The Foods of Santa Barbara

As we drove into California, the fruit stands were out in force.  We knew we would be able to eat the freshest of the fresh and we were greatly looking forward to it.

Our first meal was an outdoor restaurant right on the beach.  It reminded us of a casual Marine Room. Don had fish and chips, and I had a BLT&A (avocado).  Both were fresh and delicious . . . and the weather was absolutely perfect.  Not too hot, not too cold.  We even saw some dolphins in the ocean. After that we visited the Biltmore - WOW - and drove a little around Santa Barbara, just to acquaint ourselve with the area.

That night we had freshly made tamales, guacamole, and Spanish rice at the Kings.  They have a friend who makes the tamales, and they were as good as any I have ever had.

The next morning we hit the East Beach Cafe.  It is a quaint little cafe right on the beach in downtown Santa Barbara.  Although the wind was a bit brisk off the water, it didn't matter.  Because it was a weekday, the cafe was not crowded, and we ate our omelets/eggs/oatmeal/pancakes, etc. slowly just enjoying the beautiful setting.  And the chai tea latte I ordered?  Superb!!!

The Natural for lunch uses organic, freshly sourced food.  My Local Favorite - a vegetarian sandwich with avocado, cucumber, lettuce, sprouts, and tomato fresh wheat bread - reminded me of a sandwich I used to eat at Dr. Redbird's in Wichita.  I loved it then . . . and I loved it now!  

Then for the evening we went to La Cumbre Country Club for a Cinco de Mayo party.  The view from the mezzanine over to the ocean was worth the price of admission, the mariachi band played many of my favorites, and again, the food was out of this world!  What a great way to end our eat-a-thon!