Pascucci Italian Restaurant Finds New Home on State Street

Release Date: February 27,2020

Pascucci Italian restaurant has moved to 509 State St. in Santa Barbara after more than 25 years in Paseo Nuevo. (Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo)

By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @JECMolina | February 27, 2020 | 9:10 p.m.

One of Santa Barbara's most popular Italian restaurants has a new home on State Street. 

Pascucci has moved to 509 State St. after more than 25 years in Paseo Nuevo.

"We're really excited about the new location," owner Laura Knight said. "It's a very vibrant block. Everything is kind of moving closer to the beach, and shopping trends have changed downtown. It's a good restaurant block."

Pascucci's is one of the most long-lasting and durable restaurants in Santa Barbara and along the South Coast.

Knight grew up in Santa Barbara, and she said her first job in high school was working in Piccadily Square, the site of the current Paseo Nuevo. 

She has seen State Street change over the years, and she said she's impressed with how many entrepreneurs are now sharing spaces because it allows them to share rents.

Knight urges more people to come downtown and experience how the street is changing.

"It's a beautiful downtown," Knight said. "The whole experience of shopping and going downtown, hopefully that's not lost and people will still come downtown and enjoy. We've got theaters, we've got museums, we've got so much going on down here."

As for Pascucci's, Knight said she is excited about the reopening, and she recommended the chicken piccata.

"I never get tired of it," she said. 

The restaurant also serves seven flavors of McConnell's ice cream.