1024 Coast Village Road
805.869.6477
almamontecito.com
What's in a Name
Alma translates as soul and suggests heart, as well. Fina means fine and refers to quality and care, while fondas are small family-run restaurants in Mexico serving homemade food. Here, they add up to sophisticated, soulful Mexican food in SB.
Ceviche Done Differently
Velazquez uses citrus not to “cook” his ceviche, but to “express marinate” it as it's done in Peru and Japan. He cleans sushi-grade fish and air-dries it very cold overnight. The bones become broth for other dishes.
Menu Mix
The menu includes soups, sushi-grade fish crudo and oyster, steaks cooked carne asada style, fish specials, chicharrones (pork belly slowly braised with sugar, salt, and star anise, then pan seared to a crispy finish) and, of course, tacos.
"Bright" Bites
“Presentation and ingredients are our thing,” Velasquez says. “We aim for fresh, unique, bright colors and flavors on the plate. That’s the heart and soul we put into our food every day.”
Amazing Maize
Dishes in the “maize” section of the menu feature organic, non-GMO corn from Mexico. Huaraches, sopes, quesadillas, and tacos are paired with local farmers market ingredients.
Baja Wines
In keeping with its theme, Alma Fonda Fina will serve wines primarily from Baja, as well as from Spain, Portugal, South America and beyond.
