The first of three new dining experiences coming to Montecito Inn (1295 Coast Village Rd.) this fall from the renowned Scratch Restaurant team is Frankland’s Crab & Co., a modern-day casual seafood shack inspired by chef Phillip Frankland Lee’s childhood memories of good times with loved ones accompanied by seaside meals of lobster rolls, peel-and-eat shrimp and clam chowder.
The menu focuses on fresh catches (sold by weight) like chilled white gulf prawns, wild-caught king crab legs or Maine lobster—whipped with remoulade and spiked with pickles and celery salt—served in a house-baked buttery brioche roll or simply over lettuce.
Standout fish & chips features a flavorful filet of wild-caught branzino battered in Scrimshaw brew, while “Chowda” is an intense stock made from a variety of shellfish, teeming with jewels like house-cured bacon, crab, lobster and prawn. Riffs on other classics include freshly shucked fried oysters & clams and Mary’s fried chicken roll topped with a tangy Giardiniera. Corn on the cob is brushed with lobster butter (freshly churned butter drawn and steeped with lobster shells). Try a Margarita’s homemade ice cream sandwich for dessert. Yum!
Originally published in the Fall 2017 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.