the heat Is on I

t’s “date night” on a chilly fall evening. as you dine alfresco at your favorite restaurant, the top of your head feels uncomfortably toasty, while your toes freeze. Not to worry—five minutes later, a gust of wind snuffs out the heat lamp completely, leaving you cold all over until a server can re-light the gas flame.

Sound familiar?

Traditional outdoor “mushroom” style heat lamps can be unreliable, inefficient and just plain ugly, but we’ve all put up with them for lack of a better alternative. Since mid-summer, however, Santa Barbara has had a smart, new, stylish heating option for patios, restaurants, bars, hotels and event planners: the elegant lava heater, exclusively at The kitchen company

“When [husband and partner] mike spotted these at the National Kitchen and Bar Show in las Vegas, he knew that we had to include them in our outdoor kitchen line,” says Kitchen company co-owner Gillian amery. “Because they are more efficient, easier to use and nicer-looking than old-fashioned heaters, we expect them to be very popular with both residents and business owners.” an optional infrared remote control can operate multiple units simultaneously, powering the ignition and three separate flame settings with the push of a button. lava heaters are also dependable— rust-free, water-resistant and 100% weather-proof— with an unprecedented 10-year warranty. models come in 8- or 6.5-foot heights, fueled by natural gas or standard propane tank.

Impeccably engineered by lava heat Italia, the highly efficient tower safely encloses a vertical, realflame, radiant heat source inside a strong, shatterresistant glass tube, with heat adjustable up to 41,000 BTus for extra-powerful warmth. Its dancing flame and stainless steel/aluminum design even make the lava heater beautiful enough to stand on its own as a year-round ambient lighting source when heating is not required.

—TerI BreIer

Available only at The KITcheN comPaNY, 1717 State Street, (805) 682-4003.

Venues & PriVate Dining

conDor cruises

Party and dinner cruises aboard the Condor Express— a high speed catamaran that is perfect for corporate events, family outings, wedding, or fund raisers— either on the coast or at the islands. The vessel is certified for up to 149 passengers, but is also perfect for smaller groups that want the amenities that only a vessel this size can provide. SEA Landing, 301 Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara (805) 882-0088, condorcruises.com cork room at Bouchon The Cork room is a private dining room for groups of up to 20 guests. Corporate and private parties are welcome. You will find an excellent array of wine country cuisine paired with local Santa Barbara wines for truly wonderful and unique dining experience. 9 West Victoria St., 805-703-1160, bouchonsantabarbara.com cucina room at olio e limone The Cucina Room is the ideal venue for your group of up to 40 people. Perfect for business dinners and life events when you desire the exclusivity and privacy of your very own Olio e Limone dining experience. Enter and you will find an attentive service staff, beautifully set table and complimentary printed menus. We have created five dinner menus named after some of our favorite italian wine regions to help in the decision-making process. A luncheon menu is also available for lunchtime events. Private dining is also available at the Terrazza Room at Olio Pizzeria for up to 22 guests. 11 & 17 West Victoria Street, 805-899-2699, olioelimone.com eVents By stella mare’s Events by Stella Mare’s, a full service private restaurant, is centrally located in uptown Santa Barbara near historic State Street, with beautiful views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The décor is French Provencial meets Santa Barbara style, typifying the term “casual elegance”. Events by Stella Mare’s is the perfect setting for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, as well as corporate seminars, holiday celebrations, luncheon and dinner events from 40-300 guests. With three versatile rooms, a full service bar, an outdoor terrace, and majestic views, Events by Stella Mare’s can be used for intimate social gatherings or meetings or large- scale events. 3302 McCaw Avenue, Santa Barbara, (805) 969-3415, stellamares.com louie’s at the uPham hotel Louie’s features two elegant rooms, one for large groups of up to 50 people and the other for smaller parties of six to 15. Custom menus are available with the emphasis being on California cuisine using the freshest available produce and local wines. The setting is inside the historic Upham Hotel which offers state of the art audio visual equipment for all levels of social and corporate presentations. For more information call 805-963-7003 or visit www.louiessb.com. oPal restaurant anD Bar Opal Restaurant and Bar can accommodate in-house parties from 10-120, and we have extensive experience in serving corporate functions, birthdays, wedding rehearsal dinners or wedding celebrations, weekly luncheons, and private parties of all sorts. Whether it is an on-site banquet or off-site catering, our highly effective system of service enables us to handle all events from the most casual birthday bash to the most exacting and formal affair, with a smooth and flawless style that anticipates every situation and creates a great experience for you and your guests. 1325 State Street, Santa Barbara, (805) 966-9676, opalrestaurantandbar.com roosterFish room at seagrass The Roosterfish Room is designed to provide a memorable private restaurant experience. Comfortably accommodating up to 22 guests this room offers it’s own private heating, air conditioning and music controls, providing guests with the ultimate in comfort. A streamlined version of the Seagrass dinner menu is exceptional, and gives a restaurant-quality experience in a private environment. 30 East Ortega St., 805-963-1012, www. seagrassrestaurant.com

C Atering

Pure Joy c atering, inc.

Pure Joy offers full service catering for the Santa Barbara Tri-County Areas. Flawless event planning, friendly service and unbelievably delicious handmade fare— Pure Joy will bring your vision to life. 111 East Haley Street, Santa Barbara, (805) 963-5766, purejoycatering.com