People show love in different ways. Tina Takaya shows it through food.
Takaya, a serial restaurant entrepreneur, wanted her latest venture to bring joy to people’s hearts and tummies. She envisioned a happy-themed restaurant, as the community was coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I thought it would be nice to have something happy for everybody — a good feeling,” Takaya told Noozhawk.
She made it happen. Takaya, the owner of OKU and Opal, opened Happy Cat Eats in November at 23 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara, across the street from the waterfront.
The eclectic and diverse menu includes smash burgers, an Asian street dog, a Tex-Mex street dog, tempura fish and chips, a sushi sando, a California burrito with mac and cheese on the inside, and a Dole whip dessert.
Visitors won’t want to miss the truffle mushroom smoked gouda burger. It’s a hit.
“I’ve worked hard on the food to create some fun and imaginative menu items,” Takaya said.
There’s also the cornhole game.
“The passion behind Happy Cat Eats was to create a Santa Barbara beach-eats that locals and visitors feel comfortable with,” Takaya said.
It serves Handlebar Coffee, and Takaya said she plans to offer a “soon-to-be-famous” cinnamon roll.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and all of the sauces are made in house.
“I wanted to create a place where everybody could afford and enjoy the atmosphere of beach casual fun food menu,” Takaya said.
She also has a secret ingredient. Her executive chef, Felipe Barajas, has been working with her for 25 years at OKU and at Opal.
“Now he’s working with me to create the menus for Happy Cat Eats,” she said. “It’s been really fun.”
Art & Soul Opens Downtown
Art & Soul has opened a gallery at 1323 State St., next to the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara.
The gallery will feature monthly exhibits showcasing established and emerging artists.
“The Arts District has long been a source of inspiration and a reflection of Santa Barbara’s artistic and cultural heartbeat,” Kim McIntyre, owner and founder of Art & Soul, said in a statement. “We’re honored to contribute to this vibrant neighborhood and its legacy as a cultural hub.”
McIntyre’s daughter, Bella DiBernardo, added in a statement: “Art & Soul is more than just a gallery; it’s a destination where art and community come together, and creativity is allowed to blossom.”
The opening exhibition, “The Art of Place: Celebrating Santa Barbara’s Contemporary Voices,” highlights works by Brad Betts, John Baran, Pedro De La Cruz and Sylvan Butera Rich, according to publicist Jennifer Zacharias.
An Artist Talk is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10.
The company held a grand opening reception Thursday evening. The original location is in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.
New Zaca Coffee Trailer
Zaca Coffee is bringing a coffee trailer, Josephine, to Santa Barbara.
A grand opening celebration is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at 220 Anacapa St.
“Bringing our trailer, Josephine, to the Funk Zone solidifies our roots in the Central Coast,” owner Hayley Firestone said. “We look forward to sharing our passion for quality coffee with locals and visitors alike.”
Zaca Coffee is owned by husband/wife duo Firestone and Dennis Patrick.
The event will feature free drip coffee samples, an array of locally made empanadas, and surprise giveaways. Llama Joe, the company’s mascot, will be on site and ready to greet
visitors, according to a news release.
“Come on down to get a selfie with Joe, a tasty treat, and to see your new Funk Zone neighbor,” the news release states.
Firestone, known for her 30-year dedication to raising llamas and alpacas and her volunteer work with Hope Refuge, and Patrick, a former White House staffer for President Ronald Reagan and former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, “have channeled their boundless energy and passion into creating a coffee experience like no other,” according to a news release.
Zaca Coffee is roasted in small batches in Buellton.
Wingstop Opens in Goleta
Wingstop continues to soar.
The chain restaurant opened its newest location last week at 129 S. Fairview Ave. in Goleta.
It’s the third Wingstop in the region, joining La Cumbre Plaza and Isla Vista.
The restaurant joins a busy hop of eats, including Panda Express, Jersey Mike’s and Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch.
Hot Chicken Comes to Turnpike Shopping Center
Dave Reynoso, owner of Dave’s Drip House, has opened J’s Hot Chicken inside his Dave’s Drip House ice cream shop in the Turnpike Shopping Center in Santa Barbara.
“Ice cream is seasonal, and we knew Dave’s Drip House needed something extra to thrive year-round,” he said in an Instagram post. “So here we are, introducing ‘J’s Hot Chicken,’ a concept that’s completely new to us, but oh-so-delicious! We’re thrilled for you to try our chicken fingers, made entirely from scratch.”
He said in the post that Santa Barbara has been missing a standout chicken concept, so “we decided to bring the heat with something fresh, flavorful and fun.”