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Santa Barbara Culinary EventsHungry? Need to fill your culinary calendar? Here is where you will find all the restaurant and culinary happenings in Santa Barbara. We feature a calendar of special dinners, tasting menus, prix-fixe meals, food festivals and other culinary events, including regularly occurring food events as well as special one-time-only events featuring top chefs. Keep checking back so you can know all that's going on in the world of restaurant and food events in Santa Barbara. << Back to Santa Barbara restaurant news
February 11
Chef Andy Brooks has created a special four-course Haitian-themed menu, available one night only---Thursday, February 11---with proceeds benefitting The Children of Mary, Mother of the Divine Mercy Haitian Orphanage. A special "Haitian Apricot" cocktail starts off the meal; traditional callaloo with okra, crab and Haitian biscuit follows. From the sea, chef Brooks offers cast iron-seared tilapia with garnett yam cake and a spicy ti-malice sauce. A main course of rum-roasted pork loin with corn pudding, rice and red beans and grilled pineapple chutney rounds out the meal, which ends with a dessert of banana fritters made with honey and coconut sauce. The price is $50 per person, $65 with wine pairing. Call the restaurant for reservations. Restaurant Brooks, 545 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-652-7070.
February 14
Enjoy a romantic evening of wine, cheese and chocolate in Los Olivos. Six of Carina Cellars' top-quality Rhône wines, cheese from Santa Barbara's C'est Cheese shop and chocolates created by local chocolatiers comprise a perfect Valentine's Day match. Carina Cellars, 2900 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, CA 93441, 805-688-2459.
March 14-21
Get a taste of the new "Little Denmark" as Solvang continues to evolve from Danish hamlet to wine country destination. This 18th annual celebration takes place throughout the downtown area and includes a dessert reception on March 19, walking smorgaasbord and tasting-room tour on March 20, and a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic) in Solvang Park on March 21. To kick off the Taste of Solvang Food & Wine Festival, select Solvang restaurants (Root 246, Bit O'Denmark, Red Viking Restaurant) will be offering special three-course tasting menus for the price of $20.10 from March 14-18. For tickets, visit www.solvangusa.com.
Ongoing
A new "gastronomic stimulus package" at Brooks features a three-course dinner for just $33. The meal includes a choice of seasonal soup, fried oysters or chopped hearts of romaine followed by either shredded short rib, Scottish salmon or free-range chicken breast. For dessert, choose from cinnamon roll bread pudding, tiramisu or Maytag blue cheesecake. Brooks, 545 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-652-7070.
Ongoing
Theatre aficionados in Ventura enjoy special treatment at 71 Palm, where chef-owner Didier Poirier offers a pre-Rubicon Theatre menu for just $25 per person, including a glass of house wine. Available Wednesday-Saturday, from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., the chef from Le Mans, France, prepares dishes such as sand dabs with lemon butter sauce, grilled hanger steak, wild mushroom ravioli Provencal, and Tahitian vanilla bean crème brûlée. To qualify, guests must present their Rubicon tickets for a matinee or evening performance that day. 71 Palm, 71 N. Palm St., Ventura, CA 93001, 805-653-7222.
Thursdays
Enterprise Fish Co. has reintroduced their late-night happy hour. From 9 p.m.-11 p.m. on Thursdays, "LIVE @ Enterprise" will spotlight local bands and local food, such as Santa Barbara spiny lobster and white sea bass. Enterprise Fish Co., 225 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 805-962-3313.
Sundays
OngoingHere's a chance to return to your childhood every week: Elements has introduced a special called "Sunday suppers," an update on comfort food classics such as mac-n-cheese, meatloaf, fried chicken and burgers. The two-course special will be served from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. every Sunday, in addition to their regular menu. Elements, 129 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 805-884-9218. Fresh seafood right off the boat. Fruits and vegetables from nearby farms. Artisan cheeses paired with local wines. A unique new culinary program gives participants an opportunity to explore the bounty of Santa Barbara under the guidance of regional expert Laurence Hauben, the leader of Slow Food Santa Barbara, who partners with local vineyards and chefs to create a comprehensive culinary experience. Hauben and her partners (including Roblar Winery and Chef Josh Brown of bouchon and Seagrass Restaurant) offer a variety of programs. For details call 805-259-7229 or visit www.marketforays.com. Ongoing Ongoing Wednesdays Wednesdays Thursdays
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RESTAURANT AWARDS
Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!
A SEASON OF LOVE
Set the mood for love by reserving a table at one of the Best Romantic Restaurants near you, or view our list of Valentines Restaurants in your area that will show you where to find restaurants offering unique menus just for February 14. Also, see who sets the standard for seductive dining across the country with our Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. list.
