When does innovation become tradition? Right about now. Three years ago Santa Cruz Weekly took the Restaurant Week plunge and started a local version of the seven-day culinary extravaganza that’s swept cities across the country. Year One saw participating restaurants packed to the gills with diners eager for a chance to sample three courses’ worth of culinary inspiration for the bargain price of $25. Year Two saw a fresh group of restaurants sign onto the program, offering Santa Cruzans new flavors and tastes.
And now we come to Year Three, our biggest Restaurant Week ever. Timed to the mellowing light of Indian summer, as the last heirloom tomatoes cling to the vine and the first of the fall harvest comes in, it’s a chance to rejuvenate the senses and get back in touch with this place we call home. We may not share feast days in our multicultural, secular society, but we do share Restaurant Week, and that’s a new tradition worth savoring.
Restaurant Week runs Oct. 5-12. Happy feasting, everybody.
Aquarius
175 W Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831.460.5012
Casablanca Inn & Bistro
101 Main St., Santa Cruz
831.426.9063
Clouds
110 Church St., Santa Cruz
831.429.2000
Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831.476.4560
Davenport Roadhouse
1 Davenport Ave., Davenport
831.426.8801
515 Kitchen & Cocktails
515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831.425.5051
Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831.457.1677
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
831.426.7770
The Hollins House at Pasatiempo
20 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz
831.459.9177
Johnny’s Harborside
493 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz
831.621.4481
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz
831.457.2782
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz
831.423.4545
Linwood’s at Chaminade Resort
1 Chaminade Ln., Santa Cruz
831.475.5600
Michael’s on Main
2591 Main St., Soquel
831.479.9777
Nuevo Southwest Grill
21490 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831.4752233
Oak Tree Ristorante
5447 Highway 9, Felton
831.335.5551
Red Restaurant and Bar
1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831.425.1913
Riva
31 Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz
831.429.1223
Sandabs
11 Camp Evers Ln., Scotts Valley
831.430.0657
Sanderling’s
Seascape Beach Resort on Monterey Bay
One Seascape Resort Dr., Aptos
831.662.7120
Stockton Bridge Grille
231 Esplanade #112, Capitola
831.464.1933
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz
.831.423.2020
The Point Chophouse & Lounge
3326 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz
831.476.2733
Tyrolean Inn
9600 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
831.336.5188
