Ca’ Dario to Open on Coast Village Road

One of downtown Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurants is coming to Montecito in 2019; Ca’ Dario owner Dario Furlati has signed a lease to take over the space currently occupied by Giovanni’s at 1187 Coast Village Road. Property owner Hank Hurst confirmed the news, saying he is looking forward to having Dario, his team, and his Italian fare at Coast Village Plaza. 

Ca’ Dario recently expanded to multiple locations in the last year, opening two booths at the Santa Barbara Public Market that serve pizza and pasta, as well as Ca’ Dario Cucina Italiana in Goleta. “It was just a matter of time until we came to Montecito!” said Furlati earlier this week. 

His original flagship location, Ca’ Dario Ristorante on East Victoria Street, opened in 1997, after Furlati was involved in the opening of several Santa Barbara and Montecito restaurants, including serving as the executive chef at Pane e Vino in the upper village in the early 1990s. The nearby Ca’ Dario Pizzeria opened in 2014, offering a more casual atmosphere. The Montecito location will offer a selection of menu items from both the original restaurant and the pizzeria, similar in style to the Goleta location. 

Giovanni’s, which has been on Coast Village Road more than 30 years, decided not to renew their lease, which ends early next year. Furlati says he expects it will take several months for tenant improvements to be completed and hopes for a late spring opening. “It’s going to be great,” he said. 

Coast Village Plaza is located at 1187 Coast Village Road.