Come and savor an abundance of flavor at the 1st Annual Ethiopian Nights hosted by Presidio Hotel on August 21, 2010 from 6 to 9 pm to benefit Taste of Hope.Â
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Ethiopian Nights is an evening of authentic culture featuring an Ethiopian dinner prepared by Santa Barbara’s own Saba Tewolde. Saba has been featured in Santa Barbara Magazine, the Santa Barbara Independent and the Santa Barbara Newspress.
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You will enjoy the cuisine of Ethiopia, its many flavors and its coffee. Wine will be available at our No-Host bar. Live Ethiopian music performed by Alula and a chance to win fabulous raffle prizes will complete the ambiance for the evening’s festivities.Â
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All proceeds to benefit Taste of Hope’s programs and services for those in need who reside in Saba’s homeland of Ethiopia”.Â
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Don’t miss this opportunity to join us under the stars as we share Ethiopia’s culture and cuisine with Santa Barbara.Â
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If you are unable to attend you can still buy tickets for the raffle (presence not required to win) or send your tax deductible donataion in support of Taste of Hope through their website. Â
 
Our good friends Joe Shea and Keiko have worked relentlessly on transforming a normal neighborhood coffee shop previously known as the Fine Grind Arts Cafe into - Lyrik -what we wish we could find in every coffee shop we visit……… great music, people, food,coffee (and beers), constant changing art, and an overall community vibe. I have always been a strong believer in “if you put your heart and soul into something-you will always achieve greatness” and what a perfect example of this. We urge you-if in the Portland area-to swing in and say hello and discover for yourself what can be created with a little bit of passion and hard work.
Santa Barbara has a new mobile restaurant called The Burger Bus (click for daily locations and scrumptious menu).The retired retro-fitted school bus uses all local food suppliers and growers and in our opinion is the tastiest treat in town !!!!!!!
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We dined at the Santa Barbara staple -Olio E Lemone Ristorante-this past week.This restaurant receives our pick for the best authentic Italian cuisine we have found in our “neck of the woods”. My meal-
Ravioli d’Anatra ai Funghi Porcini:
Housemade duck ravioli with creamy porcini mushroom sauce-
was our favorite and is our recommendation.We also tried the
Quaglie con Salsiccia, Polenta e Caponata:
Roasted quails stuffed with sausage served with polenta and Sicilian “ratatouilleâ€
which was equally as good..…The Presidio Motel suggests you go pay them a visit yourself -finisci di mangiare!
