Great Food, Great Service & a Manager Who Actually Says Hello!…read more Loved this place! My bride and I had a fantastic experience from the moment we walked in. This restaurant has an incredible indoor and outdoor space, a great menu, and an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both chill and professional. You'll find a wonderfully diverse crowd here, and everyone seems to fit right in. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the meatballs--they were fantastic! And the garlic bread? Fabulous. Honestly, I could have made a meal out of the bread alone, but I exercised some restraint...because I'm an adult. My bride ordered the hamburger, and she loved it. The salads were excellent, the bread was outstanding, and the dessert selection was enough to make someone suddenly forget they were "too full for dessert." Our server was incredible--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. And then, as if the experience couldn't get any better, the manager actually came out and welcomed us! You don't find that everywhere. That personal touch says a lot about how this place approaches hospitality. Everything was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made us want to hang around longer than we probably should have. One warning: Parking can be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, this is one of those places where you circle the parking lot a few times and say, "Lord, give me a parking space!" Yelp Elite verdict: Absolutely worth the hassle! Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great service. And apparently, great managers who actually come out to meet their guests. My bride and I will definitely be back! #YelpElite #FoodieFind #DateNight #GreatFood #GreatService #Meatballs #GarlicBread #DessertLovers #RestaurantReview #WorthTheHassle #FoodAndFun #FiveStars

Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

Given that I think Trestles is one of the best restaurants in town, I had been eager to try…read moreCavalletta. I incorrectly assumed that it would be mostly a gluten-forward menu. I was wrong. They have multiple options for those who are gluten-free. They offer a gluten-free pasta, which I wasn't aware of, and I ended up ordering the Tuscan chicken penne with it. It was delightful! My taste buds were very happy. I also tried the Caesar salad sans croutons and it may have been the best Caesar I've had in a long time. Well done, chef. The interior design and space is similar to Trestles and sitting at the bar was entertaining. I loved watching the kitchen staff do their thing. One piece of feedback I'd give for a future warm day: please create more air flow. Whether that's doors and windows open or more fans, that pizza oven is HOT. I was sweating the entire meal.

We came for dinner. Sat at the bar. View of a huge refrigerator with random storage…read more Service was ok. We ordered salads. Gigantic croutons that could not be gracefully cut to a consumable portion. Salads ok. The outdoor patio looked inviting. When we paid our bill there was a 3% surcharge for "operations". We won't go back. Just price your meals properly. Don't Nickle and dime.

What a magical experience as always! Shadowbrook is hands-down one of the most romantic spots…read morearound. Getting there is half the fun--you can either ride the cute little red cable car down the hill or take the winding stairs through the gorgeous, lush scenery. Inside, the ambiance is perfection with dark wood details, cozy lighting, and an overall super enchanting feel. They have an extensive drink menu, and the French 75 was fantastic. I've been here a few times over the years and usually order the prime rib (which is always excellent), but this time I decided to mix it up and tried the black truffle gnocchi with added filet mignon. It was SO good and incredibly flavorful! The staff here is always so informative, warm, and attentive. Every visit is memorable--I always truly enjoy my time here!

We arrived as a family of four with an infant to celebrate our son's birthday, only to realize we…read morehad accidentally booked our reservation for the following night. The front desk reassured us, gave us a waiting number, and told us to wait in the lounge while they worked on getting us a table. ​After waiting patiently for an entire hour, we checked back, only to be abruptly told they were fully booked and could not seat us after all. ​Our booking mistake is on us, but stringing along a family with a baby for an hour--giving false hope while open tables sat empty--is terrible hospitality. If you cannot accommodate us, simply be honest upfront so we can celebrate elsewhere instead of wasting our entire evening. Very disappointing customer service.

Food: A They did not disappoint on portions, expect to…read moreembrace the inevitable food coma that's surely to come after. The Benedicts definitely hit the spot for brunch, egg were poached just right topping it off with the decadent hollandaise sauce. Vibe: A It was a nice day ended up dining outside on patio. Basking in on the nice breeze and sun .....while over-indulging in mimosas. Service: A Quick friendly service, no complaints. - John

Nice spot for breakfast and lunch tucked upstairs in a large plaza. Plenty of seating inside and…read moreoutdoors. Service was really great from beginning to end. Started with a passionfruit bellini and ordered the Country Fried Steak and eggs. I liked that I could sub the home potatoes for really yummy french fries. Food came out really quick and like that you can sub 6 baby pancakes over the potatoes and toast. They were cute and fluffy. I got the biscuit and gravy with my steak and the gravy was a bit bland. The biscuit was fluffy but also a bit dry at the same time. Everything else was really tasty!

Gorgeous venue. They have custom artwork from a local artist all over the restaurant…read more The food was killer! The menu and chef have done a wonderful job. The win selection there is outstanding. Arrive was great and very intimate. Would 100% recommend and will be going back.

Persephone provides Great food and a wonderful dining experience. We are so lucky to have them in…read moreAptos.

Parrish Pub Looking for a great place to refuel after a…read morehike at Nisene Marks? Stop by Parrish Pub! Great food all around, a Puppers Menu for your four-legged adventure buddy , and a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome! My personal favorite? The Filthy Freddy + a pint! The staff is fantastic, the food is great, and honestly... they're just friendly all around! Hike, eat, drink, repeat! Definitely worth the stop!

Soooo bad! I just spent $25 for the worst burger I've ever…read morehad in my life! I fed it to my dog. No Kidding! Dry bun with an overcooked paddy. No condiments no tomato or onion. Ordered the classic burger which says it comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle. I also added cheese & mushroom. No cheese on it. I think it was supposed to come with fries which I didn't get. I added a side of mash potato & veg which a girl came running out to give me when I was already driving off. Should have checked the order. Terrible! I called to let them know & the hostess or whomever answered the phone kept laughing about it like spending that much money on garbage is funny.

I stopped by Caffe Cruise and had a half roasted chicken with black rice and black beans, along…read morewith a separate dish called Linguine Cruise, which I added "prawns" to. Now, I say "prawns" because apparently there was a little seafood identity crisis happening -- they were actually shrimp! Outside of that little prawn/shrimp confusion, everything was exceptionally good. The roasted chicken was delicious, the black rice was really good, but those black beans were FIIIIRRREEE! They had this amazing smoky flavor that I absolutely loved. Seriously, those beans were ridiculously good. The Linguine Cruise was also excellent, and even though my "prawns" turned out to be shrimp, they were still damn good! The restaurant itself is huge, clean, and has plenty of seating, with a killer bar that I really liked. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming, and the staff were super friendly, funny, and genuinely enjoyable to deal with. Overall, I really liked this place. Great food, good portions, cool atmosphere, friendly people, and some seriously fire black beans. I'd absolutely go back!

We visited with family, a group of eight, and had a reservation. Even though the restaurant was…read morepacked and lively, it never felt overly loud, making it easy to enjoy conversation. The exterior doesn't do the restaurant justice. Inside, the dining room and patios are beautifully decorated, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. There's plenty of space for both small and mid-sized groups. The food was fabulous! We started with the calamari, which was honestly some of the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. We also ordered the seasonal Caprese (tomato stack) salad, which was incredibly fresh with a wonderful combination of flavors. Even the complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar stood out. The balsamic was so good I forgot to ask what brand they use so I could buy some for home! Our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful. When I ordered the fettuccine with steak, she thoughtfully confirmed whether I wanted the Gorgonzola Alfredo or the traditional Alfredo sauce. I chose the traditional Alfredo, and it was absolutely perfect. I shared it with my daughter, so the photo shows about half of the original portion. Everyone at our table loved their meals. The rotisserie chicken received rave reviews as well, although I forgot to take a photo. If the weather is nice, don't miss the outdoor patios. There's a table for six near the fireplace that looked especially inviting. I wanted to take a picture, but I couldn't get the angle without including other diners in the frame. I also tried the watermelon martini, which was refreshing and delicious, and the wine pours were generous. If you're in Aptos, this restaurant is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back.

Everything was simply amazing! From the service, the comfortable atmosphere, to the incredible…read morefood. We indulged in delicious cocktails, 2 delicious appetizers: the stracciatella and foccia, and the peaches with prosciutto and Parmesan. They had the best Caesar salad we've ever had (better than the Zuni cafe even). We also enjoyed a pasta dish (beef dumplings in tomato sauce) and a Genovese and pistachio pesto pizza. We didn't really have room for dessert but had to try them anyway. The lemon curd with pistachio was divine as was the affogato. We will be back next time we are in Santa Cruz!

Good: - marg pizza -…read moretrenette bolognese - ravioli (wouldn't get it again cuz not my palate) - strachiatella Meh: - root vegetables Black cod was weird, like it seemed nice but we all thought the fish was too slimy, too...alive? Too recently slaughtered? But I mean, maybe we're just not cool enough to appreciate it lol.

I chose Aptos St BBQ to cater my staff appreciation day. It was great and everyone was pleased. I…read morewill use again.

I recently used Aptos BBQ for a party for 30 people at my house. The food was delivered on time…read moreand it was hot and delicious, we even had some extra. The meat was fabulous, but the sides were really good as well, would definitely recommend.

Good food, good prices, great service, great views!…read more Can't miss this hidden gem, with a golf course wrapped around it. Can also get breakfast all day.

Wish I could review the food . . . tried to take our Mexican Train group there for lunch and play…read moreand no one ever called back. First talked to a very nice lady that said it would work, but would have to talk to Natalie. Left a message for Natalie. After a week she did not call back, so called and left a message for Josh, did not call back so called again. He said no problem, sent an email to our group, then got a call from Natalie. Said she didn't know how that would work, didn't want to give away the restaurant, she would have Josh call me. Josh did not not call next, day, I left another message . . . had to let our group of 14 know it was a no go. Guess they just don't need the business :(