A perfect meal

For me, Friday nights since the quarter started have been spent roaming the streets of Isla Vista, hopping from one party to the next. Usually, the food is drunchies from I.V. Deli Mart (shoutout to the Nashville Chicken Burger) or a KitKat from 7-Eleven. However, last Friday, with I.V. being shut down and a seemingly never-ending patrol of cops, my liver got a break and I was on a hunt to find some other way to pass time. 

The solution to my empty Friday night? Downtown Santa Barbara. No, not Wildcat or Dargan’s but California Pasta Sandwich & Salads — my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara. Located at 811 State St B in the Paseo Nuevo mall, it’s a short walk from public parking Lot 10 and all too easy to reach. It’s honestly problematic how often I think about this place. Just about every time I go downtown, I turn into a cartoon character who sees a pie on a windowsill and I can feel myself levitating to the smells of the pasta.

I’m a creature of habit, so I got the same thing I always do, the tequila chicken pasta — a spicy linguini dish with diced chicken, bell peppers, red onions, cilantro and diced jalapeño smothered in a housemade tequila cream sauce. For $16.75, you get a heaping bowl of pasta and a slice of garlic bread. The tequila pasta can only be described as heavenly. The chicken is soft and tender, the sauce is rich and slightly spicy. After lots of introspection, I can honestly say this is probably my favorite pasta dish I’ve ever had, ever. My friend followed my lead and got the same thing; watching her take her first bite and seeing her eyes light up, I knew immediately we would be planning another visit back ASAP.

I would probably rate this dish a 9/10; you get enough food for a solid two meals, and it’s quite delicious. I took off one point because I do wish it was a little spicier, but I say that about everything. My friend also gave it a 9/10: “The flavors go really well together, but there could be something to surprise me,” she said. 

I believe that no meal is truly over and no hunger is ever satisfied until it’s wrapped up with a sweet treat. This belief, combined with my dedication to giving my new friend a true Santa Barbara experience (and slightly due to my debilitating sweet tooth and frozen yogurt addiction) led me to decide that we should try The Lovin’ Spoonful, a locally owned frozen yogurt at 2028 Cliff Drive, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Santa Barbara. I heard about it from my roommate who described it like it was the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and had been dying to try it ever since she told me about it. 

The shop itself was quaint, and there were around 10 different yogurt flavors to choose from. They had the classics like chocolate, tart, cookies and cream and cake batter, among others. Something to differentiate The Lovin’ Spoonful from other fro-yo was the extensive sorbet selection. If fruity flavors are your thing, you really should go check this place out. There was also a wide variety of toppings to choose from. The brownie was probably the best brownie I’ve ever had at a fro-yo place. I would rate The Lovin’ Spoonful a 7/10; the frozen yogurt was yummy and creamy, but I don’t know that I would ever drive out so far just for fro-yo. However, if you’re ever in the area, I would recommend giving it a try!

Overall, the Friday of my Halloweekend was quite perfect, even if I didn’t end the night drunk and in costume. After a day of shopping and eating my favorite food with my friend, both my heart and stomach were thoroughly satisfied. A perfect day and a perfect meal.

A version of this article appeared on p. 13 of the November 5th, YEAR print edition of the Daily Nexus.