The Santa Barbara Public Market has delicious food and drinks and a dynamic social gathering of people, but Josh Brown believed there was something missing. So, he created it.

“I realized there was really a big need for this type of restaurant,” Brown said. “It’s not that there already was a concept. It was built out of what was missing in this market. When a customer comes in here, are their needs being met across the board?”

This week, Brown, the former chef and partner at Intermezzo, opened Little Bird Kitchen in the Public Market, 38 W. Victoria St.

At the top of the menu are the salads — the Roots Farms Little Gem Caesar, the Tuscan Kale, the Chopped Creek and the Mixed Lettuces, with protein as an add-on.

There’s the LBK Burger and The Little Bird fried chicken sandwich. There are also desserts, and a kids menu with chicken strips.

“We’re an everything restaurant,” he said. “It’s not called Little Bird Burgers.”

Brown said he also wants his food to be affordable for families.

“My price points are set up a little bit lower than the general market,” he said. “Our burger sells for $12. It’s a real burger, not a Smash Burger. We do something closer to an In-N-Out burger or Chubbies Burger. It should substantially feed somebody. It’s not intended to be a high-dollar little thing and then you are still hungry.”

He said he worked hard on portion sizing and costs to make sure he is feeding a person for a fair price.

“An average person can come in here and have that big Tuscan Kale salad for $15 and be full and feel like they have been satiated, and get on with the next part of their day,” Brown said. “I get a lot of joy out of that. I like delivering on simple concepts to an extreme ability.”

The name is also an original. Brown named it after one of his daughters, Piper Wren.

“We named her after birds,” Brown said. “I like birds a lot. Her nickname is ‘little bird.'”

Brown, 45, moved to Santa Barbara 27 years ago from Oakland to attend the Santa Barbara City College School of Culinary Arts.

He has two kids, and his wife works at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

“We’re a Santa Barbara family that is trying to do good things for the community,” Brown said.

Speaking of the Public Market …

Ramon Velazquez, owner and entrepreneur behind the Corazon Comedor, Corazon Cocina and others, has a restaurant update.

He said his much-anticipated Alma Fonda Fina restaurant in the Montecito Country Mart on Coast Village Road is nearing its opening, and there will be big news soon.

The site is the former Little Alex’s.

Wingstop Descending

Speaking of restaurants with bird themes, Wingstop is prepping the space in the Calle Real Shopping Center in Goleta, next to Panda Express and Miner’s Ace Hardware.

The banners are up, and crews are renovating the area.

It will be the third local Wingstop of the growing national chain.

Shaker Mill Sizzles for Descending

Shaker Mill cocktail bar in Santa Barbara has introduced new summer items, including snow-cone-inspired cocktails, fruit cart-inspired Jell-O shots, and other drinks.

Shaker Mill, a Good Lion Hospitality bar at 418 State St., also has introduced Paloma Pong every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. this summer, according to a news release.

Tables, cups and ping-pong balls will be available, and guests can access them while enjoying cocktails from the new menu.

Santa Ynez Valley Hotels Helping Firefighters

Several hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley are lending a resting spot for crews fighting the Lake Fire or residents affected by evacuations.

Hotel Hygge is offering a $59-per-night room rate, The Winston is offering a $99-per-night room rate, Sideways Inn is offering a $69-per-night room rate and The Vinland Hotel & Lounge is offering a $79-per-night room rate.

The Ballard Inn is offering complimentary rooms for firefighters and first responders, and 20% off for all evacuees, according to a news release.

Flying Flags RV Resort Buellton and Flying Flags Avila Beach, its sister property in San Luis Obispo, are offering 40% off.