I love olive oil stores, especially the ones in California have wonderful products. Viva Oil on…read moreState Street in the heart of Santa Barbara didn't disappoint! The store has a nice decor, airy, it's welcoming, has a wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars with nice flavors (some fruit based - fig anyone?), nice staff and reasonable prices. Great place to shop at, you can get a set for a nice gift or a couple of bottles for dipping and salads at home!

I live in Santa Barbara, planning an out-of-town trip, and was looking for gift for a host at…read morewhose home I would be spending a couple of nights. Viva Oliva was perfect. A small, local company, they offer a large variety of very reasonably priced gift choices. The sales associate was very friendly and helpful. (I chose a beautiful gift box of gourmet olive oil/vinegar pairings.)

At the time of writing this review, I just finished my 7th session with Emily, Active Alchemy's…read moreowner. I originally found her through searching Massage Therapists who do deep tissue/rehabilitative massage. I had a repetitive stress injury in my right shoulder and was pretty desperate in getting some help. I also had started a new job and knew I could benefit from from more consistent massage therapy. Emily assessed my limited range of motion in the shoulder and addressed the muscles that needed the most work. I was quickly impressed with her knowledge and skill. I started seeing immediate results. Emily also had recommendations for stretching and strengthening certain muscle groups that needed it most. What I like about working with Emily is: she's extremely present in the work she does. For me, that means my recovery needs are being met. She's also professional, knowledgable, and caring. It's easy to tell that Emily is a person who values being of service. I now work with Emily every two weeks. I feel so fortunate and lucky to have the opportunity.

Thank you, Emily, for the very enjoyable and interesting "herb walk" yesterday. I learned so much…read moreand in the perfect setting. I hope to join your next one on July 1st at Stevens Park - you may end up with another apprentice

not only was the place run by very kind employees, but the selection was just beautiful!! i must…read morehave been inside looking at all of the tea for 15 minutes. they have a wonderful list of interesting tea blends, unique salt and sugar blends and an impressive collection of spices :) i would recommend that any cooking/tea enthusiasts stop by, you won't want to miss this cute shop!!

The spice trade was once one of the most intricate and sought after commodites in history with…read moremonarchs and sultans devising the best routes to get their hands onto the rarest of spices showing their wealth and class of not only themselves but their representative countries. Although nowadays spices are much more easier to come by (just drive down to your nearest supermarket!); many spices are still on the scarcer side and represent luxury. Have no fear, though, because you no longer have to board a ship and find the passage to the Middle East but can simply head to the Solvang Spice Merchant. Solvang Spice Merchant is a female-owned (shout out to girl bosses!) spice boutique located in the central hub of the famous Danish tourist city of Solvang near Santa Barbara. Opening its doors a couple years before the Covid pandemic in 2018; Solvang Spice Merchant not only survived but thrived with a brick and mortar storefront and an online shipping option (flat rate of $10 shipping no matter the size of purchase!). The business features hand-crafted spices and seasonings, teas, and foodie gift sets serving both tourists and Solvang residents, alike. My boyfriend and I ventured into the Solvang Spice Merchant when visiting Solvang from Los Angeles for the city's Christmas-time Julefest and gazed our eyes on a shop that would make any King or emperor proud. The store is filled with floor to ceiling shelves of spices/seasoning mixes categorized by country/region and then further sub-categorized by ingredients, styles (BBQ, Pickling, etc) available in various bottle sizes (plus some can be purchased at the counter in bulk, as well). If you can conceive a certain spice or seasoning, trust me that Solvang Spice Merchant has it! Even if you are not in the market for spices; the store is fun to browse and discover all of the spices from around the world. My personal spice journey has endlessly been looking for Garam Masala (an Indian spice) which I could have purchased at the Indian shop by my apartment in Los Angeles - but what fun is that?! It is much better to come across Garam Masala at Solvang Spice Merchant where the spices are combined by hand and with love while enjoying the world of spices! We purchased a 2.3 oz bottle (the smallest) of Garam Masala for $10.25 which isn't cheap: but expected from a boutique spice store. I have since used the spice mix on chicken, Steelhead trout and steamed veggies and it is absolute perfection and makes my apartment smell delightful with its warm spices. The only complaint? None of the two young females behind the counter welcomed us into the store, offered any samples (which I learned the store does indeed do), ask if we needed help, etc. Solvang's main gimmick is being a welcoming tourist city ESPECIALLY during Christmas as it is known as the, "Most Christmas-y City in the Nation". Unfortunately, that Hallmark Christmas movie customer service was absent the night of our visit. Despite this minor qualm; Solvang Spice Merchant is a charming spice shop fit for a King, emperor, sultan or just Averages Joes like you and I visiting Solvang. Not only will you find whatever spice your heart desires but you will have an enjoyable time simply scanning the shelves.

I was recommended to Ema's Herbs by a friend who has sworn by Sara and her team here. Having been…read moreexperiencing health issues for a bit now, I was optimistic to try a more holistic approach and see what their services are all about. Full transparency there is a pretty significant waitlist to see Sara and I did have to wait a few months to get an individual consult with her. If you're looking for a consult and one on one, this is the best service/way to do it - just know to be patient. I signed up online with an appointment date a few months out and I did notice that when there were cancelations by other clients, I would get an email notifying me in case I wanted to get the open appointment. However, with them being so popular, by the time I'd check my emails and try to sign up for the earlier appointment they were always taken. I learned you just have to be really patient to get into here. I felt that the wait was worth it though. Sara was very knowledgeable, approachable and kind. She touched my feet and without me disclosing any of my healthcare issues she was able to relay back what she believed/could read to be some of my health issues/areas in my body that had inflammation etc. After she was through I did provide more context or validate some points she made but the initial consult / reading was all to her credit for figuring out what she could. It was a very interesting experience and enjoyable. From there Sara recommended products and I bought about 85% of them. The different vitamins and products do add up but they also seem to last about 2-3 months before I'll run out so not bad. I've been on the supplements for about a month so I'll need more time to come back here and to report what differences I see. For now I'm just getting in the swing of consistently taking the different items I purchased. Lastly, if you don't make an appointment or want an assessment, you can simply walk in and buy any products you'd like. That's definitely nice for people who already know what they are looking for or for established customers who may not need a reading/one on one with staff every-time they come. From supplements, to drinks and teas, they have it all. One item of theirs that I have been using that seems to be working well is their sore throat tea. So if you are prone to sore throats or preparing for flu season I'd definitely recommend a can of this tea. Ema's herbs is a cute place and for years I wandered right past it. Despite the signage, the little house style shop was unassuming and I had never realized what this spot was. Definitely a great local business and staff who really want to support you with your wellness and healing journey. Excited to come back in another month and grateful I was referred to them.

All the ladies at Emma's are very kind,helpful and very knowledgeable on what works!! My boyfriend…read more& I have been drinking their joint relief tea for many months & succcessfully have been out of joint pain ever since drinking it! When we forget to drink our tea, our bodies remind us! I'm grateful to not have to take over the counter inflammatory pills or pain pills. We definitely keep going back when we run out

I wrote a previous review over five years ago. Time to write another one…read more The last review covered the fact that SpiceTopia sells creations by Judee Hauer. I have a collection of her figurines. Yesterday I visited to use my birthday coupon. I love the Cinnamon from Vietnam. that they sell. It's the best! Just to smell it is delightful and to taste it is Devine. I always leave the shop in a good mood

OMG. I gave SpiceTopia SO MUCH business yesterday! I was just browsing stores along Main St.,…read morethinking I wouldn't buy anything, and then I found this remarkable place. I wounds up with two bags (!!) of tea, olive oil, vinegar, spice, snacks, and barbecue sauce. I appreciated being able to sample some of their items before purchasing them. I can't wait to try all of the things I bought! This store is an absolute treasure, and I can't wait to visit it again the next time I'm in Ventura!

I can't get enough of this place. Located on Main in…read moreVentura. It should be held in honor to have such a powerhouse of Indian groceries here for locals and travelers alike Wonderful selection of spices, teas, and frozen items. I wish I lived closer. How convenient and fun to shop here. Service is family friendly, with a smile. The shop is well-organized, clean, and stocked full...ready to go! Support this business. Not every city has a gem like this.

Excellent assortment of authentic and hard to find products, spices and even some fresh produce…read more Super welcoming and inviting staff.

The Central Coast does a great job with BBQ, whether it be Santa Maria style or any style. Along…read morewith that comes good BBQ sauce. I had been following this brand for years but was never able to find it for sale. This last trip I found it at the Avila Barn. I bought their new "Swamp Mop" as it was a mustard based sauce that the family generally enjoys most. The sauce was indeed good, but at a whopping $15 a bottle (by comparison the MO's BBQ sauce right next to it was only $7). Needless to say it looks like I was the only person to actually buy a bottle of monkey spit there. Back to how difficult it is to find this stuff, one of the main issues is that their website is down. They also don't seem to have a list on facebook of who sells their product. That's not a good thing as I found it by chance. Now there was a vague posting on Facebook that they are opening up a new manufacturing plant and perhaps that means more product, more distribution, and lower prices. I look forward to trying some of their pepper based sauces on my next trip in the fall. - Obviously the price is an issue, and by selling it at boutique retailers the price will be totally unreasonable. Plus, when looking at the ingredients it appears that this sauce was just a mix of store-bought ketchup, mustard, and worcestershire sauce. Now it may be true that's how "authentic" Carolina sauce is made but at $15 bucks a bottle I'd expect all three components to be hand made from scratch. - New manufacturing plant is being built.

I was a Susie a fan until I discovered this seasoning brand. Far better and a much better dealread more

I have always been a little intimidated to try Indian cuisine and Sholeh made it so easy! From the…read moregrocery delivery to the preparation of the ingredients to the actual cooking, it was flawless! I shared this class with my family and we all prepared the meal together and then enjoyed it together. The food was delicious, I asked to increase the portions since I was feeding a family of 6 and we had so much food! Leftovers for the kids lunch throughout the week and an absolutely fantastic meal and time spent together. Thank you for offering this class, I will see you in April for the Argentinian Empanada class!

Sholeh was awesome to work with and our event was a blast! It was a work event and we had to be a…read morebit inventive to meet all requirements to host an event at work. Everyone had fun, ate great food and learned a ton!

Everything about Regenerate Health Medical Center is top notch!…read more The services, the people, the expertise, the products, the response time, the guidance, the non-judgmental curious approach to solving the puzzle of each unique humans health issues, is in paralleled. Highest recommendations!

initially came to Dr. Ace for hormone support, and I'm so glad I did…read more She has gone above and beyond to help get all of my numbers balanced and my overall health on track. What truly sets her apart is the time and care she gives each patient, she never rushes and always takes the time to explain everything clearly. Her knowledge, patience, and genuine care make every visit a great experience. I highly recommend her!