805 Living Winter 2020 by 805 Living

W I N T E R 2020

The Wellness Issue

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Morgan Stanley Congratulates

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

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FRONT, LEFT: Stephanie Hartmire: Senior Registered Associate; Jessica Hudson: Client Service Associate; Katie Arnold: Financial Advisor; Elisa Decker: Group Director; BACK, LEFT: Clint Spivey: Consulting Group Analyst; Barry Garapedian: Managing Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Seth Haye: Executive Director, Financial Advisor; Carlos Garcia: Associate Vice President, Financial Advisor

Source: Forbes Magazine (July 2019). Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/19. SHOOK considered Financial Advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience, who have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rating may not be representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of the Financial Advisor's future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information see www.SHOOKresearch.com. ÂŠ2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC

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CHANNEL ISLANDS BROKERAGE 805.382.8200 | 3600 S. HARBOR BLVD, SUITE 112B, OXNARD, CA 93035 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Sotheby’s International Realty DRE Number: 899496

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Contents WINTER 2020 • THE WELLNESS ISSUE

Features 64

20 WAYS TO WELLNESS IN 2020 Reduce stress, relieve pain, boost immunity, and improve mental and physical fitness with self-care opportunities in the 805. By Heidi Dvorak

SPECIAL:

805 Weddings Resource Guide 2020

TOGETHER!

Whether you’re gathering for a nuptial celebration or another landmark occasion, local experts can help make it an exceptional event.

Photographs by Elizabeth Messina

Try local strategies to strike a balance for well-being (see page 64).

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Contents

WINTER 2020 • THE WELLNESS ISSUE

33 88

Pulse 33 Tracking the Beat of the 805

Finds 37 Feeling Zen

Create a home retreat filled with self-care accessories that induce a sense of calm. By Jennie Nunn

40 STYLE: Actively Chic

Athleisure fashion takes on an air of sophistication in striking black and white. By Frances Ryan

By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

Upgrades 59 Classic Blue

Impart soothing notes of the sky at dusk with furnishings in Pantone’s 2020 color of the year. By Frances Ryan

Good Deeds 62 Senior Concerns, United

42 TRAVEL

Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County

Insider

Photographs by Baron Erik Spafford and Vibralinx Film and Photography

By Erin Rottman

By Heidi Dvorak

46 Local Events & Family Fun 48 Hot Ticket 50 Show Your Support 52 Worth a Drive 53 Give Back

Arts & Culture 54 Sound Effects

Santa Ynez sound engineer Jesse Flower-Ambroch

draws on the power of musical notes to guide restorative meditations.

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Taste 82 FOOD: Tap Into Turmeric The earthy spice that gives curries their signature color lends its golden hue, depth of flavor, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to dishes across the 805. By Jaime Lewis

86 BEVERAGES:

Mocktail Hour Imaginative mixologists stir up nonalcoholic concoctions. By Alex Ward

88 DINING OUT:

Cal-Asian Sensations Oku restaurant brings exciting tastes to the Santa Barbara waterfront.

92 Where to Eat Now P.S. Sketchpad 104 Valentine’s Day Gift Fails By Greg Clarke

In Every Issue

16 Editor’s Note 20 Masthead 26 Behind the Scenes

By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

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

33: BEN SHANI PHOTOGRAPHY; 37 LEMON & LEI/DAN HARDING; 88 AND 54: GARY MOSS; ON THE COVER: © COLIN ANDERSON/STOCKSY UNITED

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ocated at the Hotel Californian, the new J. Wilkes tasting room offers a welcoming place to sip the label’s acclaimed wines while enjoying a fresh experience that complements the youthful spirit of the neighborhood. The modern-meets-industrial interior design creates a chic, relaxed vibe—perfect for mingling and hanging out— with a bar, lounge area with fireplace, board games, and great music. A massive mural of J. Wilkes’ French Camp Vineyard in the Paso Robles Highlands spans an entire wall providing tasters with a sense of where some of the grapes are grown. J. Wilkes offers quality Central Coast wines made by industry-leading winemaker Wes Hagan, including pinot blanc, chardonnay, viognier, pinot noir, zinfandel, lagrein, Kent’s red blend, cabernet sauvignon, and a bourbon-barrel-aged cabernet sauvignon.

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Editor’s Note

Now That 2020 Is Underway… HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?

Make Sure to Eat Well I’m very proud that 805 Living is the exclusive magazine sponsor for Santa Barbara Restaurant Week (sbrestaurantweeks.com). Held from February 21 to March 6, the event features specially priced three-course dinner menus at participating restaurants. For more information turn to page 34 and visit the website.

Maybe you need a boost of inspiration right about now or maybe you need to make some adjustments. Perhaps you need to change direction altogether. It’s safe to say that not everyone’s going to succeed at reaching every personal goal, whether undertaken in January or July. But it is so beneficial to make the attempt, to keep trying, and to continue to embrace a broad range of enrichment. Senior editor Heidi Dvorak identified 20 areas within the wellness category, both mental and physical, that might need some personal attention. In “20 Ways to Wellness in 2020” (page 64) you’ll learn why, for example, it’s important to get your vitamin D levels checked, stay current on vaccinations, and improve your posture, and Dvorak presents inspiring ideas for achieving those goals. We didn’t stop at 20, though. How about making a simple resolution to try a new thing every once in a while? If you are up for getting into something immersive, contributing writer Joan Tapper turns up the volume on the work of Santa Ynez sound engineer Jesse Flower-Ambroch, who creates soundscapes as a pathway to meditation (Arts & Culture, page 54). Is your diet in need of change? Start small by adding turmeric to your meals. Contributing writer Jaime Lewis tells you why it’s a good idea and shows you how to use turmeric in three recipes (Taste/Food, page 82). For anyone participating in Dry January, the tradition of abstaining from alcohol for a month, contributing writer Alex Ward coaxed talented local mixologists to share recipes for alcohol-free cocktails (Taste/Beverages, page 86), which are festive enough for any time of the year. Even though this special issue emphasizes wellness topics, in reality we strive to design every issue of 805 Living to help improve your life—in many ways. That’s a resolution we make each year. That’s a resolution we keep each year. We’ll see you again in March.

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher

GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

S PA R EL A I S

NEW YEAR

•

NEW YOU

•

NEW SPA

INDULGE IN A NEW LEVEL OF RELAXATION At Spa Relais, our goal is to relax your mind, restore your peace and revive your spirit. Allow 2020 to be the year of self-care and find your joy with our custom treatments and quarterly wellness retreats. The Westlake Village Inn is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Surrounded by the beauty of the landscape, tucked away in the northern foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, we invite you to immerse yourself in the European lifestyle that encourages what the French call, Joie de Vivre.

Some dream. You deliver.

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

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

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

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

EDITOR IN CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Lynne Andujar

edit@805living.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bernard Scharf MANAGING EDITOR

Kathy Tomlinson DESIGNER

Sophie Patenaude PHOTO EDITOR

Gary Moss

photo@805living.com SENIOR EDITOR

Heidi Dvorak CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

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

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

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITOR

Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Elizabeth Messina, Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

Anthony Head

home furnishings

interior design

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

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ESTABLISHED 2004

805 LIVING, WINTER 2020

o m s i P ach e B DES

Pismo Preserve (this page and opposite top).

TI O A N I

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

ismo Beach offers the ideal romantic getaway to relax, recharge, and make memories to last a lifetime. A glorious

expansive beach, great choices of lodgings, fine dining and wine tasting, and pleasurable ways to play on and off the water make it the perfect place to say: “You make me the happiest person alive.”

Vespera on Ocean

STAY

A variety of special discounts and valueadded packages during the winter and spring months will help you enjoy and save on your next stay. Who says romance is impractical? Vespera on Ocean (vesperapismobeach. com) evokes an upscale beach house with a lavish pool deck right on the beach. It offers a fun, stylish, pet-friendly escape for guests to relax, unwind, and romance their loved ones. Upgrade to a suite and save 10 percent. At the luxurious Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa (thedolphinbay.com), take a Winter Weekend on the Water and receive 30 percent off until the end of March (blackout dates February 14-16). Be sure to enjoy a dreamy couples’ massage in The Spa or the comfort of your suite. At The Cliffs (cliffshotelandspa.com), the fun Valentine’s Day Package comes with a reserved oceanfront firepit, a dedicated server, a bottle of bubbly, a house-made s’mores kit, and a treats from the Afternoon Delights menu. Valentine spa treatments include a mimosa bar, sweet treats, and a coconut foot soak, complete with rosebuds. Through March 12, treat yourself and a loved one to an exclusive beachfront getaway at the Inn at the Pier (theinnatthepier.com). Try the Winter Beach Sale and receive 25 percent off your entire

stay. The Field of Light Package includes 20 percent off guest rooms, a gift bottle of wine, and a promo code for tickets to Sensorio, Bruce Munro’s mesmerizing display of lights, created with 58,000 illuminated spheres. Fight off winter blues at the SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel (seacrestpismo.com) with a Warm Winter Savings special and take 10 percent off when you book now through February. The Staycation Package adds a 60-minute couples’ massage, while the Stay and Play Golf Package includes a lesson or round of golf for two. For more information on winter specials, go to: ExperiencePismoBeach.com/places-tostay/deals/.

PLAY

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

ExperiencePismoBeach.com

Oyster Loft

EAT

Oysters are revered as the food of love, and the Oyster Loft (oysterloft.com) heightens the mood with its romantic ocean-view ambience. Oysters arrive daily from both coasts, while regional seafood dishes, upscale meat entrées, and decadent desserts live up to exquisite presentations. Serving farm-to-table cuisine with an impressive international wine list, the ocean-view Lido (thedolphinbay.com/lido) offers a three-course champagne brunch, sure to be the highlight of any romantic weekend. A love affair with global food at La Bodega Tapas (labodegapismo.com) inspires handcrafted tapas and small plates, sourced locally for meals that are sure to satisfy couples who fancy delectable food. Romance your taste buds with the popular, authentic regional Italian dishes at Rosa’s (rosasrestaurant.com). With 50 years of culinary experience, the restaurant knows how to please, and their signature dishes will turn any meal into a celebration. When romance requires a perfect setting, head to Ventana Grill (ventanagrill.com). Perched atop a coastal bluff, with incredible ocean views, it’s been called one of the most scenic restaurants in the U.S. Popular Sunday brunch includes a seafood station, carved meats, and bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Behind the Scenes Sometimes being happy takes a little effort. Here’s how our featured contributors intend to cultivate joy in 2020. Tajinder Rehal “I plan to stay in touch with my closest friends in 2020,” says research editor Tajinder Rehal. “The last year flew by and I realized that aside from a few random texts, I barely spent any quality time with my friends. Whether it’s a lunch date or a long-distance phone call, keeping these connections will be a top priority.”

Alex Ward

“I plan to cultivate joy by spending as much time as I can with my beautiful girlfriend and our adorable dog,” says contributing writer Alex Ward (Taste/Beverages, page 86). “Also it might help to occasionally disengage a bit from politics.”

Rather than disengage, senior editor Heidi Dvorak (Insider, page 46, and “20 Ways to Wellness in 2020,” page 64) plans to jump right into the political fray. “I not only intend to vote in November,” says Dvorak, “I intend to do as much as I can to initiate change. That’s joyful.”

WARD: LAURIE GOW

Heidi Dvorak

Behind the Scenes Take a hint from our featured experts and find out how they will aim for happiness in 2020. “I am hoping to be more intentional and thoughtful with myself and those around me.” —Elizabeth Messina

(“805 Weddings Resource Guide 2020,” page 74) photographer Santa Barbara elizabethmessina.com

“I focus on gratitude for my loved ones and doing something daily that brings me joy.” —Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE

(Taste/Food, page 82) director of nutrition California Health & Longevity Institute Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village chli.com

“Live joy from the inside then touch it to each person I see.” (Pulse, page 33) co-owner Trail Magic Adventures Agoura Hills trailmagicadventures.com

“I cultivate wellness and joy with healthy exercise by playing tennis, traveling with friends, and enjoying quiet family time.” —Ronald Moy, M.D.

(“20 Ways to Wellness in 2020,” page 64) director of dermatology California Health & Longevity Institute Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village chli.com

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VALDEZ & POLANSKI WEALTH MANAGEMENT of Wells Fargo Advisors IN OUR CLIENT WORK we are finding that investors are not properly positioned with the market highs being reached in the past decade. Our research is finding many portfolios that are overweighted with too much risk and this makes sense, given how well the financial markets have been performing. If investors are not reallocating or balancing out their portfolio, they are potentially setting themselves up for disappointment when the markets adjust. As professionals, we know this door swings both ways and seek to identify areas of risk and concern and highlight these to our clients. Most importantly, we provide input and solutions on how to minimize and adjust to the current economic and market cycle. Valdez & Polanski Wealth Management was founded on the principles of Character, Communication and Commitment. Every decision, activity and recommendation is driven by our groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission in serving affluent families in the Conejo Valley. Our group has been serving the community for over 50 years and collectively, have more than 100 years of financial and investment experience. This helps our clients achieve their financial goals since we have knowledge and core competency in the areas of wealth management.

VALDEZ & POLANSKI WEALTH MANAGEMENT OF WELLS FARGO ADVISORS

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TASTE THE FARM IN TWO LOCATIONS

MONTECITO TASTING ROOM & WINE SHOP Open Daily 12-7 1294 Coast Village Road Montecito, CA 93108 ESTATE VINEYARD, WINERY & TASTING ROOM Open Daily 11-5 2323 Old Coast Hwy Gaviota, CA 93117 Foldedhills.com Info@foldedhills.com

Pulse

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

BEN SHANI PHOTOGRAPHY

PUT SOME BACKBONE INTO IT

Dominated by chaparral including fragrant coastal sage, the Santa Monica Mountains are home to one of just five Mediterranean ecosystems on the planet. Outdoor enthusiasts interested in a guided introduction can explore the area with Trail Magic Adventures (trailmagicadventures.com), which leads two- and three-day hikes along each of five sections of the Backbone Trail as well as a six- to nine-day through-hike from Will Rogers State Historic Park to Point Mugu State Park. “When you’re out in nature for an extended period of time, it just has a way of bringing things into perspective,” says co-owner and Agoura resident Greg Blanchard. Trail Magic Adventures has private campsites along the way and provides day packs, trekking poles, camping gear, and food. “You’re going to sleep at night under the stars and wake up to incredible views,” Blanchard says, —Erin Rottman “and it’s like, why don’t I do this every day?” WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Pulse

TIME FOR SOME YUM

Enjoy delicious food at special rates during Santa Barbara Restaurant Week. Loquita’s paella was a featured dish during last year’s event.

to complement the food. “This will give customers a unique restaurant week experience,” she says. 805 Living is the event’s exclusive media sponsor, and diners can feel good knowing that a portion of the event proceeds benefit ProStart, a hands-on culinary arts and hospitality management program for public high-school students. Visit the SBRW website to peruse menus and special offers and map out a plan to explore Santa Barbara’s rich culinary scene. Restaurant hopping is encouraged!

HIGHIMPACT HOUSING

Tragedy can sometimes lead to innovation. One example: Plant Prefab’s (plantprefab.com) new scalable prefabricated home, the Sunset Bud LivingHome, designed by Burdge Architects (buaia.com) and presented in partnership with Sunset magazine. “As a resident and one of the leading architects in Malibu, Doug Burdge [founder of Burdge Architects] wanted his first LivingHome to be especially capable of meeting the needs of those who lost their homes during the Woolsey fire and who want a way to return to their property as soon as possible,” says Plant Prefab CEO Steve Glenn of the recent addition to his company’s LivingHome line. Created in response to a City of Malibu program that allows victims of the 2018 fire to install accessory-dwelling units (ADU) as a temporary housing solution, the Sunset Bud LivingHome offers an efficient and flexible model for ADU-compliant properties everywhere. The modular units can be configured in a range of housing sizes from studio (445 square feet) to two bedrooms plus a studio and garage (1,200 square feet), with prices starting at $315,000. —Leslie Dinaberg

PRETTY PERSIAN PASTRIES

For something sweet and special to share with loved ones this Valentine’s Day, check out Simi Valley–based ZoZo Baking Studio (zozobaking.com), where owner and pastry chef Fariba Nafissi brings international flavors to the 805. The heart-shaped kolompeh is a “traditional pastry that has no added sugar, and it’s naturally sweetened by dates,” says Nafissi. “Guided by an international palate, I use traditional Persian baking techniques to create interesting flavors.” Each pastry is pressed with a handmade walnut-wood stamp, then carefully crimped. Her kolompeh comes in a strawberry-pistachio flavor, blueberry-almond, and the original, saffron-infused date. All of Nafissi’s treats can be purchased directly from the bakery or ordered online to be shipped. She also offers recipes and baking classes. —L.D.

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Love to eat? Santa Barbara Restaurant Week (SBRW; sbrestaurantweeks.com) from February 21 to March 6 offers a delicious excuse to experience regional restaurants and take advantage of three-course dinner menus specially priced at $25, $35, and $45. Area vintners and hotels are getting in on the action by offering special wine-tasting experiences and discounted room rates. What can diners expect? Event chair Leslee Garafolo says the organizers are encouraging chefs to use locally grown products to create prix-fixe menus and suggest local wine pairings

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cameron.christensen@compass.com DRE 01969728 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

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the middle of a 420-acre private estate. You’ll

a romantic ambiance. And, when the sun goes

be captivated by weeping willows, hundreds

down, this place really comes alive!

of palm trees surrounding a huge lagoon, sparkling fountains, and a marvelous island that is connected to the shore by an expansive bridge (perfect for photos), which all create a stunning

Rancho De Las Palmas only holds one event per

Exchange your vows by the double-tier waterfall,

hang out before the festivities begin.

lagoon, or in the estate’s newest more formal ceremony area. Here, the bride walks down a 100-foot-long aisle and through a series of ornate archways, which can be festooned with flowers and tulle. After the ceremony, guests will

Text or call us to schedule a private tour and experience Rancho De Las Palmas for yourself

805.529.6699

arrive early in the morning and enjoy the grounds and amenities, as well as the bride’s private salon

uniquely designed brick stairs facing the large

www.RanchoDeLasPalmas.com

day. You and your bridal party are welcome to

tropical setting.

on the grass beneath a lovely rustic arbor, on the

Take a moment to visit our website

room, allowing extra time to take pictures or just

In addition to weddings, Rancho De Las Palmas hosts numerous movie shoots, luaus, casino nights, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, graduation parties, proms, swing dances, memorial services, charity events, and more. If you can’t stand the thought of renting a stuffy ballroom or

enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres overlooking

crowded banquet hall for your event, try Rancho

the lagoon which is home to a variety of ducks,

De Las Palmas—it’s as refreshing as an oasis in

turtles, and fish. Then proceed to the indoor

the desert!

3566 Sunset Valley Road | Moorpark, CA

A Private Estate Wedding Location

Where Paradise Still Exists...

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

MARIANA SCHULZE

Gypsy Rose tea from Magic Hour in Ojai

Feeling Zen CREATE A HOME RETREAT FILLED WITH SELF-CARE ACCESSORIES THAT INDUCE A SENSE OF CALM. By Jennie Nunn

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Finds

5 1. Linnea’s Lights “Peony” candle ($38); Beautiful Mess Home & Garden, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmesshome.com. 2. Mer-Sea & Co. faux-fur hot water bottle ($38); Anthropologie, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, Canoga Park; anthropologie.com. 3. Ten to Zen by Owen O’Kane (Pan MacMillan U.K., $15); Tecolote Book Shop, Santa Barbara, tecolotebookshop.com.

4. “Chakra” tumbled stones ($9 for a set of seven); Rock Paradise, Canoga Park, rockparadise.com. 5. “Gypsy Rose” black tea in glass apothecary jar ($44); Magic Hour, Ojai, clubmagichour.com. 6. “Cozychic” cable blanket ($125); barefootdreams.com.

8. “AromaOm Deluxe” diffuser ($130); Saje Natural Wellness at Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, and Malibu; saje.com. 9. Nippon Kodo “Kayuragi Aloeswood” incense ($14); Len Collective, San Luis Obispo, lencollective.com. 

8 9

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

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1: ERIKA DUFOUR; 5: MARIANA SCHULZE; 7: LEMON & LEI/DAN HARDING

7. Cold-process lavender bar soap ($6); Lemon & Lei, Ventura Harbor Village, lemonandlei.com.

Finds Style By Frances Ryan

Actively Chic ATHLEISURE FASHION TAKES ON AN AIR OF SOPHISTICATION IN STRIKING BLACK AND WHITE.

5 7

9 11

1. “Elite” seamless merino hoodie ($140); sweatybetty.com. 2. Beats by Dre “Powerbeats3” wireless earphones ($200); Apple, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; apple.com. 3. P.E. Nation “Training Day” cross-body bag ($129); Bonibi, Westlake Village, bonibi.com; and us.pe-nation.com. 4. Apple Watch Series 5 (from $399); Apple, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Canoga Park; apple.com. 5. On “Cloud X” women’s running shoes ($140); Bonibi, Westlake Village, bonibi.com. 6. Tory Sport “Chevron” leggings ($125); toryburch.com. 7. “Cold Snap” puffer scarf ($68); Athleta, San Luis Obispo and Woodland Hills; athleta.com. 8. Maui Jim “Pisces Asian Fit” polarized sunglasses ($330); Occhiali, Montecito and Santa Barbara; occhiali.com. 9. “Polka Dot Degrade” water bottle ($35); swell.com. 10. “Calgary” color-block beanie ($38); Athleta, San Luis Obispo and Woodland Hills; athleta.com. 11. “Nano Puff” vest ($149); Patagonia Great Pacific Iron Works, Ventura, patagonia.com. 

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

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Finds Travel By Erin Rottman

PASO ROBLES INN’S LITTLE SIS

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t’s hard to resist taking a selfie by the gold Moët & Chandon Champagne vending machine in the reception area at the new Piccolo hotel in Paso Robles. Dispensing chilled 187 ml bottles and flutes, it may make a guest’s first decision upon entering be: regular or rosé? A sister property to the Paso Robles Inn, which was constructed in 1889 when the city was founded, The Piccolo (thepiccolo.com; from $399) provides a modern lodging option. Its 24 guest rooms feel fashionably chic with exposedbrick accent walls, wood floors, crystal chandeliers customcreated by a local artisan, and soft blush-pink throws at the foot of the beds. A wine refrigerator and cocktail table with two chairs beg visitors to

keep the laptops packed. “What we’ve seen grow are plans for what we consider to be higher-end lodging, and The Piccolo definitely fits that mold,” says Paso Robles Mayor Steven W. Martin, who describes how he has watched Paso develop from an agricultural community focused on grain and cattle to a nationally recognized wine region. The Piccolo stands across the street from local hangout Spearhead Coffee and a block away from Downtown City Park. It’s a short drive to Tin City, the industrial park that’s home to some two dozen tasting rooms where winemakers are likely to be pouring their own wines, as well as Tin Canteen, known for house-made pasta, and

Negranti Creamery, a maker of sheep’s milk ice cream in flavors like cinnamon-andapricot crisp. After exploring the region, guests can recharge in one of several gathering areas back at The Piccolo. The small library room has a leather Chesterfield-style sofa and fireplace along with a chess table. The reception area opens onto a courtyard with outdoor couches, firepits, and a 76-foot mural of plants and grasses that reflects the local landscape. But the hotel’s most noteworthy public space is Tetto, the only rooftop bar in town. The Tetto & Tonic, made with Krobär Craft Distillery gin, Fever-Tree tonic, fresh herbs, and fruit, is a great way to sample another locally made beverage.

MATT WIER

High notes at The Piccolo (clockwise from left): The hottest new trend in luxury hotel amenities, a Moët & Chandon Champagne vending machine dispenses its wares in the lobby. Tetto is the only rooftop bar in Paso Robles. A cozy fireplace setting entices guests to convene in the library. Accommodations feature a kingsize bed, a wine fridge, and a balcony or patio.

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Finds Travel

SNOWBALLS IN PALM SPRINGS

Ocean views from inside a suite at The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort (below) draw guests out onto the lanai (above).

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN KAUAI

pgraded from a Courtyard by Marriott to a deluxe resort hotel that opened in October, The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort (from $279; marriott.com) is set on the east side of the Garden Island on seven beachfront acres in a coconut grove. The location makes an ideal base for adventurers who want to explore both the rugged Nāpali Coast to the north and the Poipu beaches to the south. “We are also on the Kapa’a bike path that takes you from our resort to beautiful Kauai beaches,” says resort spokesperson Damon Lockrem. Staying put is an ideal option, too. Guests can order The 1944, a traditional mai tai from the hotel’s Crooked Surf bar, as they relax in the in-water lounge chairs at the large infinity-edge pool, in which a separate area is designated for children.

some fun in its partnership with bubbly maker Maison Veuve Clicquot. The finely shaved ice balls spiked with Champagne are served on Friday and Saturday afternoons from a bar cart in the resort’s main plaza. “It’s a fun, different way of having a cocktail,” says La Quinta Resort spokesperson Chris George. “The tongue-in-cheek aspect of the contrast between desert and snow makes it interesting.” For guests who’d rather sip their Champagne, the cart stocks Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label Brut as well as its Rich blend, designed to be combined with ice and a fresh garnish like basil, mint, or candied ginger. As for the snowballs, George says, “If you want to throw them, that’s up to you.” And even those who can’t join in the fun at La Quinta this winter can enjoy the icy treats with Veuve Clicquot’s recipe below.

THE CLICQUOT SNOWBALL Makes 1 cocktail ½ ounce Volcán Blanco tequila ¼ ounce Fino sherry ¼ ounce cinnamon syrup 4 ounces Veuve Clicquot Rich Champagne Shaved ice 1 sprig mint In a mixing glass, combine tequila, sherry, cinnamon syrup, and Champagne and gently stir with a bar spoon. Scoop shaved ice into a paper cone. Pour Champagne mixture over shaved ice, garnish with mint sprig, and serve.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRETTY WOMAN “Take care of you,” Julia Roberts’ character and her friend tell each other in the 1990 rom-com Pretty Woman. Now you can take care of you with the Pretty Woman for a Day package at the Beverly Wilshire (fourseasons.com/ beverlywilshire; packages from $15,000), where the

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

film depicted high-powered businessman Edward Lewis, portrayed by Richard Gere, staying in the penthouse. “People from all over the world visit our hotel to have their Pretty Woman moment, whether to snap a quick photo outside our iconic façade, stay overnight in a suite, or sip on the Feeling Pretty cocktail,”

says general manager and regional vice president Peter Humig. Honoring the film’s 30th anniversary, the package includes two nights in a hotel suite, a designer boutique shopping experience with a personal stylist, a romantic in-suite meal, a couples massage, and a personal bath butler. 

LANAI AND GUEST ROOM: COURTESY OF SHERATON KAUAI COCONUT BEACH RESORT; SNOWBALL COCKTAIL: COURTESY OF LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB; STREET SIGNS: COURTESY OF BEVERLY WILSHIRE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

Champagne snowballs are the newest winter treat at La Quinta Resort & Club (laquintaresort.com; from $319), which is having

OPOLO’S ADRIATIC TOUR Travel with Rick Quinn on a 15-day tour of the Adriatic Coast JUNE 17 – JULY 2, 2020

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Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805 By Heidi Dvorak

Cellist Jonah Kim

February 8

February 19

February 23

CHOCOLATE JUBILEE

ANITA HILL—FROM SOCIAL MOVEMENT TO SOCIAL IMPACT: PUTTING AN END TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT

LISA HILTON & FRIENDS: CHALKBOARD DESTINY

Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles. Love wine? Love chocolate? Indulge in both during this evening of good tastes as esteemed vendors present their exquisite treats. It’s a great way to sample goodies for Valentine’s Day gift giving; vinarobles.com. February 14

2/23

VALENTINE’S DAY WINEMAKER DINNER

Alisal River Grill, Solvang. Treat that special oenophile to a romantic evening hosted by Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen of Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards. A sparkling wine reception and a dinner showcase the winemakers’ culinary pairings as they share their knowledge about the featured wines; llwine.com.

Through 3 / 8

Campbell Hall, UC Santa Barbara. If the #MeToo movement has an original source of inspiration, it might be this advocate for equality who brought the issue of sexual harassment to the national conversation 28 years ago. Her lecture comments on the state of women in the workplace as well as other pertinent topics; artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Pepperdine University, Malibu. Groove to the music of this composer and pianist who seamlessly fuses jazz and blues with a message about everchanging culture as represented in her new release. She’s joined by tenor saxophonist JD Allen, bassist Luques Curtis, and drummer Rudy Royston; arts. pepperdine.edu. February 23 WINTERMEZZO II CONCERT

February 22–23 HOME & GOURMET EXPO

Paso Robles Event Center. Got a hunger for home improvement? Experts impart their knowledge about everything from minor renovations to complete redos, as local restaurants and wineries satisfy gastronomic hunger at an on-site Wine & Gourmet Food Garden; inspiredexpos.com.

CPAC, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo. Festival Mozaic presents Bach at his best: Three of his famous cello suites—No. 1 in G major, No. 5 in C minor, and No. 3 in C major—are performed by cellist Jonah Kim and SLO Movement Arts Center dancers; festivalmozaic.com.

Here’s an Idea:

Through March 8

February 11

February 27–March 1

Tired of making New Year’s resolutions to adopt a healthy lifestyle only to break them by March? Up the odds for stickto-itiveness at the SIGNATURE RETREAT at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. The four-day retreat includes luxury accommodations and access to the on-site California Health & Longevity Institute, where participants engage in customized, curated experiences such as cooking classes, fitness training, group workouts, and consultations. Don’t wait, pick a date: February 14 to 17, March 20 to 23, April 10 to 13, May 22 to 25, and beyond; fourseasons. com/westlakevillage.

ART ABOUT AGRICULTURE

CIRQUE ÉLOIZE HOTEL

SLO CAL OPEN

Santa Paula Art Museum. Learn about the inner workings of agriculture at this annual art show exhibiting a fresh crop of 67 works from 58 artists, depicting barnyard animals, open fields, produce, farmhands, machinery, and back roads; santapaulaartmuseum.org.

Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Welcome to a special hotel, where circus arts go high tech for a theatrical extravaganza that combines imaginative storytelling, astounding acrobatics, and spectacular special effects, all set in an Art Deco world; pacslo.org.

Morro Rock, Morro Bay. Spend a day at the beach and witness a professional surfing contest sanctioned by the World Surf League. More than 100 competitors from a dozen countries are expected to get on board; surfersoftomorrow.org.

February 9

February 13

SIMI VALLEY TOY & COMIC FEST

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS: PUSHING THE LIMITS WORLD TOUR LIVE

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

March 1

Grand Vista Hotel. Like to play? Check out a pop-culture convention of toys, games, comic books, and playthings, old and new. Meet creators at Artist Alley, experience a gaming room, and attend panel discussions with collectors and inventors; simivalleytoycomicfest.com.

Joe White Memorial Gymnasium, Santa Maria. Join these kooky basketball players as they hoop it up big-time on an all-new tour featuring their crazy, balltwirling, bust-a-move antics; harlemglobetrotters.com.

DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: LIVE!

Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks. Mr. Rogers’ lovable tiger joins O the Owl, Miss Elaina, Katerina Kittycat, and Prince Wednesday on an interactive adventure that includes a rousing rendition of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”; bapacthousandoaks.org. >

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Hot Ticket

Book your seats now for these hot upcoming events. FEBRUARY Through February 28 See nature at its finest at the PISMO BEACH MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE. At this time of year, the eucalyptus and pine trees are often ablaze with tens of thousands of butterflies hanging in clusters. But these winged beauties travel sans calendars, so the expected dates of their arrival and departure aren’t a sure thing. Check the website for updates; North Beach Campground, monarchbutterfly.org. Through March 16 In a rare exhibit that showcases local wine appellations and trails, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY & BEYOND: RECENT PHOTOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPES BY GEORGE ROSE

Design • Construct • Manage

features 20 photographs printed via color dye sublimation on aluminum and inkjet printing. The professional photojournalist’s work is dedicated to California’s coastal wine regions and the surrounding landscape, and on view are the hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, vineyards in Santa Barbara County, and vistas of Morro Bay, Carrizo Plain National Monument, and Sonoma County; Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, Solvang, wildlingmuseum.org. Through April 12 View more than 200 artifacts from two ancient Egyptian cities that slipped into the sea centuries ago at the exhibit EGYPT’S LOST CITIES. Discovered by underwater archeologist Franck Goddio, the remains represent a civilization that resided in a major center of power, wealth, trade, and artistry; Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, reaganlibrary.com.

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February 13–16 Carol Klein has come a long way. Follow the Brooklynite on her tumultuous road to fame and fortune as the song-writing partner and wife of lyricist Gerry Goffin in BEAUTIFUL: CAROLE KING THE MUSICAL. She not only penned songs that comprise the soundtrack of a generation but also is an iconic performer in her own right; Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks, bapacthousandoaks.com. February 22 Witness four hands and 20 fingers playing two keyboards as Ukrainian husband and wife Anna and Dmitri Shelest perform as part of the Concerts on the Hill chamber music series. Known as the SHELEST DUO, the pianists have been praised by the secretary general of the United Nations as “realized diplomacy through music”; Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, hillcrestarts.com. February 28 The spicy sounds of the Tijuana Brass meet the equally spicy sounds of Brasil ’66 when husband and wife team HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL take center stage for a show featuring their hits, as well as songs from the Beatles and

Cole Porter as well as improvisational jazz tunes. The iconic trumpeter and dynamic vocalist appear with their band, which includes drummer Michael Shapiro, bassist Hussain Jiffry, and pianist Bill Cantos. More than a music concert, the show is a multimedia experience with video screen projections of footage from Alpert’s and Hall’s music careers; The Granada, Santa Barbara, granadasb.org.

MARCH March 1 In an all-Brahms program, ZLATOMIR FUNG takes command of the cello in a Chamber on the Mountain concert. Last year, the accomplished musician took home first prize and the gold medal at the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition in St. Petersburg, Russia. Meet him at a post-performance patio reception overlooking Topa Topa Mountain; Logan House, Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Ojai, chamberonthemountain.com. March 13–15 Mysterious, unusual, and always beautiful, orchids seem to hold a certain fascination for plant lovers. Themed Orchids: A World of Adventure, the SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL ORCHID SHOW honors its 75th anniversary by showing off 25,000-plus species. The floral fantasy offers a juried exhibition of orchid-themed fine art and photography from local and regional artists and demonstrations on making floral arrangements and corsages. It’s the perfect time to consult with on-site growing experts, such as master gardener and self-proclaimed orchid doctor Bruce Kidd, who currently cares for approximately 500 orchids of his own. Newscaster John Palminteri serves as grand marshal; Earl Warren Showgrounds, sborchidshow.com. March 18 Carry on wayward sons: Progressive rock band Kansas honors the 40th anniversary of its hit album Point of Know Return as part of the KANSAS: POINT OF KNOW RETURN ANNIVERSARY TOUR. Members include original drummer

Phil Ehart, original guitarist Richard Williams, bassist-vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist-vocalist Ronnie Platt, violinist-guitarist David Ragsdale, keyboardist Tom Brislin, and guitarist Zak Rizvi. The band performs the album in its entirety as well as other hit songs, deep cuts, and fan favorites; Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, pacslo.org. March 20–22 The third annual NATURETRACK FILM FESTIVAL is touted as the only naturefocused movie festival between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It kicks off with an opening night reception and is followed by screenings of long and short films, live and animated, in the categories of adventure, animation, biography, conservation, kids connecting with nature, scenic, student, and outdoors and out of bounds. Extracurricular events include docent-led hikes throughout the Santa Ynez Valley; Los Olivos locations, naturetrackfilmfestival.org. >

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Insider March 25–April 12 A quirky, romantic comedy about love and loss, ALMOST MAIN is a play that unfolds through nine vignettes, all of which take place on a midwinter night when the citizens of Almost—a place too disorganized to be called a town and too populated to be called a wilderness—discover the power of the human heart. Strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. This may be just the play to lift spirits in these trying times; Rubicon Theatre, Ventura, rubicontheatre.org. March 29 Who will be the next Idomeneo? Find out when up-and-comers show off their vibratos in RISING OPERA STARS IN CONCERT, a showcase performance starring members of the Los Angeles Opera Young Artist Program. The program is a two- to three-year paid residency for a select group of singers and pianists who are transitioning from academic training to a professional career in opera; Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, hillcrestarts.com.

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

Show Your Support

Fun and fundraising go hand-inhand at these local events. FEBRUARY February 14 Valentine’s Day could not be a more fitting occasion to find out how to care for a vital organ—the heart—at the SANTA BARBARA GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON. Wear red to show support; experts are on hand to talk about the most up-to-date information on heart-disease and stroke prevention, research, and treatments. Money raised goes to support research and education initiatives; Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, goredsb.heart.org.

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

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

February 21 Be part of an important movement to empower women in their knowledge about how to fight and prevent heart disease and stroke at the VENTURA COUNTY GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON. Hear the stories of survivors and get the latest information from experts in the field. Money raised goes to support research and education initiatives; Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, goredvc.heart.org

February 29 Find out who will be crowned king and queen of the MARDI GRAS BALL. It could be anyone who has made significant contributions to the Greater Conejo Valley through actions, talents, dedication, or financial support. The fundraiser supports Community Conscience Human Services Center, which currently houses 13 social service organizations at no charge; Hyatt Regency Westlake, Westlake Village, communityconscience.org.

MARCH March 7 It’s thanks to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center’s commitment to educational nature and science programs that schoolchildren in the Tri County area get to learn more about their natural surroundings. Help this effort by attending the MISSION CREEK GALA, a pollinator-themed soiree featuring specialty cocktails and a gourmet dinner; Fleischmann Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History; sbnature.org.

Photos courtesy of Olio e Limone and Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

March 14 Choose from any of four scenic routes of 25 miles, 49 miles, 66 miles, or 100 miles, and have some wheel fun at the SOLVANG CENTURY, METRIC & HALF CENTURY. This is not a race but rather a ride sponsored by SCOR, which stands for Specialized Coronary Outpatient Rehabilitation. The nonprofit recreational biking club espouses cycling as a form of rehabilitative therapy after heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, stents, valve replacement, congestive heart failure, and other forms of heart disease. A festival goes on all day with five food trucks, massage therapists, cycling vendors, a DJ, live music, beer, and raffles. Money raised benefits three summer camps for children with congenital heart disease; Figueroa Mountain Brewery Co., Buellton, bikescor.com. Photos courtesy of Olio Crudo Bar and Gary Moss /garymossphotography.com

March 14 Go formal at CASA PACIFICA GALA to celebrate Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families’ 25th anniversary. The organization has assisted 40,756 children and youths since 1994. The gala features a cocktail reception, dinner, a live auction, live music, and dancing; Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, casapacifica.org. March 22 It’s more than an excuse to wear a beautiful hat: Spend the afternoon at HATS AND HIGH TEA to raise money for Cal Lutheran University student scholarships and educational grants. Activities include a silent auction, a raffle, table decorating, and best hat awards; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu. March 27 The music of Motor City is taking over this year’s AMETHYST BALL, themed Motown at the Miramar. The ball supports the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, a nonprofit organization now going on 34 years, and is aimed at helping those struggling with addiction to the tune of more than 18,000 youths and adults. Get ready to experience this Old World gala with dinner and live music featuring Motown musicians; Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, cadaamethystball.org. >

Photos courtesy of Olio Pizzeria® and Kevin Steele / kevsteele.com

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Insider March 28 Breathtakingly beautiful scenery and philanthropic cyclists combine for winning results at the DOLE GREAT RACE. Entrants of all ages and ability levels can participate since there are six races to choose from—the Neftin Mazda 10K, the Deena Kastor 5K, the Kids 1 Mile, the Camp Kinneret Family Fun Run, the 15K Combo, and the Chesebro Half Marathon. Money raised helps to pay for programs at Agoura Hills and Oak Park schools; Agoura Hills locations, greatrace.run.

APRIL April 6–7 Follow the advice of the Woods Humane Society and “Help homeless pets, one glass at a time” at WINE 4 PAWS, which provides a most enjoyable way to donate to the cause: Just stop in any of nearly 100 wineries, breweries, or olive-oil tasting rooms and partake of the offerings; a portion of the proceeds goes to the animal rescue organization. Many of the venues offer live music, pup treats, games, and raffles. To find out which venues are participating, print out a map from the website, get in the car, and let the adventure begin; Central Coast locations, wine4paws.com. April 18 Show off that Corolla, rev the engine of that Kia, pop the hood of that Prius. Whether old, new, cherry, or not-so, any car or truck with an owner of any religious denomination can be part of the ST. JOHN LUTHERAN’S CAR SHOW. So enter ol’ Bullitt in the show and get a gander of some real-people autos, tricked-out wheels, and awesome vintage vehicles. Proceeds benefit St. John’s Lutheran School athletic department; St. John’s Lutheran School, Oxnard, stjohnslutherancarshow.com. April 24 Hang out with women who make it a point to help those in need at THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES, not a TV soap but a charity luncheon and fashion show hosted by the Thousand Oaks Woman’s Club. This year’s beneficiaries are the Westminster Free Clinic and Senior Concerns; Los Robles Greens Banquet Hall, Thousand Oaks, thousandoakswomansclub.org.

Worth a Drive

Venture just outside the 805 for this choice event. Through February 23 Taking its cues from BMX, street sports, and acrobatics, the newest Cirque du Soleil incarnation celebrates the spirit of adventure. Get ready for a surge of energy under the big top as VOLTA opens with a fullblown BMX park mounted onstage. A fast and furious performance of nonstop acrobatics on wheels ensues with performers outfitted by Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson costumer

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Zaldy Goco. Anthony Gonzales of electronic group M83 supplies the musical score; Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, cirquedusoleil.com/volta. February 15–16 Confounded about where to go on a vacation? A visit to the TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW might clear things up as thousands of options are presented under one roof. Travel pros are on hand to answer questions on destinations, safety, deals, and travel by air, rail, ship, or automobile. Keynote speakers are travel writer and host of the PBS show Rick Steves’ Europe Rick Steves, host of the PBS show Samantha Brown’s Places to Love Samantha Brown, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg, and Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s Guides; Los Angeles Convention Center, travelshows.com.

Santa Barbara Culinary Experience Celebrating a taste of Santa Barbara by bringing together local and national talent in the spirit of Julia Child

Through February 28, 2022 To heck with GPS, this exhibit can change present-day thinking when it comes to navigation. YOU ARE HERE: CALIFORNIA STORIES ON THE MAP is not only about the technique and aesthetics of cartography but also about how maps serve as important tools that can speak volumes about climate change, air quality, butterfly migration, food culture, wildfires, sea levels, public health, displacement, and other issues of importance to communities; Oakland Museum of California, museumca.org.

Join Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger and others for memorable food, insight into cooking techniques, food, wine and drink trends and much more!

Give Back

Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you. Help girls grow and lead productive lives as adults by volunteering at GIRLS INC. OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA. The national organization has been responsible for providing guidance to girls and young women for 156 years—yes, since the Civil War—and the Santa Barbara affiliate has been doing the same for 62 years. Currently, youth and adult volunteers are needed to help out as mentors and tutors at centers in the Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara as well as in an off-site program at Santa Barbara Junior High School. Assistance is needed working one day a week during the school year to help girls with homework as well as at special events throughout the year. Boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 as well as adults may apply for the volunteer programs; girlsincsb.org. 

March 13-15, 2020 Julia Child-Themed Events Cooking Classes and Panels Events for Children and Families Tours of Wineries, Ranches and Gardens

If you would like to submit your event or organization for possible inclusion in Insider, please email the information and a contact number/email to insider@805living.com. Please submit your request no later than 14 weeks prior to the issue in which you’d like the information to appear.

@sbculinaryexperience

@sbculinaryexp

Arts & Culture By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gary Moss

A gong is one of the instruments Jesse Flower-Ambroch uses to produce tones for his sound meditation sessions.

Sound Effects

SANTA YNEZ SOUND ENGINEER JESSE FLOWER-AMBROCH DRAWS ON THE POWER OF MUSICAL NOTES TO GUIDE RESTORATIVE MEDITATIONS.

sharp ping. A shimmering curtain of delicate tones. The enveloping depth of a gong. To attempt to describe a sound is to reach for metaphors from other senses in an effort to pin down what is essentially an ephemeral sensation. It’s far easier to simply experience a sound, to give yourself over to that impression of a moment. “Listening is transforming,” says Jesse Flower-Ambroch, who conducts sound meditations in his Santa Ynez studio (jfasound.com). Sound can allow the mind to calm and focus, he notes, “making it an avenue into meditation. This kind of work is becoming more popular,” he adds. 54

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It has been incorporated into yoga studios and spas, among other places. Flower-Ambroch came to this practice half a dozen years ago, drawing on a lifelong fascination with sound. The 36-year-old grew up in New Jersey, majored in music at Skidmore College in New York, and “got hooked on sound engineering. I moved to New York with my music degree and no idea what to do. I worked in theater, on live and recorded music, and found myself on film sets.” Enjoying the camaraderie there and encountering a real need for sound professionals, he worked steadily as a sound mixer and in other roles, particularly on documentaries. >

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Arts & Culture

An eight-note kalimba (left) and a steel tongue drum (above) are also in Flower-Ambroch’s collection of sound-makers.

Flower-Ambroch teaches ways to listen and interact with sound, using it as a gateway to meditation that’s highly accessible. Among the most memorable of those was Jodorowsky’s Dune, about a director—a cult figure—who tried, unsuccessfully, to make a movie about the famous sci-fi novel. The film became an indie classic after it came out in 2013. “That picked me up and took me for a ride,” he says. “I worked on post-production, and the movie touched people. People who struggle with the creative process were freed by this film. It was humbling and beautiful.” In 2013 Flower-Ambroch was invited to attend a group meditation led by ethnomusicologist Alexandre Tannous. “It was deeply profound,” he says. “I have a technical education in music, which is a cerebral approach. This was from a whole other realm, more soul driven, human to human. I didn’t have a meditation practice. This switched me on.” He began hosting people in his Brooklyn studio and developed what became a fusion of practices, influenced by Tannous, who has continued to be Flower-Ambroch’s teacher, collaborator, and friend. “There’s a shamanic element,” Flower-Ambroch points out. “Sound is a modality. There’s also an Eastern philosophical element,” filtered through Buddhism and a variety of ancient traditions. There’s a scientific aspect, too, based on acoustic research that uses modern tools (EKG studies, for example) to see how sound affects the body and mind. Eventually, Flower-Ambroch began conducting sound experiences for corporate groups, 200 Google employees at a time, for example. Working with doulas and birth educators, he also produced sound meditations for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. A couple of years ago the arrival of his baby daughter prompted Flower-Ambroch and his wife, Sara, to relocate to the Santa Ynez Valley, near her family. And though he continues to engineer sound in videos for his New York connections and occasionally in films by local filmmakers, he’s increasingly focused on sound meditations, working with individuals, small groups, and even conducting special events in unique spaces. 56

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“My interest is in balancing Western education with the knowledge that I have,” he says. “I used to do a oneand-a-half-hour sound experience and then go away. The promise of this modality, however, involves a deeper connection.” The cabinet in his spacious studio is filled with soundproducing items of intriguing shapes and sizes—drums, cymbals, ukuleles, metal bowls, a flute, what seem to be shell-shaped shakers, and a shruti box, a South Asian instrument that is powered by interior bellows. Hanging on the wall above a huge standing gong, is a Merlin, vaguely akin to a dulcimer or sitar. “I love instruments that give people the idea that they can make music,” he says. Using a mixture of breathing and imagery, along with these wide-ranging instruments, tuning forks, sound pods, and other implements, Flower-Ambroch teaches ways to listen and interact with sound, using it as a gateway to meditation that’s highly accessible. “Meditation is not easy,” he says. “Many people never get past the uncomfortable stage. This opens the door and allows them to see where they’re headed.” There may be a reduction in stress, less physical or emotional pain, and a sense of clarity and insight. The practice holds promise for healing, for those with trauma or facing the end of life, or simply seeking a deeper level of consciousness. “Every sound meditation is different,” he says, depending on “the space, the individual, and the intention. Sound is a great teacher.” 

Listening Well

Sound meditations (aka sound baths) are increasingly available throughout the 805 region. Here are a few offerings: Of Sound Body ofsoundbody.com, Ojai, Santa Barbara Cristy Candler practices crystal sound healing and sound bath meditations in her Montecito studio, at the homes of clients throughout Santa Barbara, and at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (ojaivalleyinn.com). Five Sense Collective fivesensecollective.com, Malibu Wellness workshops held in the Five Sense Collective oceanfront dome and at private events feature crystal singing bowls. Reflecting Together reflectingtogether.com, Pismo Beach Founder Pedro Guimaraes, M.D., Ph.D., is a psychiatrist who incorporates sound therapy and other mindfulness practices into his wellness-focused workshops. California Health & Longevity Institute chli.com/learn/the-signature-retreat, Westlake Village Sound bath meditation is part of the Signature Retreat, one of the programs offered at this wellness center located at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village.

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Upgrades

1 2

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6 7

1. Arteriors “Andrea” round ottoman ($2,730); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com. 2. Margo Selby “Brasilia” large cushion ($275); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome.com. 3. Arteriors “Wilson” pendant light in Blue Cadet ($830); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com.

4. Schumacher Bukhara “Ikat” ginger jar ($158); Williams Sonoma Home at The Commons at Calabasas, williamssonoma.com. 5. Lillian August side table in navy blue lacquered grass cloth ($1,680); Alderman Bushé Interiors, Thousand Oaks, aldermanbusheinteriors.com.

7. New Pacific Direct “Klismos” chair in Viola Dulce Blue velvet ($555); For Your Home Furniture, Ventura, fyhfurn.com. 8. Verellen “Blanche” tufted-seat sofa in Obsession Midnight ($8,655); Beautiful Mess Home & Garden, Agoura Hills, abeautifulmess.com. 

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SWATCH COURTESY OF PANTONE

6. “Targua Scroll Vine” inlay coffee table ($1,798); Anthropologie, Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara; anthropologie.com.

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Good Deeds By Mark Langton

United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County

The United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County (unitedbg.org) has sites in Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and Solvang. In early November, the organization held its 35th Great Futures Gala fundraiser at Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel in Montecito. Of particular concern was raising money to rebuild the organization’s Camp Whittier location, which suffered extensive damage in the Whittier Fire of 2017. The 94-acre residential facility can accommodate a wide variety of events and activities for youths and adults in a natural backcountry setting. Boys & Girls Clubs provide students with after-school academic, art, and sports activities as well as a place to interact with their peers.

1. Tony Vallejo, Jim Crook, Thomas Heath, Michael Baker 2. Penny Sharrett, Helen Capra 3. Casey Weihert, Lorraine McIntire, Monetta Williams 4. Diana Washburn 5. Dave and Tracy Messner 6. Bill and Angel Sugleris, Paula Bruice 7. Hector and Brenda Navarro, Sandra and Tony Vallejo 8. Kimberly A. Jordan 9. Angel Martinez, Angel Iscovich 10. Jeff and Kristi Barens Photographs by Baron Erik Spafford

Senior Concerns

Since 1975 Senior Concerns (seniorconcerns.org) has been serving the community in eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County. In late October, its 34th annual Ultimate Dining Experience fundraiser and gala at the Hyatt Regency Westlake in Westlake Village featured a speakeasy theme. Keets and Hugh Cassar of Westlake Village were honored with a special Philanthropists of the Year award. Senior Concerns supports thousands of seniors and their family caregivers with an adult day center, caregiver support services, care-management services, free financial and legal services, and a Meals on Wheels program, which delivers 30,000 meals annually to homebound seniors in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.

To see more photos from these events, visit 805living.com.

1. Keets and Hugh Cassar 2. Collette Philipp, Marnie Klaasen, Paul McQuinlan 3. Danny Lampert, Patrick Nygren 4. Irene Dingman, Ellis Patterson, Marian Elliott 5. Marissa Buss, Laura Eelkema, Molly Boyle 6. Ilona Clark, Cristina Cox, Doreen Lynch 7. Patricia Jones 8. Howard and Lynda Brenner 9. Andrea and Peter Gallagher 10. Susan and Gary Stephani 11. Charles Devlin, Nancy Pidduck Photographs by Vibralinx Film and Photography

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Ways toWellness in 2020

BY HEIDI DVORAK

WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Â© SERGEY FILIMONOV/STOCKSY UNITED

Reduce stress, relieve pain, boost immunity, and improve mental and physical fitness with self-care opportunities in the 805.

For almost 15 years, the works of photographer Gary Moss have enlivened the pages of this magazine.

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20 Ways

toWellness in 2020 Journaling about a stressful or traumatic event may facilitate positive growth, according to a University of Iowa study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Journaling helps you find your triggers and be more self-aware, says Linda Sussman Swiller, LCSW, a Westlake Village clinical therapist. “It can help you identify thoughts as rational or irrational,” she says. “When you write it down, it becomes visual, more concrete, and you may read what you wrote and say, ‘That’s ridiculous.’ ” Swiller suggests keeping it simple: A gratitude journal can consist of writing down three simple things a day on a Post-it note, such as “I had a great cup of coffee,” or “The sun came out.” A thought journal is helpful for grieving losses. Regardless of the type of journaling you choose, writing therapy can help ease feelings of trauma as well as nagging negativity.

2 Master the Power of Now

Studies show that the practice of mindfulness—being present in the moment—can alter the brain’s structure to create neural pathways resulting in reduced anxiety, improved immunity, better sleep quality, and lower blood pressure. But mastering the practice is not as simple as it sounds, so the UCLA Mindful Research Center, whose recent study showed that communitybased mindfulness can result in stress reduction— offers instruction in Mindful Awareness Practices (uclahealth.org/marc/classes#maps-i). And, right off the bat, 805-area residents get a major stress reliever: They won’t have to travel to Westwood to do it. UCLA-trained mindfulness facilitator Barbara Rose Sherman helms two Santa Barbara locations where she teaches meditation and provides tools to learn how to positively deal with those knee-jerk physical, mental, and emotional reactions. Check the site for other 805-area satellite locations. For guided meditations at your fingertips, download the UCLA Mindful app from iTunes or Google Play.

3 Be Posture Perfect

If your knee hurts, the problem may not be in your knee, says posture alignment specialist Evan Litchfield. Same goes for other types of pain, too—scoliosis, kyphosis, carpal tunnel, TMJ, achy joints, even migraines. Before you resort to pain-

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management drugs or go under the knife, consider a posture assessment. A Journal of Physical Therapy Science study conducted at Sorabol College in South Korea reported that a posture correction exercise program can reduce musculoskeletal pain. As the owner of Pre-Post Fitness and Wellness (prepostwellness.com) in Thousand Oaks, Litchfield explains that gravity can take its toll on the body as it loses its designed posture, and misalignment could be the culprit. A simple series of exercises may bring symmetry and pain relief.

4 Eat Like a Centenarian

Want to uncover the secrets of living a long, healthy life? Look to The Blue Zones Kitchen (bluezones.com; National Geographic, 2019), a book by Santa Barbara resident and journalist Dan Buettner based on his extensive research with National Geographic on some of the world’s oldest living people. He offers information on dietary traditions, tips, recipes, and cooking practices of the long-lived residents of Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.

5 Be Social—and Socially Conscious

Join fellow humans in learning how to develop compassion, awareness, a sense of community, a respect for the environment, and service to others by joining a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to doing good. The Consciousness Network (thecn. org) in Santa Barbara explores ways to improve personal and global well-being by providing a platform for distinguished experts in the fields of medicine, science, activism, and politics at lectures, symposiums, conferences, musical performances, and nature excursions.

6 Explore Holistic Options

Alternative, holistic therapies are being used as part of complementary wellness programs and integrative medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Duke >

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC; OPPOSITE: FIVE SENSE COLLECTIVE

1 Express Yourself

Held in a geodesic dome overlooking the ocean, Five Sense Collectiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshops and events focus on self-healing through multisensory experiences.

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Getting enough sleep is as crucial to health as food and water are.

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20 Ways

toWellness in 2020

University Health System, Johns Hopkins Health System, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Stanford Health Care, among others. Take aromatherapy: The jury is still out as to its total efficacy, but increasing evidence has found that aromatherapy showed improved mood and decreased anxiety, pain, and nausea in cancer patients. Five Sense Collective (fivesensecollective.com) in Malibu creates a safe, healing space to delve into aromatherapy and other holistic practices. Instructors are certified in Reiki, mindful meditation, yoga instruction, sound healing, AcroYoga Fitness, aromatherapy, and intuitive medicine.

7 Take Your Vacation to the Mat

PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN GALLOWAY; FOOD STYLING CAROLYN PASCUAL; OPPOSITE: © JUAN MOYANO/STOCKSY UNITED

“Yoga” means union, so get in the spirit of the discipline and unite with like-minded down doggers at a retreat, where the intent is manifested by communal spirit and escaping the day-to-day grind. Sagrada Wellness (sagradawellness.com) in Santa Margarita offers themed retreats such as Yoga & Wine, Yoga & Pilates, Empowered Singlehood Yoga, and Yoga Hiking, all taught by accredited experts. Retreats include all meals, accommodations, and a designated activity program.

8 Cook for Health and Happiness What are the chances that you’ll never eat butter again? That’s a rhetorical question, but internist Elizabeth Epstein, M.D., points out in A Beautiful Heart Cookbook (abeautifulheartcookbook.com; Balboa Press, 2019) that if we aren’t enjoying life, what’s the point? Her book contains 65 recipes built on American Heart Association guidelines, and a few contain a modicum of butter or other ingredients that are often ruled out in the interest of heart health. One of the reasons Epstein wrote this book is because she saw many patients who regarded their more restrictive dietary plans as unpleasant—a guarantee for failure. Raised in Ventura County, Epstein encourages us to opt out of the unhealthy-versus-healthy food battle and adopt a caring and loving approach to eating.

9 Sleep Tight

How much of an impact does fitful sleep have on your overall health? Just ask Ronald A. Popper, M.D., founder and medical director of the Southern California Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Medical Center (sleepmd4u.com), who says that all

you have to do is think about how you feel after a poor night’s sleep to understand that a good night’s sleep is as important to life as eating and drinking. “Sleep rejuvenates our immune system to help us fight off diseases and to repair damage to our bodies that occurs in the course of normal life. It helps us handle the psychological stress of daily living,” Popper says. Aside from detrimental effects such as memory issues, mood disorders, and compromised balance and attentiveness, lack of sleep is linked to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, according to a 2019 study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health published in the journal Diabetes Care. Popper, who is board-certified in sleep disorders medicine, offers therapies tailored to the individual patient and treats obstructive sleep apnea, restless limb syndrome, narcolepsy, insomnia, REM behavior disorder, other movement disorders, nightmares, night terrors, seizures, bedwetting, sleep walking, and other conditions.

10 Open Up to the Power of Suggestion

As the saying goes, old habits die hard. If you’ve ever tried to quit smoking or lose unwanted pounds without success, you’ve probably found that it’s true. A Mayo Clinic College of Medicine report reveals that hypnotherapy has been successful in breaking undesirable habits as well as in dealing with depression, pain management, insomnia, PTSD, headaches, obesity, phobias, and stress reduction. But success is dependent upon a subject’s willingness to embrace desired change and the skills of a qualified hypnotherapist. Medical hypnotherapy sessions conducted by certified hypnotherapists are offered at California Health & Longevity Institute (chli.com) at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. >

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20 Ways

toWellness in 2020

11 Challenge That Bod

(f45training.com) offers challenging workouts that combine high-intensity interval training, circuit training, and functional movement.

Heed the words of the American Council for Exercise: “Varying your exercise routine can have a number of benefits, including preventing boredom and avoiding a plateau.” To stimulate mind and body, consider taking an exercise class that you’ve never tried before. Get your feet wet with Yogaqua (yogaqua.com), a yoga class conducted on the water with a stand-up paddleboard. An instructor will guide you through a vinyasa flow on the waters of Ventura Harbor where the ripples challenge muscles in new and unique ways. While your mind may drift toward nirvana, your body won’t: Each board is anchored.

14 Check Your Dose of D

in New Ways

12 Just Dance

Dancing does a body good. Aside from the obvious calorie-burning and cardiovascular benefits, a study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that dancing can improve brain health. Try a night of line dancing at Borderline Country Night at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, and if you don’t have the Cowboy Cha Cha or Electric Slide down, subscribe to Let’s Dance (borderlinedance. com), a monthly streaming service of line-dance lessons taught by Borderline Grill employees. It’s good prep for the much-anticipated opening of a new Borderline called BL Dancehall and Saloon (blsaloon. com), also in Agoura Hills. Check the website for updates.

13 Get Back to Basics

Old-school exercises like squats, pushups, and standing rows are back and still benefit young and old. The Mayo Clinic endorses functional fitness for all ages, and a pilot study by university researchers in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness showed that 20 functional training sessions were enough to improve the functional autonomy of elderly women. So get back to bending, lifting, jumping, pushing, pulling, punching, twisting, and turning with greater ease by doing functional fitness exercises. In Westlake Village, F45 Training

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Hopefully you are already using an SPF 15 sunscreen daily to protect against skin cancer and premature skin aging. That said, are you shortchanging your intake of the sunshine vitamin—also known as vitamin D? Since a D deficiency was pronounced a global epidemic in 2005, many have opted to ensure they get their recommended daily allowance (RDA) of D with a simple supplement. However, Ron Moy, M.D., past president of the American Academy of Dermatology and director of dermatology at California Health & Longevity Institute (chli.com) at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village points to a UC San Diego study published in the American Journal of Public Health that makes a strong case for taking a vitamin D supplement that’s higher than the current RDA to boost the immune system and help prevent certain cancers. It’s worth looking into, but before you head for the pharmacy, consult with your doctor.

15 Walk a Rescue Dog

Here’s some healthy news to howl about: The Centers for Disease Control says that the regular walking of a pet decreases triglyceride and cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and feelings of loneliness. Share the joy with a fuzzy little friend in need. Paw Works (pawworks.org) in Ventura and Thousand Oaks and CARL in Santa Paula are two of many animal rescue centers that have volunteer dog-walking programs.

16 Make Music

Take note: Learning to play a musical instrument can improve cognitive abilities such as concentration and multitasking as well as enhance mood and thus quality of life according to a study by the Universidad de Barcelona published in Frontiers of Psychology. It also improves listening and hearing skills, according to a University of Toronto study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Plus, it’s fun. Opportunities to learn how to play an instrument are available all over the 805, >

Walking rescue dogs is good for those on both ends of the leash.

Find strength in numbers by joining a group weight-loss program like the one at The Ranch Malibu.

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20 Ways

toWellness in 2020

particularly at colleges and adult schools, or check out the Knauer Music School (knauermusicschool. com) in Agoura Hills and Guitar Center (guitarcenter.com) locations in Westlake Village and Oxnard.

A research review published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found a small body of quantifiable data to support the effectiveness of art therapy in treating a variety of symptoms and disorders in various age groups. At Create Your Life Studio (createyourlifestudio.com) in Santa Barbara, licensed art therapist, marriage and family therapist, and somatic therapist Christine Scott-Hudson helps unlock the emotions that clients repress while dealing with issues such as anxiety, illness, divorce, sexual trauma, abuse, disability, death, and PTSD. Hudson says she combines psychotherapeutic techniques with the process of creating a drawing, painting, or collage to access subconscious material, which often surfaces in visual form.

There’s no tub involved when it comes to immersing yourself in a practice called Forest Bathing, but it can be cleansing in its own way. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (sbbg.org) offers a unique walk in the woods, conducted by a certified forest therapy guide who extends what is called verbal invitations to participants to experience the natural world through breathing exercises, reflections, observations, and sharing. Inspired by the Japanese practice shinrin-yoku (nature bathing) this two-hour stroll is not intended to increase participants’ heart rates or sharpen their plant-identifying skills. Rather, the intention is to help them slow down and envelope themselves in natural surroundings in a relaxing, sensory way. A study from the Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, at Chiba University, Kashiwa, in Japan, supports the theory. It showed that forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than city environments. So take a walk in the botanical garden on February 22, March 14, or April 25.

18 Diet With Others

20 Take Your Best Shot

17Create Art to Work Through Trauma

COURTESY OF THE RANCH MALIBU

19 Bathe in Nature

If you take part in a community-based weight loss program, you may drop more pounds than trying to do it solo, according to a Baylor College of Medicine study published in The American Journal of Medicine. That speaks volumes for groups like Weight Watchers, but if you’re looking for a “community” that’s highly motivated and willing to invest time and money in a high-end no-options boot camp–style program, try The Ranch Malibu (theranchmalibu.com), a seven-day program limited to 18 guests, all on the same path to wellness. Offered by The Ranch health and fitness company, this particular program convenes in the Santa Monica Mountains. The setting is spectacular and the private cottages are more than comfy, but the program is no-nonsense: eight hours of daily exercise that includes a four-hour group hike and a variety of fitness classes, complemented by a plantbased meal plan of 1,400 calories a day.

Controversy abounds regarding immunizations, but it’s tough to argue with the World Health Organization, which claims that getting vaccinated is one of the world’s most cost-effective health interventions, preventing 2 to 3 million deaths each year. To further put your mind at ease, Ramesh Nathan, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Los Robles Regional Medical Center (losrobleshospital. com) in Thousand Oaks says, “Vaccines are continuously monitored for safety, and there is no evidence that [vaccination] leads to learning disabilities or long-term health issues.” Nathan goes on to explain that when a large population is vaccinated, it limits the spread of disease since unimmunized individuals benefit from those who are immunized because those vaccinated make it more difficult for an illness to be transmitted—a concept called herd immunity. Says Nathan, “Vaccination is an investment in the health of our future generations.” 

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your physician or other qualified health provider for recommendations regarding personal health conditions and practices. WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Together! Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re gathering for a nuptial celebration or another landmark occasion, local experts can help make it an exceptional event. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELIZABETH MESSINA

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805 WEDDINGS Resource Guide 2020 Beauty Brit Tarr Hair and Makeup Simi Valley, brittarr.com

Christine’s Cake Creations Paso Robles, christinescakecreations.com

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

fourseasons.com/westlakevillage

Gusto on the Go

The Groom Concierge

Crushcakes & Cafe

Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, crushcakes.com

San Luis Obispo, gustoonthego.com

Janet Villa Hair + Makeup

Decadence Fine Cakes & Confections

Thousand Oaks, justinesprivatecuisine.com

Santa Barbara, thegroomconcierge.com Solvang, janetvilla.com

Rhonda Johnson

Cambria, bridalmakeupandhair.com

Buellton, decadenceweddingcakes.com

Enjoy Cupcakes

Justine’s Private Cuisine

New West Catering

Buellton, newwestcatering.com

Mobile Bridal Salon

Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, enjoycupcakes.com

Omni Catering

Rhythm & Hair at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Frost It Cakery

Poe & Co.

Thousand Oaks, frostitcakery.com

Santa Barbara, poe-and-co.com

Jessica Foster Confections

Pure Joy Catering

mobilebridalsalon.com

fourseasons.com/westlakevillage

The Starlet Studio Westlake Village, thestarletstudio.com

The Studio Agency

Carpinteria, omnicateringsb.com

Santa Barbara, jessicafosterconfections.com

Santa Barbara, purejoycatering.com

Loria Stern

Westlake Village, rockchefrolls.com

Santa Barbara, loriastern.com

Rock Chef Rolls

Seasons Catering

Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, thestudioagency.com

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Ventura, seasonscateringca.com

Team Hair & Makeup

Sugar Lab Bake Shop

Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars

Santa Barbara, teamhairandmakeupservice.com

Bridal Wear Bella Bridal Couture Thousand Oaks, bellabridalcouture.com

Panache Bridals

Santa Barbara, panachebridals.com

To Have & To Hold Bridal Salon and Boutique

San Luis Obispo, tohaveandtoholdbridalsalon.com

Cakes/Desserts/ Favors Bread Basket Cake Company

Camarillo, facebook.com/ breadbasketcakecompany

The Cakery

Atascadero, slocakery.com

Chooket

Santa Barbara, chooket.com

Christine Dahl Pastries Santa Barbara, santabarbaracakes.com

Westlake Village, sprinkles.com Ventura, sugarlabbakeshop.com

Oxnard, tierrasuratherzog.com

Sweet Arleen’s

Dance Instruction

Westlake Village, sweetarleens.com

Caterers Catering Connection Santa Barbara, cateringconnect.com

805 Catering Company Thousand Oaks, 805catering.com

Choux Choux (catering and event design) Malibu, chouxchouxla.com

Command Performance Catering Group & Event Production Moorpark, cpcatering.com

Copper and Crystal (bar service) San Luis Obispo, copperandcrystal.com

DJ’s California Catering Ventura, djscatering.com

Duo Catering & Events

Santa Barbara, duoevents.com

Arthur Murray Dance Centers

Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Canoga Park, arthurmurray.com

Event Planners & Designers Alegria by Design

Santa Barbara, alegriabydesign.com

Amber Weir Weddings + Events

Santa Barbara, amberweir.com

Bella Vita Events

Westlake Village, bellavitaevents.com

Onyx + Redwood

Santa Barbara, onyxandredwood.com

Churchill House Events Westlake Village, churchill-intl.com

Exquisite Events Westlake Village, exquisevents.com

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805 WEDDINGS Resource Guide 2020 Imagine Weddings and Special Events

The English Garden

Joelle Charming

Hogue & Co. Floral & Event Design

Santa Barbara, imaginesb.com Ventura, joellecharming.com

Joy Proctor Design

Santa Barbara, joyproctor.com

Karson Butler Events

San Luis Obispo, karsonbutlerevents.com

La Fleur Weddings & Events

Santa Ynez, lafleurweddings.com

Lisa Vorce Co

Los Angeles, lisavorce.com

Grace Lorenzen

San Luis Obispo, gracelorenzen.com

Merryl Brown Events

Montecito, merrylbrown.com

Montecito, hoguefloral.com

Idlewild Floral & Event Design

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, idlewildfloral.com

Joy Proctor Design

Santa Barbara, joyproctor.com

Knot Just Flowers

Oxnard, knotjustflowersdesign.com

Mindy Rice Floral & Event Design

Santa Barbara Wine Country Weddings & Events

Jewelers

Tyler Speier Events

Thousand Oaks, Canoga Park, benbridge.com

Wild Heart Events Santa Barbara, wildheartevents.com

XOXO Bride Events Ojai, xoxobride.com

Florists Adornments Flowers & Finery

San Luis Obispo, adornmentsflowers.com

Alexis Ireland Florals Santa Barbara, alexisirelandflorals.com

April Flowers

Atascadero, aprilflowersslo.com

Camellia Floral Design Santa Barbara, camelliafloraldesign.com

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Montecito Country Club montecitocc.com

Moorpark Country Club moorparkgolf.com

North Ranch Country Club

Westlake Village, northranchcc.org

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club Carpinteria, sbpolo.com

Sherwood Country Club

Thousand Oaks, sherwoodcc.com

Wood Ranch Golf Club

Santa Ynez, renaesbouquet.com Westlake Village, westlakeflowers.com

Westlake Village, vpevents.com

calabasasgolf.com

Renae’s Bouquet Westlake Florist

VP Events, Inc.

Calabasas Country Club

Spanish Hills Country Club Camarillo, spanishhillscc.com

Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, ranihoover.com

Santa Barbara, tylerspeier.com

Locations– Country Clubs

Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, mindyrice.com

Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events

sbwinecountryevents.com

Westlake Village, theenglishgarden.com

Ben Bridge

Cartier

Canoga Park, cartier.com

Simi Valley, woodranchgc.com

Locations– Hotels/Resorts The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort Solvang, alisal.com

Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles, allegrettovineyardresort.com

Belmond El Encanto

Polacheck’s Jewelers

Santa Barbara, belmond.com/ el-encanto-santa-barbara

Raiman Rocks

Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club

Calabasas, polachecks.com Calabasas, raimanrocks.com

Rock Star Couture Jewelry Westlake Village, rockstarcouturejewelry.com

Silverhorn

Santa Barbara, silverhorn.com

Tiffany & Co.

Malibu, calamigosguestranch.com

Canary, a Kimpton Hotel Santa Barbara, canarysantabarbara.com

Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Ventura, cpventura.com

Santa Barbara, Canoga Park, tiffany.com

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

Van Gundy Jewelers

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Camarillo, Ventura, vangundys.com

Pismo Beach, thedolphinbay.com

fourseasons.com/westlakevillage

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

fourseasons.com/santabarbara

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805 WEDDINGS Resource Guide 2020 Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

hiltonsantabarbarabeachfront resort.com

Hotel Californian

Santa Barbara, thehotelcalifornian.com

Hotel Cheval

Paso Robles, hotelcheval.com

Hyatt Regency Westlake Westlake Village, westlake.hyatt.com

Inn at Morro Bay

innatmorrobay.com

Inn at the Pier

Pismo Beach, theinnatthepier.com

Ojai Valley Inn ojairesort.com

Palm Garden Hotel

Thousand Oaks, palmgardenhotel.com

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara

Ca’ Del Grevino Vineyard and Estate Santa Maria, grevino.com

Paso Robles, toothandnailwinery.com

Paso Robles, eberlewinery.com

Triunfo Creek Vineyards

Eberle Winery

Edna Valley Vineyard San Luis Obispo, ednavalleyvineyard.com

Epona Estate

Hidden Valley, eponaestate.com

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

Los Olivos, fessparker.com

Firestone Vineyard

Los Olivos, firestonewine.com

Gainey Vineyard

Santa Ynez, gaineyvineyard.com

Grassini Family Vineyards Santa Ynez, grassinifamilyvineyards.com

Greengate Ranch & Vineyard

Santa Barbara, ritzcarlton.com

San Luis Obispo, greengateweddings.com

Rosewood Miramar Beach

HammerSky Vineyards & Inn

Montecito, rosewoodhotels.com/ en/miramar-beach-montecito

San Ysidro Ranch

Montecito, sanysidroranch.com

SeaVenture Beach Hotel & Restaurant

Pismo Beach, seaventure.com

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa San Luis Obispo, sycamoresprings.com

Vespera on Ocean

Pismo Beach, vesperapismobeach.com

Westlake Village Inn westlakevillageinn.com

Locations– Wineries/ Vineyards Bodega Los Alamos bodegalosalamos.com

Brave & Maiden

Santa Ynez, braveandmaiden.com

Tooth & Nail Winery

Paso Robles, hammersky.com

Herzog Wine Cellars

Agoura Hills, triunfocreek.com

Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery

Paso Robles, vinarobles.com

Zaca Creek Ranch

Santa Ynez, zacacreekranch.com

Locations– Other Venues El Zapato

Santa Barbara, elzapatosb.com

Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse

Los Olivos, farmhouserental.com

Flying Caballos Ranch San Luis Obispo, flyingcaballos.com

Granada Theatre

Santa Barbara, granadasb.org

Hartley Botanica

Somis, hartleybotanica.com

Hummingbird Nest

Oxnard, herzogwine.com

Simi Valley, hummingbirdnestranch.com

Justin

La Lomita Ranch

Paso Robles, justinwine.com

Niner Wine Estates

Paso Robles, ninerwine.com

Opolo Vineyards

Paso Robles, opolo.com

Peachy Canyon

Paso Robles, peachycanyon.com

Refugio Ranch Vineyards

Santa Ynez, refugioranch.com

Robert Hall Winery

San Luis Obispo, lalomitaranch.com

Limoneira Co.

Santa Paula, limoneira.com

Maravilla Gardens

Camarillo, mgardens.com

MOXI The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation Santa Barbara, moxi.org

The Narrative Loft

Paso Robles, roberthallwinery.com

Santa Barbara, thenarrativeloft.com

Saddlerock Ranch

Ojai Ranch House

Malibu, saddlerock-ranch.com

SummerWood Winery & Inn Paso Robles, summerwoodwine.com

Sunstone Vineyards & Winery

theranchhouse.com

Quail Ranch Events

Simi Valley, quailranchevents.com

Rancho de las Palmas

Moorpark, ranchodelaspalmas.com

Santa Ynez, sunstonewinery.com

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805 WEDDINGS Resource Guide 2020 Santa Barbara Historical Museum sbhistorical.org

Santa Barbara Zoo sbzoo.org

Spreafico Farms

San Luis Obispo, spreaficofarms.com

The White Barn Edna Valley San Luis Obispo, ednavalleywhitebarn.com

Party/Tent Rentals, DJs, & Event Production Bella Vista Designs Santa Barbara, bellavistadesigns.com

Blush Fine Linens San Luis Obispo, blushfinelinens.com

Bright Event Rentals

Santa Barbara, bright.com

Bruce Barrios Productions Ventura, brucebarrios.com

DJ Darla Bea

Santa Barbara, djdarlabea.com

Elan Event Rentals Santa Barbara, elaneventrentals.com

Event Staff Solutions

Ventura, eventstaffsolutions.net

Gypset Events

Malibu, gypsetevent.com

La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

Santa Barbara, latavolalinen.com

Otis + Pearl Vintage Rentals Ventura, otisandpearl.com

Scout Rental Co.

Templeton, scoutrentalco.com

Social Cycle (16-person party bike) Santa Barbara, socialcycleca.com

Spark Creative Events Santa Barbara, sparkcreativeevents.com

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Tap Truck (vintage craft beer truck)

San Luis Obispo, taptruckcentralcoast.com

The Tent Merchant

Santa Barbara, thetentmerchant.com

Three on the Tree Retro Rentals

Judi Bumstead Photography Thousand Oaks, judibumsteadphotography.com

Katie Moos Photography

Santa Barbara, katiemoos.com

Kristen BeinkeÂ Photography Santa Barbara, kristenbeinke.com

Megan Sorel Photography

San Luis Obispo, threeonthetreeslo.com

Santa Barbara, megansorel.com

Town & Country

Mi Belle Photographers

Santa Barbara, townandcountryeventrentals.com

Westlake Village, mibelleinc.com

Photography

Santa Barbara, michaelandannacosta.com

Bessy the Foto Bus Arroyo Grande, bessythefotobus.com

Cameron Ingalls Photography

San Luis Obispo, cameroningalls.com

Cara Robbins Studio Santa Barbara, cararobbinsstudio.com

Elizabeth Messina Photographs

Santa Barbara, elizabethmessina.com

James & Jess Photography

Michael + Anna Costa Photography

Michelle Warren Photography

San Luis Obispo, mwfoto.com

Susan Bordelon Photography

Agoura Hills, susanbordelon.com

Wild Whim Design + Photography

Thousand Oaks, wildwhimphotography.com

Yvonne Goll Photography San Luis Obispo, yvonnegollphotography.com

Santa Barbara, jamesandjess.com

Stationery

Jeff Newsom Photographer

Emily Rose Papers

San Luis Obispo, jeffnewsom.com

Jennifer Rau Photography Thousand Oaks, jenniferrauphotography.com

Jenny Quicksall Photography

Thousand Oaks, jennyquicksall.com

Jillian Rose Photography Solvang, jillianrosephotography.com

Joel Serrato Photographer Solvang, joelserrato.com

Jose Villa Photographer

Solvang, josevilla.com

Simi Valley, emilyrosepapers.com

Fla-de-Dahs

Agoura Hills, fladedahs.com

The Giving Ink

Solvang, thegivingink.com

Jessica Yee Calligraphy

Santa Maria, jessicayeecalligraphy.weebly.com

Letter Perfect Santa Barbara

letterperfectsantabarbara.com

The Stationery Collection Montecito, stationerycollection.com ď&#x201A;ˇ

Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Tap Into Turmeric THE EARTHY SPICE THAT GIVES CURRIES THEIR SIGNATURE COLOR LENDS ITS GOLDEN HUE, DEPTH OF FLAVOR, AND ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS TO DISHES ACROSS THE 805.

espite its prevalence in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines for four millennia, turmeric sat in the back row of many American spice racks until recently. The spice’s newfound popularity in the U.S. might be in response to mounting indications that curcumin, the polyphenol in turmeric, contains cancer-fighting antioxidants, reduces inflammation, and helps regulate metabolism and cholesterol levels, according to a research review published in the online food-science journal Food in October 2017. Although researchers have found that the body can’t easily absorb curcumin on its own, pairing it with black pepper, cayenne pepper, or chili powder has been shown to increase its bioavailability by 2,000 percent. In other words, turmeric needs to buddy up with certain other spices to reach its full nutritional potential. “Black pepper contains the bioactive

TURMERIC LEMONGRASS COLOSSAL PRAWNS Chef Dan Chang of Mandarin Lotus restaurant in Agoura Hills was inspired to learn more about nutrition when his wife and business partner, Kim Truong, was diagnosed with cancer almost 11 years ago. “At that time, I was trying to find ways to help her,” Chang says. “Since then, I make a lot of new decisions thinking of food as medicine.” As for turmeric, Chang considers it a star ingredient in much of the cuisine at Mandarin Lotus. “It has a lot of amazing factors,” he says, noting that he always pairs it with black pepper for the full effect. For this recipe, Chang stresses the importance of pressing the front and tail of

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compound piperine, the active component found in chili powder and cayenne pepper, [which also has] anti-inflammatory properties,” says Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE, chief dietitian at the California Health & Longevity Institute (chli.com) at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. “And its most significant benefit may be its ability to boost the absorption of curcumin.” In addition to its health benefits, turmeric enjoys culinary fame for its role in curry blends, and its floral aroma, earthy flavor, and vivid yellow hue are a welcome addition to a variety of dishes. Here, Lambert joins chefs Greg Arnold of Dark Horse Organic (darkhorseorganic.com) products and Mesa Verde (mesaverderestaurant. com) restaurant in Santa Barbara and Dan Chang of Mandarin Lotus (mandarinlotusagourahills.com) restaurant in Agoura Hills to share inventive, turmericspiked recipes that are both good and, potentially, good for you. each shrimp into the cornstarch. “It helps them become crispy when fried, so they can stand up on each plate, like a salute,” he says. Serves 8 1 teaspoon ground turmeric ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons water 2 cups cornstarch 2 pounds white prawns (13 to 15 per pound), deveined and butterflied with ¼-inch cut 8 cups canola oil >

By Jaime Lewis

The Root of the Matter Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family, and its roots can be used similarly in fresh or dried form. Most recipes calling for turmeric are referring to the dried form that has been ground into a powder, which can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Like fresh ginger, fresh turmeric is sold in the produce section of well-stocked markets. Take care when slicing into the fresh flesh: Contact with it leaves long-lasting color on skin and can permanently stain clothing.

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Taste Food

Half red bell pepper, diced to ¾ inch Half yellow onion, peeled and diced to ¾ inch 1 small carrot, sliced to 1/16 inch 20 green beans, trimmed and halved 1 teaspoon unsalted butter 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, minced, 1 serrano chile, sliced (optional) 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced ginger ½ teaspoon fish sauce 20 fresh mint leaves, for garnish In a small bowl, whisk together turmeric, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and sugar. Set aside. In a shallow bowl, make egg wash by whisking eggs and water. Place cornstarch in a shallow dish nearby. Bathe each prawn in egg wash, then dredge completely in the cornstarch. Set dredged prawns aside. Line two plates with paper towels and place them near deep fryer or stove. In a deep fryer or a wok on stovetop, heat canola oil until temperature registers 350°F on a candy or deep-fry thermometer. Carefully place prawns in hot oil and quickly cook about 20 seconds or until crispy. With a spider strainer or slotted spoon, transfer prawns to paper towel–lined plate to drain. Place bell pepper, onion, carrot, and green beans in oil for 10 seconds and remove with strainer to the other paper towel–lined plate. If frying in wok, very carefully transfer hot oil to a heat-safe container to be disposed of when cool and return wok to stovetop. Melt butter in wok over medium heat. Add lemongrass, serrano chile (if using), garlic, and ginger, stirring until fragrant and lightly golden in color, about 1 minute. Return the crispy prawns and vegetables to the wok. Vigorously shake the wok while sprinkling turmeric mixture over prawns and vegetables. Drizzle fish sauce over to coat evenly. To plate, arrange each prawn standing up (like it’s saluting) and garnish with mint leaves.

SAVORY TURMERIC GRANOLA For this granola, Paulette Lambert, R.D., CDE, combines ground cayenne pepper with turmeric to maximize its health-promoting effects. “Some healthy fats, such as the olive oil in the granola, also help with curcumin absorption,” she says. Instead of using egg whites to bind the seeds, grains, and other ingredients together as they bake, Lambert substitutes the juice from a can of chickpeas (also called aquafaba), which makes the dish vegan. As an alternative substitute, mix an additional 1½ tablespoons ground flaxseed meal with ¼ cup warm water.

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Lambert suggests using the cooled granola as a topping for salads and vegetable dishes or in plain yogurt for a sweet-and-savory breakfast or brunch. Makes 2½ cups 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal 2 cups organic rolled oats ⅓ cup raw buckwheat groats ½ cup pumpkin and/or sunflower seeds or chopped nuts 2 tablespoons sesame seeds or hemp seeds ⅓ cup coconut flakes ⅓ cup golden raisins, diced dried apricots, or diced dried cherries ½ teaspoon sea salt 1½ teaspoons turmeric ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon curry powder ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ⅓ cup liquid from a can of organic chickpeas 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons maple or agave syrup Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Set aside. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together canned chickpea liquid, olive oil, and syrup. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir well to combine. Spread mixture in a thin layer on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring a few times to prevent granola at the edges of the baking sheets from burning. Remove granola from oven and cool completely before transferring it to an airtight storage container. It will keep for 2 weeks at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.

WINTER SOLSTICE BUTTERNUT TURMERIC SOUP Chef Greg Arnold is known in the 805 for preparing exuberantly colored and flavored vegetarian and vegan dishes at Mesa Verde restaurant in Santa Barbara. But across the U.S., he’s known as the owner of Dark Horse Organic, a line of what he calls “ancientmodern pantry staples and ferments,” such as vegan bouillon made from mushrooms and probiotic vinaigrette made from pine pollen and charcoal. His interest in beneficial ingredients comes into play in this omnivore soup recipe, which features fresh turmeric and black pepper and is artfully garnished with yogurt, bacon, dill, bee pollen, and Turkish chili pepper.

Serves 6 to 8 3 slices bacon, cut into small pieces 1 leek, cleaned and trimmed, white part only, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 3 carrots, sliced 3 inches fresh turmeric, peeled 3 inches fresh ginger, peeled ¾ cup organic white wine 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon ground allspice 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 cups organic grass fed–beef bone broth 1 bay leaf 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed 6 cups spring water 1 bouquet garni, made with 3 sprigs each of parsley and thyme tied together with kitchen string 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon dark miso (such as Eden Foods Genmai dark miso, available at Whole Foods Market) Salt 3 tablespoons unsalted organic grass-fed butter 1 teaspoon tamari Whole-milk Greek yogurt Bee pollen Dill Urfa biber (Turkish chili pepper) or black pepper In a cold Dutch oven, slowly render the fat in the bacon pieces over medium to low heat, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Once bacon pieces are crispy, remove several for garnish. Add leek, celery, and carrots. Grate turmeric and ginger directly into pot. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to high and add wine. Reduce for about 1 minute. Stir in cumin, allspice, and tomato paste. Pour in bone broth and add bay leaf. As mixture cooks, use a spoon to skim foam from the surface and discard it. When mixture boils, add squash, water, and bouquet garni. Reduce heat to medium and cook until squash is tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in black pepper and miso. Liquefy soup until smooth by using a hand blender in the pot or by transferring soup in batches to a standing blender, taking care not to overfill the blender carafe, and transferring blended batches to a large vessel. Salt soup to taste and stir in butter and tamari. To serve, ladle soup into a bowl and top with a dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle with bee pollen, dill, urfa biber or black pepper, and crispy bacon pieces. 

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

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

©2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices National Awards based on 2018 production of more than 42,000 sales associates nationwide.

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Taste Beverages By Alex Ward Photograph by Gary Moss

Mocktail Hour IMAGINATIVE MIXOLOGISTS STIR UP NONALCOHOLIC CONCOCTIONS.

fter the indulgence of the holidays, many people are looking to take a break from booze and make a healthy start in the New Year. But a commitment to wellness neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t serve as a restrictive sentence to just drinking water and unsweetened iced tea. Mixologists throughout the Central Coast are crafting nonalcoholic beverages that are every bit as innovative, complex, and delicious as their spirited counterparts, giving teetotalers the opportunity to sidle 86

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Made with ginger kombucha, agave, lime, mint, and club soda, Ginger Aid at Prosperous Penny in Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is a bit like a bubbly, minty, nonalcoholic Moscow Mule.

up to the bar and drink socially without compromise. And armed with these recipes from creative local bartenders, it’s possible to whip up a batch of sophisticated mocktails at home. GINGER AID

Prosperous Penny, Westlake Village, fourseasonswestlakevillage.com Loaded with ginger and lime, the Ginger Aid is something akin to a mock Moscow Mule. It’s a bubbly brew that pairs especially well with Thai and Vietnamese dishes. Makes 1 mocktail Crushed ice 3 ounces ginger kombucha, (or more as needed) divided ½ ounce agave 3 lime wedges 5 mint leaves, plus more if needed ½ ounce club soda Lime wheel Fill a Collins glass with crushed ice and set aside. In a cocktail shaker muddle 2 ounces ginger kombucha, agave, lime wedges, and mint leaves, and strain into prepared glass over crushed ice. Top with club soda and as much ginger kombucha as needed to fill glass. Garnish with lime wheel and mint leaves.

TAILWIND

Pearl Social, Santa Barbara, pearlsocialsb.com Sweet, citrusy, and caffeinated, Tailwind is the perfect recovery drink for those looking to reenergize. Pearl Social head bartender Gavin Koehn suggests pairing the drink with light vegetables or a salad topped with grilled fish and a touch of spice. To make double-strength tea, steep twice as much tea in the amount of water called for on the package. To make dehydrated lemon chips for this recipe, slice a lemon crosswise into thin wheels, place them in a single layer on wire rack, set the rack on a baking sheet, and bake at 200°F for two to three hours. Makes 1 mocktail 1½ ounces Hazelnut Orgeat (recipe follows) 1 ounce lemon juice 3 ounces double-strength iced black tea Ice 1 dehydrated lemon chip Combine hazelnut orgeat, lemon juice, iced tea, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass. Garnish with lemon chip.

HAZELNUT ORGEAT Makes 2 cups ½ cup raw hazelnuts Water 1 cup sugar Place raw hazelnuts in a bowl and fill with enough water to cover nuts. Cover bowl with a cloth and set aside at room temperature overnight. Drain and rinse. In a blender, combine soaked hazelnuts and 1 cup water. Blend at high speed until nuts are a fine meal and water is cloudy. Line a finemesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour the mixture through strainer into a bowl. Gather ends of cheesecloth and twist around nut solids to contain them. Press and squeeze out as much hazelnut milk as possible. Discard solids or save for another use. In a saucepan, combine hazelnut milk and sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Refrigerate orgeat in a sealed container for up to 4 days.

BOMBAY YO!

Sidecar Cocktail Co., San Luis Obispo, sidecarcocktail.company With a creative combination of savory herbal flavors and nuanced sweetness, the Bombay Yo! is a distinctive drink worthy of slow sipping. Pair it with a mixed green salad spiked with apples and dressed in Italian vinaigrette. The tarragon syrup called for in this recipe is commercially available, but it’s also simple to make at home. Bring ¼ cup water and ¼ cup sugar to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Remove from heat, add 2 fresh tarragon sprigs, and steep for 15 minutes. To make the celerysaline solution, combine 4 ounces each of celery juice and water and mix with ½ teaspoon of salt. Makes 1 mocktail ¾ ounce tarragon syrup ½ ounce celery-saline solution 3 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters ¼ ounce lime juice 5 ounces tonic water Ice 1 dill sprig Combine tarragon syrup, celery-saline solution, bitters, lime juice, and tonic water over ice in a mixing glass. Stir, garnish with a dill sprig, and serve on the rocks.

SIX SPICED SODA

The Six Chow House, Calabasas, thesixrestaurant.com Zesty and sweet with a touch of heat, the Six Spiced Soda is a grown-up version of citrus soda featuring a subtle bite of spice. Proprietor Jake King suggests pairing the drink with the restaurant’s flavorful short rib tacos. Makes 1 mocktail 1 ounce lemon juice 1 ounce ginger syrup 1 slice jalapeño Pinch of mint 6 ounces soda water Ice Combine lemon juice, ginger syrup, jalapeño slice, and mint in a cocktail shaker. Muddle. Add soda water and strain over ice into a 16-ounce glass.

GARDEN OF EDEN

Eleven Twenty-Two Cocktail Lounge, Paso Robles, eleven-twentytwo.com This drink is “inspired by Seedlip,” says Tony Bennett, head mixologist of Eleven Twenty-Two. “The product is specifically made to be a nonalcoholic mixer for creating wonderfully herb- and spice-based cocktails.” For this recipe, Bennett juices a cucumber and clarifies the juice with agar, but for convenience 1½ ounces of Cucumber Le Sirop de Monin (available at amazon.com or monin.com) can be substituted for the clarified cucumber juice and simple syrup. Makes 1 mocktail 1½ ounces Seedlip Garden 108 1 ounce clarified cucumber juice ½ ounce simple syrup 10 drops 1:1 granulated citric acid to water solution (used for home canning, granulated citric acid is available at grocery stores) Ice 1 ounce Root Elixirs Grapefruit Jalapeño soda (available at rootelixirs.com) 1 edible orchid, if desired 1 spiralized lemon twist Combine Seedlip, cucumber juice, simple syrup, citric acid solution, and ice in a Boston shaker. Seal shaker and shake vigorously for approximately 20 seconds or until a thin layer of chill begins to form on outside of shaker. Double strain into a tall-stemmed Nick & Nora glass, and top with soda. Garnish with edible orchid and hang spiralized lemon twist on edge of glass. 

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Taste Dining Out By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

For Oku’s Halibut & Crab Lollipops, the whitefish and wild-caught red crab are rolled up in thin sheets of cucumber, which are then sliced into rounds and served on skewers.

Cal-Asian Sensations OKU RESTAURANT BRINGS EXCITING TASTES TO THE SANTA BARBARA WATERFRONT.

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new place for California Asian cuisine is now open on the Santa Barbara waterfront at the edge of the Funk Zone, and it’s a dazzling debut. Oku (okusantabarbara.com) is a personal project by a team of local restaurantindustry veterans. “We saw this as an opportunity to bring something down on the water for locals, to fill a niche for really great sushi and steak, with a full bar,” says coproprietor Ted Ellis, whose managerial experience spans more than 25 years at restaurants in San Francisco, Hawaii, and Santa Barbara. “We want it to feel like an everyday person can come in and have a sushi roll and a glass of wine.” After a three-year renovation, the elaborate modern build-out allows for a wide range of dining experiences: drinks and small plates at either of two full bars, lunch on the boulevard-facing patio, shared plates around an upstairs outdoor fireplace, group dining for up to 60 in a private room, and an impromptu omakase (chef’s choice) menu served at the designated sushi bar. Polished concrete floors anchor the interior, which is decorated with striking, coppery light fixtures, white stone counters, sleek wooden tables, owner-curated art, and Asian artifacts. “The word oku has several different meanings. One is when you walk into a space, it feels right,” says coproprietor Tina Takaya. She brings a background in design plus 20 years of experience at Opal, a restaurant she co-owns and operates in the nearby Arts District. “We want locals to feel like family and visitors to feel like locals,” she says. “For me, it’s all about the time you spend with people you care about.” Oku’s opening menu is a medley of Asian-style dishes that will evolve over time. Such an approach has proven successful for Takaya, whose hands-on influence creating tempting dishes with executive chef Koji Nomura and executive sous chef Felipe Barajas (a longtime chef at Opal) is evident in the offerings here. Popular starters to share include Saigon Wings in a light tempura batter with caramelized soy-sesame glaze and Crispy Korean Cauliflower with sweet-spicy gochujang (red chili paste) and yuzu-shiso (an herb in the mint family) aioli. Among other good starters are oysters with yuzu granita and Halibut & Crab Lollipops, made with the whitefish and sweet, wild-caught red crab rolled in thin cucumber sheets, skewered, sliced, and served with yuzu olive oil. The Sashimi Carpaccio allows guests to create their own premium fish combination served with a >

The Oku point of view (clockwise from above): The restaurant name gleams in bold neon. Copper globe pendant lights and reproductions of vintage Japanese matchbox covers punctuate the sleek decor inside. A statue of goddess of compassion Kuan Yin is an elegant nod to the culture behind the cuisine. Hokkaido scallops drape a mound of rice in a nigiri sushi served with lemon. Executive chef Koji Nomura creates fun, delicious takes on tradition. A patio on the second floor offers outdoor seating by a fireplace.

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Taste Dining Out

Making waves (from far left): Successful restaurateurs Ted Ellis and Tina Takaya bring a wealth of experience to their roles as proprietors of Oku. An undulating pattern in a textured accent wall glows pink during winter months and blue in warmer seasons.

choice of light ponzu, soy, or yuzu sauces. Entrées include Black Garlic Filet Mignon in a cabernet truffle demi-glace with wild mushrooms and celery root puree and Okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake filled taco-style with tamarind pork belly or spiced shrimp. Oku also offers A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef sold by the ounce, a trending big-city offering at a fraction of the usual big-city price, served lightly grilled. But the major draw is Nomura’s exceptional sushi. His skill and experience show in even the simplest preparations, such as the Hokkaido scallop sushi with lemon and a sprinkling of Maldon salt, and the aji mackerel, also from Japan, brushed lightly with one of several house-made soy sauces and topped upon request with a mound of freshly grated wasabi root. “Koji is a rock star. He values tradition but also steps outside the box,” says Takaya, who for years frequented Piranha, Nomura’s Santa Barbara sushi restaurant, now closed. “His menu from 15 years ago was ahead of its time,” she says, “and he’s still elevating his game.” Fun and delicious rolls include the Call Me Crazy with spicy albacore, avocado, ponzu, and cucumber wrapped in more albacore with micro greens and Crazy Rich Asians, featuring tempura lobster topped with lightly seared Wagyu and truffled sweet soy. The wine list by Ellis, a certified sommelier, offers local wines along with Old World vintages. It’s a personal list of favorites that includes Lieff Wines 2018 Monlieff Grenache Rosé from the Central Coast, Storm Wines 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, and Stolpman Vineyards 2018 Love You Bunches Carbonic Sangiovese, served slightly 90

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chilled. A variety of French Champagnes are offered by the glass or bottle. A Domaine Mittnacht 2018 Gyotaku from Alsace, made by a wine producer who is married to a three-star Michelin sushi chef, is intended to pair with raw fish. Also on hand is the Roar Pinot Noir 2017 from Santa Lucia Highlands. Other reds include Rhône varietals from Santa Ynez and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region of southern France. Ellis offers a wide range of sakes, Japanese-style rice beer, from the newer Soto Junmai Daiginjo with a light citrus taste to more traditional varieties like the Rihaku Wandering Poet with notes of banana and melon. On tap are exclusively local beers, such as Night Lizard Sake Lager and Telegraph White Ale, and Japanese varieties including Hitachino White Ale, Yuzu Nest Sansho Lager, and Orion are available by the bottle or can. A robust staff of seven bartenders, headed by Andy Davis and Neil Jelfs, serves classic cocktails along with signature drinks like the ruby-hued Red Lily with Ocean Organic Vodka, lychee liqueur, cranberry juice, St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, and fresh rosemary, and the Santa Barbara Sling, a spin on the classic Singapore Sling, with Cutler’s Gin, Heering Cherry Liqueur, Benedictine, sloe gin, pineapple-lime juice, and soda, served in a ridiculously fun white ceramic cat. Another meaning of oku translates as “the act of moving into something better,” which may well be the inspiration for the ambitious Oku team. At night, vivid hues from the illuminated, custom-crafted wave walls shine through large front windows, beckoning passersby to step in and see what the Oku staff is up to. 

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

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

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

THE DINING GUIDE Our aim is to inform you of restaurants with great food that you might not have experienced yet. This guide is arranged not by cuisine type, but by style of restaurant. “Fine Dining” choices have an elegant atmosphere and very professional service. Restaurants included under the “Foodie” heading are heralded for their wonderful chef-driven cuisine, regardless of atmosphere. “Good Eats” listings are just that—solid, casual, and delicious. The “Fun, Fun, Fun” category brings you spots geared toward a good time. New listings will appear in Where to Eat Now in every issue. Please send any comments and suggestions to edit@805living.com. MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

Fine Dining

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

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

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

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The luxe Belmond El Encanto hotel perches atop its seven-acre hilltop property with sweeping city and ocean views. Settle in on the spacious terrace or in the elegant dining room and linger over artfully presented California coastal cuisine crafted by executive chef Johan Denizot. Local ingredients shine, including herbs from the chef’s garden and cheese made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s cow. The seasonal menu features appetizers such as halibut sashimi and mains like king crab leg in lobster-chili broth and classic New York steak with a choice of sides. The wine list includes Santa Barbara County gems and globetrotting labels. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, although Sunday lunch is replaced with a bottomless Bellini brunch. Afternoon tea (reservations highly recommended) is served Monday through Saturday. In-the-know locals and hotel guests take in the sunset, cocktail in hand, on the terrace.

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

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

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

UPDATE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE 2 Dole Drive Westlake Village, 818-575-3000 fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining

Three dining concepts at this resort offer a variety of options. At Coin & Candor, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner brasserie, chef Jose Fernandez combines thoughtfully sourced local ingredients with woodfired cooking techniques. The recently remodeled Onyx boasts a new menu by chef de cuisine Masa Shimakawa. With a spotlight on bright, fresh nigiri sushi and sashimi, the menu includes specialty rolls like the Hayabusa, with yellowtail, shrimp, asparagus, avocado, and creamy ponzu. The American Wagyu beef skirt steak is also a highlight on the wellrounded menu. Prosperous Penny is a sophisticated, comfortable social watering hole pouring inventive cocktails, aged bourbons and whiskeys, and rare spirits. Fernandez provides accompaniments in a seasonally driven 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 GALLERY RESTAURANT 30768 Russell Ranch Road, #C Westlake Village, 818-889-1338 thegallerywestlake.com New American and Seafood; Entrées $18–$54

This sleek eatery in The Shoppes at Westlake Village strikes a comfortable balance between casual and upscale, serving a varied menu of classic dishes and updated twists with global influences. Father and son owners Moez and Karim Megji make sure there’s always something new along with mainstays such as steaks and burgers. Look for favorites such as

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.

Macadamia-Crusted Halibut with Thai peanut sauce, Oven-Roasted Seafood with yakisoba noodles, and Cajun Gumbo. The sprawling raw seafood bar includes stars like spicy tuna and fresh oysters. The restaurant is open weekdays for lunch and nightly for dinner, and happy hour is every day from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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

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

LARSEN’S GRILL 590 Town Center Drive Oxnard, 805-983-6600 and 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #565 Simi Valley, 805-522-4800 larsensrestaurants.com Steak House; Entrées $20–$59

A warm, welcoming vibe pervades at this classic steak house with a modern twist in The Collection at RiverPark, from the wood- and stone-accented dining room and large lounge area to the dog-friendly patio. The spotlight is on prime, aged, slow-cooked steaks, but there’s something for everyone on the extensive menu, including Fresh Chilean Miso Sea Bass, Sliced Tri Tip and Baby Back Rib Combo, and Herb-Crusted Roasted Chicken Breast. Lunch, dinner, and happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. are offered daily.

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

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

UPDATE 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 house-made 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.

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

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 Florenceborn 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.

L A R EINA Here, she will learn all that she’s capable of. To be strong. And compassionate. To lead. And to serve. To believe in herself. And in something greater. To stand up. But never alone. At La Reina, she can do anything. And that changes everything.

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ONLINE APPLICATIONS for the 2020-2021 School Year apply online at LaReina.com

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TUESDAY TOURS 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M October 29 - February 25 Reserve your Tuesday tour at LaReina.com/Tuesdays

La Reina High School & Middle School A Catholic College Preparatory School for young women in grades 6-12 sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame since 1964. For more information: 805-495-6494, ext. 1008 106 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91360 LaReina.com Accredited by WCEA/WASC La Reina admits students of any creed, race, color, national and/or ethnic group to all rights, privileges, programs and activities at the school.

Where to Eat Now 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.

In Old Town Goleta, longtime local chef Owen Hanavan has opened Lemon & Coriander (lemonandcoriander.com), offering a New American menu of seasonally inspired dishes made with local ingredients. Favorites at this orderat-the-counter restaurant include house-baked pastries and an egg sandwich on poppy seed brioche for breakfast and Cajun Shrimp Pasta with house-made chorizo for dinner. It’s open for breakfast and lunch on Wednesdays through Sundays and for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

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

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

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

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

UPDATE SAN YSIDRO RANCH 900 San Ysidro Lane Santa Barbara, 805-565-1700 sanysidroranch.com/san_dining.cfm American; Entrées $18–$56 at Plow & Angel; $38–$63 at The Stonehouse; Sunday Brunch, $75 Great View, Romantic, Sunday Brunch The five-star treatment at this historic resort starts the minute you turn onto the long drive lined with olive trees and lavender; it continues as you are greeted by a valet who whisks away your car from the circular entrance to its two restaurants, both overseen by executive chef Matthew Johnson. At Plow & Angel, the menu and setting are in keeping with a well-appointed tavern. Thick stone walls and a fireplace create a cozy space for enjoying barrel-aged cocktails and a menu of grilled flatbreads, beer-battered halibut and chips, and grilled New York steak with cognac Bordelaise sauce. Upstairs, The Stonehouse dining room gleams with copper and burnished wood and has a sheltered terrace with views of Montecito, the ocean, and Channel Islands. Seating is also available on outdoor patios below, furnished with a fireplace and fountain and flanked by loquat trees. At lunch, served Mondays through Saturdays, a warm salad of kale grown on the premises, house-smoked bacon, and dates is topped with a poached egg. A three-course market menu also emphasizes local ingredients. Served from 6 p.m. daily, the dinner menu includes seared scallops with braised oxtail, sweet corn puree, and black garlic vinaigrette and Steak Diane prepared in the classic style—flambéed tableside. The list of wines and spirits is varied and deep; the wine selection garnered the 2018 Wine Spectator Grand Award. Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes starters, entrées, desserts, and free-flowing Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne.

TIERRA SUR RESTAURANT AT HERZOG WINE CELLARS 3201 Camino del Sol Oxnard, 805-983-1560 tierrasuratherzog.com New American; Entrées $16–$144 (for 32-ounce rib eye for two); Buffet Brunch $65

Sunday Brunch

Tucked inside Herzog’s winery and tasting room, Tierra Sur specializes in wine-friendly meals made with careful attention to detail. Executive chef Gabe Garcia maintains a local, seasonal vibe at lunch and dinner. Marinated olives and lamb bacon are made in-house. Tapas feature Wagyu sliders and a Margherita pizza with basil-cashew cheese. Watch carefully, and you may see your bone-in rib eye for two prepared on the patio’s wood-burning grill before it is served with fried kale and roasted potatoes. Desserts include frozen custards, vanilla-spiced doughnuts, and a show-stopping Baked Alaska. Surrounded by the coppery glow of the walls and the burnished-wood wine rack that frames the kitchen pass-through, diners may forget they’re at a kosher restaurant in an Oxnard industrial park. The restaurant is closed on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath. Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is served buffet style, with carving and omelet stations and weekly specials inspired by ingredients from local farms.

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

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

UPDATE WATER’S EDGE RESTAURANT AND BAR 1510 Anchors Way Ventura, 805-642-1200 watersedgeventura.com American; Entrées $14–$50 This aptly named bar and grill offers well-prepared plates from both land and sea in an elegant setting with views of the harbor and boats. Start with a cocktail in the piano bar and move on to dinner for starters such as Bloody Mary shrimp cocktail and pesto-stuffed mushrooms and main dishes like seared sesame seed–crusted ahi and braised short ribs. Brunch, served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 3 p.m., offers fried calamari and crab cakes appetizers and traditional breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict, pancakes, and waffles, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and freshly caught fish. Happy hour is every day from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (except holidays) and features $8 cocktails and $5 to $10 plates and pizzas. There’s a pet-friendly patio, too.

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

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

E S T. 2 0 1 8

LUCKY’S

DOUG MARGERUM, WINEMAKER

HOTEL CALIFORNIAN

CHEF PETER McNEE, CONVIVO

Taste Paradise

$25, $35 & $45 Three-Course Dinner

February 21 – March 6, 2020 S B R E S TA U R A N T W E E K S . C O M Come and celebrate with us for the third annual Santa Barbara Restaurant Week. Wine and dine in your favorite restaurants throughout the beautiful American Riviera. Our Santa Barbara restaurant, winery, and hotel community will join together showcasing hospitality, service, and chefs’ talent using local product. VIEW A COMPLETE LIST OF PARTICIPATING VENDORS AT SBRESTAURANTWEEKS.COM. RESTAURANTS

Arnoldi’s Cafe arnoldis.com Benchmark Eatery benchmarkeatery.com Blackbird hotelcalifornian.com Bluewater Grill bluewatergrill.com Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach boathousesb.com Bouchon bouchonsantabarbara.com Convivo convivorestaurant.com Jane janesb.com La Cocina lacocinasb.com

Loquita loquitasb.com Lucky’s luckys-steakhouse.com Malibu Farm at Miramar malibu-farm.com Oku okusantabarbara.com Olio e Limone Ristorante oliocucina.com Paradise Cafe paradisecafe.com Roof Top Bistro & Bar hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com Sama Sama Kitchen samasamakitchen.com Santa Barbara FisHouse fishousesb.com Sushi Bar Montecito sushibarmontecito.com

The Dining Room belmond.com/elencanto Toma Restaurant & Bar tomarestaurant.com Tre Lune Ristorante trelunesb.com WINE TASTING

Cebada forbiddenfruitorchards.com Grassini Family Vineyards grassinifamilyvineyards.com Margerum margerumwines.com Summerland Winery summerlandwine.com HOTELS

Belmond El Encanto belmond.com/elencanto

Cheshire Cat Inn cheshirecat.com Hotel Californian hotelcalifornian.com Rosewood Miramar Beach rosewoodhotels.com Santa Barbara Inn santabarbarainn.com PRESENTED BY

Where to Eat Now

Foodie

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

Award-winning chef and owner Anthony Alaimo delivers seasonal dishes that are big on international flavors along with wine, beer, and signature cocktails. The restaurant’s relaxed, modern setting includes a bar with a large flat-screen TV, a rustic communal table, and an outdoor patio. Expect starters like wild albacore kabobs with Calabrian chili tapenade and grilled Spanish octopus with white bean hummus and mains such as a cumin-rubbed lamb rack, Mediterranean sea bass with green romesco, house-made tagliolini pasta with Selva prawns, and wood-fired, 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.

Flor de Maíz (805-869-6559), the newest enterprise from restaurateur Carlos Luna and the team behind the Los Agaves restaurants and Santa Barbara’s Santo Mezcal, has opened on the Santa Barbara waterfront for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. The menu focuses on cuisine from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and a variety of dishes highlight traditional mole sauces (there’s even a signature cocktail made with the popular chocolate-chili sauce). Ocean views abound from the dining room and two outdoor patios.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMBER RESTAURANT 1200 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande, 805-474-7700 emberwoodfire.com

California-Mediterranean; Small Plates $10–$17, Pizzas $18–$20, Entrées $23–$32

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

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

Located in the Kimpton Canary Hotel, the restaurant has its own entrance at Chapala and Carrillo streets. The vibe in the dining room is sophisticated but comfortable, words that also describe the locally sourced menu by executive chef Peter Cham, a Santa Barbara native. Creative starters, flatbread, salads, and entrées change with the seasons for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The latter, served from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, even has its own cocktail menu. The daily specials menu offers buttermilk fried chicken on Tuesdays and cioppino every Thursday. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays includes drinks starting at $5 and snacks starting at $3. Go ahead and splurge on the $8 harissa buffalo wings, served with pickled celery and crumbled Point Reyes blue cheese.

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

Restaurateur Carlos Luna and the team behind the Los Agaves restaurants and Santa Barbara’s Santo Mezcal delivers Oaxacan cuisine to the Santa Barbara waterfront at this rustic yet refined eatery. Lunch, dinner, and happy hour seating with ocean views is available inside or outside on two patios, one of which features a firepit. The menu is a combination of dishes that showcase traditional moles (grilled mahi-mahi with mole verde, for example) and contemporary Mexican plates. Innovative cocktails complement the food and are also perfect for sipping after dinner on the patio.

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

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

UPDATE 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’t-miss items include Green Eggs & Ham made with spicy green harissa and grits topped with a fried egg. The lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers salads and sandwiches, plus specials like Nashville Hot Chicken served with house-made pickles. The bakery’s rustic patio is shared by its neighbor, the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, which offers curated tasting flights and wines by the glass and bottle.

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

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

UPDATE INDUSTRIAL EATS 181 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-688-8807 industrialeats.com New American; Entrées $9–$45

To find this destination restaurant on Buellton’s aptly named Industrial Way, drive past the Central Coast Water Authority office and look for a building painted with a mural of floating sausages, carrots, and wine glasses. Inside, you’ll find imported cheeses, house-cured meats, and locally sourced dishes by owner and executive chef Jeff Olsson. The frequently changing menu is noted on pull-down rolls of butcher paper behind the order counter. Wood-fired pizzas can be

simple (rosemary with Parmesan) or adventurous (crispy pig’s ear salad with sriracha and an egg on top). Offerings from the Not Pizza section of the menu include chicken liver with guanciale, while the sandwich list offers selections like the Next Level BLT and a beeftongue pastrami Reuben. Clipboard specials often feature a must-have oyster-uni-avocado combo. Local wine and beer options are on tap. Located two doors down, The Grand Room is available for large private parties and is the setting for monthly chef dinners. Tickets go fast. Next door to the Grand Room is the new Here to Go, offering grab-and-go items like premade and hot sandwiches, salads, cheese and charcuterie plates, and pizzas. Also find house-cured meats, kimchi, dressings, hot sauces and salsas, fresh fish, meats, and baked goods.

NEW LA COCINA 7 E. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, 805-277-7730 lacocinasb.com Mexican; Entrées $13–$31

Rustic meets refined at this stylish eatery in the Santa Barbara Arts District. The seasonal menu showcases a mix of updated Mexican classics and new takes, such as the Beef Roja Enchilada with braised beef, queso fresco, cebolla habanero, and house-made salsa. Tortillas and chips are also made in-house. Diners can share plates and sip signature cocktails and margaritas inside as well as outside on the back patio. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the bar and lounge area.

ESTABLISHED IN 1993 • LICENSE #764241

805.658.0440 • 1500 Callens Road, Ventura kitchenplacesventura.com Showroom hours: Monday through Friday 10am-5pm • Saturday 10am-3pm

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

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

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

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. WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

Where to Eat Now Chef Richard Pfaff brings his eye for fresh and local ingredients to a menu that echoes the creativity displayed by the art glass in Lido’s dining room. Appetizers include oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette and beef carpaccio with dijon aioli. Entrées include pasta carbonara, house-made burgers, and a generous rib eye with herbed porcini butter. The Chef’s Tasting Menu offers five courses for $75 ($100 with wine pairings). A daily affair, brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. features a three-course plated option with bottomless mimosas as well as à la carte dishes.

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

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

Acme Hospitality has taken the reins at Santa Barbara’s beloved Paradise Cafe (paradisecafe.com) with a promise to continue delivering old favorites like oak-grilled burgers while chef Weston Richards, formerly of Les Marchands in Santa Barbara, incorporates gradual updates with his locally sourced, seasonal, scratch-made menu. The wine list focuses on small-production Santa Barbara County wineries and includes a few selections from abroad.

UPDATE 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 Scandinavian-chic 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Novo’s full-service bar and lounge area fronts the busy downtown, beckoning passersby to peek inside. Walk through the lounge to the back of the restaurant and a different Novo presents itself: a multilevel wood patio that backs up to San Luis Obispo Creek. It’s a serene setting livened by the hum of diners’ conversations and crickets. Like its sister restaurant, the nearby Luna Red, Novo offers global cuisine and local ingredients. Executive chef Michael Avila presides over a menu

that includes sought-after Southeast Asian and Indian curries and fresh avocado-shrimp spring rolls. Calling out gluten-free and vegan menu items is a nice touch as is identifying teas by caffeine level. Central California and international wines and spirits accent the menu. Late night on Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ fills the lounge with music.

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

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

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

At the new Tabu Shabu (tabushabu.com) Japanese-style hot pot restaurant in Thousand Oaks servers offer guidance to guests seated at a large U-shaped bar about choices of a hot broth, such as spicy miso or tonkotsu pork, as well as veggie and protein (may we suggest the Wagyu Zabuton Short Rib?) options for the diners to cook in it. Rice or noodles and house-made sauces round out the meals, which include vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo offerings. Cooking has never been so much fun. 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 panseared 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.

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

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

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.

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

At this chic but casual restaurant in downtown Paso Robles, executive 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.

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

ST. PATRICK'S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Thousand

Oaks

A KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 6TH GRADE EDUCATION We welcome all faiths and embrace the Episcopal tradition of inclusiveness and respect for differences. CALL FOR A TOUR OF OUR BEAUTIFUL SCHOOL! 805-497-1416 St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School is a thriving community where academic excellence, spiritual development, and creative expression are fostered and where students are inspired to pursue lives of service and purpose. WINTER 2020 / 805LIVING.COM

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

The just-opened Hotel Cerro (hotelcerro.com) in downtown San Luis Obispo offers a bevy of dining options. The culinary focus is on local ingredients, some from the hotel’s on-site edible gardens. Brasserie SLO dishes up Mediterranean-inspired meals all day from its wood-burning oven and wood-fired grill. The Café offers fresh-baked pastries, baguette sandwiches, and graband-go items for breakfast and lunch. The Lobby Lounge and Mission Fig Patio serve cocktails and small plates, and Sweet Life of Pie turns out savory pies and tarts. WINE CASK 813 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-966-9463 winecask.com Wine Country Cuisine Entrées $28–$42; Chef’s tasting menu $75 for five courses, $95 for eight courses

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

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.

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Good Eats Not too fancy, not too

expensive, and a good experience all around. NEW BRAXTON’S KITCHEN 317 Carmen Drive Camarillo, 805-384-7566 braxtonskitchen.com American; Breakfast and Lunch Entrées $8–$13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHO CHO SAN, THOUSAND OAKS 400 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, 805-379-9300 Chochosan.com Japanese; Entrées $12-$20; Rolls $7–$14

This lively spot is known for its reliable and reasonably

priced Japanese specialties. Teppanyaki tables, popular for birthday celebrations, showcase entertaining chefs cooking over sizzling-hot iron plates. In the main dining room, sushi chefs turn out fresh sushi, sashimi, and traditional and specialty rolls. Look for the dragonfly roll with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna, and check out daily specials. There’s something for everyone, including non-Japanese items such as burgers and chicken sandwiches, and for kids, bento boxes with mini corn dogs.

FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE & KITCHEN 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 finneyscrafthouse.com American; Entrées $10–$16 Kid-Friendly

The “craft beer spoken here” neon sign in the dining room doesn’t quite say it all at this casual but polished gastropub owned by Greg Finefrock, an 805 local whose childhood nickname inspired the restaurant’s moniker. In addition to the 30 brews on tap, you’ll find craft cocktails, California wines by the glass and bottle, and a fun atmosphere and menu that has something for everyone. With slight variations between the Santa Barbara and Westlake Village locations, shareable appetizers include 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. Families and other groups gravitate to the communal tables inside and on the patio. Seating is first-come, first-served at the copper bar.

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

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

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

Launched in Santa Barbara in 2008, this family-owned and operated group of restaurants has clearly struck a chord: Its original location was number 16 on Yelp’s list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2016. The mix of authentic Mexican cuisine with casual but attentive

order-at-the-counter service can now be found at five sites in and around the 805. Each offers the same menu of housemade tortillas, ceviche, salads, and burritos filled with all manner of seafood, poultry, or beef. Signature dishes include the show-stopping Land and Sea molcajete, a bubbling-hot mixture of meat and seafood with house-made salsa, avocado, chorizo, grilled onion, and nopal, served in a three-legged bowl carved from volcanic rock. Los Agaves restaurants in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Oxnard serve beer and wine as well as agave margaritas and micheladas. The Shoppes at Westlake Village location has a full bar that offers top-shelf tequilas and drink specials. Diners who sit at the bar can order food there, too.

UPDATE LOUISIANA SEAFOOD HOUSE BY EMC 511 Town Center Drive, Space 3015 Oxnard, 805-278-4997 emcseafood.com Cajun; Entrées $15–$22; Seafood Boil is market price

The Big Easy comes to Oxnard with the brand-new menu at this stylish eatery serving lunch and dinner daily in The Collection at RiverPark. Created by NOLA-raised wife-and-husband chefs Aliza and Guy DuPlantie, oldschool New Orleans dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp Creole, house-made sausages, and blackened catfish are the real deal. French bread for authentic po’boys comes from Leidenheimer Baking Company in New Orleans, and crawfish is flown in seasonally. Patio seating is available. Happy hour takes place Mondays through Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

NEW 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.

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

Spicing things up at The Promenade in Westlake Village, this new fast-casual restaurant offers made-to-order Asian dishes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Award-winning chef Mohan Ismail oversees the approachable menu that features starters, salads, sandwiches, rice and noodle bowls, classic entrées, noodles, and sides, as well as a Little Monks menu for children.

Pair the bold flavors with a glass of wine or beer, or Vietnamese iced coffee, and sit in the bright, contemporary dining room or on the outdoor patio.

THE STONEHAUS 32039 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-483-1152 the-stonehaus.com Mediterranean; Sandwiches & Platters $10–$17 Dog-Friendly, Great Views, Kid‑Friendly, Romantic

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

Fun, Fun, Fun

Look to these eateries for festive food, an upbeat atmosphere, and a good time. ANDRIA’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & MARKET 1449 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, 805-654-0546 andriasseafood.com Seafood; Entrées $8–$24 Kid-Friendly No visit to Ventura Harbor—or to Ventura, period—is complete without a stop at Andria’s, a locals’ favorite since 1982. On weekends, the fast-moving line to order can stretch out onto the restaurant’s front patio. Additional seating includes indoor dining rooms decorated with vintage photos and fishing gear, and a protected patio with a view of the docks. Charbroiled fresh catch of the day dinners come with rice pilaf, bread, and a choice of salads. Some items are available in stir-fry dishes. But deep-fried is the preferred method of preparation for everything from onion rings (served in a towering stack) to halibut and chips, oysters and chips, popcorn shrimp and chips, and, well, you get the idea. The atmosphere is beach casual: Orders are called out by number when ready, and it’s up to diners to gather utensils, tartar sauce, and other fixin’s from a counter near the kitchen. Beer and wine are available. An on-site fish market is open daily.

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

Seven restaurants offer as many dining experiences at this public market-style spot in the heart of The Collection at RiverPark. House-roasted coffee, avocado toast, and gluten-free muffins help jump-start the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls made with local berries and honey. Other orderat-the-counter options include Love Pho, Taqueria el Tapatio, and PokeCeviche, specializing in build-yourown Hawaiian poke bowls and chef-curated Latin American ceviche. Seoul Sausage Kitchen, the seasonthree winner of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race, offers an updated take on Korean barbecue. The craft-beer bar Bottle & Pint serves local brews and ciders on tap and by the bottle and can; wines are available by the glass. Fun artwork, inventive communal seating areas, and two retail shops add to the vibe.

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, Neapolitanstyle 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 pickup.

Get a slice of happiness at the new Lemmo’s Pizzeria (lemmospizzeria. com) in Moorpark. Longtime restaurateur Mike Lemmo, whose family-owned Lemmo’s Grill is going strong at its location across the the parking lot, has partnered with local entrepreneur Jeff Brodsly to open this family-friendly Italian-style pizza place. Available whole or by the slice, pies include gluten-free and vegetarian options and the menu also offers salads, appetizers, sandwiches, desserts, and beer and wine. Try the meattopped Tony Soprano Pizza. 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.

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On the patio, wicker chaise lounges are arranged in semi-private groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through roll-up doors. Inside, bronze curtains and silver wall sconces shimmer in the mood-setting darkness. (Some areas are available by reservation.) It all adds up to a great backdrop for a menu that includes happy hour specials like $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and dinner-and-drink duos ($10 to $14) on Mondays through Fridays from 5 pm. to 7 p.m. Spanish influences are evident in dishes like paella and crispy patatas bravas with Fresno chilies and garlic aioli.

THE 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.

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

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

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

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

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO. 1462 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande, 805-474-8525 and 45 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-694-2252, ext. 110 and 2363 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, 805-694-2252, ext. 343 and 137 Anacapa St., Suite F, Santa Barbara, 805-694-2252, ext. 344

and 30770 Russell Ranch Road, Suites E and F, Westlake Village, 818-874-1305 figmtnbrew.com New American Entrées $8–$34, depending on location

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

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

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

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

A fan favorite since its star turn in the 2004 movie Sideways, Hitching Post II radiates a western-style steakhouse 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.

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

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

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

Hummus Bistro (hummusbistro. com) brings its authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food to Newbury Park. Chef Ferris Mhanna’s varied menu features favorites including kabobs and shawarma, popular vegetarian and vegan items such as falafel and hummus, and unexpected options like tacos filled with falafel, chicken, or tri-tip shawarma. Snag a baklava on the way out.

are small bites perfect for pairing with wines at the bar. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and pizza comprise the lunch menu. At night choices get a little fancier with pot roast, lamb shank, pasta, chicken, steak, and fresh fish. The wine selection from the shop (available to diners) has more than 400 labels and specializes in picks from California’s Central Coast. Now that’s fun.

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

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

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

This combination Italian pizzeria and enoteca is brought to you by the owners of Olio e Limone Ristorante, the more formal eatery located next door. The Victoria Court setting includes a long bar with a peekaboo view of the pizza oven, plus small tables. Menu offerings include chicken, fish, and beef entrées, as well as pasta, antipasti, salads, cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and house-made dolci. The pizzas, with thin, chewy crusts, are individually sized and topped with excellent ingredients—sautéed rapini, spicy salami, cremini mushrooms, and black truffles among them. Lunch or brunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the dinner menu is available daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Wines from California and Italy are available by the glass, carafe, half liter, and bottle.

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

Plata means “silver” in Spanish—and a good time in the Whizin Market Square. The menu at this taqueria is homey but elevated: House-made tortillas and mix-and-match trios of soft tacos are featured, the latter with a choice of veggies or eight types of protein, including ahi tuna and short ribs. Spa

Nachos are made with roasted cauliflower and crispy kale; guacamole is available in three variations, including tradicional and ranchero, made with bacon and roasted pumpkin seeds. Other standouts include chamorro de cordero, a chile-marinated lamb shank served with spinach tamales, and pollo con Elvia’s mole, named for chef Elvia Saldivar, who is co-owner with her husband. Nearly a dozen specialty margaritas star on the cocktails list. Pull up a colorfully upholstered stool at the copper-topped bar to enjoy $7 margaritas and other drink and food specials during daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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

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

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

Globally Inspired California Cuisine 805Catering.com eat@805Catering.com 805-402-1100

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

NEW SILVERLAKE RAMEN 550 Collection Blvd. Oxnard, 805-351-0891 silverlakeramen.com Ramen; Entrées $12–$13

The Annex at The Collection at RiverPark houses this outpost for the Los Angeles–based Silverlake Ramen chain. Known for its satisfying slurp-worthy noodles, the casual order-at-the-counter eatery also offers pork-filled gyoza made in-house daily and rice bowls like the Chicken Karaage with Japanese-style double-fried chicken, rice, pickled red ginger, and spicy aioli. Regulars rave about the marinated braised pork belly, available as a topping on the Blaze Spicy Tonkotsu, in the pork bun appetizer, or atop the Pork Bowl with a kick of fried jalapeño.

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. 

DOWNTOWN OASIS

Santa Barbara lodging venue with award-winning architecture features four bedrooms, five baths, and sleeps up to 10 people. Ideal for wedding preparation, family gatherings and memorable life celebrations. Multiple panoramic rooftop vistas. Walk to beach, Funk Zone, and State Street. El Zapato RedShoeLiving@gmail.com ElZapatoSB.com | 310-874-4878

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SAVE UP TO $9,397 with the exclusive Thermador ONE-TWO-FREE Â® program See store for details.

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

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