Dining

Item Description

When husband-wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello opened Olio e Limone Ristorante in November, 1999, their goal was simple - rely on the integrity of the ingredients and the quality of the preparation to offer Santa Barbara creative, authentic Italian cuisine served in an inviting atmosphere.

Chef Alberto Morello, a native of Sicily, grew up with a passion for cooking and began working in restaurants at an early age. At 18, he left Sicily to cook at the Excelsior Hotel in Florence. He then went to Cambridge to learn English and broaden his culinary repertoire. Next he came to California and met Elaine Andersen (a U.C.S.B. alumna and former Santa Barbara resident) at Celestino Ristorante in Beverly Hills, where they both worked and further honed their restaurant skills. Next stop for the couple was Orange County, where Alberto was Executive Chef at Prego Ristorante, Irvine, for eight years while Elaine focused on event planning, catering, fundraising and financial reporting for Prego’s parent company, Spectrum Foods, Inc. Settled in Santa Barbara since 1999, the Morello’s are raising a talented thirteen-year-old son and are the proud owners of two thriving restaurants.They were excited to announce the opening of their casual concept in Summer 2010—Santa Barbara’s original authentic, artisanal Italian pizzeria-enoteca “Olio Pizzeria”—in the space they recently renovated next door.

Olio e Limone is a place where each guest is a “V.I.P.”, where European hospitality and reverence for quality food and convivial dining reign supreme. The menu features dishes from all over Italy, but you’ll also be treated to some touches of Sicily. Be sure to try one of their fabulous quail dishes; Quaglie in Insalata (marinated, grilled quail over mixed greens, walnuts and gorgonzola cheese), Pappardelle al Sugo di Quaglie e Funghi (wide ribbon pasta with quail, sausage and mushroom ragù). You will be transported. The delicate antipasto Timballo di Melanzane (eggplant soufflé in a tomato-basil sauce) will delight your senses, as will the Fiorellini di Melanzane (ravioli filled with roasted eggplant and goat cheese with fresh tomato sauce). Other signature dishes include Fettuccine con Spugnole e Asparagi (ribbon pasta, morel mushrooms and asparagus with cream) and Pesce Spada con Caponata (breaded swordfish with Sicilian ratatouille). You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the Morello’s award-winning wine list, featuring an extensive selection of Italian and local wines. Their glass-enclosed wine cellar is the focal point of the dining room.

For more information and the menu, please visit http://oliocucina.com/.

Valid toward food and beverage up to $75 in value. Expires 11/1/2019. Valid during lunch and dinner, provided not during restricted peek periods - Friday and Saturday dinner with arrival time between the hours of 6:30 and 8:15pm or any peek holiday periods. Redeemable at Olio e Limone restaurant, Olio Crudo Bar and Olio Pizzeria Santa Barbara. valid only with proprietor authorization stamp in blue. No partial balance redemption. May not be redeemed for cash or used for gratuities. Staff gratuities must be calculated on entire check value.

Gift certificate may be picked up at the Malden YMCA or mailed to the winner.

The Malden YMCA will mail any letter/package up to the USPS base rate of $6.65. The Malden YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen property once it leaves the building.