Tables at the recently opened West End Tap & Kitchen at Westside Santa Cruz’s Swift Street Courtyard
Here is some recent restaurant news for Santa Cruz and nearby neighborhoods, including an opening and a few changes.
Recently Opened
West End Tap & Kitchen
West End Tap & Kitchen opened a few weeks ago in Westside Santa Cruz, at the former site of Bonny Doon Vineyards’ tasting room in Swift Street Courtyard. Currently the kitchen opens at 11:30 a.m. daily, and closes at 9:30 p.m. Sun-Wed, and 10 p.m. Thurs-Sat. The bar itself stays open a little later, until 10 p.m. Sun-Wed and until 11 p.m. Thurs-Sat. Available drinks at the new gastropub include more than a dozen craft beers on tap, plus several local wines. The current menu features items such as a burger (ground in-house, served with fries, $10.50) served on a challah bun from Gayle’s Bakery, pan-roasted wild salmon (served with French green lentils, roasted tomato, bouillabase broth and saffron butter, $18), tempura squash blossoms ($8), vegetarian and non-vegetarian flatbreads ($7-10) and salads including green, caprese, and chicken ($8-12). A happy hour began Aug 19, and it occurs every Mon-Fri from 4-6 p.m. in the bar area (not valid in dining room). It includes “$3 West End pints plus one bonus beer, $3-4 select wines, and cheap eats.” The business is co-owned by Aptos native Quinn Cormier and chef Geoff Hargrave.
(831) 471-8115, 334D Ingalls St, Santa Cruz
www.westendtap.com
Recently Changed
Shadowbrook: New Chef
Capitola restaurant Shadowbrook has a new executive chef. Ashley Homer, who left in March, has been replaced by St. Helena native Anthony Kresge. The new chef’s experience includes earning a Master Certification in Europe, apprenticing under top chefs in Napa Valley, and working at several restaurants in locations including Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. He is very excited to be working at Shadowbrook, commenting “I have always felt like Santa Cruz has been home since I was a young chef. Being able to work with winemakers and farmers throughout the years, I’ve gained a true appreciation for our resources and the ability to bring those incredible ingredients to the plate, showcasing just how valuable this region really is to the rest of the world.”
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola (831) 475-1511
www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
Wood Fire Woodie: New Hours
Scotts Valley restaurant Wood Fire Woodie is now open for lunch. The formerly mobile business opened its brick-and-mortar location in 2012. Chef Pat Flanagan and his wife Mariah, residents of Capitola, studied in Italy. Earlier this month, they decided to expand their hours and are now serving lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. The pizzeria is also open Mon-Sat for dinner from 5-9 p.m. They also recently began a Tuesday happy hour: 2fer Tuesday with $2 beers all night.
3105B Scotts Valley Rd, Scotts Valley (831) 316-9001
www.woodfirewoodie.com
Other Notes
Little Caesars Pizza is moving in September, from its longtime 41st Ave location in Capitola to the corner of Portola Drive and 17th Avenue.
Sake Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi opened in mid-July at 525 Water St. near Ocean at the former site of Fuji Buffet; it features a teppanyaki grill (think Benihana) and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
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