farm friendly

The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association (SBCfmA) has launched the “farm friendly dining” Certification Program, highlighting local food establishments that support our farmers markets. In order to qualify for this program, restaurants must demonstrate that 25% or more of their total monthly food expenditures come from SBCfmA and other approved vendors including the Santa Barbara fish market and harvest Santa Barbara. In exchange for their commitment, restaurants receive a window decal and framed certificate acknowledging their participation.

developed by LoaCom in conjunction with SBCfmA, the program stimulates the local economy by encouraging consumers to eat at restaurants who source their food from regional farmers.

Currently certified establishments in Santa Barbara include Alchemy Café, Arlington Tavern, Blue owl, downey’s Restaurant, duo Catering, Juice Ranch, Julienne, the Isla Vista food Co-op Kitchen, Kutoku elixir Bar, the organic Soup Kitchen, Pure Joy Catering, Seagrass, and Soho Restaurant and music Venue.

For more information on the certification program, contact program coordinator Cristina Cook at (209) 430-7927 or cris@loacom.com.

home if you do get pickled).

of how to create loyal customers – important ingredients for any cocktail lounge. house special signature drinks include: Willy’s hornitas margarita; Tommy’s mai Tai; old fashioned; Singapore Sling; and moscow mule. The Pickle-tini and shots of pickle juice drawn from the large pickle jar as backs for shots of hard liquor bring the name Pickle Room to life… so, you can get pickled there, literally. (Just take a cab

But wait, it gets better. Chef Weston Richards, whose work at Julian and Wine Cask has been heralded, helped to design the menu with Clay. one of the most popular items on the menu is a hybrid of deli + Chinese cuisine—the Reuben eggroll. The gastronomic delight has three eggrolls filled with pastrami & Swiss cheese served with Russian dressing dipping sauce that has a slight bite of horseradish. It is a taste sensation. If you appreciate a really good hamburger – look no further. Clay, who had his own meat business in Ventura, grinds all the beef in house making the burger one of the juiciest on the planet. munch the deep fried pickles with panko crust or try the shrimp – both a treat for the taste buds.

—Maureen “Mo” McFadden

Open six days a week: Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:30 to 6pm; Kitchen opens at 5:30 Mon–Sat. Closing times Monday–Wednesday 11 pm and Thursday through Saturday till 1 am. Kitchen closes earlier. Phone: (805) 965-1015. For more info visit: https://www.facebook. com/PickleRoom

Louie’s is a hidden gem

offering creative and up-to-date Californian cuisine with spot-on service. Its bistro-like space is located inside the 130-year-old Hotel Upham, and reflects the charm and tradition of its Victorian location, with a jazzy, comfortable feel all its own. The romantic atmosphere can be experienced dining cozily inside or outside on an old-fashioned heated verandah. Choice selections from the well-stocked wine bar are served with extraordinary fresh seafood, pastas, filet mignon and a changing menu of specialties.

2012

Food 26

Decor 21

Service 25

Cost $47