2013 Santa Barbara Int’l Film Festival Inspires Menu at Opal Restaurant and Bar

Opal Restaurant and Bar, located next to the historic Arlington Theatre at 1325 State Street, has designed a “Film Feast” prix fixe menu of outstanding dinners paired with wine by the glass, to please the hundreds of visitors and film professionals looking for a pleasurable dining experience during the 28th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, January 24 through February 3.

Restaurant proprietors Tina Takaya and Richard Yates, working closely with Executive Chef Felipe Barajas and his brother Gerardo Barajas, Executive Sous Chef, have designed fun and delicious dishes, paired with fine wine by the glass to be served during the ten day film event. Tina and Richard have been restaurant partners for thirty years in the Santa Barbara Community, and have some renown on the American Riviera for their fine food and outstanding service. They are also recognized for their consistent support of local charities and international disasters.

As a salute to this year’s festival they created a dinner experience with paired wines by the glass for $39.95. The SBIFF dining experience menu features a “Celebrate Santa Barbara Wines” menu which includes “Take One” Wild mushroom risotto tiger prawn crab cake with a Meyer lemon buerre blanc made with Daniel Gehrs unoaked Chardonnay (suggested wine by the glass: Daniel Gehrs or Riverbench Chardonnay). “Take Two” Grilled kurobuta pork loin on an asparagus truffle butter buerre blanc with gratin Yukon gold potatoes and a warm artichoke mushroom relish (suggested wine by the glass Margerum Sauvignon Blanc) or Grilled fresh Salmon Filet on a homemade Crispy potato crepe with a wild mushroom Prodigal Pinot Buerre Rouge and roasted corn-wild mushroom salsa (suggested wine by he glass Prodigal Pinot Noir or Bishop’s Peak Pinot Noir). “Take Three” is a divine Callebaut dark chocolate crème brulee with Consilience Zinfandel Port (suggested wine by the glass: Consilience Late Harvest Zinfandel).

Before Dinner Cocktails with film theme names are being skillfully prepared by Opal mixologist Chris Reeder and they include: Silver Linings made with Moet & Chandon Champagne, Bluecoat Gin., St. Germain Elderberry Liqueur and fresh lime juice. $11.00 The Clooney made with Tito’s Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Brown Sugar, fresh Ginger Cucumber and fresh lemon juice. $10.00. Opal’s Tarantini features Plymouth Gin, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Crème Yvette Violet Liqueur, and fresh lemon Juice. $10.00Emancipation made with Tito’s Vodka, Cointreau, fresh mint, fresh lemon, raspberry, and a splash of orange bitters. $10.25.

Opal hours: Monday & Tuesday 11:30-2:30, 5:00-10:00, Wednesday & Thursday 11:30-2:30, 5:00-10:00, Friday & Saturday 11:30-2:30, 5:00-11:00, Sunday 5:00-10:00. For details visit: www.opalrestaurantandbar.com.