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.

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

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.

Momma Donna's

I've found my new favorite spot for a late night bite.
Dishing out an array of your good ol' American bar eats, Momma Donna takes drunk food to the next level.
Momma's eclectic decor of brightly colored walls, hanging african tribal masks and chinese checkers boards also give the restaurant a comfortable, homey feeling. Momma's miscellaneous furnishings go even further with table tops covered in a collage of timeless newspaper and magazine cut-outs of Lennon and post WWII headlines that shout "PEACE" and "THE WAR IS OVER".
"Around here, anything goes," Donna said.
Her menu is simple. Whether or not I'm drunk, simple is better.
"I'm not trying to sell people on the details," Donna said. "I'm not looking to draw a snobby crowd," Donna said. "Once people start criticizing my food, that's where we have problems."
The everyday customer or late-night prowler would probably have no idea that she hand carmalizes bacon, allows her burger buns to proof (rise) for 20 hours and even uses free-range beef in all of her burgers. Most of the produce used in her dishes are also local.
On my visit, I ordered the PBJ Burger. The sweet bun, thick cut bacon, patty and a healthy dose of PBJ actually works. I returned the next day for her other house special, the Hawaiian Loco Moco. Coming from Hawaii while being a State Street regular, Momma Donna's couldn't be more convenient. I was meant for this place.

While sipping on my Hemp Ale, to match my irie mood, I enjoyed Donna's tableside company, which is just as good as her food. After enjoying my burger and a brew, I left the place with the peace of mind that reminds me of getting off the phone after a good talk with family, or even dinner at my mom's house.
(My mom would probably get mad if she read this).

Happy Hour: Enterprise Fish Company

For the last couple months, I'd been waiting to review Enterprise Fish Company's Happy Hour.
My friends have praised it. For years, local polls have claimed it as No. 1. I mean, who could complain about $1 Fanny Bay oysters on the half shell, $4.50 20 oz. drafts, and $3.50 well cocktails? But on this particular afternoon it seemed like somebody, or just about everybody working there suffered from a bad case of the Mondays.
I arrived alone, fifteen minutes before Sour Hour started, to a bartender with the attitude of a beer maid better suited to work at a grungy sports bar in Oakland.
An acquaintance of mine, invited me a while back to join them for their appetizer and drink specials, and I promised I would. Waiting for my friends to arrive, I politely asked the bartender if she was working. She bluntly responded by saying "I don't keep track of people's schedules."
After my company arrived, we were rushed into ordering our drinks when we were some of the only diners in the restaurant. After our drinks arrived, we waited for nearly ten minutes to place our food order only to notice our server stuffing her face in the back station.
On the other tangent, the more enjoyable one, our plump, sweet dozen of Fanny Bays arrived ice cold, the way oysters ought to be served. Their "traditional" Ahi poke, which consisted of cubed Ahi served under caramalized red onions and shredded cabbage was unlike any kind of poke I've had. Coming from the islands, the caramalized red onion twist was a nice substitute for raw Maui Onions which are normally used.
The spicy fried calamari and the Kobe beef sliders were also exceptional.
When our food arrived, I began shooting photos and taking notes of our meal. My problem: that's when decent service arrived as well.
The manager, who delivered and presented the food himself came back a few minutes later to see if we were enjoying our food. Textbook service. But his one flaw: The manager with the Carolina blue tie didn't stop at any other table to ask if they were also delighted with their meal. I Guess checking on tables at this place only happens when things go wrong.. What had been done had been done. I'd been snobbed by the bartender. Rushed at a time when I could have probably heard a pin drop in the dining room. Then sucked up to after the staff had noticed I was doing something official.
As an honest food critic, who's normally easy to please, I expect no special treatment. Just looking to be treated like everyone else. If I weren't taking pictures, or taking notes, would I be treated with the same respect? I doubt it. At a place like this, which has been awarded "Best Happy Hour" by the Santa Barbara Independent numerous times, it's hard to believe that their wait staff had anything to do with the nomination. The food here definitely overshadows the service.
Nearing the end of our meal, my friend arrived for her shift. She was sweet. But she always is. Definitely a shining star amongst a dull constellation.

Norton's Deli

Pastrami sandwiches might just be the death of me. If so, I'd rather die eating at Norton's. This greasy, heart attack served on a toasted roll is Norton's pastrami and cheese sandwich. Smothered in onions, smeared with a chipotle mayo and coated in Jack cheese, Norton's pastrami is sure to wipe out even the gnarliest of hangovers. Located at 16 West Figueroa, Norton's is serving up the BEST DAMN PASTRAMI IN TOWN. Hands down. No other deli in Santa Barbara stands a chance. Maybe it's because Nortons fries it's pastrami on the griddle. Maybe it's because no other sandwich shop in town does. Whatever the reason, this is the spot that hits the spot.

Although a sandwich, some fries and a drink might cost you an arm, a leg, and your gut ($13) it's well worth the trip. So roll in, and perhaps bring someone to roll you out.