Fresco coming to Goleta

BY JOHN DICKSON
DAILY SOUND COLUMNIST
Fresco owners Mark and Jill Brouillard have entered into an agreement with Indras Govender and his wife Tilly, current owners of the Giovanni's Pizza outlet on Calle Real in Goleta. This agreement extends the right to the Govenders to operate a Fresco Cafe in that space to be called Fresco Cafe North.

The Brouillards will serve as management consultants and trainers for the staff which will be made up of current employees of Giovanni's, former Fresco at the Beach staff and Fresco! Five Points alumni. The conversion of the Calle Real Giovanni's into a Fresco Cafe should be complete in early May. The new cafe will be open Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm, serving the Fresco menu as well as chalkboard specials.
"With the involvement of our experienced staff members, in combination with the very dedicated Giovanni team, we feel that we can serve the North Goleta area very well," said Jill Brouillard. "Indras and his family have been Fresco faithful clients for years and we are looking forward to working with such dedicated and hardworking entrepreneurs," she said.
The Brouillards are also negotiating an agreement to open additional Fresco Cafes in Ventura after the New Year.

A NEW KAHUNA: Kahuna Grill opens a new downtown location in Paseo Nuevo this Friday. The eatery replaces the now-closed Tiramisu restaurant that was located near the Paseo Nuevo movie theater. Kahuna Grill has been a huge success in Camino Real Marketplace and they are considering opening a third location on upper State St in a couple of years.

AIN’T GUNNA HAPPEN: On March 13th the Rumor Machine popped out a message that a "Wine Cask-style" restaurant was coming to the San Marcos Building on State St. The latest word is that the deal is off.

NEW MARKET: The “411 Market” has opened at 411 State St, next door to Lettuce B. Frank. I am told by the owner it is a "healthy-food-oriented convenience market." They should soon have a liquor license and will be offering a full line of domestic wines, and will prioritize local companies as much as possible.

STAND-UP COMEDY: Stateside Restaurant & Lounge at 1114 State St now has a comedy night every Tuesday 9pm-11pm. I went to one of these recently and it was really fun, with about 5 different comedians coming up to the stage. The cost was $5 at the door plus a two drink minimum, which is a terrific deal. Tonight Stateside features comedian Skyler Stone, April 15th is John Roy and April 23rd is Andrew Norelli. Call 564-1000 or visit StatesideSB.com.

PIZZA SPECIAL: Giovanni's Pizza at 6583 Pardall Rd in Isla Vista is having delivery specials right now. #1: 1 x-large 2 topping pizza, 1 appetizer combo (including Mozzarella Sticks, Jalapeno Poppers, Wings), 2 liter soda for $24.99. #2: 1 med 2-topping pizza, 1 spaghetti (meat or marinara), 1 large garden salad, 2 liter soda for $28.95. #3 1 x-large 2-topping pizza, large family salad, 2 liter soda for $23.95. #4: 1 meat lasagna or Fettuccini Alfredo, 1 small garden salad, 1 soda for $10.95. Call 968-2254 or visit GiosPizza.com.

PRIME RIB SPECIAL: Reader Dianne tells me that Tee-Off Restaurant & Cocktails has a prime rib special for 19.99. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays through April 15, 2008. Includes all the sides they usually serve.

JAZZ BRUNCH: Marmalade Cafe has started a Sunday Brunch Jazz program with Magic 106.3/Kruz 97.5, similar to the Smooth Jazz brunch in L.A. Jazz music fills the air from 11am-2pm.

JAZZ DINNER: Volare Ristorante & Deli at 1095 Edison St in Santa Ynez now has entertainment on Fridays & Saturdays 7pm-10pm, featuring Anthony Lazzara & The Volare House Jazz Band. No cover charge. Call 693-8072 or visit VolareRistorante.com

COOKING CLASSES: Roblar Winery at 3010 Roblar Ave in Santa Ynez is offering a series of cooking classes on Saturday evenings from 5pm-8pm. Each class is limited to 24 seats and reservations are required. Cost is $145 per person. Greek 4/19/08, French 5/3/08 & 7/5/08, Ethiopian 5/17/08, Moroccan 5/24/08, Italian 5/31/08 & 6/14/08, Brazilian BBQ 6/21/08, Thai 7/26/08. Call 686-2603 or visit RoblarWinery.com.

SLOW FOOD: I recently heard about an organization called Slow Food Santa Barbara, online at SlowFoodSantaBarbara.org. This is the local chapter of Slow Food USA, which itself is a chapter of Slow Food International. They have 80,000 members in over 100 countries. Here is their mission statement:
"Slow Food envisions a future food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice – in essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair. We seek to catalyze a broad cultural shift away from the destructive effects of an industrial food system and fast life; toward the regenerative cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life."
John Dickson’s column appears every Tuesday in the Daily Sound. E-mail your restaurant news tips to info@SantaBarbara.com