Montecito’s “Second Living Room” Turns 25

Photos by David Mendoza III

Hello loves! I am certain by now you’ve read all about it in Women’s Wear Daily, the Hollywood press, and – yes – Rolling Stone Magazine. And now, yours truly brings you into a scene both luminous and joyous – Lucky’s 25th Anniversary soirée held on Sunday, March 8. 

We entered Lucky’s Steakhouse on Coast Village Road via red carpet, four Hollywood Klieg lights brilliantly sweeping the bejeweled night sky above us. Following check-in, servers greeted us with champagne, and on entering we saw the regular dining tables had been cleared away to make of our communally beloved haven a cozy open floor plan, where happily dazzled guests could mingle while enjoying cocktails, wine, and a tequila bar of Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal. Gorgeous circulating hors d’oeuvres were miniatures of those knockout Lucky’s menu items for which the place is justly celebrated – from filet bites in black pepper sauce to honey crusted chicken. The back restaurant area provided high top tables delicately bathed in soft candlelight and bursting with fragrant sprays of fresh white roses. The full bar was open and the live jazz combo kept spirits high.

The private, invite-only affair saw two seatings, one from 5 to 7 pm and the second seating at 8pm till… well, let’s just say we went with the flow! The first seating had the celebrity regulars – Kevin Costner engaged in serious a tête-à-tête with Carol Burnett and husband Brian Miller; Larry David, who graciously did not Curb His Enthusiasm at having his photo snapped (despite having declined the request some 30 minutes before); Michael J. Fox came with Christopher Lloyd; Michael Douglas; Fox NFL announcer Curt Menefee; Heidi Blair Montag Pratt in glittering cocktail attire with husband Spencer Pratt; Dennis Miller with wife Carolyn Espley; Matt Sorum, the former drummer for Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver alongside his fashion designer/singer wife Ace Harper; Alan Thicke’s love Tanya Callau. Also present – the Lucky’s Steakhouse happy trio of founding titans – owner Gene Montesano with son Gianni Montesano; owner Jim Argyropoulos; and owner Herb Simon with his daughter Sarah Meyer Simon, aka the Butcher’s Daughter who manages Lucky’s NYC; Montecito general manager Larry Nobles; Lucky’s Steakhouse Soho NYC general manager Amanda Geller; Montecito managers Adrian Dominguez, Brett Sanderson and Sergio Alvarez; first waitress employee Brenda; hostesses/events managers Karen Schneider and Jennifer Brooks; and literal brothers in the kitchen Abraham and Hugo Alvarado. 

As the tide rolled out for the second seating, so did the triumvirate of owners, leaving the fittingly named Larry Nobles to gild the swinging affair with heartfelt public declarations [see my videos on MJ website]. Nobles, “Tonight we come together to celebrate a milestone of Lucky’s Steakhouse – a quarter of a century. We know people who had their first dates here, got married, had kids – we’ve seen bridal showers, baby showers, kids’ birthday parties, and then lots of marriage proposals to which the answer was “No!” [general laughter] To our incredible owners; your vision, your passion, and tireless dedication has been the foundation upon which this restaurant stands, as well as your knowledge, resilience, and investment in the restaurant and community it serves. “To our extraordinary staff—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are the lifeblood of Lucky’s. Your dedication, your hard work, and your commitment to excellence have made us who we are. Each day, you show up not just to work, but to create an experience for our guests that is full of warmth, care, and service. You’ve stood by us through economic challenges, fires, mudslides, and the pandemic that changed our world. And through it all, you have shown resilience and unwavering support. There is no way we would have made it to 25 years without each of you—your spirit, your professionalism, and your passion for what we do. You are the heart and soul of this place, and for that, we are forever grateful.” And now to all our wonderful guests, your loyalty and support mean the world to us. You’ve celebrated life’s most special moments here, shared laughter and made us a part of your lives, and returned for the food, community, connection, and warmth that Lucky’s represents. We are grateful for your having allowed us the honor of serving you for the past 25 years. Let us toast the past with gratitude, the present with appreciation, and the future with hope. Here’s to 25 more! And to close, I’m so looking forward to the memories of Right Now.”

With that, manager Brett Sanderson came forward with a bottle of champagne and two glasses for Nobles and himself. They toasted each other and then raised a communal glass with the evening’s smitten guests.

Local luminaries seen at the second seating were Jenna Jobst Reichental with husband Avi; Anne Smith Towbes; owners of Bread Basket Cake Company (#IFKYK) Gilbert and Paul Delagnes; Victoria Popoff and Brad Ardis; Deena and Gary Clevenger; Nosotros Tequila partner Andrew Veal serving their small batch agave elixir; realtor Whitney Parker with Keller Williams; Claire Del Prete; Amanda Geller; and Hannah Reed.