Kimpton Canary Hotel announced the appointment of Executive Chef Nathan Lingle, ushering in a new chapter of Santa Barbara’s beloved restaurant Finch & Fork, along with a spectacular four-course “Wild About You” Valentine’s Day menu featuring local wild-foraged ingredients from the land and sea of the Central Coast.
A Maine native, Executive Chef Lingle grew up living an organic “farm-to-table” life where his family gardened, farmed, fished, and foraged for their daily meals, utilizing and sourcing from neighbors and local craftspeople. He brings with him nearly two decades of culinary experience in some of the most prestigious restaurants in the world such as the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, where he partnered with celebrated French chef Eric Ripert on the concept for 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge; Ritz-Carlton, Naples; Sagamore Resort and Spa; Cliffhouse Maine; L’Auberge, Del Mar; Costa and Café Lido at Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara; and the Michelin Star-rated Manresa in Los Gatos—among others. Lingle comes to Finch & Fork at Kimpton Canary Hotel most recently from FRINJ Coffee in Goleta, California, a sustainable agricultural model that pioneers California-grown coffee.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Chef Lingle to the team,” says Kimpton Canary GM Richard Cox. “He brings a wonderful wealth of culinary talent to our team, and we look forward to sharing the incredible menus he is crafting with our treasured guests.”
“I am excited to be partnering with local farmers, artisans and fisher people in developing new menu items at Finch & Fork,” Lingle says, “and am looking forward to showcasing the skills of this incredible culinary team.”
Reflecting Chef Lingle’s adventurous spirit and lifelong passion for local wild-foraged ingredients including Santa Barbara Uni, California Seaweed, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Wild Purple Sage, Wild Mustard Greens, and Pine Nuts, to name a few, “Wild About You,” a special Valentine’s Day menu, will be offered February 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature four courses, an amuse buche, and fond farewell, for $110 per person (reservations strongly suggested).
Wild About You – A Valentine’s Day Menu
- Wild Green Salad, Farmers Market Vegetables, Elderflower Honey Vinaigrette, or
- Coastal White Fish Ceviche, Prickly Pear Agua Chile, California Seaweed, Charred Cucumber, Avocado
- Kabocha Squash Tortellini, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Purple Sage Bush, or
- Goleta Chantarelle Mushroom Tart, Sheep’s Milk Ricotta
- Bay Laurel Smoked Kiri Squash, Green Olive Salsa Verde, Wild Mustard Greens, or
- Ridgeback Shrimp, Roan Mills Porridge, Texture of Fennel, Pressed Pepper, or
- Roasted Rabbit, Winter Carrot, Parsnip, Nettle Chimichurri, Wild Rice Granola
- Pine Nut Tart, Thyme Carmel, Spruce Chantilly, or
- San Martin Chocolate, Carob, Torta, Strawberry, White Sage
Located within the Kimpton Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara, Finch & Fork, which originally opened in April 2013, continues to be the go-to destination for a refined, yet approachable meal reflecting the bounty of California’s Central Coast. The newly redesigned space by Los Angeles–based Beleco is warm and inviting, taking inspiration from the coast with deep blues and aqua marines against earthy textures and finishes such as leather and terra cotta.
Complementing Chef Lingle’s menu is a world class wine program showcasing the best of the Central Coast with a selection of more than 100 wines and local beer, along with a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu featuring the classics along with signature libations such as a Maple Old Fashioned, an infusion of maple syrup, Suntory Toki Whiskey, and black lemon bitters; the Rosefinch, Malfy Gin Rosa, Compari, Grapefruit, and monkfruit; and a Cabrillo Boulevardier, featuring Monkey Shoulder scotch, Campari, Carpano Antica vermouth, and orange peel, among others.
Finch & Fork offers indoor seating for 122 bar and lounge seating for 51, with daily specials and curated wine experiences, and also offers full event buyouts Sunday through Thursday. Finch & Fork is located within Kimpton Canary Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara at 31 West Carrillo Street.
