California/New American
Aquarius
Dream Inn Hotel, 175 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.460.5012
The sunny sesort that is the Dream Inn still perches like a golden sandcastle along West Cliff Drive. Only now, the spectacular view of wharf and waves is available through the picture windows of Aquarius. Chef Philippe Breneman, formerly of Ventana Inn and most recently of Paragon in San Jose, is at the helm of the playfully modernist dining room, creating dishes as lovely as the sleek orange and sand-toned interior. Read Review
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.5051
Most people go for the plush velour couches, the sparkling firelight and the romantic deck. Oh, and let’s not forget the sophisticated lineup of cocktails. But we went to dine, and we were happy with the overall results. Read Review
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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Clouds
110 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.2000
Lou Caviglia has done a great job over the years of knowing exactly who his clientele is, what his patrons want and how to sail safely through fashion trends and economic turbulence. Clouds does a fine job making the cocktail set feel right at home, and it has devised a surefire menu of crowd-pleasers loaded with seafoods, steaks and high-flavor small plates. Our dining quartet met at the bar last week and, with one eye on the NFL game above the bar, we started with glasses of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Petite Syrah ($10) and some wicked caramel appletinis ($8). Read review
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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Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.457.1677
Oil paintings line the graceful rooms, white cloths and fresh flowers top the tables. Owner Paul Cocking greets guests, pours wine. Brad Briske's team rocks the kitchen. And between a fine lineup of California wines and a nightly menu showcasing local specialty items, this is arguably the best dining in town. Read Review
Fusion
110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.8070
Sophistication and freshness make Fusion an attractive dining surprise.
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Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.459.9177
Recently we enjoyed dinner in the cozy Tap Room at Hollins House, where a sensational meal took us by storm. I’ve always been partial to this hilltop location, where even at night the view of the town and ocean far below shimmers delightfully. Housed in the graceful residence of former championship golfer Marian Hollins, the restaurant currently boasts an appealing menu of well-made, beautifully presented dishes at friendly prices. Read Review
Linwood's at Chaminade
1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 800.283.6569
Without a doubt Linwood's supplies one of the dreamiest, most soothing, positively Ligurian views available in Santa Cruz. The sapphire bay, dotted with white sails, all unfolds beyond the rolling green lawn and stands of eucalyptus adorning Chaminade.
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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.
Soif
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.423.2020
Under the sure hand of new chef Santos Majano, Santa Cruz's favorite spot for wine tastes and small plates continues to soar. Read Review
