Put on your Mazque!

BY JOHN DICKSON
DAILY SOUND COLUMNIST

Epiphany Restaurant & Bar at 21 W. Victoria St will be the site of a masquerade ball fundraiser for the Unity Shoppe on full moon Friday, June 20, 2008 at 8 p.m. The series of fundraisers, titled “Mazque,” was started by Justin Michael in 2006 who recently joined the Unity Shoppe board of directors. I personally have attended these events and they are fantastic (tip: you can buy or rent a mask at Victorian Vogue, 4289 State St.).

Previous Mazque events raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Westside Boys & Girls Club, Santa Barbara Middle School, and The Red Cross. Tickets are $50 presale and $100 the night of the event, which includes bubbly, hors d’oeuvres and dancing. For tickets call (310) 775-7527.

CALIFORNIA PASTA REOPENS: Closed since January for a remodel, California Pasta in Paseo Nuevo reopens tomorrow. Co-owner Jim Craddock sent me a message about the changes: “California Pasta has just undergone a major remodel/ full transformation. It has taken a bit longer than expected but the restaurant came out beautiful. We have an entirely new restaurant from the ground up, to include all new equipment, granite tables & counter tops, plates, etc. The menu has been kept primarily the same with very little change.”

CLOSED: We have had two restaurants disappear recently. Chili Town at 730 N. Milpas appears to have closed its doors. Reader Chris tells me that there is a big realtor’s sign in the window next to a faded “closed for remodeling” note. Mexican restaurant El Caballo at 3130 State St. has closed its doors after two years in business.

COMING SOON: Replacing El Caballo at 3130 State St. will be “Brummis – The German Taste,” brought to you by Manuela & Veronika Brumm.

REMODEL: Chilango’s Mexican Restaurant at 503 State St is currently closed for a remodel.

NORTON’S SOLD: Reader Foodie Dan passed word to me that Norton’s Pastrami at 18 W. Figueroa St has been sold and that there will be no major changes.

PARADISE TURNS 25: The iconic Paradise Cafe at 702 Anacapa St is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week with specials running through June 5th. The anniversary specials include their famous Paradise Burger for $7.50, Paradise Margaritas $4, Paradise Chardonnay $5, Paradise Syrah $6, Cobb Salad $8.50, and Huevos Valenzuela $6.50.
The Paradise Cafe is located in a 1915 vintage brick and stucco building that once housed an Italian bakery. Attached to the main building is a Victorian structure that served as the proprietor’s residence. The La Paloma Cafe opened at that location in 1938 and the building has been the home of Paradise Cafe since the early 1980s. Call 962-4416 or visit paradisecafe.com.

STUDY BREAK: The UCSB Alumni and La Cumbre Yearbook present a “Study Break” for students at the Arbor (on campus) on Wednesday, June 4th 9 p.m. The event, limited to the first 500 students, includes free Woodstocks pizza, energy drinks, a raffle and iPod giveaways

FIESTA RANCHERA: Cox Communications presents the first annual “Fiesta Ranchera” at the beautiful Rancho La Patera gardens & Stow House, 304 Los Carneros Rd. Sample appetizers and beverages from local restaurants & wineries and enjoy musical entertainment by the Dos Pueblos Jazz Band and Area 51. Wednesday, June 4th 5-9 p.m. $55 in advance, $75 at the door. Call Arlington Ticket Office at 963-4408.

JUNE JAZZ: Enjoy a series of jazz dinners during June with SOhO Restaurant & Music Club at 1221 State St. June 9th 8 p.m.: Rebecca Kleinmann Presents the Elameno Quintet, June 16th 7:30 p.m.: Kate McGarry, June 23rd 8 p.m.: Frank Catalano, June 30th 8 p.m.: Sally Barr Jazz Quartet. Call 962-7776 for reservations.

MUSIC SERIES: The Wine Cask at 813 Anacapa St is hosting an after party for “1st Thursday,” an evening of art and culture in Downtown Santa Barbara. Starting on June 5th, the Wine Cask will have a summer music series from June-Sept. 8-10:30p.m on the first Thursday of the month. Includes a five-piece Jazz band on the Wine Cask court yard and admission is free.

DINNER THEATER: Circle Bar B guest ranch at 1800 Refugio Rd offers a new dinner theatre show through July 13 titled “Who’s In Bed With The Butler?” The theater, a small intimate converted barn and bunkhouse has presented comedies and musicals for over 36 years. The dinner features Santa Maria-style tri tip barbequed to perfection by the Circle Bar B guest ranch owner Jim Brown.
General admission is $40 for dinner and the show. Senior admission (over 55) for Sunday matinees costs $32. For more information & reservations call 967-1962 or visit circlebarbtheatre.com.

John Dickson’s column appears every Tuesday in the Daily Sound. E-mail your restaurant news tips to info@SantaBarbara.com