Angela Mannino
Can We Taco About This: Santa Barbara Part Two
Updated: Sep 24, 2020
I've been home in NYC for just under a week, but my mind is still thinking about my recent gig and the several weeks spent in Santa Barbara, California. Â It was truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited because it had everything--mountains, ocean, palm trees and sunshine! Â

On this particular afternoon in SB, it was one of the coldest days in recent years in NYC....I tried not to rub it in that I was wearing shorts! In the previous post I spoke about the performance milestone involved in this experience and in this post I'd like to discuss an equally important topic:  FOOD! I've blogged before about cooking "on the road" in hotels, sometimes with nothing but a microwave and a mini fridge.  Fortunately, in SB I had access to a full kitchen so I was able to prepare nearly all of my meals for myself.  I am, surprise surprise, extremely picky about what I eat before I sing.  Food affects the way I feel, so if I can eat more or less of certain things then I really enjoy eating pretty light all day and waiting until the day is over to let loose a little.  It helps me to feel energized and satisfied, but not too full, sleepy....let's just say bloated.  Plus, cooking for myself helps to make me feel more at home wherever I am.  I spend less money and it's healthier.  Win win win.  Food-wise, there are two things I noticed during my weeks in California.  The seafood and the produce were spectacular!  It was just so fresh--never before have I ever bought lettuce that tasted so fresh and lasted so long in the refridgerator--nearly 2 weeks! In the kitchen, I always had prepared quinoa ready to go and would mix it with anything from scrambled eggs, cooked broccoli, a laughing cow cheese wedge and veggie sausage in the morning to avocado, cooked spinach, chicken and oil and vinegar for lunch or dinner.  I always had baked sweet potatoes ready to go.  The skin peels right off and I could mash it up or dice it up and eat it quickly.  New to my cooking routine during this trip was tofu.  I am not a vegetarian, but I have always enjoyed tofu cooked in every way imaginable.  Turns out, no matter how I cook it I really enjoy it:  diced up in soups, sautéed in a pan or baked in the oven.  I like the texture and it pretty much takes on whatever flavor you add to it.  Once it was prepared, I enjoy eating it cold, as well.  I did eat out a couple of times and only had a desire for Mexican food!  Why would I want to eat anything else??

Fish tacos! Â Served with a side of Caesar salad....odd choice, but delicious. Â I'm thinking...very California. Â

Shrimp tacos!  Look closely:  there are two kinds of salsa.  One with tomatoes and one with Papaya. Ordinarily, Papaya is on a very short list of foods that I find gross.  But at this restaurant I couldn't stop eating it.  Amazing.  Is there anything better than Mexican food?  For me, there sure is:  Singing for a living in a city known for great Mexican food!