Was looking for a sweet bite, I noticed as I walked in the door, displayed up top the counter were 3 types of dessert, but the Lemon tart really caught my eye. I was greeted immediately by Miss Darlene, who is the sweetest. Amazing customer service. She sat us down at the perfect table near the window. She recommended the Lemoncello mule since I mentioned that I really love lemon. And for the second drink, I had to try the Hibiscus Fiz. The restaurant was quiet since it was early in the evening, not quite yet dinner time. Dinner menu was on the table, good menu selection- I'll definitely be coming back to try the ribeye. Drinks were so pretty looking and easy to sip. The lemon tart was perfectly sweet and the berries gave it a fresh taste. read more

Iveta - Downtown - Lemoncello Mule & Hibiscus Fiz cocktails paired with the Lemon Tart - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Stopped by Ivéta in downtown Santa Cruz on a quiet Thursday evening and had an excellent experience. Fin put together a fantastic wine flight with thoughtful recommendations that matched exactly what I was looking for. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the tasting experience feel personal and relaxed. Aiden was equally impressive--his service was friendly, efficient, and on point throughout the entire evening. The combination of great wine, exceptional service, and the welcoming atmosphere made for a memorable visit. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend stopping by if you're in downtown Santa Cruz read more

This is a great little restaurant with excellent food, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. We started with a wine flight, which was a good deal and came with some nice nuts, fruit, and cheese. I got the chipotle chicken salad as my main dish, which was bursting with flavor, with very fresh and crisp Romaine. My wife got the fish tacos, which she enjoyed. We finished with one of the best tiramisu I've ever had! Overall, a very enjoyable meal -- highly recommended! read more

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We've been here twice and it's so good every time. We love the happy hour wine flight. We tried the chicken pesto pasta and the tortellini alla panna this time. The tortellini is soooo good! read more

Iveta - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Okay so the nighttime vibe is like romantic, semi upscale for Santa Cruz, and the menu is pretty good too. Wow and my Cabernet was amazing. Santa Cruz is becoming my favorite foodie place as it is filled with all these hidden gems like Iveta. I searched Italian and it came up. Something about cold foggy weather that makes me want pasta or Italian. It is a very cute, quaint, small intimate restaurant with delicious food and attentive service, they let me make substitutions like get polenta with my chicken piccata and let me suggest apples since they were out of stone fruit with my burratta fruit and bread plate. Wow, probably the best burratta salad I've had in my life! Idk if it was the honey on it, the tart and sweetness of the apple coupled with the creaminess of the cheese and the amazing soft focaccia, but this plate hit all flavor palates and made me want to return. The chicken picatta 4/5 stars I didn't care for the polenta- it needed to be a little creamier or have more flavor to it. It was kind of dried out with no taste but my chicken and veggies were delicious! My friend ordered the pesto + chicken and I would give that 3.5/4 stars out of 5. It needed a little more salt or Parmesan cheese topped on it but the pesto tasted amazing and the noodles were cooked perfectly. They also have heaters and outside seating, a happy hour, and parking in front. Def a great place for date night, a great meal, or chill intimate vibes for a solo date with yourself. Thanks for great service and yummy food! read more

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The pasta was good not the best but the pizza was amazing. Nice little restaurant, dim lit and decorative. Service was good waitress was attentive! read more

The food was absolutely delicious and the service was fantastic from start to finish. Everything came out fresh and flavorful, and the staff was friendly and attentive. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try! read more

We really enjoyed our dinner. Being Italian, it's hard not to have a spoon when you eat pasta...That, and paying for bread were the only misses. But the bread was worth the $9. The wine flight was lovely, arancini rice balls were cooked perfectly, and the citrus salad was refreshing and delicious. We also had the short ribs and the beer and wine special. Ambiance was wonderful and a bit romantic. Service was fantastic. The trifle dessert was also amazing. The lemon scone inside could be sold in a bakery. Delicious and glad we stopped in! read more

Iveta - Downtown - Arancini - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

We found Iveta on Yelp and popped in for a quick dinner our first night in Santa Cruz. Love the stylish yet laid-back atmosphere and attentive service. FISH TACOS: Tender fish, crispy slaw, & tangy aioli-- great to whet the appetite~ CITRONETTE SALAD (with chicken): Adding chicken definitely made it a full meal-- satisfying without being too filling. Chicken is seasoned well but could use some more moisture. Big fan of the citrus dressing. My bf had only positives for the pinsa :3 I had a bite and thought it was as light and agreeable as advertised. We shared a white wine flight that went well with our dishes. I only found out afterwards that their original location is famed for their scones (yum!!)-- must be a stop on our next trip to SC. read more

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We dined here for dinner at 4:30pm on Friday night. We were the first table to be seated but were quickly followed by several other parties. Overall, the ambiance and service were great, the food not so much. Here you go: Food - 3/5: We started with 2 apps - the special 'wings and beer' and margherita flatbread. The wings came out almost instantaneously which was the first sign - they had been sitting and were just reheated. The flatbread was loaded with cheese, not a lot of flavor. Our mains consisted of Caesar salad, chicken picatta, braised short ribs, and burger. The Caesar salad had a hair, the braised short ribs were fatty and no sauce over a hardened lump of dry polenta that appeared to be reheated, and the chicken picatta was just ok. Service - 4/5: We were the first seated so service was very attentive and the manager was very friendly. The issue with salad was handled professionally and taken off the bill. Vibe - 4/5: Nice, clean aesthetic. We sat inside but there is a small patio with umbrellas and flowers/shrubs for street privacy. There were only about 15-20 tables inside and a small bar area. Recommend: great local beer list and try the burger read more

Efficient and friendly service. Casual bistro interior. Close to the center of town. Nice selection of dishes. For starters, we ordered Brussels sprouts on the server's recommendation (well seasoned and roasted) and asparagus (a hit!) and crab cakes (we thought they were fried too dark but the interior was delicious). For our entrees, we had pasta, chicken piccata, Cesar salad, and the fish tacos. The pasta was good, the chicken well prepared but a little bland, the salad and the fish tacos were great: fresh, flavorful. They offer a small selection of wines by the glass and the bottle. We ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon and it was very good. We thought the whole thing was a good value and would return to try more of the menu. read more

Delicious, imaginative food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, friendly and attentive service, quiet, laid-back atmosphere: altogether a recipe for a great dinner out. read more

Great ambiance and fabulous food. We've eaten here several times and are going back this week. Highly recommend it for low-key not too loud and great service. read more

Fantastic find in Downtown Santa Cruz! The pasta really hit the spot, amazing flavors, piping hot just how we like it, and a good portion to share! The ambiance is very upscale, nice lighting and pretty decorations. Our server was awesome and the food came out so quick! Definitely would recommend this place for something different in the downtown area read more

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First time here last night. The food was just okay overall. My wife ordered the Chicken Marsala, and honestly it felt like something you'd get in a cafeteria. The chicken was paper thin with very little flavor, and the pasta was dry. I had the meat tortellini, and that was amazing--very flavorful and definitely the highlight of the meal. The bread came with a $9 charge, which felt ridiculous. The first serving of bread should be complimentary, and if guests want more, then charge for it. We also tried the wine sampler, which was great. Service, unfortunately, was horrible. We had to flag the waitress down for everything. There were only two female waitresses and one busboy working, and they clearly need additional help. Overall, we'd give it three stars. Would we go back? Maybe for the tortellini--but that would be the only reason. We have had much better in Santa Cruz. read more

Recently tried this place out for the first time. We tried their margherita pizza and burger. Both were delicious! The food was perfect for two of us to share. The service was amazing! We made reservations ahead of time and were quickly seated. Our food did take a bit long to come out, but definitely worth the wait. It is a bit small inside, and I imagine it can feel crowded when it's full. There is street parking nearby which you do have to pay for. Definitely recommend this place! read more

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Great place! Very clean, friendly Staff, prompt service with a smile, and the highlight... YUMMY Food! We had brunch- Burger, Breakfast Sandwich, Basic Breakfast and all were yummy! read more

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This place really showed up for our Easter dinner coming from out of town. The pinza of course was the star, but my short rib was terrific and fell apart with a fork. The win selection was simple but strong. And the lemonade hit the spot with the guys. The service was attentive but not intrusive. And you can't beat the beautiful interior including the patio. We'll be back on our next trip! read more

WOW - just... WOW! Looking for a good meal before a show, we made 6:30 p.m. reservations. We were early but promptly seated, and decided to sit at the counter so we could watch all the goodness happening with the staff and kitchen as they carried plate after plate of fabulous food. We started with a glass of the Cab (super tasty), and the Hibiscus Fizz (champagne with a hibiscus flower on the bottom)... then dug into the starters with brussel sprouts and crab cakes. I read they were known for their sprouts and OMG the rumors are true - these are the best damn sprouts I've ever had, with this delectable honey soy glaze that we ordered a baguette extra just to sop up the goodness. The crab cakes (2) were also VERY good, with this creamy little sauce and capers, and light greens to nibble at. Next came the short ribs on a bed of polenta, with blanched cherry tomatoes and a hint of Calabrian pepper spice. I would recommend ordering extra polenta, it's that good. We didn't have room for dessert, but they offer a delectable array for any palate from tiramisu, to cheesecake, to this caramel cake that was two layers thick and looked AMAZING, with a generous portioning. The arancini looked great too, but we had to pick and choose, but we will definitely return to try other items on the menu. This is seriously one of the few restaurants I would consider "destination dining" ie. I would drive over an hour to eat here again. Lastly, THE STAFF were AMAZING - they had so much fun together but busted their tails all night to ensure everyone was happy. The place is fairly small which adds to the quaintness, with tables, counter and then outdoor seating. It's located on Pacific just down from the hub bub. Make a reservation ASAP and bring your appetite! read more

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Came here on Mother's Day. The place, according to the host, was busier than usual. However, we had no problem making reservations online a couple hours in advance and we were seated right away. Given the choice, we sat outside because it was a nice day. Honestly, I think it was noisier inside than outside, even though (as some reviewers point out) it's located at the corner of two fairly busy streets. The service was stellar, and, even though the place was hopping, everyone working there seemed to be in a great mood. I wish I could remember our server's name because I'd love to give her a shout-out here I had the polenta and my partner had the omelette. They brought a few scones to the table for us to snack on while we waited for the food. I enjoyed the thoughtful addition. Both dishes were fantastic and the red sauce on the polenta was second to... well, probably only second to my own. I had only a bite of the omelette- it was fluffy and well-flavored. I would definitely recommend this place, and we'll be back again sometime, too. The only negative things I could say are that the outside tables were covered in some kind of soot- probably from nearby car exhaust. When we saw a young man clean the table next to us after their party had left, my partner commented on how sporadically he had wiped it down. Not a dealbreaker- they gave us plates to eat on anyhow. Also, if you're the quantity-over-quality type, be warned that the portions on the brunch were a bit on the small side. If you're the quality-over-quantity type, I can't say enough about how good the polenta and egg was. Also, I don't recommend you leave here without trying the scones. They were otherworldly good. read more

Iveta - Downtown - Mother's Day menu-with complimentary scones and sparkling wine. - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Visited iveta downtown for the first time for dinner. Had reservations for 2 at 5:30 but showed up a bit earlier and the place was empty. They have a happy hour menu and we ordered the arancini and their salad. Both were well presented and tasted delicious. For main course we had the sausage pinsa which is a type of pizza and their bolognese pasta. The pizza tasted great, maybe a bit too cheesy but it tasted great and the dough was fluffy and tasty. The bolognese was a tad bit underwhelming. Good amount of meat sauce but not enough pasta. It could have used another 30g of pasta. It also could have used a tad bit of salt and wasn't very hot when delivered. Our server was super nice and attentive. By the time we left the place was about 75% full. Nice place but nothing super special. I would go there for the happy hour menu and drinks. read more

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My partner and I went on a date for brunch was absolutely loved it! The breakfast was delicious and more filling than I expected. The service was great and was attentive. The restaurant is very cute and definitely worth a visit. read more

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Adventures of Elole Sabo continues as if we never took. a break! We showed up maybe 30 mins early and were turned down. Luckily directly across IVEGA sits a nice little wine bar which was happy to seat us as a party of 2 by the fire warming us up. Although both of these establishments are great and I love how they come together in the middle creating a lot of outdoor seating available to enjoy the sea Breeze in a modernistic open style concept. Going to school in Santa Cruz I had never bothered to explore the side IVETA is located due to it being right next to a road that is relatively busy. he pregame to IVETA. finally as we just finished up a staff member waved us over letting us know that they were now open for business. Seated inside we were greeted and were able to order. The staff here were so attentive and seemed genuinely sweet. the food was good, and probably one of the few places I am able to call edible since the food scene aint too hot. Hannah Montana would say, everybody has those days, but I swear some of these restraunts are just always having "Those Days". read more

We came here spontaneously on a Friday, no reservations, but not too busy so they sat us immediately. The Brussels sprouts were excellent, as was the salad. The pinsa was very generously topped. Nice wine menu too. read more

Iveta - Downtown - The pinsa - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Iveta is an Italian-inspired restaurant. It doesn't have the traditional menu of an Italian-American restaurant. However, it has great food. I had originally looked at reviews and was looking forward to some of the dishes, but it turned out that almost all those dishes were on the dinner menu. We came for lunch/brunch, which has a much smaller menu. We ordered the fried polenta, short rib tacos, and a burger. Everything tasted good. The polenta was paired with parmigiana tomato sauce and tasted great. There were three short rib tacos that also tasted great. The burger was good, although the plentiful fries were a bit soft. The service was wonderful. After the meal, we were presented with chocolate dinner mints and even a complimentary scone, which was great. We'll be back to try the dinner menu. read more

Went here for an early dinner on a Saturday night and it was perfect. We were seated right away and the food came very quickly. There is a lot of options to choose from and the staff is very friendly. I would definitely come back the next time. I am staying in Santa Cruz read more

We hit Iveta on a Friday night and were having an 'uh oh' moment when we walked in as we were one of only 3 parties at this sprawling location. (indoor and patio) My guess is, once word gets out, they'll be busy. They offer a simplified menu which, sometimes, is refreshing. It's like; "here's what we do - and we do it well." And that was the case here. What we had: CHICKEN PICATTA (3.5 stars) PESTO LINGUINI (4 stars) TORTELLINI ALLA PANNA (5 stars) CAESAR SALAD (5 stars) TIRAMISU (5 stars) The PICATTA'S chicken was a little dry. The pasta, capers and seasonings were nice but that chicken was a touch overshot. Better was the PESTO LINGUINI (see photo). Ditto on the CAESAR which introduced some very unique tanginess and crispy crunchiness that was downright addictive. But that TORTELLINI is other-worldly. Rockin' combo of cheeses, herbs and spices and perfectly fluffy torts. Nailed it. Portion sizes were maybe a tad on the large side but we managed to knock them down. Heh, you will not go home hungry. And props to our waitress. She knew the menu well, had an easy smile and was a great guide for our meal. read more

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We had a party 8 most liked their food. We gave back two plates not sure if the chef was off that day 2/14 but the braised ribs and chicken had no flavor. The waitress was super nice and great ambiance but this two plates were not edible. read more

Server was very attentive, food is delicious. I got the omelette with a side of fries. The omelette was very fluffy and flavorful. The fries were crispy as o asked for extra well done. All in all a very pleasant brunch. read more

Iveta - Downtown - Omelette with spinach and cheese, fruit on the side - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Disappointed showed 10 minutes after 2pm. Sign outside saying serving brunch until 2:30pm. I feel that if your kitchen is closing before 2:15 then you should pull your street sign and post your true closing time which includes the kitchen closing time. read more

Realistically 3.5/5 Came here for a Galentine's dinner with a friend and that ambiance was pretty nice. The staff was very kind and attentive. We ordered a Pinot for drinks which was good and then got a charcuterie board and margarita pizza to share. The charcuterie board was pretty good but only had 1 kind of cheese on it which was a bit underwhelming in terms of creating different variations of bites with the selection of ingredients. I did, however, really enjoy the almonds on the plate. The margarita pizza was a little disappointing as the sauce tasted more like tomato soup which did not work for me personally. read more

Iveta - Downtown - Charcuterie Board - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Fir our first visit here, our family of three had a delicious dinner. We an asparagus appetizer and also some brussels sprouts both very good. The brussels sprouts were a little too oily, but very flavorful. The beef tortellini was excellent as was a vegetarian pesto dish. Only the beef ragu fettuccine was a bit ordinary, not quite hot enough, but tasty. Street parking was a challenge, with metered parking if you can find it. The service was professional and fairly prompt even on a busy Friday night. read more

Great place to grab dinner before the game. Service was great and they were friendly and helpful. The food was delicious! Love the ambiance as well. read more

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Had a great experience here! All courses were delicious, the ambiance is stylish and the waitress was a delight. We cleared every plate, and had room for dessert! I would definitely go back, and this comes from a discerning diner. We were seated right away, but by the time we left it was full of what appeared to be locals. They are firing on all cylinders here and know good food!! read more

Found this place randomly. I happen to be nearby and in search of coffee. Its tucked away in a business park looking area. I wouldn't have expected a restaurant. The entrance is small and tight. I felt a little uncomfortable as a line started to form behind me to place orders at the register. It seemed like there was a lot of seating upstairs though and a good amount of seating in the patio too. I ordered breakfast tacos, a chocolate croissant and an iced latte. Everything was delicious. The best chocolate croissant I've ever had. The food did take a little while to come out. Not a big deal for me as I was not in a rush. read more

Iveta - Downtown - Chocolate croissant and iced latte - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Came in for dinner. Sat outside this time. The patio is nice, but it is a bit loud when the bus goes by cause it's right on the road, but in general they do a good job of making it feel separate. The Pesto chicken "flatbread" (which is really just pizza) was tasty. The ravioli were a little underwhelming - I think it mostly was the sauce - which was just a little too simple for me - like tasted like just tomato. Not the best place for kids. They are nice about kids, but there really aren't great choices for them on the menu. We got them fries. We asked if they could do plain pasta - which they could, but would have to charge us the price of the adult linguine - not a great deal. Very kind service, but a bit on the slow side, but that might be intentional - you know - relax. read more

Their happy hour is LOUD. We came just before 6pm on a Saturday, no customers were inside, where the staff were playing loud music and laughing raucously. We moved out, to sit by the less noisy cars driving past on Pacific. Decent burrata, though. read more

Everything was delish --pasta linguini and ravioli hit the spot before our Santa Cruz triathalon! Ambiance was cozy in the corner with some floral and lamp lighting! Service was fast since it wasn't too busy. I'd visit again in SC for a nicer Italian dinner! read more

Iveta - Downtown - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Iveta is a lovely place for lunch or dinner. I have been twice now and have tried many things on the menu and they have all been delicious. The fried chicken, flatbreads, and pastas are all so good. There are some really unique wines, and some good local ones on the wine list. It's a nice bright space at the end of Pacific that also has an outdoor patio. Everyone that works there is so friendly and helpful. Both times I've gone the restaurant has been a little empty, but I'm sure they will gain popularity quickly! read more

Iveta - Downtown - The fried chicken was delicious! - Italian Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Cute little spot downtown. We went on a Thursday night for dinner around 8:00 and were seated immediately. Service and food were both excellent! We decided to eat family style and shared the raviolo, short ribs with polenta, Brussel sprouts and a salad. Each dish was just enough for our party of three. Everything was delicious! I also had the orange spritz cocktail which was great. We chose indoor seating but outdoor seating with heat lamps is also available. We loved it! read more