ON THE COVER

Opal Nectar

Ginger, Coconut and Mint version is a fav) as one of her last meals delivered to Serenity House says a lot about this downtown gem. Be sure to check out the mural in the back dining room where Freda Kahlo is memorialized along with vintage Mexican screen stars including Maria Felix (Solorzano painted the mural with the help of a few pals).

Mojito --Freshly muddled mint, coconut purée, ginger elixir, agave nectar and top shelf rum.

Taqueria Cuernavaca, 201 W Carrillo Street, SB Phone: (805) 564-1414 http://www.cuernavacataqueria.com/

LILLy’s tAquerIA

If you’re craving authentic Mexican food, Lilly’s Tacos is the place to go. For the last twelve years, owner José Sepulveda has been serving Michoacán-style tacos at his friendly and down-home taqueria. Named after his daughter, Lilly’s has staples like carne asada, pork adobada, and even tripe. But the gems of the menu are steamed meats such as lengua, labio, and ojo (beef tongue, lips, and eyes). José describes these meats as “smoky, flavorful, and moist.” For a lighter option, try their vegetarian tacos bursting with grilled squash, carrots, onion, and green beans.

Whichever filling you select, sprinkle with cilantro, squeeze a wedge of lime on top, and add one of their zingy salsas. You will have an affordable lunch that is muy sabrosa!

310 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 966-9180.

CAvA restAurAnt & bAr

Monticeto’s Cava Resaurant and Bar draws flavors from Oaxaca in the Southwest of Mexico with their Green Hornet cocktail, a blend of Sombra Mezcal, Luxardo Maraschino and Green Chartreuse liqueurs, lime juice and serrano chile. Enjoy the freshly made Guacamole with homemade blue and yellow corn tortilla chips. Or, for a hearty entreé inspired by the South American gaucho, try the Grilled Churrasco Ribeye Steak, a tender cut of organic grass-fed Angus beef served with grilled Anaheim chiles and Mexican queso fresco, accompanied by roasted rosemary red potatoes and a vibrant chimichurri sauce.

1212 Coast Village Rd, Montecito 805-969-8500

Los

Arroyos, monteCIto

Tony Arroyo drew from travels all over Mexico and his mom’s recipes from Michoacán to bring you his menu of “fresh, authentic, and delicious food.” Start with what may be the most unique drink at his welcoming eatery, the michelada. Popular in Mexico, but seldom seen in Santa Barbara, the michelada begins with a secret blend of spices, tomato juice, and a shot of hot sauce. Add to this a cold beer, chile salt, and slices of lime, and you have a spicy punch of flavor fit for Pancho Villa! To compliment it, try their weekend brunch offering of Enchiladitas con Huevo. Homemade tortillas, chewy queso fresco, and a savory red sauce all come together with a perfectly cooked egg perched on top. Deliciosa!

1280 Coast Village Rd., Montecito CA 93108, 805-969-9059

brAzIL Arts CAfé

Influenced by Brazil’s northern flavors, the Brazil Arts Café serves a variety of traditionally sweet Açai bowls all day. Choose from the energy boosting Copacabana Bowl with guarana, granola, banana and honey or the fruity BAC Bowl with strawberries, mango, goji berries topped with crunchy toasted coconut. For dinner, the popular Northeastern main course, Moqueca De Peixe, is an aromatic clay pot stew of local Sea bass, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers and onions, all in a coconut milk broth and accompanied by rice and pirão. Toast this regional Brazilian meal with a crisp Caipirinha made with muddled lime, sugar and cacheça.

1230C State St, 805-845-7656

CAsA bLAnCA

With both the exterior and interior of the building designed by renowned local architect Jeff Shelton, Casa Blanca is definitely one of Santa Barbara’s most stunning and beautiful venues to dine and relax. Featuring a long bar made of hand carved black Acacia wood, hand blown glass fixtures hanging from the expansive ceiling and 5,000 square feet of custom designed cement tile, diners are well entertained before they even sit down. The menus feature traditional Mexican classics like Chile verde, tamales and fajitas, but also include house specials like the Baja Tacos which feature fresh, battered white snapper toped with cabbage, pico de gallo and jalapeno tartar sauce. Delicious! If tequila is your thing, then there is even more reason to go as the bar is well stocked with over 120 varieties of the cactus cocktail and a very knowledgeable staff to help you choose.

330 State Street at East Gutierrez. 805-8458966. Patio dining, catering, large groups welcome.

CArLItos CAfé y CAntInA

Enjoy patio dinning across from the historic Arlington Theater at Carlitos Café Y Cantina, where they have perfected the fish platter of Veracruz Mexico, creating Halibut Veracruzano, a grilled green-rated Pacific Halibut with roasted tomatoes, garlic, jalapeños, and Spanish olives served with black beans and grilled vegetables. Clink your copper mug and toast the meal with a fun Mexican twist on the trendy moscow mule by ordering up Carlitos’ Mexican Burro, made with 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Fever-tree Ginger Beer and fresh lime juice.

1324 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Phone: (805) 962-7117