New Odonata Tasting Room Cozily located right next door to Companion Bakers, in the former New Leaf/Beckmann's strip, Denis Hoey's spiffy new Odonata Tasting Room offers plenty of tasting, fun food ops and sleek vintage woodwork. Hoey, who still makes his wines in the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard space near Kelly's, is still finetuning his new tasting space. And he's added a few enticements to join his consummate syrahs, grenaches and petite sirah varietals. Every Tuesday starting at 4:30pm, fans can come 'round the tasting room, “taste, buy a glass of wine and then order a pizza from next door,” Hoey explains. The options last week included a pie topped with speck from El Salchichero, housemade mozzarella, caramelized onions and organic arugula. Hoey is about to open evenings on Thursdays for a fish taco night. Meanwhile the wines themselves, poured at a 19th-century antique bar, are worth a visit. Odonata Wines, 2343 Mission St., Santa Cruz. Tue–Thu 4:30-7pm; Sat–Sun noon–5pm. www.odonatawines.com. 831.566.5147.
Bastille Day It’s just around the corner, and you might do well to attend the Sunset at Surf City: A Food & Wine Faire, held on Sat., July 14 in the Westside parking lot near Copious Winery and Equinox, at 427 Swift St., 5-8pm. Enjoy wine from 13 top area wineries and purchase noshes from Stagnaro’s, Cruz’n Gourmet, Uncle Ro’s Pizza, Iveta, Akira Sushi, H&H Fresh Fish, Conscious Creations, True Olive Connection, Thai Orchid and more. Feast on live music by the Cabrillo Jazz All-Stars. Food and wine sold by each vendor—no entry fee to enjoy the fun. Bring your own dinnerware and glasses. It all benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. www.surfcityvintners.com.
Hot Plates Newly refurbished with sleek furniture and beautiful new upholstered banquettes, Sabieng Thai at 1218 Mission St. (831.425.1020 ) has re-opened to the bliss of its devoted following. The silver noodle salad is a satisfying as ever—especially with a blast of chili oil. Lunch from 11:30am and dinner from 5pm daily. And chef Anthony Dias, former food and beverage director at Chaminade, is now at the helm of Pleasure Point's new Suda (former Rock of the Sea digs at 3910 Portola Dr.), creating sexy California fusion cuisine breakfast and lunch daily. The bar is open until 11pm. Dinner service coming soon. And last but certainly not least, relative newcomer Back Porch BBQ is setting the bar high for food at the Wednesday Farmers Market. The pulled pork taco, laced with purple slaw and the brilliant addition of chimichurri, is a toothsome, umami-driven affair that’s immensely satisfying. Pulled pork pies and excellent Arnold Palmers in eco-friendly mason jars round out the offerings.
