Alley Oop finally opens in downtown Santa Cruz with date-night energy and chef-driven plates, as SF Beer Week and local breweries raise the bar across the county.
Pearl’s stunning cocktails anchor this week’s Dining column, with Valentine’s sips, floating feasts, and local Good Food Awards finalists rounding out the menu.
The food revolution isn’t being televised — it’s broadcast. Santa Cruz’s culinary sleuth has taken to the airwaves, finding the best new restaurants, food stories, and people who make the scene hum.
In Watsonville, a deeply loved neighborhood spot is doing everything right, from soul-warming bowls of pho to scratch-made boba drinks to keep regulars coming back again and again.
Blue Lava Café brings French-inspired crepes, classic eggs Benedict, and locally sourced breakfasts to Capitola, taking over the former Sweet Peas space with a fresh, ocean-themed vibe.
Demetria Estate’s 2023 Pantheon red delivers a sophisticated yet approachable blend, offering layers of cranberry, clove, and sour cherry in a wine made for both celebrations and quiet evenings.
