The Best Bubbles to Buy for New Year’s Eve

It’s that time of year to splurge on the bubbles, and the Champagne Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2012 is a fine way to do so ($97), from one of France’s most revered Champagne houses, where consistency and deliciousness are guaranteed. The Brut Millésimé is made only in vintages worthy of it, and this 50 percent chardonnay/50 percent pinot noir stunner is just that, a lively, lovely blast of citrus floated upon the finest of bubbles (it’s aged in bottle five years on its lees, growing in character and finesse). See taittinger.com.

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

The Brasserie at Third Window Opens

There’s nothing like throwing a six-course meal for about 50 people less than two weeks after opening, but that’s what chef Mandy Barrett did last week at The Brasserie at Third Window Brewing Co. She had to, as Third Window has this thing about St. Barbara — the East Haley Street brewery in The Mill complex is even named after the setting of her legend — and they like to throw her a party on December 4, her feast day.

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

Blue Owl Breakfast for Thomas Fire Evacuees

When word of the Thomas Fire made its way to Hawaii, where Cindy Black was on vacation, she knew that The Blue Owl, her beloved, Foodie Award–winning eatery on West Canon Perdido Street, had to do something. “I have employees who live in Santa Paula and Carpinteria,” she said. “Everybody’s really sad right now, so I wanted to give people a place to have some breakfast, drink some coffee, and watch some sketch comedies, like Mr. Show and Upright Citizens Brigade.”

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

The Lark’s Love Letter to Santa Barbara: Acme Hospitality Releases ‘Around the Table,’ a Cookbook and Much More

We can argue about whether The Lark is Santa Barbara’s answer to The French Laundry in Napa ​— ​if nothing else, it’s less expensive and easier to get into ​— ​but the just-published Around the Table: Recipes & Stories from The Lark in Santa Barbara is certainly as amazing as The French Laundry Cookbook. With more than 160 recipes, gorgeous photos by Macduff Everton, and tales of Santa Barbara past and present, it’s no surprise to learn that this accomplishment was part of Acme Hospitality founder and managing partner Sherry Villanueva’s dream before she even opened The Lark.

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

Sip This: 2015 Cambria Element Pinot Noir

If you want to find out how hearty a Santa Maria Valley pinot noir can be, pop this bottle (though you might want to wait a few years, so be sure to decant if you drink now). This wine comes from old vines (by Santa Barbara County standards — they were planted in the 1970s), and it gets pumped up with 11 months in 39 percent new French oak (hence that need for some bottle age).

If you want ot read the rest then do so at the Independent's site.

Loving ‘Les Légumes:' Pascale Beale’s Very Veggie Cookbook

“The whole way meals are structured has changed a lot. A meat with two vegetables — that’s something that’s old-fashioned,” said Pascale Beale, who is just releasing her eighth cookbook, Les Légumes: Vegetable Recipes from the Market Table (M27 Editions). “Now people recognize they should have more of a plant-based diet.”

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

Unicorn Wines to Kick Cancer

When word hit the Santa Barbara sommelier community that one of their own, Misty Jackson, who currently works at Les Marchands, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, they knew they wanted to do something to help. Jenny Mitchum Rosner, somm and assistant wine director at Wine + Beer, said at first people thought they’d have a special study session where they would donate money. But then she suggested, “Why don’t we open it up to the entire community?”

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

Or buy tickets immediately for the event at Nightout.