Mobile Magic

And pizza for 500, please

Stephen Meyer’s love of pizza began early in life in New York, where his father would often bring home a pie after his shift, and his family would enjoy it for breakfast Cooking since he was a kid, Meyer learned some of his skills from his grandma, but he cooks largely by feel, never mind measuring cups or recipes . While his customers rave about his food, he will only modestly say, “It always comes out right .” For him, food is a “mutual language” we all share, and he began his family catering business in 1980 to bring his love of cooking to others . Although he makes a range of old favorites in his mobile pizza oven (Margherita, pepperoni, mushroom and olives, etc .), his most popular offerings are the ones that show his culinary imagination . The tri-tip pizza with chipotle mayonnaise is perhaps his most ordered pizza, although his vegetarian pizza topped with kale salad is in heavy rotation too If you’re lucky, he may have his lobster bisque pizza available Meyers starts this unique pie with lobster bisque, adds cheese, and tops the pizza with lobster ravioli, a combination you will not soon forget . A personal favorite is the black mussel pie with tomato and basil…a dish he served at the 2018 Santa Barbara Chowder Festival to the delight of over 500 patrons . He’s also slated to be on hand at the 2019 Chowder Fest on November 3 .

“We’re a lot more than just pizza,” Meyers reminded . “we can do everything from a full breakfast menu, with omelets and flapjacks on the beach to a gourmet steak dinner at a wine country wedding We make dessert pizzas, too, with apricots, crème fraiche and honey fired on a pizza crust and topped with ice cream ” Meyers also does great BBQ, homey mac & cheese, and not-too-hot Buffalo wings . But he also borrows from world cuisine and cooks everything from Thai chicken to Persian food, depending on the occasion .

Because his pizza oven and grill are mobile, Meyers is able to service a large territory from San Luis Obispo all the way to Los Angeles He brings genuine care to his events and loves nothing better than “seeing people’s smiles ”

If you’re planning an event he encourages you to sample his food at one of his frequent public events (Just check the website) Captain Fatty’s, an up-andcoming brewery in Goleta, often features his food . Try a glass of their calypso sour with a freshly fired pizza, and you’ll be hooked!—

By Angela Borda

Lunch at the Maravilla

You’ve probably driven by countless times and never knew what you were missing There’s a lunch spot secret that is slowly emerging for the business community in Goleta and it’s called The Monarch Grill, located inside the Maravilla Assisted Living Residences on Calle Real 30 plus-year veteran gourmet chef, Porfiro Lemus, who hails from stints at The Wine Cask, San Ysidro Ranch and Citronelle, features a menu that highlights healthy, plant-based offerings as well as traditional fare One of the vegetarian favorites is the stuffed smoked butternut squash, roasted with wild brown rice pilaf, cranberries, walnuts, artichokes, and garnished with vegan mozzarella and curry sauce . It’s as if tangy and savory had a baby! Other offerings include same day roasted corned beef sandwich on sour dough, sautéed forest mushrooms with pasta and chicken and a vegan Mexican brown lentil soup . Delicious! Next time you’re thinking of a switch in the usual lunch venue, give this place a try Prices are great, too . Who knew?—Raymond Bloom

Maravilla. 5486 Calle Real, between Patterson and Kellogg. 805-2849861.