It’s a wonder that Amy and Keith Robinson are still standing. A year ago, the professional musicians — California natives who met and lived for many years in New York City before moving to town in 2015 — started Epicurean Santa Barbara as a culinary social club that they hoped would catch on. Since their launch party at Sullivan Goss last November, the indefatigable dining and wining duo have thrown 50 events — yeah, that’s almost one a week — and attracted more than 160 dues-paying members.
“I thought we’d be doing fun events, and educating people, and serving great food and wine, but the personal connections that people have made with the artisans and with one another have been beyond what I could have expected,” said Amy. “That’s been the most rewarding part.”
The events range widely in style, scope, and cost, from all-you-can-eat Nook burgers and many bottles of southern France wine at Laplace for $38 (attended by nearly 60 people) to vintage Bordeaux dinners with a five-course menu for $175 (just 14 attendees). There are chef demos at private homes, visits to new restaurants, open houses at wineries, and plenty of out-of-town winemakers coming to share their wares with the club.