Jemma Montecito 

Last week it was quietly announced that a new restaurant called Jemma Montecito is in the works for the Las Aves complex near the Bird Refuge; the complex traded hands last year for $19M, selling to a Los Angeles-based investment group, the Runyon Group, which has big plans to revitalize the complex and bring in new tenants. 

Memento Mori Hospitality group is behind the new eatery, which successfully operates Jame, Ospi, and Jemma di Mare, all based in Los Angeles: El Segundo, Venice, and Brentwood, with another location coming to Hollywood. Founded by husband-and-wife team Jackson and Melissa Kalb, the restaurant group is known for upscale Italian food and elevated service with aesthetically pleasing ambiance and furnishings.

According to investor collateral, Jemma Montecito will feature the same beloved Italian cuisine as the couple’s other eateries, along with “imported picnic provisions” such as charcuterie, cheeses, sandwiches, prepackaged salads, and pantry items, available to-go. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will have a full bar. Menu items include appetizers such as meatballs, calamari, Brussels sprouts, and homemade garlic bread; first courses such as pasta, salads, and gyros, an array of pizzas, and classic second courses such as chicken and eggplant parmesan, branzino, shrimp scampi, and more. 

Jemma Montecito will also have an outdoor patio which will front Cabrillo Boulevard. It will be located at 1801 East Cabrillo Boulevard.

Visit www.mmh.co for more information.