New Italian restaurant Tramonti in Santa Cruz’s Seabright neighborhood
Santa Cruz’s recent restaurant news includes three new restaurants (with two Italian spots, Pizzeria Avanti and Tramonti) and a couple closings. I can’t wait to try the new places!
Recently Opened
Pizzeria Avanti
As I reported in my summertime article, the new location of Ristorante Avanti opened in late July (at 1917 Mission) and Avanti’s owners announced – to Avanti fans’ delight – that the old location (1711 Mission) was being transformed into a more casual eatery focused on pizza. Well, that venue finally opened on Tuesday, October 16. For now, it’s serving dinner only, but lunch service will be added on weekdays beginning November 1. The menu features New York-style pizzas, and other items such as calzones (right now it’s filled with fresh ricotta, prosciutto, and mozzarella), Caesar and mixed salads, soups, and antipasto plates (you can choose salumi, cheese, or both). Also on the menu as of Monday, October 22: artichokes from local Rodoni Farms, a padron appetizer, and a seasonal brussels sprouts salad.
Current hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9 p.m. and Fri-Sat 5-9:30 p.m.
(831) 425-1807, 1711 Mission, Santa Cruz
Tramonti
The Seabright neighborhood has a new Italian restaurant: Tramonti. In the former location of Taqueria Cancun, Tramonti is open for lunch every day except Sunday, and open for dinner daily. The menu features individual-sized pizzas (13 inches, thin-crust Italian-style), pasta, calzones, and salads, plus several kids’ selections including “a kid-sized serving of gnocchi with tomato or butter and parmigiano.” The gnocchi is homemade, and the restaurant’s signature dishes include Calzone Tramonti (tomato sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, shaved mushrooms, and one farm-fresh organic egg). Janice Coury, a native Santa Cruzan, operates Tramonti with the assistance of folks including Beppe Vitagliano, who recently moved from Italy – where he ran his own pizzeria – in order to be a part of the new restaurant.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-2:30 p.m., 5:30-10 p.m. and Sun 5-10 p.m.
(831) 426-7248, 528 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz
Oyunaa’s
This Mongolian restaurant is located in the space next to the Rio Theatre that formerly housed Backstage Lounge. The menu includes several dumpling selections: two filled with beef (one steamed, one fried), one filled with chicken, and one vegetarian option with spinach, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu. Also available: a few salads, soups (beef noodle or Russian beet and beef), and rotating specials such as baked chicken with Mongolian seasonings and lamb riblets with rice and salad.
Hours: Daily except Tuesdays, 5-11 p.m.
(831) 469-9900, 1209 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
Recently Closed
Backstage Lounge in Santa Cruz (see above)
Green Valley Grill in Watsonville
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