Restaurant

A LITTLE HISTORY OF EMILIO'S

Emilio�s Ristorante is all about the enjoyment of great food. Michael De Paola, Emilio�s proprietor, had many influences to draw from when he opened the restaurant in 1990. At the age of 8, Michael�s grandmother, Maria De Paola, shared with him many of her traditional Italian recipes including bread. His uncle Carmine De Paola was a businessman and a great contractor who provided Michael with both a great business sense and a knack for design and construction. He also owned a traveling amusement show where, at an early age, Michael learned to drive large trucks with carnival rides, set up merry-go-rounds and make cotton candy.

In the 1970s, Michael lived in Boston where he had a pizza trailer that he took throughout New England. In 1979 Michael moved to Santa Barbara and opened Michael Anthony�s Pizzeria on State Street with cousin Anthony Caligiuri.

While Michael honeymooned in Italy with his new bride, Kim, a fire in the building next door to the pizzeria caused the building to be condemned and the idea for Emilio�s was born very quickly. Emilio�s is named after Michael�s father who helped to build the restaurant. Michael also thought his dad had a great restaurant name.

From the beginning Emilio�s mission statement has been to treat locals and visitors with respect and to provide an extraordinary dining experience in an elegant yet relaxed, family style atmosphere. The philosophy of respect runs deeply through the entire staff and comes out in the food and service.

Today, Executive Chef Pete Clements brings an international flavor to Emilio�s menu. Each dish leaves the kitchen as a beautiful work of art. On special occasions Emilio�s has hosted celebrity guest chefs including Todd English and Lidia Bastianch, both of whom have numerous restaurants throughout the country.