Thursday, July 26, 2018

Taste My Town: Sampling Santa Barbara At Premiere Event


Me & The Mrs at Taste of the Town
Food and wine events in Santa Barbara are a dime-a-baker’s-dozen. But one in particular stands out for me, and it happens on September 7th – 9th, where top chefs, stellar wines, cool brews and spirits offer their best.

The Taste of the Town, now in its 38th year, has always supported the programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation - the only non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of 50 million people including nearly 300,000 children with arthritis - through health education, advocacy, research, and local juvenile arthritis support.
Taste of the Town uses wine, food, music, beer, a silent auction - all of it local to Santa Barbara - to make for an enjoyable afternoon (a partial list of who will be there is below).

So, as I said, a dime a dozen. So why this particular event?
1. Tickets are limited, so you’re not throwing elbows to find a bite of food or sample a beer or wine (one local event draws 3,000 people – waaayy too may folks impeding your progress.) Taste of the Town is easy to navigate.
2. It’s one of the coolest venues around. Held at the Rivera Business Park, it was formerly called The Normal School, then it became the first iteration of UCSB. Held under the shaded canopy of arched column walkways, a mirror pool lies dead center – and it almost looks like the Getty Villa In Malibu.
3. This is where my wife and I shot some of our wedding photos. So right there, I have sanctioned the place. I’ve attended the event and can sanction that too. For other cool events in Santa Barbara check out my March 2018 new comedy Travel Book: Santa Barbara Know It All: A Guide To Everything That Matters.                                         
Individual regular admission tickets for the Sunday afternoon Taste of the Town on 9/9/18 are $125 per person in advance, $140 at the door and yes it’s worth it. There’s also a more exclusive event on 9/7.
Tickets are available at www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb or by calling the Arthritis Foundation Central Coast at 805-563-4685. Hope to see you there!

Confirmed Food Purveyors: Ca'Dario, Finch & Fork, High on the Hog Catering, Lilac Patisserie, Michael's Catering, Opal Restaurant & Bar, Santa Barbara Yacht Club, The Little Door, The Palace Grill, and Via Maestra 42.
Confirmed Wines, Spirits and Beers: Alexander & Wayne, Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, Brander, Brewer-Clifton, Cutler's Artisan Spirits, Demetria Estates, Grassini, Islands Brewing Company, Jaffurs, Ken Brown Wines, Kessler- Haak, Melville, Presqu'ile, Qupe.