Andrew Steingrube

La Placa Italian Cuisine brings Bedda Mia and La Placa Family Bakery together in Scotts Valley, pairing Sicilian dishes with pastries, gelato, espresso and family tradition.

Ideal Bar & Grill pairs three-meals-a-day dining with an experienced management team and a front-row location beside Santa Cruz’s Main Beach.

Nashville Fire Chicken brings made-from-scratch hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and customizable heat to its new home inside the Capitola Mall food court.

New Capitola shop Toriman Japanese Market pairs hard-to-find Japanese groceries with ready-to-eat favorites including yakitori, bento, miso soup, rice bowls and slow-simmered sukiyaki.

Chef Nongluk Ritter brings recipes rooted in her childhood in Thailand to Poon Sup Thai Cuisine, the new Scotts Valley restaurant she owns with husband Myles Ritter.

River Café owner Rabgee Kunchok brings the flavors of his Tibetan childhood to Santa Cruz with scratch-made momo dumplings, noodle soup and a welcoming community spirit.

Brothers Joel and Brayden Estby built 11th Hour Coffee into a Santa Cruz gathering place fueled by creative drinks, housemade food and community connection.

Dos Pescados in Aptos pairs coastal Mexican cuisine with ocean views, serving local fish tacos, grilled prawns, calamari and housemade desserts.