Edible Santa Barbara

06/01/2026

Reasons to celebrate! Here are some $40 options for the Hitching Post 2's 40th anniversary.

05/30/2026

The Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara hosts an annual members party in springtime when the days get longer and the weather is warmer in the evenings.

It’s a time to meet and mingle in nature, with crafts for kids and grownups alike. There’s food and drink, and time to visit the seasonal exhibit of Butterflies Alive!

This year featured food from , who’ve gained popularity at popups in Ventura. It was so good to try them, we had the lamb and bok choy dumplings with handmade wrappers and scallion pancake. And great dipping sauces!

Best of all was a visit to the Sprague Butterfly Pavilion to meet this year’s beautiful butterflies. Note: they were attracted to black and white patterned clothing and need to be corralled away at the exit.

Membership includes yearly access to both the Natural History Museum and the Sea Center at Stearn’s Wharf and family-friendly parties like these. It’s one of Santa Barbara’s special gems.

Hope to see you at their annual Wine Festival next month!

05/14/2026

This Friday evening is the Garden Table & Fireside Stories: The Joy of Cooking and Gathering, inspired by Julia Child.

Join us at The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel at the historic horticultural estate for an evening of storytelling, connection, and shared dining. Begin with an intimate fireside chat featuring Julia Child’s niece, Phila Cousins, and Julia’s Grand-Nephew, Alex Prud’homme, offering personal stories and insight into her enduring legacy. Family also knows the best stories!

Then gather on the garden lawn for a coursed, family-style supper with curated cocktail pairings, inspired by Julia Child celebrating the joy of food and bringing people together.

Space is limited for this one-of-a-kind experience under the Santa Barbara starlight sky.

A portion of the proceeds from this will benefit the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Gratuity is included in the ticket price.

When: May 15, 2026, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Where: The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
5490 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Price: $190

https://sbce.events/event/the-garden-table-fireside-stories-the-joy-of-cooking-and-gathering-inspired-by-julia-child/

Photo of Alex Prud’homme with Julia Child taken by Sarah B. Prud’homme
Menu by the Steward

05/13/2026

Food for thought: the downside of trying to scale up indefinitely is the concentration risk it creates.

The fruit processors closure devastated many family farm operations who had relied on the company for decades. https://ktla.com/news/california/california-farmers-to-cut-down-420000-peach-trees-after-del-monte-shutdown/

05/12/2026

Goleta! Farmers Market-style pop-up this afternoon to support Girls Inc.

05/12/2026

The thing about springtime, sometimes it's warm, and sometimes it's cool. Today is one of those cold May Gray days. Brrr!

That's why the spring issue of Edible Santa Barbara magazine has a recipe for chicken pot pies. Ann Addis' pot pies at our beloved Metropulos (back when the Funk Zone was so funky) were a source of warm comfort, and a breeze to bake up at a moment's notice.

She graciously shared her recipe in our latest issue, and it was one of our favorite parts of recipe testing as we prepared it for print. On a day like this, when the May Gray has chilled past the layer of your favorite hoodie and the space heater is already put away, wouldn't it be perfect to have an individual chicken pot pie at the ready to warm your bones?

Read her story and get the recipe here: https://ediblesantabarbara.com/recipes/recipes-from-metropulos-metros-chicken-pot-pies/

signed,
Fans of Metropulos forever

05/11/2026

Dine at the legendary Hitching Post 2 Restaurant & Winery and join the celebration! Happy 40th Birthday!

05/06/2026

Nailed it.