Tag Archives: Uncommon Brewers
Enjoy delicious food & drinks at A Taste of Santa Cruz Thursday
The Point Chophouse serving food at a previous “A Taste of Santa Cruz,” Photo credit: A Taste of Santa Cruz, used with permission
The 13th annual “A Taste of Santa Cruz” (ATOSC) at the MAH on Thursday, Nov. 9, features more than 15 participating restaurants plus 16 wineries and two breweries. The event runs from 5:30-9 p.m. and benefits first-time home buyers. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the door if it’s not sold out. The cost includes a commemorative glass plus tantalizing tastings from 30-plus vendors. Buy tickets online, or visit atosc.com or call 831-464-2000 for more information.
This year’s event is at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History for the first time, and attendees can enjoy the museum’s three floors of exhibits before or after their refreshments. There is also a “tasting garden” on the rooftop where attendees can purchase glasses of wine and beer and purchase wine to take home. All proceeds from the event benefit the grant assistance program of the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Housing Foundation, which provides closing costs for first time, low-income home-buyers in Santa Cruz County. Also, Habit for Humanity Monterey Bay is collaborating with ATOSC this year.
Selected Bites at the Nov. 9 event
Splash!
Trout Bruschetta – House smoked trout with a tomato confit
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Two items: Ruben Rolls with corned beef on an egg roll with sauerkraut & dipping sauces, and traditional Irish Bangers
Persephone
Budino (savory Parmesan custard with balsamic glaze and fried sage)
Michael’s On Main
Two items: Smoked Pork Belly Sliders-Chipotle aioli, pickled slaw, crème fraiche on Hawaiian sweet rolls, and Spicy Tuna Spring Rolls with avocado, shitake mushrooms and wasabi mousse
Maine Lobster Rolls (with fresh lobster flown in from Maine)
Hula’s Island Grill – Santa Cruz
Hawaiian Ceviche with fresh white fish, cooked in citrus with coconut milk, chili, cilantro & garlic
“Thanksgiving Dinner in a Bowl” and dessert
Jerk House Wings with sweet Hibiscus Glaze or Jerk Glaze plus Sweet Fried Plantains
Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting
Dessert Buffet of holiday treats and cupcakes
Other participating vendors include Akira, The Point Chophouse, Marini’s Candies (assorted chocolates), Aldo’s Santa Cruz, Percy’s Pies, Makse Bars, Oasis Tasting Room (El Salchichero cured meats and accompaniments), Woodstock Pizza and Cowboy Bar and Grill (pulled pork). Wineries include Alfaro Family Vineyards, Bargetto, Burrell School, Clos Tita, Equinox Wines & Bartolo Winery, Kings Mountain Vineyards, Loma Prieta Winery, McHenry Vineyard, Odonata Wines, Roudon-Smith Winery, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Ser Winery, Villa del Monte Winery, Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery and 37th Parallel. Breweries are East Cliff Brewing Co. and Uncommon Brewers.
Other highlights at the event: live and silent auctions with items from local businesses and individuals. Prizes include stays at an oceanfront home in Aptos plus homes in Donner Lake, Puerto Vallarta and Maine; a wine lovers package; restaurant gift certificates; family-friendly activity tickets; shopping and wellness packages; and outdoor experiences.
Location: MAH, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz weekend highlights including Church Street Fair
Food from G’s Tacos, one of the vendors at Church Street Fair this weekend. Photo credit: G’s Tacos Facebook page
The summertime bounty of events in Santa Cruz continues; here are a few highlights for the weekend of Aug. 5-6, 2017, including refreshment options at the annual Church Street Fair.
Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 5-6: Church Street Fair
The Church Street Fair is part of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, which lasts until Aug. 12. As usual, there will be music, dance, art, food, and wine. Participating breweries and wineries include Corralitos Brewing (noon-3:30 p.m. Saturday), New Bohemia Brewing Co. (4-7 p.m. Saturday), Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing (noon-3:30 p.m. Sunday), Uncommon Brewers (4-7 p.m. Saturday), Storrs Winery, Odonata Wines, Soquel Vineyards, Rexford Winery, Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery and Birichino Wines. Vinocruz—which is opening in Soquel soon—will be pouring the wine both days. Falafel of Santa Cruz, the chefs from Prophet Elias Orthodox Church who put on the annual Greek festivals, food truck G’s Tacos, and Efi’s Dutch-Indo will sell food on both fair days. Food truck Ate3One will participate on Sunday.
Event organizers promise that “non-stop performances from global traditions will keep your spirits high as you select from a variety of local food purveyors, vintners and brewers, and explore the work of dozens of regional artists and craftspeople” (see site for entire performance schedule, which includes Flor de Cana and Broken English Saturday & Watsonville Taiko Sunday).
Location: Church Street between Chestnut & Cedar
Other highlights:
- La Sofrita Puerto Rican will be at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 7-10 p.m. Friday
- Efi’s Dutch-Indo will be at POPUP 5:30 p.m. to sellout Friday
- Friday night, lots of food and drinks will be at various galleries, shops and museums (including a fun-sounding balloon-centered exhibit at MAH) for First Friday Santa Cruz.
- My Mom’s Mole will be at Corralitos Brewing Co. Saturday afternoon & evening, and also the first Saturday of September & October. Service is 3 p.m. ‘til 8 p.m. unless they sell out earlier. And yes, I know this isn’t in Santa Cruz, but I wanted to mention anyways, especially since it’s the first of a series of three!
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz and nearby restaurant news highlights, Part 2 of 2
Jamaican food from The Jerk House
Here is some restaurant news for Santa Cruz and other local areas. I published Part 1 of this two-part series a few days ago.
Openings
Perfectly Pressed Juice Bar opened a Pleasure Point location in October at 3617B Portola Dr. next to Coffeetopia. The store sells many cold-pressed organic juices made with fruits and/or vegetables. I recently had the opportunity to sample three varieties. They were all delicious and refreshing, but my favorite was Green Dream with cucumber, spinach, kale, romaine, celery, apple, lemon and ginger. Green Dream happens to be one of their top sellers. Perfectly Pressed has locations in Salinas, Seaside, Marina and Prunedale and will open a Watsonville location next month. Santa Cruz hours are M-F 6-6, Sat 8-2, and Sun 10-2. Call (831) 331-4041.
The Jerk House opened in Santa Cruz in October. The restaurant serves Jamaican cuisine. Read my preview article to learn more about food and drink selections. I haven’t had the opportunity to dine there yet, but I look forward to it. The Jerk House is at 2525 Soquel Drive, (831) 316-7575. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tues-Thurs and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri-Sun.
Ruyi Dim Sum opened in Capitola in July. The restaurant, which is in the same 41st Ave. complex as New Leaf, serves Chinese food and dim sum. Selections include shrimp dumplings, steamed buns (BBQ pork, chicken, and more), Mongolian beef or chicken, mu shu with meat, fish, or veggies, chow mein, and fried rice. Ruyi Dim Sum is at 1200 41st Ave. Suite C, (831) 475-3688. Hours are approximately 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily.
Opening in the Future
El Salchichero and Uncommon Brewers are collaborating to create a very large (2,700 square foot!) bar and restaurant on River Street near the Old Sash Mill. They plan to open sometime in 2016, hopefully by April or May. The bar/lounge will be called The Oasis and will serve six to eight Uncommon Brewers draft beer plus cider and local wines. Food selections will include sausage sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie plates. There will also be a salumi-curing room for el Salchichero and space for Uncommon to expand its oak barrel-aging program. The location will be 415A River St.
East End Gastropub is opening in Capitola in late January or early February, in the former location of Tony and Alba’s next to the Cinelux Theater. The folks behind West End Tap & Kitchen are opening the pub on 41st Avenue adjacent to Cinelux Theater in late January or early February. The restaurant will feature a menu similar to West End, with wood-fired pizzas, appetizers, sharing plates, and craft beer and keg wine. East End Gastropub will be at 1501 41st Ave.
Cafe Brasil announced in November that they are going to open a location at UC Santa Cruz. They will take over management of the Global Village Cafe (formerly managed by Hoffman’s) in the lobby of McHenry Library. The menu will be based on Cafe Brasil’s Capitola offshoot, Amazon Juices, which includes juices, smoothies, acai bowls, sandwiches, egg burritos, salads and rice bowls. Cafe Brasil will also serve Brazilian coffee and Kelly’s French Bakery pastries. They hope to open later this month with a limited menu and expand to a full menu in January.
Juicy Sweet, a juice bar that will also feature smoothies, Straus organic soft serve ice cream, and frozen yogurt, will open in Aptos in the future. The location will be in the Aptos Center at 7500 Soquel Drive.
Closings
Camellia Tea House in Capitola has closed.
Changes
Lillian’s no longer serves lunch. Also, it’s expanding into a much larger space just a few doors down from the current location at 1116 Soquel Ave. They hope to begin serving food in this new spot (the former site of Jerry’s Sports) in March.
Back Porch in Soquel Village is now open on Saturdays. In September they started selling their food out of a mobile food trailer Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In late November, they added Saturdays, same hours. Their menu includes tacos, banh mi, and lamb sliders. The trailer is located at the corner of Soquel & Daubenbiss, at the Christmas tree lot. Call (831) 332-3401.
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
New Leaf offers birthday discounts & party plus employees get raises
Limited edition “Dirty 30” ice cream from New Leaf & Mission Hill Creamery
New Leaf Community Markets is celebrating its 30th birthday with lots of discounts through Sunday, Oct. 25, at its stores in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Half Moon Bay and Pleasanton. Also, the Westside store will hold a community block party on Saturday, Oct. 24. Visit Visit New Leaf’s 30-year anniversary site for details on events and promotions.
Discounts & More
Through Sunday, there are 30 different product lines being sold at 30% off—choices vary each day. There are three or four on each weekday, and 14 Saturday/Sunday specials. For Oct. 20, selections on sale included packages of fresh pasta and ravioli from Pasta Mike and raw organic sauerkraut from Farmhouse Culture (both wonderful Santa Cruz area companies). Thursday’s discount items will include all bulk items except for coffee, tea, and herbs. The weekend deals include all New Leaf-brand cheese, organic local apples, and Talenti gelato.
The store created a few fun “30th anniversary exclusive products” including limited edition stainless steel pint cups (Klean Kanteen produced them) and a limited edition “Dirty 30” ice cream made by local Mission Hill Creamery. Only 1,000 pints of this delicious-sounding dessert are being made. It features organic vanilla MHC ice cream made with Straus Family Creamery dairy as the base, infused with a generous caramel swirl made with organic ingredients. The ice cream is blended with deluxe rich chocolate cake donated by Black China Bakery (a family-owned wholesale bakery in Santa Cruz), and chocolate Newman-Os, chocolate cream-filled cookies made with organic flour and organic sugar by Aptos-based Newman’s Own.
Birthday Party
New Leaf’s birthday party, 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Westside New Leaf (1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz), has free admission. It features music by The McCoy Tyler Band and the Painted Horses band, an in-store tasting fair, kids’ arts and crafts, and lots of food and drinks for sale. Food vendors include Uncie Ro’s, Mission Hill Creamery, Beckmann’s Bakery, and Farmhouse Culture. Drink vendors include Uncommon Brewers, Bonny Doon Vineyard, and Hallcrest Vineyard. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, a longtime New Leaf partner. If you donate a can of food to SHFB during the party, you’ll get a free raffle ticket (prize to be announced).
History and recent news
New Leaf has accomplished a lot over the years. When their very first store opened, it stocked produce from local Route 1 Farms—and Route 1 vegetables are still found at New Leaf today (in the regular produce bins and in the store’s popular, ready-to-eat Coastal Kale Salad). This is just one of the many local produce growers that New Leaf carries. In 2002, New Leaf became the first retail partner with non-profit marine conservation organization FishWise and launched a sustainable seafood labeling program.
In 2013, Portland-based New Seasons Market purchased New Leaf Community Markets. New Seasons was the first grocer in the world, and New Leaf the second, to become certified B Corporations, which recognize businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. In late September 2015, New Leaf announced that effective January 1, 2016, it’s increasing the starting wage for all store staff from $10.30 to $12/hour. The pay rate for any staff whose rate falls below the new scale will move to the scale’s minimum, and any staff who have been with the company for more than two years will receive an additional adjustment based on tenure.
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.
Cantine Winepub in Aptos celebrates anniversary with wine, cider, and beer popups
Cantine Winepub, Photo courtesy of Shani Studios
Saturday, August 8, is the one-year anniversary of the opening of Aptos’ Cantine Winepub, and it’s celebrating with a day of special pop-ups with local winemakers, brewers and cider producers.
Owner Jason McKay is very excited about this milestone, as it’s the realization of a lifelong dream for him—one in which he would create a space for people to come together, enjoy great wine and beer, connect, and relax. “It’s been a great first year – being part of the Aptos and Santa Cruz Community,” says McKay.
On Saturday afternoon, attendees can enjoy music from DJ Dustbowl aka Amee Chapman plus wine tasting with Sante Arcangeli. The evening festivities will feature live music by El Quarto Verde, beer tasting with Uncommon Brewers, and cider samples from Reef Points Hard Cider.
If you’re unfamiliar with Cantine, it offers a diverse range of wines, craft beers and artisan foods in a comfortable lounge setting. The winepub traditionally offers six to eight wines on tap, with a featured wine-by-the-glass menu that changes daily. This way, frequent customers always have something new to try on each visit. Recent options have included wines from Alfaro, Kathryn Kennedy, Big Basin, Salmandre, and Force of Nature.
The winepub’s food menu features tapas that are designed for sharing. These are created using seasonal ingredients. Selections may include cheese and charcuterie trays; Kelly’s Bakery focaccia; house-made meatballs in slow-roasted tomato sauce; tortilla Espanola with sherry-braised onions, manchego, and chorizo; marinated kale salad; and roasted beets and fennel with crumbled goat cheese and citrus balsamic dressing.
In addition to wine, there are eight domestic craft brews on tap (Discretion Brewing, Sante Adairus, and more) and over twenty beers, ciders, mead and other beverages by the bottle.
Location: 8050 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-612-6191
Hours: Monday 4-9 p.m., Tues-Thurs 4–10pm, Fri-Sun noon–10pm
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.
Santa Cruz Beer Week 2015: additional events
Folks enjoying themselves at Parish Publick House at Santa Cruz Beer Week 2014.
Photo courtesy of Santa Cruz Waves
As I reported a few days ago, Santa Cruz Beer Week is August 2-9 and there are several restaurant-brewery pairings and other events Aug. 2-7.
Last Sunday’s Assembly/Discretion event featured—as Assembly described it—a “one time only special menu built by, for, and around beer.” Beer-centered starter options included Good Faith & blue cheese fondue with heirloom tomatoes and seeded toast. Main course selections included slow roasted pork, Early Girl tomatoes, padrons, scallions, and Oh black beans; corn cakes with roasted figs, hopped ricotta, cherry tomatoes, and Mickie Malone honey; and lamb sliders with feta, beer mustard, and red onions. Dessert options included bacon waffles with 6th Conversation stewed peaches, crème fraiche, and maple.
See earlier article for details on the California Beer Festival this weekend, including a Friday night competition with food/beer pairings from local chefs and brewers. See below for new details on events Aug. 5-6.
You can also visit the official beer week web site or the Santa Cruz Waves beer week site.
Upcoming Beer Week events
- Wednesday, August 5, 5 p.m.-close: There will be a “Ten Tap Invasion” at Beer Thirty in Soquel. Firestone Walker and Barrelworks Breweries are the participants. It’s the first time Firestone has released Helldorado—a bourbon and whiskey barrel aged blonde barley wine—outside of their brewery. Event organizers have also promised swag giveaways throughout the night.
Location: 2504 S. Main St., Soquel
- Thursday, August 6, 5 p.m.-close: This is a collaborative event at Parish Publick House featuring Santa Cruz-based Uncommon Brewers and Santa Cruz Aleworks. There will be food and beer pairings, too.
Location: 841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
Soquel benefit features 30 beers from nine Santa Cruz area breweries
Soquel beer event proceeds will be donated to the employees of Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe
The 2nd annual Locals Only Tap Takeover is Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at Beer Thirty in Soquel.
This event features 30 local brews on draft from all nine Santa Cruz County breweries—see full list below. All proceeds will be donated to the employees of Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe. As you may recall, a fire at the popular brewery/café destroyed the venue in March.
The Tap Takeover is from 5pm until closing. Free Agents will perform live music from 7-10pm. Call Beer Thirty at 831-477-9967 for more information.
Participating breweries:
- Boulder Creek Brewery and Cafe
- Corralitos Brewing Co.
- Discretion Brewing
- New Bohemia Brewing Co
- Santa Cruz Ale Works
- Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
- Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
- Seabright Brewery
- Uncommon Brewers
Event location: Beer Thirty, 2504 S. Main St., Soquel
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
A Taste of Santa Cruz 2014 features 30 restaurants, wineries
Food from 2013’s “A Taste of Santa Cruz”
The 10th annual “A Taste of Santa Cruz,” at the Cocoanut Grove on Thursday, Nov. 13, features approximately 30 participating restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The event runs from 5:30-9 p.m. and benefits first-time home buyers. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Buy tickets online. For more information, visit the site www.atosc.com or call 831-464-2000.
Attendees sample food and drinks, and all proceeds from the event benefit the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS Housing Foundation grant program that provides closing costs for first time, low-income home-buyers in Santa Cruz County.
Participating food providers include Aldo’s, Assembly, Chaminade, Paradise Beach Grille, Pleasure Pizza’s East Side Eatery, Crow’s Nest, Hula’s, Johnny’s Harborside, Mission Hill Creamery, Shadowbrook, The Point, The Kitchen at Discretion Brewery, Stagnaro Bros. Seafood, and Woodstock’s Pizza. Wineries and breweries include Trout Gulch Vineyards, Storrs Winery, MJA Vineyards, and Uncommon Brewers.
Other highlights at the event: more than 100 raffle prize packages from local businesses and artisans. Prizes include a Las Vegas penthouse stay, four floor seats to a Santa Cruz Warriors game, and four club seats plus VIP parking to a SF Giants game.
Several hundred people attend this event, raising approximately $30,000 annually. Purchasing your tickets in advance is recommended.
Event location: Cocoanut Grove Grand Ballroom, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
If you’re on Twitter follow me @santacruzfoodie.
A Taste of Santa Cruz 2013 features 30 restaurants, wineries and breweries
Offerings from the restaurant Zameen at a previous “A Taste of Santa Cruz”
The 9th annual “A Taste of Santa Cruz,” at the Cocoanut Grove on Thursday, Nov. 14, features 30 participating restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The event runs from 5:30-9 p.m. and benefits first-time home buyers. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Buy tickets online.
Attendees sample food and drinks from 30 restaurants, food vendors, breweries and wineries. Proceeds from the event benefit the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS Housing Foundation grant program that provides closing costs for first time, low-income home-buyers in Santa Cruz County.
Participating food providers include Aquarius, Cowboy Diner, Johnny’s Harborside, Michael’s on Main, Barbara & Company Catering, Süda, Main Street Garden & Café, and Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine. Wineries and breweries include Trout Gulch Vineyards, Joyce Vineyards, Seabright Brewery, and Uncommon Brewers.
Other highlights at the event: live music from West Coast Soul and Depot Dogs, an appearance by the Derby Girls, and a silent auction with over 100 items. Items up for bid include jewelry, crafts, and vacation lodging in New Orleans. There will also be a raffle; the prize valued at $1,300 is a three-night stay at an artisan home in Lake Tahoe.
Several hundred people attend this event each year; purchasing your tickets in advance is recommended.
Event location: Cocoanut Grove Grand Ballroom, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz 95060
If you’re on Twitter follow me @santacruzfoodie.