On the Menu

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...
read more

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 ...
read more

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 ...
read more

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.
read more

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...
read more

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...
read more

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...
read more

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...
read more

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...
read more

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.
read more

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...
read more

Come On, Get Healthy!

January 13, 2010 by

It's a new year, and that means you've probably made a lot of resolutions you won't keep. On the Menu is here to help you stick to one of them with a selection of the most ecclectic and health-consci...
read more

Good Morning, Sunshine

January 6, 2010 by

As any Isla Vista resident knows, waking up in less than perfect shape is just a consequence of life by the beach. Whether you spent your night strutting down Del Playa Drive, barhopping down the stre...
read more

The Art of Giving Thanks

November 25, 2009 by

While Thanksgiving is recognized as a time of appreciation and generosity, it can be unimaginably difficult to find a restaurant-crafted Thanksgiving dinner that is truly worth being grateful for. Mor...
read more

Fresco Cafe North

November 18, 2009 by

Fresco Café fully lives up to its name, and exceeds freshpectations -- from the organic and local ingredients, to the delicious dishes and desserts made from scratch every day, to the exuberant e...
read more