14 minute read
The Montecito Pivot
Imagine Artful Things, Inc. by Megan Waldrep
“B efore we got our website up and running, customers were calling and asking if they could do a virtual shopping tour. It was amazing,” Billie Vrtiak, owner of the Imagine Artful Things boutique in the Upper Village said. “We’ve also received emails from numerous customers saying they’re thinking about us and how much they miss shopping at Imagine and are looking forward to being back in the store. It has been really inspiring.” In one month, Imagine went from no web presence to a “window shoppable” website that debuted on April 27. “To keep our personal cus
Up your quarantine game with this high-end Chinese checker table
Imagine the pillow talk you could have with John Lennon or Jerry Garcia
tomer contact, we chose not to sell on-line but rather showcase selected items,” Billie said. “The shopper can then create a cart and call or email the store directly with their selections. We are offering both curbside service and free local delivery.” Free shipping is available for orders over two hundred dollars.
Hop on the website to discover playful pieces such as giant hamburger and corn stools, food candles emulating Italian cuisine such as wheeled cheese and a plate of homemade spaghetti, or a Chinese checker table that could double as a place to set a cock
it's All About the Service
tail. Curated scarves, patterned socks, and lightweight summer ensembles are up for grabs as well as a collection of twisted iron candleholders to perk up the dinner table. “I don’t think I can name any one item that is the most (popular), but the most exciting thing is that our wonderful community has been so supportive,” Billie said. “We are surrounded by terrific people for whom we are profoundly grateful.”
Imagine Artful Things, Inc. 1470 East Valley Road (805) 695-0220 info@imaginartfulthings.com www.imagineartfulthings.com
Bree‘Osh
Shopping on Bree’osh Artisan Bakery’s online store is comparable to gazing through the glass case at the café. Baked delicacies such as a ham and cheese, pain au chocolat, almond, and plain croissants are ready both for online orders and pick-ups. And while you’re at it, add the Kouign Amann to your virtual cart. It’s a traditional pastry from Brittany, France, “made with brioche dough laminated with brown sugar (and) baked in a buttered, sugared mold until caramelization.” You sold yet?
We can thank owners Pierre and Nelly Henry for Bree’Osh. The French couple nestled in Montecito after years of scouting the perfect spot. With them, they brought their love of butter – Pierre is from Brittany, France which is famous for its butter, buckwheat crepes, shortbread cookies known as Le Sablé Breton, and the aforementioned sweet and buttery brioche Le Kouign Amann. Pierre is a banker-turned-baker (he dropped the “n”) as well as pastry chef who studied at Ferrandi, the school for culinary arts in Paris and trained under notable names in the industry including one-star Michelin chef, Cyril Lignac. Pierre and Nelly, along with their dedicated staff, bake daily while trading jokes and smiles, keeping the mood of the café as light as their coveted croissants.
Hours have varied during quarantine, with the bakery now opening at seven in the morning until noon. Post-quarantine, a few things to look forward to are hands-on classes
Pre-order Bree’Osh’s bread and sourdough kit, which includes a starter, then pop online to download the recipe and start baking the French way
Order boxes of pastries, like the mini-croissant box that offers three mini plain, chocolate, and almond croissants per person
from the masters themselves. In the past, they’ve taught the art of making homemade baguettes, quiche, brioche, and croissants that are “too pretty to eat… until you taste one, that is!” Can’t wait? Make sure to pre-order the bread and sourdough kit, which includes organic flour mix, yeast, and sourdough starter to make a traditional loaf at home with your fellow hunker downers.
Bree’Osh Artisan Bakery 1150 Coast Village Road E (805) 969-2500 www.breeosh.com
Quintessential Santa Barbara Living
Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 805.253.7700
822 De La Guerra Terrace
$2,395,000 4 Bed | 2 Bath | Ocean and Island Views
Enjoy Quintessential Santa Barbara living with expansive ocean and island views from this classic 1931 D’Alphonso Riviera home situated on a half acre garden parcel. Meticulously renovated, restored and upgraded inside and outside throughout the years, this property embraces the Mediterranean climate and caters to an indoor-outdoor living lifestyle. The large picture window in the newly renovated chef’s kitchen opens to an expansive terraced, backyard complete with ocean views that features a full size Bocce Ball court, an outdoor fireplace, farm to table gardens and a large outdoor dining area making this a perfect home for entertaining.
Pippa Davis and Brian Goldsworthy
— 805.886.0174 | 805.570.1289 pippa.davis@compass.com brian.goldsworthy@compass.com DRE 01419280 | 01432570
SUMMERLAND (Continued from page 18) Rusty’s recently added bottles and half bottles of regional wines from Brander, Fess Parker, Rabble Rose, J. Lohr, Kunin Syrah, and 805 beer.
In homage to Stacky’s popular boatshaped patio, a new patio that wraps around to the left of the building promises to be a great spot to dine under shady umbrellas during the summer, with social distancing or whatever precautions are in place as California works through new dining out regulations in the time of COVD-19.
Tyler, who was born (in 1973) and raised in Santa Barbara, noted that the company realized that Summerland was a vibrant, interesting corridor for folks coming to and from Santa Barbara from Ventura and Oxnard.
“We love Summerland’s history, antique, fun feel… and the great beach during summer that is thriving. It’s like a mini Cabrillo Boulevard!” noted Duncan.
Not one to toot the company’s own horn, Rusty’s has a long history of generously helping out neighbors (as well as the Santa Barbara Zoo) and has recently been reaching out with free pizzas to local heroes like Abe Powell and The Bucket Brigade mask makers (sounds like the name of a band, eh?), the S.B.P.D., and hospital workers.
Rusty’s has been able to keep 99% of their staff working during this time – some with reduced hours – and Duncan noted that if you think you are seeing more Rusty’s Pizza delivery cars on the road, it’s only because, well, there is less traffic on the road! Safely Delivering and Distancing
Rusty’s Pizza started delivering with a “no-contact delivery” option and everyone wears masks and gloves. In order to add a tip to your driver when you order, they had to retool all their software.
“What’s more important,” said the CEO, “is how the food is handled. The driver has an empty box wrapped in plastic and sets the pizza down at the door on a buffer box. They back away 6 feet, you grab the food and then we leave.”
Although they’ve lost onsite dining business inside the pizza parlors and use of their popular event/party rooms, all high-touch surfaces are being wiped down more than usual and workers in the restaurants are “all gloved and masked up. I’m really proud of everybody and their mindful attention,” said Duncan. “We’re doing everything we can to be here for the community and making everything as safe as we can.”
In case you wondered who “Rusty” is, the name was inherited from the first restaurant space called “Rusty’s Roast Beef” that Tyler’s dad Joe Duncan opened in Isla Vista in 1969. Joe and his wife, Carol (who was honored last year with The Spirit of Entrepreneurship’s “Rock Star: Lifetime Achievement Award” from Women’s Economic Ventures), didn’t have much money to buy a new sign, so they cut off the “roast beef” part of the sign and replaced it with “Pizza.”
The rest, as they say, is pizza history.
“Pizza is the world’s most deliverable food,” said Tyler. “It’s easy to deliver a pizza and it’s been done since the 1980s. The product itself holds well – hot bags help keep it hot and special boxes with air vents keep it from getting soggy. Personally, I don’t think other foods, except for Chinese or Thai, deliver as well.” Hamburgers, he notes, not so much.
For those isolated at home alone, there are individual sized pizzas. Personally, I love leftover pizza for breakfast and often crack an egg on top and put it under the broiler.
I ordered one of the boss’s favorites Duncan the Dinosaur will hopefully visit the new Rusty’s Pizza in Summerland soon (photo by Tony Lunda)
from the just opened venue, it arrived promptly and I can vouch for the tasty Chile Verde pizza. Order thin crust – or even extra thin if you like your pizza crust crunchy. It paired quite nicely with a wee half bottle of Fred Brander’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc.
“When things are slightly normal,” Duncan concluded, “we’ll have a big celebration!”
Hopefully, with an appearance by Rusty’s popular mascot, Duncan the Dinosaur.
We can hardly wait.
To order, call (805) 564-1111. Online menu at www.rustyspizza.com.
Good Pick Up Food News!
Field + Fort was scrambling last Friday for their partial reopening of coffee, baked goods, and retail for curbside pick-up followed by their Tuesday roll-out for take-out off the regular menu and a few additions from Chef Austin Moore.
Co-owner Susie Bechtel wrote with the good news.
“Per the Governor’s order, we are only open for takeout and curbside pick-up from the café and retail. The café is serving coffee/beverages, pastries, bread, and baked goods (cookies, cake, scones) and our café menu has been expanded with many favorites back on the menu, as well as a few new seasonal items,” Susie reported. “We will be increasing our Instagram postings and will be building out our website design in the coming weeks to better assist our socially-distanced customers. Our retail staff are happy to assist in person or by phone.”
Chef Austin’s new menu additions include a breakfast sandwich (fried eggs, bacon jam, braised greens, and cheddar); burrata toast with tomato jam, balsamic, and basil; a vegetarian/vegan sandwich option of roasted asparagus, beet hummus, romesco, and arugula on levain, and a seasonal daily soup.
The team remains focused on the health and safety of all employees, their families, and the community as their highest priority and will strictly follow all guidelines provided by Santa Barbara County’s Public Health Department, as well as the CDC and CA OSHA.
“Though we know we won’t be returning to anything ‘normal’ anytime soon, we do very much look forward to reconnecting safely with our many devoted customers, and hope that we can provide a little respite from these uncertain times,” Susie concluded.
A little respite in Summerland will be most welcome.
Order online for items in the café (https://field-fort.square.site), call (805- 770-7897), or order upon arrival. Field + Fort is back to their previous schedule of 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Sunday. If at any point that changes, notices will be posted on the website landing page, Instagram (@fieldandfort) and at the shop.
For the Montecito Monday Night Regulars & Others
The Nugget will be re-opening for delivery and take-out in about a week, including your favorite libations from the bar (for 21 and over).
We will keep you posted in the Buzz. •MJ
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DELIVERY
We are proud to announce that we are now offering FREE delivery to Carpinteria with orders over $50. We are happy to deliver to Summerland and Montecito for a $20 delivery fee for orders over $50. All orders must be in before 2pm and we will be delivering between 3-4:30pm Monday-Friday. We are also offering curb
We are doing our absolute best to enforce safe sanitation practices at our shop while customers shop for essentials and groceries. We have a staff member standing out front during work hours enforcing that customers wear gloves that are provided by us, that our customers stand 6 ft. apart while waiting in line and only allowing 10 guests in at a time to shop. Our staff are all washing their hands twice per hour and are constantly sanitizing all surfaces throughout the day. Our customers safety and health is our
number one priority!
944 Linden Ave. • Carpinteria 93013 805-684-2115
DELIVERY
We are proud to announce that we are now offering FREE delivery to Carpinteria with orders over $50. We are happy to deliver to Summerland and Montecito for a $20 delivery fee for orders over $50. All orders must be in before 2pm and we will be delivering between 3-4:30pm Monday-Friday. We are also offering curb
We are doing our absolute best to enforce safe sanitation practices at our shop while customers shop for essentials and groceries. We have a staff member standing out front during work hours enforcing that customers wear gloves that are provided by us, that our customers stand 6 ft. apart while waiting in line and only allowing 10 guests in at a time to shop. Our staff are all washing their hands twice per hour and are constantly sanitizing all surfaces throughout the day. Our customers safety and health is our
number one priority!
944 Linden Ave. • Carpinteria 93013 805-684-2115 PACIFIC HEALTH FOODS has served Santa Barbara county as a family-operated grocer for over 25 years and are ready to meet the needs of all of their customers, especially during this time. Pacifi c Health Foods is your one-stop shop to a healthy, better life! We are proud to announce that we are now expanding our delivery route (see details below), and are supporting local California winemakers and brewers along with as many small, local vendors as possible.
NOW DELIVERING TO SENIORS, PREGNANT AND IMMUNE COMPROMISED (MONDAY - FRIDAY)
We are now delivering anything from our shop to elderly, pregnant or to those with compromised immune systems. This includes anything from our juice bar, organic bakery, eco-friendly cleaning products, immune boosting wellness supplements to organic eggs, local meats and beer and wine!
SENIOR HOUR
Open 8am-9am for seniors (65+), pregnant women & immune compromised. CURBSIDE PICK-UP We have curbside pick-up available every day during open hours. Please call (805) 684-2115 or email nathan@pacifi chealthfood.com to place your order and arrange a pick up time. 12% OFF All of our California Beer, Cider & Hard Kombucha Every Tuesday during May 15% OFF
All California Wines Every Wednesday during May CARPINTERIA Free delivery with a $50 minimum order
SUMMERLAND - MONTECITO
