ONE FINE DAY
Convivo
Flor De Maiz
Chow down on Cabrillo By Geneva Ives
T
his sip-and-savor sojourn along Santa Barbara’s seaside boulevard never gets old … even for locals.
Flor De Maiz For a taste of Oaxaca in sight of the sea, look no further than Flor De Maiz. Enjoy bright ceviches (one is served in a coconut), satisfying tacos, and grilled specialties ranging from aged ribeye to grilled octopus legs served atop creamy huitlacoche rice. Thirsty? There are no fewer than 18 margaritas on the menu, but general manager Jason Copperman recommends starting with a Mitla. “This amazing cocktail is traditionally served with mescal,” he says. “We add freshly squeezed lime juice and our housemade orange and chipotle marmalade. To finish it, we torch fresh rosemary for a nice, smoky aroma. It’s a show and a drink all in one.” Friday through Sunday is incredibly busy 20
FOOD + HOME
so come during the week if you can for a more leisurely experience. Flor De Maiz, 29 E Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. 805-770-2963. flordemaizsb.com Convivo California-trained chef Peter McNee fell in love with Italian food and culture during a culinary pilgrimage. On the heels of a celebrated career in the Bay Area, he moved to Santa Barbara because “it’s a special place, rich with wonderful artists, small independent farmers, ranchers, fisherman and vintners.” Accordingly, the Italian-inspired menu is rich in Central Coast ingredients. “Even the tableware we use is locally sourced,” shares McNee. “Potter Jerry Kry fires our plates, bowls, and serving pieces just a few blocks from the restaurant.” While the menu changes weekly – even daily – depending on what’s fresh at the farmer’s market, the most popular dish since day
one is the Charcoal Avocado. The prized fruit is sourced nearby (from Ojai and Carpinteria), grilled over charcoal, then sauced and surrounded by seasonal produce. Convivo may be attached to the Santa Barbara Inn, but that doesn’t mean its patrons are all visitors from away. In fact, breakfast there is a bit of a local secret, offering up the same farm-fresh flavors and ocean breezes with less of a crowd. Convivo, 901 E Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara. 805-845-6789. Convivorestaurant.com Oku Looking for a light bite and incredible view? Dash into Oku, skip the wait for tables and head upstairs to the rooftop bar for a cocktail and some freshly caught sushi. Go for the crispy nigiri and sashimi carpaccio, stay for the Japanese whiskey flights and local wines. Oku, 29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara. 805-690-1650. okurestaurant.com W W W. F O O D – H O M E . C O M
