Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


SIPS   .    .   .

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SIMPSON HOUSE    by Bonnie Carroll

One of the best kept secrets for a delightful afternoon tea anytime of year, but especially in the fall, is the Simpson House Inn, located at 121 East Arrellaga Street in Santa Barbara. In 1874 Robert and Julia Simpson completed their beautiful Italiataic Victorian home on Arellaga Street, where they raised their family.

This historic home had many owners, and the last were Glyn and Linda Davies, who re-inveted this family home into a beautiful bed and breakfast in 1985. Not only does this home offer guests all the comforts of home, but they can also stay in hidden English garden style cottages built on the property in 1993 that are quite romantic.

My favorite time at Simpson House is afternoon tea on the lovely front porch, where the staff serve a high tea that could hold its own against the Fairmont in Seattle or Peninsula in Beverly Hills, however, guests are sitting in a blissful garden setting complete with the sound of water dancing created by the antique fountain. Wonderful place for a private talk or just to enjoy some moments of peace and quite over a cup of tea.

The tea offers chef made finger sandwiches, cakes, cookies and a choice of amazing tea with enchanting names in regular or cafeine free, as well as an orange mimosa or peach bellini at a small additional charge. General Manager Tony Pace and the staff are always alert and helpful, but never intrusive at Simpson House Inn.

Guests are also welcomed to enjoy a beautiful gourmet breakfast in the morning, afternoon cookies with beverages, and wine with hors d'oeuvres  in late afternoon before going out to dinner at one of the renowned local restaurants such as Opal Restaurant on State Street just a short walk from the relaxing Victorian Estate, which was declared an Historic Landmark in 1993.

Simpson House Inn

121 East Arrelaga Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

www.simpsonhouseinn.com

____________________________________

SPOOKY HALOWEEN COCKTAILS

Curated some enticing cocktails inspired by the villains of this season’s most horror-driven movies and TV shows. Whether dressing up as a creepy clown or mysterious personality, these concoctions make the ultimate pairing to any spooky Halloween costume.

The Cruel Cult

The mysterious and unidentifiable cult members of American Horror Story’s “Cult” has us shaken to our core. Here’s a shot recipe that might ease our nerves as we uncover the mysteries one episode after another…

2 parts Sugar Island Spiced Rum

½ part Lime juice

½ part Ginger liqueur

Apple Cider, to fill

Add all ingredients into a shaking tin. Dry shake for 5 seconds. Fill shot glasses ½ way with Apple Cider. Pour the remaining ingredients from the shaker and fill into shot glasses.

You’ll Float Too

This cocktail is synonymous to that of the shapeshifting, demonized clown that continues to haunt our nightmares from the film “IT.”

2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

1 part sweet vermouth

Orange bitters

Orange twist, for garnish

FOR THE CAMPARI ICE CUBES:

¾ part Campari

2 parts water

Several hours before serving, mix together Campari and water and freeze in a square ice mold. When frozen, make the cocktail: Place 2 Campari ice cubes in rocks glass. Pour all ingredients over ice cubes and garnish with a wide orange twist. Stir the drink to start the ice melting.

Texan Morgue-a-Rita

Created by Masa Urushido of Saxon + Parole

Get a glimpse of the early days of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre villain: Leatherface. This terrifying asylum escapee is sure to make you shakenly reach for that ‘killer’ spicy margarita.

2 parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila

¾ parts fresh lime juice

¼ part smoky simple syrup*

Lava salt and dried red chili pepper for garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice in rocks glass. Garnish rim with lava salt and add dried chili pepper.

*Smoky simple syrup: Pour equal parts sugar and water into a saucepan with one dried chili pepper. Simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. Remove chili pepper and set syrup aside.

__________________________________________________________________

PORTO VINO by Marisa China

Taking your wine along can be stylish and enjoyable with these chic new wine bags from Porto Vino. They come in sporty and business looking styles and in different colors. They are a great gift item for the upcoming holiday season. For designs and pricing visit www.porto-vino.com.

Marisa China participated in Doris Bergman's Pre-Emmy Celebrity Luncheon Event at Fig & Olive in Hollywood, where she was busy gifting 2018 Emmy nominees, presenters and VIPs.


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | May 12 | April 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | February 13 | March 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | March 16 | February 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | October 16 | September 16 | November 16 | December 16 | January 17 | February 17 | March 17 | April 17 | May 17 | June 17 | July 17 | August 17 | September 17 | October 17 | October 17 | November 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | November 21 | October 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | March 22 | April 22 | May 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved