Apna Indian
By Amy Beth Katz, M.A., VOICE
J. Wilkes Tasting Room
HE ONLY TASTING ROOM for the J. Wilkes label opened on State St. in November, and what a tasty experience it is! They offer wines by Winemaker Wes Hagen, voted one of the 100 Most Influential Winemakers in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. It is owned and sourced by the Miller family: five generations of agricultural growers, with 50 years in the wine-making business; the family’s smiling photographs, taken in the rich, Central Coast vineyards, grace the wall, bringing nature and nurture into the room, which is further warmed by a fireplace and crystal chandelier lighting. The Santa Maria, Paso Robles, and Italian wines are paired with decadent chocolates and a smorgasbord of cheeses. The friendly manager, Antonio Savedra, and his lovely assistant Carina Longo are warm and welcoming, and the elegant atmosphere invites both wine aficionados and beginners to linger and experiment. Savedra has five years experience as a Tasting Room Manager, and is proud to work for the Millers and serve a label like J. Wilkes. “We will soon have an outdoor patio with heaters and this is the only tasting room on State St. to offer live music,” he shared.
Photos by Amy Katz
35 State Street Suite B, Next to Hotel California
K
www.facebook.com/ apnasb79 • Tue - Sat: 11:30 - 2:30 and 5-9:30; Sun: 12 - 9pm (2:30-5)
Amy Beth Katz, M.A, is a photojournalist, writer, intuitive/depth counselor, and holistic Realtor in Santa Barbara. Contact her at amykatz@yahoo.com
Antonio Savedra
EVIN CASEY, MD, HAS BEEN NAMED 2020 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CENTRAL COAST MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. Casey, a member of the CCMA since 2016, is also active with its state affiliate the California Medical Association, where he has worked on policies and legislation that affects both physicians and patients. Casey was awarded a United States Navy Health Professions scholarship in 1999. During his time in the Navy, he served as the ship surgeon on the USS Ronald Reagan and was a general surgery department head in Afghanistan, where he played a key role in the facility’s 89 percent survival rate. He has also been Dr. Kevin Casey a surgeon with Advanced Echelon on the USNS Mercy on a humanitarian mission in Southeast Asia and Micronesia. His time with the military earned him numerous honors and awards including four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals. After receiving his bachelor of science from Loyola Marymount University in New Orleans, where he graduated magna cum laude, he went on to Loyola University Chicago for his doctor of medicine. Casey then completed his general surgery residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans and his vascular surgery fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center. Casey has been a resident of Santa Barbara since 2016 and is currently a vascular surgeon with Santa Barbara Vascular Specialists. He is also a teaching professor with the general surgery residency program at Cottage Hospital and was awarded the general surgery teacher of the year award in 2018.
HERE IS A NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT in Santa Barbara named Apna Indian, located at 718 State St., and it’s flavors are as ancient as the mother-country of the brothers who own it. Owners Kuldeep Singh and Ninder Josan, along with brother and line cook Gopi Josan, have spent their lives in restaurants, from the time they were little boys assisting in the family business in Sidhupur, Punjab, until they moved to Santa Barbara, and their experience is reflected in the superb, succulent dishes which taste of authentic Indian, with a dash of California originality. Stopping by to do this interview on Hanukkah, I was delighted when they served Indian Latkes — potato pancakes! “Most Indian food in America is not so Indian. Here, you get what you would eat in India, but with our own tweak on it. A lot of restaurants make everything bland and mild, because they think Americans don’t want spicy. What I have experienced here is opposite — they do want spices in the food— they want spices and flavor, and we have had a really good response from public,” shared Singh. Butter Chicken and Saag (creamed spinach) are their most popular dishes. “We went with the basic stuff, and customers like this casual atmosphere, too. We serve wine and beer, and focus on beer: it’s better with Indian: Flying Horse. More Lagers. Taj Mahal.” On the wall behind the counter, a sign reads, “Always be faithful to quality.” When I returned for Christmas Dinner with friends to try the Lamb Marsala, Chicken Tikka, and Garlic Naan, it was a real gift to taste the truth of this: Apna Indian is faithful, indeed! Check out brunch and Happy Hour specials online.
Ninder Josan and Kuldeep Singh
www.jwilkes.com • 12pm - 8pm daily • (805) 318-6680
New Board President of Cental California Medical Association Named
718 State Street
T Photos by Amy Katz
NEW on STATE
T
15
At the Center of Santa Barbara’s Cultural Conversation | www.VoiceSB.com
Photo by Ruby Campbell
January 24, 2020
OPEN HOUSE INVITATIONS www.VoiceSB.com
CARPINTERIA
4652 4th St
Sun 1-3
$1,395,000
4BD/2BA, Coastal Properties, Marsha Gray, 805-252-7093
4468 Foothill Rd
Sun 1-4
$3,299,999
4BD/4BA, Coastal Properties, Scott Walters, 805-724-7339
GOLETA
7368 Hollister Ave #33
Sat 1-4
$219,900
2BD/1BA, Coldwell Banker, Tiffany Lin, 805-869-3889
1152 Hill Rd
MONTECITO Sun 1-3
$2,900,000
4BD/3.5BA, Coastal Properties, Martha McNair, 797.480.6769
907 Park Ln
Sun 1-4
$5,800,000
5BD/7BA, Coldwell Banker, Jessica McLernon, 805-896-2443
SANTA BARBARA
425 Transfer Ave #A
Sun 2-4
$600,000
2BD/2BA, Berkshire Hathaway, Carmen Galzerano, 805-705-3080
1627 Villa Ave
Sun 11-1
$795,000
2BD/1BA, Coldwell Banker, Dana Zertuche, 805-565-8145
105 W De La Guerra St #B
Sun 1-4
$1,799,000
2BD + office 2.5BA, Sun Coast Real Estate, N. Konishcheva 805-451-7823
Commemorative Tree Plaques Make Great Gifts! Designate a tree as a tribute to a family member or friend. For more information visit: www.sbbeautiful.org/commemorativetrees.html
Santa Barbara Beautiful is a 501 (c) 3. Donations may be tax deductible. TAX ID: 23-7055360
SB Law Firm Welcomes New Associate Attorney
T
ARA CHRISTIAN WAS RECENTLY ADMITTED TO THE STATE BAR AND HAS JOINED PRICE, POSTEL & PARMA as their Tara Christian newest associate attorney. Her legal practice focuses mainly on public agency representation in education, employment, contract negotiation, policy formation, land use, as well as environmental and water issues. Christian has worked on a wide variety of public and private matters, including property disputes, landlordtenant issues and tort claims. Before moving to Santa Barbara, she was a law clerk at the firm’s Cameron Park office. At the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, Christian earned a concentration in environmental and water law. She also served as president of the Real Property Club and as secretary of the Water Law Society. She also gained invaluable experience in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, first as a research assistant and later as a legal intern for the Clean Water Action nonprofit group. In addition to her work in water and environmental issues, Christian worked in McGeorge’s Bankruptcy Clinic to help clients achieve a fresh financial start.