Misty Orman & Brandon Ristaino
Misty Orman and Brandon Ristaino, co-founders, Good Lion Hospitality
Homebase: Santa Barbara
How did your love story begin? Brandon: We met in a restaurant bar that I was both managing and bartending at. Misty was a regular Sunday guest, and I was working on an appropriate way to get her phone number or ask her out, while trying to remain professional.
Favorite thing about one another: Brandon: There are many things I love about Misty, but I really enjoy her capacity to feel lots of love, and exhibit empathy and kindness for people. I also really love Misty’s passion for food, drink and travel.
Misty: My favorite thing about Brandon is his passion for travel and curating the most magical experiences. He plans the best meals, bars, hikes and we love getting lost in a new city and going exploring together!
Favorite date night: We are lucky in that we’ve had many great date nights in our years together. Our favorites usually involve a dreamy location, great food and great drink. If I had to choose just one, I’d choose a visit to an agrotourism in Barga (northwest Tuscany). We hiked a few hours through the rain in a fantastical forest in the mid valley of the Serchio River. We happened upon the agrotourism high up in the mountains, and shared a simple but delicious meal of roasted river trout and potatoes, house-raised and -cured charcuterie, local cheese and chestnut beer while overlooking the valley. We were by ourselves, and it was magical.
Favorite tradition you have as a couple: If you haven’t guessed already, it surrounds food and drink. We subscribe to a local CSF (community supported fishery) and receive delicious, fresh and sustainably caught seafood weekly. The fish, whatever it may be, ends up being the focal point of a home-cooked meal and wine pairing. It’s a great mid-week home date night.
What does your happily ever after look like? We aspire to live part-time in Northern Spain or Northern Italy. A combination of living abroad for a portion of the year, and living in our amazing home town of Santa Barbara would be happily ever after for us.