Food from Booka during the restaurant’s “soft opening” over Memorial Day Weekend
Here are some highlights of recent restaurant news for Santa Cruz and nearby neighborhoods, which includes an opening, a couple closings and one change.
Recently Opened
In late May, the restaurant Booka opened up in the former location of Ristorante Barolo (inside the Bayview Hotel in Aptos). Currently Booka is open Tue-Sat from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5:30 – 10 p.m., and Sun from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The menu features fusion cuisine with a broad range items such as Caribbean Ceviche, focaccia (made in-house), and a signature burger that includes lamb (ground in-house), smoked paprika aioli, and filet mignon!
(831) 685-9500, 8041 Soquel Dr., Aptos, http://www.bookafusion.com/
Recently Closed
Heavenly Café in Scotts Valley is no longer open
Aptos Burger Co. in Aptos is no longer open
Recently Changed
Pizzeria Avanti
Pizzeria Avanti used to be open several days a week for lunch; although that has ended, the restaurant is now open earlier and serving breakfast on certain days (Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon). It might add more breakfast days in the future, too. Scrambles, frittatas, French toast (made with bread from Gayle’s Bakery) and fried-egg sandwiches are available, plus poached eggs on fresh tomatoes with basil cream sauce. Breakfast pizzas will be added in the next few weeks. I recently enjoyed dinner-to-go from this pizzeria and can recommend the pizza with housemade sausage, fresh ricotta, and hot peppers plus the Caesar Salad with wonderful, very creamy dressing.
New hours:
- Fri & Sat 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.
- Sun & Mon 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.
- Tues-Thurs 5-9 p.m.
Contact info: 1771 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 425-1807, http://avantipizza.mobi/
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