First Look Inside Clark’s Oyster Bar, Opening Tomorrow

••• The new Montecito restaurants keep coming: Clark’s Oyster Bar—highly anticipated by fans of the outposts in Austin, Aspen, and Houston—opens for lunch and dinner starting tomorrow. The friends-and-family preview last night was buzzing, as you’d expect, and there’s much more seating along the driveway side than in the Cava days. The menu, meanwhile, is akin to what you’d find at the other Clark’s locations, but with a few outliers. Of note: the restaurant has an in-house bakery, and the weekday happy hour (3-5 p.m.) includes martinis and burgers for half off.

••• And according to Google, the RH (Restoration Hardware) restaurant in Montecito’s Upper Village is being called RH Firehouse Grill and will open December 14.

••• And the restaurant taking over the Stella Mare’s space on Los Patos Way after it closes at year end will be called Bogavante, Spanish for “lobster.” The proprietor is Alejandro Marin, a co-owner of Loreto and La Cha Cha Chá in L.A. Here’s a description of what we can expect, along with renderings courtesy architect Lena Kohl: “Bogavante will bring together the vibrant culinary traditions of Northern Mexico and Santa Barbara’s coastal bounty. Inspired by the region’s rich Mexican heritage, the menu will feature fresh, locally sourced seafood and ranch-raised meats, honoring the flavors and spirit of vaquero culture. With bold, authentic dishes that reflect the connection between land and sea, Bogavante will offer a dining experience that celebrates the shared essence of two vibrant regions.”

••• The Carpinteria Planning Commission approved the plans for the new restaurant in The Palms building on Linden Avenue, reports Coastal View News, except live music won’t be allowed on the roof deck. “The new restaurant will feature an all-day takeout kitchen intended to serve people grabbing food on their way to the beach, along with a new atrium feature that will bring sunlight throughout the interior. […] The development team has plans to restore and rehab the façade and remove any non-historic elements on the exterior,” which means the 1970s single-story addition along the sidewalk will be replace with a covered porch.

••• A branch of Finney’s Crafthouse has opened near Home Depot in Goleta’s Camino Real Marketplace. —Noozhawk

••• If I didn’t already have Christmas Eve plans, I’d be tempted to pick up Tamar’s Holiday Lamb Feast ($225), which is only available to go on December 24, serves 6 to 8 people, and includes lamb awarma; crispy lamb ribs; lamb kofta; barley salad with butternut squash and Swiss chard; cabbage salad; hummus; pita; condiments; and more. Middle Eastern makes sense for the holiday, if you think about it….

••• The Golf Lounge inside Validation Ale Annex on upper De La Vina debuted yesterday: “The elevated space is equipped with state-of-the-art Trackman simulators and offers food and drink service delivered directly to your bay. Whether you’re fine-tuning your swing, hosting a private event, or savoring a few rounds—on the golf course or in a glass, the lounge delivers a new Santa Barbara experience. Designed by MN Studio Interiors, the space features deep green plaid, tufted leather seating, and a sophisticated atmosphere that balances sport, style, and a reimagined take on the classic country club vibe.”

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