Thursday, December 31, 2009 

Congrats to La Super-Rica and Doug Margerum and his wine

They've been included in Saveur's Top 100 Issue (Jan/Feb Issue)
We asked for your ideas, your inspirations, your favorite food finds. And you answered, from every corner of the world, on every imaginable culinary subject, from family recipes to treasured cookbooks to time-honored tips. The result is a saveur 100 unlike any other. Thanks to you, this year’s roundup is richer, tastier—and bigger—than ever.

62
La Super-Rica Taqueria, Santa Barbara, California

84
Margerum M5 Wine

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 

The Marquee

The newest lounge/martini bar/restaurant is almost here...and they are looking for a few good people on Craigslist.

Santa Barbara's newest Lounge/Restaurant, The Marquee, is now accepting applications for the following positions:

• BARTENDERS – Must have 3 + years of notable experience.

• SERVERS – Food and/or cocktail service experience as well as basic wine knowledge a must; bartending experience, and servesafe certification a plus. (21+ only)

• KITCHEN LEAD – Must have 3 + years cooking and/or food preparation experience. This position will be responsible for preparing items on our menu as well as handling kitchen inventory, and placing orders with vendors.

• KITCHEN ASSISTANT/PREP – Must have some kitchen experience. Assists with food prep and runs kitchen on certain nights.

• DISHWASHER – Some experience a plus. Looking for a dependable dishwasher/bar maintenance guy to keep the place clean. We are looking for the best, and intend to create a tight knit team with outstanding personalities to be part of this unique, new, upbeat yet intimate
venture.

I wasn't aware of any restaurant called "The Marquee", so a brief "googling" lead to the possibility that it will be going into the vacant groundfloor commercial space in the Granada Building.


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Peet's Coffee is holding a Job Fair


Peet's I Love You
Originally uploaded by greenwatermelon.

Peet's Coffee & Tea is hiring shift leaders and assistant store managers with superior customer service skills for our Santa Barbara area stores! Applicants must have prior supervisory experience in a similar retail environment.

Please attend our SHIFT LEADER & ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER JOB FAIR:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5TH
12PM-3PM
PEET'S SANTA BARBARA
3905 STATE STREET, R2

Bring your resume and your questions! Meet with the Peet's management team for an on-site interview.

If you are unable to attend the job fair, please apply directly to the following Peet’s location:

Peet's Santa Barbara (3905 State Street, R2)

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Cold Spring Tavern's Chocolate Pie


is highlighted in the Los Angeles Times' SOS column today. Sounds delish...except for those darn walnuts. (I'm allergic)
Dear SOS: Having encountered the best chocolate pie ever at Cold Spring Tavern, an old stagecoach stop in Santa Barbara, I'm wondering whether you can persuade the restaurant to share its recipe. I am quite certain it is prepared on premises, is served warm and contains walnuts. - Dee Dee RuhlowBurbank

Dear Dee Dee: We loved the combination of chocolate with walnuts and rum in this very rich pie, perfect for chocolate lovers! Each slice is great served slightly warmed with a big glass of milk.


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Tuesday, December 29, 2009 

The Organic Soup Kitchen

was a huge success!


Organic Soup Kitchen of Santa Barbara, California served 1,000 people at its first annual Christmas Breakfast & Dinner, held at the Veterans Memorial Building on
Friday from 8am to 5pm.“Support for the event was truly a communitywide effort,” said founder Anthony Carroccio on Friday.


“I am honored and grateful to all of our volunteers, and the support we received from several public officials who graciously volunteered their time.” These officials included Congresswoman Lois Capps, Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf, Councilmember Grant House, Councilmember and State Assembly Candidate Das Williams, Santa Barbara County Planning Commission Chair and State Assembly Candidate Susan Jordan, and Carpinteria councilmember Kathleen Reddington. Organic Soup Kitchen also received the support of 180 volunteers from Santa Barbara and surrounding areas, and local businesses such as Lazy Acres and Whole Foods Market.

From 8:00am until 5:00pm, a steady stream of guests arrived to enjoy a hot, healthy meal. Breakfast included hot coffee, tea, eggs, bagels & assorted breads, and fruit. Dinner included roast beef, turkey, potatoes, green beans, corn, and various wholesome pies and cakes for dessert. Santa Claus handed out candy canes and welcomed both children and adults to hear holiday wishes and take photos. Beside him sat a brightly lit Christmas tree with gifts for everyone, including clothing and hygiene packs. Live music during the dinner session invited everyone to sing along, dance, or even get up onstage and perform. Santa Barbara has thousands of homeless individuals, as the downturn in the economy has forced many, particularly women and children, out of their homes and onto the streets.

A growing number of working poor are also forced to live in cars, trucks, or campers.

Organic Soup Kitchen, a non-profit organization that operates on 100% donations, hopes to develop a mobile organic food delivery service in addition to the Veterans Memorial Building it currently occupies.

Soup Kitchen is the brainchild of Anthony Carroccio, a businessman with a dream of serving organic, healthy food to help prevent nutritional deficiencies in homeless individuals.

http://www.organicsoupkitchen.org/

If you have a bit of extra moolah....please think of donating to a deliciously worthwhile cause in our community.

Organic Soup Kitchen
315 Meigs Rd., Suite A #369
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone: (805) 886-7427
Email: anthony@organicsoupkitchen.org

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Monday, December 28, 2009 

You've heard it through the Grapevine (Fine Food Market)

With paper covering their windows and a little 8 1/2" x 11" yellow sign posted up saying that they have been kicked out by their landlords because they couldn't pay the full amount of the rent, Grapevine Fine Food Market at 126 East Canon Perdido has "left the (historic) building."

Their website states:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances dealing with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation we are forced to close our doors. Come back soon for the details."

Apparently, they will be updating their Facebook page.

To be honest, I never really got into the Grapevine "vibe"...I couldn't get past the cartons of "organic" OJ imported from Russia. Importing OJ from so far away when we have amazing fruit right here in Santa Barbara?! Trust me....I spent most of Sunday helping pick 10,000-12,000 lbs. of mandarins from an orchard here locally that would have rotted on the trees. Wouldn't it be better to use local excess fruit than enlarging their carbon footprint over the ability to use the term "organic?"


Grapevine Fine Food Market
Flickr photo uploaded by rosidae.

I wish Charotte, Claudette, and Viktor well in their next culinary adventure. We all could use a little good luck these days.

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Saturday, December 26, 2009 

The Brothers Voltaggio

are posting videos up on their website focusing on their favorite ingredients, techniques, and gadgets. Well...any video with Bryan is fine by me! ;-)

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Thursday, December 24, 2009 

Baking = Joy....and a little fancy footwork

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009 

The Song of the Season

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All I want for XMas....


Le Creuset
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

OK...maybe I want some other things like a job and a home....but these would do in a pinch!

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 

Have you ever wanted to write a cookbook?

Janice Cook Knight can show you how with her Cookbook Writing Workshops!
Every Recipe Tells a Story: Cookbook Writing Workshop
Turn your own recipes into memoir – whether you’re writing a book for publication, or to preserve your family’s food history.
Cookbooks tell the story of a culture, a family, or reveal a particular passion - what's your angle? We will write in class, test student recipes, and help you develop your own cohesive theme.

Six Wednesdays,
April 22 – May 27
6-9:30 pm

Cost: $295

For more information
contact Janice at
info@janicecookknight.com or 805-884-0302

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Monday, December 21, 2009 

The French Press at 1101 State Street



Congrats on being named one of Sunset Magazine's "Editor's Picks" in the January Issue. (Page 24)

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Sunday, December 20, 2009 

Sumbody at 920 State Street


will be closing their store at the end of the month.

I am really going to miss them....and their "Goats in the Figs" soap.




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Alma Rosa Winery is looking for your best "green" recipe


Thekla and Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery are looking for a few good "Green", sustainable recipes and are having a little contest. OK chefs...time to get your "green" on....and win an incredible foodie opportunity of lunching with the Sanfords at the vineyard!

Rules for the recipe contest are:
  • Each variety of wine that Alma Rosa produces constitutes a category (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Vin Gris and Pinot Noir)
  • One winner per category
  • You can enter as many recipes for each category as you like
  • Prepare a dish that pairs with any one of Alma Rosa's wines. Recipes should utilize sustainable products; including sustainable/organic produce, humanely-treated meats, and sustainably-caught or farmed seafood.
  • Identify the purveyor of the ingredients you use, or the name of your local grocer or supplier(s) that supports sustainable, organic foods; and please note ingredients grown within a 100 mile radius of your home which will be given extra attention.
  • Note into which category you are entering your recipe.
  • Contest begins November 1st and will end January 31st

Recipes will be judged on taste and their compatibility with the selected wine, and the use and origins of the sustainable/organic ingredients.

Winning recipes will be posted on their website, and winners from each category and their guest will share a lunch together with Thekla and Richard.

Recipe entries can be sent by mail, fax (805-688-9001), or

email or even dropped off in person if you are visiting the tasting room.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009 

Yet Another Recall....Hazelnuts (aka Filberts)

Oh..dang. I LOVE Hazelnuts.
The FDA has announced that 114,350 pounds of shelled hazelnuts have been recalled due to concerns that they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The nuts were marketed by Willamette Shelling of Newberg, Oregon. To this point, no illnesses have been reported. - Food Poison Journal


The nuts were processed by Willamette Filbert Growers in Newberg, which has been in business since 1976. General Manager Ben Mitchell said it's the first time the plant has ever been involved in such an incident.

No illnesses have been reported, but the company is voluntarily recalling 29,861 pounds of shelled hazelnuts and organic hazelnuts processed between Oct. 21 and Nov. 25. Some were sold in Oregon, but most were part of two big shipments to California. -
Yamhill News Register

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 

The Vultures Were Circling


20091103
Originally uploaded by coldengrey.

overhead as I walked The Ranch this morning.
Gave me pause.

 

Top Chef Reunion...TONIGHT!

They're baaaaaaack. The judges and chefs from this season back to re-hash(brown) the season and nothing is off limits. Personally, I want to know wassup with the Voltaggio sibling rivalry. Can they really work together on something?

Tonight. 9:00/8:00 p.m.

Oh, and Michael...I agree with Bryan...your mom can roll up your sleaves anyway she wants!




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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 

Days of Wine and Horses....

EqWine, a new glossy magazine celebrating two of Santa Barbara County's prized "lifestyles", will be coming to a magazine rack near you.
EqWine Magazine will be coming out in February 2010 focusing on wine and horses in the Santa Barbara area. Publisher Teri Lee Langdon is exciting about the prospect of a large format glossy magazine that highlights the wine country and horse country lifestyle.

EqWine will be published quarterly and available for free at quality shops, hotels, restaurants, wineries and horse stables. -
The Wine Advisor

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I like the Bulletin Boards


Bulletin Board in Cambria
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

up here in Cambria.

Monday, December 14, 2009 

Still up in the land


Olallieberry Bread Pudding
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

of the Olallieberry....listening to KPIG Radio.

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Sunday, December 13, 2009 

Up in Cambria


Cambria Home
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

for some soul relief.

I've had too much man-made drama this past year. It's nice to just sit in silence without the worry that you are not living up to someone's preconcieved expectations.

Life isn't about expectations. It's about experiences. Some good...some bad...but all learning. It's about embracing and understanding differences...not about forcing someone to conform to what they demand to fit their own needs.

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Saturday, December 12, 2009 

449 Acres of Agriculture in our county is for sale

but will Caldwell Ranch stay agricultural or will developers get their claws into it?

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Clean up on aisle 5


You think they meant "Rejoice?"
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

Does Pottery Barn want certain women to urinate in their store or did they mean to spell out "Rejoice" and ran out of letters or something....

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Friday, December 11, 2009 

Pancakes...not just for breakfast anymore

They're good for blogging, too.

The Pancake Project

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Has the FroYo frenzy

"jumped the shark" here in Santa Barbara? There's already one up for sale.

Best Santa Barbara location. Great reputation for high quality and customer satisfaction.

Many terrific customer reviews on file. All equipment and fixtures only 2 years old. Very attractive store in pristine condition.

Asking price - $250,000

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Thursday, December 10, 2009 

Congrats to the new Top Chef, Michael Voltaggio

although, I was hoping for the other brother Voltaggio brother (Bryan) or Kevin to win, it certainly was a terrific finale. Congrats!

I'm delighted that you and your brother have created an online site too, so we can keep up with you.
Hey everyone. Welcome to our new website, VoltaggioBrothers.com. Michael & I are excited to launch this site, which is going to be a community for people like us; people who love food. Really, truly love food. We are going to be posting all kinds of exciting things here so make sure you sign up and introduce yourselves! Each day we will be posting about ingredients, recipes, technique, cooking gadgets…you name it. Our goal is to bring about the same excitement in you that we personally feel about our craft. We're hoping you become an active member and help us build this site together from the ground up. - VoltaggioBrothers.com


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Tuesday, December 08, 2009 

Watched a Master Class

tought by the master cellist himself, Yo-Yo Ma at the Lobero Theatre today. Unbelieveable.
He’s a cello master. A classical impresario. A 15-time Grammy winner. But on Tuesday morning, he was simply the nutty music professor.

World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma led three UC Santa Barbara students in a master class at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. The free event, co-presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and the UCSB Department of Music, featured works by Bach and Beethoven. - LATimes
THANK YOU ARTS & LECTURES for this amazing opportunity for the public.

I am in complete awe of Ma.



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8:00 a.m. and 37 degrees

which coast do I live on? Brrrrrr.

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Sunday, December 06, 2009 

The SF Chronicles' Top 100 Wines of 2009 is here

and Santa Barbara Wine Country is well represented.

Chardonnay -

2007 Alma Rosa El Jabali Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills($28) Mouthwatering lemon confit, bright mineral, peach, cassia and watermelon intersect in this new, lean-lined release from Richard Sanford's stellar El Jabali site. A veteran Santa Rita hand again nails the area's potential.

Sauvignon Blanc -

2007 Brander Au Naturel Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley($32) This Central Coast specialist in Sauvignon Blanc left juice on the skins for 24 hours and then aged it in stainless steel. That made this deliciously textural and reminiscent of grapefruit skin, with lean peach flavors.

Other Whites and Roses -

2006 Qupé Roussanne Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley($40) Bob Lindquist's long-standing devotion to white Rhone varietals again paid off. This latest got the sort of barrel aging and lees usage that Chardonnay might see, giving it gravitas and a vibrant core of lemon oil, marjoram, golden apple and quince. Cellar time will make it even better.

2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, Paso Robles($40) It's hard to think of anyone taking Rhone-style whites more seriously than Tablas. Waxy and luscious, layered with buoyant peach, hay, tangerine peel and freesia. Nervy mineral intensity cuts through it all. Predominantly Roussanne, with Grenache Blanc and Picpoul.

2008 Tercero Grenache Blanc Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($18) Larry Schaffer's knack with Rhone-style whites is underscored by this expression from Camp 4, part of the ranch at Fess Parker (where Schaffer also works). Its precise mineral edge underlines fresh-cut peach and apricot flavors, and its grip on the palate makes it food-friendly.

Pinot Noir -

2007 Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley($45) One of Jim Clendenen's top two cuvees in a gorgeous year. Burnt orange, soy, creosote, clear raspberry and mineral grip across the baseline. A stoic, complex California Pinot that shows off the best of Clendenen's 58 estate acres in cooler sites.

Full list...click HERE

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Hail to the Top Chef....but who shall it be?

The Top Chef Season Finale is this Wednesday. The Brothers Voltaggio vs. Kevin Gillespie. I don't know who to cheer for...Bryan or Kevin. I love the way they have cooked through the competition and I much prefer Bryan's demeanor over his brother's.

Bryan or Kevin. Kevin or Bryan. Oh, heck...I'll cheer them both on although Bryan probably has a bit of a sway over me as he is a blogger....but then again...Kevin's a member of Slow Food....

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Thursday, December 03, 2009 

Wish it were MY Nepenthe!


Romney Steele will be at Chaucer's tonight to sign her book "My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family and Big Sur.


Throughout the book, readers will enjoy a collection of seventy-five tempting recipes from the Fassetts, the restaurant, and the café, along with the history, stories, anecdotes, archive black-and-white photography, as well as the breath-taking full color photography by Sara Remington. It includes a bonus interview with the producer of The Sandpiper (1965), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, partially filmed on the Nepenthe terrace. Ultimately, My Nepenthe is a story about food, family, and the culture of place, and how it all unfolds around the table and why that matters. - Nepenthebigsur.com

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Wednesday, December 02, 2009 

Recalled Beef

wasn't recalled for school lunch programs? WTF?

Even as public health officials told residents to throw out recalled products from the Fresno plant, the federal government paid Beef Packers hundreds of thousands of dollars for almost 450,000 pounds of ground beef made from June 5 to June 23, the dates covered by the recall.Four orders were produced for the school lunch program during that period, a USA TODAY investigation found. One tested positive for salmonella Newport, the strain that prompted the recall and can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting; that order was rejected by the government. Tests on the other three orders found no salmonella, and the beef was shipped from the plant before the recall was announced. - USA Today

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