Sunday, July 31, 2011

Waiting on the famous



Waited on David Crosby's table last night of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Their hit "Just a song before I go," is one of my all-time favorites. According to Wikipedia, the song was written by Graham Nash in Hawaii as a means of killing some time before leaving the house. The opening line came from his friend who told him "Why don't you just write a song before you go?"
False rumors say that the song was written about a girlfriend of one of the band members. He successfully boarded the plane but his girlfriend - who was holding his stash - was arrested.

For more background on the song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_a_Song_Before_I_Go

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Santa Barbara Eats: Shang Hai Chinese Restaurant


When you're craving Kung Pao, chow fun or orange chicken, who better to trust than the original Chinese spot in Santa Barbara?
For the last 30 years, the little, yet classy hole in the wall has been satisfying SB locs with everything your inner asian desires.
Owner Evette took over her fathers business some 27 years ago so he could focus on his work in the kitchen.
Shang Hai, nestled next to a laundromat and a liquor store in an upper Milpas plaza, isn't what you'd assume it to be from the outside. This place is actually pretty nice. Nice pleather booths, nice 80s inspired watercolor art, good service.
Actually, my server smiled so much I don't think I saw the whites of her eyes.
On my two trips to Shang Hai, I enjoyed the beef chow fun, Kung Pao scallops, and every American's favorite (drum roll please): orange chicken.
All were exceptional. Especially the their chow fun, which was highlighted by it's thinner-than-most noodles. Shang Hai also hosts a great vegetarian menu (created because Evette is a vegetarian) and a lunch special menu that'll cost you less than $10. Their fried rice game needs some work though. Besides that, this is the spot to hit when your inner china man (or woman) is craving.
Day in and day out, Evette,50, and her father Kent, 70, still serve up the same Chinese food they have for more than 30 years.
"I once told my father, maybe we can retire together. So wait for me," Evette said smiling.

Monday, July 25, 2011

State Street hot dog stands


Has anyone else noticed the Tijuana-esque food stands on State Street? On my latest downtown crawl, smoke from these portable grills - which serve nothing but hot dogs - flooded just about every club I was in. Still no idea if these hot dog stands are legitimate, but if so, they could very well corner the late-night-bite market. Definitely a step down for classy Santa Barbara. Took one bite of my dog then threw it away.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Chinatown's finest: R&G Lounge

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Chinese restaurant as fancy as R and J Lounge.
When my friend Mary and I – on the prowl for San Fran’s best Chinese (Yelp! handy) – stepped onto the corner of the lounge, I assumed we were going to some home style Chinese hole in the wall.
Welcomed at the front door and taken downstairs, like mob bosses to a gambling hall, I was surprised at how well-kept the restaurant was. The granite countertops, wooden carvings and 80’s style mirrors that stretch around the restaurant gave the place a high-end feel.
Mary and I decided to dive into some local crustacean, bbq pork and one of the “Chef’s Favorites”, a smoked salmon and avocado egg roll.
The bbq pork was a bit tough, but the soft shell crab made up for the hog’s mishap.
The whole soft shell crab, fried with a thin coating of garlic lemon batter demanded a little elbow grease to enjoy, but was worth every shell-spewing bite. The best part of the $38 delight - the butter of the crab, which was fried to perfection. (Note: I’m drooling about it as I’m writing this.)
Though the wait staff was not so engaged in my conversation and a decent meal will cost you more than a typical Chinese restaurant (an arm and a crab leg in my case), the food is well worth the trip.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Reggae Wednesday's Revisited: 1twotree



For the last three years, my boy Jeffa and his group 1twotree have been plugging the Santa Barbara scene with the best reggae music in town. Hands down.
On what's likely to be my last visit to Sandbar's Reggae Wednesday, I had to come check out 1twotree perform live before my move to San Francisco.
"We'll be up there soon," Mr. Vegas said after the show.
1twotree keeps crowds skankin' with a flurry of original hits like "Downtown", "Troy's song" and "Run" and also perform hit covers from UB40, Fiji and Pepper.
When not working with 1twotree, drummer Antoine Richardson and bassist/vocalist Gavin Thompson work alongside Andrew Bees of the internationally acclaimed Reggae group Black Uhuru.
Though the band resides in Santa Barbara, their musical diversity stems everywhere from the Hawaiian Islands, to the South American coast, to the shores of New Jersey.
For nothing but soulful, pure, unfiltered reggae, 1twotree gives it to you live and direct - from the roots up.

Check them out at 1twotree.com for new releases, bios and tour information.

Santa Barbara Happy Hour: Bistro 1111


Since I've moved into my new apartment on East Beach, I've been nothing but smiles.
I'm footsteps away from the beach, footsteps away from the park - and I've recently discovered that I'm footsteps from a great happy hour.
Bistro 1111 at the Hotel Miramonte hosts a DAILY happy hour (7 days a week!) from 4-7 p.m. which includes 2 for $5 domestic bottles, $5 wines by the glass, $5 appetizers and wanna-be rum runners.
Overlooking East Beach, Bistro 1111 anchors the East Beach Happy Hour scene because it's the only one! The most enjoyable part of my time there had to have been the fresh pilsner glasses for each beer. Unlike most places who do 2-for-1's and give you both beers at once, our bartender Coleen gave me each of my domestic bottles one at a time, with a fresh chilled glass.
Bistro 1111 also serves their bar menu until 11 p.m. on weekdays and until 12 a.m. on the weekends - a new option besides Jack in the Box for anyone looking for a late night bite on the East side.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Reggae Wednesdays at the Sandbar



Did I ever tell you about the time some chick dumped me at a Pepper concert to this song? Haven't heard the song live since then. This group, (named who knows what) performed a decent cover. Sandbar Santa Barbara hosts reggae Wednesdays featuring live entertainment from local and distant reggae/ska acts.

$3 Heinekens
2 for 1 Margaritas

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

4th of July Santa Barbara Style


It's been a long time since I've had the 4th off. Since it may be the last time I get to feel extra proud to be an American in Santa Barbara, I figured I'd go all out like I always do. When it comes to celebrating Independence day in SB, the locals prefer the Endless Summer Bar and Grill. Perched in the corner of the Santa Barbara Harbor, my friends and I enjoyed great drinks and an incredible view of the night's fireworks.

7:03 p.m. After a couple Firestone Pale Ales - a staple for Santa Barbarans - I decided to delve into my hobby of sampling restaurant's specialty drinks. The cucumber jalapeno margarita, which left a nice hint of spice on my lips, was a nice way to kick start the evening. The Planter's Punch, a blend of Myer's dark rums grapefruit and polynesian juices, was a disguising refreshing prior to wine toasting.

7:59 p.m. Our party decides that throwing popcorn into Derek's mouth is the best way to pass the time.

8:30 p.m. My room mate, co-worker and friend saved a bottle of our chef's wine, the Cecchini Bianco, a blend of Tocai, Malvasia and Arneis for the night's festivities. The refreshing white, Italian blend makes for the perfect summer wine.

9:05 p.m. Fireworks!

9:43 p.m. On our stumble to Longboard's Bar and Grill on the pier, my friends and I were blessed to come across the Olive Street Truck. Winner of The Santa Barbara Independent's Summer Grill Off, Liz Bradley and her pork bahn mi sandwich left my taste buds in awe. The sweet, spicy, smoky, pulled pork served on a roll with fresh cucumber is proof that good, pardon me, great food can be found after hours and on wheels.

9:50 p.m. We arrive at Longboard's Grill and Bar for a few Mean Tai's. This blend of six different rums, almond liquer and pineapple juice is one bad motha.

1:15 a.m. Catch a late night cab to Statemynt to meet up with my hombres for a few shots of Tequila.

1:30 a.m. Still proud to be an American.