The Ugly Mug - Carte

Persephone Restaurant

➤ 7945 Soquel Dr Aptos, CA 95003, 95003-3963, United States

Carte • Wine • Coffee • American • Ice Cream

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"Cuisine exceptionnelle dans un environnement authentique et non exigeant. Notre serveuse était très attentionnée et serviable, ce qui a ajouté à la grande expérience. Pour les amateurs de pain, il y a 3 pains différents, tous fabriqués ici et tous merveilleux. Je m'arrête en sortant de la ville pour ramasser du pain et le ramener chez mes amis. Ma salade était fabuleuse et les pâtes au poulet à la vodka (une spécialité) étaient parfaitement cuites avec une merveilleuse sauce. Les promotions changent avec les saisons. Les desserts sont tous préparés là-bas et tout le monde avait l'air super. Nous partageons la glace le dimanche avec des guimauves caramélisées maison et une ganache au chocolat. C'était merveilleux. Vous pouvez le partager avec 4 personnes car il est très grand. Nous dînerons certainement ici à notre retour à Mayo and Golf."

Capitola Grill

➤ Capitola, 231 Esplanade, 95010-3241, United States

Carte • Bars • Seafood • American • Californian

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"We reserved a table for 8 on Friday evening but turned into a table of 10. They were so accommodating, we’re able to add a table for us. Food and service were fabulous shout out to their clam chowder which we find the best in Capitola and the lobster ravioli! So delicious just needed more bread to enjoy the abundant sauce :"

Cafe Cruz

➤ 2621 41st AveCA 95073-2136, Soquel, United States

Carte • Cafe • Fish • Coffee • Seafood

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"I always thought this was a tiny Mexican restaurant and felt like an idiot to discover it's American-style cuisine with a bar and outdoor patio. The food and service are excellent and quite literally the coolest place is the bar area. This local staple has been here 28 years and owned by the same person. The only thing they don't have is breakfast. Jeanette is the treasure here, although all the employees seemed cool, despite many being younger. They have wine and spirits, but my focus was the six taps of local craft brew from Discretion, Coronado, Corralito's and North Coast Pacific. Corralito's is far up in the hills behind Aptos and I never get up there, but fortunately they get kegs every week. The Richter Red Ale is excellent. It's nice you can sit in the bar and have lunch easily and without a reservation or huge rush. The pastrami sandwich was excellent and I'd expect everything here to be good from the other patrons food I saw. They have a happy hour from 3-5PM where drinks are $2 off, but really the only negative is everything is pricey and it can be occasionally difficult to park if it's busy. I think $9 for beer is quixotic but they have excellent food and service, plus it's a relaxing ambience that also can be cordoned off for groups. The closest thing to Mexican food they have is the Taco Salad btw...in case you wondered. I expected to get an enchilada plate or taquitos and had no idea how wrong I'd been for years driving by. This is also a good place to eat if your going to visit Discretion Brewing in the same parking lot. If that's not good enough, you can buy weed, furniture and mattresses next door as well as a Safeway, Best Buy and Home Depot across the street. So, the location is convenient for doing errands after or meeting folks, being right off PCH. They have parking spots in the front for takeaway orders, with the rest of us using the carpark behind the restaurant. In case you wondered, this was a restaurant 28 years ago before Cafe Cruz, but before that, it was originally a private residence, hence the intensive repurposing you observe today. There's one other small house which survives today in the carpark and the defunct breakfast/lunch place behind Cafe Cruz is slated to open as something similar as Cafe Opal was, with breakfast and lunch only. If Cafe Cruz had breakfast, I don't think any restaurants would ever survive behind them. Cafe Cruz reminds me a little of a favorite family-owned chain in Los Angeles called Hof's Huts (now defunct) but had a very similar model, with a bakery and all-day breakfast being the difference. Anyway, if you can, sit in the bar if Jeanette's working. She knows all the restaurants history and is cool."

East End Gastropub

➤ Capitola, 1501 41st Ave, 95062-3269, Santa Cruz, United States

Carte • Beer • Pubs • Pizza • Brunch

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"What a gem. I was visiting for business and happened across East End accidentally. It has an inviting and open atmosphere which lends to a comfortable stay. I enjoyed the many optioms for draft beers, but opted for the cider which was crisp and refreshing, but not sweet. The Brussel sprouts were fantastic. Umami comes to mind for a description. Slightly sweet, but mostly savory they are a must try. For dinner I had the seasonal white fish and it was like butter. The roasted cauliflower added depth and the raisins a slight sweet which elevated the dish. All in all a plus in my book."

Peet's Coffee

➤ 819 Bay Ave, 95010, Capitola, United States

Carte • Cafe • Coffee • Cold Brew • Breakfast

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"This coffee shop consistently serves great coffee and snacks. The baristas are generally friendly and helpful; they take the time to learn your preferences. Considering it's a corporate coffee chain, they do a good job and appear to be somewhat socially conscious and responsible. While I don't use the app, I've heard it offers benefits and allows you to place orders ahead of time, which is useful since the line can often be six or more people deep during peak hours. Though it can be challenging to find a comfortable spot to relax or read in the morning, the outdoor seating is a nice option when the weather is nice. As a contractor, I often use this place as a meeting spot for clients."