Scopazzi's Restaurant and Lounge
13300 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA
831.338.6441
Seated across the street from where my grandfather’s house once stood, I soaked up
the view of redwood slopes sunning in the late summer afternoon. I was, of course, at
Scopazzi’s, a roadhouse legend at the bend of Big Basin Way. And it was gratifying,
in a world that changes by the minute, to find that this durable landmark still does
things in a gracious way. Mountain hospitality is always the special of the house, and
I’ll swear the ghost of my uncle Bud, a Scopazzi’s regular for decades, was seated
down at the end of the bar, sipping a Scotch while his steak cooked on the grill.
Redwood Pizza
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, CA
831.335.1500
At this laid-back neighborhood pizza joint, where most of the clientele know
each other and the two televisions are always tuned to sports, the eco-minded
proprietors are walking the talk with organic pizza toppings, organic salads,
organic and local wines and beers, even organic soft drinks. But they’re also
making killer pies loaded with fresh ingredients and a spicy sauce that keeps the
San Lorenzo Valley virtuous coming back time and time again.
Ciao Bella
9217 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA
831.336.8547
Hearty Italian fare served on a unique heated patio built into a large redwood
round used to be the main attraction here; now it’s the singing and dancing wait
staff.
Oak Tree Ristorante
5447 Hwy 9, Felton, CA
831.335.5551
A fountain burbles and a strolling troubadour serenades customers on the garden
patio of this romantic mountain bistro, where choices include pastas, smoked
pork ribs and scampi.
Tyrolean Inn
9600 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA
831.336.5188
Far up winding Highway 9, under the redwoods and a world away, the Tyrolean
Inn beckons. 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, the beer garden is the perfect place to raise a stein of strong, deeply flavored German pilsner and eins, zwei und trinken.
Jia Tella's
18 Victor Square #D, Scotts Valley, CA
831.464.2500
Yes, we did order way too much food. But who could blame us? Lively, fresh and
loaded with flavor contrasts, Jia Tella's vibrant Cambodian cuisine provides one-stop
sensory bombardment.
Redwood Pizza
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, CA
831.335.1500
Imagine it's the late '60s. You're
in a pizza parlor. The pizza parlor is in Felton. OK? Well, Redwood Pizzeria is
exactly like the picture you now have in your mind.
Heavenly Cafe
1210 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley, CA
831.335.7311
Regulars come hungry for a hearty breakfast spread and chow down at tree-
shaded tables on the patio of this rustic Scotts Valley roadhouse.
Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz, CA
831. 459.9177
A truly stunning view of Pasatiempo Golf Course, the city of Santa Cruz and
the Monterey Bay complements a menu of flavorful standards like bleu cheese-
encrusted filet mignon and crab and shrimp linguine.
Malone's Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA
831.438.2244
There’s live music on the festive back patio at this family-run Scotts Valley grill.
Heaters available.
Sandabs
11 Camp Evers Ln, Scotts Valley, CA
831.430.0657
The opening of Dungeness crab season each November means party time at
Sandabs, where the tiny restaurant’s own fishing boat delivers each day’s catch
in long white coolers that you can’t miss as you walk in. In their wisdom, the
chefs serve up entire crabs steamed and unadorned—all you can eat for $25—
with a simple side of salad, bread and drawn lemon butter. Other local seafood
choices like halibut, spot prawns and, yes, sandabs rule the menu, which also
features a nice wine selection.
