FIRST WAVES These longtime spots continue to draw crowds. Ristorante Avanti serves up mixed seaweed salad and Davenport abalone. February/March 2015 85 GABRIELLA CAFE | RISTORANTE AVANTI | OSWALD | O’MEI RISTORANTE AVANTI Another longtime success story with a strong focus on local ingredients, this friendly Italian bistro on the Westside recently moved down the street and expanded. The menu isn’t cutting-edge, but there are enough interesting additions like a seaweed and local abalone starter to balance well-executed classics such as chicken cacciatore and gnocchi, with everything fresh and tasty. A particular focus is excellent house-made pasta like wild nettle ravioli filled with ricotta and mascarpone in a roasted tomato sauce or fusilli with roasted chicken and pancetta. Like Gabriella Cafe, Avanti has been a training ground for young chefs, some of whom have later opened successful restaurants of their own. The original location is now an affiliated pizzeria that still also serves the breakfasts and brunches that have long been popular with locals. 1917 MISSION ST., SANTA CRUZ, 831/427-0135; RISTORANTEAVANTI.COM FOR LOCALS AND VISITORS, THE EATING CHOICES HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER.
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2015
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