••• According to Noozhawk‘s profile of new La Paloma Cafe chef John Parker, “the menu is in transition […], moving away from the ‘Ranchero’ concept” and toward “California coastal seasonal” cuisine. Above is a dish from the brunch menu: smoked salmon toast with beet horseradish cream cheese, capers, dill, and lemon. (Photo by Haley Garces.)
••• Charlie and Jen Fredericks have left The Dutch Garden, handing over the reins to co-owner Matt English. UPDATE: Restaurant Guy says the restaurant was sold to Kelly Brown, owner of the Natural Café chain.
••• The bar at Black Sheep has soft-opened.
••• Bar Lou begins serving “New Orleans Friday lunch” starting March 21. —805Foodie
••• March 29 marks the debut of Interlude: “A space where conversation flows, the music moves you, and connection is at the center. A pause for music, community, and coffee.” There will be DJ sets and Zaca Coffee. It’s 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Commen Unity.
••• A profile of wholesale baker La Gourmandise, whose “quickly growing client roster includes the Santa Barbara Airport, private jets, the Dutch Garden, Claudia Coffee Bar, Cajé Coffee Roasters, Santa Barbara Roasting, and Handlebar Coffee Roasters—where Yannick and Cecile [Dumonceau] credit much of their success to the generosity of Handlebar owner Aaron Olson, who let them use his De la Vina location to bake at night when they first started and continues to graciously introduce them to owners of other coffee shops.” —Independent
••• “The roving gardening extravaganza known as Tomatomania returns to the Santa Ynez Valley for its third time on April 5 and 6. But this year it won’t just be 50 varieties of tomatoes to choose from—there’s peppers, eggplants, herbs, and cut flowers on the menu as well. You can thank Mark Donofrio of The Starter Farm for spearheading that expansion of the free event, which features a number of classes as well as sales of seeds and plantings that have been tested for Santa Barbara County’s various microclimates.” —Independent
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La Paloma would have done itself a favor by keeping the Paradise Cafe menu. It was a popular place and everyone I know misses it and has moved on.
I agree 100%
Yes…….the Paradise menu I long for. I have loved La Paloma but still miss a Paradise Burger
Agreed with Bob 1. Never set foot in La Paloma any more.
I hear the same thing ALL the time
I was just at La Paloma last week and lord, the carnitas are so good, I’ll be sorry to see them go.
The carnitas are still on the menu, which is great to see. The new menu refresh is awesome, and also some of the faves remain. Best of both worlds.