MONTECITO, Calif. — Little Mountain, a recently opened restaurant in Montecito’s Upper Village, offers a distinctive dining experience that blends refined culinary techniques with California’s abundant produce. Since its establishment last year by partners Graham Duncan, Eva Schreier, and Bryan Schreier, the restaurant has garnered attention for its thoughtful menu and intimate atmosphere.
Located within a renovated neighborhood space that once housed an Italian eatery, Little Mountain’s interior was designed by Andrew Cosbie, featuring salvaged redwood and small oil paintings. The ambiance reflects a subdued elegance, described by some as reminiscent of a restored Spanish colonial church, with a moody yet welcoming atmosphere.
Chile-born chef Diego Moya leads the kitchen, applying precise cooking methods that belie the rustic presentation of some dishes. Moya, who honed his skills in Paris and New York at establishments like Casa Mono and Racines, as well as running the vegetable-focused Hemlock in Manhattan, draws heavily on California’s diverse farmers’ markets to inform his culinary vision. His approach involves detailed preparation, such as separating meat and skin of the rainbow trout from Mount Lassen to cook each component optimally before recombining it with a smoky wild mushroom topping and a beurre blanc infused with various vinegars.
The menu at Little Mountain emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients, often incorporating lacto-fermented pickles made from Sungold tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, and sea lettuces. Plates commonly feature multiple layers of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flower petals, presenting varied textures and flavors within a single dish. Noteworthy items include a vibrant tomato salad dressed with passion fruit and brown butter, delicate kohlrabi served with Meyer lemon and salsa verde, and a creatively assembled dish of freshly shelled cocos beans paired with roasted squash and pickled onions, a subtle nod to the “three sisters” traditional dish and the region’s historical ties to Mexico.
Service at Little Mountain combines warmth with attentiveness, showing a fine-dining level of care without being intrusive. The à la carte menu offers both shared and individual portion options, and servers proactively suggest dish pairings, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The restaurant’s hospitality was notably demonstrated during an evening when a guest brought along her toddler. When the child became restless and eventually hurt her knee while playing outside, a server responded by bringing a small scoop of ice cream to comfort her, allowing the family to continue their meal with a sense of ease.
Little Mountain’s blend of considered cooking, thoughtful service, and a serene setting positions it as a distinctive spot amid Montecito’s dining scene, offering guests an experience that balances understated elegance with subtle creativity.