Eats

Even while bringing more than 150 wine tasting options under one roof, the organizers behind the Garagiste Wine Festival are more interested in quality over quantity. Luckily for them, finding rare and unadulterated wines comes easy with showcasing micro-production wineries, festival co-founder Douglas Minnick said. “Wineries at this level of production are not making wines […]

Revenge is a dish best served cold—or in chef Michael Cherney’s case, a dish best served cured.The co-owner of peasants DELI & MARKET explained why he considers his Cinco Jotas Jamón sandwich—made with a rarely found, imported cured ham from Spain—such a tasty reprisal. “When I worked for Robuchon in Las Vegas for three years, […]

When it comes to assembling the perfect charcuterie display, Deanne Carrisosa likes to think outside the box. The Santa Maria local described the way she organizes her boxes and boards as “all over the place,” and said many of her final products end up looking more like colorful paintings than symmetrical assortments. It can be […]

Twenty dollars. 22 cents. About a dozen different dining options.As part of Santa Maria Valley’s Restaurant Month, which kicked off on Jan. 14 and runs through Feb. 13, several local restaurants are offering their own limited-time combos, made up of each venue’s respective menu selections. What each of these specials have in common is a […]

Move over Starbucks and Little Caesars, there’s a new coffee and pizza joint in Santa Maria, with an average wait time that’s on par with both corporate competitors, if not less. Fire and Vice owner Aaron Running described his new venture as a cozy coffee shop and lunch spot by day, and a booming bar […]

As much as she loves scuba diving and paddle boarding, moving closer to the ocean was more of a work-related decision for winemaker Alisa Jacobson. “That fog that comes off the ocean and the winds do help develop the flavors that I like in wines,” said Jacobson, who moved to the Central Coast from Sonoma […]

This past year was full of memorable meals, at least according to my phone’s camera roll. About 60 percent of said photos are admittedly of chicken strips, nuggets, and wings, but I assure you, the other 40 percent showcase the profound moments when I had the courage to step out of my bubble and branch […]

Looking back on his youth, one local winemaker recalls fond memories of exploring his grandfather’s wine cellar—but not for the reasons some might expect. “The cellar was pretty vast and it was below the house, so we’d hide there during hide and seek,” said Etienne Terlinden, owner and founder of Cordon of Santa Barbara. Between […]

Thanks to a newly launched sports bar menu, guests of the Tavern at Zaca Creek in Buellton on Sunday and Monday nights will be tempted to try the brown-butter Buffalo wings, among several other new food items and cocktails.  Kitchen member Jim Lane—a die-hard Lakers fan who helped spearhead the sports menu and is widely […]

Originally published December 17, 2015 Decisions, decisions, decisions. That’s the situation that faces diners at the Chumash Casino’s recently renovated, recently reopened, and much-changed casual dining spot, The Buffet.  The Buffet has always been a popular destination for those who want variety and the ability to pile plates high. With the new restaurant, the casino […]

The co-owners behind Dunites Wine Company, Rachel Goffinet Eck and Tyler Eck, are straddling two Central Coast counties, bringing their best to both worlds. The couple lives in Pismo Beach, and both Rachel and Tyler have worked for Santa Barbara County wineries over the years. Currently, Tyler is associate winemaker for Fess Parker Winery in […]

Every time Janelle Norman bakes a fresh loaf of brioche, part of her wishes it would go missing the second she turns away from the kitchen counter. Brioche used to be her dog’s favorite bread to steal. “This was a particularly upsetting habit because brioche takes two days and a whole lot of labor to […]