José Eber Salon Opens at the Biltmore

José Eber Salon at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara (courtesy photo)

José Eber Salon at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara (courtesy photo)

Beverly Hills glamour has a new home on the American Riviera with opening of José Eber Salon at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara last week. A world renowned stylist known for his iconic personal style, Eber has tended to Hollywood’s most famous tresses for four decades in Beverly Hills and now has a unique second salon at the luxurious oceanfront property in Santa Barbara.

Eber’s 1,000-sq.-ft. space near the resort’s lobby has been fully re-imagined and transformed into a sophisticated and calming oasis where guests will enjoy the ultimate in modern luxury and service. The new salon’s design is heavily inspired by the location in Beverly Hills, including the front desk, a striking replica handmade of antique mirrors in the same Art Deco style conceived by designer Waldo Fernandez for Eber’s flagship salon.

Soft lighting and soothing nature hues in the chinoiserie wall panels, neutral charcoal wood floors and eye-catching blown-glass chandelier in shades of blue—custom designed by acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly—reflect Santa Barbara’s coastal environs, beachy aesthetic and natural beauty. Windows looking onto the garden terrace have been added, bathing the salon in natural light. Twelve thoughtfully designed work stations feature handmade tabletops inlaid with cracked glass, individually lighted oval mirrors and Italian-made soft blue swivel chairs. The overall result is a welcoming, residential feel balanced by sleek design and stylish accents, such as the pop of a cushy leopard print chair or a single striking blue orchid.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

“José is not only brilliantly accomplished but he is dedicated to providing the same level of first-class service and the ultimate luxury experience that is synonymous with the Four Seasons brand,” says Karen Earp, general manager, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. “We feel fortunate to partner with him and are extremely excited to welcome our out-of-town guests and the local community into this beautiful new space.”

The salon offers a full spectrum of services to cater to locals, Resort guests and bridal parties, including haircuts, color and highlights, blowdrys and styling and updos. Eber will be personally available for both haircuts and consultations on a regular basis, along with his team of talented stylists who have been trained in the most innovative methods and cutting edge techniques. The latest technology and equipment, from three customizable, massaging shampoo stations to advanced heaters that help produce perfect color, further enhance the experience. Professional makeup application, makeup lessons, lash application and brow shaping are also available. The salon carries Phyto hair care products and will soon also feature the José Eber signature line of products and professional tools.

In celebration of the new salon, the Resort is offering a special “931 Package” for locals who live in a zip code beginning with 931. The package includes a night in a beautifully refurbished guest room for $395, two complimentary cocktails at Ty Lounge and 20% off spa treatments and hair services at the brand new José  Eber Salon.

José Eber Santa Barbara is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For appointments call 805/770-3000. Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara and José Eber Santa Barbara are located at 1260 Channel Dr.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 31, 2014.

 

“The Bachelor” Wedding Comes to The Biltmore Santa Barbara

"The Bachelor" Sean Lowe proposes to Catherine Giudici (courtesy ABC.com) "The Bachelor" Sean Lowe proposes to Catherine Giudici (courtesy ABC.com)

“The Bachelor” Sean Lowe proposes to Catherine Giudici (courtesy ABC.com)

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara will be live in primetime on January 26, when “THE BACHELOR: SEAN AND CATHERINE’S WEDDING,” airs, featuring former Bachelor Sean Lowe and fiancée Catherine Giudici in a live telecast of their nuptials.

The program airs live on Sunday, January 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC. This will mark the first time ever that a “Bachelor” wedding has been telecast live.

The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara has been a dream setting for weddings since 1927. This legendary property practically bursts with romance and classic elegance, not to mention 20 acres of lush botanical gardens, and an incomparable ocean view.

“It’s a truly special place that has served as inspiration and fairytale wedding destination for thousands of brides and grooms over the decades,” says Karen Earp, general manager. “We are so happy to be the location for Sean and Catherine’s wedding celebration and honored to forever be a part of their love story.”

Lowe and  Giudici became engaged in beautiful, exotic Thailand at the finish of filming Lowe ’s edition (Season 17) of “The Bachelor” in November 2012. Hosted by Chris Harrison, the show will let viewers in on all the exciting festivities, from planning the big day to the next stage of their romantic journey with a beautiful wedding ceremony in the perfect location.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on January 16, 2014.

Cocktail Corner: Cheers to Spring at the Ty Lounge

Four Seasons Biltmore's barrel-aged Negroni (courtesy photo)

Four Seasons Biltmore’s barrel-aged Negroni (courtesy photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

A great spot for cocktails just got even better. The Ty Lounge (at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara) has always been a beautiful place to drink in the priceless view of the Pacific, but now mixology pro and manager Chris Nordella has introduced a lively selection of spring cocktails.

Premiering for the first time is a barrel-aged Negroni, blended and barreled in-house by Nordella. The classic cocktail combines Plymouth gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, with all ingredients aged together in French Oak for six weeks. Other new handcrafted cocktails also take us on exotic journeys of taste, like the Sencha Caipirinha, Sencha green tea-infused Sagatiba Cachaca with lemongrass syrup and lime.

Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Biltmore (courtesy photo)

Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Biltmore (courtesy photo)

Then there’s the Macchu Pisco, with Barsol Pisco, Aperol, lemon juice, grapefruit juice and Kirschwasser, and the Rhubarbarita, mixing Patron blanco tequila with rhubarb puree, house-made grenadine, lemon and Grand Marnier. No one can seem to agree whether rhubarb is a fruit or a vegetable, but I’m guessing you won’t care much when you taste this delicious twist on a favorite Margarita.

Along with these fresh seasonal libations, executive chef Alessandro Cartumini has created a tasty new tapas menu for Ty Lounge. Selections favor the savory, including saffron paellacroquetas, patatas bravas, black mussels steamed in white wine with chorizo, and some heartier choices such as merguez sausage with piquillo pepper stew and marcona almonds.

 Ty Lounge's black mussels steamed in white wine with chorizo (courtesy photo)

Ty Lounge’s black mussels steamed in white wine with chorizo (courtesy photo)

There are also a handful of delicious new sweets, like the tarta Alicante, which features layers of almond sponge cake and lemon curd topped with meringue, and the borracho, which is “drunken” rum cake served with a milk chocolate cream and coffee sauce. Yum!

Playing off the Spanish influence of the Biltmore’s beautiful architecture, the revamped cocktail list also features two types of sangria (“it’s just a given when you think of tapas and sun,” says Nordella), as well as classic Spanish cocktails, cava and quality wines representing key Spanish varietals and growing regions.

Happy hour is every Monday – Thursday from 4–6 pm. Enjoy $5 off all menu cocktails, $2 off beers on tap, $7 appetizers and $8 featured wines by the glass. With Chris Fossek playing Spanish Guitar on Wednesdays, Lois Mahalia playing jazz on Fridays and a DJ on Saturdays, there are lots of great reasons to toast spring at the Ty Lounge these days. Maybe we’ll see you there. Cheers!

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Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on March 22, 2013.