805 Living October 2019

OC TOBE R 2019

15

th Anniversary Issue

ARTS & CULTURE

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Morgan Stanley Congratulates

Seth Haye Ranked # 1 in America Forbes 2019 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors The Oaks Group at Morgan Stanley 100 N. Westlake Blvd. #200, Westlake Village, CA 91362

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805-494-0215

FRONT, LEFT: Stephanie Hartmire: Senior Registered Associate; Jessica Hudson: Client Service Associate; Katie Arnold: Financial Advisor; Elisa Decker: Group Director; BACK, LEFT: Clint Spivey: Consulting Group Analyst; Barry Garapedian: Managing Director—Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Seth Haye: Executive Director, Financial Advisor; Carlos Garcia: Associate Vice President, Financial Advisor

Source: Forbes Magazine (July 2019). Data provided by SHOOKTM Research, LLC. Data as of 3/31/19. SHOOK considered Financial Advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience, who have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both.

Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. The rating may not be representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of the Financial Advisor's future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pays a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information see www.SHOOKresearch.com. Š2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC

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8/19

Contents OCTOBER 2019 • 15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

Features 70

THE MOSS TOUCH

For almost 15 years, the works of photographer Gary Moss have enlivened the pages of this magazine.

By Joan Tapper Photographs by Gar y Moss

78

THE 805’S GOT TALENT

Check out five emerging creative individuals of today who are ready to break through and be the headliners of tomorrow.

GARY MOSS

By Leslie Dinaberg, Jaime Lewis , and Joan Tapper

10

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

Art Documents Art: Longtime 805 Living photographer Gary Moss composed this still life of Templeton metalsmith Randy Stromsoe’s spouted pewter vessels for the May 2018 issue. Turn to page 70 to see a collection of Moss’ works.

Contents

OCTOBER 2019 • 15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

60

56

42

90

88

Departments Arts & Culture 56 That’s Entertainment!

Let’s hear it for 25 years of music, dance, and theater in Thousand Oaks.

Pulse 33 Tracking the Beat of the 805

By Joan Tapper

Finds 39 Skeleton Crew

Upgrades 61 Out of Africa

Celebrate spooky season with spirited home decor.

By Jennie Nunn

42 STYLE: Boots on the

Ground Casual looks this fall salute the weekend warrior.

By Frances Ryan

Impart a strong tribal vibe with abstract figures, rich textures, and geometric patterns.

By Frances Ryan

Good Deeds 64 100 Men Who Give a

Damn Conejo Valley, United Way of Ventura County

88 WINE: Cocktails

From the Vine Central Coast mixologists shake up the scene with winetails.

By Alex Ward

90 DINING OUT:

A New Taste of Old California Cisko Kid restaurant takes cues from the past to bring a rigorously nuanced take on rancho-style dining to Los Alamos.

93 Where to Eat Now P.S. Sketchpad 104 Other Anniversaries

Taking Place This Month

By Greg Clarke

In Every Issue

14 Editor’s Note 20 Masthead 24 Behind the Scenes

By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

Visit Us Online!

44 TRAVEL

By Mark Langton Photographs by Ivonne Cirrincione and courtesy of Tadd Ekstrand

805living.com Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest keyword: 805Living

Insider

Taste 84 FOOD: Hot Pursuit

Check out our website for the free digital version of 805 Living (smartphone and tablet compatible, it’s also at issuu.com) and to tune in to our 805 Eats podcasts.

By Erin Rottman

By Heidi Dvorak

48 Local Events & Family Fun 50 Hot Ticket 54 Show Your Support 55 Worth a Drive 55 Give Back

Three local chefs heat up the confectionery scene with their caramel-based treats.

By Jaime Lewis

Become an 805 Living Insider! Sign up to receive “The Insider,” our free mid-month newsletter that provides additional suggestions for local events and activities, last-minute getaway ideas, and little extras—like food and wine tips—to help you get through the month. Insiders will also receive special offers, contest news, event invitations, and more. Subscribe at 805living.com.

On the Cover Illustrating creativity in progress, Gary Moss got a close-up of artist Hugh Margerum at work for a feature on The Sketchbook Project he photographed for 805 Living’s October 2017 issue. To read more about Moss, turn to page 70.

12

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

56: FRANCISCO BEHR AIA, ARCHITECT; 88: HARPER POINT PHOTOGRAPHY CO.; 90: GARY MOSS

Anniversary Contest 30 The Best Cover Ever

Beauty. Warmth. Comfort.

(It’s what we do best.)

I N T ERIOR D ESIG N | R EM AR KAB LE R ESO URC ES

Left to right: Kristen Love, Genaro Lagdameo, Karen Shoener, Marcella McCracken, Carla Padour

960 South Westlake Blvd., Suite #6, Westlake Village (805) 418-1890 www.InteriorDesignWestlake.com

Editor’s Note

The 805 Brand— 15 Years in the Making FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, when 805 Living first launched, I spent a lot of time explaining to readers and advertisers what the name of the magazine meant. At the time, people simply didn’t refer to our area as “the 805.” Now, not only is that moniker ubiquitous with the region, but it also has become a popular way of signaling community pride.

Last I checked there were 943,000 “805” hashtags used on Instagram, not to mention the thousands of references to #805living, #805pride, and #805strong. I personally originated #cre805er to recognize the countless numbers of creative, talented individuals among us.

Don’t hold me to this, but when we began there were only two other businesses with 805 in the name (805 Deli and 805 Tattoo) that I can recall; and in 2014, for our 10th anniversary, we counted 48 businesses making use of 805. Today, there’s an ever-growing number because our collective identity continues to flourish in light of the significance of these three numerals.

In truth, however, more than those numbers, what we are drawn to is the culture of the Central Coast. I’m sure every discernable region in the country tries to develop its own sense of oneness and distinction, but our region truly is like no other: proximity to two of the country’s major cities; awe-inspiring scenery, including the beaches and the mountains; businesses and individuals that stand on the national and international stage; and access to a burgeoning visual, literary, and culinary arts scene.

Today’s 805 image is perhaps one of a coastal Camelot, filled with forwardthinking, hardworking people in a bucolic setting. Just look at our feature on photo editor Gary Moss (page 70), who has been with the magazine since nearly the beginning; his shots show just a few moments, a few people, a few places over the course of nearly 15 years that have helped make up the collage of life in the region as well as the signature visual quality of 805 Living.

The rest of the issue demonstrates, I believe, that our entire talented team is just as dedicated to shining a light on the 805 by producing great content that reflects a great place to live, work, and play. It’s what we’ve accomplished for 15 years, and I truly hope you join us for the continuation of the journey.

Lynne Andujar Editor in Chief & Publisher GARY MOSS

edit@805living.com

14

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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A DV E R T I S E M E N T

CRUISE JAPAN: A DESTINATION GUIDE

» In Japan, experience an endless variety of culture, history and warm hospitality. Cruise ports across Japan are gateways to everything from futuristic technology to a smorgasbord of delicious food. Find your new favorite port of call and make lifelong friends.

Japan. Endless Discovery.

HOKKAIDO & TOHOKU Travelers wishing to experience another side of Japan often set their sights north towards Hokkaido. An adventurous expanse of deep forests, towering mountains, rolling plains and wide open skies. Towns such as Hakodate, Otaru, and Kushiro embody the charm and wild spirit of Japan’s north. Visitors receive a warm welcome while enjoying the local crafts, world-class breweries and mouthwatering local seafood. Otaru is a quaint port town steeped in history from its days as a major herring fishing center. Nostalgic warehouses still line the picturesque canal district, which is a few minutes’ walk from the cruise port. Take a further jaunt to the famous Nikka Whiskey Distillery, located in Yoichi city about 12 miles west of Otaru, to find out what makes Japanese Whiskey some of the best in the world. Hakodate is known for its romantic city view from atop nearby Mt. Hakodate.

Seafood enthusiasts will love the popular morning market, where one can find a cornucopia of freshly caught delicacies such as salmon eggs and mackerel.

In Tohoku, find the unknown in lively port towns and welcoming villages. Be surprised by vibrant festivals and hearty local cuisine while you touch a portion of Japan that is relatively undiscovered by other visitors. Aomori City is located on the northern-most portion of Japan’s main island. Annual festivals and beautiful natural scenery make Aomori an exciting port of call. The Nebuta Matsuri Festival, a mainstay of summer, has giant paper lantern floats taking over the city.

Hirosaki Castle is a must-see destination located about one hour from the cruise port. If you have a couple of days in Akita, take the JR Express and head south to Niigata, a region famous for brewing fantastic sake. There are more than 1,000 breweries, many of which offer tastings for visitors.

In Kansai, see firsthand where the Golden Age of Japanese tradition and art flourished for thousands of years. Visit ancient capitals and trading centers while filling yourself with everything from street food, to world class beef, to multicourse traditional cuisine.

Osaka, located in the center of the Kansai region, is the second most populous city in Japan after Tokyo. Being closely located to the former capitals (Kyoto and Nara) Osaka has long prospered as a trading hub and important center of commerce. At the center of the city is Osaka castle, only a short distance away is the famous Dotonburi area filled with fantastic street food.

Japan’s Seto Inland Sea Region (Setouchi) boasts mild temperatures and many beautiful green islands. The surrounding cities offer a variety of cultural and traditional diversions as well as World Heritage Sites. Hiroshima is known as a symbol of world peace, but was once a castle town that developed in the 16th century. Tour the rebuilt castle or the UNESCO World Heritage Site Peace Memorial Park. Miyajima Island is a 30-minute ferry ride from Hiroshima and is famous for Itsukushima Shrine and its floating red torii gate. This 16th century UNESCO World Heritage Site has a long and interesting history as well as stunning views.

Venture to the famous torii gate during low tide for a world-class photo op with the local deer.

KYUSHU & OKINAWA

Kyushu, the third largest island in the Japan Archipelago, is a temperate green land filled with exciting sites, unique history and a surprising European connection.

Explore a hidden past and relax your body in a myriad of ways.

Beppu, located on the eastern coast of Kyushu, is one of the most famous hot spring regions in Japan and by far the largest, divided into eight hot spring areas. The local tour is comprised of eight spectacular hot springs in a variety of colors to dazzle the eye.

In the far south of the Japanese archipelago are the tropical Okinawa islands, a collection of more than 160 separate islands that were traditionally known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. World famous as islands of longevity, explore a paradise beyond Japan’s traditional tourism destinations. Relax on white-sand beaches, explore colorful coral reefs or learn about the region’s unique history at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Okinawa Island is the largest and most developed island of the Okinawa archipelago and Naha is the main city on this island.

Ishigaki Island is located about 260 miles southwest of Naha.

Plunge underwater at Shiraho, famous for its array of colorful coral covering the bottom below the translucent waters. Take in the pristine waters of Kabira Bay, which is said to have the bluest ocean in all of Okinawa.

PHOTOGRAPHY © JNTO

KANSAI & SETOUCHI

Discover the land of the rising sun in the lap of luxury.

JAPAN PORTS OF CALL • • • • • • •

Aomori Beppu Fukuoka Hakodate Hiroshima Ishigaki Kagoshima

• • • • • • •

Kobe Kochi Kyoto (Osaka) Miyajima Island Nagasaki Niigata Okinawa

• • • • •

Osaka Otaru Sendai Shimizu Tokyo (Yokohama)

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EDITOR IN CHIEF & PUBLISHER

Lynne Andujar

edit@805living.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bernard Scharf MANAGING EDITOR

Kathy Tomlinson DESIGNER

Sophie Patenaude PHOTO EDITOR

Gary Moss

photo@805living.com SENIOR EDITOR

Heidi Dvorak CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Mark Langton (Philanthropic Events), Jennie Nunn (Shopping), Erin Rottman (Travel), Frances Ryan (Fashion, Interior Design) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ryan Brown, Leslie Dinaberg, Victoria Woodard Harvey, Jaime Lewis, Nancy Ransohoff, Joan Tapper, Alex Ward CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Greg Clarke RESEARCH EDITOR

Tajinder Rehal CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Moss CONSULTING EDITOR

Anthony Head

© 2019 3Digit Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

805 Living is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

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805 Living content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. 805 Living is not responsible for loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited material.

Unsolicited material will not be returned. 3Digit Media, LLC, and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, and publisher accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. 3Digit Media’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction.

3Digit Media does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

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805 LIVING, OCTOBER 2019

Every house has a story to tell. A good agent knows every chapter by heart.

Our agents know that homes are more than just bricks and mortar, they are dreams realized and memories made and that is what makes them CONSUMER STRONG. Get to know us at www.bhhscalhomes.com

THOUS A N D OAKS • W E ST L A K E V I L L AG E • C A MA R I L LO • OX N A R D ©2019 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Home furnishings and design, fine jewelry, fashion, San Luis Obispo County jennifer@805living.com 818-427-3496

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES

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Real estate, home builders, architects, landscape, attorneys, senior living, Ojai businesses ingrid@805living.com 818-597-9220

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Santa Barbara County Real estate, home builders, architects, wineries diane@805living.com 818-879-3951

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Travel, entertainment, dining, food and beverage, education, health, fitness, beauty amra@805living.com 310-924-2631

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Automotive, financial/banking, mortgage, nonprofit organizations lisa@805living.com 818-268-8001

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805 Living is published 10 times a year and is a property of 3Digit Media, LLC. 3717 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village, CA 91362 CEO

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Behind the Scenes The 805 possesses a vast amount of arts and cultural experiences. We asked our featured contributors to share an event, show, or exhibit that motivated them to further explore its subject matter.

Heidi Dvorak “A tour of Hearst Castle in San Simeon motivated me to find out more about how newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst influenced journalism—for better or worse,” says senior editor Heidi Dvorak (Pulse, page 33, Insider, page 48).

Ryan Brown

“At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, the Berlin Wall exhibit features information and artifacts (including pieces of the wall itself) that sparked my interest in German reunification,” says contributing writer Ryan Brown (Pulse, page 33). “It sheds a unique light on an impactful moment in history.”

“I went to the Chumash Painted Cave near Santa Barbara,” says managing editor Kathy Tomlinson. “Seeing the artwork on the ceiling of the sandstone cave prompted me to visit the Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks and to read up on archaeological discoveries on the Channel Islands.”

TOMLINSON: RYAN BROWN

Kathy Tomlinson

We’re here for you so you can focus on what matters most

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To start a new kind of conversation, contact your local Wells Fargo Private Bank office: 118 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-564-2876

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Behind the Scenes The pursuit of learning can emanate from a number of places within the 805.

Here are the venues and events that moved our featured experts to find out more.

“A tour of Poco Farm inspired me to learn more about agriculture in Ojai.”

—Melissa Lamb

(Taste/Wine, page 88) beverage director Ojai Valley Inn ojaivalleyinn.com

“Seeing Ravi Shankar and Zakir Hussain through UCSB Arts & Lectures in college inspired me to join the Indian music ensemble.”

—Jessica Foster

(Taste/Food, page 84) Jessica Foster Confections Santa Barbara jessicafosterconfections.com

—Ashley Woods Hollister

(Pulse, page 33) executive director The Morris B. Squire Foundation Santa Barbara thesquirefoundation.org

“The National Geographic Live series at the Kavli Theatre has inspired me to explore the world.”

—Barry McComb

(Arts & Culture, page 56) cultural affairs director City of Thousand Oaks civicartsplaza.com

LAMB: COURTESY OF OJAI VALLEY INN; FOSTER: KRISTEN JOHANSEN; HOLLISTER: NICOLE BERRY

“Japanese tea ceremonies at Lotusland. I am obsessed with their simplicity and appreciation of the moment and grace.”

Anniversary Contest

The Best Cover Ever

To date, we’ve produced 165 805 Living issues and we take special pride in the enthusiastic feedback we get on our eye-catching covers.

On these pages you’ll find some of the editors’ favorites but we need your help to pick The Best Cover Ever. Which one do you choose? Visit us at 805living.com to cast your vote by November 15. Everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 gift card to Olio e Limone Ristorante in Santa Barbara. Be sure to check back online after the polls close to see which cover wins the popular vote.

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31

Pulse

T R AC K I N G T H E B E AT O F T H E 8 0 5

FROM TOP: ED RUDOLPH; SOCIALLY YOU

DESIGNS ON CHOCOLATE

Set to open this month in Ventura Harbor Village, custom chocolate store Top This Chocolate (topthischocolate.com) allows patrons to design their own gourmet treats. Beginning with a choice of dark, milk, or white chocolate, customers may add up to three of a selection of 40 sweet and savory toppings and a name or one of nine greetings. The combinations are then brought to life by expert “chocologists” in a matter of

minutes. Chief executive chocolatier and owner Shana Elson’s own love for sweets is as boundless as her shop’s offerings. “I go through phases with my favorite combinations,” says Elson, “and am currently obsessed with pretzels, peanut butter chips, and honey-roasted peanuts in milk chocolate.” For patrons hoping to get hands-on in the process, Top This Chocolate even plans to offer chocolate-making classes.

—Ryan Brown OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

33

Pulse

PIECE OFFERING

THE SCOOP ON HEATHER McDONALD

The humble jigsaw puzzle has been given a modern makeover thanks to Piecework (pieceworkpuzzles. com) co-founders Rachel Hochhauser and Jena Wolfe. Hochhauser, who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, discovered her love of the meditative qualities of puzzles when she was rained in during a visit to Yosemite. Soon the pair, who are partners at Major, a creative agency specializing in brand strategy and design, began working on puzzles as a way to unplug and unwind, but they were dissatisfied with the selection available. “We decided to start Piecework because we wanted to bring thoughtful curation and design to an activity we really loved doing and to show people how much pleasure can be found in a puzzle,” says Hochhauser. —Leslie Dinaberg

On October 18 and 19, Heather McDonald (heathermcdonald.net) returns to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza for two nights of stand-up comedy. Expect the comedian, author, and podcaster to find the funny in her own family life, pop culture— and even the 805. Here, she shares some thoughts about her work and the 805.

At this point in your career, what are you mostly known for?

Definitely comedian. It’s the hardest one, even though I was always told I was funny.

It’s the one I’ve been doing the longest. Then podcaster. I started the Juicy Scoop [podcast] over three years ago. It’s done really well. So many people like it, and I’ve done it all myself.

How long have you been living 805-adjacent?

I grew up in Woodland Hills, and a couple years after my husband and I got married we bought the house next-door to my parents.

So I’m on the street I was raised on. I love it.

But we just joined the North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, so our goal is to move toward you guys eventually. I love the whole area. We have a lot of friends who live out there. Plus, it’s, like, 12 degrees cooler in the summer.

I guess you want readers to know that your shows are great for the kids, right?

No! It’s definitely not for the kids. But my stand up is very relatable to multigenerational audiences—like the 20-something daughter and her mother. They all love my stand-up. It’s non-political, it’s not male-bashing. It’s just funny, relatable stuff about life.

Once upon a time, our forebears sat around a fire to listen to elders spin a saga. Things move faster these days. We can now get a quick, free fiction fix, thanks to the Squire Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to educational programs in the humanities, and its Short Story Dispenser (dispenser.short-edition.com), currently installed in Santa Barbara’s Public Market. A touch of a button on the sleek machine instantly calls up a scroll of eco-friendly paper with a tale inscribed on it that is designed to be read in either one, three, or five minutes— depending on which button the reader selects.

The device—one of just 30 in the United States—was purchased from Short Édition, a French community publisher, and the stories are randomly chosen from an online bank of more than 9,000 brief works. “Squire’s mission is to foster creative empowerment in the world through arts and culture,” says foundation executive director Ashley Woods Hollister. “The dispenser checked all our boxes for that kind of public engagement.” By late August, some 7,719 stories had been given out. That’s a lot of reading happily ever after!

—Joan Tapper

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How many of the world’s problems have you solved with your podcast, the Juicy Scoop?

What is nice is that it’s really not that kind of show. It’s an escape. It’s whatever is juicy, so oftentimes it’s the latest thing in pop culture, the latest Hollywood couple has broken up and I want to investigate that and relate it to my life. I have comedians on, I have reality stars on, authors. I share listeners’ issues and what’s juicy going on in their life.

Since October is 805 Living’s 15th birthday, what’s a good present for our magazine?

Well, besides going to see me? Well, maybe a big cake. Or a learner’s permit.

—Interview by Anthony Head

FROM TOP: MELISSA COULIER; COURTESY OF PIECEWORK; O. ALEXANDRE

LITERATURE ON DEMAND

So what’s so funny about the 805?

What I love is how attractive everybody is.

I see all these beautiful women, all dolled up, really put together. I mean, how have they not had a Real Housewives of Westlake Village, yet?

Pulse Bedclothes made from vintage linen soften a modern platform frame at Beautiful Mess Home & Garden.

Thoroughly inspired?

Before you test your skills, take a few tips from the owners of these stores. They’re highly respected design experts in their own right.

ANNE LUTHER co-owner, Modern Vintage • An ornate antique gilt mirror looks great in an ultra-modern room.

• A modern glass table with Lucite chairs can be stunning with an antique crystal chandelier and a silverframed mirror.

• Pair a vintage rustic dining table with modern aluminum chairs.

• Add modern art in contemporary frames to an all‑vintage room.

• Experiment with contrasts: Mix hard with soft, square with round, blocky with leggy, and forget what period they are from.

MARIA BARTOLET

When it comes to home decorating, what’s on-trend? Of late, design experts express the sentiment that adding a vintage touch to a modern space is key to making rooms look fresh.

Clutter is out; incorporating collectibles that tell a story is in. Clever placement of ageless pieces can create warmth and interest within what might otherwise be a cookie-cutter home.

But how to pull off, say, incorporating a 1963 Ball chair with French Country bedroom furniture? Mixing styles successfully takes a bit of design savvy. The key is to patronize shops that showcase mixed groupings and have experts on hand to impart advice.

In Santa Barbara, the Antique Center Mall (antiquecentermall.com) houses 20 sellers of antiques and collectibles, each ensconced in their own self-decorated space. A particularly inspiring vendor is Modern Vintage, where jazzy juxtapositions of vintage and newer items—a modern canvas chair and swing lamp alongside a 1900s steamer trunk or a midcentury typewriter and license plate complemented by vintage mirrors and modern art— conjure visions of chic settings composed of eclectic conversation pieces and antiques.

At Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills, The Agoura Antique Mart (agouraantiquemart. com) houses 40-plus dealers, each embracing a different design philosophy. The mart’s catchphrase “A Trendy & Vintage Marketplace” speaks volumes about mixing design periods and styles with staged arrangements, such as a farmhouse dining table topped with vintage jugs or mid-century modern style Ralph Lauren chairs gussied up with new indigo pillows.

In the same square is Beautiful Mess Home & Garden (abeautifulmesshome.com), not a collective but a high-end home decor destination replete with antiques, collectibles, textiles, lighting, furniture, and art, all exhibited in impressive settings: An antique French dining table is outfitted with modern Belgian dining chairs; a contemporary clean-lined platform bed is dressed in vintage linens.

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• If your furniture is contem-

porary, choose items such as vintage oil paintings, books, and other accessories to bring interest and warmth to your home.

KYMBERLEY FRASER owner, Beautiful Mess Home & Garden • Anyone can open a catalog and furnish their home. Ask yourself if the pieces displayed express your individuality.

• Dwelling spaces should be a reflection of what we behold as beautiful as well as what we value most.  —Heidi Dvorak

BED AND FRASER: PUBLIC 311 DESIGN; LUTHER: VITA-BELLA PHOTOGRAPHY

MIXED-ERA HOME DESIGN

owner, The Agoura Antiques Mart • Select a special vintage piece to anchor a room, and then bring in newer accessories.

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Skeleton Crew CELEBRATE SPOOKY SEASON WITH SPIRITED HOME DECOR.

By Jennie Nunn Day of the Dead towels ($30 for a set of two); Williams-Sonoma at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, La Cumbre Plaza, Santa Barbara, The San Luis Obispo Collection, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; williams-sonoma.com.

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Finds 1 2 3

1. Staub 3.5-quart black castiron pumpkin cocotte ($290); Crate and Barrel at The Village at Westfield Topanga, Woodland Hills, crateandbarrel.com.

4 5

2. “Black Sugar Skulls” handmade paper ($7); Paper Source at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, The Village at Topanga, Woodland Hills, and The Commons at Calabasas; papersource.com.

3. Hanging bats ($10 for a set of eight); Bonjour Fête at Malibu Lumber Yard and Studio City; bonjourfete.com.

6

4. “Halloween Skull” salad plate ($8); Crate and Barrel at The Village at Westfield Topanga, Woodland Hills, crateandbarrel.com.

7

5. Two-tone candle ($17); Crate and Barrel at The Village at Westfield Topanga, Woodland Hills, crateandbarrel.com.

6. Black-and-natural spiderweb half-round coir doormat ($13); World Market at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com.

7. Ceramic crow ($40); Pottery Barn at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, La Cumbre Plaza, Santa Barbara, and The San Luis Obispo Collection; potterybarn.com.

8. Godinger “Lumina” glass goblets ($25 for a set of four); Bed, Bath & Beyond, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Oxnard, Goleta, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles; bedbathandbeyond.com. 

8

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OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Finds Style

By Frances Ryan

Boots on the Ground CASUAL LOOKS THIS FALL SALUTE THE WEEKEND WARRIOR.

1

4

2 3

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6 7

9 8

10

1. “Basic” scarf ($35); Zara at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; zara.com. 2. Shinola “The Cass” watch ($650); The Gold Concept, San Luis Obispo, thegoldconcept.com. 3. The Office of Angela Scott “Mr. Bernard Lug” combat boots ($675); theofficeofangelascott.com. 4. Eleven Six “Freya” striped turtleneck alpaca-blend sweater ($498); Nordstrom at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 5. “Royal Road” handmade hat in midnight blue ($750); Teressa Foglia at Malibu Village, teressafoglia.com. 6. Marc Jacobs “The Snapshot DTM” anodized crossbody bag ($325); Neiman Marcus at Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park, neimanmarcus.com. 7. Paige “Aideen” raw-hem denim miniskirt ($169); Nordstrom at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, and Westfield Topanga, Canoga Park; nordstrom.com. 8. Persol “PO3206S” sunglasses ($310); Occhiali Fine Eyewear, Santa Barbara and Montecito; occhialieyewear.com. 9. “Flare” sterling silver ring ($150); Susan Cummings, Ojai, susancummings.com.

10. Lavender and Canvas 20-inch “Weekender” in midnight blue ($230); Los Olivos General Store, losolivosgeneralstore.com.  For more, visit our Pinterest page, keyword: 805living

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Finds Travel

By Erin Rottman

FALL IN THE CASCADES Lodge at Pronghorn Resort

(pronghornresort.com/stay-atpronghorn/huntington-lodge; from $308), when everyone stops paddling across the lake, leans back, and stares at the sky. “At that point is when you hear the flap of a beaver tail or the croak of a tree frog or the dripping of the water back into the lake from the paddle,” says naturalist Courtney Braun, who is a guide for Wanderlust Tours in central Oregon. “The silence of it all allows you to hear the stuff that you don’t normally get to hear. It’s a really amazing moment.”

Nighttime canoeing is one of many adventures to be enjoyed while staying at the resort, where unwinding is easy.

Fly-fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are also on the agenda, and the hotel offers daily shuttle service to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort in the winter.

But it’s not necessary to leave the property, which is situated in the second largest juniper forest in the world, to play. On site are two golf courses, various pools, a waterslide, a kids camp, and a spa. Golden eagles, elk, and pronghorn antelope share the area, located east of the Cascade Range in the sunny part of Oregon.

The new wellness teepee is the setting for workshops and meditation classes, and yoga classes and intimate dinners are offered in the on-site lava caves, which formed more than 100,000 years ago during volcanic eruptions, says general manager Spencer Schaub, adding, “It feels spiritual

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OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

when you get in there.”

Designed to reflect its high-desert environment, the hotel itself feels light and airy with slate flooring, a juniper wood ceiling, and art created by nearly two dozen Oregon artisans. A tumbleweed sculpture hangs from the ceiling near the lobby and hand-spun tapestries made by fourth-generation Oaxacan weavers in Sandy, Oregon, adorn the walls.

Guest rooms feature kitchens and fireplaces.

Larger configurations include a connected living room, and two-bedroom suites are available.

The west-facing rooms are Schaub’s favorites.

“When you sit on your balcony and you’re looking at six to seven snowcapped mountain peaks,” he says, “it’s a beautiful view.”

Oregonian Oasis (from top): The new Huntingon Lodge at Pronghorn Resort looks out onto the Cascade Mountains. A fullservice spa offers pampering treatments such as a couples massage. Meditation sessions and yoga classes are held in the resort’s wellness teepee. Canoe excursions are available at the nearby Cascade Lakes.

EXTERIOR, TEEPEE, SPA: PRONGHORN RESORT; CANOES: BETHANY BAUMANN

There is a time during the moonlight canoe tour at the Cascade Lakes near Bend, Oregon’s new Huntington

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Finds Travel

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS IN SONOMA

U

In Sonoma, MacArthur Place hotel showcases the wares of the locally operated Uppercase Tea, which mentors young women.

VILLA IN PARADISE

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OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

PLANT TO PLATE IN LAGUNA BEACH

W

The newly updated Villa Ventana at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona, is perched so high up that the view seems almost aerial.

High up on Arizona’s Camelback Mountain sits a home with an infinity-style hot tub at the edge of a deck. “It gives you the sensation of being at the top of the world and overlooking the entire valley,” says Kathy Massarand, a spokesperson for Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley near Scottsdale.

Villa Ventana (sanctuaryoncamelback.com;

Montage Laguna Beach chef de cuisine Benjamin Martinek (top) serves his plant life cycle–driven menu, featuring ingredients harvested from the hotel garden.

from $4,000), one of eight villas at the resort, is now available following a recent renovation. It features two master suites, floor-to-ceiling windows, a separate studio guesthouse, and a private pool with 270-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Guests enjoy access to all the resort’s amenities, including the recently expanded Asian-inspired spa.

hen Montage Laguna Beach revamped its 1,000-square-foot herb and vegetable garden, the fresh start inspired Benjamin Martinek, chef de cuisine at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Studio, to create a menu based on the life cycle of a plant. The six-course menu (montagehotels.com/lagunabeach; tasting menu from $150; with wine pairing from $245) starts with seeds then moves to sprouts, roots and shoots, flowers, fruits, and circles back to seeds for the finish.

The wellness aspect draws guests initially, but the uniqueness of the dishes ultimately stands out. “Guests become intrigued and surprised when they experience the various flavor profiles, textures, colors, and presentations found in each course,” Martinek says. His personal favorite is the first seeds course, which features escabeche of Incan red quinoa with pepitas, sunflower seeds, and tomato-seed vinaigrette.

The hotel recently renovated its guest rooms. New carpeting, furniture, and window coverings in elegant monochromatic cream tones now contrast the blue ocean view. 

TEA: Mac ARTHUR PLACE HOTEL & SPA; CHEF AND GARDEN: COURTESY OF MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH; VILLA VENTANA: SCOTT SANDLER

ppercase Tea offers more than organic hot and iced teas; it gives back to the community by hiring teen-age girls through Teen Services Sonoma, which helps educate young women for the workplace. Inspired by tea as social venture, the luxury MacArthur Place (macarthurplace.com; from $409) incorporated Uppercase Tea into the $20 million refresh of its 64-room hotel. “[The hotel works] so diligently with local purveyors and small artisan companies to create an experience that is truly local,” says Alison Kilmer, founder of Uppercase Tea. MacArthur Place serves the teas at its new Mediterranean restaurant, Layla, and at the all-day coffee bar, The Porch. In addition, the hotel spa offers a 100-minute antiaging tea treatment that starts with a tea ceremony and meditation, followed by a Himalayan sea salt body scrub, a shower, and a massage. Choose green-tea massage oil to relax, black tea to revive, or rooibos to renew.

Insider EVENTS IN & AROUND THE 805

By Heidi Dvorak

Jake Shimabukuro

10/22

Through January 20

October 19

October 26

CELEBRATING THE NATIONAL LANDS OF CALIFORNIA

SOLVANG GRAPE STOMP AND FESTIVAL

Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, Solvang. Find out why California is called the Golden State at an exhibit of 63 artworks inspired by national parks, monuments, preserves, and recreation areas, including 805 locations such as Channel Islands National Park; wildlingmuseum.org.

Downtown Solvang. An adults-only squishy soiree honors the grape harvest with a traditional grape stomp, Santa Barbara County wine tasting, locally prepared food, live entertainment, dancing at the I Love Rosé lounge, and an I Love Lucy lookalike contest; solvangusa.com.

LADIES & GENTLEMAN, AN EVENING WITH JASON MRAZ & RAINING JANE

Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles. It’s all good vibes for the multiplatinum singer and composer when he teams up with his longtime collaborators for new takes on his classics and material from his latest album, Know; vinaroblesamphitheatre.com.

October 16

October 22

November 3

JIMMY BUFFETT AND THE CORAL REEFER BAND

JAKE SHIMABUKURO

JOSHUA BELL

Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. With fast and furious fingers, this virtuoso, known as “the Jimi Hendrix of ukulele” combines Hawaiian Island influences with modern rock, inventive arrangements, and improvisational passages for a high-energy musical concert like no other; pacslo.org.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The internationally acclaimed violinist performs an intimate recital program featuring works by Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, Schubert, and Ysaÿe. A VIP reception follows the performance; newwestsymphony.org.

Santa Barbara Bowl. Escape to an island paradise where visions of booze in the blender, getting caught in the rain, and Mexican cuties are conjured by this singer, songwriter, and all-around entertainer; sbbowl.com.

Family Fun 10/20

Here’s an Idea: Off-road fans congregate every fourth Saturday of the month at Front Runner Outfitters in Agoura Hills from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to chat about their passion at RIGS & COFFEE, a community meetup of outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Topics include first aid and safety, trip planning, navigation, vehicle modification and outfitting, off-grid education, gear, vehicles, training sessions, camping, and clean-ups; rigscoffee.org.

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October 10–14

October 17–20

October 23

REYES ADOBE DAYS

A TASTE OF THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

VIVA MOMIX

Reyes Adobe Historical Site, Agoura Hills. Let the young ’uns loose at an 1845 rancho to learn about California culture and history. Activities include rancho-living demonstrations, a museum tour, tribute band concerts, and a parade led by Grand Marshal Regan Burns; reyesadobedays.org.

October 12, 19 A NARRATOR’S STORY

Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks. Actors ages 7 to 14 take the audience on an RV adventure with a sarcastic director, an unskilled lyricist, a composer, a couple kooky actors, and two door-to-door salespeople in this play about how narration can go very, very wrong; yaeonline.com.

Los Alamos, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos, and Buellton. Discover the unique qualities of six towns when each shows off its own brand of wine and foodie fun. Check the website for each town’s scheduled activities, such as live entertainment, cooking classes, wine and beer tastings, scarecrow displays, special dinners, fun runs, and parades; tastesyv.com.

Pepperdine University, Malibu.

Experience a multimedia fantasy extravaganza combining artful lighting and imagery with gaspworthy feats executed by dancerillusionists. The performance company has entertained audiences around the world for 38 years with gravity-defying acts, riveting music, outrageous costumes, and inventive props; arts.pepperdine.edu.

October 24–27 OJAI STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

October 20 MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE!

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Nab a coveted seat to the brandnew CAP Presents production of the eponymous culinary hit TV show to witness toque-to-toque cooking competitions with past junior all-stars and favorites; civicartsplaza.com.

Libbey Bowl and Ojai Art Center.

Acclaimed storytellers present programs that utilize their skills without the benefit of reading, such as Laughing Night, Raw and Unfiltered Tales, Supernatural Tales Just for Halloween, A Celebration of Joni Mitchell, music from Blind Boy Paxton, and tales conveyed by a deaf performing artist; ojaistoryfest.org. >

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Insider

Hot Ticket

Book your seats now for these hot upcoming events.

OCTOBER Through October 13 A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless it’s painted by artist Kehinde Wiley. Fashioned after a 17th-century work by Anthony van Dyck, EQUESTRIAN PORTRAIT OF PRINCE TOMMASO OF SAVOY-CARIGNAN is a prime example of historic equestrian portraiture, except that his riders are young black men dressed in their own clothing; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net.

Through October 23 Printmaking is typically associated with flat images on paper. In MULTIPLE ONES: CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN PRINTMEDIA 20 contemporary printmakers

Design • Construct • Manage

show their works on porcelain, recycled wood, toxic residue from contaminated water of Flint, Michigan, melting ice, a paper’s edge, and other unconventional surfaces. Each piece has been manipulated in various ways—cut, folded, burned, fired, mounted, recorded, or pasted; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu.

Through December 1 The absence of color and the absence of light are explored in IT’S ALL BLACK AND WHITE, an exhibit that reveals how artists employ either or both in their contemporary works. See if they dare venture beyond the obvious associations of light paired with good and purity and black with evil and death. This fascinating array of interpretations delves into the eternal mysteries of both; Pepperdine University, Malibu, arts.pepperdine.edu.

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Through January 12 See how science compels artists to create in THE OBSERVABLE UNIVERSE: VISUALIZING THE COSMOS IN ART. Works in the exhibition include matter that can be seen by the naked eye or with technology. The subject may appear all-encompassing but the artists share one viewpoint: Earth. The challenge of creating art for the exhibit required them to look to observational sciences such as astronomy as well as to employ experimental techniques to conceptualize the vastness of outer space.

Included are interpretations of the cosmos, coinciding with the Space Age of the last 60 years; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, sbma.net.

October 5 Take a self-guided tour of remarkable structures designed by members of the American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara (AIASB).

This year’s ArchitecTours event, entitled THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE, looks at projects that express artistry. Attendees follow maps provided by either brochure or app; architects and design professionals are on hand to answer questions.

There’s also an after-party, which showcases art created by AIASB members. 805 Living is a media sponsor; Santa Barbara locations, aiasb.com.

October 11 F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote “There are no second acts in American lives,” but the success of VANESSA WILLIAMS unabashedly disproves his sentiment. As the first candidate of African-American descent to receive (and ultimately lose) the Miss America title, she went on to become an Emmy- Grammy- and Tony-nominated performer. Her CAP Presents one-woman concert highlights her hits “That’s Entertainment,” “Dreamin’,” “Love Is Love,” and “Save the Best for Last”; Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, civicartsplaza.com.

Coming Soon to San Luis Obispo!

October 11–12 The Santa Barbara Art District is always worth visiting for its collection of works by established and emerging artists. New this year is 2019 ART SANTA BARBARA, a fine arts festival that devotes a six-block area to specially curated works representing more than 15 galleries and 100-plus regional and international artists. Live painting takes place and live music is performed throughout the weekend; santabarbaraartdistrict.com.

October 12 The titles of Chris D’Elia’s television specials—Man on Fire, Incorrigible, and White Male. Black Comic.—are hardly random. Anyone who understands them is already a fan, but for those who haven’t witnessed the work of this stand-up comedian, the titles provide a big hint about the content of his shows. In a word, he’s outrageous. It’s high time to get acquainted with this in-demand performer, so grab a seat to see his shtick at his new show FOLLOW THE LEADER; Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, thearlingtontheatre.com.

October 18–20 Delicacies from the sea are the stars at the PISMO BEACH CLAM FESTIVAL, where a clambake, cook-off, wine walk, clam chowder and surf contests, beer and wine garden, and fun zone make for an action-packed weekend. The Molly Ringwald Project, Damon Castillo Band, and the About Time Duo provide entertainment; Pismo Beach Pier, experiencepismobeach.com.

October 19 For children with disabilities, participating in activities at a public park can be difficult, so the City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services decided to pave the way for joyful accomplishment during the PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND SPECIAL NEEDS DAY AT THE PARK. Kids can experience a bounce

house and a Jolly Jump, ride the City Corps train, and take part in board games and arts and crafts; Oxnard Beach Park, Ventura, oxnard.org.

October 23–24 “Arcoiris” means rainbow in Spanish, so expect a colorful array of sounds at the J. BALVIN ARCOIRIS TOUR. The charttopping Colombian reggaeton star was the first Latino artist to headline at both the Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals. The one-man concert includes his hits, such as “Ay Vamos,” “Ginza,” “Bobo,” and “Mi Gente”; Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, chumashcasino.com. >

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Insider October 23–November 10 Based on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN is an eight-time Tony Award winner. The

coming-of-age story follows Huck on a rollicking Mississippi River adventure as he takes off on a raft with runaway slave Jim. Along the way he deals with adversity and kindness as he meets up with iconic characters such as Mary Jane Wilkes, the Widow Douglas, and, of course, Tom Sawyer. The soulful and toe-tapping score of country, pop, gospel, and bluegrass music was composed by Roger Miller; Rubicon Theatre, Ventura, rubicontheatre.org.

October 26 Get in the spirit of Halloween at OLD TOWN LOMPOC TRICK OR TREAT, a ghoulish horror-day afternoon event presented by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. Along with face painting, carnival games and holiday crafting, more than 30 businesses and organizations are handing out candy from their storefronts to kiddos wearing costumes; Old Town Lompoc, explorelompoc.com.

October 27 Named for her fifth and newest album, the SARA BAREILLES AMIDST THE CHAOS TOUR showcases the talents of the Grammy-, Tony-, and Emmy-award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and author. Her tour playlist encompasses songs she’s developed over the years with producer T Bone Burnett; Vina Robles Amphitheater, Paso Robles, vinaroblesamphitheatre.com.

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October 29 Classically trained yet exhibiting groundbreaking choreography, the ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET presents a bold interpretive vision of what precise movement can convey.

Attend the preconcert lecture to hear the backstory about the company, and then watch them in action in a European- and Americaninfluenced dance show; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, calpolyarts.org.

October 31–November 10 Dedicated to enriching the human spirit, the OJAI FILM FESTIVAL screens movies that uplift and inspire viewers. The lineup includes 83 titles from around the world representing the categories of animation, documentary features and shorts, narrative features and shorts, and regionally produced movies. The headline event is a screening of Living in the Future’s Past, an environmental documentary produced and narrated by Jeff Bridges, followed by a Q and A with director Susan Kucera. This year’s Lifetime Achievement honorees are Eva Marie Saint and Pat Boone. Trophies are awarded in each category with cartoonist Sergio Aragonés presenting the Sergio Aragonés Award for animation; ojaifilmfestival.com.

NOVEMBER November 1–17 Jeepers creepers. Wednesday Addams has a sweetheart and she’s invited him and his family over for dinner to meet the folks. Find out how the evening goes in the play ADDAMS FAMILY: SCHOOL EDITION, a not-soscary feel-good comedy for all ages, performed by the Young Artists Ensemble; Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, yaeonline.com.

November 1–30 View the annual exhibit of Ventura County’s only printmaking group, Inkspots of San Buenaventura, at UNDER PRESSURE, which includes the work of artists hailing from Ventura, Ojai, Summerland, and Santa Barbara. The printmakers employ a variety of techniques such as etching, linocut, monoprint, woodblock, polymer etchings, and digital manipulation. An opening reception takes place on November 1; 643 Project Space, Ventura, inkspotsventura.com.

November 8–10 Slip into tasting nirvana at the GARAGISTE WINE FESTIVAL. A grand tasting pours 200-plus wines made from more than 60 microproduction winemakers. There is a Rare & Reserve kick-off event, tasting seminars, and a Keep It Rockin’ after-party. The fest offers great opportunities to taste hard-to-find wines that can’t be found in supermarkets, large liquor chain stores, or big-name wineries; Paso Robles Fairgrounds and Event Center, garagistefestival.com.

November 8–January 9 Learn about artists and how they create animation at KEY FRAMES: A CELEBRATION OF ANIMATION & PRODUCTION ART. The exhibit takes viewers through the

entire production process, from the earliest concept art to finalized designs. Unseen stages of the animation process, such as character design, environment art, and storyboards, are explored as well as the history of this unique art form and explanations of the creators’ diverse range of skills; Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, callutheran.edu.

November 13 Move over Miss Piggy: Everyone’s favorite perky pink porker is ready to go on a fun-filled camping trip to the woods in PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE. Accompanying her are George Pig, Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, and Gerald Giraffe. With lunchboxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, the group is revved-up about their outdoor adventure, full of games, laughter, and live music; Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, civicartsplaza.com.

November 17 The ’60s live again as THE ASSOCIATION takes center stage for a nostalgic concert. This group, one of the first to ever open a rock festival (the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival), brings back memories with songs like “Never My Love,” “Cherish,” and “Windy”; The Canyon, Agoura Hills, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com. >

Insider

Show Your Support

Fun and fundraising go hand-inhand at these local events.

OCTOBER October 10 The Conejo Valley Kiwanis pulls out all the stops at CONEJO UNCORKED, the organization’s fourth annual fundraiser. The adults-only evening soiree packs in premium wine tastings, gourmet foods, live music, and a silent auction with chances to bid on weekend vacations, spa services, handmade arts, apparel, photography, jewelry, and a six-day African safari. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Conejo Valley Foundation; Los Robles Gardens, Thousand Oaks, conejouncorked.com.

October 11–13 Participate in an art event that’s chalk-full of fun, when LOMPOC CHALKS presents works created in the limestone medium. Artists show off their masterpieces at the outdoor festival, which has performing artists, art vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, hayrides, mural tours, theater tours, and a wine and beer tent.

Anyone can create their own drawing—large and small squares are available for purchase.

Proceeds benefit the Lompoc Theatre Project; Old Town Lompoc, lompoctheatre.org.

October 19 Make like a flapper, gangster, or any palooka from the 1920s and use the code words “sassy seniors” to gain entrance to a speakeasy at the ULTIMATE DINING EXPERIENCE presented

by Senior Concerns. Experience special cocktails such as the signature Bathtub Gin Ricky, food and wine pairings, silent and live auctions, and Capone’s Hideaway, which holds a stash of auction items. Honored are Philanthropists of the Year Keets and Hugh Cassar; Hyatt Regency Westlake, Westlake Village, seniorconcerns.org.

October 21 Surf’s up, so get on board for fun and fundraising at the MALIBU ANGIOMA ALLIANCE WALK. The community stroll is intended to raise awareness and money for those affected by cerebral cavernous malformations, which can cause strokes and seizures in children and adults. Currently brain surgery is the only treatment for this condition.

Join caring community members at this familyfriendly event with bingo, limbo, raffles, an obstacle course for kids, and refreshments; Zuma Beach, Malibu, angioma.org.

October 25 Wear a mask and remain incognito at the MASQUERADE BALL, a fundraiser to benefit Youth Interactive Santa Barbara, a nonprofit after-school entrepreneurial arts academy that provides teens with hands-on vocational, creative, and business skills; Youth Interactive, Santa Barbara, youthinteractive.us.

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October 26 Join the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease at the WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S. Be a part of the 2-mile walkathon or cheer on the participants. Emcee Jay Flats hosts a day of family fun with face painting, music, and entertainment; Westlake Commons, Westlake Village, act.alz.org/westlake.

“They just get it!”

October 28 Tee off at SWING FOR KIDS GOLF CLASSIC, a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Moorpark and Simi Valley. Activities include a tournament, dinner, and awards ceremony; Wood Ranch Golf Club, Simi Valley, bgcmoorpark.org.

Worth a Drive Venture just outside the 805 for these choice events.

Through March 15 Cars are the stars at HOLLYWOOD DREAM MACHINES: VEHICLES OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY, an exhibition

of more than 40 iconic automobiles and other vehicles, along with costumes, props, concept artwork, and original blueprints from classic and modern-day films and video games; Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, petersen.org.

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Whatever your interests, there’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you.

Crazy about cars? Put that passion to good use by volunteering as a docent at the MULLIN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM in Oxnard.

Knowledge of the car industry is a must, particularly in the area of French automobiles.

Docents provide tours on days the museum is open to the public as well as during special events; mullinautomotivemuseum.com.

“Bien Nacido is now one of the hottest wineries in California.

Readers owe it to themselves to check out these superb, handcrafted wines.” —Antonio Galloni, Vinous

The YARROW FAMILY YMCA in Westlake Village is a unique gathering place where community members of all ages, interests, and abilities can connect through programs that encourage healthy living, spiritual development, and social responsibility. Help support the new complex, in its final phase of construction, by purchasing a raffle ticket for a chance to win the grand prize: a 2020 Jeep Gladiator donated by Shaver Automotive Group. The drawing takes place on October 18. Tickets are $100, and only 1,200 are available until they are sold out; sevymca.org/yjeep.  If you would like to submit your event or organization for possible inclusion in Insider, please email the information and a contact number/email to insider@805living.com. Please submit your request no later than 14 weeks prior to the issue in which you’d like the information to appear.

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OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Arts & Culture

By Joan Tapper

That’s Entertainment!

LET’S HEAR IT FOR 25 YEARS OF MUSIC, DANCE, AND THEATER IN THOUSAND OAKS.

O

pen the champagne and raise a glass!

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is celebrating a silver anniversary, and there’s a lot going on to mark the occasion, beginning with the celebratory Curtains Up fundraiser on October 4. Since the opening sold-out performance of Bernadette Peters 25 years ago, the performing arts and civic center has experienced significant changes and accomplished inspiring achievements. This is the moment to honor its triumphs, reflect on how it has evolved, and salute the vision for the future.

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In 1981, the late Dr. Raymond M. Olson (top, right, with his wife, Helen) became founding chairman of the Alliance for the Arts (now TOARTS), a fundraising organization dedicated to building and operating a civic auditorium. In 1988, the city formed a citizens committee (top, left) to help plan a complex with an auditorium and a new city hall. In October 1991, city officials (above, left) broke ground with golden shovels.

Among the biggest successes, says Barry McComb, executive director of Thousand Oaks Alliance for the Arts (TOARTS)—which provides fundraising and program support for the plaza—has been the decision to shift to a broad spectrum of entertainment. “We heard from people that they wanted us to bring artists whom they’d previously gone to Los Angeles to see,” he says. “Now we actively schedule bigger names.”

In the first weeks of October, as part of the anniversary celebration, Jackie Evancho and Vanessa Williams each take a turn on the stage at the 1,800seat Kavli Theatre, one of the plaza’s two theaters. >

Arts & Culture

Subsequent appearances will be made

by Rob Lowe, the Beach Boys, Travis A concept rendering depicts the face of the civic and performing Tritt, and speakers from the National arts complex two years before Geographic Live series. its October 1994 opening.

The Civic Arts Plaza “is serving as a regional venue bringing in events that may have only one or two other dates in California,” says McComb, who is also cultural affairs director of the City of Thousand Oaks. But he assures patrons that traditional performing arts— legitimate theater, dance companies, and touring orchestras, including appearances by groups such as the Boston Pops and the Joffrey Ballet—are still on the roster.

The plaza also has three resident companies: the New West Symphony, Pacific Festival Ballet, and 5-Star Theatricals, which programs musicals. but the community has always been enriched by the These, along with a vibrant speaker series and vitality of the arts. We’re looking forward to the next professional touring musicals, “give us anchor 25 years.” programming to hang on,” McComb says. “And there With all the hoopla, it’s important to keep in mind are lots of local groups like Village Voices and the the primary function of TOARTS, says McComb, Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra. Seventy percent of which is lifelong arts learning, beginning with, as the events are put on by community organizations he puts it, “getting kids engaged in school, bringing and local artists.” kids into the theater.” Over the course of the plaza’s Among other heralded accomplishments this year history, an impressive 6.3 million patrons have come is the Kavli Theatre’s final stage of renovation as through the doors, including 1.2 million children. part of a grand-scale overhaul of the entire 14-acre That’s given rise to new ideas for putting artists into plaza. LED architectural lighting that changes hues the schools. Last year, he says, “National Geographic to match the theatrical mood will enhance revamped Live began bringing its scientists, photographers, and seats, new carpeting, and a new earth-tone color explorers into the school environment, and it was a scheme. “No more purple!” says McComb. “There’s huge hit. The kids are fascinated by the stories, like also a new star suite backstage with a secondary star that of a photographer who grew up in poverty and room and greenroom that will be a comfortable place now shoots wildlife in urban environments. for artists to hang out and greet special guests.” That “We’re looking for more one-on-one contact includes the performers’ agents. “Because we’re close between artists and kids and exploring residencies,” to Los Angeles,” he says, “when we do shows, the McComb continues. “We have a three-year vision of agents come. They’re able to see the venue, and we where we want to do arts education, ideally launching become part of the discussion for future shows.” next year.” Imagine an artist who comes to Thousand To pay homage to the past, a permanent history wall Oaks two or three times over the year; for example, a is being installed in a high-traffic area of the theatre, jazz artist who works with a high school jazz band and with video, photographs, and artifacts that capture its has them do a number during his performance. two and a half decades of events. A new autograph wall “We’ve accomplished a lot that we set out to do,” is also going up, with tiles signed by artists who have McComb says. “In the long term, for the city and appeared. Ringo Starr is among them.

TOARTS and the resident companies, we want to “The TOARTS board couldn’t be more excited expand the opportunities to engage the community to note this landmark occasion,” says board chair in free or low-cost activities. We want to bring the Leanne Neilson. “There has been tremendous arts to the people.”  evolution at the Civic Arts Plaza over the last 25 years, 58

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

FRANCISCO BEHR AIA, ARCHITECT

Over the course of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s history, an impressive 6.3 million patrons have come through the doors, including 1.2 million children.

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Upgrades

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1. “Mali” wall art by Loloi ($690); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com.

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2. Olive and taupe pillow from the ED Ellen DeGeneres collection, crafted by Loloi ($109–$129); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com; edbyellen.com.

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3. Black woven bamboo pendant lamp ($70); World Market at The Promenade at Westlake, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo; worldmarket.com.

4. “Grant” accent table ($159); Pottery Barn at The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, La Cumbre Plaza, Santa Barbara, and The San Luis Obispo Collection; potterybarn.com.

5. Palecek “Capitola” lounge chair ($3,070); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara; cabanahome.com.

6. “Tribu” charcoal and natural rug, part of the ED Ellen DeGeneres collection, crafted by Loloi ($599–$1,199); The Sofa Guy, Thousand Oaks, thesofaguy.com; edbyellen.com.

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8. Arteriors “Miller” lamp ($545); Designs of the Interior, Westlake Village, interiordesignwestlake.com.

9. “Iringa” striped basket ($340); Diani Living, Santa Barbara, dianiliving.com. 

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BASKET COURTESY DIANI LIVING

7. Outpost Original “Wooden Shield” ($315); Cabana Home, Santa Barbara, cabanahome. com.

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Good Deeds

By Mark Langton

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United Way of Ventura County (vcunitedway.org) celebrated its 15th annual Spirit Awards Gala in late August at the Embassy Suites

by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard. American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov provided entertainment, but the real stars were the 2019 Spirit Award recipients: the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dorcas H. Thille, the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism went to Rigoberto Vargas, the Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact was presented to Lio Alvarado, the Roy Pinkerton Award for Top Corporate Citizenship went to Procter & Gamble, and the Women United Award for Turning Compassion Into Action was given to Erin Simqu. Founded in 1945, United Way of Ventura County has supported local residents, causes, and organizations with a focus on health, education, and financial stability.

1. Bill Kearney, Dorcas Thille 2. Trish Williams, Shayla Jenkins, Mark Varela 3. Denise Carter, Dale Villani, Wills Carter 4. Jacqui Irwin, Lio Alvarado 5. Brian and Tessia Gilpatrick, Scott and Maria Brown 6. Bill Foley, Rigoberto Vargas 7. Leanne Neilson, Erin Simqu 8. Scott and Michele Newell, Pattie Braga, Emma Gonzales, Rudy Gonzales 9. MaryKris Norris, Katherine Li, Patrick Miller 10. Eric Harrison, Christina Gregory, Michael Listermann 11. Morgan Eales, Kyle Thille, Alec Thille, Maya Johnson, Peter and Anne Thille Photographs by Ivonne Cirrincione

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To see more photos from this event, visit 805living.com.

Good Deeds

By Mark Langton

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100 Men Who Give a Damn Conejo Valley The premise of the 100 Men Who Give a Damn Conejo Valley (100menconejovalley.com) organization is simple: At least 100 men who are willing to contribute $100 each to a charitable cause assemble.

Members of the group nominate three charitable organizations and ask a representative from each organization to give a five-minute talk about why their charity is worthy of receiving the money during a meeting of the 100 men. Each of the 100 men vote on their favorite, and the charity with the most votes receives $10,000.

The group holds four events a year; the most recent took place in mid-August at the Grill on the Alley in Westlake Village. The charities nominated were Casa Pacifica (casapacifica.org), which offers assistance to adolescents and families who struggle with child abuse, neglect, homelessness, substance abuse, behavioral issues, or mental health issues; Access TLC (accesstlc.com), which provides home health care and hospice; and Teen Line (teenlineonline. org), a confidential teen-toteen hotline with community outreach services. Teen Line received the most votes.

To see more photos from this event, visit 805living.com.

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1. Shelley Chilton 2. Nathan Stockmier, Michelle Carlson, Adia Fadaei, Cindi Berns, Tadd Ekstrand 3. Mike Gonzalez, Kirk DeWitt, Mark McKinney 4. Chris Smith, Andy Rupp, Nathan Stockmeir, Phill Mueller 5. Gerritt Beatty, Andrea McClellan 6. Carrie Hughes 7. Billy Stabile, Brandon Mumme, Richard Stevens 8. Moe Boukair, Scott Foutz 9. Mike Pincus, Craig Roth Photographs courtesy of Tadd Ekstrand

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The MOSS Touch For almost 15 years, the works of photographer Gary Moss have enlivened the pages of this magazine.

BY JOAN TAPPER

Noticing an elaborate henna design, Moss focused on the hand of pro surfer Sage Erickson in this outtake from her profile in July/ August 2017 805 Living.

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HE IMAGE IS DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE: three whole fish on a bed of ice. But its unique qualities attract the eye: the different shapes, the arrangement, the varied colors, and the way the scales seem to sparkle. The ability to imaginatively infuse vitality into ordinary objects in unpromising settings is a hallmark of Gary Moss’ photographic acumen. He’s been shooting for 805 Living for almost the entire 15 years of the magazine’s existence, bringing articles to life with his trademark visual storytelling in portraits, still lifes, and food and home entertaining photos, while also using his skilled eye as the magazine’s photo editor.

His interest in the visual image started long ago. “I wanted to be a photographer when I was 8,” says Moss, who was born in Montreal but came to the States when he was a baby and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. “I remember my parents buying me a spy attaché case with a hidden camera. I took blurred black and white photos and had to wait six to eight weeks to get them back from a lab. It was magical to me,” says Moss. In 1985, he graduated from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. “It was the best education ever,” he says. It was there that Moss learned about still life, composition, lighting, and the science of photography. After graduation, he opened a studio in Pasadena for product and advertising photography.

The photo editor of LA Weekly gave Moss his first editorial portrait assignment, and he never looked back. Before long he was photographing celebrities for magazines like Rolling Stone, People, and Sports Illustrated; he did photojournalistic assignments as well, covering the 1992 Los Angeles riots for Time and the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial for Newsweek. Portraits of chefs for Bon Appétit led to assignments to shoot food for that publication, which opened the door to travel and home entertaining stories.

“Clients throw me to a location,” Moss says, “and I tell a story by finding or making visually attractive elements.

You have to get the right shot for your clients. To get that special shot, I’ve hung out of helicopters, scuba dived, and gone undercover. On location photography, you have to be a chameleon as well as a MacGyver. Every assignment has a special story to tell from the photographer’s point of view. There have been a lot of great times.”

There have been a few harrowing times, too. An assignment in Peru for American Way magazine led to a confrontation with a couple of militiamen, because Moss was shooting too close to a military installation.

The soldiers walked the photographer and a friend who’d accompanied him along a precipitous cliffside path, prompting dark thoughts. But the offer of two $100 bills turned the escorts into friends, who then took Moss’ picture—an image that now hangs on his studio wall.

Moss first met his wife, Debbie, in ninth grade when he sat next to her. “I married my best friend,” he says.

The couple have two sons, 23 and 17. Two decades ago they moved to Thousand Oaks, and a few years after that Debbie noticed an issue of 805 Living and suggested that he look into the magazine.

“I showed my portfolio to Lynne [Andujar, editor in chief],” Moss says, “and the rest is history. My first assignment was a Moroccan outdoor entertaining story.

I shot it on film!”

There have been countless assignments for the magazine since. Moss also works with other clients, including Universal Studios Hollywood, for which he does restaurant and food photography. While he still enjoys working with film, he uses digital cameras to create most of his images these days and also mentors other photographers through his Camera Whisperer workshops for amateurs and professionals.

What’s on Moss’ wish list? “I love portraiture,” he says. I’ve photographed a president, politicians, athletes, and actors. I’d love to photograph Oprah Winfrey for 805 Living. She’s a local celebrity.

“Every job for me is new, exciting, and a challenge,” Moss says. “It all goes back to my education at ArtCenter— getting the image in the camera. The beauty is in the composition, the lighting, and finding what makes the subject special. I love what I do. Getting paid for doing photography—how fortunate is that?

View Moss’ fine-art prints and food photography on Instagram @garymossfotos and @garymossfoodfotos and at his website, garymossphotography.com. A special online gallery of his work for 805 Living over the past 15 years appears at 805living.com.

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Shooting in a no-frills fish market was no obstacle for Moss when it came to highlighting the basic ingredients of a story about the 805 food nation in the September 2010 of this magazine.

The hard work behind the stage glamour shows in 805 Living’s December 2013 portrait of State Street Ballet principal dancer Leila Drake, who would soon solo in The Nutcracker.

On assignment for Bon AppĂŠtit in the Bahamas, Moss was taken by the iconic blues and greens of the Caribbean when he orchestrated this photograph.

805LIVING.COM / OCTOBER 2019

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An artist’s inspiration: Envelopes, bits of cloth and paper, stamps, and other paraphernalia provide materials for collagist Anne Luther— and the photographer—to work with for an 805 Living feature about The Sketchbook Project in October 2017.

Celebrity chef Cat Cora touted the combination of cucumber, crab, and spicy tuna at Santa Barbara’s Sushi Go Go in a September 2018 805 Living feature; Moss’ photograph illustrates the dish’s mouthwatering appeal.

He also photographed Cora for the cover.

All that glitters is not gold.

Sometimes it’s colorful gemstones, which were part of a shoot for an item in the Pulse department about Silverhorn jewelers in November 2018.

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There’s no mistaking the look of determination on the face of Ironman triathlete and coach Zack Bertges, the subject of the October 2013 issue’s Faces in the Crowd column.

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Behind the scenes at a fashion photo shoot for the March 2013 Style Issue: While a stylist makes some adjustments, Moss checks his images on a laptop.

Moss’ lifelong personal project of shooting carnivals and state fairs led to this intriguing double exposure of thrill seekers’ heads and feet on a whirling ride at the Ventura County Fair.

As exuberant and joyful as her floral dreamscapes, painter Colette Cosentino welcomed the photographer to her Santa Barbara studio for a feature in the April 2019 issue.

Squid ink pasta drips lusciously from a fork in a masterfully photographed October 2017 feature on trendy—and delicious—black foods. 

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Got Talent The 805’s

Given our proximity to Los Angeles, it’s certainly no surprise to find such an enormous amount of culture and artistic achievement throughout the Central Coast. But it’s not like we import all that talent: We produce it.

The stars of tomorrow are right here, right now. Check out these emerging creative individuals of today who are ready to break through and be the headliners of tomorrow.

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about is performance pieces,” she says. Those include a recent solo pop-up at Studio Channel Islands Art Center that began with a model dressed as Marie Antoinette wearing a towering headdress of Barbie dolls and beauty products that Cooksey proceeded to lop off.

Her work mixes anger and humor. The subject matter—beauty—is serious, she points out. “But in the scheme of things, it’s not that important,” she says. “Humor makes it lighter but still connects with the outrage.”

Cooksey recognizes that conceptual art can seem baffling to an audience, so she has become an advocate for educating people about art. “We need to find time to tell people what they’re looking at,” she says. “Art isn’t just for certain people. It’s for everyone!”

—Joan Tapper Cooksey is slated to present Diversity Walks and Talks, a performance piece, at the LA Art Show, February 5 to 9, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

KATHERINE COOKSEY | The Beauty of Performance Art

GARY MOSS

It’s difficult to separate Katherine Cooksey—aka Miss Art World—from her art. As a performance artist, she conceptualizes and participates in pieces that focus on pop culture’s obsessive, excessive ideas of beauty, and she knows firsthand what she’s talking about. “I’m naturally girlie and feminine,” says the 31-yearold Cooksey, “and I grew up doing beauty pageants.” She also earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from CSU Bakersfield and a master of fine arts degree from Pratt Institute in New York, where her work provocatively—and paradoxically—explored feminist themes. She embraced her Miss Art World persona after performing at the Art Basel art show in Miami Beach a couple of years ago and hearing attendees call her the “beauty queen artist.”

Cooksey, who now lives in Camarillo, produces sculpture and two-dimensional pieces that incorporate materials commonly used in pageants, such as pantyhose and artificial fingernails. “Most of my work that I’m excited

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LEVI GILBERT | Art Meets Action

COURTESY OF LEVI GILBERT

Falling down stairs, crashing motorcycles, and taking death-defying leaps off the sides of cliffs are all in a day’s work for Levi Gilbert, a 2017 Santa Barbara High School graduate who got his first Hollywood stunt job as soon as he turned 18 and was legally allowed to perform. This might seem like a crazy career choice to some, but stunt performing is in Gilbert’s blood. His grandfather Mickey Gilbert’s career dates back to the 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and his father, Lance Gilbert, was Mel Gibson’s personal stuntman.

“I got started doing stunt work with the guidance of my dad,” says the 20-year-old Gilbert, who has already appeared in TV series such as 9-1-1, 13 Reasons Why, Ballers, Daybreak, Silicon Valley, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as the upcoming Ford v Ferrari film, which is generating Oscar buzz. “He has always helped me by giving me every opportunity to learn something new and expand my skill sets.

“Directors know exactly what they want from the stunt performers, but it’s up to you to make it happen safely,” says the youngest of the Gilbert family stunt artists. “The most dangerous stunts I have done so far in my career would probably be stair falls.” He starred as a young naval lieutenant who fell to a dramatic death in an NCIS: New Orleans episode this year. “Difficulty and danger often go hand in hand,” he says. “But for me the hardest stunt isn’t a stunt at all—it’s acting— which is something I am working on and trying to understand the art of.”

— Leslie Dinaberg

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CHRIS LAMBERT | Songwriter Turned Mystery Storyteller

GARY MOSS

Orcutt’s Chris Lambert (yourownbackyardpodcast.com) was only 8 years old when Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student Kristin Smart went missing in May 1996.

“Throughout the years it stuck in my head,” Lambert says.

“I wondered, did they solve this yet?”

Today, Smart’s unsolved mystery is a cold case that has flummoxed law enforcement, journalists, and her family for more than two decades. When Lambert came across a 2006 Los Angeles Times feature about the case in 2018, it caught his interest, too. “Once I read that nobody in the community is actively looking for her anymore, I thought maybe I could get involved somehow,” he says.

So began a journey for Lambert, a singer-songwriter by trade, into the darkest corners of the Kristin Smart saga. Walking Smart’s path the night she disappeared, researching every media clipping about her, and communicating with authorities and her family, Lambert entertained an idea: “I started thinking, ‘I wonder if I could be the person to make a serial podcast out of this?’ ” Aside from Smart’s parents, Lambert suspects he knows more about her case than anyone else. This month, he releases Your Own Backyard, a multi-episode podcast about one of the area’s most perplexing mysteries, producing every element of the project himself, including narration, writing, and performing the original score.

“I don’t have an investigative background or any sort of training,” Lambert says. “In terms of journalism, where you’re supposed to remain objective, I’ve totally failed at that. I’m just somebody who wants to find her.”

—Jaime Lewis

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Singer Katherine Ho of Thousand Oaks became a worldwide sensation last year when her cover of “Yellow” by the band Coldplay featured prominently in the blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians. The Westlake High School graduate had plenty of professional singing and acting experience, but she could never have guessed her rendition of the tune in Mandarin would ascend to No. 1 on the Spotify Viral 50 Global chart, becoming last October’s most popular song in the world.

“That was pretty crazy,” she says. “I’d had so many experiences where my work got cut that I was skeptical it would even make it into the film.” Her vocals did, indeed, make it to the silver screen. Perhaps more notably, the song turned a derogatory term for “Asian” on its head and became an anthem for the modern Asian experience.

“People have told me how much the song has meant to them,” Ho says, “that it makes them proud of their heritage.”

Since the film’s opening, Ho has performed the number for organizations that support Asian-American culture, often to thousands of people. “Definitely the craziest one was the halftime show at the Staples Center for Chinese Heritage Night in January,” she says. “That was something on my bucket list for sure.”

Ho recently released her own original track, “Bellyaches,” on Spotify; in the meantime, she studies biology and songwriting at USC. “I’m still pretty torn whether my end goal is more on the science end or music,” she says. “I’m really passionate about both.”

—J.L.

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TORY STOLPER PHOTOGRAPHY

KATHERINE HO | Pop Singer and Scientist

HARRISON GILMAN | From Film to Canvas “I love all kinds of art,” says Harrison Gilman, ticking off a list that includes film and fashion, painting and sculpture. “I was always drawing in notebooks,” says the 23-year-old Santa Barbara resident, “and always made films for fun.” He attended Santa Barbara High School’s Multimedia Arts & Design Academy, won an award for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s competition for aspiring filmmakers, and entered NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in film.

Along the way, however, a Christmas present of a set of oil sticks impelled Gilman toward abstract painting. “I started what I call ‘hand dancing’—drawing to music,” he says. A friend then suggested he work on a larger scale. “I bought some unstretched canvas, nailed it to the wall, and started making big paintings,” he says. “They were more immersive, more powerful, and physically engaging.” He begins with charcoal and an idea of a color palette, then works free-form, layering on acrylic, oil pastel, and spray paint. “It’s a process of blurring and defining my vision,” he says. “A lot of the work is textural.”

It’s also popular. Since graduation, Gilman has participated in a group show in L.A., a solo exhibit in Nashville, and one at the Breakfast Culture Club in Santa Barbara. Five paintings are on view at Jeannine’s restaurant in Santa Barbara, and in November his art will be at the Paristexasla gallery in Los Angeles.

There are still other media to explore. Pointing to Jean Dubuffet as an influence, Gilman says, “I identify with the way he took his art into sculpture. I’d love to do bronze casting. And I do intend to return to films.”  —J.T.

GARY MOSS

In winter 2020, Gilman’s work will appear in a group show at 10 West Gallery in Santa Barbara.

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Taste FOOD / WINE / DINING OUT

Hot Pursuit

THREE LOCAL CHEFS HEAT UP THE CONFECTIONERY SCENE WITH THEIR CARAMEL-BASED TREATS.

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By Jaime Lewis

he scientific formula for caramelization is simple: Heat sugar until its water steams off and its composition breaks down. The result? A nutty brown liquid. A supple and sweet confection, caramel has worked its way into the furthest reaches of cuisine, lending its sweet taste to peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, apples, coffee, ice cream, and even vodka. Add a dusting of flavor-boosting salt, and the effect is nearly irresistible, as evidenced by the caramel-y sweets featured here.

SEA SALT CARAMELS Jessica Foster of Jessica Foster Confections ( jessicafosterconfections. com) in Santa Barbara started out making chocolate truffles, but it’s her Sea Salt Caramels she sells most. So when it comes to caramel candies, Foster has nailed down her ideal. “They have a texture that’s chewy enough to be toothsome. They’re not going to stick to your teeth,” she says. “That’s how I like them to be: not sticky and hard, but not gooey either.”

For this recipe Foster uses Europeanstyle butter, which is cultured and has a butterfat content of 82 percent (higher than the standard 80 percent in U.S. butters). The color and texture of the candies vary, she says, “because they’re made by human hands, not by machines.”

In her kitchen, Foster uses caramel molds (available at amazon.com and culinary specialty shops), but here, she calls for an easy pour-and-cut method. The cooking temperatures are very hot; use caution at all times.

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Makes approximately 65 caramels Nonstick cooking spray ¾ cup organic sugar ½ cup glucose or corn syrup ½ cup filtered water 1½ cups heavy whipping cream ⅛ cup European-style butter (available at Gelson’s markets and amazon.com) ⅛ cup local honey 1 teaspoon kosher salt Fleur de sel de Guérande (or any quality finishing salt) for finishing Line a sheet pan with foil and coat foil with cooking spray.

Combine sugar, glucose or corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir to combine and then cook until a candy thermometer reaches 310°F. While sugar mixture cooks, gently heat cream in another heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Do not allow it to come to a boil.

When sugar mixture reaches 310°F, add butter, honey, and hot cream, and

stir to combine. Continue cooking until temperature reaches 260°F. Remove saucepan from heat, and stir in kosher salt. Carefully pour liquid caramel into prepared sheet pan. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fleur de sel and set caramel aside to cool.

After caramel has cooled, turn it out onto a cutting board and slice it into 1x1½-inch rectangles or, if molding, unmold pieces. Once cut, caramels can be wrapped in either wax paper, waxed parchment paper, or cellophane wrappers. Wrapped caramels can be kept in an airtight container for about 1 month.

SALTED CARAMEL APPLE TARTLETS Libby Ryan, owner of Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery ( justbakedslo.com) in Santa Margarita, confides that her Salted Caramel Apple Pies are the best-selling pies on the menu. “They were so popular, we made a smaller version,” she says. She makes this recipe for the miniature treats for area weddings and events. >

© CAMERON WHITMAN/STOCKSY UNITED

Geniatem. Dae dollat aspere et mincimi nulpario. Itae. Ut im endit hicatint magnisc iamusae pel inis sequi omnihit ecaepta natquosandi aditatquae. Milique

For a sophisticated autumnal treat, make homemade salted caramels and wrap them in twisted unbleached parchment paper.

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Taste Food For the crumb topping, grate the butter for a uniform consistency, advises Ryan, who will soon open a second Just Baked location in the Paso Market Walk (pasomarketwalk.com), a new food hall coming to Paso Robles. She also suggests baking any extra crumb topping on a sheet pan for a yogurt topping or sprinkling it on muffins before baking them.

Makes 12 tartlets CRUMB TOPPING ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks) ⅔ cup granulated sugar 1½ cups all-purpose flour ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 cup oats TARTLET SHELLS 1½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar ⅛ teaspoon coarse sea salt ¼ pound butter (1 stick) 2 ounces cream cheese 2 tablespoons heavy cream FILLING 2 Granny Smith apples 1½ teaspoons cinnamon (more or less to taste) 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour CARAMEL SAUCE 1 cup granulated sugar 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature, cut into 6 pieces ½ cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon salt Crystal sugar for sprinkling To prepare crumb topping: Grate butter or dice it into small pieces and add it to a large bowl. Add sugar, flour, salt, and oats, and mix with hands or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Place topping in freezer.

To make tartlet shells: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Chop butter and cream cheese into very small chunks and crumble into dry ingredients.

Mix with hands (or with a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed) until texture is sandy but with a few chunks remaining. Slowly add cream until mixture comes together, taking care not to over-moisten. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of dough into a brioche or tartlet mold and gently push dough into the bottom of molds and up the sides.

Place unbaked shells in freezer.

To make filling: Peel, core, and chop

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apples. In a large mixing bowl, toss chopped apples with cinnamon, brown sugar, and flour to combine. Set filling aside.

To make caramel sauce: Heat granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a high heat–resistant rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Continue stirring as sugar forms clumps and eventually melts into a thick brown, amber-colored liquid.

Be careful not to let it burn.

Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add butter. The mixture will bubble rapidly. Stir until butter melts completely, about 2 minutes. If butter begins separating, remove pan from heat and vigorously whisk mixture to integrate it again. (Wear kitchen gloves for protection against hot splatters.)

Very slowly drizzle in heavy cream while stirring. Since the cream is colder than the caramel, the mixture will bubble rapidly.

Allow mixture to boil 1 minute; it will rise in the pan as it boils. Remove pan from heat and stir in salt. Allow caramel to cool slightly before using; it will thicken as it cools. (Note: The caramel sauce can be made up to one week ahead of time. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the microwave or on the stove to desired consistency.)

To finish tartlets, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove tartlet shells from freezer.

Place 1 heaping tablespoon of apple filling in each shell, drizzle 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce on top of each filled tartlet. Sprinkle each with half a handful of crumb topping and a dash of crystal sugar. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

SALTED CARAMEL MILKSHAKE According to pastry chef Patrick Fahy of Coin & Candor at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village (fourseasons.com/ westlakevillage), the base recipe for the caramel sauce in this milkshake is endlessly adaptable. Use it to pour over ice cream and for dipping apples. “If you want to shine with the fall spirit,” Fahy says, “you can add a half teaspoon of cinnamon.” He also recommends adding vanilla bean, pumpkin spice, or even a shot of bourbon. If you do, just be sure to make your flavor additions while the caramel is still warm.

“Remember this rule with caramel,” says Fahy. “The lighter it’s cooked, the sweeter it will be. The darker it’s cooked the more bitter and less sweet it will be.

Everybody has a different preference. I prefer it to be lighter and sweeter with a

touch of salt.” Fahy warns that if cream is added to the hot sugar too quickly, the caramel will seize up, so be sure to add the cream slowly. Also, be careful to avoid the steam produced by the first addition of cream. “It is hot and can easily burn,” he cautions.

Makes 2 12-ounce milkshakes BASIC CARAMEL SAUCE 1 cup cream 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar MILKSHAKE 1 pint vanilla ice cream ½ cup whole milk ½ cup Basic Caramel Sauce, plus more for drizzling Whipped cream Sea salt To make basic caramel sauce: Combine cream and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, and stir until cream is just warm and salt dissolves. Set aside.

Set another heavy-bottom saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover bottom of pan with 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir constantly to ensure that it dissolves evenly. Once dissolved, it will begin to caramelize; add another tablespoon of sugar, and stir. When it dissolves add another spoonful, and so on until all sugar is in the pot. (Adding sugar in small increments prevents clumping and uneven cooking.)

Cook sugar, watching continuously, until it turns an amber caramel color, about 2 to 4 minutes. The caramelization process happens very quickly. Once it has reached a fluid amber color, turn off heat.

Slowly add cream 1 spoonful at a time, stirring well after each addition. When all cream has been added, stir mixture to combine completely. Set aside to cool slightly.

To make milkshakes: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce along the inside wall of each of two 12- or 16-ounce glasses. Place glasses in freezer.

In a blender, mix ice cream, milk, and ½ cup caramel sauce. Remove glasses from freezer and fill with milkshake.

Garnish each shake with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a pinch of sea salt. Serve with a straw.  Check out our 805 Living Eats podcast with contributing writer Jaime Lewis and confectionery artist Jessica Foster at 805living.com.

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Taste Wine

By Alex Ward

Cocktails From the Vine

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CENTRAL COAST MIXOLOGISTS SHAKE UP THE SCENE WITH WINETAILS.

f the term “wine cocktail” evokes memories of fluorescent, cloying coolers and dodgy, faux margaritas, then the prospect of a wine-based highball may well give you pause. But take heart; throughout the Central Coast, creative mixologists are making innovative wine cocktails that are every bit as delicious, artistic, and interesting as their spirited counterparts. Featuring high-quality varietals and locally sourced ingredients, these drinks are options for oenophiles looking to mix things up. And with comparatively low alcohol by volume, wine cocktails, like the ones that follow, stand as light and sessionable alternatives to boozier choices.

Fizzy Libbey

The Ojai Valley Inn’s (ojaivalleyinn.com) Wallace Neff Heritage Bar raises a glass to a local legend with its bright and bubbly winetail, the Fizzy Libbey. “Each cocktail at the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar is a nod to Ojai’s history and the Fizzy Libbey is no exception,” says beverage director Melissa Lamb. “This cocktail pays homage to the father of the glass industry and influential developer of Ojai, Edward Libbey.” The drink is a combination of pomegranate shrub, honey syrup, and Domaine Carneros Brut Sparkling Wine poured into a coupe and topped with a blood orange–wheel garnish.

Solvang Siren

HARPER POINT PHOTOGRAPHY CO.

A crimson pomegranate shrub mixes with golden honey syrup and a brut sparkling wine to create the vibrant orange Fizzy Libbey at the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar.

The beautifully appointed and wonderfully kitschy High Roller Tiki Lounge (sortthisoutcellars. com) in Solvang is arguably the 805’s essential destination for wine-based cocktails. The menu

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features more than 20 different tiki winetails. One of the most distinctive drinks on offer is the Solvang Siren, a savory and wholly sippable blend served in its own custom tiki mug.

The cocktail is a mixture of lychee syrup, pasilla pepper, lime juice, blood orange bitters, and Sort This Out Cellars Bombshell Bettie Chardonnay, a stainless steel–aged bright and crisp white. “It is a good balance of sweet, a little spice, and smoky,” says tasting room manager Alanna Dixon, “so it’s really fun and unique.”

Pressed Mimosa 4

Health-conscious café Seeds (seedsongarden.com) in San Luis Obispo offers a variety of brunchtime refreshments including a selection of fruit-forward frozés and mimosas.

One standout is Pressed Mimosa 4, a visually striking concoction topped with edible flowers and built upon a base of Spritz & Giggles sparkling wine from Chronic Cellars in Paso Robles. Featuring flavors of pear, apple, and freshbaked bread, the chardonnay and pinot-derived grand cuvée lends spicy, floral notes to the drink. The wine is mixed with Pressed Juicery’s charcoal lemonade, a blend of lemon, honey, lavender, and activated charcoal. “I always recommend it when groups come in on Sunday for brunch,” says manager Everett Marr. “It gives them an opportunity to retox and detox at the same time. It introduces a little activated charcoal to help your body systems eliminate all that alcohol later on.”

Sunrise

Atop an idyllic hill overlooking Los Alamos sits the Norman (skyviewlosalamos.com/norman), a mid-century themed stunner that serves as the Skyview Motel’s bar and restaurant. One of the highlights of its artisanal cocktail menu is the Sunrise, a tasty combination of lemon, dry Conquilla Cava, and strawberry lavender soda from SLO’s Root Elixirs. “The Sunrise was developed as a poolside cocktail,” says manager Dominique Gonzalez. “It’s designed after the brightness of the pool and the good weather out in Los Alamos.” Poured over ice in a long-stemmed balloon glass and garnished with bright strawberries, this winetail provides its own poolside glamour.

Santa Barbara Shine

State Street stalwart Santa Barbara Wine Therapy (santabarbarawinetherapy.com) serves an eclectic lineup of flavored sangrias, mimosas, and wine-based cocktails to the city’s discerning downtown epicures. One favorite is the Santa Barbara Shine, a drink that provides convincing evidence of wine and beer’s ability to peacefully and deliciously coexist.

“It’s a blood orange and citrus soft-infused rosé base,” explains bar manager Graham Burwell, “and we top it off with a cucumber sour beer from Captain Fatty’s and a petit syrah float on top.” Garnished with a bright lemon wedge, the cocktail is as lovely in the glass as it is on the palate, with a pleasing gradient of pink and purple hues that mimic the colors of Santa Barbara’s coastal sunsets. 

Taste Dining Out

By Victoria Woodard Harvey Photographs by Gary Moss

A New Taste of Old California CISKO KID RESTAURANT TAKES CUES FROM THE PAST TO BRING A RIGOROUSLY NUANCED TAKE ON RANCHO-STYLE DINING TO LOS ALAMOS.

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nyone who has spent the 10 minutes it takes to walk the length of Bell Street in Los Alamos will surely have seen the historic 1880 Union Hotel and noticed the antique gas pumps of the former California Garage right next door. Built in 1926 and registered in Santa Barbara County’s National Register of Historic Places in 1998, the garage site had been unused for years when it lost its cobwebs with the recent opening of a combined eatery, wine tasting room, and event space venture featuring Cisko Kid (vallefresh. com) restaurant and Ranchos de Ontiveros Wines (ranchosdeontiveros.com). The sprawling property is now the spot where restaurateur and chef Conrad Gonzales and winemaker and farmer James Ontiveros deliver the best of old California dining: good food, good libations, and welcoming rancho-style hospitality. The combination is a natural for the two native sons, whose California roots go back several generations.

“I wanted an authentic physical manifestation of the history this region holds,” says Ontiveros, whose wine labels include Native9 and Rancho Viñedo from Santa Maria Valley. He recognized a kindred reverence for the region in Gonzales, chef of Valle Eatery in Lompoc and owner of Valle Fresh catering and the new Cisko Kid Food Truck. “This place has a lot of history,” says Gonzales, who lives with his wife and four children in Lompoc, “and we’re here to create our own history.”

Chef Gonzales has the confidence that comes from preparing paella for a crowd of 800, roasting a whole pig or spit-fired lamb for special celebrations, and putting on countless Santa Maria–style barbeques. The graduate of Santa Barbara City College School of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management donned his mitts early at a local barbecue steak house where he worked the oakwood pit and “caught my spark for cooking over live fire,” he says.

On the opening menu of Cisko Kid restaurant look for the St. Louis ribs, oak-smoked for six hours with a

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Cisko Kid chef Conrad Gonzales (opposite, bottom) mans the Santa Maria–style grill, where he cooks up meaty menu options, like tri tip, St. Louis pork ribs, Spanish chorizo (opposite, top) and the butterflied bone-in pork chop (far right), as well as vegan options, such as oak-grilled squash tacos with Lompoc bean hummus served on Gonzales’ own fresh tortillas (bottom, right), which are made by hand with corn from his farm.

Wood tones warm the rustic decor, which is peppered with vintage novelties like the gas pumps outside (left) and quaint retired kitchen appliances inside (above, left). A pantry (above) displays a selection of locally produced beans and house-made condiments for sale.

Outdoor seating (below) invites guests to enjoy the surrounding green spaces.

Taste Dining Out seasonal barbeque sauce that could include hints of blueberry, peach, or pomegranate, and served with a carrot and jicama slaw.

Big appetites call for the barbecue combo plate with ribs, linguica sausage and tri tip served with salsa, grilled garlic bread, and a custom blend of yellow and pinquito beans that the chef says are native to the area. The smoked chicken burger is a delicious, threenapkin affair composed of a juicy, skinless thigh, creamy burrata cheese, a thick slice of local heirloom tomato, and golden balsamic vinaigrette on a brioche bun with a side of fresh-cut fries.

A standout dish, the butterflied bone-in Duroc pork chop is grilled, topped with aromatic char-roasted rosemary and thyme that flavor each bite, and served with a condiment made of peach jam, fresh corn, red onion, beans, and pistachios. The bed of greens beneath it on one day is Sunrise Organic Farm’s scarlet baby kale, roasted to a satisfying crisp.

Although the menu leans toward meat protein, vegan dishes include an avocado toast with heirloom beans and sweet corn relish on seeded levain from Oat Bakery in Santa Barbara. “I want to give vegans a barbecue dish to experience that true barbecue flavor, maybe a delicata or winter squash cooked directly in wood ash, with some tahini,” Gonzales says.

The tacos are a local favorite, and rotating specials are filled with combinations like pork belly, goat cheese, and salsa verde; smoked salmon fillet and persimmon relish; and thin-sliced barbecued tri tip, shredded red cabbage, cilantro, radish sprouts, and guajillo and verde salsas. A taco is only as good as the tortilla it’s served on, and Gonzales’ tortillas reveal his work ethic and the bounty of his local corn farming.

The chef says when he caught wind of the handmade tortilla craze happening at top Southland restaurants, he felt the need to step up his game. “People love our tortillas,” Gonzales says, “but if the best chefs in L.A. are doing this crazy thing with heritage corn, [I wondered what I] could do to up the ante.” His research of heirloom varieties led to a collaboration with a culinary school friend to plant a micro crop of Oaxacan green corn at Fairview Farms in 2017. Subsequent crops of black Aztec and yellow Nothstine corn planted at Buttonwood Farms in Solvang should be ready for harvest this year.

Gonzales’ has a five-year plan to develop a seed-saving program for the best-growing and best-tasting varieties, plant at a scale large enough to sustain all of his kitchens, and become a tortilla house supplier, similar to local bread bakeries. Meanwhile, his quest for the perfect handmade tortilla continues in this kitchen, with corn from his harvests cooked in lime and calcium. “Doing it by hand is not the easiest,” says Gonzales, “but to really feel the product and know what it’s telling us, [we] have to do it straight up from scratch.”

Los Alamos continues to draw a mix of valley locals as well as Wednesday-through-Sunday visitors looking to step back in time.

“Come on in, relax with a glass of wine or local beer, and bring the kids to kick a ball around,” says Gonzales, gesturing toward the sycamore-shaded lawns where games, benches, a fire pit, and a raised stage for live music entice guests. The property can easily accommodate a couple for a wine-tasting flight at the bar or a private event for 200 in the space that once housed the garage.

A stocked pantry holds local products for sale, goods from the historic Lompoc Bean Company and Mason jars filled with housemade salsa or tomatillo and peach jam. “A little something to take home,” says Gonzales of the pantry offerings, souvenirs from a visit to California the way it used to be.  92

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THE CHASE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 1012 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-965-4351 chasebarandgrill.com Italian; Entrées $16–$44

Romantic With the cozy upscale ambience of an oldfashioned supper club, The Chase Restaurant and Lounge has offered enduring Italian favorites along with American steaks, chops, and seafood, since 1979, proving that the classics never lose their appeal. Sparkling garlands of tiny white lights, white tablecloths, a marble-inlaid bar, tip-top service, and Frank Sinatra in the background set the scene for traditional, satisfying meals.

THE DINING GUIDE Our aim is to inform you of restaurants with great food that you might not have experienced yet. This guide is arranged not by cuisine type, but by style of restaurant. “Fine Dining” choices have an elegant atmosphere and very professional service. Restaurants included under the “Foodie” heading are heralded for their wonderful chef-driven cuisine, regardless of atmosphere. “Good Eats” listings are just that—solid, casual, and delicious. The “Fun, Fun, Fun” category brings you spots geared toward a good time.

New listings will appear in Where to Eat Now in every issue. Please send any comments and suggestions to edit@805living.com.

MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

Fine Dining

These restaurants have a skilled kitchen team, a lovely dining room, and great service.

BELLA VISTA RESTAURANT IN FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE SANTA BARBARA 1260 Channel Drive Santa Barbara, 805-969-2261 fourseasons.com/santabarbara/dining Californian and Italian; Entrées $19–45; Sunday Brunch $85 per person Great Views

Named for its sweeping views of lawn, ocean, and sky, Bella Vista has an Italian bent featuring local fish and organic farmers’ market produce, handmade pastas, and herbs from the chef’s garden in dishes such as Tajarin Carbonara di Mare, and jidori chicken with farrotto and smoked corn. Specials include tableside service of spaghetti with caciocavallo cheese and Tellicherry pepper. At the adjacent Ty Lounge, an extensive menu of Spanish tapas echoes the Haciendastyle decor featuring a fireplace, an ocean-view terrace, and hand-painted walls and ceilings. The wine list offers local and international labels. Happy hour Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. includes specials on featured tapas ($5 to $9), draught beer and wine on tap ($4 to $6), and select cocktails ($7).

BELMOND EL ENCANTO 800 Alvarado Place Santa Barbara, 805-845-5800 belmond.com/el-encanto-santa-barbara Entrées $28–$48 Great Views, Romantic

The luxe Belmond El Encanto hotel perches atop its seven-acre hilltop property with sweeping city and ocean views. Settle in on the spacious terrace or in the elegant dining room and linger over artfully presented California coastal cuisine crafted by executive chef Johan Denizot. Local ingredients shine, including herbs from the chef’s garden and cheese made from the milk of Ellie, the resort’s cow. The seasonal menu features appetizers such as halibut sashimi and mains like king crab leg in lobster-chili broth and classic New York steak with a choice of sides. The wine list includes Santa Barbara County gems and globetrotting labels. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, although Sunday lunch is replaced with a bottomless Bellini brunch. Afternoon tea (reservations highly recommended) is served Monday through Saturday.

In-the-know locals and hotel guests take in the sunset, cocktail in hand, on the terrace.

CELLO RISTORANTE & BAR 2700 Buena Vista Drive Paso Robles, 805-369-2503 allegrettovineyardresort.com/dining.aspx Mediterranean; Entrées $14–$38 Romantic

Located at the luxurious Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Cello showcases the cuisine of executive chef Justin Picard, a veteran of kitchens in San Francisco and Aspen who has made two guest appearances at the James Beard House in New York. Look for local, seasonal ingredients (some grown on site) in his pastas, salads, flatbreads, steaks, and seafood. A serene covered patio near the substantial kitchen garden is a fine place for enjoying breakfast, lunch, small plates, or dinner outdoors. Cello also offers an extensive farm-to-bar cocktail menu and a wine list that includes several otherwise impossible-to-get bottles.

Shalhoob Meat Company (shalhoob. com), a family-owned Santa Barbara staple since 1973, has launched Shalhoob Beer Company, providing the perfect pairing for its juicy sandwiches, steaks, and fresh beef jerky. Shalhoob Funk Zone IPA and Lager are brewed inside the butcher shop at Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio eatery. Grab a pint at the Patio or find cans at more than 50 stores from Carpinteria to Lompoc. Look for a blonde and a pilsner coming soon.

UPDATE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE 2 Dole Drive Westlake Village, 818-575-3000 fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining

Three dining concepts at this resort offer a variety of options. At Coin & Candor, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner brasserie, chef Jose Fernandez combines thoughtfully sourced local ingredients with woodfired cooking techniques. The recently remodeled Onyx boasts a new menu by chef de cuisine Masa Shimakawa. With a spotlight on bright, fresh nigiri sushi and sashimi, the menu includes specialty rolls like the Hayabusa, with yellowtail, shrimp, asparagus, avocado, and creamy ponzu. The American Wagyu beef skirt steak is also a highlight on the well-rounded menu.

Prosperous Penny is a sophisticated, comfortable social watering hole pouring inventive cocktails, aged bourbons and whiskeys, and rare spirits. Fernandez provides accompaniments in a seasonally driven lightbite menu. For a sip of joe, Stir coffee bar, located off the lobby, is open daily from 6 a.m., offering a graband-go menu of baked on-site pastries and savory options along with cold-brewed coffee, juices, gelato, and other treats. Valet parking is $10 with validation; self-parking is free for up to four hours with validation.

THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY 120 E. Promenade Way Westlake Village, 805-418-1760 thegrill.com American; Entrées $11–$59 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

Steaks and chops are legendary here and at the original Grill on the Alley in Beverly Hills, the ultimate power-lunch spot. At this location, whether out on the patio or in the dining room and bar, diners enjoy American comfort food with international flair. Sushi is available at lunch and dinner, and the menu’s friendly reminder that “any turf can surf” is an invitation to order jumbo prawns and other seafood with your filet mignon or dry‑aged OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Where to Eat Now New York strip. Weekend brunch offers avocado toast, Niman Ranch slab bacon and eggs, and $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., when you can make a meal of the specially priced lollipop chicken wings, spicy tuna rolls, and wood-fired cheeseburger bites offered with cocktails, draft beers, and wines by the glass.

LUCKY’S 1279 Coast Village Road Montecito, 805-565-7540 luckys-steakhouse.com Steak House; Entrées $16–$69

Saturday & Sunday Brunch Black-and-white portraits of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Warhol, and Julia Child adorn the walls of this upscale steak house in Montecito.

The plates and napkins are monogrammed, the patio is tented and heated for year-round enjoyment, and the bar opens an hour before dinner service begins.

Steaks can be dressed with seven different sauces, there are eight versions of potato side dishes, and the onion rings should have their own Facebook Fan page.

Eat, drink, and help out. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa (cliffshotelandspa. com) in Pismo Beach hosts Karmic Pizza happy hour every Thursday in the lounge. Fifty cents from each purchased beverage is donated to a local nonprofit; the wood-fired pizza is complimentary. From October 1 to the end of the year, all proceeds will be donated to 17 Strong, a Pismo Beach–based nonprofit that sends young adults with life-threatening illnesses on a trip of their choice.

UPDATE MEDITERRANEO 32037 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-889-9105 med-rest.com Mediterranean; Entrées $16–$58

Great View, Weekend Brunch Recently reopened after a major makeover, this favorite of locals and hotel guests retains an elegant yet comfortable vibe. Located on the 17-acre property of the Westlake Village Inn, the all-new design includes an expansive bar for sipping craft cocktails and international wines. Executive chef Lisa Biondi has reimagined the menus to include bright Mediterranean dishes such as salatim, seasonal Israeli salads and spreads like street corn with lemon, yogurt, feta, and a punch of Aleppo pepper, at lunch and dinner. Dinner entrées include old favorites like classic prime steaks and house-made pastas, along with lamb sirloin souvlaki and grilled whole branzino.

Weekend brunch options include Benedicts, shakshuka, pancakes, and waffles. Patios offer views of the lake or vineyard.

MR. CHOW 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 18A Malibu, 310-456-7600 mrchow.com Chinese; Family-style service $60–$80 per person; à la carte service available Romantic

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Located in the Malibu Country Mart, this Mr. Chow location shares a menu and sense of showmanship with its famous older brother in Beverly Hills. (Both offer hand-pulled noodle demonstrations.) Decor is minimalist, putting the cuisine in sharp focus. Favorite dishes include honey-glazed prawns with walnuts, enlivened with dabs of spicy chili sauce from the small pots found on each table. A three-course Beijing Duck dinner ($78 per person) is among the prix-fixe, familystyle dining options, which tend to be less spendy than going à la carte. A small-bites menu is available in the bar, where the cocktails change with the seasons.

NONNA 951 S. Westlake Blvd. #102 Westlake Village, 805-497-8482 nonna.restaurant Italian; Entrées $18–$45 Romantic, Great Patio

A casually elegant dining room of distressed wood lit with unique light sculptures by artist Timothy J. Ferrie is a beautiful fit for Florence-born and -trained restaurateur Jacopo Falleni. The menu avoids the faddish, instead cutting a culinary swath through the Italian peninsula and islands with tradition-rich dishes that reflect Falleni’s Tuscan upbringing (gnudi with pomodoro sauce), executive chef Gianluca Maita’s Sicilian heritage (arancini), and pasta chef Pamela Ganci’s influences from Bologna (passatelli with peas). Service is engaging and professional, while Falleni himself fills the role of sommelier and designed signature cocktails for the full bar.

OJAI VALLEY INN 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojaivalleyinn.com Various cuisines Entrées $11–$60; Saturday Buffet Brunch $32; Sunday Bluegrass Brunch $55

The resort’s beautiful setting can be enjoyed by hotel guests and others who simply want to patronize the restaurants. As the fine-dining flagship, Olivella features California-Italian cuisine (see separate listing). Start the evening with small bites and cocktails in the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar, located in the resort’s original golf clubhouse and named for the architect who set the inn’s Spanish Revival tone. Other dining venues include the tranquil Spa Café in Spa Ojai, where light breakfast, fresh-pressed juices, and spa lunch are served inside or on the poolside terrace. The Oak is famous for its casual but attentive lunch service on a shaded patio overlooking the 10th hole of the resort’s golf course. It also serves breakfast and dinner and two styles of brunch: buffet on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and bottomless Champagne with live bluegrass music on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Indigo Pool & Bar offers salads, sandwiches, and adult libations served poolside and in cabanas. The Pixie Café is located at the family-friendly Pixie Pool.

Jimmy’s Pub offers a menu of salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and entrées plus craft beers and cocktails. (It’s also one of the few restaurants in Ojai to stay open past 10 p.m. on weekends.) Next door, Libbey’s Market is the place to go for a quick sandwich and a scoop of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams.

NEW PACIFIC BY NORU 394 E. Main Street, Suite B Ventura, 805-205-9618 pacificbynoru.com New American; Entrées $10–$29

This star serves innovative coastal fare in an upscale yet laid-back setting that includes a lovely covered patio. Housed in the 1924 Beaux Arts–style Bank of Italy building on Ventura’s buzzing main drag, it’s a locals’ go-to for dinner and happy hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). The menu changes seasonally, but chef

Ren Weigang and co-owner James Norton serve up recurring favorites like sake-glazed salmon, hamachi sashimi, braised short rib, chicken katsu sliders, and flank steak bulgogi with chimichurri.

Sip an inventive cocktail or local wine or beer.

NEW ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH 1759 South Jameson Lane Montecito, 805-900-8388 rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beachmontecito Californian and Italian; Entrées $19–$55 Great Views, Saturday and Sunday Brunch

Set in a spectacular seaside location, this luxury beachside resort’s seven distinctive restaurants and bars are open to the general public as well as hotel guests. Executive chef Massimo Falsini oversees the dining destinations, which emphasize locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. Caruso’s, the signature oceanfront eatery, is open daily for dinner and features alfresco seating over the sand in addition to a stylish dining room outfitted with deep blue leather booths.

Menu highlights include starters such as hand-pulled burrata as well as Baja kampachi crudo, house-made pastas including the chef’s signature carbonara, uni tagliolini, and main courses such as pan-roasted petrale sole and grass-fed Watkins Ranch beef fillet. Local and international wines and traditional handcrafted signature cocktails are also offered. Malibu Farm at Miramar, the first California resort outpost of Helene Henderson’s well-regarded farm-to-table restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in a refined yet relaxed setting. Standout dishes include mini Swedish crepe-style pancakes for breakfast, coconut and avocado striped bass ceviche for lunch, and crispy baked whole fish tacos for dinner. Beverages on the menu range from juices to specialty cocktails. At dinner, guests can dine family-style with shared plates such as a roasted Rocky Canyon half chicken.

SABOR COCINA MEXICANA 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, 805-497-2457 saborcocinamexicana.com Mexican; Entrées $14–$24

Romantic, Sunday Brunch It’s flashy and fancy—not your usual Mexican cocina.

Eat in the bar area where huge margaritas are being blended, or on the front patio while people watching, or in the main dining room with the massive chandeliers strung with red glass hearts. Chef-owner Leticia Hansen turns out beautifully plated entrées like chicken enchiladas with Oaxacan cheese and cochinita pibil, which is pork in achiote sauce. Her partner and husband, Mark Hansen, makes sure the dining areas are running smoothly.

UPDATE SAN YSIDRO RANCH 900 San Ysidro Lane Santa Barbara, 805-565-1700 sanysidroranch.com/san_dining.cfm American; Entrées $18–$56 at Plow & Angel; $38–$63 at The Stonehouse; Sunday Brunch, $75 Great View, Romantic, Sunday Brunch The five-star treatment at this historic resort starts the minute you turn onto the long drive lined with olive trees and lavender; it continues as you are greeted by a valet who whisks away your car from the circular entrance to its two restaurants, both overseen by executive chef Matthew Johnson. At Plow & Angel, the menu and setting are in keeping with a well-appointed tavern.

Thick stone walls and a fireplace create a cozy space for enjoying barrel-aged cocktails and a menu of grilled flatbreads, beer-battered halibut and chips, and grilled New York steak with cognac Bordelaise sauce. Upstairs, The Stonehouse dining room gleams with copper and burnished wood and has a sheltered terrace with views of Montecito, the ocean, and Channel Islands. Seating

is also available on outdoor patios below, furnished with a fireplace and fountain and flanked by loquat trees.

At lunch, served Mondays through Saturdays, a warm salad of kale grown on the premises, house-smoked bacon, and dates is topped with a poached egg. A three-course market menu also emphasizes local ingredients. Served from 6 p.m. daily, the dinner menu includes seared scallops with braised oxtail, sweet corn puree, and black garlic vinaigrette and Steak Diane prepared in the classic style—flambéed tableside. The list of wines and spirits is varied and deep; the wine selection garnered the 2018 Wine Spectator Grand Award. Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes starters, entrées, desserts, and free-flowing Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne.

The Agoura Antique Mart A Vintage Marketplace

TIERRA SUR RESTAURANT AT HERZOG WINE CELLARS 3201 Camino del Sol Oxnard, 805-983-1560 tierrasuratherzog.com New American; Entrées $16–$144 (for 32-ounce rib eye for two); Buffet Brunch $65 Sunday Brunch

Tucked inside Herzog’s winery and tasting room, Tierra Sur specializes in wine-friendly meals made with careful attention to detail. Executive chef Gabe Garcia maintains a local, seasonal vibe at lunch and dinner. Marinated olives and lamb bacon are made in-house. Tapas feature Wagyu sliders and a Margherita pizza with basil-cashew cheese. Watch carefully, and you may see your bone-in rib eye for two prepared on the patio’s wood-burning grill before it is served with fried kale and roasted potatoes. Desserts include frozen custards, vanillaspiced doughnuts, and a show-stopping Baked Alaska.

Surrounded by the coppery glow of the walls and the burnished-wood wine rack that frames the kitchen pass-through, diners may forget they’re at a kosher restaurant in an Oxnard industrial park. The restaurant is closed on Fridays and Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath. Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. is served buffet style, with carving and omelet stations and weekly specials inspired by ingredients from local farms.

Mon.-Sat. 10-6 Sunday 11-5 818-706-8366

28879 Agoura Road Agoura Hills, CA 91301 agouraantiquemart.com

TRA DI NOI RISTORANTE 3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 8A Malibu, 310-456-0169 tradinoimalibu.com Italian Entrées $18–$36; Market Price for Some Seafood Sunday Brunch Even though locals know what they want without opening a menu, the kitchen at this restaurant in the Malibu Country Mart can still impress the rest of us with its handmade pastas, shaved truffles, grass-fed beef, local olive oil, and salads made with produce from Malibu’s Thorn Family Farm. The spaghetti carbonara manages to be both low fat and delicious, and the seasonal specials are a treat.

The well-curated wine list matches the food and offers prime selections for sipping on the patio.

UPDATE WATER’S EDGE RESTAURANT AND BAR 1510 Anchors Way Ventura, 805-642-1200 watersedgeventura.com American; Entrées $14–$50 This aptly named bar and grill offers well-prepared plates from both land and sea in an elegant setting with views of the harbor and boats. Start with a cocktail in the piano bar and move on to dinner for starters such as Bloody Mary shrimp cocktail and pesto-stuffed mushrooms and main dishes like seared sesame seed–crusted ahi and braised short ribs. Brunch, served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 3 p.m., offers fried calamari and crab cakes appetizers and traditional breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict, pancakes, and waffles, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and freshly caught fish.

Happy hour is every day from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (except holidays) and features $8 cocktails and $5 to $10 plates and pizzas. There’s a pet-friendly patio, too.

specials are our specialty

Locally Sourced . Chef Inspired Seasonal Creations . Vibrant Ambiance Winemaker Events . Dinner Specials . Artisan Market . Cheese + Charcuterie Visit ParadisePantry.com for our always fresh daily specials.

805 641 9440 • 222 East Main Street • Ventura California 93001 OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Where to Eat Now ZIN BISTRO AMERICANA 32131 Lindero Canyon Rd., Suite 111 Westlake Village, 818-865-0095 zinwestlake.com Eclectic; Entrées $15–$42 Great View, Romantic

The fire pit on the patio and the view of the lake make this quite a romantic spot for dinner. Begin by nibbling on oysters, or a seafood cocktail, or a cheese and charcuterie plate. Main courses have influences from France and England. Farfalle pasta is tossed with roasted salmon and caviar, and at lunchtime, a British steak and ale stew over mashed potatoes. A long list of main-course salads includes tuna Niçoise with seared ahi, mixed greens, caper berries, and potatoes. Happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday though Friday.

Café Ficelle (cafeficelle.com) is getting in on the ground floor of newly opened The Mark in Old Town Camarillo. The French-style bakery and café, whose Ventura location is going strong, is the first of five tenants in the food hall of the mixeduse project. Stop by for a coffee from Santa Cruz’s Verve roastery, fresh-baked pastry, croque monsieur or madame, or a sweet or savory crepe. (May we suggest chicken, candied bacon, and arugula with maple honey?) Snag a fresh salad or sandwich from the grab-and-go case. Café Ficelle will be joined

by Freda’s Pizza and Wood-Fired Kitchen, Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, and Topa Topa Brewing Company.

BARBAREÑO 205 W. Canon Perdido St. Santa Barbara, 805-963-9591 barbareno.com Californian; Entrées $18–$29

This restaurant highlights ingredients from the Central Coast in menus that feature a few changes monthly.

Head chef Justin Snyder focused on pastry in his previous culinary lives, evident from the carefully composed salads, tartares, and desserts that emerge from the kitchen. Recurring favorites include starters like avocado roulade made with hamachi crudo and coconut-oolong milk, and cheeky Eggamuffins featuring buttermilk blini stacked with Seascape cheese, speck, and shavings of salt-cured egg yolk. Hope Ranch Mussels with fennel and mustard broth and slow-cooked Wagyu tri tip are also available, along with an extensive inventory of local beers and a wine list that recently garnered a Wine Spectator award of excellence.

THE BEAR AND STAR 2860 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, 805-686-1359 thebearandstar.com American; Entrées $15–$49 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

Named for the motifs on the California and Texas state flags, this restaurant, located at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, sources much of its beef, poultry, and produce from the nearby 714-acre Parker family ranch. The wood-smoked traditions of both states are represented on what is referred to as a “refined ranch cuisine” menu by chef and partner John Cox. Dishes have included cured Wagyu carpaccio topped with shavings of cured egg yolk, stuffed local quail with molasses gastrique, grilled catfish with charred onion dressing, and, for dessert, a chess pie to make Cox’s Lone Star–state brethren proud. Brunch features an à la carte menu with specialty cocktails.

BELL’S 406 Bell St. Los Alamos bellsrestaurant.com French; Entrées $18–$27

Foodie

Daisy and Gregory Ryan, alums of Per Se, Thomas Keller’s Michelin-starred New York restaurant, helm this French-inspired bistro in the historic town of Los Alamos.

Located in a building that served as a bank in the early 1900s and as a biker bar later, Bell’s delivers classics like steak tartare, wild Burgundy snails served with bread from Bob’s Well Bread Bakery down the street, and coq au vin. For lunch, try the French dip made with roasted rib eye. Reservations are available through the website or via email to info@bellsrestaurant.com.

101 NORTH EATERY & BAR 30760 Russell Ranch Rd., Suite D Westlake Village, 805-852-1588 101northeateryandbar.com New American; Entrées $22–$46 Sunday Brunch, Late-night Menu

BIBI JI 734 State Street Santa Barbara, 805-560-6845 bibijisb.com Indian, Australian, and American Street Food $10–$16, Grill $15–$25, Curries $10–$18, Chef’s Tasting $50 per person

Cuisine that shines regardless of decor, service, ambience, or even views.

Award-winning chef and owner Anthony Alaimo delivers seasonal dishes that are big on international flavors along with wine, beer, and signature cocktails. The restaurant’s relaxed, modern setting includes a bar with a large flat-screen TV, a rustic communal table, and an outdoor patio. Expect starters like wild albacore kabobs with Calabrian chili tapenade and grilled Spanish octopus with white bean hummus and mains such as a cumin-rubbed lamb rack, Mediterranean sea bass with green romesco, house-made tagliolini pasta with Selva prawns, and wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas. Sandwiches and sides are on the happy hour menu on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A late-night menu is offered on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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Chef and restaurateur Jessi Singh partners with star sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr to offer vibrant Indian fare and local and international wines and beers in this casual downtown bistro. Don’t miss the gol gappa, surprising sweet-and-spicy flatbread balls flavored with mint, coriander, dates, and tamarind chutney or Singh’s signature dish, Mr. Tso’s Cauliflower, featuring the nutty florets tossed in a tangy chili sauce.

BOB’S WELL BREAD BAKERY 550 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-3000 bobswellbread.com European; Pastries and Breads $1.50–$20, Entrées $7–$13

Located in a refurbished 1920s-era service station with its original Douglas fir floors intact, this artisanal bakery is well worth a visit. For the best selection, arrive at 7 a.m. on Thursdays through Mondays, when the doors open and aromatic scones, bagels, kouign-amann, pain au chocolat, and other pastries come out of the ovens. Loaves of naturally leavened, burnished-crust breads follow soon after. Special daily breads include pain aux lardons (Saturdays and Sundays), and gluten-free Centennial Loaf (Mondays). The on-site café serves breakfast and lunch (think avocado toast tartine, croque monsieur sandwiches, and grilled bread with pâté and onion-bacon marmalade) until 3 p.m. Grab-and-go items for DIY picnics include ficelle sandwiches made with French ham, Emmentaler cheese, and house-made butter. Check the Facebook page for details about monthly meet-the-winemakers gatherings that include food-and-wine pairings.

NEW BOSSIE’S KITCHEN 901 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara, 805-770-1700 bossieskitchen.com American; Entrées $12–$20 Saturday & Sunday Brunch

Chef Lauren Herman and pastry chef Christina Olufson, alums of James Beard Award–winning Suzanne Goin’s Los Angeles restaurants A.O.C. and Lucques, helm this farmers’ market–inspired eatery in a landmark building topped with a cow statue. Their sweet and savory talents focus on entrées with globetrotting influences made from seasonal organic ingredients, hot and cold sandwiches, soups, and salads. Day-of-the-week specials include Tuesday chicken tagine and Saturday pork belly with coconut rice. Happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays includes local draft beers and wines for $6 to $7 and bites starting at $2 for Mom’s deviled eggs.

EMBER RESTAURANT 1200 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande, 805-474-7700 emberwoodfire.com California-Mediterranean; Small Plates $10–$17, Pizzas $18–$20, Entrées $23–$32

Named for the wood fires used to cook the restaurant’s seasonal and farm-fresh dishes, Ember is the project of executive chef Brian Collins, an Arroyo Grande native who shares skills he honed at Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos with his hometown. The menu, like the beer and wine list, is locally focused, changes monthly, and includes rustic specialties such as crispy kale and house-made fennel sausage pizza, Jidori chicken alongside a wedge of grilled polenta and farmers’ market veggies, and grilled rib eye served over roasted potatoes and topped with a decadent garlic confit and avocado chimichurri.

FINCH & FORK 31 W. Carrillo St. Santa Barbara, 805-879-9100 finchandforkrestaurant.com American; Entrées $22–$36 Weekend Brunch

Located in the Kimpton Canary Hotel, the restaurant has its own entrance at Chapala and Carrillo streets. The vibe in the dining room is sophisticated but comfortable, words that also describe the locally sourced menu by executive chef Peter Cham, a Santa Barbara native.

Creative starters, flatbread, salads, and entrées change with the seasons for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

The latter, served from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, even has its own cocktail menu. The daily specials menu offers buttermilk fried chicken on Tuesdays and cioppino every Thursday. Happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays includes drinks starting at $5 and snacks starting at $3. Go ahead and splurge on the $8 harissa buffalo wings, served with pickled celery and crumbled Point Reyes blue cheese.

THE GATHERING TABLE Ballard Inn 2436 Baseline Avenue Ballard, 805-688-7770 ballardinn.com French-Asian; Shared Plates $10–$30

Located in a charming wine country inn in the wee town of Ballard, The Gathering Table is a foodie destination. Locals and in-the-know travelers come for the creative French- and Asian-inspired shared plates by award-winning chef-owner Budi Kazali, along with the warm dining room that strikes a balance between sophistication and comfort. The focus is on locally sourced produce, seafood, and meats. You might find hamachi with avocado and soy-yuzu vinaigrette, pork belly with tangy Napa cabbage fondue, or lamb lollipops with parsnip puree.

GRANADA BISTRO 1126 Morro St. San Luis Obispo, 805-544-9110 granadahotelandbistro.com Californian, French-Asian; Entrées $14–$29 Romantic, Sunday Brunch

Connected to the 17-room Granada Hotel, the bistro is both intimate and big-city urban, combining exposed brick walls with velvet upholstery and an eclectic art collection. (Check out the sculptural “tree” on the patio.)

Executive chef Kenny Bigwood’s seasonal menus start with creative small plates, sides, and cheese and charcuterie selections. Don’t-miss entrées include cherry cola–braised ribs at dinner, Cuban panini, and a chef’s selection bento box at lunch, and eggs Benedict made with corn bread, bacon, and chipotle hollandaise during Sunday brunch. The wine list focuses on smallproduction labels from around the world. Cocktails often include locally foraged ingredients like lavender, rosemary, and pink peppercorns.

UPDATE HELENA AVENUE BAKERY 131 Anacapa St., Suite C Santa Barbara, 805-880-3383 helenaavenuebakery.com Baked Goods, California-Eclectic Entrées $4–$14

The artisanal bakery and café is brought to you by the masterminds behind The Lark, Lucky Penny, and Loquita in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. The address says Anacapa Street, but walk in from Helena Avenue for the quickest access to Dart Coffee drinks and croissants, scones, cookies, and other pastries made with seasonal ingredients. Open daily, the bakery serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., when don’tmiss items include Green Eggs & Ham made with spicy green harissa and grits topped with a fried egg. The lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers salads and sandwiches, plus specials like Nashville Hot Chicken served with house-made pickles. The bakery’s rustic patio is shared by its neighbor, the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, which offers curated tasting flights and wines by the glass and bottle.

Competitive Pricing

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Over 30 years of experience you can trust

(805) 449 - 2840

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HOTEL CALIFORNIAN 36 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-882-0100 thehotelcalifornian.com/santa_barbara_ restaurants/ Eclectic; Entrées $31–$50

Built on the grounds of the original Hotel Californian less than a block from Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara’s newest resort pays careful attention to all the luxurious details while retaining a casual yet elegant vibe.

Its dining options are equally skilled. At Blackbird, dinner menus showcase local ingredients in dishes MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR CALL 805-444-1228.

OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Where to Eat Now inspired by the Mediterranean with some North African influences; the bar serves signature cocktails in addition to local brews on tap. (Fans of Alfred Hitchcock will get a kick out of his photo in the dining room.) Located in a separate building from Blackbird, Goat Tree is an order-at-the-counter café with its own patio and, in the dining room, windows with a view of the kitchen. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with grab-and-go options for impromptu picnics.

UPDATE INDUSTRIAL EATS 181 Industrial Way Buellton, 805-688-8807 industrialeats.com New American; Entrées $9–$45

To find this destination restaurant on Buellton’s aptly named Industrial Way, drive past the Central Coast Water Authority office and look for a building painted with a mural of floating sausages, carrots, and wine glasses.

Inside, you’ll find imported cheeses, house-cured meats, and locally sourced dishes by owner and executive chef Jeff Olsson. The frequently changing menu is noted on pull-down rolls of butcher paper behind the order counter. Wood-fired pizzas can be simple (rosemary with Parmesan) or adventurous (crispy pig’s ear salad with sriracha and an egg on top). Offerings from the Not Pizza section of the menu include chicken liver with guanciale, while the sandwich list offers selections like the Next Level BLT and a beef-tongue pastrami Reuben.

Clipboard specials often feature a must-have oysteruni-avocado combo. Local wine and beer options are on tap. Located two doors down, The Grand Room is available for large private parties and is the setting for monthly chef dinners. Tickets go fast. Next door to the Grand Room is the new Here to Go, offering grab-andgo items like premade and hot sandwiches, salads, cheese and charcuterie plates, and pizzas. Also find house-cured meats, kimchi, dressings, hot sauces and salsas, fresh fish, meats, and baked goods.

THE LARK 131 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-284-0370 thelarksb.com New American; Entrées $18–$42

Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone takes flight with The Lark, named for the Pullman train that once made overnight runs between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The past is present in the restaurant’s setting, a former fish market remodeled to include exposed brick walls, subway tile, communal tables, and private booths fashioned from church pews. As culinary conductor, executive chef Jason Paluska oversees a thoroughly modern menu that highlights local ingredients. West Coast oysters with Goleta caviar lime are popular starters to shared plates of roasted chicken with green peppercorn gastrique, depending on the season. Craft brews, wines by the glass, cocktails, and mocktails extend the artisanal spirit into the bar.

LIDO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 2727 Shell Beach Road Pismo Beach, 805-773-8900 thedolphinbay.com/lido Californian; Entrées $16–$58 Great View, Daily Brunch

Chef Richard Pfaff brings his eye for fresh and local ingredients to a menu that echoes the creativity displayed by the art glass in Lido’s dining room. Appetizers include oysters with pink peppercorn mignonette and beef carpaccio with dijon aioli. Entrées include pasta carbonara, house-made burgers, and a generous rib eye with herbed porcini butter. The Chef’s Tasting Menu offers five courses for $75 ($100 with wine pairings). A daily affair, brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. features a three-course plated option with bottomless mimosas as well as à la carte dishes.

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LOQUITA 202 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-880-3380 loquitasb.com Modern Spanish; Entrées $19–$42 Great Patio

Loquita is Spanish slang for a wild, fun-loving girl, but this eatery’s menu and food are seriously irreproachable. Executive chef Peter Lee sources the finest meat, fish, cheese, and produce to create festive, communal, à la carte meals, including tapas, pintxos (small bites typically pierced with a toothpick), and signature paella dishes. Drinks autentico include sangria and Spanish-style gin and tonics. Enjoy the spacious patio with two inviting fireplaces, or try the small-bites bar named, naturally, Poquita.

UPDATE MAD & VIN 1576 Mission Drive Solvang, 805-688-3121 thelandsby.com Eclectic; Entrées $16–$38 Sunday Brunch

This restaurant located inside The Landsby hotel is named for the Danish words for “food” and “wine.” You won’t find a single aebleskiver in the sleek but comfy dining room, but Mad & Vin still pays homage to Solvang’s heritage with a Nordic Caesar salad of local greens, sautéed shrimp, fried sourdough croutons, and dill-caraway Caesar dressing. At dinner, the lamb porterhouse with mint-pesto yogurt and seafood hot pot, paired with selections from the primarily Santa Barbara County wine list, are not to be missed. The newly expanded Scandinavian-chic bar (open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays) and lounge area with patio seating is a great place to enjoy Sunday brunch, lunch, or happy hour daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MADE IN ITALY BISTRO BY ANTONIO SESSA 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Unit F Westlake Village, 805-370-8667 madeinitalybistro.com Italian; Entrées and Pizzas $16–$27

Chef-owner Antonio Sessa serves up warm hospitality and authentic southern Italian cuisine at this bustling bistro. Order at the counter, then dig into Neapolitan-style pizzas from the Italian woodfired pizza oven, house-made pastas, fresh insalate, and main dishes from family recipes. Try Sessa’s handmade cavatelli ricotta pasta with his nonna’s Bolognese. At lunch, you can’t go wrong with panini such as the braised brisket, veggie, or turkey and pancetta with house-made tomato jam. Lunch and dinner are served every day except Sunday.

MOODY ROOSTER 2891 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 805-370-3131 moodyroosterwlv.com New American; Entrées $13–$30

Born in the Year of the Rooster, owner-chef Collin Crannell cooks whatever he feels like putting on the menu each day at this foodie version of a neighborhood café located in a Westlake Village shopping center. That’s what’s in the name. On the plate, Crannell—formerly the executive chef at The Lobster in Santa Monica—focuses on from-scratch fare showcasing local, seasonal produce, seafood, and proteins at lunch and dinner. Trademark dishes include crispy gnocchi with roasted cherry tomatoes, Parmesan fondue, and a swirl of aged balsamic, as well as a half chicken with roasted garlic and butternut squash. Wine and craft beers are available (ask co-owner Vicki Crannell for pairing suggestions).

MOUTHFUL EATERY 2626 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, 805-777-9222 mouthfuleatery.com Peruvian, Californian; Entrées $9–$14 Kid-Friendly

Don’t let the multicolored chalkboard menu or the solar-powered toy pigs decorating the dining room fool you: This order-at-the-counter café may specialize in salads, sandwiches, and what are called “powerbowls” in a fun, casual atmosphere, but chef and co-owner Luis Sanchez is serious about the food—witness Mouthful’s inclusion on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2015. La Sarita, a sandwich of house-roasted pork shoulder served with fried sweet potatoes and pickled red onions, gets its heat from an aioli made with aji amarillo, a pepper from Sanchez’s native Peru. Additions at dinner might include malbec-braised short ribs on polenta one night and savory chicken stew called aji de gallina the next.

Desserts include alfajores, delicate shortbread cookies filled with salted caramel. The Foodies in Training children’s menu includes a turkey slider with fruit, yucca fries, and a drink, all for $6.

Oktoberfest at Stonehaus at Westlake Village Inn (the-stonehaus. com) kicks off with a harvest dinner on October 17 at 6:30 p.m. Celebrate a fruitful growing season with an autumnal five-course dinner by chef Christian Mendoza paired with wines from Daou Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles. You’ll meet Fred Dame, master sommelier and Daou global wine ambassador, also known for his appearance in the movie Somm. Tickets are $150 per person including tax and gratuity and can be purchased online. Then, on October 18, 19, and 20, Stonehaus raises a stein to Oktoberfest with food (hello, bratwurst!), beer, live German bands, and fall fun.

UPDATE NOVO RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 726 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 805-543-3986 novorestaurant.com Global; Entrées $16–$32 Sunday Brunch

Novo’s full-service bar and lounge area fronts the busy downtown, beckoning passersby to peek inside. Walk through the lounge to the back of the restaurant and a different Novo presents itself: a multilevel wood patio that backs up to San Luis Obispo Creek. It’s a serene setting livened by the hum of diners’ conversations and crickets. Like its sister restaurant, the nearby Luna Red, Novo offers global cuisine and local ingredients.

Executive chef Michael Avila presides over a menu that includes sought-after Southeast Asian and Indian curries and fresh avocado-shrimp spring rolls. Calling out gluten-free and vegan menu items is a nice touch as is identifying teas by caffeine level. Central California and international wines and spirits accent the menu.

Late night on Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ fills the lounge with music.

OLIO E LIMONE RISTORANTE AND OLIO CRUDO BAR 11 W. Victoria St., Suites 17-18 Santa Barbara 805-899-2699, Ext. 1 olicucina.com Italian; Entrées $18–$41; Crudo Bar $12–$25

Husband-and-wife owners Alberto Morello and Elaine Andersen Morello treat their restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara like the gems they are: No ingredient is too good to employ.

The organic extra-virgin olive oil from a grove near Alberto’s home village in Italy is so popular, patrons buy bottles of it for their own use. At the Ristorante, salads are fresh and the pastas and sauces are house-made.

Standouts include gnocchi alla Riviera, which combines spinach-and-ricotta dumplings with fresh tomato sauce.

With its glass shelves and glowing marble walls, the crudo bar is a jewelbox showcase for carefully executed dishes. Thinly sliced pieces of raw fish are accented with simple but excellent olio e limone (olive oil and lemon) and sometimes a bit more: Try the Atlantic Bluefin tuna belly with ginger vinaigrette and wasabi shoots for a meaningful experience. Selected appetizers, beers, cocktails, proseccos, and wines by the glass are half-price during happy hour service available Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

OLIVELLA 905 Country Club Road Ojai, 805-646-1111 ojaivalleyinn.com California-Italian Entrées $37–$65 (a three-course experience is $90 or $150 with wine pairings; four-course experience is $110 or $180 with wine pairings) Romantic, Great Views

This fine-dining restaurant at Ojai Valley Inn features California cuisine with an Italian twist. From chef de cuisine Andrew Foskey’s menus come beautifully plated dishes like Kabocha Squash Ravioli, Tails & Trotters Farm Tenderloin of Pork, and Wild Pacific Sea Bass. Save room for the Citrus Olive Oil Cake or Crème Fraîche Panna Cotta, just two of executive pastry chef Joel Gonzalez’s creative dessert options. Dining spaces include a private wine room as well as a veranda overlooking the first and final holes of the property’s worldclass golf course. The restaurant also hosts winemaker dinners.

OUTPOST AT THE GOODLAND 5650 Calle Real Goleta, 805-964-1288 outpostsb.com Cal-Eclectic Shareable Plates $7–$29 Weekend Brunch

The mint-condition Airstream trailer parked out front is one sign that The Kimpton Goodland is not the Holiday Inn it once was. Another is the menu

at Outpost, the on-site restaurant overseen by executive chef Damien Giliberti. Playful takes on classics like guacamole (served with toasted pumpkin-seed gremolata) join pork belly bao buns and roasted sea bass lettuce wraps with crispy shallots.

Other highlights include a lamb burger with date chutney and watercress and caramelized sweet potato with turmeric yogurt. Local wines, beers, and craft cocktails are great for sipping poolside, in the dining room, and at the hotel’s Good Bar, which offers meal-worthy snacks. Happy hour specials are available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Ramen is a Sunday-night thing from 5 p.m. (go early). Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

PARADISE PANTRY 218 and 222 E. Main St. Ventura, 805-641-9440 paradisepantry.com Rustic; Entrées $9–$22

Sunday Brunch This combination café, wine shop, and cheese store occupies adjoining storefronts in Ventura’s historic downtown.

Both spaces feature original brick walls and delightfully creaky wood floors. While 218 E. Main St. is devoted to wine sales and cheese and charcuterie displays, 222 offers wine tasting and soups, salads, cheese plates, and pâté samplers. Paninistyle sandwiches include the Italiano, packed with arugula and truffle cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. (That’s right: The meat is on the outside.) Named for chef and co-owner Kelly Briglio, Kel’s Killer Mac is made with a new over-thetop combination of ingredients each week. (Gluten-free options are available.)

Typically scheduled once a month, Sunday brunch features such dishes as Kel’s crab cakes with Meyer lemon crème fraîche, and French toast made with cinnamon brioche. Join the email list for news of upcoming pop-up appearances by visiting chefs and winemakers.

PICO AT THE LOS ALAMOS GENERAL STORE 458 Bell St. Los Alamos, 805-344-1122 picolosalamos.com New American Shared Plates and Entrées $12–$31 Live Music

The spirit of a one-stop general store lives on in the historic town of Los Alamos, the northern gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley. Expect to find an extraordinary chef-driven, locally sourced menu by Drew Terp (formerly of Auberge du Soleil in Napa and Alain Ducasse at the Essex House in New York) offering heart of rib eye, duck confit risotto, smoked scallops, house-made pasta dishes, and charcuterie and cheese platters, along with signature cocktails, beer, and a world-class wine list. The spacious, refurbished building is also the tasting room of Lane Tanner and Will Henry’s Lumen Wines of Santa Maria. Sunday is Burger Night. Upscale but down home, Pico is keeping destination diners as well as the local cowboys coming back for more.

EDNA VALLEY PIONEERS • SINCE 1973

Join us for a tasting of our world class Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

10 MIN FROM DWNTN SLO • CHAMISALVINEYARDS.COM OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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Where to Eat Now SAMA SAMA KITCHEN 1208 State Street Santa Barbara, 805-965-4566 samasamakitchen.com at Topa Topa Brewing 345 East Ojai Avenue Ojai, 805-335-4175 topatopa.beer Asian; Shared Plates $11–$42

This hip spot buzzes with guests who come for well-prepared southeast Asian food made with ingredients sourced from local farms. Shareable plates include the signature jidori chicken wings with sweet and spicy tamarind glaze. A recently opened second location resides within Topa Topa Brewing in downtown Ojai, where the beer-friendly menu echoes the bold flavors of the original location but is especially tailored to pair with a pint.

Order at the walk-up window and sit indoors or on the street-side patio.

SIDES HARDWARE AND SHOES, A BROTHERS RESTAURANT 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave. Los Olivos, 805-688-4820 sidesrestaurant.com American; Entrées $14–$35

Brothers Jeff and Matt Nichols named their restaurant after a business that occupied the building in the early 1900s. The country-store vibe appears in the decorative tin ceiling and menu items like the Hammered Pig, a lunch dish of pork tenderloin that has been pounded thin, breaded, deep-fried, then served in a salad of arugula, pecans, and Parmesan or as part of a sandwich with applemustard seed slaw. Lunch options also include fish tacos, sandwiches, and an array of burgers. You can’t go wrong with the ever-changing chef’s burger by chef de cuisine Michael Cherney, who also lets loose with a new Taco Tuesday menu available at lunch and dinner each week. Dinner fare takes on an international flair: A banh mi-inspired appetizer pairs miso-cured bacon with steamed buns, mussels are served in coconut broth and red curry, and lamb sirloin comes with goat cheese gnocchi and maitake mushrooms. Desserts by pastry chef Stephanie Jackson are homey yet elegantly plated.

Local wines are available by the glass and in carafes, supplementing the full bar.

That’s the spirit. Mastro’s Steakhouse (mastrosrestaurants. com) in Thousand Oaks now offers Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company’s Single Barrel Bourbon for the first time since Prohibition, in an exclusive to the restaurant.

Mastro’s is the first restaurant in the country to collaborate with the storied distiller after its 102-year bourbon hiatus.

To celebrate, the steak house is offering indulgent pours, flights, and specialty cocktails, as well as decadent dishes that pair perfectly.

Double-cut pork chop or New York pepper steak, anyone?

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THE SPOON TRADE 295 West Grand Ave. Grover Beach, 805-904-6773 thespoontrade.com American; Entrées $15–$32 Great Patio, Sunday Brunch

The Spoon Trade serves what chef Jacob Town calls “elevated comfort food” in a bright and comfortable neighborhood hangout. Classic dishes (think: fried chicken, pasta, and upside-down cakes) are reimagined with of-the-moment flavors and local ingredients alongside a progressive beer and wine list.

S.Y. KITCHEN 1110 Faraday St. Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794 sykitchen.com Italian; Entrées $20–$38

Located on a quiet side street in Santa Ynez, this cozy spot is an oasis of craft cocktails and rustic Italian fare in wine and tri-tip country. Executive chef Luca Crestanelli lets his native Italian roots show in house-made pastas such as wild mushroom pappardelle, salmon puttanesca, and a don’t-miss grilled globe-artichoke appetizer. With its firepits and padded lounge seating, The Courtyard is a great place to settle in for pre-dinner cocktails and glasses of local wine or to stay for the whole meal. A lunch menu of salads, pastas, and oak-grilled meats and seafood is served daily.

UPDATE THOMAS HILL ORGANICS 1313 Park St. Paso Robles, 805-226-5888 thomashillorganics.com Wine Country Cuisine; Entrées $15–$41 Sunday Brunch

At this chic but casual restaurant in downtown Paso Robles, executive chef Libry Darusman builds on the vision of owner and founding chef Debbie Thomas by turning ingredients from local purveyors into elegant, satisfying fare at lunch, brunch, and dinner. (Why, yes, those are Loo Loo Farms tomatoes in the pickled stone fruit and house ricotta salad.) Wine, beer, and ciders from the region are also featured, adding to the restaurant’s farm-to-table bona fides.

UPDATE TYGER TYGER 121 E. Yanonali St. Santa Barbara, 805-880-4227 tygertygersb.com Thai-Vietnamese Entrées $13–$17; Platters $21–$23

Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Tyger Tyger burns bright with creativity. Hundreds of illuminated pink lanterns ring the exterior of the restaurant’s shared marketplace space. Open daily at 11 a.m., the order-at-the-counter eatery offers a menu of street food–inspired dishes by chef Daniel Palaima, who’s now back in his native Santa Barbara after stints with culinary heavyweights Grant Achatz and Stephanie Izard. Dishes include pork belly bahn mi, crispy chicken wings with caramelized fish sauce, octopus salad with glass noodles and a Vietnamese fish sauce called nouc cham, and Vietnamese crepes with duck and shrimp confit. Beer and wine selections are from around the globe. Also on site is Monkeyshine, which serves frozen treats flavored with Asian spices and ingredients, (Why, yes, those are Loo Loo Farms tomatoes in the pickled stone fruit and house ricotta salad.) Dart Coffee, a small-lot specialty roaster, opens its coffee counter at 7 a.m. daily.

WINE CASK 813 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-966-9463 winecask.com Wine Country Cuisine

Entrées $28–$42; Chef’s tasting menu $75 for five courses, $95 for eight courses

Romantic Founded in 1981, the Wine Cask is pleasing palates with executive chef Jeremy Van Kralingen, a native of Hilo, Hawaii, in the kitchen. Local ingredients still inform dishes at every turn, especially in the tasting menus that feature Santa Barbara County labels in the optional wine pairings. The regular dinner menu includes Santa Barbara Channel sea bass with gremolata, duck confit with farro and strawberry sofrito, and pan-roasted rib eye with umami potatoes. Desserts echo the elegant simplicity of the restaurant: Bread pudding with bourbonsalted caramel sauce is a traditional standout, joined by newer options like lemon meringue ice-cream tart and a Nutella cheesecake with pretzel brittle. California wines are the focus of the international wine list.

Good Eats Not too fancy, not too

expensive, and a good experience all around.

BLUE TABLE 28912 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills, 818-597-2583 bluetable.net International; Entrées $8–$15 Live Music

A few blue tables provide seating for outside dining at this charming deli with high-quality Italian eats for lunch and dinner. The indigo theme continues inside, where blue-wash wooden tables are topped with bouquets of fresh flowers. Different salads rotate through the deli case, and the list of sandwiches is written on a blackboard. (The proscuitto and burrata panini is not to be missed.) Pizzas, soups, cookies, and all other items here are made fresh daily. A small freezer carries pastas and sauces for home use, but anything on the menu can be taken to go. You’ll want to stay for dinner, available daily from around 6 p.m.

The menu of comfort-food classics includes eggplant Parmesan and spaghetti with organic ground turkey meatballs. Local musicians are featured on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

NEW BRAXTON’S KITCHEN 317 Carmen Drive Camarillo, 805-384-7566 braxtonskitchen.com American; Breakfast and Lunch Entrées $8–$13

This beloved order-at-the-counter breakfast-andlunch spot serves updated classic dishes with a side order of down-home friendly vibes. Hearty breakfasts include lemon-poppyseed pancakes and the Scorpion Bowl of fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, jalapeños, and a sriracha drizzle. Lunch offerings are fresh salads and sandwiches, including the vegan Somis Sammy with marinated eggplant and hummus. The dog-friendly patio is a given, as the restaurant is named after co-owner Steve Kim’s rescue pooch.

BRENT’S DELI 2799 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, 805-557-1882 brentsdeli.com Deli; Entrées $6–$20 Kid-Friendly

For amazingly good Reuben sandwiches on rye bread piled high with pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, you can’t beat this slick deli. The booths are cushy and roomy, leaving space for your tummy to expand as you down a four-layer slice of chocolate cake or a plate full of

CAFE ANA 1201 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-888-0262 cafeanasb.com Californian Evening Plates $10–$20 Weekend Brunch

This bright, all-day café combines a big-city vibe with neighborhood-hangout warmth. At the remodeled former Coffee Cat space in downtown Santa Barbara, Cafe Ana patrons are in the capable hands of husband and wife owners and longtime hospitality-industry pros Julian Sanders and Katherine Guzman Sanders. In the morning, stop by for breakfast or snag a house-baked pastry and Lamill coffee. Weekday lunches include seasonal soups, fresh salads, and inventive sandwiches. Chef Ryan Whyte-Buck’s take on eggs Benedict is a don’t-miss weekend brunch dish. Sip from a well-curated wine and beer list while nibbling evening bites like cheese plates and house-made country pâté.

UPDATE CAFÉ BIZOU 30315 Canwood St., #14 Agoura Hills, 818-991-9560 cafebizou.com French; Entrées $17–$28

Cozy and candlelit, Café Bizou offers French comfort food in an unstuffy atmosphere. It’s known for wellcrafted classics such as traditional bouillabaisse, lobster bisque, escargots persillade, steak au poivre, double truffle pommes frites, along with plats du jour.

Also look for grilled fresh fish, steaks, chops, chicken, pastas, and risotto.

This is high-end food without the prices to match. A salad added to your dinner is $2 or $3, and wine buffs rejoice at the $2 per bottle corkage fee.

CHO CHO SAN, THOUSAND OAKS 400 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, 805-379-9300 Chochosan.com Japanese Entrées $12-$20; Rolls $7–$14

This lively spot is known for its reliable and reasonably priced Japanese specialties. Teppanyaki tables, popular for birthday celebrations, showcase entertaining chefs cooking over sizzling-hot iron plates. In the main dining room, sushi chefs turn out fresh sushi, sashimi, and traditional and specialty rolls. Look for the dragonfly roll with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna, and check out daily specials.

There’s something for everyone, including non-Japanese items such as burgers and chicken sandwiches, and for kids, bento boxes with mini corn dogs.

FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE & KITCHEN 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Suite 2 Westlake Village, 805-230-9950 and 494 E Main St., Ventura, 805-628-3312 and 35 State St., Suite A Santa Barbara, 805-845-3100 finneyscrafthouse.com American; Entrées $10–$16 Kid-Friendly

The “craft beer spoken here” neon sign in the dining room doesn’t quite say it all at this casual but polished gastropub owned by Greg Finefrock, an 805 local whose childhood nickname inspired the restaurant’s moniker. In addition to the 30 brews on tap, you’ll find craft cocktails, California wines by the glass and bottle, and a fun atmosphere and menu that has something for everyone. With slight variations between the Santa Barbara and Westlake Village locations, shareable appetizers include gluten-free buffalo cauliflower tossed in yuzu sauce and chicken-and-waffle bites that come with a tangy surprise: Tabasco-braised kale. The house burger is made with a chuck, brisket, and hanger steak patty on a brioche bun (options include gluten-free buns and plant-based Impossible Burger patties).

Crispy tacos, salads, and flatbread pizzas are also available. Families and other groups gravitate to the communal tables inside and on the patio. Seating is firstcome, first-served at the copper bar.

JANE 1311 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-962-1311 and 6940 Marketplace Drive Goleta, 805-770-5388 janeatthemarketplace.com; janerestaurantsb.com Eclectic; Entrées $9–$25

Lots of interesting salads, sandwiches, and burgers are set down at lunchtime on small wooden and marble tables in this cute spot on State Street from the family that owns the Montecito Cafe.

Jane is the name of the owner (Jane Chapman) and her grandmother (Jane Moody), whose pictures adorn the high walls. The loft seating and upstairs patio are cool and a bit secluded compared to the downstairs tables, which are always packed in the afternoon. The eclectic dinner menu offers pastas, steaks, and grilled duck breast. For dessert, the soft-serve ice cream is a fun choice, as is the coconut cake.

LOS AGAVES RESTAURANT 600 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara, 805-564-2626 and 2911 De la Vina St. Santa Barbara, 805-682-2600 and 7024 Market Place Drive Goleta, 805-968-4000 and 2810 Portico Way, Suite 1105 Oxnard, 805-278-9101 and 30750 Russell Ranch Road, Suite G Westlake Village, 818-874-0779 los-agaves.com Mexican; Entrées $9–$17

MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

In our next 805 Living Eats podcast, contributing writer Jaime Lewis sits down with confectioner Jessica Foster to discuss how she makes life sweet in the 805. Find the link to listen in at 805living.com.

LEWIS: ALEXANDRA WALLACE; FOSTER: KRISTEN JOHANSEN

stuffed cabbage rolls. A separate bar also offers the full menu. The patio out back allows for even more seating.

A counter up front expedites takeout orders. Brent’s Deli is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

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Where to Eat Now Launched in Santa Barbara in 2008, this family-owned and operated group of restaurants has clearly struck a chord: Its original location was number 16 on Yelp’s list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2016. The mix of authentic Mexican cuisine with casual but attentive order-at-the-counter service can now be found at five sites in and around the 805. Each offers the same menu of house-made tortillas, ceviche, salads, and burritos filled with all manner of seafood, poultry, or beef. Signature dishes include the show-stopping Land and Sea molcajete, a bubbling-hot mixture of meat and seafood with house-made salsa, avocado, chorizo, grilled onion, and nopal, served in a three-legged bowl carved from volcanic rock. Los Agaves restaurants in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Oxnard serve beer and wine as well as agave margaritas and micheladas. The Shoppes at Westlake Village location has a full bar that offers top-shelf tequilas and drink specials. Diners who sit at the bar can order food there, too.

Channel your best Lucy Ricardo at the Opolo Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp (opolo. com). On October 18 and 19, starting at 5:30 p.m., sip Opolo wines in between grape stomping and folk dancing, and enjoy dishes like fresh oysters, roast lamb, and sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls). Tickets are $100 for wine club members and $120 for nonmembers. On October 20, the Harvest Weekend Survivor Brunch takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the patio. The buffet meal includes an Opolo sangria or mimosa. Tickets are $29 per person.

Buy tickets for both events online.

UPDATE LOUISIANA SEAFOOD HOUSE BY EMC 511 Town Center Drive, Space 3015 Oxnard, 805-278-4997 emcseafood.com Cajun Entrées $15–$22; Seafood Boil is market price

The Big Easy comes to Oxnard with the brand-new menu at this stylish eatery serving lunch and dinner daily in The Collection at RiverPark. Created by NOLA-raised wife-and-husband chefs Aliza and Guy DuPlantie, oldschool New Orleans dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp Creole, house-made sausages, and blackened catfish are the real deal. French bread for authentic po’boys comes from Leidenheimer Baking Company in New Orleans, and crawfish is flown in seasonally. Patio seating is available. Happy hour takes place Mondays through Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

UPDATE MESA BURGER 315 Meigs Road, Suite F Santa Barbara, 805-963-7492 and 7010 Market Place Drive Goleta, 805-869-2247 mesaburger.com Burgers; Entrées $10–$14

A laid-back beach vibe prevails at both the original location in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood and at the new Goleta outpost in Camino Real Marketplace. Local gal and executive chef Cat Cora,

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the first female Iron Chef on Food Network’s Iron Chef America, and chef Aimee DiMase offer a simple menu of mouthwatering burgers, fries, salads, and shakes.

Try the Montecito burger, gussied up with griddled goat cheese, bourbon-glazed mushrooms, onion ring, truffle aioli, arugula, and grilled onions. Wines and on-tap beers are from the Central Coast. Both locations are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Asian dishes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

Award-winning chef Mohan Ismail oversees the approachable menu that features starters, salads, sandwiches, rice and noodle bowls, classic entrées, noodles, and sides, as well as a Little Monks menu for children. Pair the bold flavors with a glass of wine or beer, or Vietnamese iced coffee, and sit in the bright, contemporary dining room or on the outdoor patio.

OJAI BOWLS 11492 N. Ventura Ave. Ojai, 805-633-9044 ojaibowls.org Californian-Asian; Entrées $9–$15

THE STONEHAUS 32039 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-483-1152 the-stonehaus.com Mediterranean; Sandwiches & Platters $10–$17 Dog-Friendly, Great Views, Kid‑Friendly, Romantic

An Ojai Valley shopping center anchored by a Rite Aid is the setting for this casual, order-at-the-counter restaurant specializing in customizable poke and ramen bowls, plus what co-owners Don Hull and Doug Hernandez call “crafted bowls.” The latter include the vegan Golden Flower Bowl, named for its pairing of turmeric-dusted cauliflower, beet chips, and quinoa, and the Braised Beef Bowl, made with local Watkins Cattle Co. beef, brown rice, and crispy leeks.

Hull, a sommelier, oversees the list of wines served by the glass and local beers and kombuchas on tap. Hernandez lets his imagination—and his sweet tooth—run free in desserts like banana spring rolls with vegan coconut ice cream and a Kona pie that involves a chocolate-cookie crust, macadamia nut– vanilla ice cream, and oodles of hot fudge.

UPDATE OYSTER LOFT 175 Pomeroy Ave. Pismo Beach, 805-295-5104 oysterloft.com Seafood; Fresh oysters $16 per half dozen; Crudo $14–$27; Entrées $21–$47 Great Views

Savvy seafood lovers get their fix at this buzzing ocean-view spot with an outdoor patio. Oysters, such as Fanny Bay and Kumamoto, are delivered fresh daily and other fresh crudo starters include scallop carpaccio and salmon poke tacos. Preparations change seasonally, but look for pan-seared Pacific halibut and cioppino, chock-full of sea bass, mussels, prawns, and littleneck clams. Non-seafood options include hangar steak au poivre and wild mushroom and asparagus risotto. Go ahead and splurge on the peanut butter–chocolate tower. Happy hour is Mondays through Thursdays (excluding holidays) from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering the chef’s choice of oysters on the half-shell with rice-wine mignonette for $1.50 each, $1 off draft beers, and $7 curated wines by the glass. Dinner is served nightly.

NEW RAMEN KOTORI 1618 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, 805-691-9672 ramenkotori.com Japanese, Ramen; Entrées $7–$16

What began as a pop-up has evolved into this casual, cozy eatery from husband and wife team Francisco and Ikuko “Erica” Velazquez and Budi Kazali, owner of The Ballard Inn and Gathering Table. The farmers’ market-driven menu includes small bites like karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pot stickers, and seasonal salads. Look for daily specials such as kimchi fried rice and spicy fried chicken bao buns. The ramen roster includes a miso version with gluten-free and vegan options. Fresh sashimi specials are coming soon. Sip local beers and wines or Japanese sake.

SOCIAL MONK ASIAN KITCHEN 4000 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., Space C1 Westlake Village, 805-370-8290 socialmonk.com Asian; Entrées $9–$14

Spicing things up at The Promenade in Westlake Village, this new fast-casual restaurant offers made-to-order

Patterned after an Italian enoteca, the aptly named Stonehaus starts each day as a coffeehouse, serving kale-berry smoothies along with baked goods, wraps, and breakfast sandwiches from Lisa Biondi, executive chef at the adjacent Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn. It switches to wine bar mode in the afternoons and evenings, when the menu includes charcuterie and crostini platters, salads, panini, and desserts. The outdoor pizza oven is fired up nightly (check website for hours). Wine flights are arranged by regions, varietals, and themes. Patios overlook the waterfall and the working vineyard, which is open for picnicking on Stonehaus fare (check website for information about seasonal tastings and festivals). The picnic tables and bocce ball court are family friendly, and visiting canines get a water fountain of their own near the courtyard fireplace.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Look to these eateries for festive food, an upbeat atmosphere, and a good time.

ANDRIA’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & MARKET 1449 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, 805-654-0546 andriasseafood.com Seafood; Entrées $8–$24 Kid-Friendly

No visit to Ventura Harbor—or to Ventura, period— is complete without a stop at Andria’s, a locals’ favorite since 1982. On weekends, the fast-moving line to order can stretch out onto the restaurant’s front patio. Additional seating includes indoor dining rooms decorated with vintage photos and fishing gear, and a protected patio with a view of the docks.

Charbroiled fresh catch of the day dinners come with rice pilaf, bread, and a choice of salads. Some items are available in stir-fry dishes. But deep-fried is the preferred method of preparation for everything from onion rings (served in a towering stack) to halibut and chips, oysters and chips, popcorn shrimp and chips, and, well, you get the idea. The atmosphere is beach casual: Orders are called out by number when ready, and it’s up to diners to gather utensils, tartar sauce, and other fixin’s from a counter near the kitchen. Beer and wine are available. An on-site fish market is open daily.

THE ANNEX 550 Collection Blvd.

Oxnard, 805-278-9500 thecollectionrp.com/the_annex Cuisines and prices vary by location Kid-Friendly

Seven restaurants offer as many dining experiences at this public market-style spot in the heart of The Collection at RiverPark. House-roasted coffee, avocado toast, and gluten-free muffins help jump-start the day at Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, while The Blend Superfood Bar serves smoothies, juices, and acai bowls

made with local berries and honey. Other order-at-thecounter options include Love Pho, Taqueria el Tapatio, and PokeCeviche, specializing in build-your-own Hawaiian poke bowls and chef-curated Latin American ceviche. Seoul Sausage Kitchen, the season-three winner of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race, offers an updated take on Korean barbecue. The craftbeer bar Bottle & Pint serves local brews and ciders on tap and by the bottle and can; wines are available by the glass. Fun artwork, inventive communal seating areas, and two retail shops add to the vibe.

BETTINA 1014 Coast Village Road Montecito Country Mart Montecito, 805-770-2383 bettinapizzeria.com Pizza/Italian; Entrées and Pizzas $12–$22

First-timers to Bettina may think they’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in Italy. At this bustling, cozy neighborhood restaurant patrons sip a Venetian spritz or Negroni and nosh on naturally leavened, Neapolitanstyle pizzas dressed up with inventive toppings.

Antipasti, entrées such as chicken cacciatore, and fresh salads are also on the menu, which changes seasonally but always includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Lunch and dinner are served daily; online orders are available for pickup.

BOGIES BAR & LOUNGE 32001 Agoura Road Westlake Village, 818-889-2394 bogies-bar.com Spanish-California; Small Plates & Entrées $4–$15 Great Views, Live Music

Surrounded by greenery and water, this bar on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn is a gorgeous place to get your groove on: Live music and/or club nights are scheduled nearly every night of the week. On the patio, wicker chaise lounges are arranged in semiprivate groupings around fire pits and a bar counter looks onto the dance floor through roll-up doors. Inside, bronze curtains and silver wall sconces shimmer in the mood-setting darkness. (Some areas are available by reservation.) It all adds up to a great backdrop for a menu that includes happy hour specials like $3 draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and dinner-and-drink duos ($10 to $14) on Mondays through Fridays from 5 pm. to 7 p.m.

Spanish influences are evident in dishes like paella and crispy patatas bravas with Fresno chilies and garlic aioli.

CAFÉ HABANA 3939 Cross Creek Road Malibu, 310-317-0300 cafehabana.com Pan-Latin; Entrées $9–$25

Sunday Brunch Café Habana isn’t limited to Cuban food or cocktails.

Dishes represent all of Latin culture, from South American ceviches to Mexican grilled corn and huevos rancheros to Cuban pulled-pork sandwiches.

Owner Sean Meenan is an eco-warrior while partner Rande Gerber brings in the celebs and keeps the nightlife hopping. The food is good, the cocktails are great, and the coconut flan is out of this world.

THE CAVE AT VENTURA WINE COMPANY 4435 McGrath St., Suites 301-303 Ventura, 805-642-9449 venturawineco.com International; Small Plates $3–$18; Salads and Sandwiches $7–$11 Saturday Brunch

Patrons at The Cave conduct their own tastings via Enomatic machines, which dispense 1-, 3- and 5-ounce pours at the push of a button. Executive chef Alex Montoya’s creative, wine-friendly menu of shareable small plates changes on the first Tuesday of each month.

Look for combinations like prosciutto-wrapped pork chops with apricot-cashew stuffing and Arctic char with sinigang broth and tomato concasse, plus an assortment

of pizzas, burgers, and desserts. (Save room for one of Montoya’s award-winning frozen custards.) For the best acoustics, nab a table in the Barrel Room decorated with dozens of glass balls hanging from the ceiling. It’s also available for private events.

NEW THE CRUISERY 501 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-770-0270 thecruisery.com American Fusion; Entrées $9–$18

This lively brewpub located in the former Santa Barbara Brewing Company space serves top-notch beers from award-winning master brewer Dave “Zambo” Szamborski as well as a satisfying sudsfriendly menu. Not your typical pub grub, offerings include banh mi flatbread, yellowtail crudo, and steak frites, along with sandwiches, tacos, salads, and appetizers like beer-battered green beans. Beer not your jam? Try a craft cocktail with house-made infusions and freshly squeezed juices. Happy hour is Sundays through Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with deals on cocktails, beers, and bites.

NEW CUBANEO 418 State St. Santa Barbara, 805-250-3824 cubaneosb.com California-inspired Cuban; Entrées $10–$15

Sister restaurant to Barbareño in Santa Barbara, this order-at-the-counter spot has a fun vacay vibe and shares space with tropical-cocktail bar Shaker Mill and Modern Times Beer. Cubaneo offers lunch, dinner, and late-night eats with a reasonably priced menu of sandwiches, platos, and sides. Plates include plato mixto ($15) with choice of mojo pork loin or roast, marinated chicken breast, shrimp, or goat cheese croquetas. A standout sandwich is the Cubano ($13) with mojo pork roast, Benton’s country ham, and Jarlsberg cheese. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

FLOUR HOUSE 690 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 805-544-5282 flourhouseslo.com Italian; Starters $5–$21; Pizzas $15–$20; Pastas $19–$28

With a sleek interior, dynamic menu, and portrait of Sophia Loren, Flour House isn’t just a pizzeria: It’s a love song to Italy. Co-owner and Salerno native Alberto Russo works magic with imported flour and a Stefano Ferrara pizza oven, the gold standard for traditional pizza napolitana. During Meter Mondays, pizzas are available in different sizes depending on the number in your party: a half-meter for four people includes a choice of three tastings ($28), while a full meter serves eight with a choice of six tastings ($50). Don’t miss Russo’s house-made pastas or the weekday-night aperitivo hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring cocktails such as the classic Negroni and Aperol Spritz as well as beer and wine and appetizers from $4 to $6.

HITCHING POST II 406 E. Highway 246 Buellton, 805-688-0676 hitchingpost2.com Steak House; Entrées $26–$56

A fan favorite since its star turn in the 2004 movie Sideways, Hitching Post II radiates a western-style steak-house feel with down-home service and hearty portions of Santa Maria–style barbecue. In addition to oak-grilled steaks, the menu features ribs, quail, turkey, duck, and seafood. Sip from the Wine Spectator award-winning wine list that includes a selection of Hitching Post labels.

LOS OLIVOS WINE MERCHANT & CAFÉ 2879 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, 805-688-7265 losolivoscafe.com Wine Country; Entrées $12–$29

This retail wine shop adjoins an all-day café with seating indoors by the stone fireplace and outside on the wisteria-covered patio. Cheese plates and olives are small bites perfect for pairing with wines at the bar. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and pizza comprise the lunch menu. At night choices get a little fancier with pot roast, lamb shank, pasta, chicken, steak, and fresh fish. The wine selection from the shop (available to diners) has more than 400 labels and specializes in picks from California’s Central Coast. Now that’s fun.

MORE ON THE WEB: Visit 805living.com for more listings and to make quick and easy reservations at many of the restaurants listed here and on the website through Open Table.

LUCKY PENNY 127 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, 805-284-0358 luckypennysb.com Californian; Entrées $11–$16

Located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, this orderat-the-counter spot ranks as one of the city’s most Instagrammed restaurants. The exterior covered in thousands of shiny copper pennies is a draw, but so is the creative menu of close-up-worthy salads, sandwiches, small plates, and wood-fired pizzas. The latter includes such local-place-named favorites as the Milpas, topped with fingerling potatoes, chorizo, and a sunny-side-up egg. Salads are big enough to turn into a meal or to share with a friend who orders pizza. Seating is on a pet-friendly patio adjacent to The Lark restaurant. Coffee is served, along with beer, wine, cider, and a life-giving frosé accented with local strawberries and tarragon.

OLIO PIZZERIA 11 W. Victoria St., Suite 21 Santa Barbara, 805-899-2699 oliocucina.com Italian Small and Shared Plates $5–$19; Entrées $15–$21 This combination Italian pizzeria and enoteca is brought to you by the owners of Olio e Limone Ristorante, the more formal eatery located next door. The Victoria Court setting includes a long bar with a peekaboo view of the pizza oven, plus small tables. Menu offerings include chicken, fish, and beef entrées, as well as pasta, antipasti, salads, cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and house-made dolci.

The pizzas, with thin, chewy crusts, are individually sized and topped with excellent ingredients—sautéed rapini, spicy salami, cremini mushrooms, and black truffles among them. Lunch or brunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the dinner menu is available daily from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Wines from California and Italy are available by the glass, carafe, half liter, and bottle.

TAVERNA TONY 23410 Civic Center Way Malibu, 310-317-9667 tavernatony.com Greek; Entrées $13–$37

This huge space at the northeast corner of the Malibu Country Mart is almost never closed and never empty. There’s always fun to be had: If the classical guitarists aren’t playing, the waiters might be singing, or the owner, Tony Koursaris, might be telling stories at one of the tables. Every meal starts with Greek-style country bread and house-made dip. The roast baby lamb is a specialty of the house for good reasons: The meat is garlicky and mostly tender with some crispy bites. The accompanying potatoes are roasted with lemon juice and the carrots are cooked with dill. Greek coffee is a perfect end here.  OCTOBER 2019 / 805LIVING.COM

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By Greg Clarke

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