Cocktail Corner: Movie-Inspired Sips and Savories

The Lark is one of many restaurants offering specials to honor the 30th anniversary of SBIFF. Photo courtesy of The Lark.

The Lark is one of many restaurants offering specials to honor the 30th anniversary of SBIFF. Photo courtesy of The Lark.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

It’s easy to get the star treatment during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). As part of a special Film Feast promotion, all sorts of local watering holes and restaurants are offering movie-themed specials during the Film Festival (January 27 – February 7).

Here are a few of my faves:

Get in the mood for a sweep at the Oscars (my prediction) with a Birdman Martini at Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara (1260 Channel Dr.). Made with 10 Cane Rum, Galliano, Gran Gala and lime, I recommend trying this one outside on the patio at sunset. Other specials include an Outstanding Carell Collins and a Cousteau Margarita. All come with an excellent view of Butterfly Beach.

The Lark (131 Anacapa St.) also has a special SBIFF Fizz Cocktail made with Cutler’s Gin, Santa Barbara Blood Oranges and Pimm’s.

Margerum M5

Margerum M5

If you prefer wine to cocktails, one of the newer tasting rooms in the Wine Collection of El Paseo, Jamie Slone Wines (23 E. De La Guerra St.) is doing a salute to As Good as it Gets. They’ve partnered with C’est Cheese (Hello? Wine and cheese pretty much are as good as it gets!) to offer $20 wine and cheese pairings, along with screenings of the Jack Nicholson film daily at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (pairings are available from noon – 6 p.m. daily).

Another great movie—Vino Veritas  (“In Wine, the Truth”) —is screening at Margerum Wine Company Tasting Room (813 Anacapa St.), which is in the Wine Collection of El Paseo as well. Also in that same charming paseo is Happy Canyon Vineyard‘s “A Good Year” Tasting Flight One, featuring a Staffords Chocolate Truffle paired with 2013 Happy Canyon Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Happy Canyon Vineyard Barrack Blanc, 2010 Piocho, 2009 Barrack Brand and 2010 Barrack Ten-Goal.

The other Wine Collection of El Paseo tasting rooms—Au Bon Climat and Grassini—also have special film fest deals going on, so feel free to make a double- or triple-feature of it.

Also down the street at Armada Wine & Beer Merchant (1129-A State St.)  is the James Bond Globe Trotter Flight, where you can sample three wines from around the globe, as a tribute to the festival of course!

The food side of the film feast also has some fun options. Here are some highlights:

The Pasta Shoppe, in Santa Barbara Public Market (38 W. Victoria St.) has a special $30 prix fixe menu in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The special Italian-film-themed menu includes “Under the Tuscan Sun” Insalata dell casa with arugula, shaved red onion, teardrop tomatoes and house made grapefruit vinegrette; plus a choice of: “The Big Night” spinach, Ricotta Gnudi, pomodoro, pecorino; “Lady & the Tramp” bucatini with beef and pork bolognese, fresh herbs and parmigano; or “American in Rome” wild mshroom gnocchi, with herbed white wine sauce truffle oil. I tried the gnocchi recently and it was amazing! Don’t miss out on this one.

The Pasta Shoppe's

The Pasta Shoppe’s “American in Rome” wild mushroom gnocchi, with herbed white wine sauce and truffle oil. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.

Also saluting the festival is “I Am Prawns!” at Crocodile Restaurant and Bar at the Lemon Tree Inn (2819 State St.). This prix fixe menu is inspired by the 2009 Italian film I Am Love. Take 1: Bacon wrapped prawns, paired with Rusack Sauvignon Blanc. Take 2: Filet mignon with portobello mushroom demi glaze, garnished with blue cheese, served with grilled vegetables and truffled mac n’ cheese; paired with Qupe Syrah. Take 3: Triple layer chocolate mousse cake paired with Robert Hall Vintage Port. This is well-priced at $35 per person or $50 per person with wine pairings. Give them a call, as reservations are recommended.

Enjoy the fest and the feast! Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 30, 2015.

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.”

 

 

 

 

Editor’s Pick: Desert Dancer

SBS_BlogPost_Desert Dance

Desert Dancer is the opening night film for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Desert Dancer Productions

Desert Dancer

Opening night of the 30th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival brings the U.S. premiere of the powerful and true story of a self-taught dancer pursuing a dream in the suppressed society of Iran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election. Forming an underground dance company, the dancers learn, through banned online videos, from timeless legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St. sbiff.org

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine, Winter 2014/15.

SBIFF Film Feast Returns with 12 Days of VIP Experiences

Film Feast illustration courtesy Visit Santa Barbara

Film Feast illustration courtesy Visit Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara’s fifth annual Film Feast returns from January 27 to February 7, offering 12 straight days of VIP access to the top libations and dining offerings as well as exclusive lodging packages throughout Santa Barbara’s theater district. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), Santa Barbara’s Film Feast is a unique take on Restaurant Week and part of California’s Restaurant Month.

Special menus and hotel packages will celebrate the theme “30 Years of Filmmaking,” with offers available at participating restaurants, wine tasting rooms and hotels throughout Santa Barbara. Visitors and locals alike will enjoy themed offerings inspired by the blockbuster films and indie favorites of the past 30 years.  And don’t forget to share your red carpet experience on Twitter or Instagram using #SBFilmFeast for the chance to win a Santa Barbara getaway and other great prizes!

According to the folks at Visit Santa Barbara, you can rediscover your favorite films with cinema-inspired menus and tasting flights at Santa Barbara’s top restaurants, tasting rooms and lounges, with highlights including:

·         Belcampo Meat Company will run a special meatball sandwich during Film Feast, inspired by 2009 comedy Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  Mention the film for a 30% discount on your sandwich!

·         C’est Cheese introduces guests to 2005 British-American animated film Wallace + Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, with a menu featuring Wallace’s favorite cheeses.

·         Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara will be debuting three specialty cocktails inspired by this year’s festival honorees. Imbibe with a Birdman Martini, an Outstanding Carell Collins or a Cousteau Margarita.

·         Olio Crudo Bar and Olio e Limone Ristorante bring you the flavors and filmmaking of Italy, with exclusive prix fixe menus celebrating 30 years of Italian cinema.

See what’s on the menu at SBFilmFeast.com.  Santa Barbara’s Film Feast 2015 is presented as part of California Restaurant Month, held each January to showcase the destination’s unforgettable dining experiences.  Learn more at DineinCA.com.

 —Leslie Dinaberg

 Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 25, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: A Toast to Downton Abbey

Downton-Abbey-Wine-232x300A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

One of my favorite television shows recently had a wonderful plot twist: Downton Abbey, the wonderful British period drama which returned this month to PBS, now has its own wine label, believe it or not!

Available at www.Wine.com and www.DowntonAbbeyWine.com as well as select retailers, the Downton Abbey Wine Collection features two blends from the Bordeaux region of France: a “Blanc” white wine and a “Claret” red wine. Downton Abbey Blanc is a light and crisp white blend, while Downton Abbey Claret is medium-bodied red with bright fruit and a silky finish.

Made in the finest Bordeaux winemaking tradition by the Grands Vins de Bordeaux, a family-owned winery with more than 130 years of winemaking experience in the prized Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, France, both blends are finely balanced, elegant wines that are eminently drinkable. According to the manufacturer, they’re even using the same vines, soil and region used to produce the wines from the Downton Era.

In addition, other offerings from the collection include a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. These new world bottlings take their inspiration from Lady Cora Crawley, the thoroughly modern, American-born wife of British aristocrat, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham.  Bold-flavored and fruit forward, the new wines are a counterpoint to Downton Abbey Wines’ more classically restrained Bordeaux offerings.

Lady Mary would most certainly approve.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 23, 2015.

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.”

The Books of 2014

The InterestingsSo many books, so little time—part eight.

My son started keeping a reading list in third grade, so I did too. This is the eighth year we’ve done this.

My favorite books of 2014 were probably One More Thing by B.J. Novak, The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, and My Latest Grievance by Eleanor Lipman. All are fiction but otherwise they have very little in common other than sharp writing. 

Anyway, I’d love to hear about other people’s favorite books this year.

2014 Book List
title author last author first
Whiskey Beach Roberts Nora
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming Jackson Joshilyn
Don’t Go Scottoline Lisa
A Playdate With Death Waldman Ayelet
Elsewhere Russo Richard
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage Patchett Ann
What My Mother Gave Me: 31 Women on the Gifts That Mattered Benedict Elizabeth
Fast Women Crusie Jennifer
Eleanor & Park Rowell Rainbow
Winners Steel Danielle
The Big Burn Egan Timothy
Until the End of Time Steel Danielle
The Tenth of December Saunders George
The Replacement Wife Gouge Ellen
Divergent Roth Veronica
The Island Hildenbrand Elin
My Latest Grievance Lipman Elinor
That Summer Dessen Sarah
The Magician’s Assistant Patchett Ann
Girlchild Hassman Tupelo
Summer at Willow Lake Wiggs Susan
Irresistable Forces Jackson Brenda
The Patron Saint of Liars Patchett Ann
The Sixes White Kate
Empty Mansions Dedman Bill and Paul Clark Newell Jr.
The Good Luck of Right Now Quick Matthew
The Smart One Close Jennifer
Tempting Fate Green Jane
Slim to None Gardiner Jenny
The Madwoman in the Volvo Tsing Loh Sandra
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee Miller Rebecca
The Gap Year Bird Sarah
Tempted Cast P.C. & Kristen
Goodbye for Now Frankel Laurie
Crow Planet Haupt Lyanda Lynn
Diary of a Mad Fat Girl McAfee Stephanie
The Day I Ate Whatever I wanted Berg Elizabeth
Cinderella Ate My Daughter Orenstein Peggy
The Renaissance Soul Lobenstine Margaret
The Big Short Lewis Michael
One More Thing Novak B.J.
San Miguel Boyle T.C.
The Signature of All Things Gilbert Elizabeth
Wedding Night Kinsella Sophie
The Interestings Wolitzer Meg
Traveling With Pomegranites Monk Kidd Sue & Ann Kidd Taylor
A Foolish Consistency Weir Andrea
Tiny Beautiful Things Strayed Cheryl
Truth and Beauty Patchett Ann
You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty Barry Dave
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Alexie Sherman
When I Found You Ryan Hyde Catherine
I’ve Still Got It … I Just Can’t Remember Where I Put It McCarthy Jenna
Famous Baby Rizzo Karen
Blossom Street Brides Macomber Debbie
Prospect Park West Sohn Amy
And the Heart Says Whatever Gould Emily
The Chaperone Moriarty Laura
Astonish Me Shipstead Maggie
My Reading Life Conroy Pat
Backseat Saints Jackson Joshilyn
The Apple Orchard Wiggs Susan
The Picture of Dorian Gray Wilde Oscar
The Wonder Bread Summer Blau Jessica Anya
Summerland Hildenbrand Elin
The Buddha in the Attic Otsuka Julie
Gratitude & Trust Jackson Tracey & Paul Williams
The Here and Now Brashears Ann
The One and Only Griffin Emily
100 Names Ahern Cecilia
Love Letters Macomber Debbie
The Girls of August Siddons Anne Rivers
Beautiful Ruins Walter Jess
The Engagements Sullivan J. Courtney
Vintage Gloss Susan
Not That Kind of Girl Dunham Lena
The Half Life Weiner Jennifer
Before We Kiss Mallery Susan
Choose Your Own Autobiography Harris Neil Patrick
You Should Have Known Korelitz Jean Hanff
Save the Date Andrews Mary Kay

Click to read The Books of 2013.

Click to read The Books of 2012.

Click to read The Books of 2011.

Click to read The Books of 2010.

Click to read The Books of 2009.

Click to read The Books of 2008.

Click to read The Books of 2007.

SBIFF INTRODUCES FIRST ANNUAL ARTISANS AWARDS

Courtesy SBIFF

Gone Girl composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, courtesy SBIFF

Santa Barbara International Film Festival, in conjunction with Variety, will present the first annual Variety Artisans Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, February 3, at the Arlington Theatre, moderated by Variety’s Seinor Vice President Awards Editor, Tim Gray.  The Tribute evening will celebrate those essential to the filmmaking process and who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work of the year in the fields of Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Hair & Makeup, Production Design, Score, Song, Sound Editing & Mixing and Visual Effects.   The audience will be treated to a unique and lively discussion with the honorees about their individual crafts and the ways in which their fields all support and rely on each other.

The Variety Artisans Award, will be presented to:

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Gone Girl (Score)

Dion Beebe, Into the Woods (Cinematography)

Steven Noble, The Theory of Everything (Costume Design)

Sandra Adair, Boyhood (Editing)

Bill Corso & Kathrine Gordon, Foxcatcher (Hair & Makeup)

Suzie Davies, Mr. Turner (Production Design)

Shawn Patterson / Tegan & Sara, “Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie (Song)

Richard King & Mark Weingarten, Interstellar (Sound Mixing & Editing)

Joe Letteri, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes & The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies (VFX)

 For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit www.sbiff.org.

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on January 20, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: Everything You Need to Know About Molecular Mixology

Parks and Recreation, courtesy NBC.com

Parks and Recreation, courtesy NBC.com

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Want to know about Molecular Mixology? Here’s the real lowdown from Parks & Recreation.

And by the way, this hilarious show just started its final season. (Pawnee drinking game, anyone?)

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 16, 2015.

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.”

Style File: Winterizing Your Hair

Aviva's Hair Rescue Renewal Masque, courtesy photo

Aviva’s Hair Rescue Renewal Masque, courtesy photo

Colder weather can take a toll on your tresses. Luckily, there are loads of great products to “winterize” your hair—here are a few tips:

#1 Use a moisturizing deep conditioner.

“This will give your hair all the hydration it needs to sustain the cold winter weather. You should aim for a deep conditioning treatment once a week,” says board certified dermatologist, Dr. Marnie Nussbaum. If you color or straighten or otherwise chemically treat your hair, Anna Urban, CEO of AVIVA, recommends “a hair mask like Aviva’s Hair Rescue Renewal Masque 1-2 times per week to repair damage and restore elastic, while protecting from the drying effects of UV rays.”

#2 Avoid shampooing too often.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum, courtesy photo

Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum, courtesy photo

“Everybody loves the look and feel of freshly washed hair, but shampooing too often strips your hair of natural oils, drying it out faster,” warns Nussbaum. Products made with Argan Oil, like Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum, are great styling tools for all hair types. It repairs and nourishes as it de-frizzes, with no residue and no color-fading. There are also some great new dry shampoo products on the market, such as Batiste Dry Shampoo, which is particularly good for brunettes, since it doesn’t leave any white residue behind.

Batiste Dry Shampoo, courtesy Facebook

Batiste Dry Shampoo, courtesy Facebook

Tip #3 Try air drying your hair.

“Put down your blow dryer or stick to one blow dry session a week. Too much heat will guarantee dry split ends in the winter,” says Nussbaum.

Tip #4 Take a hair supplement.

“Your body needs the correct amount of nutrients in order to maintain or achieve healthy hair. Aviva Advanced Hair Nutrition supplement contains biotin, and 18 other essential nutrients to keep your healthy and full of life,” says Nussbaum.

Tip #5 If all else fails, wear a hat.

Aviva Advanced Hair Nutrition, courtesy photo

Aviva Advanced Hair Nutrition, courtesy photo

Goorin Bros. Hat Shop (802 State St.) has some adorable options for winter, including a great selection of warm felt, wool, and cotton fedoras, beanies, flatcaps, newboy and wool ivy hats. These also make great gifts (hint, hint!).

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 7, 2015.

Santa Barbara Printmakers Best Impressions at the Arts Fund

Courtesy Arts Fund

Courtesy Arts Fund

Opening on January 9 at the Arts Fund, BEST IMPRESSIONS consists of works by ten artist members of the Santa Barbara Printmakers who were awarded top prizes in recent annual exhibitions organized by the group and juried by art professionals from universities, galleries, and printmaking organizations in our region.

Artists with work on view are David Graves, Yessy Kim, Inés Monguio, Jerilynne Nibbe, Patti Post, Karen Schroeder, Garrett Speirs, Don Zimmerman, Siu Zimmerman and Pamela Zwehl-Burke.

Santa Barbara Printmakers is a group of artists dedicated to producing fine art prints using etching, woodblock, collagraph, linocut, clay, lithography and solar plate processes. Their distinctive marks on paper were produced by hand and press printing, and represent a wide range of artistic expression and techniques.

The exhibition, curated by Don Zimmerman,opens with a reception on January 9 from 5-8 p.m. and extends until February 28. The exhibition will be held at The Arts Fund Gallery, located at 205-C Santa Barbara St. in the Funk Zone. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday from noon-5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from11 a.m.-4 p.m.  The exhibition is free and open to the public.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 2, 2015.