Ceramics from Chefworks, cheesy gifts and holiday fêtes.
Articles by Christina Waters
PLATED: One-Stop Shopping at The Farm
The Farm is the home of some highly reliable, beautiful pastries. Case in point: the legendary fresh fruit tart, designed like a festive Mayan mandala in concentric circles of red, orange and green. Crowned by fat seasonal berries, the tart offers the fruit mosaic atop a layer of cream cheese and a frame of tender, flaky crust.
PLATED: Espresso Yourself on Pacific Avenue
The all-new, urban gigantic oasis of coffee, pastries and abundant seating opened at the top of Pacific Mall in downtown Santa Cruz last week. Three separate barista stations form a service peninsula that juts out into the wraparound seating/schmoozing/studying areas. Windows allow vistas out onto both Front Street and Pacific Avenue. Repurposed antique wood siding lines the walls, sharing space with huge splashy oil paintings and little retail islands.
Shakespeare Santa Cruz Winter Show Returns With Style
Deep into rehearsals for the new holiday production of A Year With Frog And Toad, director and choreographer Art Manke provides a nugget of insight into his work mode. Drawing a vivid comparison between directing for TV and for theater, Manke allows that “in TV everything is instant—it’s like microwaving pizza. Theater requires time, time for the process. It’s a gourmet meal.”
Plated: Pastor-al Fantasy
In my world, Tacos Moreno is synonymous with the mighty al pastor taco, that simple, incomparable offering of corn, pink beans and salsa complicated by sensuous pork. Can your $3.15 do this? Two soft, warm corn tortillas overflowing with mounds of spicy barbecue pork, fat pinto beans, shredded cabbage, a dusting of cilantro and arguably the best salsa in town.
Spell of the Silk Road
Spicy stand-out dishes and plenty of room to spread out make Khyber Pass in downtown Santa Cruz a group destination.
Zachary’s at The Break of Day
Simple and delicious, the classic downtown eatery stands the test of time.
Eye Opener
Walnut Avenue Café continues the breakfast traditions we can’t live without
Riva La Difference
A focus on seafood and not a bad table in the house make Riva a worthy Santa Cruz institution
Italian by the Sea
Café Mare carries on the European tradition of flavorful, leisurely lunches.
