••• Mesa Verde is closing today. I found the experience uneven in recent years, but when the restaurant opened ten years ago, it was an eye-opener to anyone who thought vegan food couldn’t be delicious—and even exciting.
••• Believe it or not, The Dutch Garden is now staying open late Thursdays and Fridays, serving snacks and beer (3-5 p.m.) followed by dinner (5:30-8 p.m.). Here’s a glimpse of the menu that the restaurant posted on Instagram.
••• Revolver has joined Merci, Deux Bakery, and Pinyon in The Eddy‘s lineup of prepared foods from local favorites; every Friday, you can expect the restaurant’s market salad, Caesar salad, and muffuletta sandwich.
••• Seven Bar & Kitchen is soft-open this weekend (including tonight) in preparation for an official debut this Wednesday, July 3. The food and drink menus are online, and here are some shots it has posted on Instagram.
••• Also opening July 3: Rory’s Place in Ojai, which has been closed since December due to a fire.
••• Some more clarity on Etty’s Jewish Delicatessen & Bakery at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara (524 Chapala Street, between Haley/Cota): it won’t be a restaurant in the traditional sense: non-members will have to call ahead for a temporary membership number in order to enjoy the pastrami, knishes, and more. And it’s aiming to open in early August.
••• Good Lion Hospitality’s Ventura bar, Strange Beast, is home to a lunchtime pop-up called Backdoor Bento, which sells takeout bento boxes. Wish we had it here…. —Edhat
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Very happy that Bibi Ji’s, my favorite Indian food anywhere, has reopened at 1213 State street.
+1…love Bibiji