Work of Art

12/23/05

By Melissa Wilbanks
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

ARTISTS' HAVEN IS HAVEN FOR THE HUNGRY

You don't have to be an artist to appreciate the creative vibe of Reds, a café appropriately situated in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone, where a diverse collection of artist studios, industrial spaces and businesses call home. The air is heavy with creative juice so palpable it should be on the menu. "I'll have a big steaming bowl of inspiration, please."

It's no wonder the place celebrates imagination, as owner Dana Walters was once an artist herself. Actually, she remains one -- it's just that her medium has changed from tiles and mosaics to specialty coffee drinks, sandwiches and what some say is the best breakfast burrito in town. According to Walters, if Reds has one menu standout it's the Wet Burrito, with eggs, cheese, grilled onions, roasted tomatoes and pasilla chiles and her homemade tomatillo sauce ($4.75 to $5.25). Even the café's name is a tribute to Walters' artistic inclinations. If she tries to tell you Red is the middle name of the dog who loyally follows her every step, she's teasing. Red was always Walters' favorite color to glaze tiles.

Reds is dark and moody even in the full light of afternoon. The main room has several tables, a banquette and two comfortably broken-in sofas next to a vintage British-style phone booth. Or, there are little private alcoves to tuck away in -- one with a Moroccan feel and one covered side patio decorated with thrift-store finds and what some call junk until it embellishes a space like this and becomes art. Lucinda Williams playing over the speakers provides the perfect soundtrack.

One afternoon, several customers sipped from steaming mismatched mugs as they clacked away on laptops. Another, with X-Acto knife in hand, cut mat board; yet another, plucked away at his acoustic guitar; and one hung his photographs on the saffron-red walls for display. Understanding the economic struggle of many burgeoning artists, Walters doesn't charge to showcase their work or take a cut of anything that sells. For unique gift items (for yourself or someone else) be sure to check out the occasional arts and crafts shows she hosts at the café.

When ordering at the counter, consider one of the tasty sweets displayed under glass-covered cake stands. Muffins and sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles are so imperfectly shaped that they become all the more delectable because you can trust that they're homemade.

A close runner-up to the breakfast burritos as favorite is the tri-tip barbecue special every Wednesday. A special is featured every day but true to its reputation as a no-frills neighborhood café, what the special is depends on what the cooks feel like making.

Sandwiches are simple yet packed with flavor. The buffalo mozzarella is served warm on ciabatta bread with Roma tomatoes and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic reduction ($7.25).

For something meatier, try the chicken chipotle ciabatta sandwich with roasted pasilla chiles, tomato and melted cheddar ($7.50) or the garlic chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, sweet roasted garlic and melted goat cheese ($7.50).

REDS

Location:

211 Helena Ave., Santa Barbara

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Fare:

American

Information:

966-5906