••• Any new sibling of local favorite Corazón Cocina is worthy of attention, and Corazón Cocina Sur at Linden Square is no exception. Some first impressions…. 1) I went for lunch twice on weekdays, and the setting is lovely. I would’ve liked to dine at the Corazón counter, but the restaurant’s music and the complex’s music overlap. 2) Hoping to try something unique to this outpost, I ordered the tuna tostada and Negrita ceviche (pictured above and below, respectively); the former was flavorful but the sauce overwhelmed the tuna; the latter would’ve been better if the ingredients had been chopped into smaller pieces. Tacos are excellent, as one would expect, even if someone forgot to remove a large chile de árbol from the mole, and the shrimp quesadilla—served open-faced, as is Corazón’s wont—is satisfying. Corazón Cocina Sur doesn’t move the brand forward the way that Corazón Comedor and Alma Fonda Fina have, but I’d happily eat there on the regular. 3) I can’t tell to what degree Linden Square has an organizing force to maintain it. Whether you bus your own table is unclear—the closest garbage area was labeled Third Window, even though that restaurant was across the courtyard—and the slatted tables require more cleaning than they’re currently getting. Peer between the slats to see what I mean. 4) Despite a report to the contrary at the complex’s opening, the roof deck is not open yet.
••• Elsewhere in Carpinteria, The Nugget‘s branch at 888 Linden Avenue should debut next week.
••• Is Wylde Works still open? “The doors have been closed, and a sign says it’s closed for remodeling, but someone there told me if would reopen under new management in a couple of weeks,” emailed T. “They had the best kombucha in town and great live music and vibe.” I have yet to hear back, and the website is down. A few months ago, co-owner Dylan Wylde posted a video about a fundraising drive and/or search for a new partner. UPDATE: The Reddit thread that Rich mentioned is here.
••• Lama Dog is expanding within the Waterline complex in the Funk Zone. “The new spot, a cocktail/hi-fi bar named The Mullet, is right behind Lama Dog (where Art & Soul was most recently), literally sharing a wall and patio,” says owner Pete Burnham. “It’s vinyl-themed, with a DJ booth and full liquor, and it should be up and running by the end of the year.”…