Montecito Wine Bistro

Montecito, United States

4.3

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 805-969-7520
Website:
www.pierrelafond.com
Address:
516 San Ysidro Rd, Montecito, CA, 93108
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
2.3 miPunta Gorda & Salinas
2.4 miSalinas & Cacique
2.5 miCabrillo & Ninos
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Romantic
Noise Level
Average
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Coat Check
No
Smoking
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Montecito) 4:50 AM Monday, June 9, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

With its casual setting the Montecito Wine Bistro offers a relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere, reflecting the laid back Montecito style. A neighborhood favorite, the restaurant features 2 cozy fireplaces as well as patio seating.

Serving California-​Italian Bistro cuisine, the seasonal menu offers dishes prepared with the freshest organic ingredients from the local farms, grass fed meats and sustainable seafood. The menu is split between appetizers, salads and entrees, including gluten free and vegetarian dishes. Wood-​burning oven makes delicious pizzas. Entrée high-​lights include Sea Bass en Papillote, Californian Kurobuta Pork Spare Ribs, Ravioli al Limone and Angus Grass Fed NY Steak. Desserts — Semi-​sweet Chocolate Torte, Apple Strudel and Kahlua Tiramisu.

Wines of Santa Barbara Winery, Lafond Winery and around the world. Intimate bar serves classic and specialty cocktails. Regular menu and appetizers available in the bar. You can not miss our most popular Ahi Sushi Bites. Private party bookings available. Open Thanksgiving Closed Christmas Day Happy Hour Mon-​Sat 3:00pm — 6:00pm

History

Established in 2011.

Pierre Lafond played a pioneering role in the history of SB County’s wine industry since 1962 when opened the SB Winery — the first commercial winery to open in SB County post-​prohition. The Montecito Wine Bistro is Pierre’s second culinary venue. His other restaurant was located downtown Santa Barbara on State Street — Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro

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Vicinity

Browse nearby places:
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Upstairs at Pierre Lafond
516 San Ysidro Rd
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516 San Ysidro Rd Ste 1
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Pierre La Fond Market
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ft
Country House Antiques
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20 reviews of Montecito Wine Bistro

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Irvine, CA
We had lunch here on a gray Saturday. The waitstaff was attentive and beyond helpful. My daughter had the Simply Marinara Ravioli. The waiter advised that she split it because it was large, but she ate every last bite. She loved it! The Ranco San Julian hamburger was excellent but a little supersized. I was told by my wife that the Beef Carpaccio Salad was superb. This is about our sixth time eating here and we have never been disappointed.
Place rating: 5
Pasadena, CA
My mom, sister and I made a quick stop here for a glass of wine and we were pleasantly surprised with everything from the drinks to the service.
We sat at the bar (which I highly recommend), and our bartender was excellent. He was helpful, polite, and constantly made sure we were well taken care of.
After reviewing the menu, us girls decided we would try a few wine flights, and our kick-​ass bartender picked out each wine based on our preferences. No disappointments there! The pours were quite generous, and the wines were delish. My favorite of the tastings was the La Fond Chardonny which just so happens to be from the restaurant owner’s winery.
And because we were craving an afternoon snack, we tried the truffle fries and the ahi tuna bits. Pretty yummy, but not the reason I’d go back.
This place succeeds because of the beautiful and elegant ambiance, the collection of locally sourced wines (all amazing), and their wonderful service. The girls and I agreed we would definitely come back.
Place rating: 1
Los Angeles, CA
Pleasant outside but salads were mediocre and over dressed, salmon didn’t taste fabulous and onion soup as too salty. Service is very slow even when they are slow. Needs an upgrade in terms of quality of food.
Place rating: 5
O‘ahu, HI
Good service! The fireplace next to our dining table was really nice, especially in the chilly winter night time. The food and drinks were so delish!
Place rating: 3
Santa Barbara, CA
Ordered a salad for lunch and it was so small I thought it was an appetizer. I asked if it was an entrée. They added some arugula, but I will never go there again for a salad. It was nothing special, quite basic and expensive for a «kid size» portion.
Place rating: 5
Stevenson Ranch, CA
Yummy and great backyard
Place rating: 4
Summerland, CA
All-​around nice place. No «wow» factor but solid service, good food and nice ambience. We were a party of 6 and tho it was a little «strained» hearing each other, that’s often expected with parties more than 4. Solid restaurant; tho there are others we’d choose.
Place rating: 5
Santa Barbara, CA
Sooooo good! The food here is amazing!!! The service it top notch! Sit outside and enjoy the sun, or inside and enjoy the bar. Everything from the appetizers to the entrees are great! Don’t fill up before you have dessert and be sure to try the cocktails!
Place rating: 3
Santa Monica, CA
In Montecito everything is so Montecito. This establishment is nice, and the food is fine. It is of course expensive but the menu is probably more flavorful than the actual food.
We had the burger which was good if a little on the greasy side and a chicken sandwich affair which was drenched in pesto and just fine. We were not so thrilled about our food that we will be rushing back there.
There were plenty of other options on the menu for dinner and I don’t know whether these are better, but the bistro fare was not much better than reasonable.
The server was good, friendly and open to questions about this or that. We sat on the small outdoor patio made special by a grand sunset.
The dining room inside is stony and on the cold side. There is however some great art hung throughout.
I’m not disappointed, nor do I have a complaint about portion size or menu variety. It was just ok. I probably expected a little more walking in than what is really there.
Place rating: 3
Manhattan Beach, CA
My wife and I stopped at the Wine Bistro for lunch on our way to Santa Barbara. As we were driving, my wife (not driving!) read the reviews and that convicted us to give it a try. The restaurant has nice outdoor seating areas, definitely a plus.
The Wine Bistro matches up to it’s name, there is good wine list with a focus on Lafond, which we both had. That was nice.
The food however was not up to that same standard. My wife had a lunch salad and I had a pizza. The food was not up to the quality of the wine nor the nice outdoor seating. Skip and skip — a level of bland flavors that did not impress. 2.5 stars for the food.
Service was good. I think we will pick another spot next time.
Place rating: 5
Santa Barbara, CA
Eat here once a week; great food, chef splits dishes beautifully, Roberto great waiter!
Place rating: 5
Santa Barbara, CA
This is our new favorite restaurant. We used to eat here a couple of years ago and the food was… meh!
Now…look out. The chef is amazing. Flavorful, not overpriced and nice portions. We live in Montecito so we are sooo happy this restaurant has come back. We LOVE you!
Place rating: 5
Newport Beach, CA
One of my very favorite places EVER. The location in the Upper Village is quiet and classy. The atmosphere is understated and perfect. Since Pierre LaFond took over from Piatti, which had been there forever, the menu is improved. As is, predictably, the wine list.
Try to get a table in the back covered patio by the fireplace.
Place rating: 4
Santa Barbara, CA
Roberto was an excellent server. He offered to give us recommendations if we had a hard time deciding, and he led us to delicious choices! The chocolate cake with raspberry coulis was amazing… and I don’t typically like chocolate desserts unless they’re brownies, but boy howdy, it was tasty and well balanced. Try to sit by the fireplace if you can :))
Place rating: 4
Santa Barbara, CA
My friend and I came here on a last minute whim a couple months ago. We sat at the bar and treated ourselves to a steak and some wine.
The service was great– bartenders let us try a couple wines before we chose our favorite. The steak we had was incredible. It was a special that night. I think a filet topped with cambozola cheese. We subbed out our regular mashed potatoes for truffle, and this was a great decision. Splitting it was also a great decision.
The restaurant didn’t have the hippest ambience, it’s more of an older Montecito vibe. But solid food and service. I’ll return.
Place rating: 5
Santa Barbara, CA
They have very good happy hour!
My favorite place for a glass of wine and cheese plate. I usually sit out side and just chill. Great place if you love wine and pairing it with food.
Place rating: 5
Carpinteria, CA
Kyle was awesome
Great lunch and really enjoyed our meal.
Can’t wait to come back.
Great way to wrap up the year.
Easy parking. Great food!
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
Truly one of favorite places in all SB or Montecito. Sooo much better than Piatti was on its best day
Tried the avocado and goat cheese sandwich which I never had (or any sandwich) because said it was on focaccia.
This is a gross – but felicitous – misrepresentation
It’s just a single piece of thick, fresh multi-​grain bread piled high with golden (yellow) beets, an avocado purée (not sliced) and ample goat cheese. (Actually, maybe the goat cheese and avocado have been mixed).
It comes with a side salad dressed with sherry vinaigrette I would almost think of trying to make myself.
14 dollars.
I will try the other sandwiches now that I know the bread is normal (and since it’s open-​faced), you’re not eating that much bread anyway. You can sub fries for salad if you’re not feeling virtuous.
My new favorite sandwich!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
The service here is amazing. We come to SB to see family and this has become a tradition. The servers are always amazing, and the food is great. I LOVE the Farmers Market Vegetable Barley Risotto. I’d never had risotto before, but this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Absolutely delicious. Bread rolls are amazing as well.
They have indoor seating and also a heated patio in the back.
Place rating: 4
Kailua, HI
Best crème brûlée I’ve found in So Cal.
It’s my standby and go to dessert every time I’m there.
Nice out door seating and staff are friendly.
Prices are reasonable for the area.
I typically grab a couple of Crème brûlée to go on my way to the office in the morning.