The start of 2018 marked the beginning of the annual California Restaurant Month, and the Santa Maria Valley is following suit by offering its own Restaurant Week.
From Jan. 14 to Jan. 20, the region will host the seven-day event featuring deals at participating restaurants, breweries, and wineries.
“The event dates were chosen to coincide with California Restaurant Month, a successful statewide promotion that benefits food and wine establishments during the winter season,” Jennifer Harrison, director of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is coordinating the promotion, said in a statement.
Participating establishments will offer specials for $20.18. This could include a bottle of wine; a wine and food pairing flight; an entrée; appetizers; or myriad other items.
This year’s restaurants, breweries and wineries include: Century Room at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Cielito Lindo Mexican Grill, Core Wine Tasting Room, Far Western Tavern, Grevino Café & Wine Bar, Jersey Mikes, Maya Restaurant, Moxie Café, Straw Hat Pizza, and Vintners Bar & Grill at the Radisson Hotel.
Malei Weir, a promoter on behalf of the Chamber, said prospective deal seekers should call participating businesses ahead of time to find out what is offered.
California began the month-long promotional event in 2011, according to Visit California, a state tourism nonprofit organization. This year’s event will feature 37 participating destinations across the state, including eight first-time participants.
“We wanted to take advantage of this promotion and craft Santa Maria Valley’s own take on it,” Weir explained. “It’s just a great excuse to get out and have some fun—I know I enjoy it—nothing better than getting a discount.”
She said one of the reasons the Chamber jumped on board with the state program was partially due to enthusiasm from local businesses and the chance to inject some needed dollars into a comparatively sluggish winter economy when contrasted with the summer.
“There’s a lot to find and do here: great barbecue, we’ve got wine country, the dunes, and museums,” Weir said. “I think the idea is to encourage locals and out-of-towners to come explore and enjoy the area. So everyone should come out and see the creative offerings that these local establishments have for us.”
Highlights:
• The city of Lompoc Beautification and Appearance Commission invites the community to participate in a free workshop exploring ways to improve the city. The Community Clean Up Citywide Enhancement/Beautification Workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the Lompoc City Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc.
• Marian Regional Medical Center helped usher in the first baby born in Santa Barbara County in 2018. At 12:06 a.m. Love and Devin Lenetti welcomed 7 pound, 7 ounce Angelo into the world. The hospital presented the couple with a gift basket filled with “essentials” and “goodies,” according to external communications manager Sara San Juan.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at [email protected].
