Perched over the Pacific in Montecito, California, Caruso’s is the fine-dining restaurant of Rosewood Miramar Beach. Here, you’ll find elevated Southern Italian fare served in a Rat Pack-style club setting, including waiters clad in white tux jackets and black bow ties.
Named after the owner of the hotel, Rick Caruso, the venue emulates an ultra-luxe yacht with its décor: navy leather booths, high-gloss blue panels, boat deck flooring and plenty of sailor-white accents. Sea breezes flow freely through the open-air dining room, though there are plenty of heaters to keep you cozy on chilly nights.
Created by chef Massimo Falsini, the menu is a lovely mix of rich Italian and Americana favorites (think bolognese ragu, and steak and spuds) and lighter, health-conscious dishes to appease the SoCal crowd.
Whether you’re searching for an artfully plated multi-course meal or just a Roman-style pizza and glass of red, dining at Caruso’s is best paired with stunning SoCal ocean views.
- You can’t beat Caruso’s location. Enjoying a meal alfresco with crashing waves as your scenery and soundtrack cannot be topped.
- Premium ingredients are priority here, from the farmer’s-market-fresh produce to the Snake River Gold waygu beef.
- Unexpected for an Italian restaurant, Caruso’s takes care of its vegan and vegetarian patrons. There’s an entire menu dedicated to plant-based appetizers and entrées.
- For a more casual dining experience, the bar and lounge area serves a pared-down yet impressive greatest-hits menu, with selections ranging from carpaccio to cioppino.
- There’s a three-part negroni: a pre-, during and post-dinner cocktail. Each drink is a different riff on the Italian classic made with tableside flair.
- Opened in March 2019, Caruso’s is quickly becoming Montecito’s see-and-be-seen hot spot. Be sure to reserve your seat at least a week in advance, especially if you want a patio table with unobstructed sunset views.
- Outdoor seating gets toasty with heaters overhead and nearby — no need to bring layers to stay warm throughout dinner.
- Unique for a beachside Southern California restaurant, Caruso’s adheres to a strict resort formal dress code. It’s best to leave the jeans and nightclub attire at home.
- Rosewood Miramar Beach’s signature restaurant is somewhat hidden. From the lobby, walk in the direction of the ocean, cross the train tracks and look for the descending stairs to your right, or take the elevator to the first floor and turn right.
- With a career in esteemed restaurants like Napa’s Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Solbar, chef Massimo ensures each dish is work of art unto itself. Standouts include the hand-pulled burrata and artichoke appetizer, lamb pappardelle, and wagyu New York strip with foraged mushrooms.
- Although it is a fine-dining Santa Barbara restaurant, Caruso’s stone-baked ancient Roman pinsas (similar to thin-crust pizzas) are guest favorites. While the dough is not exactly gluten-free, the crunchy crust is made with less wheat than most pies, favoring rice and soy instead.
- If you prefer your sweets to have a little kick, splurge for the owner’s favorite end to a meal: a chocolate-toffee budino (pudding) laced with Johnnie Walker Blue.
- With one sip, you’ll be transported to Rome, Milan or Venice. The cocktail menu at the Montecito restaurant is composed of primarily Italian-inspired libations, such as spritzes and negronis.
- Not interested in imbibing? Look for the “zero proof” section of the menu for designer mocktails.
- The wine list is made up of predominately California and Italian varietals. This is a solid list of well-known, reliable pours.
Bar
Brunch
Business casual
Dinner
Gluten-free options
Kid friendly
Outdoor seating
Reservations recommended 
Self-parking
Valet parking
Vegetarian options
