The Bitar Group has taken over The Nook, a Funk Zone restaurant located at 116 Santa Barbara St.
Georges Bitar told the News-Press that the group assumed operations of the Nook on Feb. 1, with escrow expected to close later this month.
“This opportunity came to us directly,” Bitar said. “We took the time to think it through, and ultimately it made sense for where we’re headed.”
The Nook serves American fare and operates as a counter-service restaurant within Lama Dog. The popular taproom, opened in 2016 by Pete Burnham, has become a fixture in the Funk Zone, known for its rotating craft beer selection and casual, community-driven atmosphere.
The local watering hole sits within The Waterline, an adaptive reuse project housed in a repurposed industrial warehouse built on the rubble of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake. The site was later re-envisioned by the Miramar Group as a destination for food, beer, wine, and locally made goods.
For the Bitar Group, the move represents a geographic shift, as its restaurants have largely been concentrated downtown and along State Street.
Led by Georges and his wife, Nicole, the family-owned group operates Via Maestra 42, The Chase Restaurant and Lounge, Milk & Honey, and Via Maestra Enoteca, and is also behind the Palace Grill, a longtime downtown Santa Barbara institution.
Bitar said the Funk Zone location appealed to the organization for a combination of reasons, including the neighborhood’s energy, foot traffic, and its role as a gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.
“It felt like a place where we could do something thoughtful and build on what’s already there,” Bitar said. “The Funk Zone has its own rhythm, and we wanted to be respectful of that while contributing in a meaningful way.”
Bitar said the opportunity also aligned with their broader culinary portfolio, adding a style of dining that complements its existing mix.
“American cuisine and pizza were the most logical additions to our portfolio,” he said. “This gave us the opportunity to do both in a neighborhood where that style really fits.”
While the restaurant will continue operating as the Nook for the time being, Bitar said the company is evaluating longer-term plans for the space and expects to introduce incremental improvements over time, though no definitive timeline has been set for future changes.
Bitar emphasized that the goal is for the Nook to feel firmly rooted in the Funk Zone community.
“We want it to be a place people naturally gravitate toward,” he said. “Somewhere you meet friends, spend time, and feel connected to what’s happening around you. That sense of place is what makes the Funk Zone special, and we want the Nook to continually be part of that.”
