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Head chef Jonny McDermott (center) created the all-day menu.
Written by S. Irene Virbila | Photography by Sara Prince
When a restaurant space with a sprawling patio and room for a big kitchen came up for rent at Coast Village
Plaza, Michael Sheldon jumped. The retired tech CEO had an itch to open a restaurant for the community—and did just that. LOCAL invites the Montecito set to dine, drink, and lounge (with live acoustic music at night) from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. An avid cook who’s eaten all over the world, Sheldon, with chef Jonny McDermott, has designed a menu of his favorite comfort foods and more sophisticated dishes from his travels.
The best seller—no surprise—is the double burger (a short-rib/brisket blend), which comes with French fries and a garlicky aioli. There’s also a lot to like about the Korean maple-glazed chicken wings, crudo from the raw bar, a shrimp po’ boy doused with Crystal hot sauce, shrimp Louie salad, and pan-seared salmon in red-curry coconut broth. The latest menu additions are a Snake River Farms Wagyu rip-cap and Alaskan halibut with caviar beurre blanc. And there’s more to come, promises Sheldon. Pastry chef Peche (who goes by just one name) turns out a mean panna cotta and chocolate peanut butter pie. Almost everything on the menu is gluten free, including batter for the Nashville fish and chips. You can even get a gluten-free burger bun if you ask.
Live music—perhaps a pianist, guitarist, or jazz trio—often starts around 7 p.m. in the bar, next to the grand piano. Cue in a late-night menu that includes that double burger. 1187 Coast Village Rd., Stes. 8 and 9, Montecito, 805-770-2269. localmontecito.com. S.I.V.
