Kinfolk Honey Event

Everyone! We need to save the bees! Without them, basically nothing gets pollinated. Nothing gets pollinated, nothing grows, and there is no food. Not a good plan. Our dear bees are dying because of pesticides and other toxic things 'popping up' in our environment. The balance is broken! One way to help is to get a beehive. This is one thing we learned at Kinfolk's Honey Event. What a joy it was to see such passionate people speak about their love: bees. On top of infusing our own honey, we were served a delicious, local ingredient lunch on a perfectly decorated table. Kinfolk, you always know how to throw a fabulous party...

 A beautiful bee, hard at work.

 Our very own honey bottle.

 Infusing station.

 The menu, by Kim Schiffer, with reusable utensils.

 Gluten free breaded chicken on salad full of edible flowers.

 Cheese plate including goat cheese made the night prior!

Coconut sorbet and lime basil infused melon.

If you don't know Kinfolk Magazine, you should check it out because they are an inspiration and capture all that I hold dear: friends, gatherings, hospitality, sharing special moments with special people and so much more...

Kinfolk is bringing a series of events to Santa Barbara that they are calling Fruitful Collaborations. Check out the next ones here and get tickets soon as they are small, intimate gatherings!

Oh, the fun to be had! See you there!

Cookie

I have been eating Pierre Lafond Montecito Market Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies for 23 years now. They are officially my favorite cookie in Santa Barbara. The Earthquake cookie (all chocolate with chocolate chips and powdered sugar all over it...) is a close second, but nothing beats a classic like this one. Perfectly chewy and oh so satisfying...

Pierre Lafond Montecito Market

516 San Ysidro Road, 805.565.1502 

Open: 6:00am - 8:00pm Every Day

Sama Sama Santa Barbara

At last some different flavors hit the restaurant scene in Santa Barbara! Sama Sama Test Kitchen creates Indonesian inspired dishes and they are treats for the palate. I have now gone there twice and though they are still getting everything organized (don't ask for an iced tea...) and working out the kinks, I think it's going to be quite a hit! 

A view from the bar seating area and our fried rice with kale, carrots, and cilantro. Has a bit of spice to it too! They change up their fried rice depending on the chef's whim.

 One of the two tables out front on the sidewalk. Perfect people watching place. There is also seating on an amazing outdoor patio (a hidden gem for SB), but they don't always serve out there (yet). We lucked out on our first visit and got to enjoy being out in the sun surrounded by growing vegetables.

Up close on the Fried Rice.

 Soto Ayam - roasted Jidori chicken breast, rice noodle, turmeric chicken broth, cabbage, sprouts, and celery leaves. The chicken was perfectly moist and had large bits of salt on top. I really enjoyed this dish. Very fresh flavors.

Had to add the view from the parking lot because it's pretty ridiculous. Santa Barbara, you are amazing.

Sama Sama Test Kitchen
1208 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Hours:

Tue - Sat: 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Color Rumble in Santa Barbara

My wonderful Mom, Tana Sommer, is showing her artwork at COUCH Santa Barbara at 9 West Ortega Street and I think you should all stop by and see her recent beautiful creations. The show runs through May 15th. To learn more about her visit www.tanasommer.com.

Chocolate Maya

If you love chocolate as much as I do, you MUST visit Chocolate Maya here in Santa Barbara. Not only is this a hand-crafted chocolates, chocolate shop, it is also a learning-all-about-chocolate zone where they serve hot chocolate. Now, this isn't your normal watery hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. This is a true cup of chocolate. It's like chocolate lava - thick, rich, and dark. Served in charming little cups, grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the goodness! Throw in a couple of their truffles too, you know, since a rich cup of chocolate just isn't enough... Did I mention they make a spicy one too?? Cheers!

Chocolate Maya - The Chocolate store

In the Chocolate Bar portion

Chocolate Maya is located at:
15 West Gutierrez Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-5956

Store Hours:
Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Bourbon Room

Need a fine cocktail and an all night happy hour? Check out The Bourbon Room for unique cocktails created with fresh juices and homemade jazzed up alcohols (cherry, cherry, cherry). On Wednesdays, it's happy hour all night. Yep, that's right. Can't beat that!

They also serve dinner so make it a night and soak up your cocktails with Date with a Pig...or the other tasty dishes their menu holds.

I enjoyed the French Gimlet seen above. A cool atmosphere, friendly staff and good eats ensure a cozy, happy evening.


The Bourbon Room
4444 Hollister Ave, Goleta, California 93110
Phone:(805) 265-3788

Cold-Pressed Juice

Mmmmm, fresh squeezed juice. Sure tastes wonderful on a sunny Santa Barbara day. Sure, you could buy your own juicer and the 3-4 lbs of local organic fruits and veggies needed for just one bottle, but why when you can pop over to the Juice Ranch and get yourself a fresh, cool bottle? It costs $10, which at first seems pricey, but just think about it from the cost of the produce to the machine to the time. With a $2 deposit for the bottles, your next juices only cost $8! And in my opinion, it's worth it. Instead of 2 Starbucks coffee drinks in a week, have a juice instead. Fennel in the Machine is my favorite...

Juice Ranch
33 Parker Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone:(805) 845-4657