More than 35 restaurants are offering cinematically inspired fixed-price specials during the next 10 days of SBIFF, with more than 15 hotels offering overnight packages, as well. This is the annual menu offered up by Film Feast, a creative take on a restaurant week organized by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization and Visit Santa Barbara. Here are just a few of the inventive ideas you can expect at establishments up and down State Street starting today.
Where: Bistro 1111 (1111 East Cabrillo Blvd., [805] 730-1111, santabarbara.hyatt.com)
Inspiration: The Color Purple
What: Buttermilk fried chicken and gravy, served with collared greens, black-eyed peas, and smashed yams. $35, 6:30-10:30 p.m. daily.
Where: Blush (630 State St., [805] 957-1300, blushsb.com)
Inspiration: The Big Lebowksi
What: “Donny’s Heart Attack Sliders”: three fresh Angus beef sliders, with house-made bacon jam, crispy Tabasco onions, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and mayo. $12, 5-10 p.m. daily.
Where: Brasil Arts Café (1230 State St., Ste. C, [805] 845-7656, brasilartscafe.com)
Inspiration: The Fast and the Furious
What: Three-course menu featuring ceviche with sweet potato chips, grilled picanha steak with port reduction and roasted root vegetables, and raspberry crème brûlée. $29, after 5 p.m. daily.
Where: Nardonne’s La Famiglia Pizzeria (17 W. Ortega St., [805] 845-4900, nardonnespizzeriasb.com)
Inspiration: Backdraft
What: “Billy Baldwin’s Backdraft Fire Menu” includes one bottle of Babcock pinot noir, an appetizer/salad, one pizza, two desserts, and two coffees. $70, 4 p.m.-close daily.
Where: Olio e Limone (11 W. Victoria St., Ste. 17, [805] 899-2699, olioelimone.com)
Inspiration: Length of films
What: Scorciatoia (short cut) is two dishes for $35; Lungometraggio (feature film) is three dishes for $45; and Epico (epic film) is four courses for $60.
Where: Opal Restaurant and Bar (1325 State St., [805] 966-9676, opalrestaurantandbar.com)
Inspiration: SBIFF Honorees
What: Mushroom risotto tiger prawn crab cake (“A Touch of The Color Purple,” honoring Oprah Winfrey), followed by choice of braised BBQ beef short ribs (“The Butler’s Braise,” for Forest Whitaker) or grilled salmon on potato crêpe (“King Salmon fit for a Queen Elizabeth,” for Cate Blanchett), with dessert of vanilla crème brûlée (“A Spoon Full of Sugar,” for Emma Thompson). $40, 5-10 p.m. daily.
See SBFilmFeast.com for complete details.