Cocktail Corner: New Luna Terraza at The Biltmore

Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara's new Luna Terraza offers a unique, intimate spot for dining and cocktails. Courtesy photo.

Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara’s new Luna Terraza offers a unique, intimate spot for dining and cocktails. Courtesy photo.

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg  

One of the swankiest spots in town, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, got even more wow-worthy with the recently opened Luna Terraza, which offers an exclusive and intimate outdoor private space just outside of the recently renovated Ty Lounge.

Lucky me, I got to try it out last week. My friend Nancy and I felt like royalty for the night as we were escorted onto the beautiful new terrace. Suitable for parties of up to eight guests, the stunning Luna Terrace feels like a journey to Morocco, complete with cushy curtains and couches in a rich palette of red, blue, camel and gold.

Enjoying a cocktail at the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara's new Luna Terraza. Courtesy photo.

Enjoying a cocktail at the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara’s new Luna Terraza. Courtesy photo.

Guests can enjoy several “Elite Experiences” including Tangier Bottle Service, Private Brunch, Casablanca Romance and Moroccan Feast.

An ultra premium cocktail experience, the Tangier Bottle Service includes:

—Rolling cart with private bartender service

— Choice of premium liquor bottle service and accompaniments

— Moroccan Mezze of dips served with grilled flatbread and fried pita

— Exclusive use of private terrace for up to 8 guests

—Option of sunset or moonlit service ( 3 hour limit, cost: $500)

Additional highlights from the menu include: Mezze featuring dips, such as yogurt herb, charred eggplant and warm housemade hummus (the best I’ve ever tasted); Moroccan Mezze plate, which comprises a whole roasted cauliflower (delicious), Moroccan chicken skewers, grilled lamb kefta and vegetable tagine; and a Private Brunch, with a Bloody Mary bar including a selection of house-made garnishes like hickory smoked bacon, mozzarella pearls, pickled asparagus and fried jalapeno. Bottomless Bellinis or Mimosas are also available, along with Chef Marco Fossati’s select brunch menu with seafood platter.

For more information, click here.

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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 April 28, 2017.

Cocktail Corner: Easter Dining and a Toast to Spring!

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg  

Spring is in the air, so what better time to sample some of the lovely new libations at our local watering holes. Hop on over and give these spring cocktails and dining options a taste:

Bella Vista at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, courtesy photo.

Bella Vista at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, courtesy photo.

Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara has a delicious Smoked Apricot Daiquiri—featuring Zaya 12 Year Rum, Apricot Puree, Chipotle Simple Syrup and Lemon—that will tingle your tastebuds. Bella Vista Restaurant at the Biltmore is always an elegant spot for brunch, but they’re an extra “Hoppy” Easter celebration for the whole family at Santa Barbara’s most beautiful al fresco setting, with an abundant holiday buffet, featuring traditional favorites as well as an extensive selection of seafood, salads, house-made pastas and carvings. Click here for reservations.

The Bottomless Bellini at Belmond El Encanto, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

The Bottomless Bellini at Belmond El Encanto, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

The beautiful rooftop Easter Brunch at the Canary is a special place to celebrate the holiday with breathtaking views, great food and live music. Finch & Fork Executive Chef James Siao has seasonal brunch items available like Create-Your-Own Omelets, a Pastry and Bread Bar, Seafood and Carving Stations, and an indulgent dessert table. Reservations can be made by calling 805/879-9100.

The Bottomless Bellini Brunch at Belmond El Encanto is another great way to toast the holiday season. The Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne is flowing every Sunday, with delectable California-coastal cuisine and live jazz music. A seasonal selection of shared appetizers starts the experience. Then, select from à la carte entrées like Seared Local Swordfish or Riviera Clam Bake. Following this sumptuous meal, head to The Wine Room where an irresistible selection of desserts awaits. Click here for reservations.

Cocktails at the Outpost at the Goodland, courtesy photo.

Cocktails at the Outpost at the Goodland, courtesy photo.

Outpost at the Goodland is also serving brunch this Easter, where Chef Nick Bajal will be serving a buffet full of brunch favorites. Start with one of his tarts, like the PB&J or Summer Squash with cherry tomatoes and cheese, or the Crab Biscuit with uni butter. Then move on to Baked Egg Frittata with ham, asparagus and goat cheese, Chicken & Waffles with tabasco maple syrup and Build-Your-

Breakfast at Viva!, courtesy photo.

Breakfast at Viva!, courtesy photo.

Own Tacos. And don’t forget to order a brunch cocktail like a house Bloody Mary or lead bartender Chris Burmeister‘s signature Smokemosa (made with Scotch, orange juice and sparkling wine). Call 805/964-1288 to reserve your Easter brunch seat. 

Spice up your spring at Viva!, which is now serving both brunch and breakfast (and excellent Mimosas in three flavors—cranberry, peach or raspberry—Bloody Mary’s and “Turtle Juice” with homemade agua fresca and Cruzan Rum) on its beautiful patio with the turtle filled pond in La Arcada. Try the Upside Down Pancakes, assorted Breakfast Burritos, Southwest Scramble or Breakfast Tacos for some inspired modern Mexican cuisine. Click here for reservations.

Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch is always a treat, but their Easter Brunch menu is especially spectacular. It features specialties like Jumbo Lump Crab Benedict, Pepper Crusted Wagyu Striploin and Citrus Cured King Salmon, along with sparkling wine, mimosas and bellinis. Call 805/565-1700 for reservations.

Loquita, photo by Kaitlin Chamblin.

Loquita Tortilla Espanola, photo by Kaitlin Chamblin.

Loquita‘s three-course Easter brunch begins with a choice of Charcutería  y Queso or Manchego Tasting, followed with a choice of one Tapas per guest—Patatas Bravas,  Ensalada de Cítricos, Chorizo Picadillo, or Tortilla Espanola. That’s followed by Torrijas–Spanish French Toast with Cara Cara Orange & Crema Catalana—and a choice of their splendid Sangria–Sangria Rojo with Tempranillo, Torres Orange Brandy & Lemon;  Sangria Blanco with Albarino, Gin & White Peach or house Agua Frescas. Click here for reservations.

The Easter Brunch at Les Marchands features an array of menu items from Chef Weston Richards, including House-Made Ricotta with Seasonal Jam & Brioche Toast; House-Made Chorizo & Butternut Squash Frittata with Parmesan Cheese; Breakfast Poutine with Sausage Gravy, Cheddar Cheese & Poached Egg;  and Tres Leches French Toast with Cinnamon Whipped Cream & Berries, among others. Guests can also  indulge in specialty cocktails like the Easter Pamplemousse Spritz with Charbay Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice, Muddled Basil Leaf, Topped with Crémant Rosé, Splash of Soda and Grapefruit Garnish, as well as variety of other cocktails, wines and beers. For reservations, click here.

Breakfast at the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is always beautiful

Breakfast at the BoatHouse, courtesy photo.

Breakfast at the BoatHouse, courtesy photo.

(can anyone beat that view!). Try one of their many Breakfast Benedicts (Classic, Pork Belly, California or Smoked Salmon style Eggs Benedict, all with breakfast potatoes) or French Toast with a “Pancake Breakfast Cocktail” (Tullamore Dew/Butterscotch schnapps, OJ chaser and a strip of smoked bacon) for a special Easter treat. They don’t take reservations, so go early and plan to take a stroll on the beach to work up an appetite.

If an Easter lunch is your preference, head to Santa Ynez, where Alberto Battaglini of S.Y. Kitchen presents five new spring cocktails inspired by the warming temperatures, first of the season local market produce, herbs and botanicals: the Chamomile Sour; Spring

Pear & Honey Bramble pear-infused gin, honey liquore, pear, lemon, gomme syrup, crème de mure, courtesy S.Y. Kitchen.

Pear & Honey Bramble, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci, courtesy S.Y. Kitchen.

Negroni; Rio Nexpa; Rustic; and the Pear & Honey Bramble. Try the T-Bone Truffle Sliders, Wild Mushroom Papardelle or Yellow Beet Salad for lunch. You won’t be sorry! The wrap-around patio is an especially lovely spot to toast the season as well. Click here for reservations.

The Lark offers a tasty array of Easter holiday dinner specials such as Deviled Easter Eggs, Grilled Texas Quail and Roasted Banana Panna Cotta, as well as debut spring menu that includes Brillat Savarin Triple Crème Brie, Colorado Lamb Sirloin Tartare; Dungeness Crab Risotto; Slow-Roasted Niman Ranch Ribs; and ‘Shrimp & Grits’ with Fresh Caught Kauai Prawns. Toast the holiday with craft cocktails, like the new-to-the-season Hummingbird and Jackrabbit; as well as house specialties like Alice’s Flip; JP’s Paloma; Black Manhattan; The Mule; Old Aztec; El Topo; Industry Sour; and the Dirty One-Thirty-One. Click here for reservations.

Cheers to the season! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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 April 7, 2017.

Cocktail Corner: Mussel Madness in Montecito

Mussel Madness takes place every Tuesday and Wednesday at Ty Lounge, photo courtesy Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore.

Mussel Madness takes place every Tuesday and Wednesday at Ty Lounge, photo courtesy Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore.

A Spirited Toast to All Things Alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg 

Mussels—which pair well with everything from wine and beer to G & T’s and Martinis—are in season year-round in California, and, in a nod to this bounty, Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore‘s new Executive Chef Marco Fossati has introduced an all new Mussel Madness Menu at Ty Lounge  on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-10 p.m.

Ty Lounge's G&T Cura, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

Ty Lounge’s G&T Cura, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

I was fortunate enough to check out the mussels this week (along with a delicious G & T Cura, of course). What a yummy treat! It’s hard to choose from the all of the unique variations of seasoned mussels served in cast iron bowls accompanied by grilled country bread and French Fries, but luckily, you can’t go wrong. Mussel dishes include The Belgium, with steamed Belgium ale, Dijon Mustard, shallots and herbs;  and the Thai, made with lemongrass, wine, coconut milk and red chili.

Other flavors include Calabrese, with house made nduja sausages, white wine, smoked paprika and white onion; So Cal, with tomato, chorizo, wine and cilantro, French Dijionnaise, with wine, cream, Dijon mustard and parsley; and The Moroccan, made with Riesling, chick peas, Moroccan spices and tomato.  We tried a few and they were each unique and oh-so-very tasty!

Ty Lounge’s Gin & Tonic Bar has a number of delicious variations to pair with the mussels, include my favorite, G&T Cura, made with Cutler’s Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, and assortment of Chef’s Garden Botanicals and a seasonal fruit shrub. Also worth tasting are the G&T Pepino, made with Hendrick’s Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Juniper Berries, and a cucumber mint honey shrub; as well as the G&T Sueno, made with Nolet’s Gin, Elderflower Fever Tree Tonic, cardamom, peppercorn and a coconut grapefruit shrub.

If Gin’s not  your thing, other Ty Lounge cocktail specialties include the Masquerade Ball, with Buillet Rye, Balsamic Reduction, Fever Tree Soda, Lemon Juice, Blackberries and Basil, Barrel Aged In American Oak; and 8 Barrels, made with Four Seasons Select 1927 Barrel Aged Breaker Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Lemon, Spiced Simple Syrup and Nutmeg, served in a hand-smoked glass.

Cheers to mussels!  Ty Lounge—which is surely one of the most beautiful spots in town—is located at Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore, 1260 Channel Dr., Montecito; 805-969-2261; fourseasons.com/santabarbara.

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

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.”

Published in Santa Barbara Seasons on December 9, 2016.