Help Wilfredo & Tramonto Bistro Recover from Palisades Fire

For over 30 years, Wilfredo Barrera has been a cherished part of Malibu's culinary scene, starting at Malibu's Tra di Noi, then as a waiter at the locally loved Sage Room, attending culinary school, and hatching an American dream of owning a restaurant. "It was very tough, like looking at the moon. It seemed very far away." Decades later, in 2016, he took over Tramonto Bistro, serving Southern and Northern Italian cuisine and homemade ice cream, beloved by locals.

Just two years after opening Tramonto Bistro, the Woolsey Fire wreaked havoc on Malibu. Wilfredo’s unwavering commitment to the community shone through as he rallied his dedicated staff—many of whom have stood by him for decades—to deliver meals to first responders and checkpoint officers, all at no cost. His words resonate profoundly: “Tramonto is everything to me.”

The arrival of COVID-19 shuttered restaurants in Malibu and across the country. Wilfredo pivoted again, figuring out how to deliver food in a contactless way and even providing it free for two Malibu families every week.

Now, with the Palisades Fire creating new challenges, Tramonto Bistro faces grave uncertainty. The closure of Pacific Coast Highway in front of his restaurant has persisted for five weeks, with no signs of reopening. Wilfredo has been without electricity or gas, leaving him in a precarious position. Tragically, 50-60% of his loyal customers have lost their homes.

In a town facing such adversity, we urge you to unite in support of Tramonto Bistro. We ask that you consider donating the cost of a dinner you might have enjoyed there under different circumstances. By standing together, we can help preserve this cherished restaurant and ensure Wilfredo's dream continues to thrive. Your generosity could make a significant difference in their fight to rebound from this disaster.

My name is Dr. Kevin Steele. I have lived in the Malibu area since arriving as a student at Pepperdine in 1978. I met Wilfredo back when he was starting out at Tra di Noi. I have been a proud and fiercely loyal customer of Tramonto Bistro for years, recommending it to anyone and everyone who is in Malibu. These funds will be directly transferred to Wilfredo's account for Tramonto Bistro to help them weather this tragedy so that they can bring Tramonto back to Malibu. Wilfredo has done so much for Malibu and I want to help. I hope you will.

Thank you for your support—every contribution counts!