Thursday, January 28, 2016

Red Carpet Red: The Carpet Matches the Grapes


Lights! Camera! Fermentation! That might as well be the motto for Red Carpet Red, a wine commissioned by Visit Santa Barbara and made by Ampelos Cellars to celebrate the 2016 edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The clever moniker stresses our town’s filmic history from the Flying A Studios to today, so much so you have to inspect the back label to realize this is no mere red — it’s a pinot noir from the Sta. Rita Hills. (No doubt Miles from Sideways wishes he could attend the festival this year.)

Want ot read the rest then do so at the Independent's site.

Sip This: Hahn 2014 GSM

Hahn 2014 GSM Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Central Coast: Here’s an everyday sipper and great value if you long for a Rhône blend but wish to drink a wine from California. Hahn, based in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, has put together this blueberry-bursting blend of Grenache (65 percent), Syrah (31 percent), and Mourvèdre (4 percent). It’s a perfect accompaniment for cold nights and warm foods — think lamb shanks or pork chops — especially at a SRP of $14.

Want to read the rest then do so at the Independent's site.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Sip This: Papa's Pilar Dark Rum

Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum: The website for this ultra-premium spirit traffics deep in mythologizing: “Hemingway lived an epic life in perpetual motion. And rum bore witness to it all.” You see, Papa is Hemingway, Pilar his fishing boat. The funny thing is this rum isn’t particularly terse or manly, even if it’s broad and bold. That’s partially since it’s made solera-style, with different distillations aged together, in both bourbon barrels and port wine casks. In a word, complex.

Want to read the rest then do so at the Indy's site.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Sip This: Sierra Nevada Otra Vez

Sierra Nevada Otra Vez Gose-Style Ale: Given that Gose, a classic German wheat ale brewed with salt and coriander to create a sharp tartness, often gets served with a shot of raspberry or fruit syrup, it’s not too surprising Sierra Nevada would have some fun with its latest release. Turning to California classic flavors like prickly pear cactus and grapefruit, however, makes this a Gose with the Central Valley up its sleeve.

Want to read the rest then do so at the Indy's site.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The Bobcat Drinks Tonight

It’s easy to think that the last thing Santa Barbara needs now is another bar — cue Prohibition-revivalist online commenters! — but with the coming of the Bobcat Room on West Ortega Street, it’s easier to conclude that such a notion is horribly wrong. Hip without being hipster, retro without irony, clubby without being exclusive, it’s not so much dimly lit as artfully shadowed, with wall seating angled just so people are edged into ergonomically easier talking postures. That it’s the rowdier Wildcat Lounge’s speakeasy neighbor — you have to enter through a double door from the dance floor — is even more of an enchanting surprise.

Want to read the rest then do so at the Indy's site.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Eat This: Deep Dish Spinach Pesto Pizza @ Patxi’s Pizza


Not to start a food fight, but as an East Coaster by birth, I have to argue deep dish pizza isn’t really pizza. (Sorry, Chicago.) That doesn’t mean it’s not delicious, though. Think of it as lasagna with crust instead of pasta, perhaps. And what thought that starts with lasagna doesn’t end with drooling?

Want to read the rest then do so at the Indy's site.