They’re okay. Sort of generic steakhouse, a la Black Angus and Cattlemen’s.
I’m a fan of Chocolat at the far end of Pacific Ave, but check their menu for compatibility first. Worth skipping dessert anywhere else to go there though.
Ooo, or else that Greek place that i_am_dsh knows; I think it’s called Vasili’s maybe?
It’s straight down from the UCSC main gate, to Hwy 1, turn left, one block, on the right, around the side of the building.
Nice place, great food, excellent back patio/garden seating and a good full bar. Place is also open late.
Best Unique dining experience where the food’s pretty damn good:
Caio Bella! in Ben Lomond, just up highway 9.
It’s an Italian restaurant owned by a flamboyant gay actor and just explodes with, uh, charm… yeah.. that’s it. More than just your normal “whacky stuff on the walls” type place, this tiny bistro features a stage where the owner, Tad, often will interrupt your meal with live performances from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rocky Horror, David Bowie and the like. I’ve been to birthday dinners here where the staff gives BDSM level spankings with crops and floggers to unsuspecting normals. It’s different every time. The food’s pretty good, too. Something to experience…
I’d avoid Shadowbrook. It’s spendy and the food is pretty mediocre.. you’re just paying for the location.
The Bittersweet Bistro, Cafe Sparrow, and Ma Maison were favorites of mine, of the white-tablecloth, candlelight and a tad pricey variety. All three are in Aptos. Along the same lines, I’ve heard great things about Gabriella Cafe downtown and La Posta in Seabright, but I’ve never been to either. La Posta is closed on Mondays.
Chocolat downtown is *great* for dessert but their entrees are overpriced and a tad disappointing
Pink Godzilla in Capitola is great for sushi, but they’re closed 1 day a week- I think- and can be a bit loud.
The Crepe Place is pretty good. Middle of the road pricing, but I think the portions are a little big. Tends to get pretty packed in there.
Star of Siam…I think this is the name of the place- best Thai food I’ve ever had. This is in Soquel. Atmosphere is relaxed-ish and prices are moderate.
Charlie Hong Kong’s is the other end of the spectrum- street food style, communal seating (mostly outdoors), *cheap* delicious noodles. It’s on Soquel Ave, near the Rio theater
There’s also, of course, Rosie McCann’s downtown, which you and I have been to. I’d call that moderately priced Irish-style comfort food.
The Palomar downtown is overpriced but good Mexican food (lots of seafood). The only other place for Mexican food that immediately comes to mind was, I think, in Rio Del Mar- pretty far out of your way, most likely, and I can’t remember the name offhand.
I’d also steer you away from the Shadowbrook. The location there is breathtaking on the right day, but it is VERY overpriced for the quality of the food, and I’ve almost always extremely poor service there.
If you want steak, I’d say to pick between the Hindquarter Steakhouse on Soquel near downtown, Bittersweet Bistro, Ma Maison or La Posta.
Most of the italian food I’ve had in Santa Cruz hasn’t been that great, but I’m also a fan of Ciao Bella up in Ben Lomond if you don’t have the kidlet in tow and want to sacrifice a bit of food quality/price for a fun atmosphere (think Rocky Horror and coke-addled queens).
I spent most of my free time dining around town. 🙂
The Crepe Place is pretty good. Middle of the road pricing, but I think the portions are a little big. Tends to get pretty packed in there.
And they haven’t suffered a natural disaster in years now.
Excellent stuffed crepes, but the combination of reasonable prices and large portions makes them very popular. It’s a more casual atmosphere, though; if you’re looking for a stereotypical “nice” place, it’s probably on the lower end of that scale.
“Charlie Hong Kong’s is the other end of the spectrum- street food style, communal seating (mostly outdoors), *cheap* delicious noodles. It’s on Soquel Ave, near the Rio theater”
I used to love this place. Since I moved to Alameda, I don’t go to SCruz nearly at all. How sad, now that I reflect on it.
This suggestion isn’t Santa Cruz proper, but I heartily recommend Ciao Bella in Ben Lomond. I also recommend getting reservations for the main dining room if possible.
Avanti Ristorante. Joe & I went there after our handfasting 🙂
For a nice dinner without kiddle in tow. Shadowbrook. http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
For a nice dinner with kid? Peachwood’s. http://www.peachwoods.com/peachwoods.html
I was pointed at http://www.thehindquarter.com/ recently, but haven’t had a chance to check it out.
They’re okay. Sort of generic steakhouse, a la Black Angus and Cattlemen’s.
I’m a fan of Chocolat at the far end of Pacific Ave, but check their menu for compatibility first. Worth skipping dessert anywhere else to go there though.
I heartily second the bit of about Chocolate. Faboo place!
HindQuarter’s got good food, but it’s almost a sports bar…
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub in downtown?
Ooo, or else that Greek place that i_am_dsh knows; I think it’s called Vasili’s maybe?
It’s straight down from the UCSC main gate, to Hwy 1, turn left, one block, on the right, around the side of the building.
Re: Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub in downtown?
OMG – I haven’t been there in years. Not sure of the name anymore either.
Re: Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub in downtown?
There’s a greek place in the SF area? I spent hours looking for one when I was living there
Best overall food for a nice dinner out:
The Crepe Place.
Nice place, great food, excellent back patio/garden seating and a good full bar. Place is also open late.
Best Unique dining experience where the food’s pretty damn good:
Caio Bella! in Ben Lomond, just up highway 9.
It’s an Italian restaurant owned by a flamboyant gay actor and just explodes with, uh, charm… yeah.. that’s it. More than just your normal “whacky stuff on the walls” type place, this tiny bistro features a stage where the owner, Tad, often will interrupt your meal with live performances from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rocky Horror, David Bowie and the like. I’ve been to birthday dinners here where the staff gives BDSM level spankings with crops and floggers to unsuspecting normals. It’s different every time. The food’s pretty good, too. Something to experience…
I’d avoid Shadowbrook. It’s spendy and the food is pretty mediocre.. you’re just paying for the location.
We enjoy Mobo for sushi deviations.
Define nice?
The Bittersweet Bistro, Cafe Sparrow, and Ma Maison were favorites of mine, of the white-tablecloth, candlelight and a tad pricey variety. All three are in Aptos. Along the same lines, I’ve heard great things about Gabriella Cafe downtown and La Posta in Seabright, but I’ve never been to either. La Posta is closed on Mondays.
Chocolat downtown is *great* for dessert but their entrees are overpriced and a tad disappointing
Pink Godzilla in Capitola is great for sushi, but they’re closed 1 day a week- I think- and can be a bit loud.
The Crepe Place is pretty good. Middle of the road pricing, but I think the portions are a little big. Tends to get pretty packed in there.
Star of Siam…I think this is the name of the place- best Thai food I’ve ever had. This is in Soquel. Atmosphere is relaxed-ish and prices are moderate.
Charlie Hong Kong’s is the other end of the spectrum- street food style, communal seating (mostly outdoors), *cheap* delicious noodles. It’s on Soquel Ave, near the Rio theater
There’s also, of course, Rosie McCann’s downtown, which you and I have been to. I’d call that moderately priced Irish-style comfort food.
The Palomar downtown is overpriced but good Mexican food (lots of seafood). The only other place for Mexican food that immediately comes to mind was, I think, in Rio Del Mar- pretty far out of your way, most likely, and I can’t remember the name offhand.
I’d also steer you away from the Shadowbrook. The location there is breathtaking on the right day, but it is VERY overpriced for the quality of the food, and I’ve almost always extremely poor service there.
If you want steak, I’d say to pick between the Hindquarter Steakhouse on Soquel near downtown, Bittersweet Bistro, Ma Maison or La Posta.
Most of the italian food I’ve had in Santa Cruz hasn’t been that great, but I’m also a fan of Ciao Bella up in Ben Lomond if you don’t have the kidlet in tow and want to sacrifice a bit of food quality/price for a fun atmosphere (think Rocky Horror and coke-addled queens).
I spent most of my free time dining around town. 🙂
The Crepe Place is pretty good. Middle of the road pricing, but I think the portions are a little big. Tends to get pretty packed in there.
And they haven’t suffered a natural disaster in years now.
Excellent stuffed crepes, but the combination of reasonable prices and large portions makes them very popular. It’s a more casual atmosphere, though; if you’re looking for a stereotypical “nice” place, it’s probably on the lower end of that scale.
I second this:
“Charlie Hong Kong’s is the other end of the spectrum- street food style, communal seating (mostly outdoors), *cheap* delicious noodles. It’s on Soquel Ave, near the Rio theater”
I used to love this place. Since I moved to Alameda, I don’t go to SCruz nearly at all. How sad, now that I reflect on it.
I like mauel’s mexican restaurant in aptos. yummy food :o)
This suggestion isn’t Santa Cruz proper, but I heartily recommend Ciao Bella in Ben Lomond. I also recommend getting reservations for the main dining room if possible.
http://www.ciaobellabenlomond.com/