••• 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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Caruso’s is easily the best in town and if wearing a jacket is part of the price of admission it is well worth it and yes, I agree it just gets better each time.
No issues what-so-ever with a classy restaurant insisting it’s clients dress nicely. Today’s shabby yoga pants and gym shorts world needs a few places that still adhere to some standards. Nothing quite like looking forward to a great night, getting dressed up and prepped, only to be forced to sit near people in gym shorts, flip flops and tank tops spending their dinner playing on their phone while their 3 yr old runs around the room screaming…
I give Alma Fonda 6months. 12 if they halve their prices and serve things people actually want…
Sam, exactly what I saw and experienced at Toma a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner with my husband. Come on, people, read the room. If you see white tablecloths and waiters in white long sleeve shirts (busboys too), then tees, shorts, flip flops, phones, and toddlers are not appropriate.
Wow what a missed opportunity to bring fast casual Mexican food back to the country mart. Why do restauranteurs assume that affluent people only want full service dining?
This is exactly what the Country Mart needs! It’s really important that hotel guests and “weekend housers” that are so important to our economy get the dining experience they are accustomed to in their more refined cities. Locals, by definition, have their own kitchens and should cook at home!
Locals “should cook at home”??? And Montecito should accommodate the tourists??? This is crazy talk! You are clearly a newbie to the neighborhood. These restaurants should accommodate the locals, we are the ones who frequent them and go when the tourists aren’t here. I’m so sick of having to make reservations well in advance in my neighborhood to get dinner, who plans that far in advance. I want to go on the fly that day. I think local restaurants should always save a percentage of tables for locals, they would not survive without us. And I agree with the previous poster that just because we are in an affluent neighborhood doesn’t mean we don’t want fast casual food like our beloved Little Alex’s that was booted from the space.
Hear hear!
Couldn’t agree more ! Keep up the criticism of the over-over-the-top “elevated” @#$%$ “special occasion” dining choices we have locally. Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoise on steroids.
(Remember what happened to another Public Market expansion, the Thai restaurant where Locals is now, everything was ~20% higher)
The Alma menu looks good and the decor is really nice. I don’t see problems with a sit down restaurant. Bettina is already testament to the model in that location. I really love that Chef Ramon does a different concept with each new opening. Besides the quality of his food already distinguishing him, having different concepts and menus at each location sets him apart from the other local Mexican food chains. I hope he continues to expand his empire. If Montecitoans are clamoring for a Mexican takeaway, Ramon can still do that, too. I really admire his creativity and the thoughtfulness that goes into coming up with something new each time instead of creating clones.
I love Corazon and do wish he had a few crossover dishes. Public Market is super crowded all the time so going to a quieter spot to eat his delicious food would be nice. Perhaps public market will not
let him duplicate same food in other locations?
I have walked by the Patio Cafe for years, at different times. At most I have seen one table occupied, but generally it has been empty. Thought I’d try it: once and done. No idea how they have been hanging on.
Soul Bites has a good concept and food you can’t find many places, yet they are pricey. And the owner says he should be charging more because costs have gone up. $14 for 2 pieces of chicken? Way too much
How unfortunate that Alma is going to have such high prices. I was looking forward to something more akin to their Public Market menu so probably won’t be a regular. Hopefully they will adjust this with time.
I agree 100%
Agree !
I’m still heartbroken over losing Oliver’s. Had high hopes for the Little Dom’s team, though they’re still looking for CDC and GM as of last weeks Craigslist ads. Would love to see SY kitchen in the space.
I’d love to see SY Kitchen in any space in SB!
Expecting a SY Kitchen-related place to appear soon in the Via Vie space
About Alma Fonda Fina, I will quote Bugs Bunny: “Did you see those prices?” I don’t know, maybe it’s fair, given that Montecito is somewhat of a cartoon already —
My first ever comment here- totally disagree with Caruso write up. Besides my belief that SY Ranch is a considerably better food and service experience than Carusos in every regard, the faux everything about Miramar (including Carusos) is apparent at every turn. Wearing a sport coat to give appearance of “fine dining” is so spot on with all of Miramar- give everything an “appearance” but ignore the substance. We moved to SB to get away from having to give any appearances.
Plus- the hotel guests are 80% people coming up from LA for a weekend – so that’s another reason to avoid :)
Plenty of other restaurants out there. They all alow flip flops, so you are covered.
$36 for chicken enchiladas? nope
The food is good but the prices are insane. Where do we take our families in the new bling infested
Montecito? Answer: not in Montecito. Bird refuge would be a decent place for a family priced/considered restaurant..
Right on Sam T! Totally agree with your comments regarding dressing up for dinner.
Had lunch at the Stonehouse last Fall. We were dressed for a birthday celebration and sat among people in workout wear. No desire to return.