Tag Archives: Capitola
Christmas offerings, cheese event from Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz & Capitola
Christmas is around the corner, and Whole Foods Market in Capitola (1710 41st Ave.) and Santa Cruz (911 Soquel Ave have lots of special offerings to choose from. In addition, the annual “12 Days, 12 Cheeses” promotion with a 30 percent discount just started! More on that a little later in this article.
For Christmas, place orders in person or online at shop.wfm.com through Dec. 23 for in-store pickup.
Whole Foods Market has partnered with cookbook author Chloe Coscarelli for a pre-made vegan holiday meal. Here are details on the dinner for two:
- Cremini Mushroom Roast with Mushroom Gravy
- Miso Creamed Greens
- Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole
- Jalapeño Cornbread Dressing
- Pumpkin Curry Soup (V).
For non-vegan meals, there are a plethora of selections. Some would be considered classics (whole roast turkey meal for four, eight or 12 people – organic option available), while others are paleo-friendly or have another twist (how about a beef Wellington or lamb shank feast for four?). You can also order scrumptious a la carte sides like cider-roasted Brussels sprouts with pepitas or corn pudding.
Last but not least, desserts include Midnight Bûche de Noël (Yule Log — chocolate sponge cake filled with champagne mousse and topped with chocolate buttercream) plus several pies:
- vegan Scarlett (juicy pear, tender apples and figs, and tart cranberries topped with a crispy walnut streusel)
- Cherry
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Pumpkin (vegan or traditional)
- Pecan
Cheese Event
From now through Dec. 21, it’s the Holiday Cheese Bash where customers can save 30% off 12 different cheeses for 12 days. These include Klare Melk Truffle Gouda (exclusive to Whole Foods), Quadrello di Bufala, Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog, and Cowgirl Creamery Organic Mt. Tam—which Whole Foods playfully refers to as “Brie’s quirky Californian cousin.” Prime members even receive an extra 10% discount after the 30%.
Local Store Details
Whole Foods Market Santa Cruz is located at 911 Soquel Ave. Call (831) 426-9901 for more information.
Whole Foods Market Capitola is located at 1710 41st Ave. Call (831) 464-2900 for more information.
For more Whole Foods Market locations, see the store locator.
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Christmas and Hanukkah goodies at Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz & Capitola
Christmas and Hanukkah are coming soon—in case you need some inspiration, I looked to Whole Foods Market for a few tips. Whole Foods Market locations in Capitola (1710 41st Ave.) and Santa Cruz (911 Soquel Ave.) always have lots of delicious, seasonal products, and the company generously gave me a gift card to enjoy a few items.
You can place orders in person or online; they must be made 48 hours before you want to pick them up. Depending on occasion, customers can place their holiday orders through Dec. 29; pick up dates are from Dec. 19-31.
Whole Foods Market has partnered with James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and author Michael Solomonov for a pre-made Hanukkah meal for eight. Solomonov wrote “Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking.” Here are details on the meal:
- Chicken Schnitzel with Apple Amba Sauce – Matzo-crusted chicken cutlers with hawaij—turmeric, cumin and black pepper—then fried crisp and served with a tangy Apple Amba Sauce
- Green Beans with Mushrooms and Tehina (Vegetarian) – Tender green beans roasted with mushrooms and tossed in tehina sauce—tehina, apple cider vinegar, shallots and fenugreek—topped with beluga lentils and crispy garlic
- Twice-Cooked Eggplant (Vegetarian) – First charred for deep flavors, eggplant is then mashed and simmered with onions, red bell pepper, paprika and coriander, and brightened by sherry vinegar and lemon juice
- Leek and Potato Cakes – Shredded potato, matzo and onion pancakes, fried until crisp and tasty
There are three other chefs that Whole Foods Market has collaborated with this holiday season: Nicole Rucker, James Beard Award–winning cookbook author Stella Parks, and cookbook author Jenné Claiborne. Their special offerings include desserts like Honey Chess Pie (think buttery custard, warming spices flaky crust, whipped cream and candied ginger – this is from Rucker, a four-time blue-ribbon pie contest winner and author of “Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers). Have a different kind of sweet tooth? There’s Parks’ Caramel Spice Cake (includes buttermilk spice cake, layers of cranberry jam, cream cheese frosting, and caramel glaze—pastry chef Parks wrote “BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts). Chef/blogger Claiborne, author of “Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes,” has created a vegan Southern holiday meal for two which includes mushroom étouffée (delicious – I tried it!) and black-eyed pea fritters.
Traditional offerings include classic roast turkey dinner (turkey breast for four or whole turkey for four, eight or 12—includes sides like green beans with roasted shallots), and prime rib or spiral-sliced ham dinner for eight. A la carte sides include creamed spinach and kale (includes cream, Parmesan and garlic), corn pudding, and cider-roasted Brussels sprouts with pepitas.
Other Whole Foods Market order-ahead offerings perfect for the holidays:
- Appetizers & Party Platters like Crostini Kits (varieties include Chevre & Tomato Crostini, Smoked Salmon Crostini, Roast Vegetable Crostini), Crab Cakes, or Antipasti Platter. Each of these platters serves 10.
- Desserts like Mini Pastry Platter or Berry Chantilly Cake (each serves eight) or Pistachio Chocolate Torte (serves six)
Local Store Details
Whole Foods Market Santa Cruz is located at 911 Soquel Ave. Call (831) 426-9901 for more information.
Whole Foods Market Capitola is located at 1710 41st Ave. Call (831) 464-2900 for more information.
For more Whole Foods Market locations, see the store locator.
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Thanksgiving highlights for Santa Cruz County
Thanksgiving is almost here, and there are many Santa Cruz County restaurants offering special menus—here are a few highlights in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos.
Shadowbrook, 1750 Wharf Rd., 831-475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com, has its Rock Room Lounge & Bar open from 11 am – 9 pm and its Dining Room open from 11:30 am – 8:30 pm. A traditional dinner includes Diestel Family Turkey Ranch, oven-roasted breast and thigh, cranberry-orange relish, Bourbon-Pecan dressing, garlic-whipped potato and traditional gravy ($31.95); other selections include house specialty slow-roasted Angus prime rib. Desserts include Gizdich Ranch apple and pumpkin pie, and dark chocolate pear bread pudding. Note: even though 500 reservations were made the first day that Thanksgiving reservations were available, as of Nov. 25 there were still some tables open.
Chaminade, One Chaminade Lane, (831) 475-5600, www.chaminade.com, has a Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 6 p.m. The cost is $65 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, $9 for kids 3-5 and free for kids 2 and under. Selections include cider-brined roast turkey with traditional gravy and cranberry orange compote, smoked rib eye with whipped Yukon gold potatoes and horseradish cream, butternut squash ravioli with porcini crème, several salads, and roast sweet potatoes with pistachio orange soup.
The Dream Inn, 175 West Cliff Drive, is offering a buffet from 1-6 p.m. in the upstairs event space. Cost is $70 for adults and $32 for kids 6-12. Selections include roast turkey and prime rib carved to order, a salad bar, local cheese and charcuterie, a shellfish bar, and a dessert display. Reservations are required at 831-460-5012 or events@dreaminnsc.com. Also, the hotel’s Jack O’Neill restaurant will be serving its regular menu plus Thanksgiving specials; you can book via OpenTable.
Severino’s Bar & Grill, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos (831) 688-8987, is offering a buffet from noon to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $47 for adults and $19 for kids 5-10; ages 4 and under are free. Selections include slow roasted turkey, Angus prime rib, honey baked ham, leg of lamb, clam chowder and vegetarian ravioli. Visit severinosbarandgrill.com
Ideal Bar & Grill, 106 Beach St., is offering specials on Thanksgiving, including a traditional turkey feast ($23.95) and slow-roasted prime rib ($24.95). Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a limited menu will also be available. Desserts include pumpkin pie and apple pie. Call 831-423-5271 or visit idealbarandgrill.com.
Solaire at Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., 831-600-4545, is serving a
three-course prix fixe menu. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. and cost is $49. First
course choices include spiced winter squash soup; second courses include
traditional roast turkey dinner and Brandade crusted California sea bass.
Dessert options include Watsonville berry crisp.
The Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Dr., 831-476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com, is offering brunch specials from 9-11 am, and the dinner menu from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Selections include a traditional turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams, dressing, and cranberry relish. Cost is $29.95 or $15.95 for child’s portion. Desserts include pumpkin pie with salted caramel whipped cream and hazelnut brittle. Also, the Beach Market will be selling breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches and more on Thanksgiving Day starting at 9 a.m.
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Christmas shopping: last minute restaurant gift card bonuses
Photo caption: Sushi Garden is offering discount gift cards this holiday season
Two weeks ago I posted this article with eight different “gift card bonus offers” from Santa Cruz and Capitola restaurants. Here are a few more for any of you doing very-last-minute shopping.
Capitola, Scotts Valley and Watsonville
Sushi Garden is offering 10% off if you purchase at least $50 worth of gift certificates. You have to buy them by Dec. 24, and they’re valid at all three locations: Capitola (820 Bay Ave.), Scotts Valley (5600 Scotts Valley Dr.) and Watsonville (1441 Main St.).Visit sushi-garden.com.
Capitola, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz
Jamba Juice is offering a gift card deal this holiday season, through Christmas. If you buy $25 in gift cards, you get a $5 bonus card redeemable in January and February. For more information, visit jambajuice.com. Local stores include Capitola (3555 Clares St.), Santa Cruz (1550 Pacific Ave.), and Scotts Valley (214 Mt. Hermon Rd.).
Santa Cruz
At Blaze Pizza (1901 Mission St.), if you buy a $25 gift card by Dec. 31, you get a free pizza reward to use at in 2019 (Jan. 1-Feb. 28). Restrictions: You must be a Blaze Rewards member (but it’s easy to sign up). For more information, visit blazepizza.com/locations/santa-cruz.
And finally, even though it’s not food-related, I have to mention Bookshop Santa Cruz because it’s such a wonderful, independent resource—and it’s been so for more than 50 years! Through the holiday season, you receive a free $10 BSC gift card when you purchase four $25 gift cards, or a free $5 gift card when you purchase five $10 gift cards. Speaking of food, your gift recipients (or you!) can buy a cookbook or a different type of food book (Ruth Reichl’s Comfort me With Apples…Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential, etc.). Visit bookshopsantacruz.com.
Best wishes for a great 2019!
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Santa Cruz holiday shopping: Gift card bonus offers for restaurants
Pono Hawaiian Grill is offering discount gift cards this holiday season
If you’re in Santa Cruz or Capitola and have some gift or stocking stuffer shopping to do, you’ll be happy to know that several restaurants are offering “gift certificate bonus deals” for the 2018 holiday season. Here are a few options – if you hear of any more, let me know at tara@santacruzfoodie.com so I can share with everyone, thanks!
Santa Cruz
Pono Hawaiian Grill (120 Union St.) – If you buy a $25 gift card, it costs $20. If you buy a $100 card, you get a $20 bonus certificate. The offer is valid until Dec. 31. For more information, call 831-426-7666 or visit ponohawaiiangrill.com.
Hula’s Island Grill: ((221 Cathcart St.): Purchase a $50 gift certificate and get a $10 card free to keep for yourself. Purchase $100 and get a $20 certificate free. Offer available until December 23. For more information, call 831-426-4852 or visit hulastiki.com.
Mission Hill Creamery (1101B Pacific Ave., 831-216-6421) is offering gift cards at a 20 percent discount. Purchase cards such as a $10 card for $8 or a $50 card for $40. The promotion is valid through Dec. 24. Visit missionhillcreamery.com.
Woodstock’s Pizza – Now through Christmas, for every $50 in gift cards you purchase, you get 5 free “Woody Bucks.” The Santa Cruz location is 710 Front St. Call 831-427-4444 or visit woodstockscruz.com.
Denny’s: customers who buy a $25 Denny’s gift card will receive $50 in coupons for future visits. The offer is valid through Dec. 25. The Santa Cruz location is 1515 Ocean St. Call 831-426-4628 or visit dennys.com.
Capitola
Paradise Beach Grille (215 Esplanade): Buy a $100 gift certificate for $80. Offer valid through Christmas. Call 831-476-4900 or visit paradisebeachgrille.com
Chili’s – If you buy $50 in gift cards, you receive a $10 bonus card to keep for yourself. The Capitola branch is at 1855 41st Ave. For more information, call 831-462-1813 or visit chilis.com.
IHOP – If you buy a $25 gift card, you receive a $5 bonus coupon. The Capitola branch is at 1549 41st Ave. For more information, call 831-475-0540 or visit ihop.com.
Happy holiday shopping & Bon Appetit!
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Thanksgiving, Hanukkah at Whole Foods Market in Santa Cruz & Capitola
Whole Foods Market’s favorite local wine and cheese pairings for the holidays. Courtesy of WFM.
Thanksgiving is almost here, and after that Hanukkah is right around the corner! Whole Foods Market locations in Capitola (1710 41st Ave.) and Santa Cruz (911 Soquel Ave.) have many Thanksgiving selections and several Hanukkah items, and they graciously gave me a gift card so that I could try a few out.
You can place orders in person or online. Thanksgiving pick up dates are through Nov. 23; Hanukkah pick up is Nov. 30-Dec. 9 and selections include wine-braised brisket dinner for eight, and potato latkes with applesauce. Thanksgiving choices at WFM (see a holiday showcase here) include a classic roast turkey dinner for eight (with optional organic turkey upgrade) with a fully-cooked bird, herb stuffing and mashed potatoes turkey gravy, cranberry orange sauce, and green beans with crispy garlic and parsley; spiral-sliced ham; vegan entrees and sides; traditional holiday sides; and desserts. Prime members get a special deal: through Nov. 22, they get organic whole turkeys for $2.99/lb. and whole turkeys for $1.99/lb.
Something new and intriguing is a vegan holiday meal WFM has created in partnership with award-winning chef Jeremy Fox, author of the “On Vegetables” cookbook. The meal includes Romanesco Cauliflower Roast with Miso Bagna Cauda, Cremini Mushroom Stuffing with Kimchi, and Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple and Hazelnut Dukkah. You can also order these selections a la carte.
WFM is also offering a special seasonal pie from Lisa Ludwinski, founder of Detroit’s Sister Pie and author of “Sister Pie: The Recipes & Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit.” The Cranberry Crumble Pie, Ludwinski’s personal favorite for the season, features an all-butter crust, a sweet cranberry compote filling with juicy whole cranberries, grated pear and warm spices, and an oat crumble topping.
Other Santa Cruz and Capitola store highlights that are perfect for the holidays:
- Seafood: Fresh, Whole Dungeness Crab
-
- Crab season is a Bay Area holiday tradition. Pick up at least three sweet and rich whole crab, and save $1 per pound. WFM’s team of local fishmongers will crack and clean free of charge.
- Specialty Wine and Cheese: Favorite local wine and cheese pairings this season selected by WFM
-
- Bay Blue cheese, a mellow blue made in Point Reyes, paired with Sean Thackery Pleides red blend, a “red berry, tangy crowd pleaser”
- Carmody cheese paired with Jay Vineyards J California Pinot Noir, a “highly drinkable, soft rich wine”
- Crisp Roederer Estates Anderson Valley Brut paired with Mt. Tam organic cheese, because the wine “goes lovely with soft, ripened cheeses”
- Local, Organic Eggnog including:
-
- Straus Family Creamery, an organic eggnog finished with nutmeg
- Clover Sonoma Organic Maple Bourbon Eggnog, a non-alcoholic classic
- Special holiday dishes by Chef Trent of WFM
-
- Creations include Ginger Cinnamon Spice Duck or Turkey breast, and Spiced Prime Rib
- “Pick up your cut at the meat counter, pop into the oven and you are ready to serve your guests,” shared a WFM spokesperson.
- Humphry Slocombe’s Coconut Shoyu Ice Cream – new and available for a limited time
-
- Top your favorite seasonal pie with a scoop of this ice cream, the fourth exclusive collaboration available exclusively at Whole Foods Market
- Created by San Francisco-based Humphry Slocombe and Chef Melissa King in partnership with WFM—they made their first collaborative flavor, Hong Kong Milk Tea, in 2017
- Northern California’s Tsar Nicolai caviar
-
- Tsar Nicolai sustainably raises and produces top of the line caviar in Wilton, CA.
- This year, WFM is partnering with the brand for an exclusive trio bundle deal, available in the Seafood dept.
Local Store Details
Whole Foods Market Santa Cruz is at 911 Soquel Ave. Call (831) 426-9901 for more information.
Whole Foods Market Capitola is located at 1710 41st Ave. Call (831) 464-2900 for more information.
For more Whole Foods Market locations, see the store locator.
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Mother’s Day restaurant highlights for Santa Cruz & Monterey: Shadowbrook, Chaminade, Portola & more
Shadowbrook is open during the day on Mother’s Day. Photo courtesy of Shadowbrook.
Dining out on Mother’s Day is extremely popular, so if you haven’t made reservations yet, better hurry: here are a few restaurant highlights for Santa Cruz County and Monterey. I’ll publish more in the next few days.
Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos
Shadowbrook
It’s very rare for Shadowbrook to be open during the day, but it’s happening on Mother’s Day. The restaurant is serving a dinner menu all day (11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) in its main dining room. Mother’s Day specials are slow-roasted leg of spring lamb (porcini mushroom-crusted with organic baby carrots, wild rice ‘pilaf’ and Cabernet jus, $28.95) and sweet-glazed ham (lightly smoked with Gouda potato gratin, grilled asparagus, apple-mustard and ham hock jus, $24.95). Many other dishes will be available like New England clam chowder; signature salad which includes baby spinach, candied pecans, and bacon-wrapped prawns; and house specialty Angus prime rib. See full menu here.
Many of the large party tables (7 people and up) have been booked, but as of press time there were a couple cancellations for the private room, at 11:15 and 5:15—this holds 12-16 people. For smaller parties (tables of four, for example) they are booked from 11 a.m. to 2:30, but there are reservation openings after that scattered throughout the afternoon and evening. Call 831-475-1511 for reservations. In addition, the Rock Room Bar & Lounge is open beginning at 10:30 a.m. for bar service and 11 for food, and might stay open as late as 10 p.m., but there are no reservations accepted for that area. It’s first-come, first-served. The regular dinner menu will be available at the rooftop heated bar/lounge deck. The regular Rock Room menu will be available in the lounge and on the deck. Because of Shadowbrook’s popularity—especially on Mother’s Day—many people choose to buy restaurant gift cards for Mother’s Day and give these as gifts, to be used at a later date.
1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola
Chaminade
The Chaminade offers its annual Mother’s Day buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 13. Cost is $66.95 for adults, $18.95 for kids 6-12 and free for kids under 6. Selections include Belgian waffles; an omelet bar; mini quiches; gourmet salads; a seafood bar with teriyaki salmon, Dungeness crab legs and more; roast prime rib with au jus; bourbon glazed honey ham; and ravioli with porcini cream, fried leeks and wild mushrooms. Kids’ dishes are chicken strips and fries; mac & cheese; and mini pancakes. See full menu. Call (831) 475-5600 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz
Sanderlings
Sanderlings at Seascape Resort has a brunch buffet from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm; the price is $56.95 for adults and $21.95 for kids. This year’s selections include a prime rib carving station; a seafood bar; a salad assortment (includes roasted beet with radicchio, apple, pickled apple; and Cobb; fresh fruit; and freshly baked croissants and muffins. Other highlights include potato cakes; smoked bacon and chicken apple sausage; and a kids’ menu with chicken tenders, hot dogs and more. Call (831) 662-7120 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos
Hollins House
Hollins House at Pasatiempo has a brunch buffet from 10 am to 2 pm; the price is $75 for adults (includes a glass of champagne). The menu will include made-to-order omelets featuring choices such as smoked salmon and green garlic chives; Yukon gold potato hash; Applewood smoked bacon and breakfast sausage; a carving station with items such as Pitt ham with honey mustard and Hollandaise; artichoke quiche; and a few salads (including Caesar, and build-your-own-Cobb). Other highlights include a croissant and bagel station, cupcakes and bread pudding with salty whiskey caramel. See full menu here. Call (831) 216-5358 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz
Monterey
Portola Hotel & Spa
Portola Hotel & Spa is hosting Mother’s Day brunch at its De Anza Ballroom. There will be live piano music, and each mother receives a complimentary Mimosa. The buffet is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 831-649-7874 for reservations. Cost is $54.95 for adults, $41.95 for seniors 65 and up, and $24.95 for kids. The menu includes ham-gruyere frittata, sweet & savory crepes, California cheeses & cured meats with crusty bread & crackers, wild King salmon, and prime rib. The kids’ menu includes macaroni & cheese and grilled chicken fingers with Ranch. See full menu.
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey
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Thanksgiving highlights for Santa Cruz & Scotts Valley
The dining room at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley
Credit: 1440 Multiversity
Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and there are lots of offerings you can choose from—including a unique day at Scotts Valley’s 1440 Multiversity, restaurants with lunch or dinner, and caterers and personal chefs that have prepared food options. Here are a few highlights.
1440 Multiversity is offering an inclusive day of Thanksgiving programming. The cost is $125; this includes breakfast (8-9 a.m.), lunch (noon-1:30 p.m.) plus Thanksgiving dinner (4:30-6:30 p.m.). Tickets must be purchased by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. The dinner menu includes Oven Roasted Turkey, Cranberry Confit, Turkey Gravy (vegetarian entrée available); Roasted Brussels Sprout Apple Hash, Chive Gremolata, Fresh Horseradish; and Green Bean Casserole, Wild Mushroom, and Oven Dried Shallot. For the day, attendees will have full access to the campus including workshops, hiking trails, movement classes such as yoga, and an infinity tub soak at the Healing Arts center (participants also receive a $20 discount on any healing treatment of 50 minutes or longer, including massage). A kirtan concert follows dinner. Buy tickets and see full schedule online.
800 Bethany Dr., Scotts Valley, 1440.org
Vegetarian Thanksgiving to go: organic prepared food business The Open Hearth is offering a to-go Thanksgiving menu. All orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 17 and will be ready for pick up Wednesday, Nov. 22 after 4:30 p.m. Selections are Winter Squash Apple Bisque; Pomegranate Persimmon Spinach Salad w/ Goat Cheese & Pomegranate Vinaigrette; Baked Tofu Strips (with Wildwood sprouted firm tofu); Garlic Mashed Potatoes; Portobello Mushroom Gravy; Roasted Brussels Sprouts (with Rodoni Farms sprouts); Cashew Carrot Spread; Jumbo Cornbread Muffins; and Cranberry Apple Crisp. Founder/chef Beth Freewomon has been offering ready-made meals made from organically grown, gluten-free, plant-based and whole unprocessed foods to the local community for more than 10 years. Visit IAmTheOpenHearth.com or contact 831-471-9677 or bethfreewomon@yahoo.com
Whole Foods Market has many take-out and catering options available in Santa Cruz and Capitola. All orders must be placed by Tuesday, Nov. 21; WFM recommends ordering as soon as possible, as some selections will sell out. WFM partnered with Philadelphia-based fine dining vegan restaurant Vedge to create a Vegan Meal for Two ($39.99), which includes lentil-mushroom stuffing, mustard-glazed cauliflower, a chocolate toffee mini cake and more. A la carte vegan dishes include roasted butternut squash. Gluten-free selections include several pie varieties from the company Natural Decadence. A traditional turkey dinner for eight for $119.99 contains a fully cooked 10-lb. oven-roasted turkey, herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, organic turkey gravy, and two pounds each of organic cranberry orange sauce and green beans with crispy garlic and parsley (the latter two selections are vegan). For a similar dinner for eight with an organic turkey and slightly different selections, the cost is $159.99. You can place your Thanksgiving dinner orders in person or online at wholefoodsmarket.com/online-ordering. They also have a comprehensive online holiday guide which includes lots of tips and recipes.
911 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (831) 426-9901
1710 41st Ave., Capitola, (831) 464-2900
Chaminade has a Thanksgiving buffet from noon to 6 p.m. The cost is $60 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, and free for kids under 6. Selections include roast turkey with warm orange-cranberry compote, roasted Dijon-crusted lamb leg with mint jelly, apple cider braised pork loin with dried cherry bordelaise and crispy prosciutto, butternut squash ravioli with porcini crème and roast vegetable bruschetta, a Greek display (dolmas, falafel, tzatziki, hummus and more), several salads, and winter squash soup with toasted pepita seeds.
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz (831) 475-5600
Aquarius at the Dream Inn is offering a buffet from 1:30-7 p.m. Cost is $64 for adults and $29 for kids 12 and under. Selections include Diestel free range turkey and prime rib carved to order; butternut squash bisque; a salad bar; cheese and charcuterie including Cypress Grove Bermuda Triangle, Marcona almonds, honeycomb, prosciutto, smoked duck breast, assorted pates and seafood and vegetable terrines; and traditional Thanksgiving sides like Yukon gold mashed potatoes and glazed sweet candied yams. Desserts include pumpkin pie, Kentucky bourbon pecan pie, mini pastries and cupcakes.
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz (831) 426-4330
Severino’s Bar & Grill is offering a buffet from noon to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $42 for adults and $17 for kids 5-10; ages 4 and under are free. Selections include turkey, Angus prime rib of beef, honey-baked country ham and leg of lamb carved to order; traditional stuffing and Yukon mashed potatoes; Caesar salad; clam chowder; fish of the day; and vegetarian ravioli. Desserts include pumpkin pie, pecan pie and vanilla crème brulee.
7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos (831) 688-8987
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St. Patrick’s Day food and drink highlights for Santa Cruz County & nearby
My Mom’s Mole, Elkhorn Slough Brewing & The Green Waffle are collaborating for St. Patrick’s Day. Photo credit: My Mom’s Mole Facebook page
There are many enticing foods and events for St. Patrick’s Day 2017 in Santa Cruz and nearby areas. Here are a few highlights.
My Mom’s Mole is hosting an event at Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co. in Watsonville on Friday, March 17, from 4-8 p.m. There will be taco and green waffle options with shredded chicken and/or roasted root vegetables and mole sauce (My Mom’s Mole signature sauce and/or mole verde). A side of My Mom’s Mole signature cactus & kale salad accompanies each dish. The waffles are courtesy of The Green Waffle LLC and El Nopalito Produce is providing the nopales (cactus).
My Mom’s Mole, The Green Waffle, and El Nopalito Produce are three of the 30-plus locally owned businesses that operate out of Watsonville’s El Pájaro CDC Commercial Kitchen Incubator. Elkhorn Slough Brewing Co. opened in 2016 and focuses on wild ales made with locally harvested yeast and other locally sourced ingredients.
Elkhorn Slough co-founder Julie Rienhardt said,“When locals come together to make great food and drink from the ingredients all around us, it takes delicious to a whole new level. We are proud to be serving our beer with My Mom’s Mole to the wonderful Watsonville community for a festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration.”
Location: 65 Hangar Way, Watsonville
La Sofrita is doing a “We’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day” popup from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, at POPUP next to Assembly. Chef Anna says “while staying true to Puerto Rican classics and flavors, we will pay homage to the Irish.” The menu will include rellenos de papa, a classic Puerto Rican dish of mashed potatoes stuffed with savory beef picadillo, then gently fried; corned beef empanadas (plus a few of La Sofrita’s other empanada varieties) served with curtido, a lightly pickled cabbage slaw; and Puerto Rican chicken stew flavored with sofrito and adobo, served with Puerto Rican rice. Beer will also be available.
Location: 1108 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria is offering corned beef and cabbage dinner for $15.95. This includes potatoes, carrots, onions, horseradish cream and a slice of Irish soda bread. Dinners will be available Thursday and Friday, March 16-17, starting at 9 a.m. (cold) and noon (hot) for take-out service. Cost is $15.95. The restaurant has also created Guinness stout chocolate cake, Bailey’s Irish cream cheesecake and iced shamrock cookies. Gayle’s is at Learn more:
Location: 504 Bay Ave., Capitola
Ella’s at the Airport is serving corned beef and cabbage for lunch and dinner. There will also be Irish-inspired drinks.
Location: 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville
Malone’s is offering what it calls “traditional St. Patrick’s Day food specials” plus Irish style beers and special cocktails, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Friday. There will be live music in the evening.
Location: 4402 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley
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Pi Day discounts at Blaze Pizza and Whole Foods Market on the Central Coast
Blaze Pizza has $3.14 pies on Pi Day, March 14, 2017
Credit: Blaze Pizza
Pi Day, March 14, is tomorrow and people and businesses will be celebrating across the country—including restaurants and food vendors on the Central Coast such as Blaze Pizza and Whole Foods Market.
Blaze Pizza, which offers customers personalized pizza cooked in three minutes, has 185 restaurants—mostly in the US, but also in Canada. It’s celebrating Pi Day by offering $3.14 whole pizzas all day at all locations on March 14. Originally imagined as an unconventional “pop-up” event three years ago, Blaze’s Pi Day celebration has become very popular. They expect to serve close to 250,000 pizzas on March 14, 2017.
Whole Foods Market is celebrating Pi Day by offering customers $3.14 off both large bakery pies and large take-and-bake pizzas. Frozen products are excluded from this promotion.
This deal is only valid on March 14 and available while supplies last at shops across the county including Bay Area ones like Capitola, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Varieties of pies and pizzas vary from store to store, but may include pumpkin pie, apple pie, gluten-free apple pie, cherry pie, pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza, and vegan pizza. All WFM pies and pizzas contain no hydrogenated fats, no bleached or bromated flours, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Here are some facts about Pi Day provided by Blaze Pizza:
- Pi Day is celebrated each year on March 14, to commemorate the irrational number of 3.141592653
- In 2009 the US government recognized March 14 as National Pi Day
- Pi, or π, is defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It’s an irrational number, meaning it cannot be written as a simple fraction
- March 14 is also Einstein’s birthday. He was born in Germany in 1879
- The first organized Pi Day was in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Physicist Larry Shaw had the idea to celebrate the day by marching around a circle and then eating some pies. They still have the celebration today
Local Blaze Details
- Blaze San Jose-Almaden is at 5353 Almaden Expressway. Call (408) 440-2307 for details.
- Blaze Marina is at The Dunes, 110 General Stilwell Dr. Call (831) 324-0246 for details.
- Blaze Salinas is Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Shopping Center. Call (831) 443-1123 for details.
For more Blaze locations, including one in SF at Stonestown, see the store locator.
Local Whole Foods Details
- Whole Foods Market Santa Cruz is located at 911 Soquel Ave. Call (831) 426-9901 for more information.
- Whole Foods Market Capitola is located at 1710 41st Ave. Call (831) 464-2900 for more information.
- Whole Foods Market Monterey is at 800 Del Monte Center, (831) 333-1600.
For more Whole Foods Market locations, see the store locator.
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