Best of 2010: Questions

Eating

NAME: Jackson Friedman, copy editor/foodie

QUESTION: Favorite Mexican food dish?

“I’ve been eating at La Super-Rica for as long as I can remember, and I think I have literally ordered the same three items every single time I’ve gone there: the number seven (Alambre de Filete), the number 13 (Queso de Cazuela), and a large horchata. I have successfully converted many a horchata skeptic with Super-Rica’s rendition of that sublime Mexican refreshment, which—along with numbers seven and 13—is always worth the (often long) wait.”

Sporting Life

NAME: Amy Smith, copy chief/jogger

QUESTION: Favorite place to run?

“Almost every day, I run up and around the neighborhoods by the Mission. It has a good mix of hills and flat sections, with plenty of pretty houses, the Mission, and the Rose Garden to take in along the way. It’s all very Santa Barbara. The same people are always out walking their dogs, usually very politely moving to the side and cheering you on as you go. Beginning at the end of summer, though, huge spiders weave huge webs connecting hedges on one side of the sidewalk with trees on the other, so you have to do some careful dodging to avoid a face full of spider.”

Driving

NAME: Robby Robbins, multimedia sales manager/automobile aficionado

QUESTION: Favorite place to drive Evelyn, his green and white 1959 Chrysler Windsor?

“To me, there could not be a more refreshing and exciting drive here in Santa Barbara than doing the Gibraltar to Camino Cielo to 154 circle. It is a must-see for all visiting guests from back East. Even when Santa Barbara is all fogged in, you can find sunshine and island views when up on the ridge.”

Little Creatures

NAME: Sarah Wilkinson, associate production manager/pet owner

QUESTION: Favorite place to walk with husband, Damon, and Stu, their French bulldog?

“Nothing beats a trip to the French Press followed by a Wilcox Property romp on a Saturday morning.”

Drinking

NAME: Matt Kettmann, senior editor/cocktail connoisseur

QUESTION: Favorite place to drink well but spend little?

“There is no greater booze bang for your buck than the Hungry Cat’s happy hour, where custom-made libations are half off. That means you can get a Farmers Market orange peel burned and added to your apricot-infused bourbon for a mere $5, then throw in a greyhound proper with Plymouth gin and candied grapefruit peel for another $5 and walk into your weekend with a bit lighter step.”

Looking Good

NAME: Michelle Drown, managing editor/frugal fashionista

QUESTION: Favorite place to buy brand-name clothes cheap?

“When I lived in San Francisco, I did all my shopping at Crossroads clothing, so I was bummed to find there wasn’t one here. But our very own Crossroads recently opened on State Street, and on my first visit, I scored a lovely brown wool blend coat for only $12.50.”

Housing

NAME: Laszlo Hodosy, senior sales rep/gardener

QUESTION: Favorite way to grow his backyard Garden of Eden?

“One of the best things about having a tropical paradise in my home is the ongoing propagation of the various plants. It seems everything grows here, so it’s fun to trade with friends and family and occasionally pilfering cuttings from plant species I find growing around the South Coast. Plus, there is always a last-minute ‘present’ growing in the yard to pot up and pass along. For basic supplies, I prefer OSH, but for cool and unusual plants, I hit Terra Sol, and Doug Knapp’s Nursery always has some cool and unusual plant specimens and surprises to add to our garden.”

Media

NAME: Ethan Stewart, news reporter/reader

QUESTION: Favorite spot to buy magazines?

“I go to the Read N’ Post in Montecito. It’s an old-school stand with a big, long rack of magazines. They don’t hassle you if you just want to read them. And it’s a post office, so that’s always cool in case you’ve got anything to mail.”

Living Well

NAME: Ben Cicatti, associate art director/illustrator

QUESTION: Favorite place to check out public art?

“The Funk Zone Mural Project on the corner of Helena and Mason streets. They keep it rotating and I like to see art that’s not necessarily sponsored or paid for. Most people who write on walls are lacking in some kind of wisdom and talent, so it’s nice to see graffiti-type stuff where it is allowed and not an eyesore.”

Falling In Love

NAME: Jen Malkin, director of advertising, marketing, PR, production, and sales/currently involved

QUESTION: Favorite place for first and last date?

“First date: The Siam in Carpinteria because there’s nobody there that you know. And the best place for a last date is Fresco, because it’s so busy that, whether you’re the dumper or the dumpee, you know you have to hold it together and be as composed as possible.”

Going Out

NAME: Cynthia Mahoney, account executive/dance clubber

QUESTION: Favorite place to meet friends?

“I go to Blush. It’s hip, it feels like you’re in a different town. There are mature people, they have a wine pick of the week, which is always good, and they have good music, but it’s not too loud. It’s nice to sit by the fireplace on the couches. I took my friends from Brazil there and they loved it. They thought we were in the big city.”