Walking into Crush Tasting Room & Kitchen, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. With a delicious menu, more than 20 inventive wines from small-batch Central Coast producers as well as kombucha and regional beer on tap, and a convivial atmosphere ripe for striking up conversation, the East Haley Street establishment made my head spin like a child entering the white gates of Disneyland for the first time.

What's not to love about Michael and Lisa Amador's lively wine tasting room and kitchen, which serves up great food and unique wines in a former Haley Street dice bar? the space has been remodeled and gussied up with a visible kitchen, high -top tables and wine dispensers.

Spend the remainder of your day perusing the streets of Santa Barbara’s contemporary art district, the Funk Zone. You won’t be disappointed by the selection of diverse eateries, quirky bars, and eclectic shopping. Be sure to stop by Crush Wine Tasting and Kitchen for a unique wine tasting experience accompanied by yummy lite bites. They utilize the latest technology to offer do-it-yourself wine tasting, and it’s a win-win. The wine dispensing system keeps their wines fresh and gives guests full control of what they’re tasting. Give it a try for yourself, and don’t forget to order the lobster sliders. @crushsb1