e Inn at Mattei’s Tavern

Historic property reopens with modern amenities in Los Olivos

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the historic town of Los Olivos, Mattei’s Tavern has welcomed guests since the late 1880s when pioneers began settling this valley just north of Santa Barbara.

Witness to changing times, from the stagecoach era through the introduction of railroads and automobiles, the iconic property has thrived with dedicated stewards at its helm.

Today, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, is ushering in the next phase in the evolution of this property with new accommodations, a stateof-the-art spa, special guest experiences and destination dining venues.

“We are delighted to open the doors to The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern and officially welcome the property to the Auberge family,” said Craig Reid, president and CEO, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Our owners, Brian Strange and Deepak Kamra, had a vision to create a hotel that is true to the heritage of this historic property and embraces the local community. The result is a resort that celebrates the soul, character and history that has made Mattei’s an icon in the area since the 1800s and yet feels so relevant for today’s discerning traveler.”

Set on 6.5 acres opposite the original Los Olivos staging post, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern sits in the center of town and has always been its convivial heart. With its iconic water tower still rising as one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, the property consists of numerous free-standing cottages embraced by landscaped gardens and lawns.

Opening again with its history celebrated and upheld in every detail, the property has been reimagined by renowned design firm

AvroKO. Original buildings, including the Tavern and a handful of original cottages, have been restored and complemented by newly built structures in keeping with the relaxed country style and heritage of this heirloom property.

Exposed wooden beams, restored wainscoting and unlacquered brass fixtures are featured throughout the property, while vintage furnishings, lighting and accessories are designed to add depth and character.

Since its founding, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern has had several important stewards who have shaped its narrative and inspired its design. Gin’s Tap Bar, for example, is named after Gin Lung Gin, the head chef for decades starting in 1910. His Chinese heritage is celebrated in the venue’s antique, carved wooden-horse sculptures. The Pinochle Room, the resort’s private dining room, pays homage to Felix Mattei and his loyal manager, Gus Berg, who were known to play a nightly game of cards and is now home to the original namesake painting, “Pinochle” by Mr. Mattei’s son, Clarence.

“I am incredibly proud of the dynamic and talented team who have brought this vision to life while honoring the history of Mattei’s and infusing it with their own spirit and passion,” said Dave Elcon, general manager. “Mattei’s Tavern has always been a celebrated social hub in the community, and we are excited to honor its history and century-old memories while creating new ones.”

The Tavern is the signature restaurant, serving a chef-driven, ranch-inspired menu with many of the ingredients harvested from the on-site garden. Inside, history lingers in the atmospheric décor, while alfresco dining can be enjoyed beneath the vine-covered trellis. The core menu offers grilled proteins and vegetables alongside revolving seasonal specials.

The Bar with its Wild West roots rests alongside, while Felix Feed & Coffee is the property’s European-style coffee bar and bakery, serving freshly baked goods, homemade sodas and all-day breakfasts. Gin’s Tap Bar has a menu that pays homage to Gin himself, celebrating Asianinspired influences.

Moving away from the original structures and into the gardens, The Shed is tucked into a remnant grove of olive trees beside the property’s swimming pool and serves a poolside menu.

A curated selection of historically-driven craft cocktails are featured on the Mattei’s Tavern bar menu, such as the signature Old Fashioned, “Old Gus Berg,” named after Felix Mattei’s right-hand man. The comprehensive wine list is Californiafocused, with many wines available by the glass, while the large cellar holds some of the finest from across the Central Coast and beyond.

Dating back to the original Mattei’s Tavern in 1886, the four historic cottages — Oak, Cedar, Cypress and Canary — have been restored to preserve their original wooden floors and inviting front porches on which rockers await. Updated to offer spacious ensuite bathrooms, most with clawfoot tub and walk-in shower, each is unique. Some feature garden patios with a loveseat or daybed; others boast sitting rooms with working fireplaces.

The two-bedroom Courtyard Cottage is a new building designed to reflect Mattei’s original structures. Accommodating up to four guests, it offers a large living room and opens onto two private garden patios, one with an outdoor fireplace and the other with a jacuzzi.

Homestead Cottage is also a new building

Please see MATTEI’S on B2

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Coast artist and London native Annie Hoffman’s exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in Colour” will be displayed through Feb. 28 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. For more information, visit anniehoffmann.com.

10 a.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa.org or call the box office at 805-922-8313.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www. sbhistorical.org

FEB. 24

7 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa.org or call the box office at 805-922-8313.

FEB. 25

1:30 and 7 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa.org or call the box office at 805-922-8313.

FEB. 26

1:30 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa.org or call the box office at 805-922-8313.

MARCH 2 cooked. This week I decided to go the raw route and enjoy them in a wonderful sugar snap pea salad as the Fix of the Week, below. Certified organic is available. Price averages $6 per pound.

7:30 p.m. The Miro Quartet will perform at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Admission is $20 for museum members and $25 for nonmembers.

Sugar snap peas

Possessing the crisp edible pod of the snow pea and the sweet plump inner pea of the English pea, this late winter and early spring favorite can be found at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets from several local growers.

Sugar snap peas are an extremely healthy addition to your winter and spring diets. A one cup serving of raw sugar snap peas delivers 3 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of protein, 98% of your daily value of vitamin C, 21% DV of vitamin A and 11% DV of iron. They are also a great source of many other essential vitamins and minerals. They’re excellent both raw and

Golden Nugget tangerine

Botanically classified as Citrus reticulata, these hybrid Golden Nugget tangerines were developed in the 1950s from Wilkling and Kincy mandarins with the result yielding a very sweet firm seedless fruit. Relatively easy to peel, Golden

Nuggets may be my favorite variety to emerge all season.

They’re readily available from several local growers at the Saturday Santa Barbara, Sunday Camino Real, Tuesday Santa Barbara, Wednesday Solvang, and Thursday Carpinteria farmers’ markets.

You can expect to find this variety for many months.

Due to the firmness of their sections, these tangerines are also a nice addition to salads, smoothies and marmalades. They’re also a tasty way to load up on your vitamin C. Price averages $3.50 per pound.

Treviso radicchio

Recognized by their deep purple leaves with cream color ribs, this variety of bitter winter green can be worked into both cooked and raw preparations. I most commonly enjoy Treviso in mixed green salads, tossed in a sharp flavorful dressing to help mask some of the bitterness. It also makes for a nice braising green.

The flavor can vary greatly from mild to bitter and has sweet and earthy notes throughout. Native to Northern Italy, Treviso can be found by several local organic farmers at the Saturday Santa Barbara, Tuesday Santa Barbara and Wednesday Solvang farmers’ markets. Treviso radicchios are an excellent source of vitamins A and K, as well as a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, zinc, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C. Price averages $3 each.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290. Sam Edelman photos

Edelman