2010 Participating Restaurants for Santa Cruz Restaurant Week
Aquarius
175 W Cliff Dr
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5438
(831) 460-5012
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
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.
Bonny Doon Tasting Room’s Cellar Door Cafe
328 Ingalls St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tasting Room (831) 425-4518
Cellar Door Cafe (831) 425-6771
*Limited Seating. Reservations Strongly Encouraged.
*Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Biodynamic glamor and a menu of locally sourced specialties make this sleek, contemporary wine bar and eatery a haven for aficionados of California cuisine and innovative wines. Chef Charlie Parker drives the concept created by winemaker Randall Grahm and Iron Chef David Kinch of Manresa, turning out Roman-style pizzas and sensuous seasonal specialties keyed to house wines.
Casablanca
101 Main Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 426-9063
Casablanca offers its patrons mesmerizing views of surf, sand and the Giant Dipper roller coaster from the generous picture windows of its romantic dining room. Perched in the former mansion of a San Francisco judge and overlooking the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Casablanca has earned a devoted following for its elegant setting, sophisticated wine list and appealing menu. A prime spot for beautifully prepared seafood, beef specialties and award-winning California coastal cuisine, Casablanca is a showpiece dinner destination by any standard.
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.
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
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 center
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 Cafe
910 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 457-1677
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
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.
Hawg’s Seafood
1917 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5215
(831) 458-3474
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
A lively bar scene and mouthwatering seafood specialties make Hawgs a dollar-stretching rendezvous hotspot. Happy hour cocktail specials partner with opening dishes like fresh steamed mussels, crab cakes and shrimp quesadillas. The smoked salmon starter is a neighborhood legend. Watch the game on flat screen at the bar, unwind on the outdoor terrace or snuggle into a booth and take your time with that locally made wine. Warm, swift service is yet another value-added detail.
The Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1802
(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. The creative tapas menu pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s cellar of top California wines.
Hoffman’s
1102 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-0135
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
Authentic European-style pastries are only part of the temptation of this intimate bakery-bistro in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. Consummate brunches and lunches of fresh local items enjoy cult followings, and live jazz highlights the bistro ambiance every evening. Hoffman’s dinner menus showcase regional specialties seven nights a week, but it’s those dreamy desserts that continue to fuel the longstanding legend.
Ideal Bar & Grill
106 Beach St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5413
(831) 423-5271
A beachfront institution for decades, Ideal keeps things lively with full-service seafood and cocktail offerings. Banquet facilities cater to large gatherings, and couples love the people-watching possibilities of the Santa Cruz Main beach and Boardwalk just across the sand. Seafood stars in seared ahi appetizers as well as classic seafood mixed grills and garlicky scampi. Renowned for its weekly dinner specials, the Ideal is the top spot to pamper your inner tourist.
Johnny’s Harborside
493 Lake Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3938
(831) 621-4481
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
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
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
*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. Sunday nights feature a multi-course family-style feast complete with freshly made gelato.
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 Café
3101 North Main Street
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 477-9265
Powered by the creativity of chef Brad Briske and an all-organic menu of locally sourced seafoods, meats and market garden produce, Main Street Garden Café’s menu produces culinary magic. House-made pastas, artisanal charcuterie and inventive fresh herb treatments all pave the way to spectacular desserts. New California cuisine at its finest.
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Michael’s on Main
2591 Main Street
Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 479-9777
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
*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.
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.
MENU COMING SOON
Oswald
121 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4528
(831) 423-7427
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
*Closed Mondays
After a two year hiatus, one of the hottest restaurants in town returned with a full bar and ace chef Damani Thomas at the helm. Sassy and poetic pairings of ingredients — always following the seasons — jumpstart a menu of American bistro all-stars. Unexpected dishes showcasing prawns, orzo and tangerines, share the menu with elegant comfort dishes of roast chicken, seared scallops and skirt steak sided with authentic french fries. Disarming desserts and superior service make this a downtown magnet.
Pearl of the Ocean
736 Water St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4117
(831) 457-2350
Small and intimate, an attractive assortment of artwork adorning the coral-hued walls, this little Sri Lankan dining room makes a special invitation to those who like vegetarian dining—though there’s plenty of lamb and chicken on offer as well. Expect the flavors of chile, coriander, ginger and multidimensional curries with coconut milk and fresh exotic vegetables.
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.
Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave # 150
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-2343
(831) 458-2321
A welcoming hearth for traditional Italian entrees and pastas since 1980, Ristorante Italiano serves voluptuous chicken and veal specialties, linguine and fettuccine classics, fresh seafoods, Caesar salads and luscious desserts in an architectural
landmark overlooking downtown and Monterey Bay. Lunch on the deck is a tradition for those who love panoramic views with their eggplant parmigiana.
Rosie McCann’s
1220 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-9930
Authentic pub ambiance filtered through California coastal attitude is the specialty of this upstairs gathering spot. Cocktails, fine wines and spicy finger foods share the menu with dozens of imported and domestic brews available on tap and by the bottle. Two dozen single-malts top a lineup of whiskeys deep enough to satisfy connoisseurs. Classic grill cuisine long on Angus steaks, blackened chicken and grilled specialties has earned a loyal following for this popular spot.
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
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
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.
Soif
105 Walnut Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-2020
OpenTable – Make a Reservation
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.
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.