Director of Food and Beverage Jose Perez Y Heck has been with La Bahia Hotel and the on-site Low Tide Bar & Grill since it opened a year ago. He was born and raised in Germany where his dad was the chef/owner of a restaurant, so he grew up in the industry getting plenty of both front-of-house and back-of-house experience.
Following that professional path, he got a degree in Hotel Management and then helped open hotels and restaurants in London, Hawaii, Mexico, Arizona and Florida before moving to California where he met his wife and started a family.
He defines Low Tide as fast-paced upscale casual dining, giving a fun and welcoming feel that complements contemporary décor with Mediterranean elements and what he calls a “South Pacific living room” vibe. He describes the menu as a medley of Californian and Asian Pacific cuisine, with morning favorites, the breakfast tostadas and Paradise Açai Bowl with seasonal fruit and housemade muesli. Lunch/dinner starters include grilled fish tacos and Perez Y Heck’s personal favorite: burrata toast with marinated grapes and pistachio jam.
Highlighted entrées are pan-seared scallops with sunchoke puree, chargrilled New York steak underneath sauce au poivre and vegetarian pesto rigatoni. Desserts are curated by Michelin-level pastry chef Courtney Weyl, offering rotating seasonal options along with munch-worthy mainstays like chocolate raspberry tartlet and vanilla ice cream-filled profiteroles.
How has your geographically diverse background informed you?
JOSE PEREZ Y HECK: Working in hotels and restaurants all over the world and experiencing all those different cultures shaped my belief in hospitality and what it means to provide a five-star experience. Specifically, going from a small Michelin star restaurant in London to a large and very busy 1,500+ daily cover restaurant in Hawaii taught me to not change a culture, but instead adapt to it. I’ve taken that philosophy with me everywhere I’ve worked since.
What has Low Tide brought to the neighborhood?
I think it has helped to provide an elevated experience and a touch of luxury to the Boardwalk and the surrounding community. Instead of a one-day getaway, we aspire to make the area a multi-day destination. Many guests have commented and given us positive feedback on how they felt like Santa Cruz needed a hotel/resort like La Bahia and the options for lodging and dining that we provide.
215 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, 831-285-0044; labahiahotel.com/dine/low-tide
