December Decadence
In the Spirit
SAN YSIDRO RANCH is a perennial favorite getaway, but the best reason to book a staycation this winter? A holiday redux of their signature speakeasy, which transforms the Plow & Angel into a maximalist Christmas paradise. With decadent splurges like caviar service and a seafood tower or a variety of casual plates, such as tamarind wings, Korean beef tacos, and crispy calamari, there’s plenty here for a light dinner or a happy-hour snack when the bar opens up at 5 p.m. There’s something special for every palate and sensibility, from fruit- and shrub-based mocktails to mystical absinthe fountains. Since you’re going to be indulging, opt to stay the night and sleep it all off in one of the fairytale cottages repeatedly endorsed by Hollywood royalty. 900 San Ysidro Lane, Santa Barbara, sanysidroranch.com. c.w.
Mane Act
Last fall, local darling Good Lion Hospitality opened another sleek, chic cocktail bar, bringing the five-o’clock-somewhere ethos to Coast Village Road. LION’S TALE, located on the ground floor of the historic Montecito Inn, is grand and airy, with opulent finishes and a lavish menu to match. Think frozen Vespers with both gin and vodka, a Boulevardier made with Italian vermouth and Demerara rum, and an eponymous cocktail with scotch, chai, Averna, and pineapple.
Kicking things off every day at 4 p.m., a generous happy-hour menu cuts select drink prices down to $11, including an adorable little 50/50 martini that can be upgraded with a sidecar of fries. It’s the perfect drink-and-snack combo, topped perhaps only by a plate that comes with filet mignon bites and café de Paris sauce for $14, effectively turning steak frites into a playful, poutine-style nosh. Need more reasons to visit? A lobster slider is less commitment than a full roll but comes with all of the decadence, and a savory, creamy smoked-trout dip, complete with house-made potato chips, radish, and endive, is an ideal companion for any drink on the menu. 1295 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, lionstalebar.com. c.w.
Comfort Food
Much like the charming Upham Hotel it calls home, BISTRO AMASA’s menu is full of nostalgic favorites. Updated American classics from chef Julian Martinez—such as meatloaf with mole and yogurt, a Waldorf salad with brown butter dressing, or a dressed-up twice-baked potato—feel familiar and embody the homey atmosphere of the Victorian building. The team behind Hearth Hospitality helms the concept, and while the menu departs from the conceptual California cuisine of their Michelin-recognized restaurant Barbareño, the same playful sense of humor will be familiar to fans. 1404 De La Vina St., Santa Barbara, bistroamasa.com. c.b.m.
Old Soul
Good things come to those who wait. After five years of planning, HOTEL EL ROBLAR debuted this summer in the heart of Ojai. The collective expertise of its all-star crew, composed of hospitality and design talents Warner Ebbink, Eric Goode, Jeremy McBride, and Ramin Shamshiri, is evident throughout the historic 50-room property. That includes the 100-seat Condor Bar and sunny daytime spot La Cocina, co-helmed by restaurant veteran Ebbink and his chef–business partner Brandon Boudet.
The menu features dishes that reflect California’s hybrid culinary culture and the region’s Mexican roots, with such touches as green mole and an uni tamal made with heirloom corn nixtamalized in-house. Flame-kissed proteins are served hot off the Condor Bar’s Santa Maria grill, while Boudet takes advantage of his connection to local farms when sourcing most other ingredients. 122 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, theroblar.com. j.r.
Aside from the outdoor patio with gorgeous waterfront views, Gracie also boasts a central indoor bar that’s designed to the nines.
On the Waterfront
A trifecta of restaurants in Santa Barbara has recently opened under the stewardship of Dudley Michael and Grace Austin, including the Rodeo Room and The Shop Brunch, at Milpas and De La Guerra. The third, dubbed simply GRACIE, is in a more prime location—harborside in the old Breakwater Cafe. The restaurant is still shoring up its dinner menu, and the owners have eschewed reservations for a walk-ins-only setup.
Begin with a rockfish ceviche served with rice crackers and a classic Caesar salad spiked with toasted anchovies. Mains like the fish tacos, which come pan seared and topped with smoked chili aioli and pickled onions, are as fresh as the daily catch. Another highlight, crispy salmon with roasted fennel and leeks, pairs nicely with a Midori Eastside. The mint-cucumber-shiso libation can be served with or without vodka and Midori added, making for a smart brunch mocktail. 107 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, graciewaterfront.com. c.w.
Written by Caitlin White, Jessica Ritz, Charlotte Bryant Medina
Photography by Blake Bronstad, Michael Achach, Blue Gabor