While Montecito has its fair share of Italian restaurants, Ospi, the new Cal-Italian spot at The Post business and shopping center near the Bird Refuge sets itself apart with a fresh and elevated take on Southern Italian cuisine.
“We’re rooted in classic Italian cooking but don’t stick too closely to the rules. It’s traditional in some ways, but relaxed and California-minded in others,” said Tara Kelly, Marketing Director at Memento Mori Hospitality. Memento Mori was founded by the chef/owner of Ospi, Jackson Kalb, with his wife, Melissa Saka. Building on the success of their L.A.-based restaurants — Jemma, Jame Enoteca, ¡Jaime! Taqueria, and three other Ospis throughout L.A. — the group is thrilled to bring the metropolitan dinner party vibes to Montecito.
“We’ve had our eye on Montecito for a while,” Kelly said. “It’s a beautiful town with a great community, and it just felt like the right next step for us. The timing and location lined up perfectly.”
The sophistication of the dishes and focus on hospitality (“Ospi” is short for ospiante, which is Italian for “host”) makes it a perfect fit for the discerning Montecito crowd. Comforting traditional dishes like their delectable vodka-sauce-based favorites like the spicy rigatoni and chicken parmesan will appeal to all, while their crispy Romana-tonda pizzas and refreshing vegetable-based dishes speak to the light and bright coastal elegance of their refined beach town location…