FOOD & DRINK
Best Açaí Bowl
Café Brasil
1 In an açaí bowl, you’ll find granola, bananas and strawberries over a housemade açaí fruit smoothie.
2 The açaí bowl is one of the most popular items on Café Brasil’s
menu, especially for take-out.
3 In the restaurant, there’s an open “açaí bar,” which is the first thing you see as you walk in. You can watch them make your bowl right in front of you.
4 Café Brasil also has a juice bar with an açaí smoothie similar to the bowl.
5 Even before the acai craze, Café Brasil was a local breakfast institution, and crowds can be seen outside waiting for a table every weekend. AE
Best Burger, Santa Cruz and Capitola
Betty Burgers
1 The meat at Betty Burgers is organic and grass-fed, with no hormones and no antibiotics—and never frozen.
2 All burgers are made with local produce, and all burger sauces are made in-house.
3 Two of their most popular burgers are the Texas Two Step and Point Grinder.
4 There is a full bar in their downtown Santa Cruz location.
5 Not even the staff can totally explain the slightly salacious touches to the menu like “Betty On Top,” “Rough and Ready,” “Betty Likes It Tender” and “Nachos O’Lay.” The secrets behind this mystery are much-debated in the GT office. AE
Best Cheese Selection
Shopper’s Corner
1 Manager/partner Andre Beauregard and deli manager Allisyn Bordwine spend quality time at the Fancy Food show in San Francisco, comparing endless varieties and cultures of cheese.
2 The store carries 19 categories of cheese, some aged up to six years, and dozens in specific classes, such as smoked or cave-aged.
3 Shopper’s cheeses come from many countries, including Italy, France, Holland, England, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway and Spain, in addition to domestic varieties.
4 The latest trend is grass-fed and free-range (as in the cows), as well as raw non-pasteurized cheeses.
5 Enzymes found in non-pasteurized cheese help with digestion, but are stripped away when pasteurized. JS
Best Date Night Restaurant, San Lorenzo
Cremer House
1 Staff say the housemade pretzels are the most popular menu item for couples on a date.
2 Attention to aesthetics is important to the managers at Cremer House, and the vibe is warm and comfortable.
3 The housemade butterscotch cookie with Mission Hill Creamery caramel ice cream is the most popular dessert—and perfect for sharing.
4 The folks at Cremer House believe in keeping their cuisine as organic and locally sourced as possible.
5 They’re also known for handcrafted beers to share, and sparkling wines. AE
Best Hot Dog
Gary’s Snappy Dogs
1 On weekdays, Gary sets up shop outside U-Save Liquor, and on weekends in the Swift Sweet Courtyard, where he suggests having a glass of wine with his hot dogs. He retired from the wine business and decided to put the hot dog carts he had “sitting around” his house to good use.
2 Gary calls his hot dogs “snappy dogs” because they make a delicious snapping in your mouth after a bite. He also jokes that in Pretty Woman they use the term “snap dog,” but he thought of it first.
3 There’s a homemade chili sauce option, but the most popular item is the classic hot dog with condiments. The classic hot dog is a beef dog with a sheep casing.
4 His dog, also named Snappy, can often be found hanging out under the stand, and occasionally comes out to say hello.
5 Other options on the menu are Louisiana Hot Link, Polish Sausage, Chicken Italian Sausage, Cheezy Bavarian, and Smoked Lamb Sausage. AE
Best Italian Restaurant
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
1 Owner Joe Moreno and family are proud of Lillian’s numerous wins in GT’s Best of Santa Cruz County awards, the first of which was for Best New Restaurant in 2008.
2 The newly constructed, much larger space just down the street at the corner of Seabright and Soquel is set to open by May 1, with staff training beginning in April.
3 Seating capacity will be 74 in the dining room and 10 at the bar—which will also offer the regular menu—at the new location.
4 It took Moreno six years to buy a larger space in the same neighborhood.
5 Popular items on the menu will remain, with fresh seafood available daily. “Frozen” is not in the chef’s vocabulary. The kitchen will have an isolated area to prepare gluten-free pasta and other items. JS
Best New Restaurant
Mozaic
1 Launched in 2015, Mozaic is a restaurant and bar with a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean theme, open every day from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
2 Owners Jay Dib, Jerry Rohana, Faisal Nemri and Ben Khader, who opened just in time for Santa Cruz Restaurant Week last year, say they were “happily overwhelmed” by customer response.
3 Recipes from Lebanon, Greece, Jordan, Turkey, Italy and Spain bring a fusion of blended culinary cultures through flavors, textures and colors.
4 On Friday nights, Arabian belly dancing is held at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Private parties may also request the local dancing troupe.
5 Show-stopping “Sakanaki” is a flamed tableside cheese dish featuring pan-seared feta cheese with olive oil, brandy and lemon juice. JS
Best Restaurant — Soquel
Cafe Cruz
1 Their most popular new item is applewood smoked buffalo wings with gorgonzola-port dipping sauce.
2 Artichoke aficionados alert: Heirloom applewood-smoked grilled artichokes are now back on the menu.
3 New handmade tables of sustainable alder wood in the lush Garden Room can now seat parties of up to 40.
4 Chefs enjoy chatting with customers from the open copper-backed kitchen, and customers love the cooking tips.
5 Café Cruz has a great local wine selection, featuring vintages from Alfaro, Beauregard, Cinnabar, Corralitos Ridge, Soquel Vineyard, Storrs, La Honda, Martin Ranch, Hunter Hill, Kathryn Kennedy, Heart O’ the Mountain, Mount Eden, Rexford, Ridge, Sones and Windy Oaks. JS
Best Seafood & Best Sushi, San Lorenzo/Scotts Valley
Otoro
1 Otoro’s menu is best known for its live seafood.
2 Regulars love it when Otoro occasionally gets in live sea urchin.
3 They get their seafood from a company in San Francisco.
4 If you’re new to the idea of eating live seafood, you can check out Otoro’s Facebook page, which has videos of chefs preparing meals.
5 A popular dessert is the ice cream crepes—vanilla, green tea or chocolate. AE
Best Winery
Alfaro Family Vineyards and Winery
1 Alfaro produces 10 different Pinot Noirs and five Chardonnays, in addition to Albariño, Gruner Veltliner, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and a soon-to-be-released sparkling wine.
2 Of the 56 acres of grapes planted, eight are CCOF-certified organic.
3 A love of travel has taken Richard and Mary Kay Alfaro to Cambodia, Vietnam, Spain, Cuba, Guatemala, Peru, Turkey, Croatia, and Portugal.
4 Their son Ryan will work his first harvest in the family vineyards this fall, after graduating from UCLA. He’ll pursue a degree in wine science through the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
5 Families with children and pets on leashes are welcome to the tasting room, open on Saturday. Complimentary juice, coloring books and dog biscuits are provided. Don’t mix up who gets what. JS
Acai Bowl
Café Brasil
1410 Mission St., Santa Cruz,
429-1855, cafebrasil.us
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juice, Samba Rock Acai Cafe
Appetizers
Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Bagel
Bagelry
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049;
1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550;
4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888
RUNNERS-UP Firefly, Main Street Bagels
Bakery
The Buttery
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Barbecue
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP Cole’s BBQ & Catering, Mission St. BBQ
Bar Food
Crow’s Nest
| 2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com |
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Bread
Companion Bakeshop
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253, campanionbakeshop.com
RUNNERS-UP Beckmann’s Bakery, Gayle’s Bakery
Breakfast
SANTA CRUZ
Walnut Avenue Café
106 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-2307, walnutavenuecafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Harbor Café, Zachary’s
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 Cliff Café, Cook House
SAN LORENZO
Mollie’s Country Café
219 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 438-8313
RUNNERS-UP Auntie Mame’s, Rocky’s Café
WATSONVILLE
Red Apple Café
589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Corner Café, Wooden Nickel
Brunch
Harbor Café
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, Crow’s Nest
Burger
SANTA CRUZ
Betty Burgers
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP burger., Jack’s Hamburgers
APTOS/SOQUEL
burger.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgeraptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, The Hideout
CAPITOLA
Betty Burgers
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056
RUNNER-UP Carpo’s, Paradise Beach Grille
SAN LORENZO VALLEY
Malone’s Grille
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Cremer House, Trout Farm Inn
WATSONVILLE
Wooden Nickel
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP Carmona’s BBQ, Main Street Burgers
Burrito
SANTA CRUZ
Tacos Moreno
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP El Palomar, Taqueria Vallarta
APTOS/SOQUEL
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911, taquerialosgordos.com
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Manuel’s, Sofia’s Taqueria
CAPITOLA
Tacos Moreno
1601 41st Ave.,Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Taqueria Vallarta
SAN LORENZO VALLEY
Los Gallos Taqueria
18 Victor Square, Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Salsa’s Taco Bar, Taqueria Vallarta
WATSONVILLE
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina, Super Taqueria
Calamari
Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, West End Tap & Kitchen
Caterer
Feel Good Foods Catering
415 River St., Santa Cruz, 466-9754, feelgoodfoodscatering.com
RUNNERS-UP Barbara & Co. Catering, Crown Café
Cheap Eats
Charlie Hong Kong
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP Cactus Corner, El Palomar Taqueria
Cheese Selection
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP Deluxe Foods, New Leaf Community Markets
Chinese
O’Mei
2316 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 425-8458, omeichow.com
RUNNERS-UP Canton, Panda Inn
Chocolatier
Donnelly’s Chocolates
1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com
RUNNERS-UP Chocolate, Mackenzie’s Chocolates
Clam Chowder
Stagnaro Brothers
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
Coffeehouse (Independent)
Verve Coffee Roasters
1540 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7784
816 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-7776
104 Bronson St., Santa Cruz, 464-8141
vervecoffeeroasters.com
RUNNERS-UP Coffeetopia, Lulu Carpenter’s
Cookies
Pacific Cookie Company
1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery
Cupcakes
Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting
1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 466-0373, farmhousefrosting.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Cutesy Cupcakes
Date Night Restaurant
SANTA CRUZ
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Oswald
APTOS/SOQUEL
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Café Sparrow
CAPITOLA
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Paradise Beach Grille
SAN LORENZO
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Scopazzi’s
WATSONVILLE
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way., Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros, Fish House Bar & Grill
Deli
Zoccoli’s Deli
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Erik’s DeliCafe, Garden Deli
Desserts
Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Chocolate
Donut
Ferrell’s Donuts
1761 17th Ave., Santa Cruz; 5520 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley; 7765 Soquel Drive, Aptos; 2227 Mission St.; 1403 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Allbright’s Donut Shoppe, Dunlap Donuts
Falafel
Falafel House
113 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 459-9770, falafelhousesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Falafel of Santa Cruz, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
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
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Saturn Café
Frozen Yogurt
Yogurtland
1955 41st Ave., Ste. A4, Capitola, 462-3100
2117 Mission St., Santa Cruz, yogurt-land.com
RUNNERS-UP Top-A-Lot Yogurt, Marianne’s
Greek
Vasili’s Greek Restaurant
1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-9808, vasilisgreekrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Laili, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
Hawaiian Cuisine
Pono Hawaiian Grill
120 Union St., Santa Cruz, 426-7666, ponohawaiiangrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Aloha Island Grille, Hula’s Island Grill
Hot Dog
Gary’s Snappy Dogs
930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-3610
RUNNERS-UP Lucys Hot Dogs, Taylor Bros Hot Dogs
Ice Cream
Marianne’s
1020 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 458-1447
218, State Park Drive, Aptos, 713-4746
mariannesicecream.com
RUNNERS-UP Mission Hill Creamery, Penny Ice Creamery
Indian Cuisine
Ambrosia India Bistro
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP Maharaja, Sitar Indian Cuisine
Italian Cuisine
Lillian’s Italian Kitchen
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Avanti, Ristorante Italiano
Juice Bar / Smoothies
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Cafe Brasil
Kid-friendly eatery
Carpo’s
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Betty Burgers, Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar
Late-night eatery
Saturn Café
145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, Santa Cruz Diner
Mediterranean Cuisine
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailiresteraunt.com
RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine
SANTA CRUZ
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP El Jardín, Tampico Kitchen
APTOS/SOQUEL
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Palapas Restaurant y Cantina, Tortilla Flats
CAPITOLA
El Toro Bravo
123 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 480-7544
RUNNER-UP Margaritaville
SAN LORENZO VALLEY
Maya Taqueria
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004
RUNNERS-UP Café Carlos, Los Gallos
WATSONVILLE
Cilantros
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com
RUNNERS-UP El Frijolito, Jalisco’s
Middle Eastern
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Mozaic, Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine
New Restaurant
Mozaic
110 Church St., Santa Cruz, 454-8663
RUNNERS-UP Jerk House, The Hideout
Patio Dining
SANTA CRUZ
Laili
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, Crow’s Nest
APTOS/SOQUEL
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet, The Hideout
CAPITOLA
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511, Shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s on the Beach
SAN LORENZO
Malone’s
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Cremer House, Jia Tella’s
WATSONVILLE
Café Ella
734 E Lake Ave., Watsonville, 722-0480, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Appleton, Cilantros
Pizza
SANTA CRUZ
Pizza My Heart
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Woodstock’s Pizza
APTOS/SOQUEL
Pizza 1
253 Center Ave, Aptos, 684-110, pizza-1.com
RUNNERS-UP Showtime Pizza, Village Host
CAPITOLA
Pizza My Heart
2180 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-6000
209 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-5714,
pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Village Host
SAN LORENZO
Redwood Pizzeria
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-1500, redwoodpizza.com
RUNNERS-UP Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub, Tony & Alba’s
WATSONVILLE
Cassidy’s Pizza
1400 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, 724-2271, cassidyspizza.net
RUNNERS-UP Big J’s Pizza, Ella’s at the Airport
Restaurant
SANTA CRUZ
Crow’s Nest
2218 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnestsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Laili, Oswald
APTOS
Café Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-6238, cafesparrow.com
RUNNERS-UP Bittersweet Bistro, The Hideout
CAPITOLA
Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Dharma’s, Paradise Beach Grille
SAN LORENZO
Cremer House
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Scopazzi’s
SCOTTS VALLEY
Otoro Sushi
235 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Jia Tella’s, Malone’s
SOQUEL
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Michael’s on Main, Tortilla Flats
WATSONVILLE
Ella’s at the Airport
100 Aviation Way, Watsonville, 728-3282, ellasinwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros, The Fish House
Salad
Crow’s Nest
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, Dharma’s
Sandwich
Zoccoli’s
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Erik’s Deli, Garden Deli
Seafood
SANTA CRUZ
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Riva Fish House
APTOS/SOQUEL
Café Rio
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 688-8917, caferioaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Bittersweet Bistro
CAPITOLA
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf Road, 475-1511, shadowbrook-capitola.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda’s
SAN LORENZO/SCOTTS VALLEY
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Rumble Fish, Trout Farm Inn
WATSONVILLE
Fish House Bar & Grill
972 Main St., Watsonville, 728-3333, fishhousewatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Ella’s at the Airport, La Perla del Pacifico
Small Plates
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, West End Tap & Kitchen
Soup
Erik’s DeliCafé
1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4646
1664 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-1919
155 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-5353
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Steak
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Sushi/Japanese
SANTA CRUZ
Mobo
105 River St., Santa Cruz, 425-1700, mobosushirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Akira, Shogun
APTOS/SOQUEL
Kauboi Japanese Grill & Sushi
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 661-0449, kauboigrillandsushi.com
CAPITOLA
Sushi Garden
820 Bay Ave., #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House, Takara
SAN LORENZO
Otoro
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Sushi Garden
WATSONVILLE
Imura
1994 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8799, imurasushi.com
RUNNERS-UP Miyuki, Sushi Garden
Taqueria
SANTA CRUZ
Taqueria Vallarta
608 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-8226;
1121 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 426-7240, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Taqueria, Tacos Moreno
APTOS/SOQUEL
Taqueria Los Gordos
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Sofia’s
CAPITOLA
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP El Toro Bravo, Tacos Moreno
SAN LORENZO VALLEY
Los Gallos
243 Mt. Hermon Road #A, Scotts Valley, 439-9507
RUNNERS-UP Los Amigos, Salsa’s
WATSONVILLE
El Frijolito
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Mi Tierra, Super Taqueria
Tea House
Hidden Peak
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com
Thai Cuisine
Sawasdee
101 Main St., Santa Cruz, 466-9009, sawasdeesoquel.com
RUNNERS-UP Real Thai, Sabieng
Vegetarian
Dharma’s
4250 Capitola Road, Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Gratitude, Saturn Café
Winery
Alfaro Family Vineyards & Winery
420 Hames Road, Watsonville. 728-5172, alfarowine.com
RUNNERS-UP Bargetto Winery, Beauregard Vineyards
Wine List
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Shadowbrook Restaurant
Wine Selection
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP Deer Park Wine & Spirits, Soif
