Gnocchi with foraged mushrooms, shallots, fines herbes and cream at Solaire in Santa Cruz’s Hotel Paradox
It’s Day Eight of Santa Cruz Restaurant Examiner/Santa Cruz Foodie’s “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway.” Today’s prize is two gift certificates: one from Johnny’s Harborside (good for brunch for 2) and one for Solaire at Hotel Paradox (good for dinner for 2 up to $50). See end of article for how to enter, and keep reading for more on Johnny’s and Solaire including their holiday meals.
The always-enjoyable Johnny’s Harborside has a few holiday offerings, including discounted gift certificates and special meals. For every $50 you purchase in gift cards, you earn $10 in free gift card credits. This $10 can be added to the gift card you’re buying for someone else, or you can keep the extra $10 card for yourself. They are also doing a “Secret Envelope” promotion. Every time you dine on a Mon-Thurs through 12/27 and your party spends at least $20, you receive a sealed envelope. Inside each envelope is a special gift (could be a free entree, 50% off, 20% off, etc.). If you bring in your sealed envelope between Jan. 1 and Feb. 7, 2013, you can redeem the gift (as long as it’s unopened).
On Christmas Eve, Johnny’s closes at 3 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day. For New Year’s Eve, happy hour is from 2 – 5 p.m. (it’s usually 3-6). Dinner reservations start at 5:30 p.m.; the last seating is at 9:30 p.m. For reservations call (831) 479-3430. There is a three-course prix fixe menu with complimentary champagne for $38. Appetizer choices include fresh local crab bisque, entrée choices include pepper-crusted flat iron steak, and dessert choices include meyer lemon cake. Or customers can sit at the bar and order a la carte selections. On New Year’s Day Johnny’s opens for brunch at 10 a.m.
Solaire is a great restaurant at the new Hotel Paradox. I enjoyed a wonderful meal there last month including a perfect plate of homemade gnocchi with “foraged mushrooms” plus shallots, fines herbes and cream. I appreciate that Chef Ross McKee (formerly of Aquarius) is focused on local ingredients from purveyors such as Glaum Egg Ranch, Happy Boy Farms, Dirty Girl Produce, and Coke Farms. The hotel is offering a special $125 room rate until Dec. 31. For Christmas Eve, Solaire is serving a limited a la carte menu with special holiday food offerings from 5 – 10 p.m. Christmas Day features a four-course tasting menu from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. ($38 adults, $19 kids 3-12). On New Year’s Eve Solaire is open from 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. A four-course tasting menu ($75) is available for dinner; reservations start at 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and the table is then yours for the evening. The $75 per person includes party favors, live entertainment, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. For reservations call (831) 600-4545.
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THE CONTEST:
Reminder — during the entire “12 Days of Christmas” promotion, each person can only win one prize.
DAY EIGHT PRIZE – The winner will receive a gift certificate from Johnny’s Harborside (good for brunch for 2) and a certificate for Solaire at Hotel Paradox (good for dinner for 2 up to $50).
To enter, email your name to tfatemiwalker@yahoo.com and include the words “Johnny’s & Solaire.”
Or post a comment to this article on my Facebook page, and include the phrase ““Johnny’s & Solaire.”
Either way, the entry deadline is Thurs. Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.
The drawing will take place that evening; the winner will be notified via email.