Eats

What happens when traditional German foods merge with California casual food at Hoagies in Avila Beach? You get sausage and sauerkraut with a twist. Or, as Hoagies chef Shawn Swink, put it: “I like my kraut a little more juiced up.” In an e-mail that snagged my attention, I discovered Hoagies was going to celebrate […]

Deep in the fiber of Santa Barbara County’s winemaking community courses a strong current of selfless service. When asked, local vintners don’t hesitate to lend a helping hand and are ever willing to share technical advice, the tools of their trade, or their wares for a worthy cause. Since 2008, a group of winemakers has […]

Autumn has arrived, and the time has come to decorate the house with goblins and oversized pumpkins, while ducking flurries of wind-swirled leaves. Among the fragrances offered by crisp air and rain-dampened soil, sensitive noses will detect the tempting aromas of grilled, stewed, stir-fried, and baked delicacies prepared by kitchen-savvy gents who make their home […]

All festivities on the Central Coast combine optimism, edible plenty, and a call to lend a hand to worthy causes. Area residents gathering to celebrate the joys of harvest are ready to have some fun, while helping to improve the lives of their neighbors. Among Santa Maria’s annual events is the Harvest Festival, slated for […]

“We always look forward to meeting and greeting our customers,” Righetti added, “and to renew friendships with our fellow entrepreneurs in the local food and wine community.” Based in Los Alamos, Full of Life Flatbread makes its customary appearance, complete with a wood-fired oven that looks more like a mosaic-covered work of art on wheels. […]

The ongoing celebration of homegrown food, freshly baked bread, and artisanal cheeses heralds a renewed appreciation for long-held traditions. And those lucky enough to remember visiting the local little old winemaker to fill an empty jug right out of the barrel can rejoice at the latest blast from the past. In an odd blend of […]

Finally, a Central Coast restaurant where simplicity rules and flashy fare takes a back seat to homemade comfort food. Located in Lompoc, Valley Soup and Sandwich offers healthy alternatives for hungry diners who appreciate hearty soups, salads, and sandwiches. Valley Soup and Sandwich is the brainchild of Mark Ashmalla and his sister-in-law, Leslie Rindscliesch, who […]

As harvest begins in earnest, Santa Barbara County wineries want to remind us what all the fuss is about. While workers gather grapes for the next vintage, local vintners gear up to celebrate California Wine Month this September by showcasing a selection of new releases. From Zaca Mesa comes liquid history in the form of […]

The fertile land in and around the Santa Maria Valley supports an incredible variety of fruits, vegetables, and row crops. Although wine grapes seem to receive the lion’s share of the attention and glory, it’s the less glamorous bounty—the radishes, cabbage, celery, carrots, and lettuce—that first put the region on the culinary map. A seaside […]

A quiet berg of antique shops, art galleries, and family-owned eateries, Los Alamos lies only slightly off the beaten path. On the sleepy main drag of Bell Street, things got a lot more animated in January, when Bedford Winery reopened its tasting room. Located next door to Café Quackenbush, the tasting room provides a friendly […]

Due to cooler-than-average weather this summer, garden tomatoes have taken awhile to blush completely crimson and the zucchini hasn’t yet exploded into zeppelin-sized specimens. Despite a slow start, however, gardens up and down the Central Coast are beginning to pump out plenty of fresh, ripe produce. The harvest of backyard bounty comes just in time […]

Most wineries proudly display a bottle or two draped with medals trumpeting wins at a wine competition. Ribbons of gold, blue, and Cabernet purple bedeck tasting bars, along with the occasional wine goblet-topped trophy. Wine competitions take place year round, in all kinds of venues. They may be sponsored by magazines, staged for charity, or […]