the RestauRant Guy
New York Times Best-selling Author
by John Dickson
Nugget
TONIGHT! An Evening with
Michael Pollan
Coming DowNtowN JOHN DICKSON
L
ast week, Montecito Journal columnist Richard Mineards reported that Bob Montgomery, owner of the Nugget restaurants in Summerland and Goleta, purchased Arlington Tavern at 21 West Victoria Street and plans to turn it into a third Nugget location, with hopes to open at the end of May. Montgomery recently tried to revive the closed Café del Sol, but talks broke down before he could come to terms with the property owner. The former Café del Sol location is now the home of the Montecito Event Center, run by Warren Butler.
TAVERN TAVEOVER: The Arlington Tavern will become the third location of the popular Nugget restaurant, which started in Summerland.
LOS AGAVES POP-UP: Los Agaves Restaurant,
which Carlos Luna first opened on Milpas Street in 2008, is bringing the heat to the heart of downtown with a pop-up restaurant in The Kitchen at the Santa Barbara Public Market, 38 West Victoria Street. Kicking off on Cinco de Mayo (Tue., May 5), Los Agaves will pop up at the Public Market every Tuesday throughout the month of May, offering a special lunch and dinner menu inspired by coastal Mexico street foods, with new and exclusive items not found at its other Santa Barbara and Goleta locations. The pop-up location will offer tacos, tostadas, and ceviches, including tacos arrachera (grilled-steak soft tacos with pinto-bean paste on flour tortillas); mahimahi tacos on a fresh-made grilled plantain tortilla; shrimp tacos with a tempura-cerveza batter, topped with a cabbage slaw; vampiros pastor, crispy corn tortillas topped with pinto-bean paste, cheese, and al pastor meat; ceviche verde tostadas, wild halibut marinated in a citrus sauce mixed with mango, green apple, jicama, and cucumber topped with plantain chips; and mushroom tacos, savory shiitakes sautéed with guajillo chili, garlic, and cheese. Guests can sip on a fresh-squeezed agave margarita or peruse the ample wine and craft beer offerings at Wine + Beer to enjoy with their meals. The pop-ups are every Tuesday in May, 11:30 a.m.2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. DINE OUT FOR SOLSTICE: Transport yourself to
Italy and India for two food events benefiting the Santa Barbara Solstice Celebration. Enjoy pasta, vino, and cappuccino at the Pascucci Dine Out on Thursday, April 30, 5-10 p.m. at 729 State Street. For the 15th consecutive year, Pascucci owner (and Solstice boardmember) Laura Knight will turn over her popular Italian establishment to Solstice volunteers for an entire evening, though the kitchen will be wisely staffed by pros. Costume-clad Solstice volunteers act as hosts, servers, bartenders, and drink runners. Staffers’ attire will reflect the theme for the night, Out of This World, a play off this year’s Solstice Parade theme, which is Sci-Fi. Pascucci’s regular menu will be served, so no tickets are required. Everything (food, beverage, and tips) benefits Solstice.
Another Solstice fundraiser in the form of a Bollywood Party is being held on Saturday, May 9, 6:309:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their Indian finery to India House. Maestro Montino Bourbon will provide live “Neo-Bollywood music with electronic influences,” and Lisa Beck will perform as well as lead a dance lesson teaching Bollywood moves. Get your tickets ($27 per person with a no-host bar) early, as this event tends to sell out. Tickets may be purchased at Indian House Restaurant, 418 State Street, or online at solsticeparade.com. Both events raise funds for this year’s Solstice Parade, which is at high noon on June 20, and the Solstice Festival at Alameda Park, June 19-21. FRESCO HAPPY HOURS: In time for its 28th
anniversary this May, Fresco Café in the Five Points shopping center has started a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday happy hour, 5-7 p.m., featuring all beer and wine at $2 off regular price and special appetizers from their catering menu, as well. Also on Mondays, Al Vafa will be entertaining on the patio with vocals and guitar from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be an anniversary party on Saturday, May 30, with food and entertainment for all.
Join us for a lively conversation with the influential author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Cooked, In Defense of Food and The Botany of Desire. Books will be available for purchase and signing
Community Partner:
Co-presented with
Media Sponsor:
THU, APR 30 / 8 PM / GRANADA THEATRE Tickets start at $25 /$18 UCSB students A Granada facility fee will be added to each ticket price
(805) 893-3535 www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu Granada event tickets can also be purchased at: (805) 899-2222
7-ELEVEN OPENS: A new 7-Eleven is open at Mis-
sion and State, and word on the street is that Tina Takaya from Opal Restaurant is one of the partners. I am hearing that a Grand Opening is set for May 1 with music, freebies, and more. NUANCE LANDS ON LOWER STATE: Chef
Courtney Ladin recently opened Nuance inside the Hotel Indigo at 119 State Street, in the former home of both Blue Tavern and Anchor Woodfire Grill. Ladin was raised in Santa Barbara and graduated from UCSB before attending Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco and working under various chefs in Maui for five years. She’s been working primarily as a private chef in Santa Barbara but now brings to the public her globally inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients from the Farmers Market, much of it cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven. The cocktail program is led by George Piperis (with help from Los Angeles stars Julian Cox and Nick Meyer), and the design was done by Sean Anderson. See nuancesb.com.
10
%
when you mention menti tion on this ad
Ta Tuesday! $ 2 Ta Taco Tacos Happy Hour from 4-6 Mariachi Fridays ! from 6:30 - 8:30
more
John Dickson’s reporting can be found every day online at SantaBarbara.com. Send tips to info@SantaBarbara.com.
Ph: (805) 683-0456
food see p. 43
e-mail: lahaciendasb@gmail.com 298 Pine Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 independent.com
april 30, 2015
THE iNDEpENDENT
65