Alex Reyes developed his passion for cooking by observing his mom’s work in the kitchen
Chef Alex Reyes is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the opening of his fusion restaurant, AR Restaurant & Catering, in the Buellton Town Plaza. He is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of his catering business AR Catering, which is located in Lompoc.
“I have always loved cooking, and eating as well,” he said, smiling. “I come from a large family — three brothers and three sisters — so my mother was always cooking. I learned from watching her from a distance, even hiding under the table to learn my mother’s cooking secrets. She would always shoo me out of the kitchen saying that she wanted me to be a lawyer or president of the United States, but my passion has always been cooking.
“She is very proud of me now, even though I’m not in the White House. Come to think of it, I should have named this restaurant The White House, but because my catering business is called AR Catering, I decided to call it AR Restaurant. I think I will name my next restaurant The White House,” he said humorously, with his mother in mind.
Reyes said he started cooking on his own, working in the early 2000s at various restaurants in Santa Barbara. He attended Santa Barbara City College and enrolled in the school’s culinary arts program, but it didn’t offer him what he was looking for.
“By the time I enrolled, I had already three years of cooking experience. Educational experience is different from practical experience,” he said. “I wasn’t learning anything in the classes, so I didn’t finish. I continued to work in different kitchens, and when I thought I’d learned all I needed to know in that kitchen, I’d move on to the next — learning baking, pastries, salads, and steaks — and I developed my own style of cuisine. That’s when I felt I had the tools and the knowledge to venture out on my own.
“So, I started a catering company. I began with a catering kitchen in Goleta and eventually moved to Lompoc. We’vebeen servicing customers from Carpinteria to Paso Robles and we have a contract with the Vandenberg Exchange where we go twice a week and we also service Space X employees. But I felt there was a missing piece in the catering business and I wanted to open a restaurant.”
After meeting a woman who owned her own restaurant, an opportunity arose for Reyes and he decided to take the plunge.
“I wasn’t really looking for a space at that time, but I became friends with Francesca Agate, the owner of La Botte Bistro, who’d previously occupied this space,” he said. “She said she was looking to move back to Lompoc and that ‘I was her guy’ to take over the spot. We’ve become close friends and we’re like family now.”
Reyes’s vision was simple and heartfelt: to celebrate the Valley’s incredible bounty by crafting delicious, locally inspired dishes at a reasonable price.
“My goal in opening this restaurant was for it to be a place where locals could come and get a great meal and still have money left in their pocket,” he said. “It also offered me the opportunity of increasing my catering business by having a place for potential customers to come and sample my dishes.”
Reyes said that he tries to use organic ingredients, locally sourced, including wines, which can also be paired with his dishes and beer. He also has vegetarian offerings.
“For my birthday, I was treated to a dinner at AR Restaurant & Catering in Buellton,” said Will Ambler, a Buellton resident. “My parents had heard good things from people who had eaten there, so we decided to give it a try. It is a cozy bistro with a friendly staff and an interesting menu. We ordered some wine and a starter to share, (pork belly with a spicey coleslaw). The presentation was great and the taste was even better. The main dish was equally visually appealing, and very tasty (Ahi and blackened salmon tacos). And the dessert did not disappoint (flowerless chocolate cake).
“Since my dinner at AR Restaurant, I have told everyone, if they get the chance, ‘Go try it!’ The prices are reasonable and the food was great.”
Reyes appreciates the support he gets from customers in Buellton.
“During the short time I’ve been here, the locals have been very welcoming and very loyal. Sometimes they just run in to pick up a meal to-go and some come in several times a week to eat,” he said. “We also partner with DoorDash for those who don’t want to venture out.
“Having been here for a year now, I can say that I am extremely happy I decided to open a restaurant in Buellton. The ultimate goal for any chef is to have your own restaurant and I am extremely happy to be here in this spot. I’m excited to spread the word and share my passion for cooking with the Valley.”
Catarina Agate, owner of Mama’s Café and La Botte restaurant in Lompoc, who dropped by to say hello, said Reyes’sdedication to his job, and his business, shows through.
“You must love what you are doing to have a successful restaurant and cater to the people with love,” she said. “And Alex loves what he does, and he is an unselfish worker.”
AR Restaurant & Catering is at 225 McMurray Road, Suite A, Buellton. Hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sundays and Mondays. They offer a 15 percent discount, on Tuesdays only, to local residents. AR Restaurant & Catering will also be offering a Mother’s Day Dinner, a three-course meal paired with wine.
For more information, call (805) 697-7337 or visit arrestaurantandcatering.com
