The food was overall great and the service from staff was great. I would highly recommend coming here and trying out the miso black cod as it is the standout dish in their Summer menu. read more

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Came here to share a bottle of wine with my son who is a student at UCSC. what a pleasant surprise we got when we ordered food. This was some of the BEST FOOD that I have had. We pride ourselves in eating in some of the best places all over. Bad Animal exceeded our expectation of a 'wine bar' food menu. We had Oysters Miso Black Cod Crostini And I never order dessert it with every bite of food I couldn't pass the opportunity to try what they had to offer. We went with the lemon verbena gelato with fresh blueberries Our server ( we sat at the bar) was very knowledgeable about the wine and food. He took his time explaining every dish which made the experience much more enjoyable. Whenever I get a chance to visit Santa Cruz, I will Make a point to eat here. read more

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Bad Animal was almost the perfect meal... We started with the gougères, which were light, airy, and absolutely addictive, the kind of bite that sets the tone for a great meal. The king salmon crudo was beautifully composed, fresh and bright, and the peaches were a standout, simple but perfectly executed. The chicken schnitzel was crispy, well-seasoned, and satisfying in all the right ways. The NY Strip was where things got slightly complicated. The seasoning and flavor were genuinely excellent; the spice profile was spot on and the crust had great character. However, about a third of the cut was too fatty to eat, which was disappointing at that price point. It didn't ruin the experience, but it did feel like a quality-control miss on what was otherwise a beautifully cooked piece of meat. Also, put this steak over something else besides elaborate mixed greens. Service was warm and knowledgeable, and the space has a wonderful energy. Bad Animal is doing something right (for the most part). Hopefully I'll make it back but hoping for a better trim on the steak next time. read more

3rd time here as it's a must when in Santa Cruz. Wine. Gorgeous, delicious food. Used books for sale. What a concept! Absolutely have loved our dining experiences here each time. On my most recent visit, I found a Van Gogh Book that is coffee table worthy, it's a fat one and includes pics and text about all of his paintings! It's coming home with us! Would love to see a few more non alcoholic drink options , as well as some more veg options. Bad Animal is a fun, sexy, smart place to sip and bite and peruse! read more

Incredible experience with the bohemian vibes and great service and music. Unique and the food and local natural wine bar and the food blew me away such great execution on the various dishes we ordered. Highly recommend read more

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Review of the new menu - Winter 2025/2026, as of 1/18/2026: We had a very underwhelming experience. The Thai menu is permanently GONE. Now they have a new chef serving "French" cuisine. I love French especially modern French but their menu is pretty boring (to us) with limited selections. We only tried two dishes. Mussels: 1/5. The only reason to give even 1 star is because the side bread was very good. The mussels - omg where do I even start....the mussels are smaller than the size of my nails. They had no flavor. There are only maybe a dozen of them for $22. The broth was BITTER. I love mussels, and my partner and I both agreed that we have never had worse ones. ‍ please avoid. (Side note: we actually went to Hook and Line right after this and tried their mussels, which was juicy, plump, super duper sweet and tender, cooked perfectly in the lemongrass broth and frigging delicious. We got easily double the amount and 1000% more satisfaction for the exactly same price.) Pasta: 4/5. It's got a good al dente chewiness and tasted like freshly made in house. The flavor was pleasant: cheese, garlic, umami, a bit of lemon/citrus to balance it out. Portion was pretty small too but at least it was enjoyable. I wouldn't say it was worth the price though. The wine menu is indeed eclectic and interesting. Pricing is decent. The waitress charged us the wrong wine, but was quick to fix it. Service was decent. The space (for dinner) for me was crowded and crammed. There's barely space for waiters to walk in between the tables. Chairs weren't particularly comfortable, the table was teeny tiny, and there's no place to put my little purse. The lady next us literally fell on the floor because she put her purse on the very minimalist chair, and the chair clasped on the floor. Sad to see that place has changed, and not for the better. read more

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They deserve 4 stars, my meal was 3 stars only because two items were way over salted, not withstanding the extra salt the meal was great. From the oysters we started with to the NY strip we ended with. We walked in and lucky to find seats at the bar. Staff was attentive, helpful and a treat watch them dance. The wine list was fun, loved the bookstore vibe wish they had the NY Times to read but a fun concept and kitchen delivers. read more

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The place is very Unique! Great Staff! Very personable! The food was Amazing! Simple Delicious Fun I'll be back Chefg read more

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The vibes of this restaurant are impeccable. I mean eating inside a bookstore? How chic. Also the menu and chef rotates so there's always something new to try. Food is amazing each time I've gone. Only downside is that the menu is pretty limited, but that just makes it easier to choose your dishes. read more

We specifically drove down here from HMB based on the hours posted on Yelp, as we'd been looking forward to exploring the menu, only to find the restaurant closed. We stood at the bar for over 5 minutes, just feet from the sous chefs, who stared us down yet couldn't be bothered to tell us they were closed until I loudly cleared my throat & said, "Excuse me". It might be helpful to list the restaurant separately from the bookstore on Yelp so that your dining hours are clear and accurately reflect that you are only open for dinner. read more

TLDR; Hanloh Thai restaurant inside bad animal bookstore. Good food, eclectic atmosphere. Restaurants in bookstores aren't common but they are starting to pop up across the US after getting their start in Europe (especially Paris). The bookstore is legit -- lots of hard to find books and even some risqué magazines. The menu changes seasonally. Here's what we enjoyed in summer 2025: Fried tofu with cabbage salad: expertly flavored with lime dressing and shallots. Excellent. Probably my favorite thing we ate. Steamed black cod: yup steamed, not pan roasted. Surprising but it worked. The chili broth gave it a bit of a kick soothed by cilantro and lemongrass. Very good. Green curry with chicken: with eggplant and oddly green beans. Contains shrimp paste. Mild dish was ok. Jasmine rice was nicely cooked. A nice curation of white and red wines. We selected a Nebbiolo and Slovenian muscat, both of which paired really well. Tables are relatively small and close together, so your neighbors can hear your conversation. Our sever was very helpful, including suggesting the muscat. If eating out is supposed to be an experience, Bad Animal knows what it's doing. read more

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An unusual atmosphere finding a restaurant in a bookstore. Once the dishes start arriving it makes no difference what surrounds you, the stuff that came out of this Santa Cruz kitchen near killed me in its complexity, depth and fascinating composition. Just check the fotos. This was a Thai meal I will never forget. With friends for a birthday getaway, we followed the birthday boy looking for eats around town after cocktails at The Red Room, which was an adventure in itself. We peeked into a small bookstore-looking place n learned they had a chef in-residence dishing thai. Without a reservation the staff were apologetic but after learning the six of us were with a birthday boy, they escorted us to a private room in the back past towering rows of old books and cool periodicals. A nine course menu was offered tonight and after the incredible grace of the staff accommodations we were all in. If you're reading this i suggest look over the menu foto attached. Despite many years dining some remarkable spots, I found a lack of vocabz to satisfactorily convey the breadth of what we feasted. Apart from a few notes. Miyagi oysters in a limey, spicy Namm Chimm. Briney fragrance met with the funk of fish sauce with garlic and chili. Was amazing. Salad of fried tofu, cabbage and pineapple dressed in lime and an herb that grabbed everyones attention that we struggled to identify. Some guessed cilantro but not quite. I thought a kind of south asian tarragon. Turned out was an herb named rauram. Unlike anything else, that stuff. Fresh, crisp, intriguing, it set our palates alive for what came after. Pork belly came with another dish of double fried chicken. Pork marinated in coconut milk, garlic and turmeric, a dip of a mix of fish sauce, lime, chili and something sweet I guessed perhaps tamarind paste? A side of pickled cucumber helped clear the gorgeous fatty, tender goodness of the belly. Chicken super-crispy from the double fry, a sweet and sour sauce on side. The flesh carried a distinct hint of coriander and garlic, dripping moist. The Colonel's bird this ain't. Next a duo of stews. One a riff on Tom Yum with tender oysters and enokis fragrant of galangal and lime leaves. The other a duck legs in five spice broth and broccoli with a vinegar side that perfectly brought a touch of acid. A black cod in a chili broth scented with lime and lemongrass came last and fit perfectly as a closer. The desserts i cant remember cuz we took great advantage of the remarkable wine list along with what we brought along. If you're in Santa Cruz, dont miss what they're doing here. Truly incredible, Imho. Joe-Bob says be a good boy. Sit! Stay! At Bad Animal. read more

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The quaint bookstore that houses this restaurant is cute. It was fun to look around before dinner was served. The artichoke and maitake crostini was good. The crostini was crispy and the mushroom and artichoke were tasty. I had the NY strip steak. It was perfectly medium rare. My son had the chicken schnitzel. It was dry and tasteless. Overall, it was an ok meal. Presentation was beautiful. Serve was nice and friendly. Food did not come out all together. My daughter had her cod 8 minutes before the rest of us. Probably would go elsewhere first. read more

OMG stop everything. Bad Animal is EVERYTHING! You want to try something unique, tasty, swanky, and special? Come here. It's a Thai-seafood inspired boutique restaurant inside of a one of a kind adult bookstore with a wine bar. And I say adult because there's a rather prominent section with nudity, which is pretty artful, but still. The only downside to the restaurant and wine bar is there are very few tables and seats, so getting reservations for the same day is a complicated feat. You can call or try online, but you may not have much luck. Your best bet would be to come and wait in person. Just be nice to the hostess with the mostest, and go get a cool orange wine at the small bar while you sit there to talk to the cool crowd or walk around and check out a 1980's old Morrissey album or Lennon biography. Bad Animal seems like a secret hipster place for the rich. It is so fun! read more

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The ambience of this place is really one of a kind, it immediately drew us in. We came on a weekday night with no reservation, and walked around looking at the books until a waitress came to find us when a table was ready. The Thai leaf appetizer was perfectly spiced. Singaporean glass noodles were not bad, although I think the noodles could have used a bit more flavor. Overall we were pleased with the experience as a whole, from the environment to the service. read more

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Ambience is lacking, I don't know if it's like being in a library or school cafeteria. You have all these books no one is looking at, then you have all this noise because you are at small crowded tables and you can't hear the person next to you. Wooden tables with no tablecloths but a price tag that should afford some. Send like a place to drink first then eat whatever they have that season. Not many options for special diet such as lactose intolerant , but the salad was okay. The servers were standoffish, they knew their wines though. So I split a steak which I rarely eat and that was cut into Korean style strips and was good ,which saved the evening .Considering Santa Cruz limitations of culinary skills, I would say try it , just remember it feels like a cafeteria in high school. read more

Good people, good food, good atmosphere. What more do I have to say? Well apparently a little bit more cause Yelp has minimum characters.

Unique books, inviting atmosphere. Did not sample the food, due to lack of time. Next time will actually sit down and sample the cuisine.

This restaurant was an amazing treat! An extremely well crafted menu with complex flavors for each dish! We ordered the rockfish and the yellow curry with tofu, both were outstanding and also tasted fantastic together! The wine selection was also stunning and supported greatly by the meal! Outside of the amazing food, the atmosphere was fantastic. The bookstore, lighting, and music selection made for a wonderful evening. I highly recommend and may suggest this to be the best restaurant in Santa Cruz! read more

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Off to a good reboot as a bistro, with some tuning up for discussion. We chanced into dinner at Bad Animal not realizing that Hanloh Thai was no longer, with the new point of reference being "Paris eats". Side note: it's hard to pick a bad bottle of wine at Bad Animal, and prices are better than most restaurants that try to be "serious" about wine. The new menu was brief and we tried most of it. For starters, gougères, trout rillettes, beet dip, and a salad laced with pork belly were all quite good, but the chanterelle pasta we really wanted to try was all out. Portions were modest. For mains we had the trout amandine and a New York steak au poivre which two of us shared based on our server's recommendation. Other than there being barely a dab of pepper cream sauce on the steak (they cheerfully brought more) both were quite good. The potato pavé that accompanied the steak was slightly undercooked and a pinch of salt would also have improved it. Did not try the other mains: brick chicken and roasted cabbage. Overall pretty impressive what they produce in a matchbox kitchen. The service, while professional and cheeful, had some orchestration lapses. Our mains were served fully 10 minutes apart, which is not a sin to overlook, and glasses, tableware, and wine reorders were haphazard but at least we never had to remind them more than once. Yeah we'll absolutely go back. read more

Small menu done exceptionally well. Very friendly and helpful staff, worked us in when we had no reservation. Used books, great food, excellent libations...what's not to like?!?! read more

Bad Animal - Used Bookstore Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Omg this was DELICIOUS. such a great ambiance and vibe in general. And the FOOD!! I haven't had anything so delicious in a while.

Came here with a group of friends on a Thursday night. We politely asked a staff member if they had room available, and if not, whether we could wait for a table. They went to check, came back, and simply said there was no room tonight and told us to have a good one. The interaction felt a bit dismissive and unwelcoming. We would have appreciated at least being offered an alternative or an estimated wait time. We then made our way over to The Alley Oop, who seated us right away and provided amazing service despite being busy. read more

Ironically I walked by this place and never noticed the restaurant in the bookstore. A quick glance from the outside, you do see some tables, but then again you see something similar at Starbucks. Once you walk inside you know it's something special. Lots of books, wines and more books and more wine. Dinner time was packed but we were fortunate to find two open seating at the bar. Menu is simple with a few app and few entrees. We ordered two apps, the oysters and Thai version of crab dip. Although the crab dip was good it was no match for the Miyagi Oysters; the oysters were excellent and their freshly made sauce drizzled on the oysters just made it magical. We didn't know which Entree to try so we just opted for all three. Our favorite was the double fried chicken with their unique fresh made sauce, follow by their fish, and their curry. read more

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This is a review for Hanloh Thai inside Bad Animal. We had our anniversary dinner here over the weekend and were looking forward to it. After a trip to Thailand, it's been hard to find authentic food with bold flavors and spice levels that match what we had while traveling. Some of the dishes did match that, others did not. When we sat down they encouraged us to order everything at once. I figured they would pace the food, but we were in and out in under an hour which was disappointing for a meal that was $100+ for two people. We don't splurge on a dinner like this except for a special occasion. We felt like they were trying to flip tables quickly and it made the atmosphere a little awkward- I noticed other tables being rushed as well. We did mention on the reservation that it was our anniversary and it was clear the host and the waiter were not aware. Why ask when making reservations if it's a special occasion if you're not going to take note? The good- the oysters and nasturtium leaves mieng appetizers were the highlight of the meal. The mignonette served with the oysters was amazing and had that authentic Thai spice balanced with sweet and sour. The salad was really good too- $15 for 4 leaves is a little steep but it was worth it for a special meal. They usually come with 3, waiter asked if we wanted another one and I figured it would be an up charge, but that was not mentioned it would be $4 extra for one more leaf. The okay- the cod (plaa nueng manao) was very delicately prepared and luscious. The broth was alright, but the flavors of lemongrass and chili were muted. Jasmine rice on the side was fine, nothing special. The disappointing- tom jurd woonsen (tofu noodle soup) was bland and we had barely one fork full of noodles in the entire bowl meant for sharing. The tofu itself was fresh, but the veggies in the broth were undercooked. For $27, it was not worth the cost at all. Overall it was a decent meal with some truly special bites and some bland ones. If we went again we wouldn't let the staff rush us in and out. Order at your own pace, they're just trying to flip tables and make more tips. Definitely get the side of chili too if you like spice as some of these dishes are not very bold like I'd expect from authentic Thai food. read more

I chose this spot to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and it did not disappoint! I was drawn in by the unique concept of the space - wine bar x thai pop up x bookstore. I made a reservation prior, so we were able to be sat immediately upon arrival (which I later realized was definitely the way to go because it got packed quickly). The menu is simple in the best way, especially for someone who's indecisive like me. Everything looked delicious but we ultimately went with the following. This was the perfect amount of the two of us, but if we were a bit hungrier, we maybe could've done with one more dish. Miyagi Oysters - The oysters were fresh and the Nam Jimm sauce was so refreshing and flavorful. Nam Prik Lon - This was like a build-your-own-wrap platter with crabmeat, shrimp crackers, and varying veggies. The crabmeat was warm (which we didn't expect) and seasoned well. Each bite was unique depending on what you wrapped it with. Yum Galum Pii - Salad with fried tofu, cabbage, and herbs. This seems unassuming but the dressing was delicious. The tofu was friend to perfection, with the starchy (almost bouncy) texture - a favorite of mine. Gaeng Laung - From reading other reviews, their curry dish seemed like a crowd favorite and it was indeed yummy. The ingredients soaked up all the flavors of the curry and the beets were a pleasantly surprisingly bite. We also got a glass of white and orange wine which paired nicely with our dishes. The service was also great. Since their menu rotates, we'd definitely come back to try their other creations! read more

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Last minute reservations outside on a sunny evening. Great service. I don't eat seafood, while the menu is small, options were there. Service was prompt, the food - spicy green chicken curry, a Thai salad, lemonades... we were happy. read more

Made a reservation for 7:45pm and when we arrived at 7:40 we were seated immediately. The waitress gave a heads up that the kitchen was a bit behind. We ordered two starters and two entree's at 7:45. Both starters, a salad and cold crab rillettes, (items that basically should already be prepped) were delivered at 8:20. Then ONE main dish, fish with the smallest amount of rice I've ever seen, was delivered close to 9pm. That dish had unique flavor and the fish was moist and tender. My main, pork with a pommes purée, arrived at around 9:20ish. The 'pommes purée'(mashed potatoes) was SUPER liquidy, and though the meat flavor was decent it was not particularly memorable. The waitress was extremely apologetic for the wait and gave a discount on our drinks. Maybe just a bad night, but I won't be back and didn't seem worth the price. read more

Really great black cod dish but tiny portion. Subtle spices. The restaurant's hospitality service was what was really lacking. No host to greet you. I had made a reservation. I had to go to the bathroom after a long drive and the bathroom requires a code. I had to wait until a host finally appeared to get the code. Not a good arrival experience. The bookstore aspect is cool. The hipster vibe is cool. What was not cool was sitting on a little bar seat facing outside and looking at the parking garage across the street. No charm at my table. I thought the food, though delicious, was very overpriced for the portion. I could have eaten at Chez Panisse for the same price and had incredible service and ambience. read more

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THIS PLACE IS INCREDIBLE. Books. Food. Wine. What an incredible gem in Santa Cruz, and such fantastic food- which is saying something because Santa Cruz has great quality food (all the places I went to). Andrew, the owner, has really created a unique space, it's a vast collection of books, art- gives almost a cafe vibe- but instead with a fine dining food experience. I'm definitely coming back. The food- incredible, service just wonderful- the people lovely. Definitely NOT your typical bookstore. Can't wait to visit again. This place is a MUST stop whether you are a local or a tourist traveling through. And now to the food chef they've collaborated with. As a strict veggie person, I always have to be careful about cross contamination during preparation, ingredients, etc. They took such care, but their VEGAN ITEMS WERE DIVINE. MUST TRY Drink recommendations on point, thanks to Hayden! I can't remember all the items we had- pretty much all the veggie options on the menu- from apps, to main course, to dessert. EVERYTHING WAS SPECTACULAR. Come ready to spend a couple hours in the place, but even if you have just a bit of time, it's worth popping in. Thank you all - Andrew, Hayden, Chef, and all of staff for an incredible experience! PS. I enjoyed the food and space so much I forgot to take pictures- so I have a pic of their tote bag! ;) read more

Bad Animal - TOTE BAG for BAD ANIMAL - I forgot to take pictures of the food it was soooo good! - Used Bookstore Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

OMG this was such a unique concept!! Hanlow Thai Food teamed up with this bookstore and created a mini restaurant inside. The ambience was fantastic being surrounded by books while you dine. The service was top notch walking through the menu and describing what's in each dish and what makes it unique. All the dishes we ordered were amazing. My family enjoyed the entire experience and we would definitely go back. Reservations are a must. read more

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Bad Animal is an unlikely pairing of a bookstore, a wine bar, and a Thai restaurant (Hanloh Thai), all rolled into one space! Dining at this buzzy, trendy business was a unique experience on so many levels. The short food menu featured a curated selection of authentic Thai dishes from chef Lalita Kaewsawang. Gaeng Keow Waan was a green coconut curry with braised beef chuck, Thai eggplant, Thai basil, and shrimp paste. The oily curry had a strong herbaceous flavor, though the chunks of beef were slightly dry. I was an even bigger fan of Plaa Rad Prik, chunks of boneless rockfish, which were deep-fried, tossed with a garlic tamarind sauce, and garnished with Thai basil, fried garlic, and cucumber slices. The fried rockfish had a perfectly crispy exterior, and the intensely-flavored sauce was sweet, savory, spicy, and garlicky all at the same time. Overall, this was a cool restaurant to dine in for the experience, and the flavors were all on point, but the prices were extremely high for the small portion sizes. read more

Bad Animal - Used Bookstore Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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My friend and I stopped by Bad Animal after painting ceramics at Petroglyph. The indoor area is very cute with seating for dining, a bar, and a limited book selection. My friend ordered a wine that she really enjoyed, and I ordered the Something & Nothing yuzu soda, which I have never had, but thouroughly enjoyed (even my friend mentioned that she felt she should have ordered the soda, although she enjoyed her wine, because the soda was so good). I'd definitely recommend coming here with a friend- they don't have enough seating for big groups, but it's a great place to catch up with one or two people! Next time I go, I'm going to check out the books and go for dinner. read more

Bad Animal - Something and Nothing premium soda (this was amazing!!!) - Used Bookstore Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Came here for dinner Saturday and everything was amazing from beginning to end! The books, the wine list, the food, what else could you ask for? The food was scrumptious, I was expecting it to be good but it was above and beyond my expectations! We loved every minute and then when our meal was over we did some book shopping. read more

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Went here around 5:30 on a Wednesday. Stood in the middle of the restaurant bar area no less than four times and could not get anyone's attention. The guy at the book counter greeted me, but not anyone in the restaurant/bar area. There appeared to be around six people on the floor. I couldn't even find a menu to peruse. There appeared to be only one person serving, maybe six active tables. In between the standing there being ignored I looked at sime of the books. They had a great selection of somewhat obscure used art, movie, and architecture books, but they were priced high compared to new books at Bookshop Santa Cruz two blocks away or the old Logo's. As I was leaving, one of the women finally assumed her position at what appeared to be a host/hostess station with her back to the front door; too late. I went to Bookshop Santa Cruz instead since I still had time on my meter. Spent my money there. It's a shame, the reviews here, at least for the food, look good. Leaving town tomorrow. Would have liked to try this. read more

This is a must see for any book lover. We stopped by this afternoon for our first visit. Incredible collection including first editions. Reasonably priced too. We're already planning our next visit! read more

The aroma was great! It is part of a book store and looked very interesting. We got there about 3:30 on a Friday afternoon, so it was no surprise that there were no customers. The staff was is the kitchen, so I went back to ask if we should just seat ourselves. They said it was not opened till 5:00. Very disappointed, as that isn't what is posted on Yelp. read more

What a great concept and pulled off perfectly. An artful book store, paired with a small restaurant which for the last 2 years has served up great thai dishes. It's a limited size menu, but what they do, they do really, really well. The glass noodles starter was great with a bit of fish sauce funk (in the best way). The perfectly steamed black cod was in a fragrant, light broth. The mushroom curry also had a nice funk. And the double fried chicken was a great complement to the other dishes with a nice chili sauce for a little kick. Everything was served piping hot as it should be. The only item that was a little meh were the nasturtium cups. $14 for 4 leaves with some nuts and coconut shavings were a little under-whelming. But overall, this place is fun, great vibe and a great place to get some off the beaten-path Thai. Highly recommend reservations as it's quite busy and many people were turned away later in the evening. read more

The food here is amazing. Ambiance is unique and service is exceptional. Absolutely love this place. read more

Bad Animal - . - Used Bookstore Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Interesting place to have dinner! I am glad we were able to dine without reservations, but I would suggest one as we stopped by early on a Thursday and only bar available. Food was done really well - fish cooked perfectly and plate was overall well composed. Salad, dessert and drinks (beer and wine) were all tasty as well. We grabbed a parking spot just outside, but there are a few parking decks close by that are easy to walk from. read more