Santa Cruz help please

[roxie]

Two hounds heading to Santa Cruz to see niece and "meet" the girlfriend. We are looking for something that offers 1) quiet enough to talk 2) very good food 3) a mix of vegetarian possible food.

I am looking at Cafe Cruz and Avanti. Anyone have feedback on either or other suggestions?

Thank you!

[stan D]

Cafe Cruz would be good. Avanti might be a bit noisy if crowded. One place I could suggest for nice unhurried conversation space is the garden at the Crepe Place for lunch. Not high end, but good menu, and definitely laid back.

[caldance]

Cafe Cruz in Capitola offers good American food. We like their salad specials and grilled meats. Avanti has really good Italian and is on the westside near UCSC. We have enjoyed their butternut squash ravioli. You could get good vegetarian at either place, although I wouldn't really think of them first when thinking vegetarian.

There's also Dharma's in Capitola if you want to go for diehard style vegetarian. Certainly not gourmet though, like Avanti.

Enjoy yourselves!

[Matt of Aptos]

Cafe Cruz is in Soquel. It's good.

There's also a new place in Soquel that looks interesting:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/main-street-g...

[syrahgirl]

We love the Shadowbrook Inn in Capitola. It's a really cool place, you ride a little trolley car down to the dining room. Very pretty ambiance, great food and service. :)