Tag Archives: Blue Bunny Tacos
“Dining in” at Santa Cruz County restaurants, June 19, 2020
Photo courtesy of Gayle’s
So much has changed since my last article at the end of May, with restaurants now being allowed to open for dine-in service if they follow restrictions and social distancing guidelines. Here are some highlights of places that are open for onsite dining, whether that’s on an outdoor patio, in a dining room with limited seating, or both. Many of them are also still doing food to-go. I will try to publish an update in a few days.
Most of these are “listings only” but first, I wanted to share more details for a few local businesses:
Seabright Social, in the former location of Seabright Brewery (519 Seabright Ave., seabrightsocial.com) opened June 12 and features lots of outdoor seating plus some indoor seating. Hours are 11:30am-11:30pm daily (closed on June 22 for one day only). Reservations are recommended at 831-426-2739. After buying the brewpub and restaurant in 2019, local residents/co-owners Jason and Keiki McKay (who run Aptos-based Cantine Winepub in Aptos) and Jon Bates have done renovations to the building and the menu. Food includes salmon ceviche and a street taco trio with chicken mole, pork carnitas, and beef asada. Drinks include several Seabright Brewery draft beers, local wine, and a full bar.
Scrumptious Fish & Chips recently restarted its popups. Upcoming appearances include Steel Bonnet Brewery in Scotts Valley (5-8 p.m. on several Friday nights), the Scotts Valley (Saturday) and Live Oak (Sunday) farmers markets, and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing in Westside SC. Visit https://www.scrumptiousfc.com/find-us for complete schedule.
The Palm Deli has its patio open again, with tables spaced appropriately, at 3000 Valencia Ave. They have returned to regular hours, opening at 7am every day, closing at 6pm weekdays and 5pm Sat-Sun. Visit https://www.thepalmdeli.com.
Hula’s Island Grill at 221 Cathcart St. offers the choice of dining indoors or on the lanai deck out front (takeout is also still available). They open at 2pm every day, and close at 8pm Sun-Thurs and 9pm Fri-Sat. Visit https://www.hulastiki.com/
Gayle’s Bakery at 504 Bay Ave. has newly extended hours of 7am-7pm daily and is now allowing socially distanced sit-down dining. Also, with online orders there is now next-day pick up (shorter wait time—when they first reopened, it was a two-day wait). Visit https://www.gaylesbakery.com.
May’s Sushi closed its 1800 Soquel Ave. location on June 1, and is now operating out of Sesame Korean Grill at 435 Front St. Both cuisines are still available, as the restaurants have the same owners. In addition, the owners announced they will be opening a new restaurant called Crazy Crab, adjacent to Sesame, which will feature seafood boils. Visit https://www.sesame-koreangrill.com/ or call 831-454-8355.
Vim at 2238 Mission St. reopened its dining room and patio on June 17, and it’s open 5-8pm Wednesday-Saturday and 10 am-1pm Sunday (Vim started doing Sunday brunch during shelter in place, and it was popular so they’re continuing now that they’re open for onsite dining). Visit https://www.vimsantacruz.com.
Mentone at 174 Aptos Village Way now offers first-come-first-serve tables outside in the parking lot on the weekend, from 3:30-7pm Fridays and 12-6ish Saturdays and Sundays. There is beer, wine, cocktails, pizzas, salad, and a variety of snacks. Takeout pizza is available Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visit https://www.mentonerestaurant.com or call 831-708-1174.
Madrone Kitchen, a meal delivery business from chefs Reeny Marquez and Sean Adams, is doing Friday popups at Aldo’s (790 Mariner Park Way) from 5 p.m. to sellout. They sell food items while Aldo’s offers beer, wine and cocktails for sale. Sample popup menu offerings include Mojo Shrimp Skewers with citrus garlic herb sauce, Cuban-style black beans, rice, and fried plantains. Madrone Kitchen also does weekly Sunday dinner delivery. Visit madronekitchen.com.
Although not yet open for “dining in,” Soif Restaurant and Wine Shop (831-423-2020, http://www.soifwine.com/) now has curbside pickup for food and wine from 4-8 pm Wednesday-Saturday. They had stopped doing takeout in early April. Also, the May/June issue of California Bountiful, the magazine for the California Farm Bureau Federation, featured an article about Soif’s executive Chef Tom McNary with several recipes. Sister restaurant La Posta (831-457-2782, https://www.lapostarestaurant.com), formerly open Friday-Sunday, is doing pickup 4-8pm Thursday through Sunday. Also, there is a Thursday special: pizza or pasta with salad for one person, for $20.
Colectivo Felix now offers delivery Friday through Sunday to local residents (formerly only Fri-Sat). Empanadas are available by the half dozen or dozen, and they create a rotating variety of salads, soups, and desserts. Also, customers can now order a seasonal Ridge to Reef Organics produce box. Visit https://colectivofelix.square.site/ to order, or email info@colectivofelix.com with questions.
As always, please email tara@santacruzfoodie.com if you have information to share, or corrections, for future articles.
Open for “dine-in” service
Alderwood (831-588-3238 or 831-888-6901, https://www.alderwoodsantacruz.com)
Auntie Mame’s Café (831-438-1840, https://auntiemamescafe.co)
Belly Goat Craft Burgers (at Abbott Square Market on Front St., https://www.bellygoatburgers.com)
Bittersweet Bistro (831-662-9799, http://bittersweetbistro.com)
Blaze Pizza (831-607-2030, https://www.blazepizza.com)
Blue Bunny Tacos (at Abbott Square Market, https://www.instagram.com/bluebunnytacos)
Britannia Arms (831-464-2683, https://www.facebook.com/britanniaarmscapitola/)
Café Iveta (Westside and campus locations, iveta.com)
Café Mare (831-458-1212, http://www.cafemare.com)
Café Rio (831-688-8917, https://www.caferioaptos.com)
California Grill (831-722-8052, www.californiagrillrestaurant.com)
Chaminade’s “The View, A Treeside Restaurant” (831-475-5600, www.chaminade.com/santa_cruz_restaurants)
Chocolate (831-427-9900, https://chocolatesantacruz.com)
Coffeetopia (http://www.coffeetopia.com)
The Crepe Place (831-429-6994, https://thecrepeplace.com)
The Crow’s Nest (831-476-4560, https://crowsnest-santacruz.com)
Daisuki Octagon Sushi (831-316-5464, at Octagon by Abbott Square, http://daisukioctagonsushi.com/)
Dharma’s (831-462-1717, www.dharmasrestaurant.com)
East End Gastropub (831-475-8010, http://eastendpub.com/)
El Jardín (831-477-9384, https://www.eljardinrestaurant.net/)
El Palomar (831-425-7575, https://elpalomarsantacruz.com)
The Farm House (831-536-5363, https://www.farmhousewatsonville.com)
Firefish Grill (831-423-5200, http://www.firefishgrill.net/)
Gabriella Café (831-457-1677, http://gabriellacafe.com)
Holy Smokes Country BBQ (831-471-8787, https://www.holysmokescountrybbqandcatering.com)
HOME Soquel (831-431-6131, http://www.homesoquel.com)
Hula’s Island Grill (831-426-4852, https://www.hulastiki.com)
Jalisco’s (https://www.jaliscorestaurant.com)
Jeffery’s Restaurant (831-425-1485, https://www.facebook.com/Jefferys-Restaurant-2348536278713065/)
Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar (831-469-4400, https://www.kiantis.com/)
The Kitchen at Discretion (831-316-0662, https://www.discretionbrewing.com)
Lago di Como (831-454-8257, http://lagodicomoristorante.com/)
Laili Resaturant (831-423-4545, www.lailirestaurant.com)
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen (831-425-2288, https://www.lilliansitaliankitchen.com)
Michael’s on Main (831-479-9777, www.michaelsonmain.com)
Mission Hill Creamery (831-508-0774, http://missionhillcreamery.com)
Mutari Chocolate (http://www.mutarichocolate.com)
Oasis Tasting Room & Kitchen (831-621-8040, oasissantacruz.com)
Olive Garden (831-462-0120, https://www.olivegarden.com)
Oswald (831-423-7427, http://www.oswaldrestaurant.com)
Oyunaa’s Mongolian Cuisine (831-469-9900, http://www.oyunaas.com)
Palm Deli (831-688-3354, https://www.thepalmdeli.com)
Pizza My Heart (https://www.pizzamyheart.com)
Pizzeria La Bufala (831-999-0301, at Abbott Square Market, https://www.pizzerialabufala.com)
Pleasure Pizza—East Side Eatery (831-6058, https://www.pleasurepizzasc.com)
Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap (831-476-7458, ponohawaiiangrill.com)
Rosie McCann’s (831-426-9930, https://rosiemccanns.com/santacruz)
Roux Dat (at Octagon by Abbott Square, https://rouxdatcajuncreole.com)
Sanderlings at Seascape Resort (831-662-7120, https://www.sanderlingsrestaurant.com/menus)
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing (831-425-4900, https://www.scmbrew.com)
Scopazzi’s (831-338-6441, www.scopazzisrestaurant.com)
Tortilla Flats (831-476-1754, https://www.tortillaflatstogo.com)
Tramonti (831-426-7248, http://tramontisantacruz.com)
Veg on the Edge (831-423-3000, at Abbott Square Market, https://vegontheedge.com)
Vino Locale Wine Bar & Tapas (https://www.vinolocalesantacruz.com)
Vinocruz Winebar & Kitchen (https://vinocruz.com, 831-426-8466)
Woodies Café (https://www.facebook.com/woodiescafeca).
Woodstock’s Pizza (831-427-4444, https://woodstockscruz.com)
Zachary’s (831-427-0646, http://www.zacharyssantacruz.com)
Zelda’s (831-475-4900, http://zeldasonthebeach.com)
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz County food/drink closures & changes, as of March 21, 2020
photo by Liz Birnbaum of The Curated Feast
As I mentioned in my post Thursday, I am doing what I can to share information during the Coronavirus pandemic. Hoping this helps those of you who are either buying groceries or ready-to-eat food and drinks, and also helps the local business owners. Unfortunately I’ve already heard of one closing because of the health crisis: the restaurant/pub 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall announced Thursday it would be closing for good because they wouldn’t be able to survive this.
I wanted to also mention, for staying healthy, that Capitola’s The Vitamin Center is taking phone orders and offering curbside pickup. Call 831-462-4697 after 10 a.m. daily except Sunday.
Please forgive any mistakes in these listings, as it’s a constantly changing situation. Email me at tara@santacruzfoodie.com if you have information to share, that I can add to future articles. I’ll provide more listings in a couple days.
Grocery stores (listed alphabetically)
- Costco: hours are 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., seniors and vulnerable customers can shop Tues & Thurs 8-9 a.m., https://www.costco.com/
- Grocery Outlet: hoursare8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, https://groceryoutlet.com/store-locator
- New Leaf Community Markets: reduced hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, https://www.newleaf.com/
- Shopper’s Corner: as of March 21, they had not reduced hours (still 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.). For seniors and vulnerable guests, they will take your order via email (shoppers.statements@gmail.com) and shop for you Monday-Friday, & call when ready to pick up—when you email your list, include your name & phone #. http://www.shopperscorner.com/
- Staff of Life: reduced hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m., seniors 60 & older can shop at 8 a.m. from Monday-Friday, https://www.staffoflifemarket.com
- Target: reduced hours at stores including Capitola & Watsonville (8 a.m.-9 p.m.): https://www.target.com/store-locator/find-stores
- Trader Joe’s: reduced hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, https://www.traderjoes.com/
- Safeway: reduced hours depending on location, https://www.safeway.com/
- Whole Foods: reduced hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m., seniors 60 & older can shop at 8 a.m. https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores
Farmer’s Markets – these are currently open:
- Downtown Santa Cruz Wednesday
- Aptos/Cabrillo College Saturday
- Westside SC Saturday
- Live Oak Sunday
Restaurants & other food vendors
- Alderwood: reopening March 24 with takeout and delivery menu, alderwoodsantacruz.com
- Bad Animal Books: Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday from 4-7 p.m., take-out “family meals” with curbside pick up. Emergency first responders get a 50% discount. Order at badanimalbooks.com.
- Bagelry: closed for the foreseeable future
- Bittersweet Bistro: open Wednesday-Sunday noon-7 pm for take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery (to Aptos on orders over $100), bittersweetbistro.com.
- Blue Bunny Tacos: closed until further notice
- Café Mare: takeout/curbside and delivery, 831-458-1212, http://www.cafemare.com/
- Charlie Hong Kong: noon-9 p.m., takeout (curbside pickup). They will cater & deliver to serve first responders, medical/hospital staff & government workers, charliehongkong.com
- Chocolate: takeout/delivery daily 4-8pm. They use DoorDash for delivery — menu is updated on DoorDash every day at noon, and there are daily specials Delivery info is at https://www.doordash.com/store/chocolate-santa-cruz-284767/ & pickup info is at https://chocolatesantacruz.com/wine-list/
- Colectivo Felix: Friday and Saturday empanada delivery to Santa Cruz residents, possibly adding soup next week (check site Monday), https://colectivofelix.square.site/
- Crow’s Nest: takeout daily with curbside pickup 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., also Beach Market next door 9 a.m.-8 p.m., http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/
- Dharma’s: closed for the foreseeable future
- East Side Eatery from Pleasure Pizza: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., takeout/delivery only, with curbside pickup for online orders, pleasurepizzasc.com
- Full Steam Dumpling: Thursday-Sunday noon-5 p.m., takeout with curbside pickup (at Santa Cruz Food Lounge), (626) 549-5574
- Home: takeout with curbside pickup, taking phone orders between 1-6pm, 831-431-6131, homesoquel.com
- Ideal Bar & Grill: Daily noon-6 p.m., takeout food plus brewed coffee and espresso drinks, are available. Orders can be placed in person at café or at 831-423-5271. Only 2 guests at a time will be allowed in Ideal for pickup. www.idealbarandgrill.com
Kianti’s: takeout with curbside pickup, or delivery, https://www.kiantis.com/ - La Posta: takeout with curbside pickup, lapostarestaurant.com
- Lago di Como Ristorante & Pizzeria: takeout/delivery including free delivery to limited areas, menu with family-size options through April 7, lagodicomoristorante.com
- Laili: takeout/delivery, lailirestaurant.com
- Linda’s Sea Breeze: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., takeout, cash (ATM available) or check, 831-427-9713
- Nick the Greek: takeout/delivery, nickthegreeksj.com/locations
- Olive Garden: doing takeout and delivery,https://www.olivegarden.com/order-togo
- Panda Express: takeout and delivery, pandaexpress.com
- Pasatiempo Golf Course: MacKenzie Bar & Grill is closed until further notice; Hollins House is doing take-out dinner. thehollinshouse.com/restaurant
- Persephone: take-out menu available Fridays and Saturdays (may expand in future). Menu will change week to week, see https://www.toasttab.com/potter/v3
- Pono Hawaiian Grill: closing downtown location for the foreseeable future
- Pretty Good Advice: takeout daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Shadowbrook: closing until at least April 7.
- Soif: takeout with curbside pickup, Tues-Sat 4-8 p.m., soifwine.com
- Surf City Sandwich: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., takeout or delivery, see surfcitysandwich.com.
- Tortilla Flats: closed until further notice
- Tramonti: takeout and delivery, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., 831-426-7248, http://www.tramontisantacruz.com
- Vim Dining & Desserts: closed until further notice
- Zameen: all branches will be closed through at least March 22.
Get info for more downtown SC restaurants, & other downtown SC food/drink venues, at https://downtownsantacruz.com/downtown-delivered
Breweries & wineries
- Big Basin Vineyards closed the Boulder Creek and Saratoga tasting rooms until further notice.
- Humble Sea Brewing Co. is to-go only.” Hours are Monday-Thursday 2-7 p.m. and Friday-Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Visit humblesea.com.
- Sante Adairius is offering to-go sales, from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Visit rusticales.com.
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz County food/drink closures & changes, as of March 19, 2020
photo courtesy of HOME web site
Hi everyone – I wanted to help share some information in this unprecedented environment. As this is constantly evolving and I don’t have the time or resources to gather everything at once, I am starting with one list today & including hours where I have them.
I will add a second list soon, with more in each of these categories, and try to do revised and/or additional lists in the days to come. I wish you all continued good health.
Please email me at tara@santacruzfoodie.com if you have information to share, that I can add to future lists/articles (I have some more ready to share but if I keep typing I will never finish & be able to share these).
Grocery stores
- New Leaf Community Markets reduced hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, newleaf.com
- Trader Joe’s reduced hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, traderjoes.com
- Safeway: reduced hours depending on location, safeway.com/
Farmer’s Markets – these are currently open:
Downtown Santa Cruz Wednesday
Aptos/Cabrillo College Saturday
Westside SC Saturday
Live Oak Sunday
Restaurants
Alderwood: reopening Tuesday with takeout and delivery menu, alderwoodsantacruz.com
Bad Animal Books: Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday from 4-7 p.m., take-out “family meals” with curbside pick up. Emergency first responders get a 50% discount. Order at badanimalbooks.com.
Blue Bunny Tacos: closed until further notice
Charlie Hong Kong: noon-9 p.m., takeout (curbside pickup). They will cater & deliver to serve first responders, medical/hospital staff & government workers, charliehongkong.com
Dharma’s: closed for the foreseeable future.
East Side Eatery from Pleasure Pizza: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., takeout/delivery only, with curbside pickup for online orders, pleasurepizzasc.com
Home: takeout with curbside pickup, taking phone orders between 1-6pm, 831-431-6131, homesoquel.com
La Posta: takeout with curbside pickup, lapostarestaurant.com
Lago di Como Ristorante & Pizzeria: takeout/delivery including free delivery to limited areas, menu with family-size options through April 7, lagodicomoristorante.com
Laili: takeout/delivery, lailirestaurant.com
Nick the Greek: takeout/delivery, nickthegreeksj.com/locations
Panda Express: takeout and delivery, pandaexpress.com
Pasatiempo Golf Course: MacKenzie Bar & Grill is closed until further notice; Hollins House is doing take-out dinner. thehollinshouse.com/restaurant
Pono Hawaiian Grill: closing downtown location for the foreseeable future
Shadowbrook: closing until at least April 7.
Soif: takeout with curbside pickup, soifwine.com
Surf City Sandwich: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., takeout or delivery, see surfcitysandwich.com.
Tortilla Flats: closed until further notice
Vim Dining & Desserts: closed until further notice
Zameen: all branches will be closed through at least Sunday.
Breweries & wineries
- Big Basin Vineyards closed the Boulder Creek and Saratoga tasting rooms until further notice.
- Humble Sea Brewing Co. is to-go only.” Hours are Monday-Thursday 2-7 p.m. and Friday-Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Visit humblesea.com.
- Sante Adairius is offering to-go sales, from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Visit rusticales.com.
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer