{"id":6947,"date":"2015-01-30T17:33:41","date_gmt":"2015-01-31T01:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6947"},"modified":"2015-02-04T10:28:05","modified_gmt":"2015-02-04T18:28:05","slug":"cocktail-corner-movie-inspired-sips-and-savories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6947","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Movie-Inspired Sips and Savories"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The Lark is one of many restaurants offering specials to honor the 30th anniversary of SBIFF. Photo courtesy of The Lark.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/h3>\n

It’s easy to get the star treatment during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival<\/a> (SBIFF<\/a>). As part of a special Film Feast promotion, all sorts of local watering holes and restaurants are offering movie-themed specials during\u00a0the Film Festival (January 27 \u2013 February 7).<\/p>\n

Here are a few of my faves:<\/p>\n

Get in the mood for a sweep at the Oscars (my prediction) with a\u00a0Birdman Martini\u00a0at\u00a0Ty Lounge at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara<\/a> (1260 Channel Dr.). Made with 10\u00a0Cane Rum, Galliano<\/a>, Gran Gala and lime, I recommend trying this one outside on the patio at sunset. Other specials include\u00a0an Outstanding Carell Collins and a Cousteau Margarita. All come with an excellent view of Butterfly Beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Lark<\/a> (131 Anacapa St.)\u00a0also has a special SBIFF Fizz Cocktail made with\u00a0Cutler’s Gin<\/a>, Santa Barbara Blood Oranges and Pimm’s.<\/p>\n

\"Margerum

Margerum M5<\/p><\/div>\n

If you prefer wine to cocktails,\u00a0one of the newer tasting rooms in the Wine Collection<\/a>\u00a0of El Paseo,\u00a0Jamie Slone Wines <\/a>(23 E. De La Guerra St.)\u00a0is doing a salute to As Good as it Gets<\/em>. They’ve\u00a0partnered with C\u2019est Cheese <\/a>(Hello? Wine and cheese pretty much\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0as good as it gets!)\u00a0to offer $20 wine and cheese pairings, along with screenings of the Jack Nicholson <\/a>film daily at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (pairings are available from noon – 6 p.m. daily).<\/p>\n

Another great movie\u2014Vino Veritas <\/a>\u00a0(<\/em>“In Wine, the Truth”)\u00a0\u2014is screening at\u00a0Margerum Wine Company<\/a> Tasting Room (813 Anacapa St.), which is\u00a0in the Wine Collection of El Paseo as well. Also in that same charming paseo is Happy Canyon Vineyard<\/a>‘s\u00a0“A Good Year” Tasting Flight One, featuring a Staffords Chocolate Truffle paired with\u00a02013 Happy Canyon Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Happy Canyon Vineyard Barrack Blanc, 2010 Piocho, 2009 Barrack Brand and 2010 Barrack Ten-Goal.<\/p>\n

The other Wine Collection<\/a>\u00a0of El Paseo tasting rooms\u2014Au Bon Climat <\/a>and Grassini<\/a>\u2014also\u00a0have special film fest deals going on, so feel free to make a double- or triple-feature of it.<\/p>\n

Also down the street at\u00a0Armada Wine & Beer Merchant<\/a>\u00a0(1129-A State St.)\u00a0\u00a0is the\u00a0James Bond Globe Trotter Flight, where you can sample three wines from around the globe, as a tribute to the festival of course!<\/p>\n

The food side of the film feast also has some fun options. Here are some highlights:<\/p>\n

The Pasta Shoppe<\/a>, in Santa Barbara Public Market<\/a> (38 W. Victoria St.) has a special\u00a0$30 prix\u00a0fixe menu in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Film\u00a0Festival. The special Italian-film-themed menu includes\u00a0“Under the Tuscan Sun” Insalata dell casa with\u00a0arugula, shaved red onion, teardrop tomatoes and house made grapefruit vinegrette; plus a\u00a0choice of: “The Big Night” spinach, Ricotta Gnudi, pomodoro, pecorino; “Lady & the Tramp”\u00a0bucatini with beef and pork bolognese, fresh herbs and parmigano; or\u00a0“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.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Pasta Shoppe’s “American in Rome” wild mushroom gnocchi, with herbed white wine sauce and truffle oil. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

Also saluting the festival is “I Am Prawns!” at\u00a0Crocodile Restaurant and Bar at the Lemon Tree Inn<\/a> (2819 State St.). This\u00a0prix fixe menu\u00a0is inspired by the 2009 Italian film I Am Love<\/em>. Take 1: Bacon wrapped prawns, paired with Rusack Sauvignon Blanc<\/a>.\u00a0Take 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<\/a>.\u00a0Take 3: Triple layer chocolate mousse cake paired with Robert Hall Vintage Port<\/a>. This is well-priced at $35 per person or $50 per person with wine pairings. Give them a call, as reservations are recommended.<\/p>\n

Enjoy the fest and the feast!\u00a0Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

Originally published in\u00a0Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a>\u00a0on January 30, 2015.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a><\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of\u00a0Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>