Berries and summer produce are about to be all the rage. Photo by Christina Waters.
NewsWine
May 22, 2012
Summer is almost upon us—if Swanton Berry Farm's succulent fruits are any indicator.
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Reviews
May 08, 2012
Le Cigare Volant is shaping up to be a very tasty winner.
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Reviews
May 04, 2012
Just because you’re feeling broke doesn’t mean you ought to skip dinner.
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EnvironmentBusiness
May 02, 2012
You don't have to go to the Santa Cruz farmers markets if you don't have time. Now the farmers markets can come to you.
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One of the deep pleasures of life on the Central Coast is the cuisine. Fresh seafood, sustainably harvested produce and vivacious Santa Cruz Mountain wines are the calling cards here. This volume gathers recent reviews by lauded food critic Christina Waters from the pages of Santa Cruz Weekly highlighting exciting new restaurants as well as longtime local favorites. → View PDF
538 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831.457.2782
At La Posta, fresh, local and largely organic ingredients are skillfully woven into plates of authentic Italian cuisine on the seasonally changing menu, including house-made pastas, brick-oven breads and fresh interpretations of classic entrees. This Santa Cruz Italian restaurant also offers a well-scripted selection of Italian wines to pair with the flavorful cuisine.
493 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.479.3430
A long-time favorite restaurant, Johnny’s Harborside is a Santa Cruz institution. This restaurant and bar taps local purveyors to find fresh, seasonal ingredients to weave into flavorful fish and seafood dishes boasting Mediterranean, Californian and Pan Asian influences. Stunning views of the Santa Cruz Harbor accompany meals and the popular happy hour celebrations.
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.460.5012
A refined beachfront restaurant in Santa Cruz, the Aquarius Restaurant offers panoramic coastal views in tandem with California Coastal cuisine deftly prepared with an emphasis fresh, local produce and ingredients and sustainable seafood. This top-rated Santa Cruz seafood restaurant also includes a regional wine list offering ample pairing opportunities.
740 Front St, #100, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.458.1212
A timeless, relaxing downtown dining spot, Café Mare is a Santa Cruz Italian restaurant offering brunch, lunch and dinner menus focusing on simply prepared, fresh and flavorful Italian cuisine. With a quiet ambiance and polite, unobtrusive service, this classic restaurant is suitable for everything from lunch gatherings to romantic dates before strolling around downtown.
328 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.425.6771
The elegant, finessed wines of Bonny Doon Vineyard match brilliantly with the cuisine of Cellar Door. This Santa Cruz winery restaurant focuses on farm-to-table dining, offering both prix fixe meals and small plate dining with creative options for every palate. Cellar Door also offers wine tasting, private tastings, private food and wine pairings, community table dinners on Wednesday nights, lounge nights Thursday through Saturday, and other weekly events.
110 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.429.2000
An upscale restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz, Clouds is a local favorite for an eclectic menu of globally influenced American cuisine, a satisfying selection of award-winning appetizers and some of the best martinis in town. Clouds also offers an extensive wine selection and an eclectic yet stylish atmosphere with contemporary influences and a friendly appeal.
1336 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.425.7575
A favorite Santa Cruz Mexican restaurant, El Palomar has been a top choice among locals and visitors for many years. The freshest, locally sourced ingredients are skillfully woven into the traditional menu of Mexican cuisine, which emphasizes components that are made fresh daily. The historic dining room also boasts an award-winning Taco Bar and a quirky cantina with potent cocktails and tasty appetizers.
1102 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.420.0135
Hoffman's Bistro is a casual yet stylish Santa Cruz restaurant known for pairing creative American and European cuisine with an approachable wine list for lunch and dinner, as well as sweet dessert offerings from legendary owner/pastry chef Ed Hoffman. Live jazz kicks off every evening at 6:30 pm, adding a unique and lively touch to the already enjoyable atmosphere.
101B Cooper St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.423.4545
Inspired by the Silk Road, Laili offers a diverse menu comprised of flavorful, artfully plated dishes of cuisine from the Mediterranean, Afghanistan and India. This colorful and opulently designed restaurant also impresses with an indulgent desert menu and an atmosphere that is equally suitable for social gatherings, impressive business lunches or romantic evenings.
121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.423.7427
A contemporary restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz, Oswald features a modern style and a relaxed atmosphere. This Santa Cruz restaurant features a well scripted menu of modern American cuisine, including dishes like homemade summer squash ravioli, fried chicken, Northern halibut with potato-corn risotto, and pan roasted skirt steak with blue cheese butter.
555 Highway 17, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.426.6333
Peachwood's Steakhouse is a Santa Cruz favorite for a savvy combination of Contemporary American cuisine and a stylish setting in the beautiful Inn at Pasatiempo. Every meal is a six-course culinary adventure that offers fine meats, seafood, vegetarian options and more coupled with specialty cocktails and an excellent wine list.
736 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.457.2350
Organic cuisine of an Indian and Sri Lankan persuasion is at its best at Pearl of the Ocean. The exotic menu offers perfectly cooked vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as plates of delicately spiced meat and seafood. Regularly named among the best of Santa Cruz by local publications, Pearl of the Ocean emphasizes locally sourced ingredients alongside a few imports directly from Sri Lanka.
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.426.9930
A local favorite for a post-work pint or a lively night out, Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant is a traditional Irish pub in Santa Cruz that offers brunch, lunch and dinner daily. The menu includes both classic pub fare and creative dishes like bacon wrapped prawns with spicy aioli & organic greens, bloody mary oyster shooters, and whiskey-soaked portabella mushrooms.
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.423.2020
Soif Wine Bar & Restaurant is a stylish spot for supping on tasty cuisine matched expertly with fantastic wines. This downtown Santa Cruz wine bar features over 50 wines by the glass and more than 400 wines by the bottle, as well as a menu of daily changing, seasonally inspired cuisine ranging from small plates and cheeses to hearty entrees and creative deserts.
