Alma Fonda Fina Opens for Real Tomorrow

••• The former Oliver’s building (above) got a dark new look as part of its transformation into Bar Lou.

••• After being soft-open last weekend, Alma Fonda Fina at the Montecito Country Mart will reopen tomorrow for real, with tentative hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (Breakfast and brunch will follow at a later date.) Initial reports have been positive about the food—that’s the soft-opening menu below—and suggest that, as with any new restaurant, the service needs time to shape up. P.S. Those of us expecting something along the lines of Corazón Cocina are in for a shock: this is Ramón Velazquez’s fanciest restaurant by far—full-service, not fast-casual, with prices to match. It doesn’t have a full liquor license (yet…?), so cocktails are made with wine and the like.

••• Aperitivo is trying something new as of September 8: Sunday through Tuesday, when the restaurant is normally closed, will be Aperitivo da Sola, a “one-woman show” of a wine bar with Lindsey Reed (formerly of Satellite and Bell’s) at the helm. While there will be nibblybits like olives and nuts, this is much more about wine—in particular, “approachable, ethical wines with underrepresented countries and varietals from Europe and our own backyard,” all at a reasonable price point. Hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

••• Soul Bites is on the ropes, but fans are making an effort to help it survive. —KEYT

••• The Two Baking Brits duo of Pascale Beale and Sandra Adu Zelli (Gipsy Hill Bakery) are throwing another one of their special dinners, this time with Clementine Carter Wines, on September 15 at the Cheese Shop. The menu is an ode to summer: “Riviera appetizers,” zucchini cappuccino, heirloom tomato carpaccio with burrata and tapenade, poached local white fish with braised summer greens and chive beurre blanc sauce (vegetarian option available), cheese, and a stone fruit mousse. Ticket info.

••• The Independent reports on this month’s Santa Barbara Vegan Chef Challenge, in which participating restaurants will feature three vegan specials. Look for them at Shang Hai Restaurant, Padaro Beach Grill, Sachi Saigon Restaurant, Soul Bites, Goodland Waffles & Melts, Elubia’s Kitchen, Zen Yai Thai Cuisine, Scarlett Begonia, Isla Vista Food Co-Op Downtown Market, Finch & Fork, Bluewater Grill, Fala Bar, Convivo, and Santa Barbara Pizza House.

••• J. sent over photos of the revamped Starbucks at the Five Points Shopping Center.

••• The Independent profiled Seven Bar, which evidently dropped the “& Kitchen” when it moved (since the food comes via Rodeo Room next door).

••• And Noozhawk and the Independent profiled the reborn Arnoldi’s Cafe.

••• “Patio Café at 3007 De la Vina Street now becomes Big Boss Burgers from 4-10:30 p.m. daily.” The menu includes cheese curds as a side, which you don’t see that often around here. —Restaurant Guy

••• Caruso’s has changed its dress code to require that men wear a sports coat or suit jacket. The full policy:

At Caruso’s, we aim to provide an exceptional dining atmosphere that exudes refined elegance. To ensure a delightful experience for all our guests, we maintain a strict dress code. Our guests are required to wear trousers or denim pants and collared shirts, sports coats or blazers, dresses, pantsuits, or elegant skirts and blouses. Please note we do not allow hoodies, athletic or sportswear, beachwear, sports sneakers, caps of any kind, shorts, or flip-flops. We thank you for your cooperation in maintaining the standards of our dining environment and look forward to hosting you at Caruso’s for a memorable culinary experience.

Both the style and the substance of that had me rolling my eyes. But then I had two thoughts: 1) the dress code serves as fair warning that Caruso’s is fussy and proud of it; and 2) as unparalleled as the setting is, even on the most beautiful evening, you’ll probably be glad you have a coat. (While the dress code claims to be strict, I’ve heard of the jacketless being given a loaner to drape over their chairs, which is apparently good enough. Also, you have to wear a jacket but jeans are OK?)

I know all of this because we went for dinner the other night; I resisted the urge to go in drag. The restaurant has only gotten better each time I’ve visited; it has no competition for fine dining in the Santa Barbara area, both in terms of the food and the service. While everything was delicious (including the aged Acquerello risotto with spot prawn, corn, and pickled blueberry, pictured below), the standouts came at the end: an extraordinary palate cleanser of “cucumber and lime soufflé with marinated cucumbers, lime crème fraîche, meringue sticks, and makrut lime zest,” and then the fig-and-buttermilk-based dessert called Our Bees Went to Hanford. And at some point in recent months, the restaurant introduced a cheese cart, which is always a bonus.

My companions and I left convinced that we need to treat ourselves there regularly, or at least annually. The special three-course option ($145 instead of $175 for four courses), available Monday through Thursday, might be the perfect amount of food.

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