Weekend Getaways: Brophy Bros

Perched atop the Santa Barbara harbor, Brophy Bros is one of the classic seafood restaurants that the coastal city has to offer. Whether you choose to slurp back oyster shooters at the bar, take a date on the balcony, or settle into one of the large tables in the raucous dining area, the restaurant is a must-see when you visit the area. 

While I was a student at UCSB, I took my parents here, stopped by with friends for an indulgent meal, and even had my first date with Quinn overlooking the wharf. Brophy Bros has won every Best Seafood Restaurant and Best Clam Chowder in Santa Barbara from the Santa Barbara Independent and News Press for the past 22 years -- no small feat. I decided to venture back for the clam chowder alone.

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Quinn's Focaccia Sandwich

This weekend brought all sorts of changes: Quinn's move up to Santa Barbara, an additional food section for Culinary Therapy, and a flashy new camera! That's right, no more grainy iPhone photos. After weeks of research and deliberation I bought myself a Sony Nex-5 and am thrilled to play with my new toy. I welcome tips and suggestions from any and all photographers with open arms.

Also, please welcome to the blog: Weekend Getaways! As I plan to take brief jaunts up the coast to see Quinn in Santa Barbara and explore the restaurants in surrounding areas, I thought I might as well be productive during my trips. With such gems as Goleta's La Super Rica and Solvang's famed Chinese food, I have my work cut out for me. 

Saturday morning Quinn and I perused the Farmers' Market in downtown Santa Barbara. The county is known for its fresh produce and daily markets, inspiring me to spend more time at my own neighborhood venue. Quinn picked out a heirloom tomatoes, pluots (apricot and plum's love child), and a stunning herb focaccia. He lovingly designed an addictive end-of-summer sandwich we nibbled on all weekend.

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A Sunday Morning Suggestion

 

If you, like me, hail from Southern California, then you may be familiar with the (spoiled) winter malaise we all seem to suffer from. Despite the fact that our seasons, if you could call them that, drop and rise a mere 25 degrees every year, Angelinos in particular bitch and moan about anything less than perfect beach weather. This year, however, we actually lost our summer. I moved back to LA after 4 years and discovered an endless blur of those bleak, white skies when the city hangs heavy and low. Add unemployment and the cold realization of life after college and you get a very depressing end of 2010.

Last weekend, though, the temperature spiked, possibility sparked, and I took the good ol' Amtrak Surfliner up to Santa Barbara. Without divulging all of my extra curricular activities, I did have one of the best days ever, and I'd like to suggest such a day for you: Mimosa Sundays.

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