It Takes a Village
Taking its place in the old Peabody’s venue, MONTE’S from chef Daniel Kim is already primed to become the new darling of Montecito.
The cheerful sign on Coast Village Road
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Jack Dahlia
Taking its place in the old Peabody’s venue, MONTE’S from chef Daniel Kim is already primed to become the new darling of Montecito. Barely two months in, the restaurant has already been added to the Michelin Guide. Rooted in the regenerative agriculture of Rincon Hill Farm in Carpinteria (see page 120), nearly every ingredient on the menu is sourced from that property. This hyperlocal ethos is the guiding force behind Endwell Hospitality, the ownership group known for their lauded venue One White Street, a restaurant similarly anchored by Rigor Hill Farm in upstate New York. Here, at Endwell’s first Central Coast restaurant, patio tables and a separate dining room define the indoor-outdoor space, which is cozy yet refined.
The menu presents a trifecta of starters, shared plates, and mains, plus a selection of sides. Sourdough from Oat Bakery comes accompanied by cultured butter and Korean chives, which is woven into dishes like the Santa Rosa Island halibut crudo with a nori rice chip or prawn toast layered with kimchi and furikake. A spectacular main, the wild rice pork katsu, marries a Japanese staple with the farm’s own grain in the signature crispy crust. Order a glass of the Sta. Rita Hills Pence “PTG” Burgundian blend, a delicious chilled red, to pair with the pork or an equally showstopping Wagyu strip loin finished with black garlic A1 steak sauce. 1198 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-330-4590, montessb.com
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Location Is Everything
The Hollister Ranch beach shacks—crude structures of driftwood and salvaged materials—mark a bygone era in Santa Barbara surf history, when legendary waves broke along the Hollister family’s eight-mile coast.
A Hollister Ranch beach shack from the 1960s epitomizes the Southern California indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with a deck for sunbathing and the ocean just steps away.
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by Jeff Kruthers
The HOLLISTER RANCH BEACH SHACKS, haphazard structures of driftwood and other salvaged materials, were hardly things of beauty, but they do represent a bygone era of Santa Barbara surf history that began with the legendary waves that broke along eight miles of shore on the 14,400 acres owned by the Hollister family. Initially, in the 1950s, a handful of local surfers kept knowledge of the place to themselves, but in the next decade, when word began to spread and out-of-towners arrived, landowner Clinton Hollister (so the story goes) made a deal with the fledgling Santa Barbara Surf Club—which had Renny Yater as president, a board of directors, and $25 dues—that members could have access if they kept vandals out.
By the ’60s, their shoreside huts had gone up, providing casual shelters for gear and overnights stays with easy access to renowned surf breaks like Razor Blades, Drake’s, and Cojo Point. Then, around 1970, as the ranch was developed into 100-acre private parcels, the shacks disappeared—destined to live on only in photographs and surfing lore.
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Friendly Flora
Drawing on her culinary background and community-minded perspective, Emma West Roldan—former chef and cofounder of Satellite—has opened her newest venture, BODEGA FLOWER GIRL.
Emma West Roldan in her new space in Sevilla Square
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photography by Erren Franklin
Drawing on her culinary background and community-minded perspective, Emma West Roldan—former chef and cofounder of Satellite—has opened her newest venture, BODEGA FLOWER GIRL. The neighborhood market and mini eatery is a welcome addition to Sevilla Square, just off lower State Street.
Inside the airy corner space, customers will find products thoughtfully curated by Roldan herself—think local produce, prepared foods, beverages and imported wine, and unexpected items like Hot Wheels and playing cards. Along with house-made grab-and-go salads and bites, the small, vegetable-forward food program and seating for up to 10 add to the bodega’s local vibe. As the name suggests, shoppers can also pick up flowers. “Bodega Flower Girl was inspired by corner markets across the globe, but the name pays tribute to my love for flowers,” Roldan says. “Flowers aren’t reserved for a certain time or occasion. They’re something that anyone can enjoy year-round.”
Roldan takes an intentional approach to sourcing, selecting products that spark joy or foster a sense of belonging. “I want this to be a place of simple pleasures, whether that’s a toy or candy, a nourishing lunch, seeds to plant, or vegan cookie dough to bake later,” she says. “Most important is creating a space where everyone can feel seen and welcome—an inclusive place that celebrates local makers and farmers alongside diverse global goods.” 15 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, bodegaflowergirl.com
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Mood for a Staycay
Picturesque souvenirs aren’t only for tourists—local photogs offer keepsakes of Santa Barbara spots
Picturesque souvenirs aren’t only for tourists—local photogs offer keepsakes of Santa Barbara spots
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Fresh Paint
Graphic designer and artist Peter Horjus has created a new charming group of vintage-inspired local beach images.
Graphic designer and artist Peter Horjus has created a new charming group of vintage-inspired local beach images, available as hand-signed fine art prints in three sizes. 11 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, peterhorjus.com
Hand-signed fine art prints are available in three sizes: 16" x 20" ($325), 24" x 36" ($725), and 36" x 48" ($975).
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Ones to Watch in Carpinteria and Summerland
Explore must-visit spots in Carpinteria and Summerland, from The Lillie’s needlepoint and mahjong clubhouse to Atelier Sunhouse, Coyote’s Market, Montecito Gourmet, and Arnie’s Rooftop Bar, each bringing fresh style, flavor, and community to the coast.
Must-dos in our favorite seaside towns
In our digital age, Lacey Petersen is focused on engaging two growing, decidedly analog subcultures. THE LILLIE debuted late this spring in Summerland as a haven for her fellow needlepoint enthusiasts and avid mahjong players. Beginning with the inventory of Ann Winn’s shuttered Village Needlepoint of Montecito, Petersen expanded her vision in the former Juniper boutique building on Lillie Avenue to create a niche arts-and-gaming clubhouse. The back area holds two mahjong tables, and an outdoor patio is also ready for play; the upstairs Airbnb unit hosts special events for gamers, crafters, and visiting needlepoint artists. Original mahjong furniture of Petersen’s own design (handmade in Texas) is present both for use and for sale, along with upholstered pieces by interior designer Sierra Muller. Petersen is excited to support local artists by commissioning original, regionally inspired needlepoint canvas designs. “Needlepont and mahjong are two very different things,” she says. “But they share the same goal of being calming—and offering community and peaceful fun.” 2474 Lillie Ave., Summerland, thelillie.com. J.R.
Sommerhus, at Atelier Sunhouse in Carpinteria, is open for the summer.
ATELIER SUNHOUSE, a creative studio and consultancy based in Carpinteria, also has a a seasonal shop that serves as a showroom for the firm’s services. The current showcase, Sommerhus, “is inspired by the Danish culture and tradition of retreating to summer cottages on the seaside and in the forest, where time moves slow and homes are furnished with simple, beautiful things, meant to last for generations,” says cofounder Julie Pointer Adams. “Sommerhus features heirloom goods for easy summer living, moving at the speed of nature.” ateliersunhouse.com. S.R.
Earth-toned symbols frame the doorway of COYOTE’S MARKET, an unassuming new grocery from husband-and-wife team (and Santa Barbara natives) Peter and Caroline Hernandez. The images, designed by Eloi Studio, signal a return to an older way of thinking: The market’s ethos is based on what can be caught, raised, and farmed in and around the Central Coast. The shop prioritizes locally raised meat, including from the Hernandez family ranch; wild-caught, sustainable seafood; and chic pantry items from neighboring artisans. Motley Crew sausages from Buellton stock the freezer, and filet mignon from cattle on the Kiani Preserve in Santa Ynez is frequently on hand. Strawberries from Frecker Farms in Carpinteria glow at the bottom of a refrigerated unit, while pottery from Wilder Ceramics in Ojai and Keymer Studio in Santa Barbara grace the wooden shelves. Need a bottle of wine for a balmy evening? You’ll find Camins 2 Dreams Grüner Veltliner, from one of the region’s acclaimed female winemakers, chilling next to a bulk tank of Luretik’s Meyer lemon field-blend olive oil. Pick up a loaf of bread, and your evening is complete. 4549-A Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, coyotesmarket.com. C.W.
Helmed by Patrick Braid since 2016, MONTECITO GOURMET by Village Cheese and Wine has been a local favorite for decades. Following the historic Thomas Fire and debris flow, the café kept hungry fire and rescue crews fueled free of charge during recovery efforts and became a hub for residents. (The logo now features the lantern from the Old Historic Montecito Firehouse.) The newly refreshed space has an expanded evening menu in addition to wine, cheese, and deli sandwiches. Whether you’re grabbing a breakfast sandwich and coffee to go or tucking in for oysters and an affogato, the spirit of the place remains unchanged. montecitogourmet.com. C.B.M
Signature drinks meld herbal influences with high-end spirits at Arnie’s Rooftop Bar.
Restaurateur Arnie Sturham has joined the crowd at Linden Square. His sky-high spot, ARNIE’S ROOFTOP BAR, is the perfect perch. As the name suggests, the outdoor space serves only libations. But guests are welcome to bring up any nosh from the Square’s excellent vendors, including a slice from the Bettina spin-off Tina’s Pizza, smash burgers and Belgian fries from Third Window, and tacos and burritos from Corazon Cocina Sur. The eclectic cocktail menu, led by Trina Vysniauskas-Armitage, features old-school classics with new-school twists, like a lemon drop lightened with lavender bitters, a ginger mule spiked with pineapple, and a paloma dosed with rosemary-infused syrup. Most mixed drinks can sub in Lyre’s offerings for an nonalcoholic option, while seasonally draft beers plus local wines by the bottle or the glass round out the focused menu. Plenty of succulents and greenery bring texture and brightness to the space, which also boasts a fireplace for happy hours that linger past sundown. 778 Linden Ave., Carpinteria,arniesrooftopbar.com. C.W.
Photography by Sara Prince, Natalie Thomson, Julie Pointer Adams
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American Nights
Local fans of bronc riding, roping, and steer wrestling got a treat on June 20–21, when riders on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit came to compete in the seventh Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo
Old Santa Ynez Days makes rodeo dreams come true
Local fans of bronc riding, roping, and steer wrestling got a treat on June 20–21, when riders on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit came to compete in the seventh Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo, organized and run by the nonprofit SYV Western Heritage Foundation (syvwhf.org). The proceeds support half a dozen Valley youth organizations that range from the high school agriculture department and a therapeutic riding program to the Elks children’s Christmas fund and Santa Maria’s Golden Circle of Champions.
“We started it for the community,” says Kevin Murphy, president of both the foundation and the rodeo, which he cofounded with director Ralph Lausten in 2018. “It’s now one of the fastest-growing rodeos,” he adds, “number six or seven in prize money—$112,000 this year.” The PRCA-sanctioned competition, which also includes events in barrel racing, women’s breakaway, and bull riding, allows professionals to amass points for the National Finals Rodeo, held in December in Las Vegas.
Part of Old Santa Ynez Days festivities, the rodeo takes place at the Santa Ynez Chumash San Carlos Property, which is undeveloped land most of the time. “We build everything from scratch every year,” Murphy says. “It’s a little city, with grandstands, arena, VIP tent, and vendors for food and drink.” Sponsors for 2026 included Rio Vista Chevrolet, 805 Beer, Ranchero Whiskey, and Skechers, among others.
“We’re ground zero here for the vaquero way of life,” Murphy says, adding that as more people move to the Valley with no Western ties, “it’s important to keep that relationship [to the West] growing in the area. The rodeo is a way of knowing that two days a year we can celebrate the Western way of living.”
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Star Bar
The Speakeasy at San Ysidro Ranch is definitely a chic insider’s drinking establishment, but it’s hardly a secret.
The Speakeasy at SYR
Say the word “speakeasy” and undoubtedly what comes to mind is a secret, chic, insider’s drinking establishment. Well, The Speakeasy at San Ysidro Ranch is definitely a chic insider’s drinking establishment, but it’s hardly a secret. The elegant jazz-infused hideaway, tucked beneath the hostelry’s Stonehouse Restaurant, has just been named one of the world’s best hotel bars in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 list of Hotel Star Bars. That makes it one of just five in the United States with that honor, and a member of an exclusive 37 destinations worldwide representing the finest in cocktail culture. Scores were based on the beverage program and presentation, as well as the ability to provide seamless, luxurious service, an exceptional guest experience, and a unique ambiance.
“This distinction reflects the passion and creativity of our beverage team,” says Ian Williams, general manager of the Ranch, “while reinforcing the legacy of excellence that has made the Ranch an enduring icon of luxury hospitality.”
Under a beamed ceiling, leather couches and animal-print seating underscore the intimate atmosphere of the place, while the art deco–style menu of cocktails and nibbles pays homage to iconic speakeasy libations. Among the notable offerings here are a rare Glenturret 50-year-old Highland single malt in a Lalique black crystal decanter, the Macallan M Trio, and the Balvenie DCS Chapter Four Series. Patrons who crave a bit of theater can order the interactive absinthe service, which includes a traditional tableside fountain.
New for summer are inventive cocktails that include a ceremonial-grade Matcha Mar-Tea-Ni and an elevated martini service. Of course, if someone prefers to forgo a cocktail and order a glass of wine or Champagne, they can probably find something to their taste in San Ysidro Ranch’s 16,000-bottle wine cellar, which earned the hotel a Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Photography by Kris Zacharias
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Raise a Glass and a Mallet
Folded Hills Winery celebrated Santa Barbara polo season with its sixth annual Folded Hills Polo Classic in the Santa Ynez Valley
Folded Hills’ annual Polo Classic
Summer is polo season in Santa Barbara, and Folded Hills Winery helped usher it in with the sixth annual Folded Hills Polo Classic on Saturday, June 13, held on their own field in the Santa Ynez Valley. Some 300 members and guests sipped a number of new wine releases, including the acclaimed 2024 Roper Syrah, and watched players drawn from the Santa Barbara Polo Club battle it out for the day’s honors.
“These are ad hoc teams,” says Kim Busch, who owns the winery with her husband, lifelong polo aficionado Andy, “and often children of the club players join in.” This year the field included their son Will, number two on the winery’s team; Jesse Bray, a top-rated American 7-goal player; and Carter Thicke, son of Santa Barbara Magazine executive editor Gina Tolleson.
“We do different events here, and this is a perfect fit,” Busch says. Among the festivities were tailgate contests, she adds, “and our executive chef served mini sliders, asiago potatos, and bruschetta with tomatoes from the ranch. People love to come and watch these great equine athletes and riders. There’s a magical feel to sitting on the sidelines and hearing the thundering hooves up and down the field.”
When the final score was posted, Folded Hills Blue had tied Folded Hills White. Of course, with a glass of Folded Hills wine in hand, the spectators themselves could feel like winners.
Photography by Emmanuelle Pickett
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Feel at Home
The six contactless accommodations at The Rincon Rooms are part of a larger complex that houses 24 residences, plus a forthcoming dining concept on the ground floor.
The Rincon Rooms beckon
Thoughtful layouts and oversize furniture lend each space a residential feel.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Meg Sandu
Traditional boutique hotels in Carpinteria are still few and far between, but a new guesthouse hidden in plain sight opens this summer with bespoke decor and keyless entry. The six contactless accommodations at THE RINCON ROOMS are part of a larger complex that houses 24 residences, plus a forthcoming dining concept on the ground floor. Residential-style rooms, which translate to a quieter, more comfortable sojourn, are part of a growing trend in hospitality, and these offerings fit neatly into a new category of short-term stay.
“There are influences from traditional English interiors and old California guesthouses but softened and made more relaxed for the beach setting,” says designer Amanda Masters, who envisions the furnishings and artwork throughout as being “collected rather than decorated.” Expect custom California-focused pieces, nods to the local polo scene, and tchotchkes that reflect the laidback local surf culture. Sferra linens, Salt & Stone amenities, and Nespresso coffee stations are part of the setup in every room, some of which are dog-friendly, while others come with a spacious balcony or deep soaking tub. 4745 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, rinconrooms.com
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Art Stars
Fifty years is a worthy milestone, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB)—founded in 1976 by artists for artists—is marking the occasion with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Art Awards on July 12.
Wheel of Foot in Mouth No. 3 (Song of Sappho) by Kathryn Andrews
Written by Joan Tapper
Fifty years is a worthy milestone, and the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SANTA BARBARA (MCASB)—founded in 1976 by artists for artists—is marking the occasion with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Art Awards on July 12. That event not only raises crucial operating funds for the nonprofit institution, says Frederick Janka, president of the board of trustees, but also “is celebrating the past, present, and future of the museum and our impact on art history.” This year’s honorees for artistic excellence are Kathryn Andrews, Sanford Biggers, Tonia Calderon, and Mark Swanson, while Hamza Walker is being feted for his curatorial excellence and arts leadership. For the established artists like Biggers and Swanson, “MCASB offered early and critical support with solo exhibitions and their first publications,” Janka says, adding that both have gone on to open major midcareer shows. Looking forward, MCASB will collaborate with Andrews on public programs in the future and is also committed to a solo exhibition for emerging talent Calderon. 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, mcasantabarbara.org
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Love Letter to Cito
The I ❤︎ Montecito exhibit is the Montecito Country Mart’s love letter to the town it belongs to, as well as the greater Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it.
Written by Olivia Joffrey
Photography by Meg Sandu
The I ❤︎ Montecito exhibit is the Montecito Country Mart’s love letter to the town it belongs to, as well as the greater Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it. Our town is aching with stories, and I was privileged to interview all sorts of people and be aided by prolific collectors like James O’Mahoney and historians like Hattie Beresford. Trish Davis, the history chair at the Montecito Association, is a local treasure and spent hours with me. More than 40 people contributed objects (a Yater Spoon, a Klentner Ranch polo saddle) and photos (a full-length polaroid of Julia Child). From textile designers to old silent film studio photos to surfboard shapers to architects to farmers and sign-carvers, Montecito is a place of natural beauty, sophistication, and cultural richness. We are one facet of the California dream, and this jewel-box exhibit hopes to encapsulate that spirit for a few months. Open Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. montecitocountrymart.com
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Out of the Water
Matt Titone’s SURF SHACKS series defies easy categories.
Daniella Manini in her Ventura studio, as seen in Matt Titone’s Surf Shacks.
Surf Shacks captures a creative community
Written by By Joan Tapper
Matt Titone’s SURF SHACKS series defies easy categories. Part architectural inspiration, part interior design, it’s an homage to the way surfers around the world live and work. The project dates to 2013, when Titone, cofounder of Indoek—a brand platform and publisher celebrating surf culture—began photographing his wave-riding friends and colleagues along with the spaces they created. His first volume appeared four years later, followed by volume 2 in 2020. Now there’s a third collection (Gestalten, $80), focusing on 40 individuals and couples stretching from California’s Central Coast to Hawaii, Europe, and Australia. Several live in Ventura (Indoek’s home base), where they relish the nearby surf and demonstrate a knack for transforming their material surroundings into something personal and unique. Artist and surfboard shaper Rachel Lord turned her garage into her workshop. Skateboard designer Neil Stratton and painter Jen Wolf reimagined a 110-year-old church, a drugstore, and several other buildings on the town’s Westside. Artist Daniella Manini imbues her pieces with color, joy, and a love of the coast and the ocean. Lachlan Leckie, cofounder of the outdoor-living brand Business & Pleasure Co., added playful elements to his home as well. us.gestalten.com
“These are the characters who help define our little surfing world.”
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Shoreline Steps
L.A. DANCE PROJECT, the boundary-pushing company founded by Benjamin Millepied, is ushering in a new era of modern dance in Santa Barbara.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photography by Josh S. Rose
L.A. DANCE PROJECT, the boundary-pushing company founded by Benjamin Millepied, is ushering in a new era of modern dance in Santa Barbara. Following appearances on June 12 and 13, set to Luciano Berio’s Sequenza series at the Esa-Pekka Salonen–led Ojai Music Festival, the company will stage a free public performance on June 16 at Stearns Wharf as part of its City of Dance series. And now a new initiative—the Santa Barbara Fund for New Choreography, founded by Millepied and Jennifer Smith—brings the dancers back to the tranquil coast in July. The fund will support new compositions intended to be presented by the company locally and also to be viewed by audiences further afield. “We’ve created this exciting initiative to support the development of original dance works in Santa Barbara that will ultimately tour internationally,” Smith says. A celebratory private seated dinner at a historic estate, including a performance, is slated for July 16 to kick off the new venture. Philanthropists and longtime supporters of the company Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining are cohosting the evening, as is Cindy Robinson Mullen. ladanceproject.org
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A Touch of Paris
Flaky, expertly folded apple galettes, golden clusters of homemade granola in impossibly chic packaging, frothy chai lattes, and lots of baby pink decor—these are all hallmarks of the current iteration of MERCI, a French-style bakery in the Montecito Country Mart.
o-owners Elizabeth Colling and Nicholas Barainca
Written by Caitlin White
Photogrpahy by Studio Arna
Pinks and creams create a calm, French-influenced café space that transitions effortlessly to night
Flaky, expertly folded apple galettes, golden clusters of homemade granola in impossibly chic packaging, frothy chai lattes, and lots of baby pink decor—these are all hallmarks of the current iteration of MERCI, a French-style bakery in the Montecito Country Mart. But there’s more in store for this little shop, which has been under the stewardship of co-owner and chef Nicholas Barainca for the last few years. His partner and cofounder, chef Elizabeth Colling, left Santa Barbara to spend several years in France.
Colling recently returned to Montecito, and she and Barainca have big plans to expand Merci. They’re keeping what’s already been working—breakfast starting daily at 8 a.m. and a full lunch menu of soups, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and plates served until 3 p.m. But expect dinner service in the weeks to come, with a fresh dose of French infusion. Scallop crudo with calamansi mignonette and beef tartare with dijonaise and green lentils are examples of standouts to start. Cavatelli dotted with chanterelles in a rich beurre blanc or a classic steak au poivre are on offer as mains, plus a pitch-perfect espresso crème soufflé as a sweet finish. 1028 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, mercimontecito.com
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Holding Court
“The concept of presenting a curated space that feels like you’ve stepped into a collector’s home has appealed to me for a long time,” says Lawren Howell, the interior designer, stylist, and former Vogue editor who just opened HOWELL & CO.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photographs by Danielle Rubi
“The concept of presenting a curated space that feels like you’ve stepped into a collector’s home has appealed to me for a long time,” says Lawren Howell, the interior designer, stylist, and former Vogue editor who just opened HOWELL & CO. gallery in the El Paseo courtyard. Her roster of artists includes Ojai native ceramicist Mark Churchill, cocurator Nicole Alejandra Pierpont’s private collection from Mexico City, and felted exhibition posters made by her sister, textile artist Stevie Howell. And she’s found herself particularly enamored of chairs and tables by Los Olivos artist Chet Taylor. “My husband and I have been collecting wood slabs from fallen oaks in the Ojai Valley for years and making them into various furniture projects with different artisans,” Howell says. “There’s something about Chet’s interpretations that feel so cool and new. They’re the ultimate utilitarian object, but put together with such subtle connections and attention to detail that they become works of art you’d want to live with.” 30 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, howellandco.shop
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To Julia
The Julia Child Foundation honored Julia Child’s legacy in Montecito with Santa Barbara Culinary Experience events, a Hill House dinner for Bobby Stuckey, and the announcement of Sam Kass as the 12th annual Julia Child Award recipient.
Celebrating Julia Child’s Legacy in Montecito
Written by Jessica Ritz
“I don’t think about whether people will remember me or not. I’ve been an okay person. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve taught people a thing or two. That’s what’s important. Sooner or later the public will forget you, the memory of you will fade. What’s important is the individuals you’ve influenced along the way.”
When Julia Child shared this reflection in a 2001 Esquire magazine interview, her astonishing humility proved to be a core reason she remains so beloved. Her enduring impact was palpable this month when the JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION FOR GASTRONOMY AND CULINARY ARTS toasted to her legacy with gatherings in and around the Montecito environs—where Julia vacationed while growing up in Pasadena and eventually spent the final years of her life.
Festivities kicked off at one of the more than 80 SANTA BARBARA CULINARY EXPERIENCE events with a stunning dinner at Hill House, designed by Robin Donaldson of Donaldson + Partners, in celebration of Bobby Stuckey, last year’s Julia Child Award recipient. Within the striking interior topped with a living garden roof—where parabolic arches and other boldly geometric apertures frame mountain and ocean views, creating a hybrid gallery/living space—guests enjoyed a multicourse meal. Il Gusto della Riviera served as a nod to Stuckey, whose coining of the term “hospitalian” emerged from his experiences since opening Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder in 2004, and later at other lauded Colorado restaurants.
Surrounded by contemporary works of art in the home of artists and entrepreneurs Bruce Heavin and Lynda Weinman, it’s hard to imagine a more dynamic setting for the dinner, which featured an all-star lineup of Golden State–based chefs. Daniel Kim of Monte’s; Evan Funke of Funke, Mother Wolf, and Felix; Diego Moya of Little Mountain; Massimo Falsini of Caruso’s; Meave McAuliffe of Rory’s Place in Ojai; and Ben Spungin of Alto Group in Monterey presented courses that showcased technique and California’s best ingredients in the most dazzling of preparations, like Kim’s Korean miso-infused bagna cauda served with crudités grown down the road in Carpinteria at Rincon Hill Farm and McAuliffe’s wood-fired rib eye with Cortez bottarga butter. Carlin Karr, wine and beverage director of Frasca Hospitality Group, curated wine pairings for each course.
“Julia would have loved to have been here tonight. She would have been trying all the different foods and back with the chefs,” said Eric W. Spivey, chair of the Julia Child Foundation. “But she also would have loved that Bobby Stuckey was here.” Stuckey is ever the consummate hospitality professional, combining expertise, warmth, and comic timing in near equal measure. “One great thing about being a sommelier for three decades is you’ve met some really interesting people, and those moments are special,” he said the next day at Godmothers Books, when speaking with Spivey. The Master Sommelier and James Beard Award winner pointed to “a couple of timestamp moments in my career” that included Julia, from his days at the Little Nell in Aspen and the French Laundry.
The Godmothers presentation—which was followed by a lively conversation with Stuckey and fellow restaurateur and sommelier Caroline Styne of A.O.C. in Los Angeles and moderated by Summerland-based fashion designer Heidi Merrick—also revealed the 12th annual Julia Child Award recipient. Chef Sam Kass, senior policy advisor for nutrition and executive director of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, and partner at Acre Venture Partners, operates “at the intersection of food and health,” said Todd Schulkin, executive director of the Julia Child Foundation and host of the podcast Inside Julia’s Kitchen. “One of the things the jury said in making the decision for him was this idea that food can be a powerful force for good.” Kass has allocated the award’s $50,000 grant to three organizations: Urban Growers Collective, American Farmland Trust, and God’s Love We Deliver.
The original honoree would indeed delight in the convivial atmosphere and generous spirit that infused these food- and wine-centric occasions. After all, Stuckey described Julia as “a woman who was so great for all of us, and helped create the American industry of food and wine. The hospitality restaurant industry is so beautiful for so many things, and it was people like Julia that gave us a platform here in the United States.”
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The Sound of Music
The annual musical highlight of the Santa Barbara summer—the MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST’s Summer Festival—kicks off its roster of 100-plus concerts, master classes, and events on June 17 with something new
Audra joins the Music Academy of the West for the Music Note Gala
Written by Joan Tapper
The annual musical highlight of the Santa Barbara summer—the MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST’s Summer Festival—kicks off its roster of 100-plus concerts, master classes, and events on June 17 with something new: a two-week High School Intensive for 75 gifted young musicians. It will be followed by six weeks of orchestral works, chamber music, solo pieces, and opera performed by MAW’s extraordinarily talented 150 international Fellows and its 60 guest and teaching artists.
Then, as a culmination of the season—and to herald an exciting future—MAW’s Music Note Gala will take place on August 14 at the Bella Vista Estate in Summerland. Headlined by Grammy winner, six-time Tony winner, and star of HBO’s The Gilded Age Audra McDonald, the fundraiser will support full scholarships for the Fellows, the high school summer initiative, and Sing!, an after-school program that serves more than 160 local children annually. The event also honors board member Cheryl Goldberg, whose philanthropy is supporting MAW’s upcoming Music Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara.
A Juilliard-trained soprano known for the subtlety and insights she brings to a wide range of musical genres, McDonald will perform classics from the Great American Songbook—think Gershwin and Cole Porter—accompanied by a jazz trio led by music director Andy Einhorn. And, of course, the Sing! Children’s Choir will be there to share the stage.
“I’m delighted to join the Music Academy of the West for this special evening in support of music education,” McDonald says. “Having grown up in Fresno, I always welcome the chance to return to my home state, especially for a cause so close to my heart. The Academy’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists is deeply meaningful, because when we invest in young people and place the arts in their hands, we are investing in all of our futures.”
Last year’s gala raised more than $750,000, setting the bar high for this year’s event. “The Music Note Gala supports the heart of the Music Academy’s mission—bringing transformative music education and extraordinary artistry together for meaningful impact,” says Shauna Quill, MAW’s president and CEO. “It celebrates the power of music to inspire, connect, and transform lives across generations.” musicacademy.org
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Central Coast Bounty
With the return of Rosewood Miramar Beach’s BOUNTY series, alfresco dining in the hotel’s intimate garden is once again a summer highlight.
The communal dining series returns to the Miramar
Written by Joan Tapper
Dining alfresco in the intimate on-site garden of the Rosewood Miramar Beach is once again destined to be a highlight of the summer months now that the hotel’s BOUNTY series of communal feasts has returned. Designed to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the Central Coast and curated by Rob Smits—the director of wine whose work at Caruso’s led to a James Beard semifinalist nod for outstanding beverage program—the events offer guests the opportunity to savor wood-fired cuisine and seasonal ingredients from local farmers and artisans, served family style and paired with hyperlocal boutique wines.
On the schedule in June and July are Phelan Farm with Rajat Parr on June 4, Holus Bolus with Amy Christine and Peter Hunken on June 18, Tyler with Justin Willett on July 9, and Outward with Natalie Siddique and Ryan Pace on July 23. The dinners continue on selected Thursdays until mid-October, culminating with a meal on October 15 that features Lady of the Sunshine x Scar of the Sea with Gina and Mikey Giugni.
Sophisticated but relaxed, Bounty wine dinners are a cherished new tradition and a delicious way to experience the extraordinary offerings of the Central Coast. $155 per person. sevenrooms.com/experiences/revereroommiramarbeach
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Geo Logic
The title of Kendall Conrad’s exhibit of sculpture—GEO LOGIC—is a clue to the meaning of her impressive new work.
Separate Reality and Kendall Conrad meld in the Funk Zone
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by Stephen Simons
The title of Kendall Conrad’s exhibit of sculpture—GEO LOGIC—is a clue to the meaning of her impressive new work, which was celebrated at the Separate Reality Gallery in the Funk Zone on May 9. Gallery-goers encountered what was described as an “immersive landscape of sculptural forms exploring erosion, geological structure, and material tension…creating a striking dialogue between organic surface, shadow, and spatial rhythm.”
The pieces encompass a range of materials—wood, clay, and bronze—in forms that vary from dense and tortuous to sinuous and corporeal, all demonstrating the artist’s assured hand. For several decades Conrad had an impressive career as a successful designer of luxury goods, including handbags, sandals, and jewelry, with several eponymous retail boutiques. Since 2023, however, she has turned her attention to art full time, working in her studio at Rincon Point.
The spare, free-flowing space of the Separate Reality Gallery added to the impact of the sculptures. Says Conrad, “It was incredibly meaningful to see Geo Logic installed as a complete body of work for the first time. The opening felt less like a presentation of individual objects and more like an immersive landscape of matter, shadow, and form.” The show is on view through June 28. Open Friday and Saturday afternoons 2-6 or by appointment. 111 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara; 805-280-1635