![\"\"](\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/akira-sushi.jpg\" "\\"akira")
<\/a>Two rolls from Akira Sushi in Santa Cruz<\/p><\/div>Here is some news about selected restaurants in the Santa Cruz area that recently closed, opened, or had significant changes.<\/p>\n
Now Closed: Side note: Fran Grayson\u2019s The Truck Stop<\/a> is still open; she sells delicious tacos and more at her Westside SC spot (1500 Mission) on Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m., and moves her truck to the Live Oak Farmers Market on Sundays at 9 a.m. The rest of the time, she is chef at Ristorante Avanti in its new location at 1917 Mission! (read more<\/a> about Avanti\u2019s move).<\/p>\n Sandabs<\/strong> Opening Soon: Changes: On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is some news about selected restaurants in the Santa Cruz area that recently closed, opened, or had significant changes. Now Closed: Filling Station Westside Santa Cruz\u2019s Filling Station has closed. Dave Stimpson and Amber Turpin, a very sweet and … Continue reading
\nFilling Station<\/strong>
\nWestside Santa Cruz\u2019s Filling Station has closed. Dave Stimpson and Amber Turpin, a very sweet and talented couple, opened Filling Station in Summer 2011 next to The Truck Stop (they shared one outdoor space). They offered great coffee, plus lots of treats that were made by Turpin. They even received praise from top San Francisco Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, who mentioned Filling Station in an April article on Santa Cruz spots. He highlighted \u201cvery good house-made baked goods, including a rhubarb tea cake and sweet and savory hand pies in daily changing flavors.\u201d Let\u2019s hope that Turpin keeps creating her goodies and that they\u2019re offered through other resources in the area. After closing, this sign was posted at Filling Station: \u201cWe appreciate your patronage and support. Due to a variety of circumstances (zoning department, finances, having a baby!), Filling Station is now closed. Thank you, Amber and Dave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nScotts Valley restaurant Sandabs<\/a> has closed, but it may re-open in the future after undergoing changes.<\/p>\n
\nMission Hill Creamery<\/strong>
\nFabulous news: Mission Hill Creamery\u2019s long-awaited Pacific Avenue shop is opening on September 15. I can\u2019t wait for Dave Kumec\u2019s fantastic homemade organic ice cream including flavors such as Salted Caramel, Ricotta Fig, and Hazelnut with Chocolate Swirl. He\u2019ll be offering 16 flavors at a time! Let him know your favorites via Mission Hill\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>. Kumec\u2019s ice cream is available at many stores including New Leaf \u2013 but it\u2019s very exciting that he\u2019s going to have a shop again (there used to be one on Front Street). The grand opening will be a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the Santa Cruz Teen Center, The Bryan Stow Foundation, and Mission Hill’s new nonprofit Ice Cream for Kids which supports underprivileged children.
\nLocation: 1101B Pacific Ave, next to Taqueria Vallarta, (831) 216-6421<\/p>\n
\nAkira Sushi <\/strong>
\nAkira Sushi, located in the former midtown spot of Kickback Caf\u00e9, has expanded its hours. It used to be closed on Tuesdays, but earlier this month it announced that it\u2019s now open daily from 11 a.m. \u2013 11 p.m. I\u2019ve dined here once for lunch and once for dinner \u2013 sampling sushi, sashimi, skirt steak teriyaki, and more \u2013 and enjoyed it each time. One memorable appetizer: the Firecracker ($9) with spicy tuna, ginger, basil, hamachi, jalapeno, mango, and green onion. Location: 1222 Soquel Ave, (831) 600-7093<\/p>\n