This month’s issue of GQ features an article on Santa Cruz as one of the world’s top surfing spots. The piece also mentions where to eat while you’re on your surfin’ safari and includes local favorites La Posta, Tacos Moreno and Manresa in Los Gatos. The issue also features a big spread on Bay Area dining, mentioning the organic strawberries grown at Swanton Berry Farm as absolutely the top of the food chain. We knew that.
SHELF TALKER Welcome to Alyssa Twelker, new retail shop manager at Soif. Twelker, who has worked her way through the Soif ranks, took over after the recent move of Luke Kamman to wine rep status at Berkeley’s mighty Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. “I help customers select wines, manage our wine club and plan special events,” Twelker told me recently. “I also get to assist our wine director, John Locke, with the wine tasting and buying for the shop.” This latter “chore” must be the dreamiest part of this job—gaining even more expertise about the world of wine from an insider savant. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
TWO BRITANNIAS Betting that two arms are better than one, the mighty Britannia Arms has multiplied itself and brought serious pub fare, British attitude and oodles of beers to Capitola on the location of the former Cafe Lido and Bluewater Steakhouse. Now you can have the best of both worlds: a view of the Pacific Ocean and a classic India Pale Ale. For traditionalists, the Aptos “arm” is still knockin’ back shandies without apologies.
TWO TACOS Two tacos and your choice of any draft beer, all for $5? That’s right, and it happens on Thursdays, during Happy Hour, at La Mission (on Mission Street). So there!
FUN & SUN Trout Farm Inn, a landmark Santa Cruz Mountains swimming and sunning mecca beloved of my childhood, is now reopened for swimming and sunning. You’ll also find ample libations plus burgers and pub food. Summer swimming pool happiness, located at 7701 E. Zayante Road off Graham Hill Road just east of Felton. Full bar and burger service starts at 11am and ends at 11pm during the week, until 1:30am Fri-Sat. 831.335.4317.
HOT PLATE Cafe Rio is open! Once again the good people of Santa Cruz County can watch the sun set from Rio del Mar beach while swilling an umbrella-bearing cocktail. The new Cafe Rio invites us to stay, dine on Rick Almaz’ seafood specialties, sip and never, ever leave. 131 Esplanade, Aptos. 831. 688.8917.
Send tips about food, wine and new dining discoveries to Christina Waters at xtina@cruzio.com. Read her blog at http://christinawaters.com.
