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Readers' Choice Awards

[whitespace] FOOD & DRINK


Best Bakery

Gold
Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria 504 Bay Ave., Capitola 462.1200

Silver
The Buttery 702 Soquel Ave., SC 458.3020

Bronze
Kelly's French Pastry 1547 Pacific Ave., SC 423.9059 7486 Soquel Dr., Aptos 662.2911


Best Barbecue

Gold
Cole's 8059 Aptos St., Aptos 662.1721 2590 Portola Dr., SC 476.4424

Silver
Bruno's 245 Mt. Hermon Rd., SV 438.2227

Bronze
Hindquarter 303 Soquel Ave., SC 426.0313


Best Beer on Tap Selection

Gold
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall Beer Pub 104 Walnut Ave., SC 459.9999

Silver
Seabright Brewery 519 Seabright Ave., SC 426.2739

Bronze
Santa Cruz Brewing/Front St. Pub 516 Front St., SC 429.8838


Best Bread

Gold
Alfaro's 412 Riverside Dr., Watsonville 728.5815

Silver
Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria 504 Bay Ave., Capitola 462.1200

Bronze
Kelly's French Pastry 1547 Pacific Ave., SC 423.9059 7486 Soquel Dr., Aptos 662.2911


Best Breakfast

Gold
Zachary's 819 Pacific Ave., SC 427.0646

Silver
Linda's Seabreeze Cafe 542 Seabright Ave., SC 427.9713

Bronze
Walnut Avenue Cafe 106 Walnut Ave., SC 457.2307


Best Brunch

Gold
Chaminade 1 Chaminade Lane, SC 475.5600

Silver
Zachary's 819 Pacific Ave., SC 427.0646

Bronze
Walnut Avenue Cafe 106 Walnut Ave., SC 457.2307


Best Burger

Gold
Jack's 202 Lincoln St., SC 423.4421

Silver
Carpo's 2400 Porter St., Soquel 476.6260

Bronze
Hindquarter 303 Soquel Ave., SC 426.0313


Best Burrito

Gold
Taqueria Vallarta 608 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8226 893 41st Ave., SC 464.7022

Silver
Tacos Moreno 1053 Water St., SC 429.6095 303 Beach St., SC 427.2200

Bronze
Jalapeño's Taqueria 206 Laurel St., SC 457.0159 1201 Soquel Ave., SC 466.9739


Best Butcher Shop

Gold
Shopper's Corner 622 Soquel Ave., SC 423.1696

Silver
New Leaf 2351 Mission St., SC 426.1306 1134 Pacific Ave., SC 425.1793 1210 41st Ave., Capitola 479.7987 6240 Hwy. 9, Felton 335.7322 13159 Central Ave., Boulder Creek 338.7211

Staff of Life (tie) 1305 Water St., SC 423.8632

Bronze
Zanotto's 700 Front St., SC 423.4994 20 Victor Square, SV 438.0982


Best California Cuisine

Gold
Cafe Cruz 2621 41st Ave., SC 476.3801

Silver
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Bronze
Oswald 1547 C Pacific Ave., SC 423.7427


Best Chinese

Gold
O'Mei 2316 Mission St., SC 425.8458

Silver
Golden Buddha 4610 Soquel Dr., Soquel 479.0788

Bronze
China Szechwan 221 Cathcart St., SC 423.1178

Panda Inn (tie) 5 Deer Park Center, Rio Del Mar 688.8620


Best Coffeehouse

Gold
Jahva House 120 Union St., SC 459.9876

Silver
Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company 1330 Pacific Ave., SC 459.0100

Bronze
Coffee 9 9505 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond 336.4521


Best Deli

Gold
Zoccoli's Delicatessen 1534 Pacific Ave., SC 423.1711

Silver
Erik's Deli Cafe 712 Front St., SC 425.5353 1664 Soquel Ave., SC 458.1919 102 Rancho del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos 688.5656 1601 41st Ave., Capitola 475.4646

Bronze
Mike's Deli 1222 Soquel Ave., SC 425.2328


Best Desserts

Gold
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Silver
Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria 504 Bay Ave., Capitola 462.1200

Bronze
The Buttery 504 Soquel Ave., SC 458.3020


Best French Fries

Gold
McDonald's Various locations

Silver
Jack's 202 Lincoln St., SC 423.4421

Bronze
Carpo's 2400 Porter St., Soquel 476.6260


Best Grocery Store

Gold
Shopper's Corner 622 Soquel Ave., SC 423.1696

Silver
New Leaf Various locations

Bronze
Deluxe Foods of Aptos 783 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 688.7442


Best Healthy Menu

Gold
Dharma's 4250 Capitola Rd., Capitola 462.1717

Silver
Cafe Del Sol 1315 Water St., SC 423.8041

Bronze
New Leaf Various locations


Best Ice Cream/ Yogurt

Gold
Marianne's 1020 Ocean St., SC 458.1447

Silver
Polar Bear Ice Cream 1224 Soquel Ave., SC 425.5188

Bronze
Double Rainbow 1123 Pacific Ave., SC 423.3231


Best Inexpensive Restaurant

Gold
Charlie Hong Kong 1141 Soquel Ave., SC 426.5664

Silver
Carpo's 2400 Porter St., Soquel 476.6260

Bronze
Taqueria Vallarta 608 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8226 893 41st Ave., SC 464.7022


Best Innovative Menu

Gold
Oswald 1547 C Pacific Ave., SC 423.7427

Silver
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Blacks Beach Cafe (tie) 15th and E. Cliff Dr., SC 475.2233

Bronze
Pearl Alley Bistro & Wine Bar 110 Pearl Alley, SC 429.8070


Best Italian

Gold
Ristorante Italiano 555 Soquel Ave., SC 458.2321

Silver
Ristorante Avanti 1711 Mission St., SC 427.0135

Bronze
Aragona's 2591 Main St., Soquel 462.5100


Best Late- Night Eatery

Gold
The Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Dr., SC 429.6994

Silver
So Say We 418 Front St., SC 454.9547

Bronze
Saturn Cafe 145 Laurel St., SC

429.8505


Best Local Wine

Gold
Bonny Doon Vineyard 10 Pine Flat Rd., SC 425.3625

Silver
Bargetto Winery 3535 N. Main St., Soquel 475.2258

Bronze
Storrs Winery 303 Potrero, SC 458.5030


Best Local Wine-Tasting Room

Gold
Bargetto Winery 3535 N. Main St., Soquel 475.2258

Silver
Bonny Doon Vineyard 10 Pine Flat Rd., SC 425.3625

Bronze
Storrs Winery 303 Potrero, SC 458.5030


Best Lunch Under $5

Gold
Taco Bell Various locations

Silver
Charlie Hong Kong 1141 Soquel Ave., SC 426.5664

Bronze
Taqueria Vallarta 608 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8226 893 41st Ave., SC 464.7022


Best Mexican

Gold
El Palomar 1336 Pacific Ave., SC 425.7575

Silver
Taqueria Vallarta 608 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8226 893 41st Ave., SC 464.7022

Bronze
Tampico 822 Pacific Ave., SC 458.2821


Best Microbrewery

Gold
Seabright Brewery 519 Seabright Ave., SC 426.2739

Silver
Santa Cruz Brewing/Front St. Pub 516 Front St., SC 429.8838

Bronze
Boulder Creek Brewery 13040 Hwy. 9, Boulder Creek 338.7882


Best Muffins

Gold
Rebecca's Mighty Muffins 514 Front St., SC 429.1940

Silver
Emily's Good Things to Eat 1129 Mission St., SC 429.9866

Bronze
Kelly's French Pastry 1547 Pacific Ave., SC 423.9059 7486 Soquel Dr., Aptos 662.2911


Best Natural Foods Store

Gold
New Leaf Various locations

Silver
Staff of Life 1305 Water St., SC 423.8632

Bronze
Food Bin 1130 Mission St., SC 423.5526


Best Neighborhood Market

Gold
Shopper's Corner 622 Soquel Ave., SC 423.1696

Silver
New Leaf Various locations

Bronze
Ben Lomond Market 9440 Mill St., Ben Lomond 336.3900


Best New Restaurant

Gold
Charlie Hong Kong 1141 Soquel Ave., SC 426.5664

Silver
Convivio Trattoria 655 Capitola Rd., SC 475.9600

Bronze
Paradise Beach Grill 215 Esplanade, Capitola 476.4900


Best Outdoor Dining

Gold
The Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Dr., SC 429.6994

Silver
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560

Bronze
Zelda's 203 Esplanade, Capitola 475.4900


Best Pizza

Gold
Pizza My Heart 1116 Pacific Ave., SC 426.2511 209 Esplanade, Capitola 475.5714

Silver
Tony & Alba's Pizza 817 Soquel Ave., SC 425.8669 1501 41st Ave., Capitola 475.4450 226 Mt. Hermon R., SV 439.9999

Bronze
Pleasure Pizza 4000 Portola Dr., SC 475.4999


Best Place to Splurge

Gold
Shadowbrook 1750 Wharf St., Capitola 475.1511

Silver
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Bronze
Casablanca 101 Main St., SC 426.9063


Best Restaurant in Santa Cruz County

Gold
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Silver
Shadowbrook 1750 Wharf St., Capitola 475.1511

Bronze
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560


Best Restaurant Service

Gold
Shadowbrook 1750 Wharf St., Capitola 475.1511

Silver
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Bronze
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560


Best Restaurant with a View

Gold
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560

Silver
Shadowbrook 1750 Wharf St., Capitola 475.1511

Bronze
Chaminade 1 Chaminade Lane, SC 475.5600


Best Romantic Restaurant

Gold
Shadowbrook 1750 Wharf St., Capitola 475.1511

Silver
Casablanca 101 Main St., SC 426.9063

Bronze
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799


Best Salad

Gold
Fresh Choice 3555 Clares St., Capitola 479.9873

Silver
Carpo's 2400 Porter St., Soquel 476.6260

Bronze
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560

Cafe Cruz (tie) 2621 41st Ave., Soquel 476.3801


Best Sandwich

Gold
Erik's Deli Cafe Various locations

Silver
Zoccoli's Delicatessen 1534 Pacific Ave., SC 423.1711

Bronze
Mike's Deli 1222 Soquel Ave., SC 425.2328


Best Seafood

Gold
Riva Fish House 500 Municipal Wharf, SC 429.1223

Silver
Stagnaro's 59 Municipal Wharf, SC 423.2180

Bronze
Crow's Nest 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560


Best Soup

Gold
Erik's Deli Cafe Various locations

Silver
The Bagelry 320 Cedar St., SC 429.8049 1636 Seabright Ave., SC 425.8500 4763 Soquel Dr., Soquel 462.9888

Bronze
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799


Best Steak

Gold
Hindquarter 303 Soquel Ave., SC 426.0313

Silver
Portola House 3326 Portola Dr., SC 476-2733

Bronze
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Crow's Nest (tie) 2218 E. Cliff Dr., SC 476.4560


Best Sushi/ Japanese

Gold
Pink Godzilla 830 41st Ave., SC 464.2586

Silver
Takara 1800 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8466

Bronze
Mobo Sushi 105 River St., SC 425.1700


Best Takeout

Gold
Charlie Hong Kong 1141 Soquel Ave., SC 426.5664

Silver
Zoccoli's Delicatessen 1534 Pacific Ave., SC 423.1711

Bronze
O'Mei 2316 Mission St., SC 425.8458


Best Taqueria

Gold
Taqueria Vallarta 608 Soquel Ave., SC 457.8226 893 41st Ave., SC 464.7022

Silver
Tacos Moreno 1053 Water St., SC 429.6095 303 Beach St., SC 427.2200

Bronze
El Palomar 1336 Pacific Ave., SC 425.7575 Tucson Taqueria (tie) 218 Mt. Hermon Rd., SV 439.8470


Best Thai

Gold
Thai House 353 Soquel Ave., SC 458.3546

Silver
Real Thai Kitchen 1632 Seabright Ave., SC 427.2559

Bronze
Bangkok West 2505 Cabrillo College Dr., Soquel 479.8297


Best Vegetarian Offerings

Gold
Dharma's 4250 Capitola Rd., Capitola 462.1717

Silver
Asian Rose 1547 Pacific Ave., SC 458.3023 1116 Soquel Ave., SC 423.7906

Bronze
Cafe Del Sol 1315 Water St., SC 423.8041


Best Wine List

Gold
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos 662.9799

Silver
Pearl Alley Bistro & Wine Bar 110 Pearl Alley, SC 429.8070

Bronze
Casablanca 101 Main St., SC 426.9063

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From the March 24-31, 1999 issue of Metro Santa Cruz.

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