2012 Participating Restaurants for Santa Cruz Restaurant Week
Aquarius
175 W Cliff Dr
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(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 Brian Droseno’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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Cafe Mare
740 Front St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 458-1212
From the toe of Italy’s boot and the island of Sardinia, owners Jean Pierre Iuliano and Andrea Mura have served their authentic homeland cuisine to Santa Cruz patrons since 2002. Combining fresh, local organic ingredients with the spirit of Italian cooking and offering the perfect pairings of Italian and California wines, Café Mare seamlessly blends the wistful flavors of the Italian countryside with the comfort of home. Rich cheeses, seafood specialties and original pasta and pizza concoctions abound throughout the all house-made menu.
Casablanca Inn & Bistro
101 Main Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 426-9063
*Closed Tuesdays
Under the successful ownership of Chuck Cheatham—a local restaurateur who also own Ben Lomond’s Tyrolean Inn—the romantic hillside complex boasts a menu to match its view. Chef Tim Edmonds 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, artisan flat breads and locally sourced calamari with your choice of house made dipping sauces. Arctic char, hanger steak and halibut with jerusalem artichokes and shaved fennel stand out an entrée list that includes a grass-fed burger and a vegetarian tagine. Roasted vegetables of the season, and inventive side dishes of locally-sourced grains, herbs and peppers keep this new menu exciting.
Chocolate
1522 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 427-9900
The only participating restaurant with a menu featuring ten varieties of hot chocolates, this hotspot hidden in a sidewalk’s secret garden lives up to its name with rich mousse truffles and a long list of indulgent desserts. Luckily, Chocolate serves a wide array of equally enticing entrees, including baked pasta rosettes, specialty quiches and polenta, since Mom always said to finish dinner before satisfying that sweet tooth. Owner and chef David Jackman remains committed to using local ingredients and bringing chocolate in all of its many forms to downtown Santa Cruz.
Cilantro’s
1934 Main Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 761-2161
Sister to El Palomar in downtown Santa Cruz, many Cilantro’s fans have begun their addiction at a Taco Tuesday, where one can grab a taco topped with a variety of slowly simmered meats and fresh veggies and slang it back with a cold one in the cantina for a steal. Cilantro’s uses bountiful local produce and sustainably-caught seafood from the Monterey Bay and imbibes it with the complex flavors of traditional Michoacan. Their menu features handmade tortillas and salsas, rellenos, fresh ceviches and enchiladas all served with all the hospitality in the phrase, “Mi casa es tu casa.”
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. Under new management since last year and 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.
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-7575
Tucked away in the historic Palomar Inn on Pacific Avenue, El Palomar owners Jose and Amelia Espinoza have provided downtown Santa Cruz with a unique standard of Mexican cuisine. Fine ingredients, fresh salsas and corn tortillas from scratch enhance the tastes of creative specialty dishes and with three seating areas to choose from, there is sure to be something for everyone. The cozy atmosphere of the main dining room is slightly more sophisticated while the cantina guarantees good times and tequila and the taco bar is perfect for a quick stop to cure your taco fix.
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-5051
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 Café
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. Gabriella Café is 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.
Heavenly Cafe
1210 Mt Hermon Rd
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
(831) 335-7311
*Closed Monday and Tuesday
Nestled in the redwoods, Heavenly Café is a popular break from hiking and adventure at any time of day. The hideaway is particularly known for its divine breakfasts, casual ambience, and outdoor seating with the pine needles of peaceful evergreen giants. A wide array of menu options adds to the café’s popularity for locals and weekenders alike.
Hindquarter Bar & Grill
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.
Hoffman’s Bistro & Patisserie
1102 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-0135
Since undergoing a head-to-toe makeover with Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” last fall, family-owned Hoffman’s has seen a steady stream of happy customers. Open seven days a week, the café specializes in benedicts, intriguing spins on traditional dishes and their drool-worthy house-made desserts, all served with a warm ambiance inside and out on their Pacific Ave patio. Though the televised face-lift did away with the glass cases of sweet pastries, the updated menu and décor offer a more sophisticated point-of-view.
The Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-9177
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. Executive Chef John Paul takes pride in locally sourcing seasonal ingredients from the Santa Cruz Area to create inventive spins on classical dishes.
Johnny’s Harborside
493 Lake Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(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.
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.
Laili
101 B Cooper St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(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.
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.
Main Street Garden & Cafe
3101 N. Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 477-9265
At Main Street Garden & Café the farm is literally at the table. Their “slow food” is inspired by the Italian countryside and is manifested in handmade dishes from simple, fresh ingredients sourced from their on-site garden and local farms. Enjoy hand-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, melt-in-your-mouth burrata, and incredible fresh salads and complement your meal with their wonderful selection of local and Italian wines. Enjoy your evening in their cozy dining room or their beautiful outdoor patio. Wednesday night means live music – as if you needed an excuse to treat yourself to this sumptuous fare midweek!
MexItalian
503 Water St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-1213
A new partnership for Jean Pierre Iuliano of Café Mare creates a lively fusion cuisine experience with Italian, Mexican, Central and South American influences. The local, organic and sustainable ingredients further set this venture apart from other Mexican or Mediterranean restaurants. Especially noteworthy are the MexItalian open face chorizo burger, parmigiana Mexicana egglplant with salsa picante and the calzone mexicano, a flour tortilla stuffed to the brim with meat, tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella and pickled jalapeños.
Michael’s on Main
2591 Main Street
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 479-9777
*Closed Monday
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.
Oak Tree Ristorante
5447 Hwy 9
Felton, CA 95018
(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. Home-baked bread, house-made pastas and a gamut of seasonal ingredients ensures customers are never bored and dinner is always delicious.
Olitas Cantina & Grille
49B Municipal Wharf
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 458-9393
Nestled atop the Santa Cruz Wharf, Olitas Cantina & Grille offers stunning views of the Monterey Bay. Chef/Owner Steve Elb’s Mexican-inspired cuisine offers the freshest tastes of the sea accentuated with crisp local produce of the Monterey Bay area. General Manager Emily Caviglia has complimented the menu with a regional wine list, an extensive tequila selection, handcrafted cocktails and a wide selection of beers. The casually elegant interior made of Koa and Mahogany is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset or watch the surfers at Steamer Lane. Olitas invites you to enjoy live jazz on Wednesday evenings and the legendary Taco Tuesday/Thursdays every week. The full menu is served all day starting at noon.
Oswald
121 Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-7427
A giant window viewable from Front Street peers into the open kitchen of this downtown establishment, but Oswald still manages to always leave something to the imagination. Oswald had cultivated a loyal following long before they moved to their new location in 2009, and their New American bistro-style fare is still expertly prepared from outstanding local ingredients. A large bar stocked with local and foreign wines and sophisticated spirits dominates the sleek urban space, but returning customers swear by their creative house-concocted cocktails.
Red Restaurant and Bar
1003 Cedar St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(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, the Red sends out a sensuous invitation to its legions of fans.
Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 458-2321
A favorite for Italian food in Santa Cruz County since 1980, Ristorante Italiano boasts sumptuous lunch and dinner menus featuring new spins on old classics along with a full bar, weekend brunch, take out and large party catering. The old world style dining room and welcoming outdoor patio create an atmosphere akin to visiting the home of an old friend for a good meal, fine wines and hearty conversation.
Sanderlings
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, sumptuous 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.
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.
Solaire
611 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 600-4545
Newly opened this summer, the dining room at the Hotel Paradox is serious about its modernist ambience and streamlined menu. The small-plate oriented approach to comfort food uses only the finest sustainable and local ingredients in a chic poolside setting. The house wine is opulent; the décor is a visible feast and chef Ross McKee crafts some impressive entrees of skirt steak and Arctic char paired with crisp pommes frites and sweet pink beets.
Süda
3910 Portola Drive
Capitola, CA 95062
(831) 600-7068
Restaurateurs Daniel Voskoboynikov of the Harbor Cafe and Mike Pitt of Motiv and Castaways have melded their minds and aesthetics and opened Süda, the new Pleasure Point hot spot. The open, light-filled restaurant incorporates recovered wood, stone and living plants into the design. Picnic tables serve as outdoor seating where neighbors in the know can be seen lounging over a pitcher of beer with their two- and four-legged friends. The emphasis here is local, organic, sustainable and tasty and comes in the form of Asian-spiced fish tacos, grass-fed burgers and expertly mixed cocktails.
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.