••• I just noticed that the former Funk Zone Farm space at Yanonali and Santa Barbara Street is occasionally open to customers of Dart Coffee Co. and Tyger Tyger. It turns out that one of the owner of Dart (along with David Dart), is Erika Carter, whose Green House Studios is where Funk Zone Farm was. “We open the Gardens for guests of Dart Coffee Co. (and Tyger Tyger),” explained Dart. “It is not open to the general public unless they are eating/drinking our offerings or are invitees. We curate the site to offer a peaceful respite from the general busyness of the Funk Zone.” (Just look for a note saying “the garden is open” on the dartboard by Dart Coffee’s counter.) As you probably know, the space is lovely, and not surprisingly, it’s also available for small private events.
••• Rascal’s posted that it’s helping Rudy’s on E. Canon Perdido create a vegan menu, which should debut early next month. Below: enchiladas verdes.
••• Speaking of vegan delights: “The second annual Santa Barbara Vegan Chef Challenge is going down throughout the month of April, and this year, organizer Beth Wettstein is inviting chefs from Oxnard and Ventura to join in.” —Independent
••• Bob Wesley, owner of the recently closed Savoy Wines on Figueroa Street, announced that San Diego’s Meritage Wine Market (“it rhymes with heritage”) is taking over the space, and he’s a partner in the endeavor. “We plan on unlocking the doors on March 3, with a grand opening scheduled for March 7.” —Restaurant Guy
••• An article in Food + Home magazine about Margerum‘s “new” Funk Zone tasting room—it opened in June—mentions that Rori’s is making an amaro ice cream exclusively for the winemaker. The way this winter is going, there’s no reason to wait till summer to stop by for some.
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