On the Menu

October 8, 2026

An homage to my mother’s kitchen

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

Biryani is a labor of love. It’s an extensive process that is incredibly worth it, resulting in a warm, decadent meal often served at special occasions.

October 1, 2026

Creaminal ice cream: Thai-inspired ice cream inside Your Choice Restaurant

By Francesca Gasparini

What otherwise looks to be a quaint, old-school Thai spot is contrasted by the vibrant, hipster signage and merchandise of Creaminal Ice Cream, a separate ice cream concept operating within the family-owned restaurant.

October 1, 2026

The art of a shared fridge

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

September is ending, and it’s become that time of year — the start of the new school year and Isla Vista is returning to its usual liveliness.  As everyone is moving into their apartments, we remember just how centr...

August 27, 2026

Coming Soon: Makenna Koffee

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

I can’t wait to finally walk in and experience the hype I’m sure that Santolamazza and his team will create — I’m confident that Makenna Koffee Company is going to be a coffee shop like no other in I.V.

August 2, 2026

Back to the Bay: Sweet Maple

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

While it was maybe a little bit on the pricier side per item, you really can really tell these chefs know how to cook. Yeah, French toast priced at $18 does kind of blow my mind, but just try that bruleed top and trust m...

July 17, 2026

The only chai recipe you’ll need

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

At every coffee shop you go to, you will find “chai tea” (BTW, if you’re still calling it “chai tea,” you’re really just saying “tea tea.” Just chai!) on the menu and you can customize it in all kinds of ...

July 16, 2026

Back to the Bay: Dish N Dash

By Sahasra Hanumiahgari

Dish N Dash has everything I miss about Bay Area food while I'm away at school and honestly, it might be reason enough to make the drive up next time I'm craving something more than what I can find around campus. If you'...

May 7, 2026

A Solvang morning

By Pihu Jain

Of all the places to set up a small Danish town, our coastal locale of Santa Barbara might seem to be an odd choice. Why not on the East coast, where most European settlers made their mark? For Benedict Nordentoft, Jens ...

May 7, 2026

Crispy Rice Salad

By Piper Cheney

The best kinds of nights are the ones composed of something delicious set in the center of the table ready to be shared. This crispy rice salad is exactly that kind of dish. It can be a casual weeknight dinner or served ...

April 16, 2026

American fast food and chains through the eyes of a Brit

By Polly Symes

We are back with our second iteration of this series! Last time, I looked at American supermarkets through a British lens and this time, we’re delving into American fast food. Though the United States is a fascinating ...

February 14, 2026

My first valentine

By Pihu Jain

For as long as I can remember, my dad has given me and my sister each a rose (and my mother a bouquet, of course) every Valentine’s Day. The roses given each year are his way of trying to show us love in a way we grew ...

February 14, 2026

A love letter to ‘Tiny’

By Piper Cheney

Food has become the main way love moves through our small Isla Vista house. It lingers in the kitchen as a pot simmers on the stove or a cutting board dries by the sink. Food is simply our love language at home.  All UC...

February 6, 2026

Baked cauliflower, easy & cheesy

By Pihu Jain

Ovens have been a point of contention throughout my culinary exploits. I shudder to bake or broil, often sticking to the Pillsbury easy-bake chocolate chip cookies or assembling the dish for others to bake and test for t...

January 29, 2026

Baking and ballots: Ordinary grocery runs through a political lens

By Piper Cheney

Friday morning, the day before my best friend’s 21st birthday, I realized I had no more flour. This is probably not a problem for someone who is celebrating their 21st, but for me, it was a personal crisis. I had p...

January 29, 2026

This two-ingredient Japanese cheesecake recipe is nothing to Bi-scoff at

By Pihu Jain

When it comes to cooking, I am often a creature of simple mind: I see a viral, low-effort, low-stakes recipe, I go ahead and try it. This inclination has led me to some of the best (tanghulu, oh my) and worst (frozen Spr...

January 29, 2026

The best cookie In I.V.: Sweet Pete’s Treats

By Piper Cheney

Pete Smith, better known as “Sweet Pete” by Isla Vista locals, opened up a cookie shop in September 2024. The shop is tucked inside one of Isla Vista’s most beloved restaurants: Sam’s To Go. If you can’t se...