Santa Cruz Guide

 excellent service,  11/18/09 at 12:17 PM My family and I had NO IDEA what to do but Mcgregor Land Surveys were patient, knowledgeable and efficient. Their professionalism and experience was a constant reassurance and enabled us to finish our project in a timely manner. It made the whole situation smooth. Thank you!!!

 Patio's here!,  06/08/09 at 4:12 PM Just got the word that the patio is now open!

 lunch special,  05/12/09 at 1:47 PM I just got their lunch special to go -- a hamburger and fries. The lunch special itself is advertised as $3.84, a bargain, but if you order it to go, add a $ more, + add for cheese. After tip I still spent less than $8 though, and it's a big plate of food.

The hamburger is good, (still making my way through it), the fries are standard, the bun is nice and toasty. It was quick, it was ready when I got there, but still hot. They were friendly and responsive.

The burger is a little pink, so be sure to ask for "well-done" if your like me and like your cow burnt.

I'll definitely go back. The local beer on tap looks pretty promising.

 Secret little spot, verve coffee and all,  04/21/09 at 10:34 AM To be honest, I was a little nervous when I realized this coffee house was part of a church. With a touch of the pagan, I felt like I might burst into flames upon entry or worse have to accept Jesus as my lord and savior before ordering a cuppa' joe.

But nothing could be further from the truth. This coffee house is a hidden gem. The coffee is excellent (verve, for those of you who know it) and the building itself is awesome.

To be honest, as a chevrolegger, I might not make it out to the coffee house if I didn't live a minute away, but it really is worth the trip. Located at the back of Vintage Faith Church (A cool seeming church in itself -- I love vintage!) the coffee house is huge! with ample seating and room to move. There is a large piano in the back and big bookcase full of books of all genres (I was expecting bibles, but there are classic literature mixed in with the likes of Da Vinci Code and Homer) plus an entire fridge full of board games (that's right, I said fridge!).

The art on the walls is fresh and local, and though themed with concepts of good and evil, is quite thought provoking.

Their music schedule is amazing, with lots of live music every week.

My conclusions? A great, quiet place with very friendly people and great coffee.

The only thing it needs? An outdoor patio.

 wonderful experience,  04/17/09 at 4:10 PM I was very impressed. We had a nice wine on the table, great food, the grated Parmesan is excellent. Service is great. Friendly and open. A bit pricey, for sure, easily dropped over a bill for a dinner for two, but for special occasions it's wonderful. Go there. it is a hidden gem. :)

 Not just coffee...,  02/24/09 at 5:03 PM ...although the coffee is great. But did you know it's the cheapest Corona I've yet to find in Santa Cruz!?? Maybe anywhere! And all Corona's are exactly the same! Score!

Good people, fun place. I like the patio. It can get crowded sometimes, but if you hit it right, it's great.

They also make their own whipped cream by hand and scoop it out for you from their big bowl full of yummy white fluffy stuff!

I'd recommend a mocha. Ghiradeli's chocolate and fluffy whipped cream!

 best asian in Wats,  02/24/09 at 4:48 PM Good price and great food. if you are in watsonville, go here!

I never have to wait long and the food is always really good. the potstickers i'd particularly reccomend.

it's great for take out as well.

 wow!,  02/24/09 at 4:46 PM Wow! Amazing food, amazing view. Beautiful and perfect for a sunny day, a beautiful morning, or an amazing sunset. The salsa and the tacos are to die for. Fresh and yummy! Grab a beer and sit on the back patio...mmmmhmmmmhmmmhmmm! SWEET! It's a bit pricey, but completely worth it. Take your woman there and treat her as she deserves!

 Amendment --,  02/10/09 at 9:51 AM I felt my review was a little unfair, and although I do not wish to censor myself, I would like to add more. That happened a while ago (whenever it was just opening) and I have not been there since. Things may have changed, and who knows what management/ownership is like now. I understand how hard it is for a small business in the very begining and upon review of my own review, I would like to encourage people to try it out for themselves. I may even feel compelled to go there again, and see for myself.

This ties into a much larger debate of homelessness in santa cruz and may be a good community dialogue to open.

I admit I am biased.

Fair enough I think.

So try it, and why not ask the staff yourself, maybe things have changed. Or maybe they are still calling the cops on the kids down the block...

 under construc. CAN'T WAIT!,  02/09/09 at 4:57 PM This little place used to be just ice cream & yogurt but they're remodeling and expanding! All sorts of delicious items on their new menu. If it is anything like was before, it will be brilliant! I can't wait to eat at this family owned and operated hidden gem!

 Next best thing in the Scruz,  02/05/09 at 9:49 AM It can be a bit intimidating, I'll admit that. But this place completely rocks! I got my coffee and that was a treat (only $1!) and I looked at all their books. I haven't made it to an open mic yet by guitar is begging me, so it will be soon. It's an amzing space to open your mind and have discussion.

 Sorry, But I Dislike this establishment,  02/05/09 at 9:46 AM I am biased, I'll get that out of the way. But I had a bad experience here. I saw the staff taking pictures of homeless people and pasting them up behind the counter as a "no service" reminder. They wouldn't serve a man coffee even though he had money. Albeit change. That is the kind of aditude that completely turns me off. I have never gone there since even though I lived right down the street for almost 8 months. The coffee was alright though. It wasn't their quality of food/coffee, it was their quality of ethics.

 Best breakfast/lunch in capitola,  02/05/09 at 9:36 AM If I am around Capitola with good friends we go to the Fog Bank. It's a great atmosphere and we can gaggle on and on. I love to sit on the patio and wathc the waves and enjoy the sunshine. Grab a veggie eggs benedict with a mimosa and you wont be disappointed.

Live music there can get a little too tourista, but overall I love it!

 I enjoyed Star Bene,  02/05/09 at 9:33 AM I've only been there once, but my experience was very pleasurable. I found my Gnocchi Della Nona Lina authentic, and to my tastes. I search for authentic cultural cooking wherever I can and I feel I found it at star bene. I also enjoyed a good LaRossa, which I had never tried before. It is a bit pricey to be an everyday thing, but the atomsphere was nice. The wait staff looked a little over run. But I've been there myself. Everyone was smiling.

 milky way, shooting stars et al,  12/03/08 at 10:32 AM One of the few places to see the milky way in santa cruz. great shooting star vistas. great, breathtaking views. privacy. great for day or night. (it closes, but you know) go out there and check out the shooting stars. Orion is great in the winter and the moon goes down nicely over santa cruz in december.