On a summery Friday, as the sunset began to bathe the mountains in a dewy glow, I pulled up to Montecito Gourmet by Village Cheese and Wine with a friend to kick off the weekend and write about their new evening menu. It seemed like a pretty straightforward story. However, as I walked into the sleek interior, freshly renovated with leather chairs and Edison bulbs, I was greeted by former County Supervisor Das Williams, who was enjoying a glass of rosé at the bar. I knew this wasn’t going to be your average restaurant review.
That’s because Montecito Gourmet is not your average deli, catering company, and now, wine bar. Yes, it has an excellent rating on Yelp and my tastebuds agree, but it’s the story behind it that completes the full meal. For starters, the café, originally known as Village Cheese and Wine has been in business for 53 years. When current owner Patrick Braid’s father, John Braid, the original proprietor, passed away, Patrick set aside his career as a venture capitalist and strategist for tech companies and returned to S.B. He took over the store with the aim to carry out his father’s legacy of creating a welcoming hub for all.
Braid could never have predicted just how integral this local lunch spot would be for the community, when on January 9, 2018, following the historic Thomas Fires, the debris flow hit Montecito, killing 23 people and leaving a wave of destruction and trauma in its wake. Despite safety warnings, Braid decided to keep the shop open in partnership with the CHP and Sheriff’s Department, who granted them 100 percent unfettered access to come in and out of the FEMA-designated disaster zone. Braid wanted to ensure that fire and rescue personnel had access to food, cold drinks, and clean restrooms…