Myles Gift, vice president of Kyle’s Kitchen, says the reopened Kyle’s Protein Grill offers healthy food and a good price.
Myles Gift, vice president of Kyle’s Kitchen, says the reopened Kyle’s Protein Grill offers healthy food and a good price. (Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo)

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The team behind Kyle’s Kitchen has reopened Kyle’s Protein Grill — its spinoff restaurant in the Hollister Village Plaza in Goleta.

The restaurant, which shares a front entry with Kyle’s Kitchen, is focused on meat, offering steak, chicken and fried chicken.

“It’s a healthy option that we are trying to provide for folks,” said Myles Gift, vice president of Kyle’s Kitchen. “It’s just a healthy meal at a reasonable price.”

The restaurant also sells vegan, plant-based meatballs, with teriyaki and Korean barbecue sauce options.

Kyle’s Protein Grill serves up the food in front of customers for takeout, but they can eat on the Kyle’s Kitchen side of the restaurant. The restaurant originally opened in 2020, but it closed that March after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

It then was retooled a bit — moving away from the sandwiches and salads and offering more steak and chicken options.

“You can’t go wrong with steak,” Gift said. “The fried chicken is wonderful.”

Goleta Halloween Shop

Characters and costumes add to the spooky vibe at Goleta’s new Spirit Halloween store.

Characters and costumes add to the spooky vibe at Goleta’s new Spirit Halloween store. (Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo)

Ghosts, ghouls and Scooby-Doo have arrived in the Goodland.

Spirit Halloween at 7127 Hollister Ave., Suite 28, is open for business, with still a month to go before Halloween. 

The costumes include the usual witches and zombies, but also popular contemporary characters such as Paw Patrol, The Addams Family and Cruella De Vil.

There’s fake blood, knives, daggers and other fake weapons, along with an assortment of decorations designed to scare kids in the neighborhood.

Be careful, though — the giant freakish spiders jump out when least expected.

The store opens at 10 a.m. daily.

Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara also is home to a Halloween store, World of Magic. 

Sushi House Closes

Itsuki Japanese Restaurant has closed in Goleta.

“Itsuki Japanese Restaurant is permanently closed,” a statement on the window reads. “We would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years. We are sorry to say that we must close our doors.”

The restaurant was a popular destination for Goleta residents. There’s a new restaurant going in: International House of Pancakes

The company plans to close its store on Turnpike and Calle Real and move to 7127 Hollister Ave., Suite 30 — next to the Spirit Halloween store. 

Restaurants Receive Michelin Stars

Two local restaurants have been given a star by the Michelin Guide California.

It’s a coveted honor, one to which restaurants throughout California aspire. 

Sushi | Bar Montecito received a star. 

“Nestled next to the tony Montecito Inn, this is no ordinary omakase eatery,” a news release states. “Head sushi chef, Lennon Silvers-Lee, hails from Van Nuys, not Japan, and his nigiri are not just supremely finessed but also infused with original touches — like the dab of sweet corn ‘pudding’ and crunchy sourdough breadcrumbs dressing slices of hamachi.”

Bell’s in Los Alamos also received a star.

“After cutting their teeth at top NYC kitchens, Daisy and Greg Ryan headed to the West Coast — settling into the confines of the Santa Ynez Valley,” a news release states. “This is cooking that tastes as good as it looks, shining a spotlight on local purveyors. Naturally, the crowds keep coming for the unpretentious dishes.”

Three local restaurants recently were added to the Michelin Guide — Santa Barbara’s Bibi Ji and Loquita, and Montecito’s Caruso’s.

Towbes Group New Hire

Marty Holtzman is the new vice president of human resources for The Towbes Group.

Holtzman will oversee human resources’ operations and strategy.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Marty’s experience right here in our own backyard,” Robert Skinner, chief executive officer of The Towbes Group, said in a news release. “Marty has already added value to the team, and I look forward to working with him more closely. As part of his new role, Marty will be joining senior management. With Marty’s skill and experience, I know there will be many new and exciting things to come.” 

Before joining The Towbes Group, Holtzman served as chief people officer for Think Together and director of human resources at Dako, in addition to several various HR leadership roles for other organizations.

“Marty is a strong leader who will continue to help us build an engaged and high-performing culture here at The Towbes Group.,” said Michelle Konoske, chief operating officer of The Towbes Group. “I am confident that Marty, with his broad experience and knowledge, will add valuable competence as we move forward.”

Holtzman added: “It is truly an honor, and I am most grateful to be part of the TGI team.”

Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.