The Lark Ascending
Written by Caitlin White | Photography by Ali Beck
A decade ago the Funk Zone was an emerging neighborhood in Santa Barbara, and THE LARK was a newcomer in the area. Ten years later, Jason Paluska’s Michelin-recognized menu is still going strong in both its daytime and nighttime iterations—the brunch game is just about as memorable as the epicurean dinner on the patio. As the first fine-dining restaurant in the Funk Zone—and the flagship kitchen of Acme Hospitality, which has since expanded to encompass several other food and beverage concepts—The Lark is an anchor, a local haunt, and a bucket-list stop for Santa Barbara visitors.
To celebrate both the longevity and the consistency of this neighborhood kitchen, Paluska and his crew welcomed Los Angeles culinary legend Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza, Chi Spacca) and restaurateur and wine director Caroline Styne (A.O.C., Caldo Verde) to collaborate on a benefit anniversary dinner. The gala event began with a wine reception and hors d’oeuvres hosted by the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, before guests moved into a seated dinner in the Pullman Room featuring collaborative dishes from Paluska and Silverton, and wine pairings by Styne. In honor of the occasion, The Lark made a generous donation to the James Beard Foundation. 131 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-284-0370, thelarksb.com
