••• Launching next month: Riviera Sips, a mobile bar to liven up your next party. (Founders Michael and Sandra are pictured above.) Here’s some background on how it works: “California prohibits mobile bars from holding a liquor license. We can serve it but we just can’t purchase it ourselves. That works in your favor! Why? You get to purchase your own alcohol. Helloooo Costco! No, but you really do get to take control of how much you want to spend on alcohol and what quality you’d like. It can feel a bit overwhelming so we’ll gladly step in to help guide you with alcohol purchases.”
••• Centennial Beer Hall, in the former Mercury Lounge space in Old Town Goleta, opens this Wednesday. From the release: “The newly updated bar will feature 14 taps of craft beer with a focus on independent American craft breweries and artisan producers. […] After taking over the former Mercury Lounge location in April 2021, owner Ron Batdorf has updated the classic bar space to a more modern aesthetic, bringing a completely new experience to Old Town Goleta. […] A selection of locally sourced wines will also be available by the glass and bottle. A food menu will not be available at this time but guests can expect events such as food trucks, pop-ups, live music, trivia nights and more.” The hours are 3-9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 12-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12-9 p.m. on Sunday.
••• The Bagel Boiz have moved their order day from Wednesday to Monday (but still at 6 p.m.).
••• P. noticed that Santa Barbara Wine Therapy at 732 State Street (De La Guerra/Ortega) looks closed—the windows are papered over, and social media has been quiet for two weeks. I called its sister establishment, the Cruisery (at the corner of State and Haley), and I was told that Wine Therapy is moving to the back half of the Cruisery, into the area known as Bearadise. It should be ready by the end of the week.
••• “A second Goleta location for Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming to 145 North Fairview Avenue next to Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch.” —Restaurant Guy
••• For anyone interested in owning a winery, Lompoc’s Longoria Winery—which has been on the market ($1.995 million) for a year—is having an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Tuesday, August 17, where you can “meet Rick and Diana Longoria, learn about the rare opportunity to buy their respected wine business and real estate, and taste some of their excellent wines.”
••• L.A. Taco has a long list of what it says are the best tacos in Santa Barbara. In its favor: the write-up on La Super-Rica was right on. Unless something has changed, however, the Rose Cafe on E. Haley closed a while ago. [Update 8/17: See comments.]
••• “Via Maestra 42 at 3343 State Street had sold after 21 years to its original manager.” —Restaurant Guy
••• “TAP Thai is coming to Hollister Village [in Goleta], next to Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery. It will replace what was once Sharkey’s” —Noozhawk
••• The former La Cocina/Smithy/Somerset/Arts & Letters Café space at 7 E. Anapamu is for sale for $4.995 million (via Edible Santa Barbara). I think we can all agree that the courtyard is a beaut but I hear the kitchen layout poses challenges.
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Eh, anyone ordering tacos at Super Rica is definitely a noob or an out of towner and deserves any of the “insult” they feel. Every local knows the specials are out of this world – the veggie relleno in a beautiful spiced broth, the veggie tamal in cream sauce, the to-die-for pozole (most of these often sold out or unavailable), and of course the classic #16 which remains an all time favorite for many.
I totally agree. 30+ years in, Isidore is more excited and passionate about his food than ever. The enchiladas and chilaquiles are also incredible specials. If they haven’t run out, get the rice and beans. The rajas are out of this world. During the takeout only period of covid they did an amazing job — the food traveled surprisingly well. You can’t rush greatness!
Best wishes for the crew at Via Maestra 42- excellent meals every single time I visit
Not trying to be snarky, but the LA Taco article directly mentions Rose Cafe on Haley is closed.
“We always preferred the feel of the now-closed Hayley Street original, but still love the cooking at the Mesa address”
Thanks for pointing that out. I could’ve sworn it didn’t say that before—maybe the post got updated, or maybe I just got it wrong….