No Greek Table Dancing
Many years ago, my wife and I visited a Greek restaurant here in Santa Barbara and were amazed to find the owner dancing around the center of the restaurant with a table in his mouth. I can’t remember what the food was like, but I was quite impressed with the man’s dental work. I suspected … Read more
Gracious Dining in Paso Robles
During the last decade or so, Paso Robles has undergone a major transformation. It started with the introduction of wineries to the area and is now manifesting itself in a variety of great restaurants. I recently photographed Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro and Wine Bar for Westways Magazine. Long title—great restaurant. All ingredients are locally … Read more
California, New Cuisine of the American Riviera
All photographers love book projects! I know that’s a rather sweeping statement, but I have never heard of any pro turning down a book assignment. It’s the opportunity to immerse yourself in a subject, to really cover an area or topic and not just skim the surface. And there is no denying that receiving your … Read more
Westways Magazine Restaurants
I have been a little lax in my blogging for the last couple months and wanted to catch up with the restaurants I photograph for Westways Magazine. Le Café Stella, located here in Santa Barbara, was a real pleasure to visit, with its comfortable French bistro decor and delicious French-American comfort food. Owner Philippe Rousseau … Read more
Happy Hour at La Playa Azul Cafe
Happy Hour was recently inaugurated at the venerable La Playa Azul Café, located on Santa Barbara Street across from the Presidio State Historic Park in Santa Barbara and I was called on to produce the images used to announce this change. Like many Santa Barbarans, my wife and I have been going to Playa Azul … Read more
Artisan in Paso Robles
Paso Robles has changed a lot in the last twenty years. In the early part of my career, I would stop there for gas on my way north. It was all gas stations and cattle country. The arrival of vineyards has changed all that. I recently photographed an assignment there for Westways Magazine and was … Read more
Feast Bistro
The first thing that struck me as I walked through the doors of Feast Bistro was the deep red color of the interior. The second was the wonderful aroma of clams and mussels in a garlic cream sauce. As far as I am concerned, even cardboard would be tasty with garlic cream sauce. I knew … Read more
Arch Rock Fish
Arch Rock Fish Restaurant Growing up in the coastal Northeast, I spent the summers during my college years digging clams commercially. Wading around at low tide in chest deep water with a clam rake, I would keep moving until it felt like I was stepping up onto a slight mounding of the bottom, which was … Read more
Cheap Eats, Great Food
It’s always a pleasure to find that the quality of cooking and the price of food at a restaurant don’t always correlate with each other. A recent assignment for Westways Magazine proved the point. The Savoy Cafe and Deli, an institution in Santa Barbara, recently reopened after being closed for remodeling. It’s warm and inviting … Read more
Dessert Days
Some days I can’t help but reflect that I am in a strange profession. I spent this afternoon eating what was essentially multiple desserts. That wasn’t the original plan, of course, but that’s the way it worked out. I’m in the midst of finishing up some last minute requests for a book on local cuisine … Read more
