Food & Drink | Good Times

Dark chocolate Dubai bar from Spontaneous Confections, partially unwrapped in gold foil.

.Dining Reviews

November 19, 2025

Box of Chocolates

Spontaneous Confections offers pumpkin tarts with vanilla chantilly and candied hazelnuts, apple tarte tatin domes over caramel and almond cream, and chocolate tarts with ganache and chocolate whipped cream

.Food & Drink

.Foodie File

November 19, 2025

Thai Score

Intimately involved with food throughout her entire life, Kae Bailes was born and raised in northeastern Thailand before moving to Santa Cruz 22 years...

.Vine & Dine

November 19, 2025

Smooth Blend

Silver Mountain’s Alloy, a Cabernet-dominant Bordeaux-style blend is one of my favorites with its smooth medium tannins, and dark-fruit notes of blackberry and plum.

.Dining Reviews

November 12, 2025

Tasting Sensation

Behold my nominee for the coolest bottle shop in the Santa Cruz area: Deer Park Wine & Spirits. The vast and uncommon inventory speaks for itself

.Foodie File

November 12, 2025

Shaping Up

Entrée favorites at Circle & Square are chargrilled ribeye steak with chimichurri, a pork belly sandwich and weekend seafood specials.

.Dining Reviews

November 5, 2025

Mane Act

Desmond Schneider—after time at Pete’s Capitola, Alderwood, Seabright Social and popular popup Pizza Bones—has assembled a mouthwatering lineup.

.Foodie File

November 5, 2025

Amore Foray

For Patrice Boyle, founding and owning the thoroughly Italian bistro La Posta is the dovetailed culmination of her evolved passions throughout life.

.Vine & Dine

November 5, 2025

Pinot Pop-up

I had just opened a bottle of Sonnet Cellars Pinot Noir when my neighbor came over for a quick visit. I poured him a glass of this terrific wine and he lingered for another pour, eventually departing with a hefty glass!

.Foodie File

October 29, 2025

Casa de Masa

At San Marcos Charquito, traditional favorites are as authentic as it gets north of the border. Lupita’s quesadilla is one headliner; tortas and burritos are also hits, with fish, shrimp and al pastor tacos on handmade tortillas.

.Dining Reviews

October 29, 2025

Crazy Currents

Last week the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the statewide commercial opener of the upcoming Dungeness crab season has been delayed until at least Jan. 1, 2026.

.Vine & Dine

October 22, 2025

Going Dark

Tannat originated in the Basque region of southwestern France. It has high tannins, full body and rich flavors that range from blackcurrant to licorice and smoked meat.

.Foodie File

October 22, 2025