So we visited Santa Cruz, CA last week and omg, the food!! Avocados are in season there (or close to it anyways) and I am surprised I didn't come back green from all of them that I ate! (So cheap, so yummy.) While we didn't eat out as much as I normally do on a vacation (hard to eat out much when you don't get off the balcony), we did have some memorable meals.
Less than a quarter mile from our beach house was a local Mexican restaurant, Taqueria Michoacan. Outrageously delicious chicken mole (nice savory cinnamon flavor), fresh tortillas, and they didn't skimp on the guacamole! Chris' burrito was daydream-worthy, and the chicken flautas were flavorful, crispy, and served with lots of sour cream and guacamole. Delicious! I think we'd be on a first-name basis with the owners if we lived there. (On an unrelated note, the guy ahead of us in line there had a loud kid who got our attention. When I turned to look at Chris to convey my annoyance, I happened to see the man's sandaled feet. Um, nail polish really should only be on women. Especially that shade of red. Now, wondered if kids did it, but then why wouldn't he cover it up by wearing different shoes? We saw him a couple nights later at the beach, and it was still there. He just likes his toes painted, apparently. Oh my.)
ANYWAYS, sorry to get sidetracked there. We also drove past a BBQ place on our way to Monterey. Cole's BBQ owners are genius- they do the cooking/smoking in an open grill right next to the road, which results in that lovely meat smell wafting over all passing traffic. Great way to lure people in! HUGE portions of chicken, pork loin, ribs, and pretty much any other meat you could want, along with some seasoned french fries. We were able to eat outside that day in the sunshine, surrounded by the smell of grilling meat and the ocean. One of the best outdoor meals I've ever had!
In Monterey, our kayak instructor recommended a deli that smokes their own meats and makes a lot of their own soups and salads from scratch. (Reminds me of Alley Cat...sad face.) She did warn us that the owners and staff can be a bit surly, but that the pulled pork sandwich and the view of the harbor makes it totally worth it all! Well, she was right on both accounts. Whew, they refused to be charmed at Bayview Deli! It appeared that dogs melt their hearts a little (another customer had a dog and that actually got a smile!) but smiles, kindness, manners, and money didn't seem to budge the frowns. However, that was one delicious sandwich! There was some kind of sauce with savory spices in it on top of the meat, but they didn't ruin it by adding any thing else. Just the meat, sauce and bun. Absolutely divine! (And good portion sizes!) And the view was pretty perfect- it's located on the Coast Guard wharf, so you get lots of ocean views and noise from the sea lions. Very pretty!
Last and best, we dressed up and went to Shadowbrook for our last night in California. It's located on a hill, accessible only by walking down through the gardens (complete with waterfalls, lights, and many, many stairs) or a specialized cable car. Once in the restaurant, it is a warren of rooms, levels, windows, and open spaces, with plants, strings of lights, and a variety of decorations that remind one of fine dining in the past. Very easy to get lost in that labyrinth, but also a very unique restaurant because of it.
So, the delicious food... We started with an appetizer of shrimp and avocado crostini. Crostini triangles covered in herbed goat cheese, topped with mashed avocado and a layer of lime-marinated grilled shrimp on top of that with a cream-based sauce drizzled over everything. Oh my. So many good textures and flavors going on there! The bread that was brought was hot and crusty (and plentiful, thank goodness).
For entrees, I ordered the sea scallops with lobster-infused mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The four scallops were probably three inches in diameter and perfectly cooked! They surrounded the mound of potatoes that covered the layer of spinach. The cream sauce was just the right amount; enough to get a little bit in every bite, but the food wasn't drowning in it. The spinach was a nice flavor to complement the scallops. A local Sauvignon Blanc paired perfectly, the acidity helping to cut the richness of the food.
Chris ordered the Filet Mignon and Truffle Gnocchi. I think his also had a few sides, but my attention was solely on that gnocchi! It was topped with fresh steamed asparagus and some goat cheese. The crunch of the asparagus, creaminess of the cheese, and richness of the gnocchi made for one of the best dishes I've ever tasted! (He told me his steak was good too, but who cared about that when there was gnocchi on the table?!) One thing I loved was that it didn't have a sauce on top to cover up the flavors. I've never had gnocchi without a sauce, but this made me a believer. It also would be harder to cover up sub par gnocchi without a sauce, so we were able to tell immediately that this was quality stuff. Fluffy little pillows of flavor. Mmmmmmmmmm. A rich Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins complemented the steak (and was pretty darn good on its own, as I found out when he wasn't looking).
Every meal I have in California is so fresh, pretty to look at, and so amazing tasting, is it any wonder I want to move there? What would be your ideal meal?
www.taqueriamichoacan.net
www.shadowbrook-capitola.com
