A BOTANTIST
WALKS INTO A BAR Mixing up magic at Glass House cocktail garden Photographed by Silas Fallstich Written by Kim Hashemi
As the workday comes to a close, my mind starts thinking cocktails over lattes, skirts over dress pants. And with that, I grab a friend and head to the newly opened Glass House cocktail garden. Dimly lit and with perimeters decorated by a variety of plants, finding the cocktail garden is a slight challenge (even while on State Street) yet adds to the experience like we’re discovering a secret garden. Entering the gates of Glass House, we feel as if we’ve just stepped into Narnia, our curiosity for what lies ahead grows swiftly. I’m graciously greeted by owner Alvaro Rojas, who also runs milk & honey tapas and Alcazar Tapas Bar. He explains that it’s inspired by David Fairchild so the lounge is openly sectioned and meticulously designed to echo various parts of his journey as a botanist. Between the Middle East, French Colonial, and mid-century Manhattan themed spaces, we opt for the shabby chic Parisian décor. Styled with an aquaponics tub, a salon settee sofa, a vintage chess set, and an abundance of plants, our first drink takes place at the large wooden communal table, giving us the opportunity to mingle with other guests. Our server comes by to greet us and my first question is, “Why is there a bathtub in here?” With a grin he explains that some of the ingredients gathered for cocktails are grown aquaponically in Santa Barbara County, and that the bathtub will be used to house a vertical aquaponics garden. Being relatively familiar with various farming practices, aquaponics was one neither my friend nor I had heard about. Alvaro explains, “Aquaponics employs fish in the water, the
24 | MAY/JUNE 2019
