Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, February 23, 2019

8

FOOD & DRINK

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 23, 2019 


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


SANTA BARBARA ROAD TRIP 

There is a popular adage "if it was easy, everyone would 
be doing it", so my visit to Lucky’s a white table cloth 
restaurant in Montecito seemed a simple enough task. 
Lucky’s is clear in their mission: steaks, chops, and 
seafood. Located on Coast Village Road in Montecito, 
the space has seen its fair share of businesses since it 
was built in 1926. Not all were restaurants - this writer 
wasn’t present for the Pink Squirrel in the 50’s (and is 
still not convinced that the owner actually had a pink 
squirrel, but that is for another day), Irelands in the 60’s, 
and a few others after that. By the late 90’s the building 
had seen better days and area residents thought the 
location had just plain run out of luck. As luck would 
have it, however, a few Montecito residents gave the 
building a makeover, and Lucky’s was born as Montecito’s 
clubhouse - a home away from home complete with 
a patio, bar and dining area. I have often thought that 
fine dining is a dying breed, but Lucky’s has restored 
my faith.

The menu lists wonderful aged prime steaks featuring 
a 24-ounce porterhouse steak and 18 oz bone-in 
rib chop - for me, the meat closest to the bone is my 
favorite. A closer look at the nightly specials reveals 
comfort food that you will appreciate as much I do, like 
Thursday's Market Street Meatloaf, created and introduced 
to Lucky’s by GM and Chef Leonard Schwartz. 
Mr. Schwartz has been at Lucky’s for eight years, with 
22 years in the restaurant business prior to that, and has 
brilliantly brought some of his favorite dishes to Montecito. 
Besides the meatloaf, consider the chili with just 
the right amount of beans for texture (I suggest having 
the cheese and onions on the side).

On my last visit, I sat at the bar , and had the calamari appetizer with a burger. I don’t eat burgers that often, but 
when I do I want something special, and Lucky's offers an eight-ounce burger made with meats from the kitchen, 
and the fries are all house-made (if you follow my column, you know I'm a stickler for fresh French fries!). Of 
course, there are many popular salads on the menu including the house favorite "Lucky's Salad", and an iceberg 
wedge that is almost a meal in itself. The wine list has many California offerings, including wines from Santa 
Barbara, Paso Robles and Napa - with more than 25 wines by the glass, there's something for every taste. With 
so many items on the menu, my suggestion is to come with a friend and share. Lucky’s 1279 Coast Village Rd. 
Montecito (805)565-7540

Peter Dills hosts a local radio show every Sunday 8 AM 105 FM GO Country 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com