Last Calls
The news descended slow but strong, like the dark rum slipping through the pineapple slice in one of Willy Gilbert’s renowned mai tais: Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens-the nearly 60-year-old bar and restaurant on East Canon Perdido Street whose pagoda fa§ade is the last reminder of Santa Barbara’s once-bustling Chinatown-would be closing for good on Saturday, July 29. The reason? Owner and chef Tommy Chung, Jimmy’s son, wants to retire and sell the whole property-which includes the restaurant, bar, and home in the back-for a comfortable chunk of change, with which he’ll enjoy his golden years.