While I was in Santa Barbara recently, I discovered a little gem of a restaurant on State Street. Point me in the direction of a bookstore, a museum or a great restaurant and I can wile away hours quite happily. A friend, who just returned from Rome, said she didn’t dine out in the evenings, as she was alone. People watching in a foreign city with the babble of their language swirling about me is an intensely satisfying experience. One of my best dinners alone was at Le Meurice Dali restaurant at 11.30 pm following the Opera Garnier in Paris – alone- it was heavenly. Jazz band swinging, beautiful and interesting people, champagne of course, all French…loved it.

Just up a few blocks from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art on State Street, is a charming Argentinean restaurant, yes there is a recent theme. Transport to Café Buenos Aires, lovely outdoor patio, traditional interiors and on various week nights Tango or Latin musicians performing classic Argentine music and dance. Excellent empanadas, simple country fare, combined with a great setting, stroll here and linger after an hour at the Museum.

Argentine cooking classes at Tante Marie –San Francisco, if it is inconvenient to escape to Santa Barbara or Argentina!