The ‘Little Italy’ of Montecito
Courtesy of Tre Lune
Nestled on the outskirts of Santa Barbara in the exclusive town of Montecito; lies an Italian gem, Tre Lune. If you are searching for that familiar feeling of utter warmth only replicated by the embrace of a Nonna’s cooking, this is the place to dine. You will be among thick Italian accents, Frank Sinatra blasting, corks popping, wine pouring and some of the best Italian food you have ever had (which includes dining in Rome itself).
After treating myself to a day trip, I was fortunate enough to sit down with the owner himself, Mr Gene Montesano.
Gene exudes charm, wit, creativity, drive, little to no ego, and a priority of family above all else. Having grown up in Brooklyn (New York) moving to Los Angeles, he has chosen to settle in Montecito for the past thirty years.
Whether it is his immediate family or several restaurants and business families, Gene has a complex understanding of the elements in life that matter most. I believe this to be the reason for his successes along with the obvious tenacity and grit, most likely a gift passed down from his Italian descendants.
We shared, white wine, Margarita pizza, Cacio e Pepe, Seafood platters, Bread baskets, Lasagne, and butter cookies.
We talked about life, we spoke of dreams, goals, the importance of speaking your mind, of curiosity, of upbringings, and sticking to your truth even when things around you tip into the shallow or false.
Tre Lune is an extension of Gene, and I believe this is why people visit and have fallen in love with what it has to offer. It’s more than a restaurant, it’s a plate of comfort, authenticity, it’s a place that feels like home.
Wine pouring, that gentle scent of ragu, comforting wood-fire pizza, the charm and suave nature of the front of house.
My Tre Lune dining experience 2024:
I decided to order a glass of Sangiovese wine and dig into the bread basket.
My friend Taylor and I chit chatted about life, relationships, careers as best friends do when the couple seated next to us began chuckling.
The waiters brought over Spaghetti Alle Polpette, the steam from the meatballs forming small clouds, along with Lasagne Maria and Margarita Pizza. We were in heaven.
Italy on a plate. The tenderness of the meatballs, the fresh tomatoes, the mozzarella, basil, dough, decadent layers of the Lasagne, paired with the acidity of red wine was spectacular.
I fell in love with pasta that evening, while Taylor fell in love with the Italian waiters.
The couple next to us once more were looking over and smirking. We were the entertainment. Repetitively, our Australian accents provided a great conversation starter, when the woman pardoned herself and asked us
“Where are you two from?”
“Australia” Taylor replied, as my mouth was full of pasta.
“Our son lives in Byron Bay!” she responded excitedly.
“Byron is the best! Its so lush, with beautiful beaches and the food is incredible” Taylor said as I kept on chewing.
We all shared smiles at how small this world can be and proceeded to eat and chat. We learned that Phyllis and Ken were both in their 90s, have lived in Montecito for over 30 years and this place, Tre Lune, was their weekly staple. I wished it were mine too. Being two single women, navigating the treacherous Los Angeles dating scene, Ken was perplexed at how Taylor and I could be single.
“Two beauties like you?” Ken smiled.
We needed the ego boost to be honest and inhaled the compliment.
“How did you two meet” I asked.
“Well Phyllis was a widower and I was divorced. So we both were coated in this weird grief I guess” he answered.
“Turns out we had both been going to the same church but never met” she interrupted.
“That’s right! The same one! I can’t remember exactly how we met at first, but we did, went on our first date and I just knew” he said and he looked back to Phyllis. Their eyes met and for a split second they were transported to that first date.
“I never thought at 65 years old I would get married again. But I knew, he was the love of my life” Phyllis said.
I was bewildered at how life and love works out for some. I thought of my parents who just celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary, the romantic in me had one burning question for Phyllis and Ken;
“What is the secret to love do you think?” I asked, eyes batting full of romanticism.
Phyllis sipped her wine, leaned in to me and whispered;
“Well, my dear, you must remember to have the same values as your partner. It is also a choice my dear, you choose that person everyday. You choose family, and the secret is, you want to.
You’re young, beautiful, intelligent, and you must remember to choose wisely my dear and not answer to every knock at the door, cause the one for you has a key”.
Truth sprinkled in sweetness.