On the Menu

Dining Al Fresco

May 12, 2010 by

Aah, the great outdoors… outdoor dining that is. Is there any better way to celebrate the California sunshine?
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Cooking With All the Right Tools

May 5, 2010 by

Starry-eyed cooking magazine writers often characterize chopping vegetables as “therapeutic” and “comforting.” One word for you, folks: bullshit.
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Off the Vine

April 28, 2010 by

On the Menu sees the glass as half-full.
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The Faculty Club

April 20, 2010 by

It's a familiar scenario to which we can all relate -- Monday afternoon, you have about a 50-minute break in your schedule and are looking for a satisfying meal to refuel before the next round of clas...
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Best Barbecue Bets

April 13, 2010 by

Got a hankering for barbecue? Of course you do. The southern specialty is delicious, but is unfortunately so often in short supply here in California. Thankfully for us Gauchos, we have some great opt...
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Sweet Treats for Spring Eats

April 7, 2010 by

With spring here and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start recognizing those "go-to" ice cream shops to quell your frozen-treat fetishes. Both McConnell's Ice Cream, located ...
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Sweet Treats for Spring Eats

April 6, 2010 by

With spring here and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start recognizing those "go-to" ice cream shops to quell your frozen-treat fetishes. Both McConnell's Ice Cream, located ...
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Right Side Up

March 31, 2010 by

New restaurants have been popping up along Pardall Road this year, with Dogtown and Chino's first to offer a new flavor to Isla Vista's gourmets.
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Coffee Talk

March 3, 2010 by

Coffeehouses emerged in London in the 1650s and were known as "penny universities" due to the price of the coffee and their pivotal role as a public space for the dissemination of new ideas. Here, peo...
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Farmers Markets

February 24, 2010 by

As the pale light of a rising sun sweeps over Santa Barbara's downtown, local farm owners set up tents boasting rows of succulent fruits, vibrantly colored vegetables, assortments of homemade jams, ja...
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Chinese New Year

February 17, 2010 by

Nestled in the corner of a shopping center in a remote area in downtown Santa Barbara, Shang Hai is a lucky find. Despite its remote location, the small, family-owned restaurant has attracted locals f...
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Going Greek!

February 10, 2010 by

Tucked away in a strip mall and almost entirely eclipsed by a Sizzler, the location is not exactly Santorini, but the authentic Mediterranean fare, friendly service and warm atmosphere of Mediterra Ca...
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All Thai’d Up

February 3, 2010 by

Let's start with some chicken satay. Delicious, tender and smoky, smothered in peanut sauce. Shall we proceed to some steamed rice, maybe some piping hot lemongrass and coconut soup? Pad Thai? Yes, pl...
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Chino’s Rock & Tacos

January 27, 2010 by

From nightly menu specials to a light, social atmosphere, Chino's Rock & Tacos is I.V.'s newest hot spot for food and fun.
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Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid

January 20, 2010 by

In the cold winter months there is nothing better to cheer up a starving college student than a tall beer and a heaping platter of hot food. And while we all love Natty and takeout or an all-you-can-e...
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