AND, YES, THE PIZZAS ARE GREAT, WITH TOPPINGS LIKE NETTLES, OYSTER MUSHROOMS, CHILE AND FARMSTEAD CHEDDAR. SOLAIRE This stylish new restaurant and bar in a top-to-bottom-refurbished former Holiday Inn—now called Hotel Paradox—follows the local bent toward organic produce, dressing it up in American comfort food dishes like cheddar grits with bacon emulsion. Big contrasting flavors are found in a watercress salad with avocado, cucumber and radish in ginger vinaigrette or greaseless crab spring rolls. Don’t miss local sand dabs with capers and wild arugula or the dreamy 48-hour short rib, which is tender, juicy and pink inside. It’s tempting to fill up on the local bread, which comes with luscious white cheddar-horseradish spread. Guests can sup by the pool or fireplace, depending on the weather, relaxing in sexy, modern surroundings boasting a nature theme while enjoying the lively see-and-be-seen vibe. Savvy locals have been saying that the town is overdue for an upscale, wow-factor hotel, and this is clearly it. 611 OCEAN ST., SANTA CRUZ, 831/600-4545; SOLAIRERESTAURANT.COM n February/March 2015 91 THE PICNIC BASKET Simple lunch fare in the hands of superstar Kendra Baker becomes something else entirely. Boasting the same made-from-scratch, fab-local-ingredients ethos as her other operations, this cozy cafe and take-out joint next to the beach is great, except for the lines. House-made pickles and just-baked bread enhance classics like a killer BLT or Reuben, while the chicken salad sandwich with avocado, greens and pickled onions is amazing. Or munch on smoked Diestel turkey with walnuts, white cheddar and pickled apples on a local baguette. Salads? You can’t miss with various enticing green salads or a daily grain salad like a combo of wheat berries, cauliflower, pomegranate seeds and baby spinach with a toasted seed and yogurt dressing. Corned beef and hot dogs come from renowned local butcher and salumi maker, El Salchichero. Naturally, ice cream is from Baker’s legendary local scoop shop, The Penny Ice Creamery. A long deck in front delivers views of the beach and nearby pier. 125 BEACH ST., SANTA CRUZ, 831/427-9946; THEPICNICBASKETSC.COM The Basket Reuben from The Picnic Basket offers El Salchichero pastrami with tangy carrot slaw, Swiss cheese and smoked paprika mayo garnished with sauerkraut. Solaire teams braised greens and sour cream potatoes with New York steak in red wine shallot sauce.
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2015
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