I once had to sing for my supper. It was October, hence Oktoberfest, and we were eating at Brummis. Co-owner Veronika Brumm insisted everyone in the restaurant sing, and with her infectious enthusiasm we all soon were, in German-even me, a person who ranks public singing with unfortunate events like vasectomy via Weedwhacker or seeing a Twilight movie. Yet, like the food, it was good.
But that’s all par for the course at Brummis, as I learned when I sat down one morning prior to lunch service with Veronika and her daughter, Manuela (or Ela), to discuss their restaurant, open since July 2008. “There are 106 reviews of the restaurant on Santa Barbara dining,” Ela claimed, “and they all say it’s [Veronika’s] hospitality, her personality that makes the place. It’s all about great food with a great server: and mom’s the server.”
Veronika piped in, “Thank you, Daughter.” And Ela replied, “Yes, Momma.”