Husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner and brought our 10 month old daughter along. Cannot say enough good things! It's always nerve racking bringing a baby to a nice restaurant but the staff were so sweet and accommodating and interacted with our daughter often. The food is out of this world. Got the Sunday gravy with their house made fettuccine and the short rib ragu with house made fettuccine. Easily the best pasta I've ever had in my life. Short rib is so flavorful and tender, sauce has a really deep flavor profile, and the pasta so tender. The atmosphere is what you'd expect for a bustling authentic Italian restaurant. Loud, low lighting, and high spirits.
John F.
A real surprise. Great drinks, food, wine service. Good to have "real" food and not pretentious new age menus.
Christine C.
New favorite Italian spot! Didn't have a reservation on a Saturday night but only waited 15 mins for a table. Service was great! The cream sauce ravioli is amazing!! Great size portions as well. Food came out pretty quickly. Complimentary bread. No complaints!
Sarafina M.
I love this restaurant. The food is great, and high quality, with grass fed meats, which we really need. The only thing I haven't liked is their beet salad. It was extremely cold, and there just wasn't anything special or interesting about it. But the rest of their food rocks!
Aaron J.
Since I said, it would be a five star if they hadn't charged us extra for the soda I am updating my review. The Manager contacted me and was apologetic, and let me know that that was not supposed to happen. He offered a refund but it's $2.50. I'm not after the money I was just wanting them to let the public know that there was a charge for refills. But guess what!? Theres not! Server error, it happens. Thank you for the excellent food and beverages.
Louis S.
Good food, great service enjoyed our evening. The restaurant came with high recommendations and we had one of the specials which was halibut and the artichokes that came highly recommended by our server were fantastic and definitely would order again.
Ashtaroth F.
Been here several times over the years, since it was at its tiny location. Have loved the food every time. It's always crowded - get your reservation in early! High ceilings do make the place a little loud, and the tables are a little small - if you're anything like me, you won't care once the food is served!
Dave O'Mara
A favorite go to in Santa Cruz … never disappoints … food is gourmet & delicious … atmosphere & ambiance is inviting, welcoming & well thought out … staff are helpful & on-it … love that you can watch the chef’s do their thing in the open kitchen, such a pleasure to see artists at work ?♂️I go here on average once every 6-8 weeks & anytime I want to bring guests to somewhere I ‘know’ will impress this is my go to.Sitting at the bar for happy hour is also a favorite (2 glasses of good Pinot ?& their yummy bruschetta/caprese starter to share was a very reasonable $28).Awesome place & arguably one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz area ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wild Mushroom and Kale Ravioli, Spaghetti Marinara, Fish, Braised Short Rib Ragu, Chicken Parmigiana, Braised Short Rib
Lety M.
The calamari special was 4.5/5, but their halibut fish of the day special disappointed . The flavors of the dish did not work. The halibut itself was well cooked and the chimichurri with avocado was good but it just didn't sit well with the flavors of the risotto underneath. The balsamic/vinegar tomatoes added on the side seemed like an after thought too acidic and did not mix well with creaminess of the risotto.
Spencer Seiler
I wasn’t particularly impressed with the dishes. Garlic bread was a generic, white bread smothered in cheese. I was hoping for a heartier, rustic bread. I felt the braised beef was lack-luster. Nice wine list. By no means was anything bad, I would just choose from better Italian/Mediterranean offerings nearby.
We waited 1 1/2 hours to try the food here. Was the food worth the wait? Yes an hour is worth it, but NOT 1 1/2 hours. We were told our wait time was around an hour; therefore, we left to walk around and shop. We left and drove for ten minutes and received a text that we were put on the waitlist and will be notified once a table is ready. A phone call kept ringing my cell phone the same time in which I did not know the number. I thought it would not be the restaurant considering a text came through the same time and decided not to answer with all the robot and spam calls. No message was left and no text message came that our table was ready and so early after telling us it will be an hour or so. We went back to the restaurant 50 minutes later with no text thinking maybe it will be ready when we return. The lady at the front gave our table away and said they tried to call? Why would you not text and call ten minutes later the same time a text came about putting us on the waitlist? Makes no sense to me. We waited another half an hour as she did apologize and was very professional. The waitstaff was ok and gave good service although we did have to wave her over ourselves since she was busy chit chatting at the bar. Due to the recommendation of friends and the yelp reviews of the restaurant, we continue to give it a chance, We ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella, fried artichokes, garlic with Parmesan fries, fettuccine with beef ragu, lasagna (forgot to take picture), prawn scampi, and the black truffle gnocchi. We also ordered the chocolate gelato and tiramisu for dessert. Food was definitely good and big portions. We waited so long and ordered quite alot to support them. The one star off was for the wait giving our table away and the issue on how it was communicated. I feel it could have been done better considering they should be an expert considering how busy this restaurant always is from their reviews. The waitress checking in when we received the food would have been a plus rather than spending time chit chatting at the bar.
Larry A.
Was visiting Santa Cruz for the weekend and was looking for something local. Saw this place on yelp and the number of positive reviews. So went with my friend who grew up with Italian food at home. The food was legit! The short rib ragu was nice and spicy, my friend had the shrimp scampi and it had a generous amount of shrimp and looked great. We also had the burrata crostini which was a great app. The service was great and the server was very attentive even when it was busy. She was extremely friendly. The place was nice and lively. The prices were reasonable for the great food served. I would recommend and I will come back the next time I am in town. Definitely a hidden gem.
Grace G.
My husband and I tried this GREAT restaurant. It was so good. The restaurant is very loud. ..so beware..but the food is so delicious and drinks a fabulous
A C.
Great food every time! Always busy but worth the wait. Try the crafty drinks and appetizers. And the lasagna and sunday gravy never lets me down. Hubs enjoys the chicken parm.
Cherlyn S.
Love the food. Service is attentive. Ambiance is fun. Lively. I only wish they had a liquor license! I would love to have a Negroni! But if you love wine, they have a great selection. Delicious.
Husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner and brought our 10 month old daughter along. Cannot say enough good things! It's always nerve racking bringing a baby to a nice restaurant but the staff were so sweet and accommodating and interacted with our daughter often. The food is out of this world. Got the Sunday gravy with their house made fettuccine and the short rib ragu with house made fettuccine. Easily the best pasta I've ever had in my life. Short rib is so flavorful and tender, sauce has a really deep flavor profile, and the pasta so tender. The atmosphere is what you'd expect for a bustling authentic Italian restaurant. Loud, low lighting, and high spirits.
A real surprise. Great drinks, food, wine service. Good to have "real" food and not pretentious new age menus.
New favorite Italian spot! Didn't have a reservation on a Saturday night but only waited 15 mins for a table. Service was great! The cream sauce ravioli is amazing!! Great size portions as well. Food came out pretty quickly. Complimentary bread. No complaints!
I love this restaurant. The food is great, and high quality, with grass fed meats, which we really need. The only thing I haven't liked is their beet salad. It was extremely cold, and there just wasn't anything special or interesting about it. But the rest of their food rocks!
Since I said, it would be a five star if they hadn't charged us extra for the soda I am updating my review. The Manager contacted me and was apologetic, and let me know that that was not supposed to happen. He offered a refund but it's $2.50. I'm not after the money I was just wanting them to let the public know that there was a charge for refills. But guess what!? Theres not! Server error, it happens. Thank you for the excellent food and beverages.
Good food, great service enjoyed our evening. The restaurant came with high recommendations and we had one of the specials which was halibut and the artichokes that came highly recommended by our server were fantastic and definitely would order again.
Been here several times over the years, since it was at its tiny location. Have loved the food every time. It's always crowded - get your reservation in early! High ceilings do make the place a little loud, and the tables are a little small - if you're anything like me, you won't care once the food is served!
A favorite go to in Santa Cruz … never disappoints … food is gourmet & delicious … atmosphere & ambiance is inviting, welcoming & well thought out … staff are helpful & on-it … love that you can watch the chef’s do their thing in the open kitchen, such a pleasure to see artists at work ?♂️I go here on average once every 6-8 weeks & anytime I want to bring guests to somewhere I ‘know’ will impress this is my go to.Sitting at the bar for happy hour is also a favorite (2 glasses of good Pinot ?& their yummy bruschetta/caprese starter to share was a very reasonable $28).Awesome place & arguably one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz area ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wild Mushroom and Kale Ravioli, Spaghetti Marinara, Fish, Braised Short Rib Ragu, Chicken Parmigiana, Braised Short Rib
The calamari special was 4.5/5, but their halibut fish of the day special disappointed . The flavors of the dish did not work. The halibut itself was well cooked and the chimichurri with avocado was good but it just didn't sit well with the flavors of the risotto underneath. The balsamic/vinegar tomatoes added on the side seemed like an after thought too acidic and did not mix well with creaminess of the risotto.
I wasn’t particularly impressed with the dishes. Garlic bread was a generic, white bread smothered in cheese. I was hoping for a heartier, rustic bread. I felt the braised beef was lack-luster. Nice wine list. By no means was anything bad, I would just choose from better Italian/Mediterranean offerings nearby.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
We waited 1 1/2 hours to try the food here. Was the food worth the wait? Yes an hour is worth it, but NOT 1 1/2 hours. We were told our wait time was around an hour; therefore, we left to walk around and shop. We left and drove for ten minutes and received a text that we were put on the waitlist and will be notified once a table is ready. A phone call kept ringing my cell phone the same time in which I did not know the number. I thought it would not be the restaurant considering a text came through the same time and decided not to answer with all the robot and spam calls. No message was left and no text message came that our table was ready and so early after telling us it will be an hour or so. We went back to the restaurant 50 minutes later with no text thinking maybe it will be ready when we return. The lady at the front gave our table away and said they tried to call? Why would you not text and call ten minutes later the same time a text came about putting us on the waitlist? Makes no sense to me. We waited another half an hour as she did apologize and was very professional. The waitstaff was ok and gave good service although we did have to wave her over ourselves since she was busy chit chatting at the bar. Due to the recommendation of friends and the yelp reviews of the restaurant, we continue to give it a chance, We ordered the garlic bread with mozzarella, fried artichokes, garlic with Parmesan fries, fettuccine with beef ragu, lasagna (forgot to take picture), prawn scampi, and the black truffle gnocchi. We also ordered the chocolate gelato and tiramisu for dessert. Food was definitely good and big portions. We waited so long and ordered quite alot to support them. The one star off was for the wait giving our table away and the issue on how it was communicated. I feel it could have been done better considering they should be an expert considering how busy this restaurant always is from their reviews. The waitress checking in when we received the food would have been a plus rather than spending time chit chatting at the bar.
Was visiting Santa Cruz for the weekend and was looking for something local. Saw this place on yelp and the number of positive reviews. So went with my friend who grew up with Italian food at home. The food was legit! The short rib ragu was nice and spicy, my friend had the shrimp scampi and it had a generous amount of shrimp and looked great. We also had the burrata crostini which was a great app. The service was great and the server was very attentive even when it was busy. She was extremely friendly. The place was nice and lively. The prices were reasonable for the great food served. I would recommend and I will come back the next time I am in town. Definitely a hidden gem.
My husband and I tried this GREAT restaurant. It was so good. The restaurant is very loud. ..so beware..but the food is so delicious and drinks a fabulous
Great food every time! Always busy but worth the wait. Try the crafty drinks and appetizers. And the lasagna and sunday gravy never lets me down. Hubs enjoys the chicken parm.
Love the food. Service is attentive. Ambiance is fun. Lively. I only wish they had a liquor license! I would love to have a Negroni! But if you love wine, they have a great selection. Delicious.