a fireplace accent an airy dining room. Canopied outdoor patio seating includes some tables with mountain views. French favorites on the dinner menu include snails in the shell with garlic and parsley butter, short ribs bourguignon, and steak frites. Executive chef Roth Ironside also turns out American-leaning favorites, such as burgers and a grilled New York steak. Sit in the lounge area or at the full bar and nibble bar bites like Bacon Mac and Cheese and truffle fries. The café is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

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.

LITTLE DOM’S SEAFOOD 686 Linden Ave. Carpinteria, 805-749-7400 ldseafood.com Seafood, Italian; Entrées $23–$28, Pizza $14–$19 Open for dinner, Little Dom’s is the latest culinary venture from Los Angeles restaurateur Warner

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

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

MAD & VIN 1576 Mission Drive Solvang, 805-688-3121 thelandsby.com Eclectic; Entrées $16–$38 Sunday Brunch

This restaurant located inside The Landsby hotel is named for the Danish words for “food” and “wine.” You won’t find a single aebleskiver in the sleek but comfy dining room, but Mad & Vin still pays homage to Solvang’s heritage with a Nordic Caesar salad of local greens, sautéed shrimp, fried sourdough croutons, and dill-caraway Caesar dressing. At dinner, the lamb porterhouse with mint-pesto yogurt and seafood hot pot, paired with selections from the primarily Santa Barbara County wine list, are not to be missed. The newly expanded Scandinavianchic bar (open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays) and lounge area with patio seating is a great place to enjoy Sunday brunch, lunch, or happy hour daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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 into Neapolitan-style pizzas from the Italian wood-fired pizza oven, housemade 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 housemade tomato jam. Lunch and dinner are served every day except Sunday.

NEW M cPHEE’S CANTEEN 3070 Limestone Way Paso Robles, 805-369-2787 mcpheescanteen.com American; Entrées $14–$19 Kid-Friendly, Great Patio

Located in the Tin City industrial makers market space that formerly housed Tin Canteen, this new casual, counter-service eatery is managed by Ian McPhee of the popular McPhee’s Grill in Templeton. A great place to take a break while wine tasting in the area, the restaurant offers wood-fired pizzas, Snake River Farms American Kobe burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, and fresh salads. Pair these with a Central Coast wine or beer on tap. Sit inside or on the outdoor patio near a decorative waterfall for lunch or early dinner (until 6 p.m.), both served daily.

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

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Ebbink and executive chef Brandon Boudet. Leather booths, a restored wooden bar, and a raw bar create a comfortable old-school ambience. The seafood-forward menu focuses on local fish and includes pizzas from the wood-burning oven, handmade pastas, and Italian classics like chicken Parmesan. Guests get things started with appetizers like chilled, Creole-style, boiled shrimp and Santa Barbara live uni, and sip local wines, craft beers, and classic cocktails.

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Where to Eat Now 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.

NELLA KITCHEN & BAR 2860 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, 805-686-1359 nellakitchen.com California-Italian; Entrées $36–$44, Pinsas $14–$35, Small Plates $14–$26

The team behind S.Y. Kitchen in Santa Ynez operates this rustic-chic restaurant and bar located inside the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. Executive chef and partner Luca Crestanelli oversees the offerings, favoring refined comfort food made with farm-fresh ingredients. The evolving menu features selections of cheeses and charcuterie, small plates, and main courses like Wagyu Short Ribs. Crispy Roman-style pinsa (which has a lower gluten index than pizza) is perfect for nibbling with specialty cocktails, local beers, and Italian drafts, or a glass from the wine list that spotlights Santa Barbara County vintages, including selections from Fess Parker Winery. Warm woods and earth tones make the dining room inviting, and the outdoor patio seating is divine.

Start your morning off right with a fresh breakfast sandwich from the new The Fix 805 (Instagram @the_fix_805). The hand-held meals are available by pre-order through Instagram direct message, with limited day-of ordering, for curbside pickup in Santa Barbara. Consider The Fix: soft-scrambled eggs, hardwood-smoked bacon, and cheese on a brioche bun ($8) with avocado or grilled jalapeños as an optional add-on. Look for pop-ups at Old Town Coffee (otcoffeeshop.com) in Goleta and new menu items coming soon. 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.

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OJAI RÔTIE 469 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-798-9227 ojairotie.com Lebanese-French; Entrées $14–$30

Strung with white lights, the charming, tree-shaded patio at this casual counter-service spot makes every meal feel like a picnic. Serving dinner and weekend lunch, owners and veteran chefs Claud Mann and Lorenzo “Larry” Nicola focus on Lebanese-Frenchstyle free-range rotisserie chicken, fresh-baked organic sourdough bread, and farmers’ market-driven side dishes, such as caramelized cauliflower and tabbouleh salad. Other offerings include chicken sandwiches, inventive salads, and house-made chocolate-chunk cookies and brownies. At the Winebox, a small stand-alone structure, patrons can order beer and wine from a wine list curated by sommelier Emily Johnston, which highlights vintages from Santa Barbara, Ojai, and selected regions in France.

UPDATE OLIO E LIMONE RISTORANTE, OLIO BOTTEGA AND OLIO PIZZERIA 11 W. Victoria St., Suites 17-18, and Suite 21 Santa Barbara, 805-899-2699 olicucina.com Italian; Restaurant Entrées $20–$42; Bottega $4–$12; Pizzeria $6–$28

Husband-and-wife owners Alberto Morello and Elaine Andersen Morello preside over these three Italian venues. At the ristorante, salads, seafood, chicken, and chops are served alongside housemade pastas and sauces. Olio Bottega, a casual breakfast, lunch, snack, and retail spot next door, serves egg dishes, Italian croissants, and espresso drinks for breakfast and hot Italian street food specialties and panini on house-made focaccia for lunch. Shop from a selection of Italian specialty products, cocktails, beer, and wine to take home. At the pizzeria, enjoy chicken, fish, and beef entrées, pasta, antipasti, salads, and panini. Pizzas are topped with gourmet ingredients, such as sautéed rapini, spicy salami, and black truffles.

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.

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.

PETIT VALENTIEN 1114 State St. #14 Santa Barbara, 805-966-0222 petitvalentien.com French; Entrées $20–$25 Weekend Ethiopian Brunch

Step into this cozy French bistro in La Arcada Plaza for lunch or dinner to feel transported to Paris. Candles glow, glasses clink, and the menu lists such classics as escargot and pan-seared duck breast. But there are also surprises, like the Ethiopian weekend brunch, served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday supper with a different one-time French menu each week. Sip wines from California or France or local beers on tap. Diners are also served outdoors in the plaza.

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

The spirit of a one-stop general store lives on in the historic town of Los Alamos, the northern gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley. The outstanding chef-driven, locally sourced dinner menu from executive chef John Wayne Formica changes frequently but offers dishes like local crudo, grilled octopus, house-made pastas, smoked pork chop, and dry-aged rib-eye steak. Charcuterie and cheese platters are a mainstay. Pair the fare with a signature cocktail, beer, or wine from the well-curated list spotlighting small-scale vintners, which earned Pico “Top 100 Wine Restaurant” recognition from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The spacious, refurbished building is also the tasting room of Lane Tanner and Will Henry’s Lumen Wines of Santa Maria. Upscale but down home, Pico is keeping destination diners as well as the local cowboys coming back for more.

SAMA SAMA KITCHEN 1208 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-965-4566 samasamakitchen.com at Topa Topa Brewing 345 East Ojai Ave. Ojai, 805-335-4175 topatopa.beer Asian; Shared Plates $11–$42

This hip spot buzzes with guests who come for wellprepared southeast Asian food made with ingredients sourced from local farms. Shareable plates include the signature jidori chicken wings with sweet and spicy tamarind glaze. A recently opened second location resides within Topa Topa Brewing in downtown Ojai, where the beer-friendly menu echoes the bold flavors of the original location but is especially tailored to pair with a pint. Order at the walk-up window and sit indoors or on the street-side patio.

SANTO MEZCAL 119 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-883-3593 santomezcalsb.com Contemporary Mexican; Entrées $15–$26

Hit the Santa Maria-Style Barbecue Trail (santamariavalley.com) and make pit stops at restaurants serving the authentic, hearty meal as you meander through the Santa Maria Valley. Expect beef barbecued over a red-oak fire served with pinquito beans, bread, salsa, salad, and house-made desserts at eateries including: The Hitching Post in Casmalia, Far Western Tavern in Orcutt, and Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern in Santa Maria. Visit the website for a barbecue trail map, and call restaurants ahead to check hours. Located a block from the beach on the edge of the buzzy Funk Zone, this stylish venture from restaurateur Carlos Luna offers a fresh take on Mexican dishes made with local ingredients. The menu celebrates seafood with plates such as Halibut Ceviche and Camarones al Mescal (Mexican shrimp sautéed in a creamy mezcal sauce). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily. A full bar pours creative craft cocktails and selections from wine and beer lists with local and international labels. Happy hour hums weekdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

SLATE BISTRO & CRAFT BAR 4850 Santa Rosa Road Camarillo, 805-388-9888 theslatebistro.com Global; Entrées $18–$35

This locals’ favorite has top-notch food and elegant decor, provides friendly service, and exhibits plenty of attention to detail. Craft cocktails, like the Clean Slate, are creative and meticulously made. Starters include fresh sushi, salads, house-made soups, and fried calamari. Entrées lean toward flavor-packed dishes such as New York Steak with peppercorn sauce, Crispy Chicken with chardonnay-bacon gravy, and Grilled Salmon with sun-dried-tomato chimichurri. Don’t miss the macaroni and cheese side dish. Two romantically lit patios have fireplaces and heat lamps. Happy hour features deals on appetizers like smokedpork tacos, beer, wine, and draft cocktails.

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 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 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 blush-colored 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.

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Good Eats

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

CAGAMI RAMEN 1855 E. Daily Drive Camarillo, 805-383-0963 cagamiramencamarillo.com. Japanese, Ramen; Entrées $10–$14 Kid-Friendly

Patio Cushions Mobile Service Easy, Convenient, Affordable

805 796 3112 Serving Ventura and Santa Barbara counties

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Where to Eat Now Owned by chef Yuya Ueno and his wife, Asaka, this eatery in the Camarillo Plaza shopping center serves ramen in the traditional style of Fukuoka, Japan, where Asaka grew up. Long-simmered pork or chicken broth and slices of braised pork shoulder are the basis for dishes such as Old School Tonkotsu, featuring cloud ear mushrooms, and Karamiso, flavored with miso and house-made spicy paste. Two brothless bowls showcase yellowtail and salmon sashimi. Also on the menu are a vegetarian bowl and Kids Ramen, a half-size portion of Old School Tonkotsu, along with sake and Japanese beers. Seating is available inside and outside and takeout and delivery are offered. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

EMPTY BOWL GOURMET NOODLE BAR 38 W. Victoria St., #109 Santa Barbara, 805-335-2426 emptybowlnoodle.com Thai; Entrées $12–$19

At this bustling Santa Barbara Public Market eatery co-owned by Jerry Lee and Emre Balli, chef and co-owner Nui Pannak turns out authentic regional noodle bowls, specialty small plates, and handmade dumplings inspired by the cuisines of Thailand and Taiwan. Don’t-miss items include Mama’s HandWrapped Jiaozi Potstickers; Northern Thailand Curry Noodle (Khao Soi) soup made with chicken from Shelton’s Poultry; and Hangover Noodle with red jalapeno pepper, Thai chiles, and fresh garlic. Choose a pairing from a selection of wines and beers.

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

There’s a new executive chef in the saddle at Cuyama Buckhorn (cuyamabuckhorn.com) roadside restaurant and inn in New Cuyama. Chef Daniel Horn oversees the culinary program at the full-service farm-to-table eatery and bar, where a new open-air dining deck capitalizes on views of the Caliente Mountain range. An updated summer menu of elevated comfort food spotlights local bounty while retaining classics such as Santa Maria tri-tip grilled over red oak. 100

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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 chicken-and waffle bites that come with a tangy surprise: Tabasco-braised kale. The house burger is made with a chuck, brisket, and hanger steak patty on a brioche bun (options include gluten-free buns and plant-based Impossible Burger patties). Crispy tacos, salads, and flatbread pizzas are also available. Seating is first-come, first-served at the copper bar.

NEW FRONTSIDE CAFE 1070 E. Front St. Ventura, 805-628-9566 frontsidecafe.com Californian Breakfast and Lunch Entrées $12–$15

This friendly blocks-from-the-beach café brings a taste of Australia to town and gives it a coastal Californian spin, serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Owners and husband-wife team Joel and Charne Huff are hospitality industry veterans; Ventura native Joel has enjoyed a 30-year career in fine dining. He keeps the menu simple and adds specials daily. All-day favorites include the Brekkie Roll, Frontside Burger, and Aussie Meat Pie. For breakfast, house-made pastries and breads include the popular toasted banana bread with salted brown-butter cream-cheese spread. The Chicken Katsu Sandwich is a star on the lunch menu. An upscale coffee program features Ventura-based Beacon coffee.

THE HATCH ROTISSERIE & BAR 835 13th St. Paso Robles, 805-221-5727 hatchpasorobles.com American; Entrées $18–$35

Housed in a historic brick-walled building, this popular comfort food venue is also known for its well-made craft cocktails and friendly service. A lively atmosphere prevails as locals and visitors mingle, sharing the Hot Skillet Cornbread or, when in season, a steamed and grilled Castroville Artichoke while perusing the menu. Though the offerings change seasonally, the wood-fired Rotisserie Chicken is a mainstay, while it lasts. Daily specials include Fried Chicken on Monday and Tuesday, served with house-made hot sauce, black-pepper honey, and smoked-bacon potato salad. Standout entrées on the simple menu are the Hatch Burger, Seared Salmon, and Beef Short Rib. For dessert, don’t miss the individual-sized pies. The Hatch opens nightly at 4:30 p.m.

JANE 1311 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-962-1311 janesb.com and Jane at The Marketplace 6940 Marketplace Drive Goleta, 805-770-5388 janeatthemarketplace.com Eclectic; Entrées $9–$34

Devoted fans keep coming back for the wellexecuted main dishes, pastas, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and daily specials at these sister eateries, which are named for owner Margaret Huston’s mother Jane Moody, whose pictures adorn the walls. The Santa Barbara location is open for dinner, offering entrées that range from grilled duck breast and filet mignon to Chicken Picatta and penne with house-made Bolognese sauce. For dessert, don’t miss the coconut chiffon cake. The Goleta venue is open for lunch and happy hour as well as dinner. The menu there is similar but also includes oak-fired, brick-oven pizzas.

J.J.’S DINER 413 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-770-8066 jjsdinersb.com American; Entrées $8–$16 Kid-Friendly

This down-home spot serves breakfast and lunch daily, offering good value in the thick of Santa Barbara’s downtown bustle. For the morning meal, you can’t go wrong with the hearty breakfast burritos and classic bacon-and-egg dishes. Vegan options include chilaquiles made with Soyrizo, a soy-based meat alternative with chorizo flavors. Burgers and sandwiches dominate the lunch menu. Indoor and outdoor seating is provided, and menu items are available for takeout and delivery.

NEW LIMEÑA PERUVIAN EATERY 2388 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, 805-371-1370 limenaeatery.com Peruvian; Entrées $12–$19

For authentic Peruvian specialties served with pride, look no further than this friendly, family-owned café. Sit in the cheerful dining room or outside on the patio and enjoy entrées such as Polo a la Brasa rotisserie chicken and Lomo Saltado Plate, a traditional beef stir-fry dish. Appetizers include ceviche made with fresh halibut and Peruvian corn and Tamal de Pollo con Salsa Criolla, chicken tamales made in banana leaves and topped with red-onion salad. Sip wine and beer from Peru and Argentina or a pisco sour.

LOVI’S DELICATESSEN 24005 Calabasas Road Calabasas, 818-223-8777 lovisdeli.com Deli; Entrées $11–$30 Kid-Friendly

“Delicatessen” seems like a misnomer for this sharp and sleekly designed modern restaurant and bar. A comprehensive menu offers standard deli fare like triple-deckers, house-made soups, and smoked fish platters but also features contemporary dishes such as Alaskan salmon, Mexican, pasta, and vegetarian specialties, and build-your-own salads with 65-plus ingredients. The restaurant consists of four spacious areas. A bright main dining room is designed with clean lines, earth tones, and stylish riveted steel tables. Another dining room has a full bar, and the beautiful shaded outdoor patio is a perfect place for Sunday brunch. Most impressive is a private glassed-in dining room that seats 30 and has an equally impressive wine cellar. Fifteen flat-screens are judiciously placed, so they don’t detract from the upscale vibe. Lovi’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and serves breakfast all day. Daily happy hour is from 3 p.m. until closing. Catering and delivery are available.

MESA BURGER 315 Meigs Road, Suite F Santa Barbara, 805-963-7492 and 1209 Coast Village Road Santa Barbara, 805-565-0642 and 7010 Market Place Drive Goleta, 805-869-2247 mesaburger.com Burgers; Entrées $10–$14

A laid-back beach vibe prevails at the original location in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood and at the newer Goleta and Coast Village Road outposts. 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,

Waypoint Café (thewaypointcafe. com) at the Camarillo Airport is now open on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A longtime favorite for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, the café is now serving an evening meal, which takes off with main dishes such as Chicken Marsala, Top Sirloin Steak, and Rotelli Cajun Pasta. Also offered are tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Sit inside or on the spacious heated patio and watch the planes land.

onion ring, truffle aioli, arugula, and grilled onions. Wines and on-tap beers are from the Central Coast. All locations are open daily for lunch and dinner.

NEW MOMOTARO RAMEN 1803 Spring St. Paso Robles, 805-538-3876 eatmomotaroramen.com Ramen; Entrées $16–$17

Chefs Mateo Rogers and Brittney Yracheta bring Japanese soul food to Paso Robles with their casual lunch-and-dinner eatery. This counter-service spot joins a variety of family-owned food purveyors and retail establishments inside the Paso Market Walk. Start with appetizers like the chicken and pork gyoza and karaage (Japanese fried chicken). Slurp ramen from bowls of the signature Momotaro Ramen tonkotsu (pork-bone) broth or seasonal vegetarian options. Seating is provided at the counter, as well as inside the Paso Market Walk and in the tree-shaded outdoor courtyard.

OYSTER LOFT 175 Pomeroy Ave. Pismo Beach, 805-295-5104 oysterloft.com Seafood; Fresh oysters $16 per half dozen; Crudo $14–$27; Entrées $21–$47 Great Views

Savvy seafood lovers get their fix at this buzzing ocean-view spot with an outdoor patio. Oysters, such as Fanny Bay and Kumamoto, are delivered fresh daily and other fresh crudo starters include scallop carpaccio and salmon poke tacos. Preparations change seasonally, but look for pan-seared Pacific halibut and cioppino, chock-full of sea bass, mussels, prawns, and littleneck clams. Non-seafood options include hangar steak au poivre and wild mushroom and asparagus risotto. Go ahead and splurge on the peanut butter–chocolate tower. Happy hour is Mondays through Thursdays (excluding holidays) from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering the chef’s choice of oysters on the half-shell with rice-wine mignonette for $1.50 each, $1 off draft beers, and $7 curated wines by the glass. Dinner is served nightly.

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

Downstairs in the Water Court Plaza office complex, owner Pookie creates delicious Thai dishes for lunch and dinner daily. Lunch specials are a steal at $7 to $8 each. She also has a wide selection of interesting salads like the Outrageous Beef Salad with a spicy

lime dressing and the protein-rich Yam Yai salad with shrimp, chicken, egg, and peanuts in a sweet-andsour dressing. Noodle dishes are generously sized and include the classic pad Thai and the interesting Hi Yo Silver with fried noodles, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Curries, vegetarian options, and fish dishes (such as the crispy sole with tamarind and chili sauce) give diners lots of great choices not found elsewhere.

PORTA VIA CALABASAS 4799 Commons Way, Suite J Calabasas, 818-746-2400 portaviarestaurants.com Californian; Entrées $19–$42 Weekend Brunch; Great Patio

This neighborhood California bistro and bar in The Commons at Calabasas adds a third location to the popular Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades eateries. Open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, Porta Via offers an airy, colorful indoor dining room and a spacious patio. The menu spotlights locally sourced produce, meat and poultry, and sustainable seafood. Breakfast and brunch highlights include Huevos Rancheros and Grand Marnier French Toast, and lunch and dinner stars are the Organic Kale & Quinoa Salad, Grilled Ōra King Salmon, and Grilled Skirt Steak.

RAMEN KOTORI 1618 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, 805-691-9672 ramenkotori.com Japanese, Ramen; Entrées $7–$16

What began as a pop-up has evolved into this casual, cozy eatery from husband and wife team Francisco and Ikuko “Erica” Velazquez and Budi Kazali, owner of The Ballard Inn and Gathering Table. The farmers’ market-driven menu includes small bites like karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pot stickers, and seasonal salads. Look for daily specials such as kimchi fried rice and spicy fried chicken bao buns. The ramen roster includes a miso version with gluten-free and vegan options. Fresh sashimi specials are coming soon. Sip local beers and wines or Japanese sake.

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

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

THE STONEHAUS 32039 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-483-1152 the-stonehaus.com Mediterranean Sandwiches and 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

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Where to Eat Now 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.

Via Gelateria (viagelateria.com) is poised to make its brick-and-mortar debut at its new Solvang scoop shop. Owner and gelato maker Alessio Carnevale, a native of Calabria, Italy, is known for his artisanal handcrafted gelato—made with local ingredients—which has been a hit at area restaurants and catered events. Watch Carnevale at work in the open-concept space and try seasonal flavors, like Santa Barbara Pistachio and Lemon Zest, Roasted Coconut and White Chocolate, and Fig Sorbetto, or classics, such as Salted Caramel and Espresso.

YOUR CHOICE RESTAURANT 3404 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-569-3730 yourchoicerestaurant.com Thai; Entrées $13–$24

This neighborhood favorite was opened by husband and wife Aungkoon and Sukanya Sukavivatanachai in 1989. Their son Piti and his wife, Kathy Dao, took up the baton in 2012 and continue to offer original family recipes along with some new additions, such as deep-fried chicken wings in honey-sriracha sauce or chili-tamarind fish sauce. Main dishes such as the Panang curry and Spicy Drunken Noodles never disappoint. Orders can be customized for extra spiciness using a 1-to-5 scale. Piti also developed the restaurant’s Thai-inspired Creaminal small-batch ice cream brand, which features flavors like Thai Tea Oreo and Vietnamese Coffee Mud Pie.

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

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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.

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

Seven restaurants offer as many dining experiences at this public market-style spot in the heart of The Collection at RiverPark. House-roasted coffee, avocado toast, and gluten-free muffins help jumpstart the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls made with local berries and honey. Other order-at-the-counter options include Love Pho, Taqueria el Tapatio, Don Waffly, Burnin’ Mouth, and Silverlake Ramen. The craft-beer bar Bottle & Pint serves local brews and ciders on tap and by the bottle and can; wines are available by the glass. Fun artwork, inventive communal seating areas, and two retail shops add to the vibe.

BETTINA 1014 Coast Village Road Montecito Country Mart Montecito, 805-770-2383 bettinapizzeria.com Pizza/Italian Entrées and Pizzas $12–$22

First-timers to Bettina may think they’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in Italy. At this bustling, cozy neighborhood restaurant patrons sip a Venetian spritz or Negroni and nosh on naturally leavened, Neapolitan-style pizzas dressed up with inventive toppings. Antipasti, entrées such as chicken cacciatore, and fresh salads are also on the menu, which changes seasonally but always includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Lunch and dinner are served daily; online orders are available for pick up.

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

Surrounded by greenery and water, this bar on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn is a gorgeous place to get your groove on: Live music and/or club nights are scheduled nearly every night of the week. On the patio, wicker chaise lounges are arranged in semi-private groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through rollup 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 p.m. to 7 p.m. Spanish influences are evident in dishes like paella and crispy patatas bravas with Fresno chilies and garlic aioli.

NEW BURNIN’ MOUTH NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN 550 Collection Blvd., #180 Oxnard, 805-485-1288 burninmouth.com Hot Chicken Sandwiches; Entrées $13–$14

This casual eatery located inside The Annex Food Hall at The Collection at RiverPark serves up a fresh take on classic Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches, along with menu items that incorporate the style of sweet and savory Korean fried chicken. Try the signature Bang Bang chicken sando, served with fries, pickles, coleslaw, and comeback sauce (a mildly spicy mayo). Choose your sandwich spice level to get it just right. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plenty of outdoor seating is available in The Annex’s common area.

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 prosciuttowrapped 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.

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

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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.

LITTLE CALF CREAMERY & CAFE 652 E. Janss Road Thousand Oaks, 805-497-2000 Burgers, Ice Cream; Entrées $4–$11 LITTLE CALF SCOOP SHOP 3980 Thousand Oaks Blvd., #2 Westlake Village, 805-917-6855 Ice Cream, Desserts littlecalfcreamery.com

The family-friendly cafe is a lunch, dinner, and sweet-treat favorite, serving top-notch burgers and sandwiches, fresh salads, and dreamy house-made ice cream. Try the standout West Coaster burger with Gruyère cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo, or the Turkey Brie Melt sandwich. Look for seasonal and signature ice cream flavors such as Milk and Cookies, Lavender Blueberry, and Vanilla Berry Crisp. The scoop shop serves ice-cream sandwiches, drinks, and scoops as well as freshly baked desserts like mini pies, bread pudding, cookies, and brownies. Both locations offer custom birthday cakes, mud pies, and sundae kits with all the fixings.

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.

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

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

OLIO PIZZERIA 11 W. Victoria St., Suite 21 Santa Barbara, 805-899-2699 oliocucina.com Italian; Small and Shared Plates $5–$19, Entrées $15–$21

This combination Italian pizzeria and enoteca is brought to you by the owners of Olio e Limone Ristorante, the more formal eatery located next door. The Victoria Court setting includes a long bar with a peekaboo view of the pizza oven, plus small tables. Menu offerings include chicken, fish, and beef entrées, as well as pasta, antipasti, salads, cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and housemade 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.

PEASANTS FEAST 487 Atterdag Road Solvang, 805-686-4555 peasantsfeast.com Seasonal Comfort Food Entrées and Sandwiches $14–$18

Owned by chef Michael Cherney, an alum of Las Vegas’ L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, and his wife Sarah, a hospitality pro, this family-friendly restaurant focuses on scratch-made food from local ingredients. Menu stars like Solvang Hot Chicken sandwich, The Grotto Smash Burger, Local Rock Fish Tacos, and family meals such as Whole Fried Free-Range Chicken are served in the casual earth-toned dining room, on the outdoor patio, and for takeout. Reina’s Ice Cream by the Scoop, made by the Cherneys’ daughter, is a must.

RELM WINE & BEER BISTRO 2390 Las Posas Road, Suite H Camarillo, 805-991-7356 relmcamarillo.com Global; Entrées $14–$25 Great Patio, Live Music

This relaxed bistro in Camarillo Village Square has a wood- and leather-accented interior that opens to a large patio offering seating around a fire table. The patio is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and well-behaved pups are welcome. A seasonal menu includes salads, sandwiches, flatbreads (try the one topped with prosciutto, lemon ricotta, and arugula), small bites, large plates, and desserts. Enjoy entrées, such as vegan pesto zucchini spirals and chimichurri-topped flatiron steak with a glass of wine from the international list or a local craft beer. The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Happy hour with a special menu and discounted wines and beers is offered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Listen to live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

SPENCER MAKENZIE’S FISH TACOS 806 E. Thompson Blvd. Ventura, 805-643-8226 and 311 Carmen Drive Camarillo, 805-643-8226 spencermakenzies.com Seafood; Entrées $8–$11 Kid-Friendly

This family-owned seafood restaurant, named after the owners’ two oldest children, may exude a laid-back vibe, but it takes its seafood seriously, using only sushigrade fish. It’s known as the home of the World Famous Fish Taco, made with grilled or tempura-battered fish topped with chopped cabbage, cilantro, bell peppers, and Spencer Sauce (a mayonnaise and sour cream– based condiment) on a flour tortilla, but other options include appetizers, salads, more tacos, burritos, and clam chowder. Don’t miss the two-for-the-price-of-one

Brasserie SLO at Hotel Cerro (hotelcerro.com) in San Luis Obispo welcomes Vartan Abgaryan as the restaurant’s guest chef for the summer months. Abgaryan has cooked at restaurants including Lutèce in New York and his acclaimed Yours Truly in Venice, California (now closed). His multicultural approach blends flavors from Mexico, Asia, and Europe, along with influences from his Armenian heritage. Expect dishes like Hamachi Crudo with avocado, mango, chile, lemon, and sorrel; mussels in coconut poblano broth; and carrots with za’atar, tahini, and sweet garlic.

World Famous Fish Taco happy hour Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

TABU SHABU 2920 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Unit A Thousand Oaks, 805-371-8228 tabushabu.com Asian; Entrées $14–$24

At this Japanese-style hot-pot spot, diners cook their choice of thinly sliced meats, seafood, or fresh vegetables in hot broth and enjoy it with rice or noodles and house-made sauces. The casual eatery is open for lunch and dinner daily and offers takeout. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo options are 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.

WAYPOINT CAFÉ 325 Durley Ave. Camarillo, 805-388-2535 thewaypointcafe.com American; Entrées $16–$25 Kid-Friendly

With its unique location at the Camarillo Airport, this café is a locals’ favorite for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and Friday and Saturday dinner with airplane traffic views. Signatures at dinner are Chicken Marsala, Top Sirloin Steak, and Rotelli Cajun Pasta, and tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and salads round out the menu. At lunch, try the Serrano Cheeseburger and an old-fashioned ice cream milkshake. Egg dishes rule at breakfast, along with Belgian waffles, pancakes, breakfast burritos, and house-made Cinnamon Roll French Toast. Tri-tip cooked on an oak-fired grill makes a special appearance on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sit inside or on the spacious outdoor heated patio.  SUMMER 2021 / 805LIVING.COM

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From the first toast to the final bite, relish every moment with Sub-Zero refrigeration, Wolf cooking and Cove dishwashing.

Agoura Hills 30621 Canwood St. 818.991.8846

Moorpark 14349 White Sage Rd. 805.222.1380

Santa Barbara 3920 State St. 805.898.9883

Oxnard 887 Ventura Blvd. 805.278.0388

www.wdcappliances.com

Torrance 20901 Hawthorne Blvd. 310.802.6380