It’s both a feast and a festival in Santa Barbara, Calif., as the 28th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival coincides with Restaurant Week. This celebrated event (Jan. 30–Feb. 9) takes place in Santa Barbara’s historic theaters, a favorite Hollywood location since the silent film era. During the festival, participating restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, and area hotels showcase Made-in-Santa-Barbara tasting menus.
A total of 36 fixed-price menus and tasting flights will be available. Offerings range from William Baldwin’s Backdraft Fire Menu at Nardonne’s La Famiglia Pizzeria and Wine for the Confused at Grassini Family Vineyards, to Film Noir and Pinot Noir at Conway Deep Sea Tasting Room. These curated menus highlight local ingredients, regional wines, and creative pairings that reflect Santa Barbara’s culinary scene.
Looking for a place to stay? Hotel partners for the festival include Secret Garden Inn & Cottages, Hotel Santa Barbara, Hotel Indigo, Cheshire Cat Inn, The Upham Hotel & Country House, and The Fess Parker. For a luxurious experience, the Spanish-style Bacara Resort & Spa is offering a presidential suite package that includes a private screening of The Butler in the resort’s screening room and a reception for up to 200 guests.
The film festival also honors notable figures from the industry. This year’s honorees include Emma Thompson, Robert Redford, Jared Leto, Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, and Forest Whitaker, each recognized for their contributions to cinema.
Whether you’re drawn by premieres and tributes or by specially crafted tasting menus and wine flights, the overlap of the film festival and Restaurant Week creates a vibrant cultural and culinary showcase. Historic venues, local chefs, and regional vintners join together to celebrate film, food, and wine, making Santa Barbara a lively destination during this annual event.
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