Bars

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar – CLOSED

March 3, 2017 by Seb Frey

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar has CLOSED!

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar is the newest eatery in Aptos. It’s located in the famous Bayview Hotel, in Aptos Village. The Bayview Hotel has hosted a number of restaurants in recent years, but Bella Vista is under distinct ownership and management. It first opened its doors in late February 2017, and it quickly won accolades from many Aptosians looking for traditional and authentic Italian cuisine.

Bella Vista is the work of Jan Johnson, whose family built an Aptos beach home in the 1940’s. She’s owned and managed a number of restaurants over the years, and never thought she’d want to do it again…until she realized what an opportunity she had with the Bayview Hotel location. She had looked at a lot of locations in and around Aptos, but the allure of the Bayview won her over. According to her, “You just can’t replace the ambience of this location.”

The interior of the restaurant was completely refreshed for Bella Vista – it’s a transformation. The design is clean and classic 19th century; the feeling is warm and inviting, which is exactly how Johnson describes her reception by the local community. She attests that even competing restauranteurs in the area have been supportive.

The chef is a native of Italy, hailing from Napoli. He’s worked in restaurants throughout the world and all over California. He is dedicated to his craft; he hand-rolls the gnocchi and and rolls and stuffs the ravioli by hand too.

The wine list – featuring wines from Italy and California (mostly on the central coast) – was prepared by the head waiter Sandro, the former owner of Star Bene and Ristorante Da Mario in Saratoga. Bob Marsh, who runs the the local Birichino winery whose wines are featured, also helped with the wine list.

The restaurant has a Mugnaini wood-fired clay oven in the back yard, which they use for braising their own meats…and for making pizza as well. The pizza uses caputo flour from Italy, which gives their hand-tossed crust a very distinctive flavor.

They have live music every Friday night, and other musicians may drop by on other nights of the week to strike up a tune.

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar is a huge and very refreshing departure from recent restaurants located within the Bayview. It’s got all the makings of a great spot for date night. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to try in Aptos, take a step back in time and check out the new Bella Vista.

Bella Vista Italian Kitchen and Bar Photo Gallery

The Hideout in Aptos

January 23, 2015 by Seb Frey

The Hideout in Aptos is located along Soquel Drive, just past Aptos Village as you are heading south towards Rio del Mar. It is appropriately named, because unless you know where to find it, it’s an easy spot to miss. The Hideout opened in January of 2015 and it became an overnight sensation. The restaurant is routinely packed for both lunch and dinner, and locals have taken to raving about the place on Facebook and Yelp.

They feature American bistro style cuisine – soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, an array of tasty appetizers, and a full cocktail bar with a dozen or more beers on tap. The interior is divided up in to several distinct areas, which makes it good for groups. There’s also an outdoor seating area, which surprisingly isn’t too loud given its proximity to both Soquel Drive and the freeway.

The building that the Hideout calls home was originally a home, built in 1927 by some early Aptos residents. Over the years since it stopped being a house it’s been used by several different restaurants, but has been thoroughly renovated and updated by the owners of the The Hideout. Today it’s a chic and fun place to go for lunch or dinner.

The Hideout in Aptos on Soquel Drive

The Hideout in Aptos

Cantine Wine Pub

January 19, 2015 by Seb Frey

The Cantine Wine Pub in Aptos opened in August 2014 in the Aptos Village Plaza Shopping center, in the heart of Aptos Village. It has a stunning layout and decor with a modern but very comfortable feeling, created by noted Aptos designer Karrie Franks. There’s a sunny back deck overlooking a verdant greenbelt, making for a great spot to while away the hours on a sunny day with a glass or two.

The wine pub offers a large selection of distinctive wines, and also offers wine on tap, which is perhaps unique in all of Santa Cruz county. Serving wine from a tap offers several benefits over bottled wine, such as no oxidation, spoilage, or change in flavor. They also offer more than a dozen beers on tap from distinguished west coast micro-breweries.

They also serve a number of delicious Tapas dishes to go along with all the wine and beer, making it a perfect place to come for a little light nosh in the afternoon or evening.

See also: Cantine Wine Pub Web Site

Cantine Wine Pub Aptos, photo courtesy of Shani Studios

GG Restaurant and Bar

May 6, 2014 by Seb Frey

The GG Restaurant and Bar is located inside the historic Bayview Hotel in Aptos Village.

Tip: on Thursdays nights they have a $12 special dinner.

GG Restaurant and Bar

Cafe Rio

April 29, 2014 by Seb Frey

A perennial favorite in Aptos is Cafe Rio, located adjacent to Rio del Mar Beach. They feature a great outdoor patio and a wall of windows overlooking the bay. They have an extensive wine list and a full bar, and use local, farm-fresh ingredients whenever possible.

Bittersweet Bistro

April 25, 2014 by Seb Frey

When it comes to fine dining in Aptos, Bittersweet Bistro has to be near the top of the list. Located near the Deer Park Marketplace Shopping Center, Bittersweet Bistro specializes in what they call American Bistro cuisine with Mediterranean influences. They have a full bar, and also have an extensive wine list and a rich dessert menu.

Adjacent to the Bittersweet Bistro is Cafe Bittersweet, where they serve Breakfast (from 8 AM til 1 PM) and lunch (from 10 AM to 2 PM). They have also opened the Bittersweet Lounge, with leather chairs and three flat panel televisions – including a 110 inch screen! The Lounge is open 7 days a week, but on Friday and Saturday is open only for patrons 21 years and older, but all ages are welcome Sunday through Thursday.

You will often find live music on the weekends, with a variety of local musicians tuning up and entertaining the crowds. Whether you are just looking for a quick cocktail and some appetizers or an unforgettable full meal, this is the spot to try in Aptos.

Tip: Every day of the week they feature $7 “nightly nibbles” starting at 4 PM.
See also

Bittersweet Bistro - Aptos — Bittersweet Bistro – Aptos

The Mediterranean

March 4, 2014 by Seb Frey

The Mediterranean Bar in Aptos has been serving patrons for over 40 years, and for much of that time, it had a well-deserved reputation as a dive bar. The bar got new ownership in 2012, and since that time, the place has moved a little upscale, right along with the rest of Seacliff.

The “new” Mediteranean has been upgraded and remodeled, with five LCD flat screens complete with the NFL football package. They also feature a pool table, darts, and Internet jukebox, and you can play Kinect sports there for free. They have a decent selection of imported and draft beers, and a number of wines by the glass.

They’re open 7 days a week, from 8 AM to 2 AM.

Kauboi Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar

March 1, 2014 by Seb Frey

The Kauboi Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar is a welcome addition to the Aptos Sushi Bar and Grill scene…actually, it’s the only Sushi Bar and Grill in Aptos. In fact, it’s the only proper sit-down sushi restaurant in Aptos (not counting Sushi on the Run, which is more a grab-and-go place).

Kauboi is located in the Aptos Village, just after you cross the bridge and enter the village from the north, in the building which formerly housed the Britannia Arms. It has ample parking, and abundant seating inside. They have a full bar, with a wide selection of sake and whiskey and a healthy selection of craft microbrews on tap.

In addition to sushi, Kauoboi also features beef, chicken, and fish which they say is raised (farmed) or harvested in a sustainable manner. They’re open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and they serve a western-style brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Tip: make a reservation if you’re planning to come on Friday or Saturday night, as this place has become pretty popular!

Severino’s Bar and Grill

February 26, 2014 by Seb Frey

Severino’s Bar and Grill is a fixture on the Aptos bar-and-grill scene – of course, there are very few bar-and-grill type places in Aptos they have to share the limelight with. Severino’s is part of the Best Western Seacliff Inn, and given that, patrons shouldn’t expect too many surprises when it comes to the food or drink. This is not a rowdy place; the crowd tends to be on the mature side.

They do offer affordable nightly dinner specials, and a prime rib special on Sundays and Mondays – but come early, as they have been known to run out. They also usually have live music on the weekends, and often have a Jazz band on Thursdays. Happy Hour is every day from 3 to 6 PM, and on Sunday and Monday from 3 to 9 PM and features $3 well drinks and premium draft beers, and $6 appetizers.

Tip: try the clam chowder – it’s good!

Severino's Bar and Grill — Severino’s Bar and Grill

Palapas Restaurant y Cantina (Aptos/Seascape)

February 21, 2014 by Seb Frey

Palapas Restaurant y Cantina is a fixture in the Seascape restaurant scene. This doesn’t have much to do with the quality of the food – it’s edible and filing, and the chips and salsa are ever-flowing. What makes Palapas special is the shimmering view of Monterey Bay, both from the back deck and from the in restaurant itself. It’s a great place to go on a sunny day and soak up the rays and stare at the bay.

Palapas does offer a full bar, and they have a range of speciality margaritas including “Maria Rita”, a Mango Margarita, Cadillac Margarita, and others. They also have a wide selection of tequilas with over 50 to choose from.

Tip: they have a happy hour every Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 PM.