{"id":7654,"date":"2016-09-02T19:00:56","date_gmt":"2016-09-03T02:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7654"},"modified":"2016-09-02T12:03:16","modified_gmt":"2016-09-02T19:03:16","slug":"cocktail-corner-tasty-tidbits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7654","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Tasty Tidbits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Lark, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

I can’t believe that summer is almost over. There’s been a\u00a0lot of news on the bar beat the last few months. Here are some\u00a0highlights: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

One of Santa\u2019s Barbara\u2019s favorite dining destinations, The Lark<\/a>\u00a0(131 Anacapa St.), was\u00a0recognized by Wine Enthusiast<\/em>\u00a0in their sixth annual issue of the \u201cBest Places to Drink Up In While Dining Out.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>As a winner of the \u201cNot to be Missed\u201d category, The Lark was recognized for their outstanding wine program curated by Wine Directors Chris Robles and Vern Kettler.\u00a0The wine list at the Lark focuses on smaller production wines made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, and which reflect a sense of place. Grape varieties for which the Santa Barbara area is known and their international counterparts are the focus. With few exceptions, all American wines are from Santa Barbara<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>County. Wine Enthusiast<\/em> editors state that \u201c<\/span>Chef Jason Paluska<\/a>\u2019s wine friendly foods are inspired by farmers\u2019 markets\u2014smoked pork belly, for example, might come with roasted berries, pickled summer peppers and candied brittle of fat local almonds.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>The Lark is the only recipient from Santa Barbara this year, and one of 22 restaurants awarded in California.\u00a0<\/span>See the\u00a0full list\u00a0here.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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J. Wilkes Wines, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/b>J. Wilkes Wines<\/a> has opened a\u00a0new tasting room in downtown Los Olivos at 2963 Grand Ave.\u00a0 The space highlights a distinct wine tasting experience including educational aspects focusing on the region\u2019s unique AVA\u2019s, an entertaining quiz and private Winemaker Office Hours with winemaker Wes Hagen<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The J.Wilkes brand was launched in 2001 by wine industry veteran Jefferson Wilkes and after his passing in 2010, the label was relaunched by the Miller Family, a fifth-generation California farming family, <\/span>as a tribute to Jefferson\u2019s unwavering love of the region.\u00a0 J. Wilkes, under the guidance of accomplished winemaker Hagen, is<\/span> dedicated to producing wines from the greatest American Viticultural Areas (AVA\u2019s) on the Central Coast.\u00a0 Their new tasting room and education center in Los Olivos boasts an experience that gives insight into these regions and their wines and\u00a0<\/span>provides visitors with information about the area\u2019s AVA\u2019s including Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Paso Robles. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At long last,\u00a0bottles of Cutler’s spirits are now available for purchase in the\u00a0tasting room.<\/p>\n

\"Cutler

Ian Cutler, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

You can now\u00a0come directly to the distillery to purchase your\u00a0local favorite spirits. Personally, I’m partial to the\u00a0spicy, cinnamon-tastic, delicious Grandma Tommie’s Apple Pie Liqueur,\u00a0\u00a0but\u00a0Cutler\u2019s Artisan Spirits<\/a>\u00a0also has its own Gin, Vodka and 33 Bourbon Whiskey, all of which are high quality and locally produced. (the tasting room and distillery is at 137 Anacapa St., Suite D, in the heart of Santa Barbara\u2019s Funk Zone).<\/p>\n

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Some of the fare at Lama Dog and the Nook, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The first two tenants at The Waterline<\/a>, a commercial mixed-use project at 116-122 Santa Barbara St. in the Funk Zone, have opened for business\u00a0and both have quickly become local favorites: the\u00a0Nook<\/a> by Master Chef Norbert Schulz, and Lama Dog Tap Room and Bottle Shop<\/a>.\u00a0Craft beers (and a few wines) paired with fabulous, high quality food is a win-win for the area. Try the\u00a0House-Made Bratwurst or the Rock Fish Tacos with one of 20 interesting\u00a0rotating beers on tap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ah … it’s a great way to keep that summer feeling going all year long!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cheers! Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

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\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em><\/a> on September 2, 2016.<\/p>\n

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