A New Farm-Driven Restaurant Is Coming to Montecito This Spring

A new restaurant is set to make its debut in Montecito this spring, moving into the longtime dining address at 1198 Coast Village Road.

Monte’s, a farm-focused restaurant, is set to open in this March at the former location of Bar Lou.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monte’s is designed as a casual, community-driven restaurant with a menu focused on ingredients sourced from Rincon Hill Farm. The restaurant will also source from surrounding coastal regions, according to Siteline.

The restaurant is being brought to Montecito by Endwell Hospitality,

In a company description included in an Endwell Hospitality LinkedIn job posting, Monte’s is described as a casual, community-driven restaurant focused on sourcing produce from Rincon Hill Farm and the Central California Coast, with a farm-driven menu that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, bold flavors, and an unfussy approach to cooking.

The dining space has hosted several well-known restaurants over the years, including Oliver’s and Peabody’s, making it a familiar location for both locals and visitors. Monte is now set to move in as the incoming tenant, according to the Restaurant Guy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Operations at Monte’s will be led by Executive Chef Daniel Kim. He previously served as Executive Sous Chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood, Executive Chef at Hibi in Los Angeles, and worked at Providence in Los Angeles and Le Cirque in Las Vegas, according to an Instagram post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chef Kim is expected to bring elements of California-Korean influence into the menu, adding another layer of depth to the restaurant’s farm-first approach.

Rincon Hill Farm is central to Monte’s concept, as the nearby farm is rooted in regenerative agriculture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monte’s is set to open at 1198 Coast Village Road, the former home of Bar Lou, which announced on Instagram that it would permanently close after just over a year of operation.

Bar Lou’s final day of service was December 19, 2025, though the restaurant did not disclose a reason for the closure. Opened in November 2024, Bar Lou had become a familiar spot for locals and visitors in Montecito during its short run.