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California/New American
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos, CA; Tel. 831.662.9799
The parking lot was full in mid-week. Hmm, obviously Bittersweet Bistro is doing something right. Not that it ever wasn’t. Once through the front doors, we were greeted by the happy sounds of a lounge packed with patrons. The rotating nightly “Recession Buster” specials are a big hit here, but Maureen and I were at Bittersweet for a full-on dinner experience. Seated near the cozy fireplace—somehow owners Tom and Elizabeth Vinolus have managed to carve up the huge footprint of the former Deer Park Tavern into intimate alcoves—we ordered a Manhattan, $8 (her), and a glass of Conn Creek cabernet sauvignon, $12 (me), and checked out the lengthy menu.
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Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave, Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.476.3801
Quality smoked meats, rotisserie chicken and generous organic salads in a charming warren-like setting. Great patio.
Café Limelight
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.7873
Unusual sandwiches, gourmet soups and perfect salads make for dependable and delicious light fare.
Capitola Book Cafe
1475 41st Ave., Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.462.4415
Panini, soup and salad made from the freshest ingredients are served in the warmth of a bookstore cafe.
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Casablanca Restaurant
101 Main St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.9063
California/New American restaurant. Landmark dining room showcases the skills of Chef Scott Cater and company. Classic filet mignon.
Cellar Door
328 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.4518
After three meals at the very new, very smart Cellar Door Café in the Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting room, I only wish I could dine there every Friday. On one occasion, I sampled a range of what chef Charlie Parker has up his wunderkind sleeve--from pork belly topped with house-smoked salmon roe to a salad of local greens, multicolored beets, fennel, hazelnuts and pecorino. Desserts included warm olive oil cake and stewed apricots and lemon poundcakes layered with organic strawberries and rose-scented cream. The flavor-driven list of small plates--applewood-smoked fingerling potatoes with aioli, pizzas du jour, cheese plates, cured seafoods--is available daily from noon on. But it's the three-course, prix fixe cafe menu that captures my attention.
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Chaminade
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.475.5600
New American restaurant. The seafood buffet hosts salads, cheeses and fresh vegetables, oysters and prawns, and hot entrees.
Clouds
110 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.2000
American, California-style. With a great bar scene, casually glamorous setting and an attentive waitstaff.
Duarte's Tavern
202 Stage Road, Pescadero, CA; Tel. 650.879.0464
Like many frontier roadhouses suggesting a David Lynchean interval somewhere between the 19th century and the early 1950s, Duarte's Tavern has retained its reassuring Wild West edge, fortified by whisky, artichokes and olallieberry pie.
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Fusion
110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.8070
Sophistication and freshness make Fusion an attractive dining surprise.
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Oswald
121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.423.7427
The freshest ingredients prepared in innovative ways. A Santa Cruz fine dining favorite is welcomed back in 2009. Full bar.
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Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.475.1511
Seafood, steak and other tastefully prepared classics grace the menu of this romantic landmark establishment overlooking Soquel Creek.
