••• After Oku debuted in the fall of 2019, the owners planned to follow it up with an all-day café called Leadbetter in the space next door. Now that Greer and Ted Ellis have moved on to We Want the Funk, the remaining owner, Tina Takaya of Opal, has changed the name to Happy Cat; we can expect “a fun, casual, dining spot with Handlebar coffee and great breakfast and lunch options.” Construction is underway.
••• Speaking of We Want the Funk, it continues to be open for family-and-friends service, but “this Saturday and Sunday, 4-10 p.m., anyone can come. We are still doing a limited menu ‘pop-up’ style. Should open for good on Friday, November 25, for lunch and dinner.”
••• Corazón Comedor, the latest restaurant from Corazón Cocina’s Ramon Velazquez, soft-opens this Saturday in the former Ca’Dario Pizza space on E. Victoria. The menu is small to start; hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. UPDATE 11/19: It’s not happening; maybe Monday.
••• The breakfast and lunch menus at Oat Bakery‘s new Old Town Goleta location look pretty appealing. It’s open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday through the end of the year.
••• The Jersey Mike’s in Noleta’s Turnpike Center has opened. —Noozhawk
••• I’m a big believer in having Merci cookie dough in the freezer for any cookie emergencies that might arise, and now—maybe it’s seasonal?—ginger molasses dough is available.
••• “Santa Barbara Chef Crafts Healthier Cannabis Edibles […] Katherine Knowlton’s Happy Chance Provides a Low-Dose, Natural Alternative to Gummies.” —Independent
••• Augie’s is now serving brunch on weekends.
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Happy Cat reminds me of Hungry Cat. One of SB’s best restaurants. Wish it was still here.
First thing that pooped in my head- Hungry Cat. Meow!
Pooped?
oh crap!
The brunch menu at Augies looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it all!
Had lunch at Dutch Gardens. Reuben was legit, great rye bread, pastrami sliced thin and warm and gooey Swiss cheese. Staff was super friendly . People were lined up at 11am!