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Arnoldi’s Cafe in Santa Barbara has temporarily closed after one of the restaurant’s owners, David Peri, passed away last week.
The remaining business owners who ran the restaurant for the past 22 years (Jim and Dede Nonn, Kitty Peri, and Carol Smagala) will be stepping away from the business. “[They] have so much gratitude for being a part of the historical and legendary institution that has brought so many people memories since the 1940s,” the restaurant stated in a social media post.
One of the oldest restaurants in Santa Barbara, Arnoldi’s Cafe was founded by Giuseppe and Ilda Arnold in 1937, at 421 East Cota Street. In 1940, Giuseppe (Joe) quarried local stone and built the present restaurant at 600 Olive Street where it stands today.
“Being a part of the history and the tradition of the cafe including countless plates of pasta coming out of the kitchen, the chatter of teams on the bocce court, and special moments – rehearsal dinners, graduations, weddings, birthdays or just a Friday night dinner – has meant so much to us,” the restaurant stated.
Visitors will remember the restaurant’s mural that depicts Lake Como in Italy and Bucky, the Tule Elk, overlooking the bar. Bucky joined the restaurant in 1958 following Joe’s hunting trip to Colorado.
“We want to thank our incredible staff, our valued customers and the community of Santa Barbara. We are confident the tradition will continue forward but for the time being while we transition to new beginnings, the cafe will be closed,” the restaurant stated.
On May 22, a member of the Arnoldi’s family posted an updated on social media regarding the status of the building.
“Arnoldi’s Cafe is NOT FOR SALE. When Arnoldi’s Cafe doors open again under new business management it will begin a new chapter of a Santa Barbara Historical Landmark,” wrote Jeanette Arnoldi.
Best local spot in SB. Very sad to hear of Mr. Peri’s passing and I hope that the restaurant can continue on and see the folks there employed doing what they do so well.
RIP to Mr. Peri and condolances to his family and friends… I hope Arnoldi’s survives this. This restaurant-bar and building are icons in Santa Barbara (is it on a historical building list?). This is the 3rd traditional -local SB restaurant to close in the last month.
Arnoldi’s was a great restaurant back in the 70’s when the OG owners ran it. Great memories. After they sold it, not so good.
read the room…
I’ve eaten there probably three times in the last three months–every meal was excellent as was the service.
You should find a different way to waste your time than shitting on everything.
What a total bummer on so many levels. Many great memories from this old school institution!