••• After doing friends-and-family service this week, Lilac Montecito will open to the public for dinner service on Friday, with limited seating through Sunday, and reservations are available. The restaurant will open fully on Monday (still just for dinner, for now). Here’s a first look at the menu—remember, it’s all gluten-free. UPDATE 1/26: Wexler’s says it might be delayed a bit (as these things often are).
••• The Wexler’s Deli outpost at the Santa Barbara Public Market opens February 2. The menu has two locally specific items—I bet you can guess—and those of us desperate for quality bagels will want to take note of the bagels-by-the-dozen option.
••• Speaking of bagels…. Isla Vista’s Dank Bowl Kitchen has spawned a pop-up, Yetz’s Bagels. “The inspiration for Yetz’s Bagels struck last fall after [founder Daniel] Dunietz took a trip to the East Coast. ‘Anytime I visit family in New York, I purchase a dozen bagels from a local shop and pack them into my luggage to feed my bagel cravings for a week. I have always longed for a bagel shop in Santa Barbara that could simply come close to the chewy, crunchy heaven that is a perfectly baked New York bagel [….] I had the epiphany that if anybody was going to create the perfect bagel it would have to be me.'” —Daily Nexus (via Edible Santa Barbara)
••• Mark your calendars: the Women Winemakers & Culinarians Celebration in the Santa Ynez Valley is March 7-10, with the grand tasting event set for March 9. Tickets are available now.
••• And the Home Crush shop in Summerland is launching a monthly Taste Makers Market on February 10: “We work with over 40 artisan vendors who bring a variety of baked goods, produce, mixology, and confections [….] Our vendors are all local farmers and artisans and mixologists who share our commitment to sustainable agriculture and food.” The Instagram account is announcing the vendors, including Lindsay’s Little Bakery, Riviera Bread, Tilden, Petal & Rind, Sweet Raw Life, and Jessica Foster Confections.
••• A profile of Dave’s Drip House. —Independent
••• And the Independent also profiled Azul, which reminds me to share some first impressions. One concern I’ve always had about the space is that the courtyard is so delightful that inside can feel like Siberia. And, indeed, we reserved outside. But the interior section looked more welcoming, even if I’m not sure a lot has changed, and I would no longer rule it out. The service was generally attentive. One nice example: our server overheard me worrying that our table would be too chilly and brought over a heater. As for the food, we enjoyed the guacamole with homemade tostaditas, and our friends quite liked the chicken enchiladas in mole and the salmon, while my husband and I tried the duck breast with mole and the pork shank, and while they were fine, we’ll probably go for something else next time.
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Come on! $19 for a sandwich?? Gold dust on a bagel!
Whatever happened to just good, simple, fairly priced food with friendly service?
Then don’t go.
It’s 19/26 dollars for a hamburger at most non chain restaurants . If it is good, it is worth it.
Welcome to Santa Barbara, and do you have any understanding of overhead (food costs, payroll, payroll taxes, rent, etc etc) and basic economics? Dutch Garden charges the same price for a pastrami sandwich. Wexler’s are also making their pastrami in house, and it’s about as good as any place in California, and up there with some of the best pastrami houses in New York. But there’s always Sam’s to Go and Subway if you’re on a budget.
Probably paying high rent????♀️
Wexler’s are coming up from LA with their high inflated prices!
Support our local delis like Three Pickles, South Coast Deli…
I’m with you Mike! Support local Three Pickles. Their Ruben is $12.95. I just can’t support these inflated prices.
Maybe if the Ruben, as shown in the photo, is a triple decker! LOL! Well then you can share with 3 people and, now, THAT would be a deal!
Hey Mike,
No one is forcing you to go to these places that charge you $19-$20 for a sandwich. Stop complaining about prices and just go to subway sandwich.
GQ
Tried Yetz and it’s amazing! Just what we needed!
Thanks for the warning on the “sponsored” email. I wondered what happened to the Sunday news drop.
It’s become my pet peeve that who ever is reviewing a business neglects to offer an address. Specifically I’m speaking of Azul. Even going to their website there is not a specific address. Based upon pictures one can figure it out but why? Why be so cryptic? Has to be a reason but I can’t fathom it.
Bagels at Yetz are the real deal. You simply cannot get anything like them west of NYC. Daniel is such a super-friendly guy and so excited about his latest creation. Isla Vista is not the end of the world. Believe me, it’s worth the trip!
Enjoyed everything about Azul, especially the service. Hard to find such good service it seems. I’ll be back for sure. Felt extremely welcome and attended to. Not too much, not too little, and very friendly. The food was delicious.
We’ve been to Azul three times already and love it. Service is wonderful. The owner and wife came out to greet us and are good people. The short ribs are amazing. I didn’t care for the carnitas, mostly because I don’t like making my own tacos, but they tasted fine. I disagree with Eric, I loved the pork shank. De gustibus non est disputandom!
I had lunch at Three Monkeys and spoke with folks setting up Wexler’s. They said they hope to open Thursday, February 8.
Who’s gonna buy the Prince Harry’s Garden Sandwich?!… poor form if they want locals to eat from this menu.