New macaroni and cheese dish at The Picnic Basket in Santa Cruz
Recent restaurant news for Santa Cruz and nearby neighborhoods features a closing, several changes, and openings including a couple new locations for already-existing restaurants (Burger in Aptos, Penny Ice Creamery in Pleasure Point).
Recently Opened
Burger in Aptos
The restaurant Burger, which has been drawing crowds to its Mission Street location since 2010, opened a second location in Aptos. Like the original Westside venue, the Aptos branch specializes in burgers and beer. You can find the new Burger across the street from the Safeway center, in the former location of the Aptos Club. It’s open daily “11 a.m. to late.”
7941 Soquel Dr, Aptos, (831) 662-2811
Westside Bistro
A new café has opened on Mission Street near Bay, at the former site of Filling Station, which closed in August 2012 after being open for one year. Westside Bistro opened on January 1, and its hours are Sun-Thurs 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Fri-Sat 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Menu selections include soup, salad, panini, empanadas, coffee, tea, and espresso drinks. The venue also sells gifts; its web site proclaims these include laser engraved art, art from showcased local creators, and movie merchandise from Westside Video.
1500 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 818-1736
Opening Soon
Penny Ice Creamery in Capitola
Popular Penny Ice Creamery, which started with a main location on Cedar Street in August 2010 and expanded with a Pacific Ave. kiosk in November 2011, is opening a Pleasure Point location at the end of January or in early February. It’s at the site of Verve Coffee’s original roastery (now located in Seabright), between Verve’s cafe and Pink Godzilla. Co-owner Zach Davis shares that Penny is looking forward to serving even more of the community. “We’re very excited to join the tremendous vitality of the Pleasure Point neighborhood,” says Davis. “There’s so much energy here, and we’re having a lot of fun building a whimsical and welcoming scoop shop that will fit right in.”
820 41st Ave, Capitola. Santa Cruz scoop shop phone #, for any info or questions on new location, is (831) 204-2523
Changes
India Joze
India Joze is re-opening today, January 21, at 3 p.m. after being closed since January 13 for a remodel. This is the restaurant’s first big remodel since its Summer 2010 opening. It includes a re-done kitchen, new floors and paint, and India Joze promises an improved dining room that features two window booths and more comfortable seating. The restaurant also just announced its first-ever Coconut Festival, which will be held Feb 1-2. Stay in touch with India Joze via its Facebook page.
418 Front Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 325-3633
The Picnic Basket
The oceanfront café, owned and operated by the folks behind Penny Ice Creamery, re-opened January 18 after a two-and-a-half week closure. The Picnic Basket boasts added outdoor seating plus new menu items including “Anna’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese,” several entrée salads, and a bacon/celery root/truffle oil/goat cheese panini. One salad featured on Jan. 19: the Daily Grain with wheat berries, blood oranges, sweet baby carrots, and toasted almond and chicory root. Longtime fans can be assured that certain staples are still available such as desserts with Penny Ice Cream, jelly donuts, the tasty Rib King pulled pork sandwich, and local beer and wine.
125 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 427-9946
Casablanca Restaurant and Bistro
The restaurant and bistro at Casablanca Inn (near the Boardwalk and Wharf) are temporarily closed. A re-opening date has not been announced at this time.
101 Main Street, Santa Cruz, Inn phone number is (831) 423-1570
Closing Soon
Deli-Licious
The café Deli-Licious, located in the shopping center on E. Cliff Drive near 15th, is closing its doors on Jan. 31. For now, it has reduced its hours. Co-owner Karla Oliveira will continue her catering business, which is called Karla’s Kitchen. Through this business, she provides lunches to local schools and also caters private events and parties.
2-1505 East Cliff Dr, (831) 462-3019
Closed
Dave’s Gourmet Albacore
Dave’s Gourmet Albacore, located in the Harvey West neighborhood, shut its doors in early January. The venue had first opened as a retailer 13 years ago, and later added a café. Owner Dave Greenberger has said that he might re-open in the future in another city.
310 Coral, Santa Cruz