2011 Participating Restaurants for Santa Cruz Restaurant Week
Aquarius
175 W Cliff Dr
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5438
(831) 460-5012
Offering panoramic oceanfront dining with views of Cowell’s Beach and the Boardwalk, Aquarius is truly a “window box on the sea.” Chef Ross McKee’s American cuisine is inspired by fresh and local produce and complemented by a regional wine list. Aquarius is a proud supporter of Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, promoting sustainable seafood and clean oceans. The casually elegant, cool and modern interior is the perfect place to watch surfers by day and enjoy romantic sunset and moonrise views at night. Handcrafted cocktails, beer and regional wines are available all day in the stylish adjacent lounge.
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Casablanca
101 Main Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 426-9063
*Closed Tuesdays
Under the new ownership of Whitney Belvin and Charles Cheatham—local restaurateurs who also own the successful Tyrolean Inn—the romantic hillside complex boasts a menu to match its view. Chef Job Carder brings a network of local, organic purveyors and a passion for French and Mediterranean stylings to his new gig. Casablanca specialties include seasonal salads and small plates featuring housemade pastas, seafood salads and house-made fries served with truffle oil and Japanese furikake shake. Braised short ribs, P.E.I. mussels and pan-seared local albacore top an entrée list that includes autumn dishes such as lamb ragout and Liberty duck confit. Roasted vegetables of the season, and inventive side dishes of locally-sourced grains, herbs and peppers keep this new menu exciting.
Clouds
110 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-2000
The easy-access location, welcoming atmosphere and lively cocktail scene have earned Clouds its pride of place in the downtown Santa Cruz hospitality landscape. From California cuisine to Asian fusion, the sky’s the limit at Clouds. Popular lunch and dinner specialties range from seared ahi and crab cake appetizers to entrees of grilled salmon and macadamia nut-encrusted mahi mahi. Patrons are pampered with side dishes of classic comfort food, and the martini variations are endless.
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Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 476-4560
A must-see waterfront meeting place, Crow’s Nest delivers unique coastal attitude and a lively menu of fresh seafood, aged beef and decadent pastas along with one of the top cocktail scenes in the area. The views of Monterey across the bay are especially romantic from the upstairs Breakwater Bar & Grill, a top spot for drinks with appetizers or hearty lunches throughout the week.
Davenport Road House
1 Davenport Ave
Davenport, CA 95017
(831) 426-8801
*Closed Mondays
At an historic corner of Highway One and the seaside village of Davenport, the Roadhouse has long been a beacon for travelers and locals alike. Armed with soothing ocean views and a rustic interior, the restaurant offers seasonal specialties of California fusion cuisine ranging from wood-grilled salmon and crab cake sandwiches to duck confit spring rolls and handmade tamales. All of these go nicely with cocktails in front of the stone fireplace.
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-5051
*Closed Sundays
Housed in a chic turn-of-the-century renovation, this bar with a dinner house attached specializes in a young cocktail scene and attractive appetizers. From blood orange mimosas to definitive daiquiris, the mixed drinks are generous, stylish and custom-made, often from artisanal ingredients. The small balcony offers great people-watching on warm evenings, and the downstairs bar area is an oasis of couches and living room ambience. Named for its address – 515 Cedar Street — it has become a word-of-mouth destination.
Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 457-1677
The adventurous menu at this charming boutique cafe showcases the freshest locally sourced organic and free-range items composed in beautiful dishes accented with seasoned oils, herbs and brilliantly flavored aiolis. A top destination for intense flavors, intriguing flavor pairings and a solid listing of local wines. Specialty charcuterie, seafood pastas and slow-roasted meats reinforce Gabriella’s stellar reputation.
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 426-7770
The name of the game at this long-time Santa Cruz favorite is meat —steaks, ribs, chops, and burgers — prepared to order with two-fisted flair and all the trimmings. Seafoods and free-range poultry also receive careful preparation, matched by a full line-up of top wines, beers and cocktails. The Hindquarter lounge has hosted happy hours for decades at this centrally-located downtown meeting spot. Definitive American cuisine served with pride.
The Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1802
(831) 459-9177
*Closed Sundays & Mondays
High atop the fairways of the historic Pasatiempo Golf Club, this landmark dining room offers new American culinary ideas in a setting graced with jaw-dropping views of the entire Monterey Bay. Retaining a 1930s elegance infused with warm service, Hollins House belongs on the short list for out-of-towners, as well as date night dining. The creative tapas menu pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s cellar of top California wines.
Johnny’s Harborside
493 Lake Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3938
(831) 479.3430
A casual dining room with a wraparound view of the atmospheric Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, Johnny’s Harborside specializes in fresh fish, friendly service and lots of user-friendly choices. Seafoods are cooked to order—blackened, broiled or sautéed—and served with a choice of regional sauces and side dish combinations. Affordable and lively, the menu caters to every seafood taste while providing plenty of non-seafood specialties. The cocktails, not to mention the decadent bread pudding, attract a local following.
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La Posta
538 Seabright Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 457-2782
*Closed Mondays
Italian wines, artisanally prepared dinners and vivacious vibes make La Posta a neighborhood hangout with unpretentious Mediterranean attitude. Pizzas and antipasti soak up the seasonal produce from local markets, and handmade pastas can arrive adorned with rich Bolognese sauce, Dungeness crab or housemade pancetta. Roasted branzino with baby fennel and crispy-skin duck breast are among the specialties.
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Laili
101 Cooper Street
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 423-4545
Specializing in contemporary preparations of Afghan cuisine, Laili makes good on its promise to showcase the flavors of the Silk Road with flair. Tender chicken kabobs, mantoo dumplings with aromatic meat fillings and expertly prepared lamb are accented with the perfumed herbs and spices of South Asia: cardamom, saffron, fennel, mint. The stylish interior blends Eastern opulence with a modern esthetic for a uniquely beautiful dining experience.
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Linwood’s at Chaminade Resort
1 Chaminade Lane
Santa Cruz, California 95065
(831) 475-5600
Amazing views and full service hospitality are only a few of the specialties at Linwood’s. Housed within the tastefully appointed Chaminade complex, the restaurant features locally grown organic ingredients and well-made California cuisine. The fireplace seating is elegant and cozy, but in warm weather the spacious terrace is the prime al fresco attraction. Tenderloins with mango glaze, local black cod with Mediterranean relish and spicy thin-crust pizzettas make perfect partners for fine local wines and bracing after-dinner espresso.
Michael’s on Main
2591 Main Street
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 479-9777
*Closed Mondays
More than simply a friendly neighborhood scene, Michael’s is a haven of food, drink and relaxation. Dinner is served in intimate nooks, on the romantic outdoor deck or by the cozy fireplace. Enjoy cocktails and live jazz in the popular bar or host a family party for dinner in the spacious main seating area. Chef Michael Clark’s menu finesses fresh seasonal produce from local orchards and fields and showcases regionally spiced seafood and steak entrees.
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Nuevo Southwest Grill
21490 East Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-4841
(831) 475-2233
*Closed Mondays
A family-run restaurant with a loyal neighborhood following, Nuevo Southwest Grill serves up steaming platters of classic Mexican fare showcasing bold but thoughtful flavor and spice combinations. The menu also offers intriguing Mexican takes on American favorites like pork ribs with tamarind sauce and seafood risotto.
Oak Tree Ristorante
5447 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018-9602
(831) 335-5551
Sheltered by a vintage giant oak, this mountain dining room offers a full roster of Italian specialties to enjoy on the shaded grounds or inside the cozy, wood-lined main dining room. Chef Sebastian Nobile creates inviting blends of Mediterranean and Pacific Rim entrees and accents well matched by the house listing of locally made wines.
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Red Restaurant and Bar
1003 Cedar St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3803
(831) 425-1913
Housed upstairs in the vintage Santa Cruz Hotel, Red sports sensuous bordello décor that might have pleased both Janis Joplin and Lord Byron. The very lively after-hours scene showcases cocktails, fine wines and a huge listing of imported beers. Pizzetas and pastas add entrée depth to a menu long on spicy bar food, tapas and crowd-pleasing appetizers. A fixture on weekend pub crawls, Red makes a sensuous invitation to its legions of fans.
Riva
31 Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-1223
In addition to seafood salads, crispy calamari, chowders and seafood pastas, the weekly specials at this classic beach town diner include cracked crab, skewers of prawns and grilled salmon. Fresh fish, unpretentious décor and spectacular views from a perch on the wharf all add up to an only-in-Santa Cruz dining experience.
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Sandabs
11 Camp Evers Ln
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 430-0657
*Closed Mondays
Tucked behind this prime corner of downtown Scotts Valley, Sandabs specializes in fresh seafood from local and worldwide sources. The tapas and wine bar serves up small plates smartly planned to join glasses of top local wines. Black mussels in rosemary broth or chili and ginger-spiced crab wontons start things off and lead naturally to salads of seared ahi and entrees of, yes, lightly-breaded sandab filets from the Monterey Bay. Casual, fun and full of fine fish.
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Sanderling’s
Seascape Beach Resort on Monterey Bay
One Seascape Resort Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 662-7120
The ocean view provides a soothing backdrop to the contemporary restaurant at the Seascape Beach Resort. California cuisine is given an exciting showcase of possibilities in a menu stocked with fresh local produce, sensuous seafoods and a creative selection of pastas. White linens, visually appealing presentation, and a comprehensive listing of the best in locally made wines make Sanderlings a consistently acclaimed destination for relaxed dining.
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Stockton Bridge Grille
231 Esplanade # 112
Capitola, CA 95010-3249
(831) 464-1933
*Closed Sundays
From its perch overlooking Soquel Creek and the Capitola beach, Stockton Bridge Grill serves up classic California cuisine with big flavors and lots of sass. Think cioppino, spiced lamb chops, duck egg rolls, baby back ribs with Asian slaw and the popular jack-and-bacon-wrapped prawns. The option to eat indoors or outside on the deck makes it a natural tourist destination and a favorite of locals in the know.
Soif
105 Walnut Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2020
A sophisticated base camp for aficionados of intriguing wines and innovative fresh cuisine, Soif pours vintage intrigue to match its inquiring culinary attitude. Piquant appetizers of seasonal delicacies keep pace with an abundance of varietals. Red and white flights change weekly, with over 40 wines by the glass from grand cru to esoteric discoveries. The resident retail shop offers estate depth, diversity and sommelier expertise.
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The Point Chophouse & Lounge
3326 Portola Dr
Santa Cruz, California 95062
(831) 476-2733
Holding down the cozy end of Pleasure Point for the past 30 years, The Point Chophouse (formerly Portola House) remains famed as a gathering spot for robust steaks, well-made cocktails and friendly service. The spacious crimson booths make for wraparound ambiance, a perfect spot to unwind over fried calamari, juicy onion rings or a bowl of old-fashioned clam chowder. From omelet breakfasts and endless burger combos for lunch to classic Caesar salad and New York steak dinners, The Point Chophouse pleases its neighborhood regulars as well as out-of-town visitors.
Tyrolean Inn
9600 California 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9201
(831) 336-5188
*Closed Mondays
Far up the winding San Lorenzo Valley, under the redwoods and a world away (and yet only 15 miles outside of Santa Cruz), the Tyrolean Inn beckons. A menu deeply rooted in Bavarian tradition offers classic sausages, pork and veal, housemade noodles, tangy cabbage dishes and positively outstanding apple strudel. On cold nights its cozy Old World interior warms the soul every bit as nicely as the schnitzel and sauerbraten on the menu, but on warm summer evenings the place to be is the beer garden, an enclosed porch where accordion music reigns supreme and large groups gather at long tables for noisy, good-natured celebrations. With full bar.