Two rolls from Akira Sushi in Santa Cruz
Now Closed:
Filling Station
Westside Santa Cruz’s Filling Station has closed. Dave Stimpson and Amber Turpin, a very sweet and talented couple, opened Filling Station in Summer 2011 next to The Truck Stop (they shared one outdoor space). They offered great coffee, plus lots of treats that were made by Turpin. They even received praise from top San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, who mentioned Filling Station in an April article on Santa Cruz spots. He highlighted “very good house-made baked goods, including a rhubarb tea cake and sweet and savory hand pies in daily changing flavors.” Let’s hope that Turpin keeps creating her goodies and that they’re offered through other resources in the area. After closing, this sign was posted at Filling Station: “We appreciate your patronage and support. Due to a variety of circumstances (zoning department, finances, having a baby!), Filling Station is now closed. Thank you, Amber and Dave.”
Side note: Fran Grayson’s The Truck Stop is still open; she sells delicious tacos and more at her Westside SC spot (1500 Mission) on Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m., and moves her truck to the Live Oak Farmers Market on Sundays at 9 a.m. The rest of the time, she is chef at Ristorante Avanti in its new location at 1917 Mission! (read more about Avanti’s move).
Sandabs
Scotts Valley restaurant Sandabs has closed, but it may re-open in the future after undergoing changes.
Opening Soon:
Mission Hill Creamery
Fabulous news: Mission Hill Creamery’s long-awaited Pacific Avenue shop is opening on September 15. I can’t wait for Dave Kumec’s fantastic homemade organic ice cream including flavors such as Salted Caramel, Ricotta Fig, and Hazelnut with Chocolate Swirl. He’ll be offering 16 flavors at a time! Let him know your favorites via Mission Hill’s Facebook page. Kumec’s ice cream is available at many stores including New Leaf – but it’s very exciting that he’s going to have a shop again (there used to be one on Front Street). The grand opening will be a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the Santa Cruz Teen Center, The Bryan Stow Foundation, and Mission Hill’s new nonprofit Ice Cream for Kids which supports underprivileged children.
Location: 1101B Pacific Ave, next to Taqueria Vallarta, (831) 216-6421
Changes:
Akira Sushi
Akira Sushi, located in the former midtown spot of Kickback Café, has expanded its hours. It used to be closed on Tuesdays, but earlier this month it announced that it’s now open daily from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. I’ve dined here once for lunch and once for dinner – sampling sushi, sashimi, skirt steak teriyaki, and more – and enjoyed it each time. One memorable appetizer: the Firecracker ($9) with spicy tuna, ginger, basil, hamachi, jalapeno, mango, and green onion. Location: 1222 Soquel Ave, (831) 600-7093
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie