On the Menu

Welcome fall with apple cinnamon rolls

September 14, 2023 by

Not only do these rolls taste amazing, but your whole house will smell like a Bath & Body Works apple spice candle.
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New restaurants, notable closures and food news in and around I.V.

August 31, 2023 by

During the summer months, the food scene in Santa Barbara County has witnessed drastic changes — the loss of longtime Isla Vista eatery Pho Bistro, the opening of Isla Vista’s first mini food hall...
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A third-year’s guide to the best IV restaurants

August 24, 2023 by

As a proud resident of Isla Vista for the last two years, I’m happy to say that I have consumed meals from a substantial number of restaurants in the area. What’s a student to do when confined to ...
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Ranking UCSB’s most vegetarian-friendly dining halls

August 24, 2023 by

Pihu Jain reflects on her freshman dining hall experiences in an effort to determine which UCSB dining hall is the best for vegetarians.
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Aperol spritzes fit for a summertime soirée

July 27, 2023 by

This mild, sparkling cocktail with slightly bitter and floral flavor notes is the drink of the summer.
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Post-pandemic Obon festivals bring Japanese culture, food and celebration to communities

July 20, 2023 by

For over 500 years, Japanese culture has celebrated the annual Buddhist holiday of Obon (お盆). During the traditionally three-day event, participants honor their ancestors, whose spirits are believ...
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Celebrate Bastille Day with crêpes!

July 13, 2023 by

Anya shares an authentic crêpe recipe from her time living in the French town known as the birthplace of crêpes.
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Summertime beef patties: taking new twists on an American classic

July 4, 2023 by

There’s nothing more quintessentially American than a barbeque dinner on a hot summer evening. Celebrate this 4th of July with a homemade burger!
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I.V. Pizza Pub: the hidden gem of the Isla Vista breakfast scene

June 22, 2023 by

I.V. Pizza Pub’s menu includes a selection of classic bagel sandwiches, bagel melts and flavored cream cheese bagels.
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Augie’s of Santa Barbara: fine Mexican dining in the heart of downtown

June 15, 2023 by

If you are looking for an establishment to honor the school year coming to a close, consider Augie’s as the perfect venue for such a celebration! 
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3 easy, college student-friendly Trader Joe’s meals

June 8, 2023 by

These three meals are low-cost, require minimal cooking time and just one trip to my favorite store: Trader Joe’s.
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Celebratory spicy margaritas

June 1, 2023 by

To me, summer tastes like a cold, spicy margarita on a sunny day. With summer — and graduation — just around the corner, this recipe is the perfect way to celebrate.
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Letter from the Editor: Community, food and the Nexus

June 1, 2023 by

I loved to write, I loved these people and I loved the newspaper; it felt like home. The past three years I’ve spent on Editorial Staff have been truly wonderful.
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Food for thought: senior reflections

June 1, 2023 by

There is so much to learn about food and so much to share as well; On the Menu provides a student-based medium for doing that.
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Lemon Cheesecake for Shavuot

May 25, 2023 by

Specific to Shavuot and regardless of one’s Ashkenazi or Sephardic origins, cheesecake in different iterations and forms finds its way onto the tables of Jews globally on this upcoming holiday.
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