12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 12: Seabright Deli



Castle Beach (brisket) & Grotto (snapper) sandwiches, photo courtesy of Seabright Deli

Thank you, dear readers, for enthusiastically participating in my “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” over the last few days; it’s been a joy to receive your emails and to reward those of you that won gift cards and other treats. The last prize is a $50 gift card from popular Seabright Deli in Santa Cruz. Read below for how to win. Best wishes for a happy new year!

Santa Cruz residents Gary and Marilee Powers opened Seabright Deli in 2019 and quickly attracted lots of fans—people of all ages, some taking their food home to enjoy, others enjoying their savory lunch in the spacious deli setting. These days, the choices are to-go food (especially popular during the winter months) or outdoor dining on the deli’s covered patio, which Gary and Marilee added during the pandemic.

If you’re a Seabright Deli newbie, let me tell you about their house specialty sandwiches to start. First, the many meat and seafood options: the Yacht Club contains 8-hour house-smoked chicken, cheddar, bacon, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, sun-dried tomato aioli, and mayo on a toasted Francese roll. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. The Grotto features local fresh snapper which they blacken on-site, plus Chimichurri tomatoes, jalapeno/lime citrus slaw, arugula, and tarragon-basil aioli on a Francese roll. Note that I have tried to buy a Grotto later in the day and they do sell out; go early or call ahead to ensure getting one!

Seabright Deli is also renowned for their pastrami which comes from New York; you can get it on a Seabright (with Swiss cheese and coriander-mustard aioli on Marble Rye) or Beach Bum (with housemade Thousand Island, Swiss, sauerkraut on Rye). Finally, they make a super-tender brisket which they smoke for 10 hours. Choices include the fan favorite Castle Beach with a half-pound of this meat plus rosemary-garlic aioli, smoked cheddar, pickled onions, and tomatillo-Hatch chili salsa on a toasted French roll. Any sandwich can be turned into a salad, served on top of a bed of arugula instead of on bread.

Don’t fret if you’re a vegetarian or vegan—they have sandwiches, wraps, and salads to meet your needs. Even though I do eat meat, after I tried their vegetarian Route 1 wrap, I have a hard time ordering anything else. It’s an excellent combination of ingredients, creating amazing flavors. A spinach tortilla-type wrap encases roasted vegetables (butternut squash, cauliflower, and broccoli), marinated tomatoes, arugula, Brie cheese, citrus basil mayo, and herb sauce.

By the way, they make all their aiolis and sauces from scratch.

Other yummy items to be aware of: on Saturday and Sunday they serve homemade clam chowder, which sells out every weekend. Exceptional desserts include the Everything Brownie (dark chocolate brownie topped with brownie cubes, toasted pecan nuts, and caramel ganache). Drinks include local canned craft beer and sodas such as small-batch craft Boylan bottles.

For future gift-giving occasions, Seabright Deli offers gift cards in any amount.

Regular hours: Closed Mon & Tues, Open Wed-Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Holiday changes: Closed Dec. 24-28, regular hours after that (including open both New Year’s Eve AND New Year’s Day)

Information: seabrightdeli.com, IG @seabrightdeli, 415 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-515-7484

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a $50 gift card to Seabright Deli.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Saturday Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. with the words “Seabright Deli” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 11: Locale

A box of Locale goodies, photo courtesy of Locale

The next “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” prize is a $50 gift card from online food delivery business Locale. Read below to learn more about Locale and to find out how to enter the prize drawing.

Locale offers weekly delivery of food, with a unique set-up: customers get to choose products from dozens of businesses all over the Bay Area when they place orders, and it all arrives in one box for a flat fee. There is everything from fresh juice, produce and meat/seafood to ready-to-heat food to frozen selections.

In the mood to plan ahead and buy a different food for every day of next week? Locale has you covered. You can get avocados from Brokaw Ranch; pastries or sweets from bakeries like Manresa Bread, Ono Bakehouse, and Fleur de Cocoa; cheese from Cowgirl Creamery and Belfiore; Middle Eastern food from Oren’s Hummus (I had never tried their products before ordering from Locale, and I can highly recommend them); pizza from San Francisco’s Pizzeria Delfina (another product that was new to me, that I loved); Indian food from Curry Up Now, or Singaporean food from Straits—just to name a few! 

Los Gatos-based Locale delivers every Saturday to customers in Santa Cruz County, San Jose and Silicon Valley, the Peninsula, San Francisco, and the Peninsula. They even recently expanded to L.A.—that’s a different site, la.shoplocale.com, with L.A. county businesses providing items for sale.

Jonathan Friedland and Chris Clark co-founded Locale during the pandemic, in May 2020. They created the business after noticing that residents in their Los Gatos community were often waiting a long time for food and that people didn’t want to travel far with shelter in place, etc. The business soon expanded to nearby cities, and it’s grown exponentially since then, continuously adding more partners and products. Locale donates any extra food to Los Gatos’ Live Oaks Senior Center.

Need a gift idea? Locale offers gift cards in any amount.

Information: shoplocale.com, IG @localemarket.

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a $50 digital gift card to Locale.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Friday Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. with the word “Locale” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day 10: Kaito

Sushi and sashimi from Kaito, photo credit Tara Fatemi Walker

Kaito is today’s partner for the “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway:” the prize is $60 in gift cards. Keep reading for how to enter.

I fell in love with Kaito at its original Pleasure Point location on 41st Ave. I’m thankful that after closing that location, it has found a new home in the Capitola Mall, with all of the best menu items moving with it! The offerings include ramen, sushi, curry dishes, and drinks including Japanese Ramune bottled sodas. 

Chef/owner Koji Goto makes 10 different types of ramen. For vegetarians, there is Tofu and Vegetable Ramen with vegetarian broth, steamed veggies and tofu. Chicken lovers tend to enjoy the Ja-Ja Ramen (chicken bone broth with miso paste and other ingredients) or the Spicy Garlic Ramen (that same bone broth with other ingredients plus a slice of BBQ pork). Classic ramen lovers usually get the Tonkotsu Ramen: pork bone broth, corn, seaweed, bamboo, green onion, and a slice of BBQ pork. You can also order a half-size of the Tonkotsu if you’re not as hungry. Visit the website or the restaurant directly to see more options.

I always order some appetizers when I get dinner at Kaito. They have really good seaweed salad and Gyoza, among other things. The Gyoza is chicken or vegetable, steamed or deep-fried; my family usually gets steamed chicken Gyoza and it’s gone in a flash. Other appetizers include tuna poke and shrimp dumplings.

Onto the sushi and sashimi. Kaito has traditional nigiri choices, plus several roll options. Signature sushi rolls include the Live Oak (salmon, crab, avocado), the Hook (Unagi, crab, avocado, masago), and Pink Dragon (salmon over California roll). With sashimi, you can order one type of fish (five or eight pieces; I love the ruby-red tuna) or try the Sashimi Sampler with two slices of five different fish (10 total). No matter what you select, you will be impressed by the freshness and the generous portions.

If you’re in a rush, Kaito always has several pre-packaged items ready to go; these are made fresh daily and include sushi rolls, seaweed salad, and edamame.

Last but not least: dessert. They have a few classic Japanese treats like mochi (red bean or green tea) and green tea roll cake. 

Need a gift for a sushi or ramen lover in your life? Consider a Kaito gift certificate!

Regular hours: Tues-Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch, 3-8 p.m. for dinner; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for lunch, 3-7 p.m. for dinner. Closed Mondays. Deliveries available after 3 p.m. Tues-Sun.

Holiday changes to hours: Closed Saturday-Sunday Dec. 25-26 & Jan 1-2

More Info: Kaito Ramen & Sushi, Capitola Mall, 831-464-2586, smilekaito.com, IG @kaitosantacruz

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win $60 in gift certificates for Kaito.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Thursday Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. with the word “Kaito” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Nine: Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

Bûche de Noël (Yule log), photo courtesy of Gayle’s

The next “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” prize is a $50 gift card from beloved Capitola institution Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria. Read below for how to win.

Gayle’s Bakery is popular any time of year, and during the holidays it’s especially busy. Although advance online orders have closed for Dec. 21-24, Gayle’s will have limited availability for certain popular items for walk-in customers on those days. These products include holiday appetizers like Deviled Eggs; Gayle’s Basil Torte (layers of sundried tomato & pesto, cream cheese and provolone with chopped pistachios outside—after ordering one of these tasty crowd-pleasing appetizers last year for the holidays, I am getting it again this year); and Creamy Brie Bake (Kalamata olives, sauteed mushrooms and scallions are encased in Gayle’s own Capitola Sourdough bread). Holiday dinners include Roast Turkey with housemade gravy and cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing and green beans with fresh thyme. Side dishes include scrumptious garlic bread loaves. Cakes include Mini Bûche de Noëls, Winter Princess Cake, and Flourless Snowy Forest Cake. Pies include Pumpkin, Apple Crumb, and Olallieberry.

Of course, we have to talk about Gayle’s pastries, including their amazing almond croissants, decadent cinnamon rolls, and savory ham and cheese croissants, all available year-round. They always have a variety of fantastic cookies, and during the holiday season they have specialties like red and green checkerboards (almond shortbread) which comes in individual pre-made cookies or a slice-and-bake log you can make yourself at home.

Although the pastries are a popular breakfast item, Gayle’s also makes wonderful hot breakfast foods like individual quiches (I tried the tomato & spinach one the other day and it was divine) and breakfast burritos (vegetarian option or with bacon). And of course, you can’t go wrong with one of the bakery’s many signature bread loaves, to have at home with butter and jam or whatever your heart desires. These include Joe’s Bread (wheat sourdough), Organic Old World Raisin Walnut Loaf, and Challah.

If you’re not aware of the bakery’s awesome Blue Plate offerings, here are details: every week Gayle’s creates five dinners. You can buy any of them as “cold plates” from Monday-Sunday (until they sell out). Each weekday, there is one Blue Plate special that you can purchase hot after 4 p.m. Recent ones have included Chicken Schnitzel with bacon pepper gravy, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Buttered Green Beans, and Shrimp Scampi with garlic & white wine Linguine, Fresh Asparagus and Rio Baguette. Other dinner ideas include lots of items in the cold case like their fabulous Salmon Niçoise salad. Note these salads won’t be available Dec. 23-24 when there is a limited menu.

Need a gift idea? Gayle’s offers gift cards in any amount.

Regular hours: Daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Holiday changes to hours: Open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Dec. 25

Information: gaylesbakery.com, IG @gaylesbakery, 504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 831-462-1200

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a $50 gift card to Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Wednesday Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. with the word “Gayle’s” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

Side note: Please be aware that although my website is called santacruzfoodie.com, I am not affiliated with the Instagram account called santacruzfoodie – that is someone else’s account. My IG is @tarafatemiwalker. I have been told many people mistakenly believe @santacruzfoodie is mine.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Eight: Soif & La Posta

Downtown Santa Cruz’s Soif is near Pearl Alley, photo courtesy of restaurant

Soif Wine Bar & Merchants and La Posta Restaurant are today’s partners for the “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway:” the prize is a $50 gift card redeemable at either restaurant. Keep reading for how to enter.

Owner Patrice Boyle, who opened Soif in 2002 and La Posta in 2006, considers herself extremely fortunate to have the current executive chefs at these restaurants. Soif’s Tom McNary joined the team in 2018 and La Posta’s Rodrigo Serna first worked for Boyle at Soif in 2002. “I really love working with both of them,” shares Boyle.

Soif has always had a separate retail wine shop that customers can visit; in 2015 they added a full bar which features handcrafted seasonal cocktails. During the pandemic, Soif expanded to offer front patio seating which is the site of occasional “winemaker takeovers” with special flights. The restaurant also has Oyster Wednesdays. Signature dishes include Little Gem Caesar Salad and a Cheese Board with rotating cheese selections plus quince paste and other goodies. Recent entrees have included Risotto with wild mushrooms, roasted Butternut squash and sage, and Duck Breast with pancetta, balsamic glazed Brassicas, sweet potato puree, and citrus marsala pan sauce. For New Year’s Eve, Chef Tom has created an a la carte menu and Soif is accepting reservations for the dining room and the patio beginning at 5 p.m. Guests dining indoors must provide proof of vaccination. Starters include Humboldt Kumamoto Oysters with Uni, Scallion, Soy, and Sudachi; Warm Crab Salad Stuffed Piquillo Peppers; and Leek and Cauliflower Soup with Gruyere. Main courses include Lobster and Scallop Ravioli with Nantua and Herbs and Squab Breast with Wild Mushroom Ragout, Farro, and Candied Citrus. Desserts include Pumpkin Fritters with Spiced Creme Anglaise, Candied Pepitas, and Chocolate Sauce. Make reservations online or by phone. 

La Posta is renowned for dishes like seasonal rotating pasta selections, specialty pizza (like popular Salsiccia with housemade sausage and Calabrian chili), and exquisite fresh seafood specials featuring fish from Ocean2Table. They are also famous for their bread made with 30-year-old sourdough starter. At the restaurant, you can enjoy White or Walnut-Rosemary Brown (the latter is my favorite) and you can even buy loaves to take home. La Posta also added patio seating during the pandemic that has proven to be very popular; it’s located behind the restaurant. In addition, they offer Neighborhood Nights every Wednesday where you get a free salad (for take-out orders) or a free glass of wine (for on-site dining) with any pizza or pasta purchase. La Posta will offer a fixed price menu to celebrate New Year’s Eve; watch the website for details coming soon.

Need a gift for a foodie or wine connoisseur in your life? Both venues sell gift cards in any amount.

More Information

Soif

105 Walnut Ave., 831-423-2020, soifwine.com, IG @soifwine

La Posta

538 Seabright Ave., 831-457-2782, lapostarestaurant.com, IG @ lapostarestaurantsc

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a gift card worth $50 redeemable at either La Posta or Soif.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Tuesday Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. with the words “Soif/La Posta” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Seven: Mutari Craft Chocolate House

Holiday gifts available at Mutari, photo courtesy of Katy Oursler

The “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” prize from Santa Cruz’s Mutari Craft Chocolate House is very exciting: a private tour and tasting for up to 10 attendees, valued at $200! The event includes a cup of single origin sipping chocolate and tastings of Mutari’s single-origin chocolate bars for all guests plus education about cacao trees and the process Mutari uses to make their chocolate (including hand sorting and stone grinding the beans). Read below for how to win.

Katy Oursler and Stephen Beaumier own and operate downtown Santa Cruz’s Mutari. The award-winning team makes everything from scratch. They source ethically traded cacao directly from farms and make all of their small batch chocolate in house from the bean.

If you’re looking for gift ideas or want to buy yourself a sweet treat, you’re in luck. There are a la carte truffles, or beautiful ready-to-go gift boxes of truffles, made in-house from Mutari’s bean to bar chocolate. These come as four, nine or 16 to a box. There are ones with ingredients from local and regional artisans and farms such as Venus Spirits Brown Butter Milk Chocolate, Far West Fungi Candy Cap Brown Butter Milk and India Joze Chai Dark. The Mutari team can also help you curate your own Craft Chocolate Gift Boxes. And while you’re shopping, you might want to buy their soft serve ice cream (like plant-based Uganda dark chocolate, yum!).

Also available: Single Origin Chocolate Bars. In addition, they sell bottles of handcrafted craft chocolate powder for at home do-it-yourself hot chocolate (think Himalayan Pink Salt or Spicy Mexican), decadent brownies, and housemade chocolate-covered marshmallows—good on their own or to accompany the Craft Hot Chocolate. Mutari also offers gift certificates.

Regular hours: Wed-Sun Noon-6 p.m. (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Expanded holiday hours: They will be open on Monday and Tuesday this week for extra holiday shopping. Hours from Dec. 20-Dec. 23 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 24 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Closed Dec. 25

Information: mutarichocolate.com, IG @mutarichocolate, 504A Front St., Santa Cruz, 831-687-8141

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a Mutari Craft Chocolate House private tour and tasting for up to 10 attendees ($200 value), which must be used by Feb. 14, 2022.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Monday Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. with the word “Mutari” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

Side note: Please be aware that although my website is called santacruzfoodie.com, I am not affiliated with the Instagram account called santacruzfoodie – that is someone else’s account. My IG is @tarafatemiwalker. I have been told many people mistakenly believe @santacruzfoodie is mine.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Six: Zameen Cuisine

Red chili chicken salad at Zameen, photo courtesy of restaurant

Zameen Cuisine is today’s partner for the “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” with a $50 gift card prize. Keep reading for how to enter.

There are three locations to enjoy Zameen’s amazing food:

The Point (851 41st Ave.) Open Tues-Sun from noon-7:30 p.m.

Aptos (7528 Soquel Ave.) Thurs-Sun from noon-7:30 p.m.

The Hangar (45 Aviation Way #3, Watsonville) Tues-Thurs 11:30a.m.-3:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 11:30a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Owner Ed Watson, who opened the first Zameen in Aptos in 2007, refers to the food as “A Californian twist on Mediterranean street food.” There are dishes to satisfy both carnivores and vegetarians, and several kids’ selections for your little ones.

You can choose a protein like falafel, red chili chicken (the harissa has a flavorful kick), gyros or lamb and then have it as a salad, wrap or bowl. Select delicious pearl couscous with cranberries and almonds or perfectly seasoned saffron rice for your bowl’s base. I have a hard time ordering anything but the salads, since the combination of ingredients work so well together: they include pickled red onions, olives, garbanzo beans, feta, and a refreshing lemony vinaigrette. But the bread Zameen uses for the wraps is really good, so you can’t go wrong no matter what you get!

Popular appetizers include Greek-style garlic fries topped with feta, fried calamari with green onion yogurt dipping sauce, and Moroccan Madness soup. The latter is an addicting, very comforting vegan creation with ingredients including chickpeas, curry, coconut milk and garlic.

Need a gift for a Mediterranean food-loving friend or loved one? They sell gift cards in any amount, either online or in person.

More Information

zameencuisine.com, IG @zameencuisine

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a Zameen gift card worth $50.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Sunday Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. with the word “Zameen” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Five: Cheese Shop 831 in Capitola

Example of a gift basket owner Jillian Pirolo can create for you at Cheese Shop 831, photo courtesy of Jillian Pirolo

The prize from Capitola’s artisanal cheese store Cheese Shop 831 is a wonderful gift basket curated by owner Jillian Pirolo. Read below for how to win this fun “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” item.

Pirolo opened Cheese Shop 831 in November 2020. She worked as a cheesemonger about 17 years ago and has always had a love of cheese.  After many years in the science and technology field, she returned to the cheese field and is glad she did.

The shop features about 120 gourmet cheeses at any given time. Some are from around the world, some are from local cheesemakers. Customers can sample cheese before they purchase it. Pirolo can prepare cheese platters for your special occasions; allow at least 24 hours’ notice for these.

Cheese Shop 831 has dozens of unique gifts—for the holidays and beyond—including fun tea towels, cheese boards, cards, chocolates, and other specialty food items. There are also wine stoppers, books and much more. Custom-made gift baskets tailored to your needs are available if you order in advance. You can also purchase gift cards in any amount or book a customizable “after-hours private party” as a unique gift to someone.

If you are shopping during the day, try going between 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. when you can buy one of Pirolo’s delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. Varieties rotate every two weeks; flavors this fall have included Brie with Fuji apple and chopped pecans or Havarti, Alpine and Provolone with spinach and artichoke. Sometimes fresh, hot truffle popcorn is available too. Follow Cheese Shop 831 on social media for updates and specials.

Regular hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Expanded holiday hours: From Dec. 21-Dec. 24 they’ll be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for last-minute gifts

Information: cheeseshop831.com, IG @cheeseshop831, FB @Cheese-Shop-831-106562904105917

Suite V at Brown Ranch Marketplace (3555 Clares St.), 831-515-7406

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a Cheese Shop 831 gift basket that includes a gift card (total value $75).

This particular contest is for Santa Cruz County residents only.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Saturday Dec. 18 at 10 p.m. with the words “I love cheese” in the subject line. The winner will be notified via email.

Side note: Please be aware that although my website is called santacruzfoodie.com, I am not affiliated with the Instagram account called santacruzfoodie – that is someone else’s account. My IG is @tarafatemiwalker. I have been told many people mistakenly believe @santacruzfoodie is mine.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Four: Jack O’Neill Restaurant


Appetizers from Jack O’Neill Restaurant including Kennebec potato chips and crab cakes, photo courtesy of restaurant

Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge at Dream Inn Santa Cruz is today’s partner for the “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway” with a $50 gift card prize. Keep reading for how to enter.

Gus Trejo, who currently serves as executive chef for Jack O’Neill and all of Dream Inn’s culinary operations, is very talented and creative. Plus, he sources many ingredients—from seasonings to seafood—from our local community. To name a few: the housemade Kennebec potato chips feature Big Sur Salts diablo sea salt, the cured meat and cheese board includes jam from Friend in Cheese Jam Co., and select entrees include mushrooms from Far West Fungi, produce from Sea to Sky Farm, or chicken from Fogline Farm.

During a recent dinnertime visit, my family enjoyed a delectable flatbread with Kuri squash and Burrata and perfectly flakey Dungeness crab cakes with a scrumptious Remoulade (we fought a little over the last bites). The wonderful entrees included Chef Trejo’s signature Prawns & Pasta with ravioli, prawn bisque, and pea shoots. The variety of ravioli rotates depending on the season.

Jack O’Neill is serving prix fixe multi-course dinners on Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31. Featured Christmas dishes that guests will choose from include Scallop Crudo, Warm Chicories, Wedge Salad, Rib “Eye” of Beef, Gnudi & Lobster, and Death by Chocolate.  For New Year’s Eve, Chef Trejo will prepare dishes such as Celeriac Root Bisque, Lobster Toast, Fillet of Beef, and Vanilla Crème Brulee. That night, there will be live music from 5–7 p.m. & 7:30 –10:30 p.m. Christmas is $85 per person & New Year’s Eve is $110 per person (the latter includes champagne). Reservations are required at Opentable.com or 831.460.5012.

Contact Information

jackoneillrestaurant.com, IG @jack_oneill_restaurant, 175 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a Jack O’Neill gift card worth $50.

To enter, email your name to tara@santacruzfoodie.com by Friday Dec. 17 at 10 p.m. with the words “Jack O’Neill” in the subject line. The drawing will take place the next morning and the winner will be notified via email.

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Day Three: Shadowbrook Restaurant

Shadowbrook Restaurant’s main dining room, photo courtesy of Shadowbrook

Capitola restaurant Shadowbrook has graciously donated a $75 gift card for Day 3 of my “12 Days of Christmas Giveaway.” Keep reading for how to enter.

Serving local and tourist fans since 1947, Shadowbrook is an icon. Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes include bacon-wrapped prawns, baked brie, and clam chowder (in the menu’s appetizer section) and entrees like ‘Pacific Rim’ salmon (featured in Bon Appetit magazine) and slow-roasted Angus prime rib. Vegetarians enjoy dishes such as the soba noodle medley with tofu and shiitakes or black truffle gnocchi. Favorite desserts include a famous “Chocolate Meltdown” (molten cake served with vanilla bean ice cream).

The Rock Room Bar & Lounge features a few options from the main dining room menu plus sandwiches and burgers and specialty wood-fired pizzas. Shadowbrook also has one of the best kids’ menus in town, in my humble opinion. Lots of variety for diners 12 and under!

Many people enjoy dining at Shadowbrook all year long, and during the holidays. They are already fully booked for “dining room seating” on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but they accept walk-ins for the Rock Room and for patio seating. For New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, some reservations are still available. Visit the holiday section of Shadowbrook’s website for more information.  

An easy gift for foodies is Shadowbrook gift cards. You can order virtual cards online or shop by phone or in person at the restaurant.

Regular (non-holiday) hours:

Rock Room Bar & Lounge: Mon-Thurs 3:30-10 p.m., Fri-Sun Noon-10 p.m.

Dining Rooms:  Mon-Fri 4-8:45 p.m., Sat 2-9:45 p.m., Sun 2-8:45 p.m.

Information: shadowbrook-capitola.com, IG @shadowbrook_restaurant

Location: 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 831-475-1511

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CONTEST:

One lucky reader will win a Shadowbrook gift card worth $75.

To enter, email your name to tfatemi@gmail.com by Friday Dec. 17 at 10 p.m. with the word “Shadowbrook” in the subject line. The drawing will take place the next morning and the winner will be notified via email.

Side note: Please be aware that although my website is called santacruzfoodie.com, I am not affiliated with the Instagram account called santacruzfoodie – that is someone else’s account. My IG is @tarafatemiwalker. I have been told many people mistakenly believe @santacruzfoodie is mine.

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