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    Persephone

    4.3 (262 reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Persephone Photos

    Business Info

    PERSEPHONE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Persephone

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    Truffled Pasta
    Jake B.

    We loved our experience here. Between two of us we split an appetizer and two mains, and that was a perfect quantity for food. The beet and artichoke soup was delicious, and beautifully plated. The braised short rib was phenomenal and rich. We really liked the truffle pasta as well! Great place to have a celebration meal, will for sure be back!

    Interior of restaurant.  Charming and chic!
    Mary A.

    A meal to remember! My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Persephone last night. Everything was exquisite and we can't wait to take our friends to enjoy this restaurant with us. The gazpacho was flavorful and very special. My husband joked that he wanted to order a gallon "to go". My chicken risotto with grapes sautéed with rosemary was truly one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. Can't say enough about this truly inspired meal. Start to finish everything was delectable. Big kudos to our server Eli as well. Beautiful ambiance, impeccable service, delicious food--5 stars plus!!

    Cheeses
    Jojo H.

    It's our first time here. We've been wanting to come since we move to SC. We've been to all fine dining in Santa tuz area and Aptos, this is the last place and we all checked the box. This place is on our top 5 for sure. Glad we dine here tonight. Everything is delicious especially the short ribs. I would give 5 stars but the next table to us are loud (Millennials) one of them is wearing sleepers, they're loud and kind ruined our peace, We are Definitely coming back.

    Trout

    Food was excellent as was service and ambiance. Our server George was teriffic conversation and his food suggestions hit the mark, seared steak and catch of the day, trout. We had a corner table for two with window - perfect. Thank you Persephone!

    Focaccia with hummus and olive oil
    Mindi G.

    My husband and I have heard good things about Persephone, so we decided to have dinner there for our anniversary. The setting is lovely and the food was good. I would go back, but there are other local restaurants that I would choose first. We had an early reservation on a Saturday, so parking was easily available in their small lot. We were warmly greeted and were seated at a cute table in the corner. We were served water and house-made focaccia. The focaccia comes with hummus as well as olive oil with balsamico. The server returned to take our order. Other than bringing our food, the server was not intrusive. As starters, I had the Parmesan custard with pea purée, pea shoots, and radish. It was mild and enjoyable. The purée did not have a lot of flavor. My husband started with the beet and artichoke soup, which he thought was delicious. For our entrees, my husband had the catch of the day, which was sole, and I had the risotto. My husband said that the sole was fishy and I would not have liked it. My risotto was so hot that I burned my tongue, so I had to move it around and let the steam release for a while before I could eat it. It was very creamy and the artichoke gave a nice punch of flavor. Otherwise, the pieces of chicken seemed over cooked and didn't have a lot of flavor. The dish was fairly one-note, other than the artichoke. Visually, the risotto lacked color and appeal. Maybe some fresh asparagus or peas would brighten the appearance. For dessert, my husband had the almond cake with strawberry and rhubarb and I had the chocolate gelato. The gelato was very chocolatey and creamy! My husband loves strawberry and rhubarb; he said the cake dominated his dessert. The setting, service, and food at Persephone are all very nice. The food highlight was probably the soup. In general, a very pleasant experience and good food.

    Beef, Mushroom and Farro Soup (with chicken that day)
    Amy K.

    We walked in on a Wednesday night. Enjoyed dinner here. They have quite an extensive list of wine. I ordered the catch of the day which was a sole with polenta and romanesco. Boyfriend ordered the chicken stuffed with porcini mushrooms. The highlight was the soups! We ordered the chicken with farro soup and the beet artichoke. Loved the soups a lot and the main courses were good but not show stopping. I would eat here again and the service was excellent. You should try it if looking for a fair priced fine dining experience in Aptos.

    Bree G.

    My boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was such a sweet experience. I had always wanted to try Persephone and we finally made it in after our former reservations elsewhere were canceled last minute. Such a delightful plan b and I HIGHLY recommend for a special evening. The wait staff was youthful, sweet, and so darling. They took very good care of us and I appreciated ALL of their efforts. They did not go unnoticed. The food was high quality, rich, and creative (see photos). I hadn't done a fine dining experience in a long while. So if you're seeking a fancy and special night out, this is the place for you.

    inside

    such an enchanting night, truly the best thank you the art was inspiring the food was amazing burrata refreshed my palette

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    3 months ago

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    22 hours ago

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

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    9 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Excellent Service and Beet soup is a must. Along with cheese platter and short rib straganoff

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    Alex P.

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    Alex P.

    Thank you!

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    2 years ago

    Excellent quality and fresh food, wonderful service such a welcome addition to the local dining scene

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    Thank you so much! We look forward to seeing you back!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Persephone

    Do you have a bar area where you can eat dinner? Asking as a solo diner.

    Hi! Unfortunately we do not have a bar area but we are happy to seat you solo at one of our tables for 2!

    Do you have heated outdoor seating?

    Yes they do! Nice outdoor area with warm tall heaters.

    Do you allow dogs when dining on the patio?

    Yes dogs allowed on patio =)

    What is the expected attire for eating here?

    I don't know that it's expected, but it's nice to be in something other than jeans and a tshirt, leggings, etc. Look nice...chinos, nice shirt, nice pants on the ladies, or a sporty dress.

    Does Persephone serve any vegan dishes? I'm not but my fav dining companion is.

    We always make sure our Vegetarian dish and a soup and salad can be easily adjusted to be made vegan friendly. If none of those choices are to your liking just give us a couple days notice on the reservation and we can make a special dish.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Trestles Restaurant

    4.5(443 reviews)
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    the food was so yummy and the menu was small and simple, the chef did such a great job!! the…read moreservice was great and the waiter was so kind, he made sure that the food was seed oil free for me and made a lot of accommodations for my friend and i it's perfect if u want a more elevated restaurant experience compared to the other places near capitola beach! the vibes r perfect for a romantic night out or taking urself out for a beautiful dinner 10/10!!! i want to come back already x3

    Trestles has been the first $$$ restaurant in the Monterey Bay region that I have enjoyed and…read morethought was worth spending my money at. Don't get me wrong, it is pricy, but the food is good, creative, and memorable. They also brought out the starters one by one in a great order that I really appreciated. (1)Ceviche 2) pork belly 3) squash blossom 4) toast) 10/10 for: -squash blossom stuffed with crab: this was fried. loved that it was. Nice light batter that was crunchy. Crab was so good and fresh. I wish there was more than just 2 blossoms because we definitely could have just kept going. -pork chop entree special: so juicy!! the variety of flavors were so good. The corn mousse was delicious and not too sweet. If you wanted more sweetness, the au jus tasted almost like honey on the plate. Squashes were perfectly cooked and light to balance the flavors of everything else. Great grilled taste too. -peach toast: just great!! Sweet and a little savory from the buttered toast. Nice palette cleanser almost before our entrees 9/10 for the creme brulee: solid. Fun creme brulee top but very thin layer. The sauce was like a tart apple caramel that nicely balanced the sweet and creamy cake. 8/10 for: -pasta entree: fresh pasta was soo perfectly bouncy and soft. Sauce was balanced and light. Nothing crazy but I liked it. Partner thought it was a bit normal -pork belly starter: very flavorful and yummy but can be a bit salty on its own. Partner and I wish we could have had some mashed potatoes, bread, or white rice with it but then it would probably be more of an entree very good though! Eggplant sauce was lovely even for those who don't like eggplant normally. This also had mushrooms. 4-5/10 for the tuna ceviche because it mostly just tasted sour. I liked the cherry tomato and basil addition, but it needed some spice or more tomato and basil to balance out the sourness of the lime. this was the only dish I wish we didn't get I'd recommend this place for a nice date night! There is a small patio outside. I think they MIGHT accommodate pets out there. There is also a small elevator lift for those who need an accessible way up. Otherwise, you'll have to walk up a few steps. Kitchen is in the back but in an opened lay out. You can see them cooking everything if you sit at the bar or facing that way. Probably better for small groups or couples rather than a large party. We made a reservation at 7 and were seated promptly. Seemed like a full house all night. May need to wait a bit for walk in parties.

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    The Hideout - Daily Special: Tomato Artichoke Bisque

    The Hideout

    4.2(845 reviews)
    0.8 mi
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    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.

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    The Hideout - Indoor dining area

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    Shadowbrook

    Shadowbrook

    4.3(6.3k reviews)
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    I've been here twice for our "dating anniversary" One was when my boyfriend and I were both…read moreunderage and young and the other one was she we were older. We were treated the same both times. Glad to see that both adults and so called "kids" are treated thw same no matter what :) Vibe 10/10: It's so pretty!!! The first time I learned about this place, I wanted to go for the pictures. There's a little trolley that you can ride down to the front of the door, or you can walk the stairs. It's somewhat hidden, so it feels so... I don't know how to explain it. The restaurant is below where the parking lot it. I honestly can go on and on about the vibes of this place. The lighting is warm, so many plants too!! Service 10/10: As someone who has worked in the food industry, you always have a line that you say to every single customer. My boyfriend and I joked about jow the server was going down every new table saying the same thing. It was definitely a treat to hear. After the servers gets to know us, I notice that they definitely starts talking on a more personal level. My boyfriend is also on his little "wine craze" so he asked the server to recommend something. He loved what was recommended. Food 9/10: Personally for me, the food wasn't something to go crazy for. It's definitely more of a place where you can talk to each other and sit for dates. Food was still so good though! I can eat that damn mashed potatoes forever though!

    Shadowbrook was absolutely amazing! From the moment we arrived, the whole experience felt special…read more The beautiful setting, lush gardens, charming cable-car ride down to the restaurant, and gorgeous creekside atmosphere make this place so unique. It honestly feels like you've stepped into a little hidden fairytale. The ambiance was romantic, cozy and elegant, and the food was delicious. The service was wonderful as well friendly, attentive and made the evening even more enjoyable. What I loved most is that Shadowbrook isn't just somewhere you go for dinner it's an entire experience. Perfect for a date night, birthday, anniversary or simply a special evening in Capitola. We had such a memorable time and would absolutely come back again. Highly recommend!

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    Greenhouse interior

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    Inviting atmosphere, good service, and fresh excellent food. A farm to table comfort experience is…read moreon display here. Parking can be found across the street in the church parking lot. Ordered a charcuterie starter, carbonara seasonal, and beef cheek for dinner with the panna cotta and strawberry rubarb. The charcuterie was well done for sure. According to the menu the ham is cured in house. Carbonara-- gave it a shot but really it could and should just be regular carbonara. Pecorino sardo was an alright twist but the uni butter I just set to the side. Also didnt care for the parsley or breadcrumbs. Beef cheek was very very excellent. Also, the desserts are great. I would go just for the pannacotta alone.

    Overall, it was a good experience. My wife and I enjoyed the food. The service was very good as…read morewell. From the waiter to the buses, we got what we needed when we needed it. The waitress came back multiple times to ask us if we needed anything and how it was going. The one thing I would add to the experience is an umbrella for our table. If you haven't been there, you're seated outside and you get to enjoy all the elements. It was a little breezy and sunny on the afternoon that we went, and the sun was in both of our faces. I know they don't control the weather, but an umbrella may have helped keep the sun out of our eyes a little bit. Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable night out and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend it for a fancy night out on the town.

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    4.0(1.1k reviews)
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    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.

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    Patio view

    Persephone - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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