Tag Archives: farmers markets
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
Event Santa Cruz hosts Edible Night at Assembly
Ashby Confections is providing food for Edible Night at Event Santa Cruz
Interested in food, restaurants, beer, farms, and things of that nature? The November program for monthly speaker series “Event Santa Cruz,” which takes place at restaurant Assembly on Nov. 17, has an edible theme. There will be eight speakers, and it’s almost sold out.
Organizer Matthew Swinnerton, who started Event Santa Cruz in September 2013 to tell the stories of local businesses and the people that make these businesses run, is very excited about the program. “There is something about an entrepreneur that is involved in the world of food,” he says. “Entrepreneurs usually have a lot of passion, but throw in an entrepreneur that loves food and deals with it for a living, oh man, that is passion ten fold.” He’s confident that attendees will hear some of the best talks Event Santa Cruz has ever had.
Scheduled speakers:
- Zach Davis – The Penny Ice Creamery, Assembly, The Picnic Basket
- Andrea Conklin Mollenauer — Lifestyle Culinary Arts
- Romney Dunbar — Dunbar Productions
- Tabitha Raquel Stroup — Friend In Cheeses Jam Company
- Marci Prolo — An Epicurious Lifestyle
- Annie Pautsch —Brew Cruz
- Liz Birnbaum —Incoming Board Chair, Slow Food Santa Cruz
- Nesh Dhillon — Santa Cruz Farmers Markets
Participant Mollenauer says, “I was thrilled to be invited to speak. The very focus and passion I have for my business is our local community and how to feed it great food, so to be asked to talk about that in a room full of community members who are willing to be a part of that delicious conversation makes me smile.” She plans on sharing details about the next stage of growth for her business and how the community can get involved in that.
Speaker Zach Davis is also co-owner of Assembly, the night’s venue. He’s happy to have the program at his restaurant, which opened in March 2014 and continues to draw crowds. “We always imagined Assembly as a place where people would literally come to the table to meet and converse over nourishing food and drink,” he says. “I’m personally excited about sharing the stage with some folks I know and admire for their food expertise as well as their involvement in the community.” He looks forward to hearing about what motivates and inspires them. “For me it’s the people I work and interact with, and I appreciate the opportunity to share a little more about them.”
Matt Ruiz is the evening’s musical guest. Also participating are several local food and beverage vendors, who are providing refreshments for the first hour of the program, during which time guests are invited to come and socialize. There will be dumplings from Mortal Dumpling, and treats from Mutari Hot Chocolate, Ashby Confections, Cardamom Tuesday, Friend in Cheeses Jam Company, and Hush-Hush Kitchen.
Tickets are only $10; purchase tickets online at eventsantacruz.com. There are only 28 tickets left as of Thursday morning, Nov. 13. There are also a limited number of “annual passes” available for $75. This grants pass-holders admission to 12 consecutive months of events, from now through Oct. 2015, so it’s a $45 savings over the entire year.
For more information call 831-332-8677.
Monday Nov. 17, 2014
6-7 p.m. refreshments, 7-8:30 p.m. speakers
Location: Assembly, 1108 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (Assembly’s not open on Mondays, so this event will be held in the main restaurant space)
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
Meet chefs from local restaurants at Eat Local First Festival in Aptos
Eat Local First food festival is Sat Oct 12, 2013
You can meet chefs from local restaurants, as well as folks from farms, confectionaries, and creameries, at the first annual Eat Local First Festival at the Aptos Farmers Market.
Think Local First Santa Cruz is hosting the food fair on Sat Oct 12 from 10am-1pm at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. The farmers market itself goes from 9am-noon; if you’ve never been, this is a great chance to do some shopping from the local farm vendors (there each week) and enjoy tasty treats from more than 20 restaurants, confectionaries, and creameries that will be visiting on Saturday.
In a recent “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” contest, the Aptos Farmers Market was named the Best Market in California, and the second best in the US!
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Seven: Aptos Farmers Market & Whole Foods Capitola
Pre-cracked and cleaned Dungeness crab platter for the holidays from Whole Foods Market
It’s Day Seven of Santa Cruz Restaurant Examiner/Santa Cruz Foodie’s “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway.” Today’s prize is a $20 gift card from Whole Foods Market Capitola and $20 in Farmers Market bucks from the Aptos Farmers Market. See end of article for how to enter, and keep reading for holiday selections from Whole Foods, and details on a Dec. 22 holiday gift fair at the Aptos Farmers Market.
If you want to order food from Whole Foods Market for the holidays, the deadline for Christmas orders is Sat. Dec. 22 and the deadline for New Year’s orders is Sun. Dec. 30. Order in person or online. Items include full dinners and a la carte items. A Health Starts Here dinner ($79.99) includes Butternut Collard Pozole, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Baked Apples, and more. A traditional roasted turkey dinner ($99.99) includes a 10-12 lb. Diestel turkey, 4 lbs. of savory herb stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. A la carte items include turkeys, tamales, cracked Dungeness crab platters, shrimp platters, potsticker platters, mushroom empanada platters, deviled eggs, and brussels sprouts with shallots & pecans (I have tried – and highly recommend – these brussels sprouts!). Both of the following stores are open 8am-9pm daily. Whole Foods in Santa Cruz: 911 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 426-9901, and Whole Foods in Capitola: 1710 41st Ave, Capitola (831) 464-2900.
The Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Voted “America’s Favorite Farmers Market in California,” it’s a great market with an incredible variety of offerings. As stated on its web site, “…eighty vendors, most of whom are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass-fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish…fresh pasta and gourmet sauces…handmade sauerkraut…artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey…farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.” During the holiday season, it’s home to a special home and hearth holiday fair featuring a rotating selection of handcrafted gifts each Saturday from mid-November through the last Saturday before Christmas (which is Dec. 22 this year). Gifts include Christmas ornaments, framed art, succulent art, jewelry, decorative metal signs and holiday cards.
****
THE CONTEST:
Reminder — during the entire “12 Days of Christmas” promotion, each person can only win one prize.
DAY SEVEN PRIZE – The winner will receive a $20 Whole Foods Market Capitola gift card PLUS $20 in Farmers Market bucks (good for merchandise at the Sat. Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo or the Fri. Monterey Farmers Market at Monterey Peninsula College).
To enter, email your name to tfatemiwalker@yahoo.com and include the words “Market money.”
Or post a comment to this article on my Facebook page, also including the phrase “Market money.”
Either way, the entry deadline is Wed. Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.
The drawing will take place that evening; the winner will be notified via email.
Santa Cruz celebrates Food Day: events at farmers market and Charlie Hong Kong
Pledge to “eat real” for Food Day 2012
Wednesday, Oct. 24 is Food Day in Santa Cruz, and there are a couple local events occurring.
Food Day is simultaneously an annual nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food. People are urged to “eat real;” the goal is to build a movement of Americans who want “healthy, affordable, and delicious food produced in a sustainable and humane way. Last year was the inaugural Food Day, and included more than 2,300 events in all 50 states. Read more at the Food Day website and the Food Day Facebook page.
At 5 p.m. at the Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market (Cedar and Lincoln Streets), Mayor Don Lane is reading a proclamation declaring Oct. 24, 2012 as “Food Day Santa Cruz.” Right before his reading there will be a press conference about Proposition 37 (regarding the labeling of GMOs) with several farmers from the market. The conference was organized by Pesticide Watch. The proclamation’s highlights include mentions of the town’s natural food grocery stores (and the fact that they accept SNAP/food stamps), our many handcrafted artisan food purveyors committed to using local products from organic farms, UCSC’s Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) and CASFS’ farm apprentice program, and many restaurants being awarded “The Golden Carrot” for serving healthy options.
At the Santa Cruz restaurant Charlie Hong Kong (1141 Soquel Ave at Seabright), on Oct. 24 at lunchtime customers can get their photos taken holding a flyer that says “I EAT REAL” (after signing the flyer). Owner Carolyn Rudolph is sending these photos to folks who will attach them to the petition that the Real Food Movement will present to Congress. Also, CHK is handing out free samples of coconut rice pudding all day (until they run out), as a gift to customers for eating healthy, sustainable, affordable, fair food.
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie
Special cooking lesson and feast at Santa Cruz’s MAH with India Joze chef
Chef Jozseph Schultz prepares his culinary creations.
The event is from 5:30-9 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring $10 and a “favorite veggie or meat from the Wednesday Farmers’ Market or from home.” The chef will create a feast from everyone’s culinary treasures, also utilizing some of his delectable sauces and tools that he will bring from the restaurant. Guests will have the opportunity to help prep the food, too. The event includes appetizers and dessert.
If you can’t make it this week, Chef Schultz does this innovative “cooking demo / cooking lesson / improvised feast” every Wednesday evening from 5-7:30 p.m. at his restaurant (418 Front Street, 831-325-3633).
To keep up to date with all of the Joze events – AND get discounts from time to time – make sure you regularly check the restaurant’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/IndiaJoze.
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie
Sand City’s The Independent Marketplace with organic produce, local meat and jam, food trucks, and more
Attendees at the debut of The Independent Marketplace in April 2012.
Photo credit: The Independent Marketplace Facebook page
The first event was on April 5. The program occurs on the first Thursday of each month from 4-9 p.m. with rotating themes. Here are some details: it’s located at a building called “The Independent” which includes live/work spaces plus retail venues. Once a month it’s transformed to a market where inside, you can find organic produce, flowers, and plants; prepared foods such as jams; meat and fish from local ranchers and fishermen; crafts, and a kids’ area. Outside, there are hot food stands and food trucks. Plus, there is music, art, craft beer, and wine.
The July 5 installment has Americana as its theme (next month the theme is Santa Cruz). It features a “barbecue throwdown” between Carmel’s Bruno’s Market, Pacific Grove’s Aqua Terra Culinary, Castroville’s Central Texas BBQ, Monterey’s Kenny Wolf BBQ, and Spice It Up Catering and BBQ. Other specific vendors include Moto-Espresso Coffee Carts (serving coffee from their re-purposed Vespa, Penny Ice Creamery from Santa Cruz, and Sweet Elena’s Bakery & Café (selling pies).
For more information, check out The Independent’s Facebook page.
The Details
The Independent Marketplace
July 5th from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
(and the first Thursday of each month)
600 Ortiz Ave
Sand City
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie
Chef Brad Briske & butcher Chris LaVeque at Santa Cruz Downtown Farmers’ Market July 4
A vendor at the downtown Santa Cruz Farmers' Market
The Farmers’ Market recently started a monthly food/farm education series called The Foodshed Project, and this Wednesday is the second event (Next month’s theme is Peach Party). Beginning at 3pm, Briske and butcher Chris LaVeque (of el Salchichero) will be presenting. The event includes grilled grass-fed mini burgers, and provides information on the importance of pasture-raised meats and eggs.
Briske currently teaches classes at Let’s Cook!, a cooking school in Soquel. These include Sausage Making 101 (using organic pork from local Fogline Farms), Succulent Steaks, and Chicken 101. Read my recent article on Let’s Cook! LaVeque’s background includes a degree from San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy, an apprenticeship with Severino’s Community Butcher, an internship at renowned Los Gatos restaurant Manresa, and positions at local restaurants Cellar Door (now Le Cigare Volant) and Gabriella Cafe.
This Wednesday’s hours are 1:30-6:30 p.m. (summer hours for the market). The expanded hours usually last until Thanksgiving week. Between Thanksgiving and the week after Daylight Savings Time, hours are shortened to 1:30-5:30 p.m.
The Details
Santa Cruz Downtown Farmers’ Market special food/farm event
Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 3 p.m.
Cedar & Lincoln Streets (one block off Pacific, behind Logos/Toadal Fitness)
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie
Cooking for Solutions: Great Chefs, Wine, and Demos at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Sustainable Foods Celebration at a previous year's Cooking For Solutions
The 10th Annual Cooking for Solutions celebration, May 20-22 at Monterey Bay Aquarium, features more than 70 chefs, 60 wineries, plus sustainable seafood and much, much more. The event is billed as an “elegant and engaging way to discover how your choices protect the health of soil, water and ocean wildlife.”
The Friday night festivities have been sold out for some time, but Saturday and Sunday feature many activities to choose from – including events that are free with regular Aquarium admission. Highlights of the programs that do cost extra: Alton Brown from The Food Network appears on Saturday (sold out) and Sunday (not sold out), and Robert Irvine from Dinner: Impossible appears on Saturday (not sold out). For more info see event web site.
If you want to learn more about sustainable seafood, organic agriculture and sustainable winemaking at information booths, you can do this for free at the Sustainable Foods Celebration (at Aquarium galleries Sat/Sun 10am-6pm) once you’ve paid regular Aquarium admission. You can attend cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, sample sustainable, seafood (from the Whole Foods Market Seafood team), taste produce from local farmers, and taste other products including Santa Cruz’s own Penny Ice Creamery ice cream.
I highly recommend catching Mark Dommen’s free demos on Saturday or Sunday. The talented chef is from One Market in San Francisco. Here is a crab cake recipe he shared with my readers on Examiner.com.
- Sat 1:30-2:15pm: Dommen cooks Cedar Plank Grilled Wild Alaskan Salmon with spicy greens and warm miso vinaigrette
- Sun 11:45am-12:30pm: Dommen prepares Pan Seared Pacific Cod with a curry mint vinaigrette
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.