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••• First impressions of Good Burger in Carpinteria: you order at a counter in a corner of the Sunburn wine/beer bar, and the menu is well targeted. We had a double cheeseburger and a veggie burger – intending to split them, but the transfer was botched – and both were excellent. I don’t eat burgers very often anymore, but when I do have one, I want it to be like this. (And actually, I might have even preferred the veggie burger; the black bean patty is breaded in cornmeal.) Although the fries were also very good, I don’t think the chip cookies of Toll House-style chocolate were special enough to warrant ingesting them, even more calories. The decor was as in the photo below, with instrumental lounge music that was a little too loud. PS The new liquor license is here, so all ages are now welcome. The hours are lit Instagram, and they are original; Dang currently opens at 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (and noon Friday through Sunday).
••• THE San Ysidro Ranch placed an ad in a local newspaper saying its “Speakeasy at Plow & Angel” was open, with “live music, craft cocktails, dimly lit.” (Both Parallel structure.) Do not hesitate to provide feedback. UPDATE: Here’s what people have to say about it….
SYR’s “speakeasy” at Plow and Angel seems a little weird. It’s not really a place to come for a drink, but rather a destination for the evening and then it seems easier to have a drink at your table. What we like to do is have a drink before dinner and wander around the garden (we usually go once in the summer). Sorry, this Plow and Angel, for a more casual winter meal, are no longer available. —AFC
The “speak softly” to SYR is a big disappointment. The magnificent stone was covered with large stands and showy furniture. It was sad to see compared to the relaxed, warm energy of the Plow and Angels from before. It’s very dimly lit, but when you order a cocktail – which isn’t cheap – they arrive on a cart with a bright light so you can see what the waitresses – who wear flapper dresses and hand bags. Everyone in the bar stopped and stared. It was awkward for someone who just wanted to have a quiet drink. There is also no bar food other than caviar. We chose to go out. As the previous reviewer wrote, it was lovely to be able to come and dine at SYR, have a cocktail and walk around the gardens. Also, I don’t know if it’s a place to go for a drink either. —SSS
We are big fans of SYR in general and had high hopes for this new concept. It looks a lot like the old Biltmore bar in terms of decor (red booths, cheetah print, faux fur, etc.) and was cozy, but the flapper girl costumes on the waitresses were really costumey and not up to par. elegance. of the establishment as a whole. And with the food options being only salted peanuts and caviar, it seems like a weird trap, given the seating types (everyone has a full-size dining-height table), it would be easy and appropriate to serve applications. —Anon
••• The guy from the restaurant says that Augie’s reopened last Friday, but when I contacted owner Augie Johnson, he said, “We’re not opening this Friday.” We have experimented with opening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but we still need to install some equipment.… Still a work in progress.
••• Chicken fast food chain Wing stop opens at Fairview Mall in Goleta, commercial real estate agent reports Caitlin Hensel. Other area locations are in La Cumbre Plaza and Isla Vista.
••• Well, that was quick: Solvang Restaurant Juniper the fourthformerly Sear Steakhouse, closed its doors after a month and a half.
••• Ojai The Farmer and the Cook has a new recipe book: “a collection of recipes from the café menu and others inspired by the farm. Included are Farmer-Steve’s weekly reflections on farm life and artwork by Adeetje Bouma.
••• At Lito’s on E. Haley Street has reopened after a renovation. —John Palminteri
••• E. noticed that a beer/wine bar called Odessa Salon opens in the former Crush Bar & Tap space (on State Street, in the courtyard between Figueroa and Anapamu). I contacted the owner for more information:
“Odessa” is full of history and intrigue. Originating from the ancient Greek city of Odessos, it is a name that has spanned time and space, evoking images of mystery, beauty and a deep connection with the sea. This historical essence is captured in the atmosphere of the Odessa Lounge, a place that combines the past with the present in its decor and its offers. We plan to have a healthy selection of wines and beers locally in the region while incorporating a healthy offering of European crafts and wines. We fully intend to have a soft opening within the next 2 weeks, exact date pending!
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