Lunch at Mollie’s

If you are a regular reader of Montecito Journal, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that Trattoria Mollie is just about my favorite restaurant. And, there are at least three solid reasons for such devotion: 1) Mollie’s lasagna, featuring her hand-made pasta and a delicate cream-based tomato sauce reigns supreme; 2) Spaghetti with turkey meatballs (and raisins) is a little spicy but oh-so-good; and 3) her house-made panna cotta is a world beater. 

Mollie has been cooking in Santa Barbara for more than 25 years, 22 of those years right here at 1250 Coast Village Road. She’s up some steps and somewhat hidden from view, but the elegant interior, inviting patio, and secluded private dining room have real appeal. And now, I am happy to report, Mollie’s has even more to offer: a bevy of lunch specials six days a week, and a special Thanksgiving meal.

Let’s start with the lunch specials. Mollie is competing with a slew of other eateries for the lunchtime crowd, so she has gone all-out to make some simple but tasty and tempting $15 combinations, calling it her Business Express Lunch. If you are in business and want to impress a client without breaking the bank, this should be your first option. Lunch specials include: homemade butternut squash ravioli with arugula and a walnut salad; rigatoni with tomato sauce and a Caesar salad; Fusilli with vegetables and tomato sauce and a mixed green salad; Minestrone soup with a Caesar salad; spicy penne pasta with a chicken Caesar salad; fettuccine Bolognese with mixed green salad; fettuccine with peas, mushrooms, prosciutto, and a mixed green salad. All come served with iced tea or soda, and all for just $15 (plus tax and tip). Lunch is from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. 

Thanksgiving Day

She’s offering a $65-per-person meal that includes Italian-inspired roasted organic free-range turkey with stuffing, assorted vegetables, garlic, apple walnut, pancetta, sausage, and bread. Side dishes include creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and more. Dessert is freshly made apple pie (as only Mollie can do) and freshly made gelato.

Another way to enjoy this special day is to order an entire turkey (15 pounds, I believe) cooked and prepared with all the trimmings and stuffing for $225. Just order and pick it up, hot and ready to eat.

My wife, Helen, is French and always cooks for our extended family, so we won’t be there, but if it weren’t for our tradition, we’d easily choose a Thanksgiving dinner with Mollie. I don’t know how many seats she still has, but you are invited to call her at (805) 565-9381 to make your reservation.