It is more than obvious that 2018 was a pivotal year for Montecito and its residents. The first week of the year, we were recovering from the Thomas Fire, which weeks earlier had suffocated Montecito and Santa Barbara in smoke and ash while scorching nearly 282,000 acres from Ventura to Santa Barbara, including ten structures […]
Earlier this fall, one of Santa Barbara and Montecito’s most popular restaurants expanded north, opening a location in Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley. “The Valley has needed a Los Arroyos for years, and we are happy to finally have made it happen,” said co-owner Maria Arroyo, who sat down with us recently to show […]
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The State Street locale that was home to Downey’s for 35 years has been quietly operating as a fresh new concept since May of this year. Owned and operated by Jim Mishler, Roost offers a fresh and simple menu for both lunch and dinner. Mishler has been a mainstay in the local restaurant scene for […]
In a world of more than 7.5 billion people, falling into a rhythm that takes futile energy and subtly deters our hearts and minds away from our most authentic inner-self is as common as a misleading commercial on that crafty screen called the television. Material acceptance from ourselves and our peers is the external happiness […]
Four months after opening for business in Montecito Inn, the owners of The Monarch restaurant announced November 1 that they have expanded their operations to include brunch, which is now available seven days a week. The menu, which is available from 7 am to 2:30 pm, includes breakfast items that will be offered for the […]
Synergy One Lending, a recently acquired subsidiary of Mutual of Omaha, has opened its doors on Coast Village Road, in the space formerly occupied by Shine Blow Dry Bar. The nationwide mortgage lending company, which is based out of San Diego, was founded by Westmont grad Torrey Larson. “We really are a homegrown company, taking […]
Khao Kaeng, the newest concept from the owners behind the widely popular Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar at the Santa Barbara Public Market, has opened on Coast Village Road. The eatery is located in Coast Village Plaza (1187 Coast Village Road), in the lower space formerly occupied by Here’s the Scoop. “People are excited we […]
This Saturday, November 10, the Coast Village Association (CVA) is hosting a brand-new event to help retailers show off their newest fashion arrivals before the holiday shopping season. The Coast Village Couture Collective will feature a dozen boutiques and small shops that will offer refreshments, trunk shows, and in-store personal styling. “It’s a great way […]
In 1985, an unfamiliar face appeared at a Santa Barbara car dealership and demanded a job as an auto detailer. The man who moved from the San Fernando Valley convinced the owner of his skills and devotion when he donated three days of labor free of charge. Yes, Lynwood “Woody” Robinson landed the job. Then, […]
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Haven Salon in Montecito, owned by master hair stylist and color expert Cynthia Brokaw and her business partner Brian Bailey, is now a certified Natulique salon and offers clients Natulique’s certified organic professional hair color from Denmark. “We’ve been looking for something natural for a really long time, and we finally found a superior product,” […]
Restaurateurs Doug Margerum and Mitchell Sjerven have sold their interest in the historic Santa Barbara eatery The Wine Cask. Doug, also a noted winemaker, is also opening a new Margerum tasting room in the Hotel Californian next year, he tells me. “It will be a spectacular space with 22-foot-high ceilings, a kitchen, heated patio, and […]
French culture consistently impresses American culture with art, poetry, literature, theatre, fashion, and architecture; but the French take their sweets and pastries just as seriously as Monet took his paintings. Every four years, France holds a “craftsman competition” called Meilleur Ouvrier de France (“Best Worker in France”). The contest is open to pastry chefs who […]
Real estate brokerage Compass has opened a second office on Coast Village Road, located in the former home of Red Hair & Makeup Studio, which closed earlier this year after 28 years in business. “We needed more space for agents to utilize, and this was the perfect spot,” said brokerage manager John Nisbet. Now with […]
One of downtown Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurants is coming to Montecito in 2019; Ca’ Dario owner Dario Furlati has signed a lease to take over the space currently occupied by Giovanni’s at 1187 Coast Village Road. Property owner Hank Hurst confirmed the news, saying he is looking forward to having Dario, his team, and […]






