Best New Restaurant
Trestles
1. Trestles was opened last year by chef/owner Nick Sherman. After attending culinary school, the Santa Cruz native cut his teeth in the Napa restaurant scene.
2. It’s named after the Capitola Trestle built in 1907 and iconic to the area.
3. Sherman and his two brothers each thought of the name independently and brought the same idea to one another—it was fate.
4. Located in the quaint Capitola Village, which is appropriate since Sherman says “it took a village” to open it. He credits his family and friends for help.
5. Trestles’ philosophy: Fresh, local and seasonal ingredients used to prepare dishes that pop with originality will keep guests coming back.
Best Restaurant (Santa Cruz)
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen
1. Sean Venus founded Venus Spirits out of a desire to bring his love of handcrafted spirits to Santa Cruz.
2. Venus distills its own whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, agave spirits and even a traditional Scandinavian spirit, aquavit, derived from the Latin phrase, “water of life.”
3. The menu at Venus features a gourmet, drool-worthy burger loaded with bleu cheese, mustard garlic aioli, smoked mushrooms, frisée and bourbon bacon jam.
4. The craft cocktail menu features house-distilled spirits, including multiple gin and tonic options like lavender/grapefruit/juniper and orange/star anise/bay.
5. Venus is located in the upper Westside, a hip neighborhood with multiple restaurants and breweries close to West Cliff Drive.
Best Wine Selection (Retail)
Shopper’s Corner
1. Established in 1938, Shopper’s Corner has been a destination grocery store since it opened.
2. The staff prides itself on exceptional customer service; some employees have worked there for several decades.
3. The store has an incredible selection of local wine and over 3,000 varieties from around the world, including some of the most difficult to find.
4. Co-owner Andre Beauregard, who made his name in the family business as the wine buyer, is also a winemaker for the West Cliff label.
5. “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.” —Benjamin Franklin
Best Patio Dining (Aptos)
The Hideout
1. The Hideout’s patio features the holy trinity of outdoor space items: umbrellas, heaters and strings of lights.
2. The restaurant rose from the ashes, re-opening after closing for almost two years to rebuild following a devastating fire.
3. The remodel included adding special panels to reduce noise, increasing the size of the bar (always a good thing) and lofting the ceilings.
4. The Hideout is located in Aptos, near another successful redemption project in Nisene Marks State Park, once ravaged by clear-cut logging and is now full of second-growth redwoods.
5. Its diverse menu is inspired by Italian, French, American, Asian and Mexican cuisines.
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Acai Bowl
Samba Rock Acai Café
291 Water St., Santa Cruz, 458-2224, facebook.com/SambaRockAcaiCafe
RUNNERS-UP Café Brasil, Amazon Juices
Appetizers
Crow’s Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, Shadowbrook
Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049; 1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550; 4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888, bagelrysantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Holey Roller, Firefly Coffee House
Bakery
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Companion Bakeshop
Barbecue
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP Mission St. BBQ, Cole’s BBQ & Catering
Bar Food
Parish Publick House
841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 421-0507; 8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 708-2036, theparishpublick.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Bread
Companion Bakeshop
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253; 7486 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 612-6655, companionbakeshop.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, The Buttery
Breakfast
-Santa Cruz
Walnut Avenue Café
106 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-2307, walnutavenuecafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Zachary’s Restaurant, Harbor Café
-Aptos/Soquel
Red Apple Café
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Silver Spur, Sunrise Café
-Capitola
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Avenue Café, The Cook House
-Scotts Valley/SLV
Heavenly Roadside Cafe
1210 Mt Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 335-1210, heavenlyroadsidecafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Auntie Mame’s, Rocky’s Café, Spanky’s, Chubby’s Diner
-Watsonville
Cowboy’s Corner Café
946 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8996, cowboycornercafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Red Apple Café, Beach Street Café
Brunch
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, The Crow’s Nest
Burger
-Santa Cruz
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190; 1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP burger., Jack’s Hamburgers
-Aptos/Soquel
burger.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgerlovesbeer.com
RUNNERS-UP Parish Publick House Aptos, Betty Burgers
-Capitola
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP East End Gastropub, Carpo’s Restaurant
-Scotts Valley/SLV
Bruno’s Bar and Grill
230 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 438-2227, brunosbarandgrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Malone’s Grille, Two Doors
-Watsonville
Wooden Nickel
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP Fat Boy Burgers and Grill, Kong’s Burgers & Cafe
Burrito
-Santa Cruz
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Los Pericos, Taqueria Vallarta
-Aptos/Soquel
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
-Capitola
Tacos Moreno
1601 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Mijo’s Taqueria
-Scotts Valley/SLV
Los Gallos Taqueria
18 Victor Square, Suite. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Maya Mexican Restaurant
-Watsonville
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Ranch Milk, Super Taqueria
Calamari
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Cruz, West End Tap & Kitchen
Caterer
Barbara & Company
2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com
RUNNERS-UP Five Star, Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap
Cheap Eats
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP Pretty Good Advice, Taqueria Vallarta
Cheese Selection
Cheese Shop 831
3555 Clares St. Ste. V, Capitola, 515-7406, cheeseshop831.com
RUNNERS-UP Staff of Life, Shoppers Corner
Chinese Cuisine
Canton
900 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-8751, cantonsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Panda Inn, Shun Feng
Chocolatier
MacKenzies Chocolates
1492 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1492
RUNNERS-UP Donnelly Fine Chocolates, Mutari
Clam Chowder
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobrothers.com
RUNNERS-UP The Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Coffeehouse (Independent)
Cat & Cloud
3600 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz; 10 Parade St., Suite A, Aptos; 719 Swift St. Suite 56, Santa Cruz; Abbott Square, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz, catandcloud.com
RUNNERS-UP Verve, 11th Hour Coffee
Cookies
Pacific Cookie Company
1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, The Buttery
Cupcakes
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria, Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery
Date Night Restaurant
-Santa Cruz
Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 457-1677, gabriellacafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Oswald, VIM Dining & Desserts
-Aptos/Soquel
HOME
3101 N. Main St., Soquel, 431-6131, homesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Cafe Sparrow, The Hideout
-Capitola
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP Trestles Restaurant, Cafe Cruz
-Scotts Valley/SLV
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, 609-6132, ristorantecasanostra.com
RUNNERS-UP Scopazzi’s, Bruno’s Bar and Grill
-Watsonville
California Grill
40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, 722-8052, californiagrillrestaurant.com
RUNNER-UP Ella’s at the Airport, Jalisco Restaurant
Deli
Zoccoli’s Delicatessen
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Garden Liquors & Deli, Erik’s Deli
Desserts (Bakery)
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, The Farm Bakery & Gifts
Desserts (Restaurant)
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP VIM Dining & Desserts, Bittersweet Bistro
Donut Shop
Ferrell’s Donuts
2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760
RUNNER-UP Dunlap’s Donuts, Allbright’s Donut Shoppe
Falafel
Zameen
851 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 713-5520, zameencuisine.com
RUNNERS-UP Falafel of Santa Cruz, Nick the Greek
Food Event
Greek Food Festival
Downtown Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Clam Chowder Cook-Off, Grazing on the Green
French Fries
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901; 505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190; 1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP West End Tap & Kitchen, Carpo’s Restaurant
Frozen Yogurt
Yogurtland
1955 41st Ave. Ste. A4, Capitola, 462-3100; 1487 Main St. #102, Watsonville, 761-1500
RUNNERS-UP Top A Lot Yogurt, Cruz Creamery
Greek
Vasili’s Greek Restaurant
1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-9808, vasilisgreekrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine, Nick the Greek
Hawaiian Cuisine
Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap
3744 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, 426-7458, ponokitchenandtap.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, Aloha Island Grille
Hot Dog
Happy Dog Hotdogs
324 River St., Santa Cruz, 332-2057
RUNNERS-UP Funks Franks, Taylor’s Hot Dog Stand
Ice Cream
Marianne’s
1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447; 218 State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746; 104 Stockton Ave., Capitola, 479-8888, mariannesicecream.com
RUNNERS-UP Penny Ice Creamery, Mission Hill Creamer
Indian Cuisine
Ambrosia India Bistro
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610; 6006 La Madrona Drive, #D, Scotts Valley, 713-5594, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP Royal Taj, Malabar Restaurant
Italian Cuisine
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
1148 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP Tramonti, La Posta
Juice Bar/Smoothies
Amazon Juices
1066 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 854-2225, amazonjuices.us
RUNNERS-UP Clean Juice, New Leaf Community Markets
Kid-Friendly Eatery
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Dharma’s Restaurant, Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar
Kombucha/Probiotic (Local)
Living Swell
424 26th Ave., Santa Cruz, livingswellkombucha.com
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Boochy Boy
Late-Night Eatery
The Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6994, thecrepeplace.com
RUNNERS-UP Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant, Charlie Hong Kong
Mexican Cuisine
-Santa Cruz
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Copal, Taqueria Los Pericos
-Aptos/Soquel
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Tortilla Flats, El Chipotle Taqueria
-Capitola
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-7022, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Tacos Moreno
-Scotts Valley/SLV
Maya Mexican Restaurant
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004, mayasv.com
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Los Gallos
-Watsonville
Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com
RUNNERS-UP Jalisco Restaurant, El Frijolito
Middle Eastern
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Zameen, Mozaic
New Restaurant
Trestles Restaurant
316 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 854-2728, trestlesrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen, Mentone
Outdoor Dining
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Laili Restaurant
Patio Dining
-Santa Cruz
The Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Laili, Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen
-Aptos/Soquel
The Hideout
9051 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-5566, thehideoutaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, Michael’s On Main
