Now for a completely different experience. The Samba Rock Acai Cafe on Water Street looks unimpressive from outside, apart from the bright green and yellow mural on the wall.
At first glance the inside appears extremely basic. The floor is unpainted concrete and the walls and ceiling are painted bright red and are covered in large, unpainted plywood in a mutlitude of shapes and sizes. Just inside is a large area to park your bicycle. Along one wall there was an uncushioned wooden bench. The tables were attached to the floor on a concrete block. Do you get the picture? But there is a great sense of happy-go-lucky, take us as you find us ambience about the place and before long we could see the beauty of our surroundings.
We were the very first customers and were warmly welcomed. The first question we were asked was whether we had ever had acai before. Of course neither of us had and I had never heard the word before and had no idea what it was. It was explained to us that acai is a berry which looks like a large blueberry but with a big pit inside and is found only in South America, especially in the swamps and floodplains along the Amazon. At Samba Rock Acai Cafe they buy frozen acai pulp as the base for their acai bowls.
Up on the wall was a list of the various combinations of acai bowls they serve, along with smoothies and yerba mate (what ever that is). Tom chose the Pele (after the Brazilian soccer player) in a regular size bowl for $8.22 whilst I went for the Mutantes (crazy Brazilian band from the 60′s and 70′s) regular bowl for $7.76. The coffee came in a very large mug.
We sat at a table and while I waited I checked the place out. Up above Tom’s head was the name of the cafe and underneath the phonetic pronounciation of acai (ah-sigh-ee). Several green potted plants were suspended from the ceiling and two vases of flowers and a potted orchid were on the counter. There were four photos on the walls and the only other adornment were a variety of posters advertising events and services which summed up the whole essence of Santa Cruz.
Our food was served in large bowls and it did look very attractive. On the bottom was the acai pulp, then came a layer of granola and on top of that the fruit we had requested. Pele was blueberries, bananas and strawberries and the Mutantes had pineapple, banana and coconut flakes. It was wonderful. The acai itself was very cold and had an interesting taste. The combination worked very well together.
By the time we had finished there were quite a few customers and they were very cheerful and friendly. One guy stopped and asked what we thought of acai and we chatted for several minutes. He is a real fan of acai. Apart from the portion he had eaten, he was taking another bowl with him and would eat it as he rode his bike hands free.
When I went to the restroom it was locked and waited outside for a few minutes. Then I thought that maybe one had to ask for a key to use the restroom and this turned out to be the case. The key is fixed to a hula hoop on the wall by the counter. Inside the restroom the walls were bare but as one wall was green, one blue, one yellow and the other neutral it didn’t seem to water. The facilities were OK and the water was hot.
Tom and I will certainly come back here again and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. We want to try all the different combinations of acai bowls.
Of course when I got home I checked online to get more information about acai. There is no doubt that it has a lot of good qualities but there are some wild claims out there that amongst other things, this is a superfood which can reverse diabeties and help you lose weight. I’ll wait for the scientific reports until I decide one way or the other. I also found out that yerba mate is a species of holly found in South America. The dry leaves and twigs are steeped in hot water and it tastes a bit like green tea.
Samba Rock Acai Cafe
291 Water St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
June 04 2010 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Today the weather forecast said it was going to be a nice day so we set off for the coast. Tom had rented an expensive Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Waddell Beach and lots of birds
Zoom Lens for three days and after spending time yesterday getting used to it in the backyard, he was itching to get out and use it.
We were disappointed to see fog as we backed out of the garage but by the time we joined Highway 17 and headed towards the Santa Cruz mountains, it miraculously cleared and with the sun beginning to rise, it looked like it is going to more than a nice day.
Along Highway 17, evidence of spring could be seen with lots of yellow and white blossoms brightening the roadside. After the recent rains we have had, it was nice to see the Lexington Reservoir with more water in it than we have seen for some time. The water had been so low recently that a bridge, along with a few house foundations from the towns of Lexington and Alma which were submerged when the reservoir was created, had been exposed. Let’s hope we will have lots of water for this summer.
We had planned to stop for breakfast at the Summit Roadhouse on Highway 17. When I checked online the opening time was supposed to be 6 am but when we pulled up outside at gone 7, the big ‘Closed’ sign was in the window. Thwarted again. As Tom was keen to start shooting, he didn’t want to travel around Santa Cruz looking for a breakfast place which was open, so we stopped at Peet’s in Scots Valley for coffee, hot chocolate and a muffin.
Soon we were back on the road again and heading north on Highway 1. Fog could be seen just offshore and we continually ran in and out of it.
Pelican riding the wind just over the wave tops
We pulled into the small car park at Waddell Creek and Tom was off. Although the sun was shining where we were, the visibility was not great and the temperature was 45 degrees. I decided to sit in the car and write. The tide was in and the surf high but there were no surfers around. From my viewpoint onto Waddell Beach I could see lots of gulls and when they suddenly all took flight they momentarily blocked out the sun. Looking back towards the redwoods marching to the sea in Big Basin State Park, the fog hid the tops of the trees but rays of the sun were shining through. It was a beautiful sight.
When Tom got back in the car, the first words he spoke were ‘ beautiful lens’. He then went on to talk about a conversation he had with a guy who was parked next to us. This man had been to Mavericks the day before – the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest was being held – and he commented that the waves out at the competition site did not look as high as the waves that broke onto the beach. Tom and I had considered going along to watch the competition but several things made us decide otherwise – there were bound to be thousands of people there and viewing spots are very limited plus Tom wanted to play with the lens. Just as well really because some of those waves which broke onto the beach were really big and submerged a lot of people. Nobody was killed fortunately but there were some injuries and lots of people soaking wet and very frightened.
Next stop Franklin Point. Once again, bright sun but visibility limited. The trail, which is just sand, was damp and the tips of the marsh grass which hung over the trail were wet and soaked my pants. Catkins and buds were beginning to burst on the small trees along the way.
Along the way I met a man with his small daughter. They were staying at nearby Costanoa. He said there was not much beach to see but he and
Just some reeds along the path to Franklin Point
his daughter had bushwhacked their way along the top of the dunes and spotted a lone elephant seal in a small inlet a little way to the north.
Every time we visit Franklin Point there are small differences but today those differences were huge. As we crested the dunes at the edge of the beach, the sandy trail, which normally leads us straight onto the beach, abruptly ended. The high tides had wiped the path out. The waves were big and when they broke they lapped at the edge of the path 20 feet below us. No access to the beach today.
We avoided going too close to the edge. Sand is very volatile and can easily fall away under your feet. We didn’t fancy landing up in the water. We could see our favorite seat out on the point. To get to it we normally walk across the beach and climb up to it. Instead we decided to head north to see if we could spot the elephant seal but there was no proper trail. A beaten path of sorts could be followed for a short way but it was extremely difficult and highly dangerous.For Tom it was impossible. Not only was he carrying his tripod but the extra lens on his camera was very heavy. When I saw the footsteps in the sand right on the edge, discretion overcame valor and we gave up. Besides all this tramping off the trail is not good for the fragile environment.
We made our way back to the car. On the way Tom spotted a hawk perched on a tree stump some way away. With my binocular I could see it easily but could not identify it. It looked the same as the one we saw at Sacramento NWR just before Christmas.
On to Pigeon Point lighthouse a few miles down the road. The small car park was full so we parked on the road. Walking towards the lighthouse, I heard some people talking about Mavericks. They were staying at the hostel next to the lighthouse and had been on the beach yesterday. One man described the waves that hit the beach as a tsunami.
One last pelican off Pigeon Point Lighthouse
On the deck at the back of the lighthouse, the waves were up close and personal. Just offshore, huge waves were breaking over the rocks and the spray was spectacular. In fact, I could feel the spray and could taste salt when I licked my lips.
Tom was having fun with the rented lens. He’s so enamored of it, I’m worried he will want to buy one and I know it costs a few thousand dollars.
In between bouts of writing, I admired the view. Tom was still out on the lower deck and chatting away to the other visitors. One couple had a tripod and an odd looking camera, which they had trained on the lighthouse. When Tom returned to change his lens, I asked about the camera and he said it was a very old pinhole camera which is used to take long exposures.
For over an hour I sat on that bench, mostly watching over our equipment but it was a contented time; the crashing waves, enormous swells, fountains of spray, the frothing, seething, churning waters and the thundering surf kept me spellbound and the sun shone down. Hey ho, time to head home.
March 14 2010 | Special Places | 1 Comment »
Zachary’s is on Pacific Avenue, which is the main shopping street in Santa Cruz. The town itself is a magnet for the footloose and fancy free and we do not often venture onto this street, which is a shame because there are some good restaurants here.
I’m always looking out for breakfast places and Zachery’s had good reviews. At 7.30 am parking was readily available outside. Zachary’s is housed in an old brick building and the interior is cavernous and funky with old wooden floorboards. At the door was a noticeboard showing the specials of the day and asking people to leave their name at the back of the restaurant and wait to be seated. It was relatively empty so a very nice server told us to sit where we wanted and suggested a window seat on the far side. Perfect choice.
The restaurant is divided into several sections and against the walls are built in high backed wooden bench seats. From our table we could look out onto the street, craning our necks slightly to look over the top of a green curtain. Our table was a bit wobbly though. I couldn’t count the number of tables as there were too many!
I didn’t see oatmeal on the menu but there was something called Hot Multi Grain Cereal. I asked the server what that was and told it was oatmeal. I ordered it along with raisins and nuts for $4.25. Tom ordered the Pancake Breakfast with Sausages for $8.25. The coffee was $1.75.
The walls were not covered with posters and photographs but there were a few prints scattered around. In our section there were four small flower prints. I noticed that there were some photographs on the other side and elsewhere a large painting. In our section, which has another entrance, is a noticeboard covered in advertisements and a bookshelf containing free newspapers.
The food arrived very quickly. My oatmeal came on a large oval ceramic plate in a small, deep ceramic bowl. The milk came in a small white ceramic jug and the raisins, brown sugar and mixed nuts – consisting of slivered almonds and walnut bits – came in small stainless steel containers. When they were emptied, they stacked neatly into each other. On the side of the plate was a slice of orange and a sprig of parsley. Tom’s pancakes were made out of sourdough so that made his day. I enjoyed my oatmeal, neither too runny or too solid. Tom’s verdict was not bad, he’s had a lot worse and some better.
My trip to the restroom was disappointing as it was very basic. Once again the only decoration was the words engraved onto the mirror with former users who had nothing better to do with their time. There were three restrooms all together, all unisex, and one was a disabled restroom.
Would we go back again? It’s likely but we want to try out all the many others places in Santa Cruz first. So far, the best one here has been Cafe Brasil.
Zachary’s Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
July 29 2009 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Santa Cruz Botanical Gardens
I read an article recently (can’t remember which magazine it was in) about the botanical gardens at Santa Cruz. I checked their website and looked at the map to see where they were. I didn’t see the actual address but they were on Empire Grade and from its position on the map it looked like, traveling from Santa Cruz, they were on the left side of the road. As the gardens were part of the University of California Santa Cruz campus I expected that there would be signs from the university pointing us in the right direction.
We did see signs for the Arboretum and Norrie’s Gift Shop but it was on the right hand side, so we continued along scenic Empire Grade for several miles. Eventually we decided to turn around and head back to the arboretum and ask there where the botanical gardens were. Well, of course, they are one and the same thing. If only I had printed a map from the internet I would have known that. What threw me was the fact that I was expecting it to be on the left hand side.
We parked just inside and deposited our $10 in the post at the entrance. There is no entrance fee as such and donations are much appreciated. Near the post was a box with maps inside so I helped myself to one.
A short walk uphill took us to the gift shop where I wanted to pick up a leaflet on the Hummingbird Trail but it didn’t open until 10. It was almost 10 so I took a stroll around the Aroma Garden nearby. Tom also started in the same garden but he soon disappeared with his camera, on a mission of his own. There was one plant which overpowered everything with its perfume but it took me a while to discover exactly where and what it was. At first I thought it came from some white flowers growing over a metal archway. It turned out to emanate from yellow flowers on a small tree. Unfortunately I didn’t see a label near the tree which told me what species it was.
At 10.15 the gift shop still had not opened but I saw somebody inside. He opened the door and apologized but the volunteer had not arrived yet. I asked if there was a guide to the Hummingbird Trail. He looked but could not find anything and then went ‘up the hill’ to see if he could find one. While I waited I wandered around outside looking at the plants for sale. Was nearly tempted to buy one but thought I would wait until we left, as I didn’t want to carry it around with me. Ten minutes later the man came back but had no leaflet. Once again profuse apologies. He did tell me the best place to go to see hummingbirds though so off I trotted.
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June 16 2009 | Special Places | No Comments »
Cafe Brasil in Santa Cruz, California
We have wanted to try Cafe Brasil for some time but it has either not been open when we are passing (it opens at 8 a.m.) or there is a line out the door. According to the reviews, it is worth a visit, so here we are.
The outside of the building is striking – painted bright green and yellow with banana trees planted outside. There is a small car park at the back but the entrance is narrow and this roadway is also the exit. We parked on the street round the corner.
Inside there is a counter where you can purchase drinks to go. While we were waiting for our breakfast, there was a loud grinding noise. We concluded it must be ice bring crushed at the drinks counter – at least we hoped it was.
The cafe itself is small with about 13 tables, mostly for 2 or 6 people. The only seats at a counter are by the to go drinks counter. There are no booths. The tables are very close together. At first we had nobody sitting at the next able but when it became occupied we heard every word of their conversation, so obviously they could hear what we were saying.
We were impressed with the menu, apart from the fact that they do not offer oatmeal. Granola is there though. The names of the dishes were different but each had a full description. It was interesting just to read it all. Tom ordered Orfeu Negro – black beans (veggie or chili) over baguette, topped with two soft poached eggs, Mozzarella cheese and Brazilian salsa. Served with potatoes for $7.95. As for me, I ordered a Veggie Fritada – three eggs scrambled over potatoes, mushrooms, green onions, onions, tomatoes and baked with Mozzarella cheese and topped with salsa for $8.25.
The decoration inside was bright and colorful. There were pictures on the wall with a definite feel of Brazil. I particularly like the collage type art. On the wall near us was a 2D sculpture of a vase containing tropical fruity. Around it was a wooden picture frame – very unusual. Also on display were Brazilian produce to buy like salsa, coffee, juices and so much more.
Before long our food arrived. Both dishes were well presented and cooked to perfection. Mine also came with a basket containing three slices of soft baguette with pats of butter. Everything was really scummy. Tom barely managed to finish his Orfeu Negro but he really enjoyed what he did eat.
The trip to the restroom was pleasant and I loved the artwork. One was a cartoon picture of Rio de Janerio signed by the artist Perry Foster. The other was a bright print depicting Brazilian locals.
Would we come again – definitely. We love the food, the service is great and the prices reasonable.
June 12 2009 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
It was a little foggy over the Santa Cruz mountains when we set out but it should clear by 8 a.m. As we drove over the summit, the fog was thick. It was remarkable how few cars had their headlights on.
First stop in Santa Cruz was the Boardwalk. The streets around the Boardwalk are typical of most seaside resorts; small motels, cafes and gift shops. The classier hotels are further out. We parked at a meter opposite ‘The Hurricane Ride’. By the way, parking is free before 10 a.m. We’ll be gone long before then.
Last time we came here, we were able to walk through the Boardwalk to the beach. Not any more. Now there are locked gates manned by guards.
Dominating everything is the Casino building. It is large and garishly painted but has a lot of history. The original building was built at the beginning of the 20th century but it burnt down two years later. In 1907 the new Casino was opened and two years ago it celebrated 100 years of being in business. Although it is called the ‘Casino’, there is no casino. Inside there is a large arcade called Neptune’s Kingdom and a conference center called The Coconut Grove. The main feature in the arcade is the 18 hole miniature golf course with a pirate theme. Originally a swimming pool, called The Plunge, occupied that site but it was closed in 1963.
We walk past the Casino to get to the beach. Already there are small groups and families walking towards the beach with towels and coolers. I guess you have to stake out your pitch early. Later on this place will be heaving.
Rounding the corner of the Casino, we heard the sea lions, at rest under the pier, calling out. The sound reverberated against the buildings on Beach Street. Then we saw the beach with the pier stretching out into the bay. It is not a large beach but it is sandy. There are several volley ball pitches laid out which are a regular feature but today there were also some small soccer pitches.
I took a seat near the grassy area to the side of the Casino and start to write. Tom wandered off to take photos. I did spot him at one point down at the waters edge taking photos of the pier.
More and more family groups were arriving and most of the kids were wearing soccer gear. It finally dawned on me that there must be some sports event taking place today down on the beach.
The fog had disappeared, though it is still a bit hazy. There is a slight breeze but it is not that cold. I see Tom at the end of the beach near the
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
pier but I turn the other way. I wanted to find out what was going on at the other end of the beach.
The temporary soccer pitches were stretched all along the beach nearly to the end of the Boardwalk. People were busy marking out the pitches with white tape and erecting small goalposts and weighting them down with sandbags. In England we call this Five-A-Side football but here I discovered it is called Beach Soccer. The event is the 2009 Pro Am Soccer Championship.
There was a large, small moving, brightly painted yellow tractor like vehicle clearing the beach of rubbish. It’s turning circle was large and as I walked towards it, I had to make a huge detour to stay out of its way. It was fascinating to watch though as it deftly scooped up both large and small objects from the sand. When the tractor crossed the white tape, the conveyor pick up was lifted so it could be driven over the tape without damaging it. Every so often the operator stopped to use a litter stick to pick up trash which had blown onto the white tape. I could have stopped to watch for ages but it was time to move on. There was now a steady stream of competitors and families arriving for the soccer competition and it was time for breakfast.
Walking back along Beach Street towards the car, I spotted a mural painted on the side of a building. It depicted Beach Street in 1962, with iconic cars, Anne’s Koffee Shop in the foreground and Casa Alto Hotel and the ‘Giant Dipper’ in the background. The only thing that has not changed is the ‘Giant Dipper’ roller coaster, which still stands as a landmark and has done so since 1924.
June 08 2009 | Special Places | No Comments »
We are off to our favorite place on the San Mateo Coast – Franklin Point. Let’s hope it is not fog bound this time. According to the weather forecast, it looks as though Santa Cruz will be clear and bright but there is fog at Half Moon Bay. Franklin Point is between the two, so we will just have to take a chance.
(Click on the image for a larger version)
The journey to Santa Cruz was more or less mundane until we were headed down the mountain on the other side of Scotts Valley on Highway 17. Suddenly I saw a car on the other side of the road fly into the air and crash into the trees at the side of the road. Tom saw the dust but not the car. I was really shaken up but there was nothing we could do as there was a concrete barrier down the middle of the road. I looked behind and there were cars stopping so knew someone would be calling 911. I just couldn’t get the image out of my mind and was really concerned about the driver and any passengers there may have been in the car. I knew I would be worrying all day.
We drove into Santa Cruz for breakfast – see previous entry – and were back on the road again by 7.40. Our route took us back to Highway 1 where we turned north.
Just outside Santa Cruz we saw signs up warning of a bike race and soon we saw the cyclists. We passed a lot of them between Santa Cruz and Davenport. Most of them were serious competitors with their super bikes, Lycra gear, cool shades and space age helmets. Some were making light work of the hills and some seemed to be struggling. At the front of the cyclists were three motor cycle cops. I wonder how far they are going.
It must be getting close to October and the pumpkin season. We passed several pumpkin patches being made ready. In one there was already a huge display of pumpkins all waiting to be picked out by excited children, although, of course, it was not open at 8 a.m.
Oh no! We can see fog ahead. This looks like a repeat of our aborted visit last month when the weather was too bad to even walk to the beach. Maybe it will clear – always the optimist.
We stop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park where the redwoods come all the way down to the coast. Tom wanted to take photos of the fog over the creek and maybe the brown pelicans taking a rest in the lagoon on the beach. I stay in the car and write.
Here the sun is shining which is really weird as we are surrounded by fog. Out on the ocean I can vaguely see the die hard surfers waiting patiently to catch a wave. The sea doesn’t look high today so maybe they are just beginners.
Tom has now left the creek and has made his way across Highway 1 to the lagoon. There are several pelicans on the water but now dozens are on the sand and more fly in to join them. I guess this must be their meeting place every morning where they catch up with all the gossip.
I’ve been siting here 15 minutes and here come the three motor cycle cops and not far behind the first two cyclists appear. I guess we are going to have a bit of trouble getting away from here. Tom is making his way back to the car. Maybe we can get away before the bulk of them arrive. I can’t see any more coming at the moment. We were able to make our escape. As we turned back onto the road I could see a few cyclists coming down the hill behind us.
We pass Costanoa and pull into the parking strip near the tree stump., There is one van already there and three surfers are getting ready to walk to the beach. As I get out of the car I can smell the sea. Mmmm.
I set off first. Yes it is foggy but it is not as bad or as cold as the last time so we decided to go for it. At the top first rise I paused as I could see on the path ahead a mother deer and her young fawn. Both lifted their heads and looked at me. I would have waited until they decided to move away but at that moment two of the surfers come by. The two deer trotted off down the path and I never saw them again.
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September 12 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »
We’ve decided to be a bit more adventurous in our choice of where to eat breakfast in Santa Cruz. In the past we have always stopped at the Santa Cruz Diner. We did try somewhere different last time – the Nuevo Southwest Grill – so this time we went on online to find somewhere new. There was quite a choice. As we were going to be there by 7 a.m. we wanted to find one that opened early. Seabreeze Cafe on Seabright Avenue filled the bill.
It opened at 7 and we were there at about 6.50. We stayed in the car; Tom started to read the paper and I observed. The Seabreeze Cafe looks as though it has been around for some time. No way it could be called pretentious. Better adjectives would be homely and welcoming. Out the front were potted plants and along the side a veranda with hanging baskets and benches. There was a table already set up with coffee pots and a sign saying to bring your mug inside for it to be added to the bill. There was already one customer waiting.
The doors opened before 7 and by the time we walked in there were already three other tables occupied. Inside it is very small. No booths, just wooden table and chairs. It is a very friendly place and everybody seems to know each other.
Service was quick. In the twinkling of an eye Tom had his coffee. It was served in a white mug with the name of the cafe on the outside along with their logo. The menu is not very large but there is a board up on the wall with specials. Tom was tossing up whether to have Huevos Rancheros or the grilled mahi mahi with eggs. He went for the former ($8.95) and I ordered the oatmeal with raisins, nuts and bananas ($4.50).
Nothing about this place is what I would call modern. I wouldn’t call it retro or old fashioned either. The description I would use would be dated and quaint. There are a number of photos on the wall that look as if they were taken in Death Valley.
Our food arrived shortly, so not much time for writing. Tom’s plate was fall to overflowing. On top were slices of avocado. As Tom doesn’t care for avocados, I took them off his plate and enjoyed them.
My oatmeal came in a round bowl on an oval plate. The sugar was in a plastic container on the plate as was a small stainless jug of milk. A slice of orange and a sprig of parsley were added as decoration. The raisins and nuts were cooked in the oatmeal and it looked like a whole banana had been sliced on the top. It was hot and delicious. Tom also enjoyed his Huevos Rancheros.
The restroom was outside. Always a bit dubious of those but this one was pretty good. It was bright, clean and the water was hot. On the wall was a cork board covered in postcards from all over the world sent by customers on their vacations. I sat and read a few to see how old they were. The oldest was dated 2005 and the latest was April this year. Wished I could have read more but conscious this was the only restroom and there might be people waiting outside.
Our verdict – the food and service is first class and we recommend it. Two words of warning – the car park is small and it is difficult to get out of, so park on the street if possible. Also get there early. When we left at 7.40 the place was packed and people were waiting outside.
September 08 2008 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
Once again we headed for the coast. Last weekend we made the same journey but it was way too foggy. Our plan was to visit Franklin Point and go for breakfast at the Nuevo Southwest Grill in Santa Cruz afterward. When we arrived at Franklin Point, it was not only extremely foggy but very cold. We abandoned that plan and kept driving north. As the fog was still thick, we drove inland stopping at Duarte’s in Pescadero for breakfast and then driving home. It was a long way just for breakfast!
(Click on the images for larger versions)
When we set out conditions were clear and we remained optimistic but as we approached Santa Cruz we ran into fog. We headed for the wharf where we found a parking place. Although there was fog and we couldn’t see far out to sea, we could see the boardwalk behind us. It was not nearly as cold as last week so we took an early morning walk along the wharf.
Tom immediately started taking photos and I wandered around stopping to
look at things which caught my eye. My first stop was outside the Lifeguard Headquarters, where I studied the handwritten noticeboard outside. It contained all sorts of information about the air and water temperature, surf height, wind direction and velocity, swell direction, times of low and high tides and the UV rating and dangers. At the bottom was a Comments section and there was this interesting quote – “Understand happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.” Profound words.
Behind me I could hear the bark of a sea lion so I took a walk across the road and looked over the guard rail. Down below on a pontoon were a harbor seal and two sea lions, one large one making all the noise and a smaller one. I watched them for a while before I set off again.
A small building attracted my attention. A sign outside said Venture Quest Kayaking. Outside were brightly colored kayaks stored in a wooden rack. In the window of the building were notices advertising prices and also details of their Nature Tours. The latter looked very interesting. Every weekend the tours start at 10 am, 1 pm and 5.30 pm. Single and double kayaks are available and the price of $55 includes all equipment, instruction and guides. Now that would be fun, especially to get up close to sea otters.
I heard the sound of voices and the creaking of machinery and headed back to the guard rail. A small fishing boat was being lowered into the water. Already on board was fishing equipment and as the boat bobbed on the water, four fishermen climbed in, unhooked the ropes that lowered the boat and set off into the fog for their days fishing. The boat rental company was doing great business as I watched three more sets of fishermen set out.
Back across the road I spotted a kiosk with a sign which said ‘Marcella Fishing Boat Memorial. On three sides, posted behind glass windows, was a series of 14 sheets of information giving the history of a small commercial fishing boat named Marcella which is displayed behind the kiosk. The history is written by Robert Podesta, who owned the boat for 30 years. There are several photos displayed as well. After reading all the history I went to look at the actual craft. It looked tiny, almost like a model. There was a small, glass cabin on the desk but the door was so small I’m sure only a child could have entered it.
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August 13 2008 | Special Places | No Comments »
The address is 2-1490 E. Cliff Drive. This is the restaurant Jane Baker recommended (this link is broken but Jane still loves the place and so do we) a couple of weeks ago. Finding it was a bit of a challenge. We tried to program the address into Mollie (our GPS) but the dash in the address did not show up. We found East Cliff Drive alright and drove all the way to where East Cliff becomes Seabright but no 2-1490, so we rang the restaurant to ask for directions. We told them where we were on Seabright and Murray and they told us they were on East Cliff and 15th Avenue but couldn’t tell us how to reach them from where we were. We went back to Mollie and put in 15th Avenue and eventually, with a few more wrong turns, we arrived at our destination.
The Nuevo Southwest Grill opens for brunch at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It was 9.15 when we arrived and were the first customers of the day. As the name suggests, it is a Mexican restaurant and we were greeted at the door by Mexican music. Tom needed a newspaper to read but there were no stands outside. He asked where he could find a newspaper to buy and was given a personal copy of the Santa Cruz Sentinel by one of the servers, which was extremely kind of her.
A first glance at the menu convinced me I wasn’t going to find any oatmeal and said as much to Tom. His reply was ‘What do you expect in a Mexican restaurant?” On closer inspection though I was surprised to see that they do, in fact, offer oatmeal – served with brown sugar and cinnamon – for $3.95. I also ordered toast ($1.50). Tom was gong to order from the menu but changed his mind when the server went through the specials. He finally ordered Chili Verde, eggs, beans and flour tortilla for $8.95.
The restaurant itself is a bright and cheery place. It is fairly large with a lower section and a slightly higher section. There are no booths at all, mostly wooden, Formica topped tables with wooden chairs with the exception of one wrought iron round table with four matching chairs just inside the restaurant.
Outside there is a small patio with three tables. The site is screened with a vine colored trellis and lined with little lights covered with orange, yellow and beige plastic covers. In daylight they don’t look too pretty but Tom assures me that at night they will give off an attractive glow.
On the walls inside there are a selection of canvasses, four of them framed, mostly of beach and coastal views but some of flowers and gardens. One of the framed paintings is very unusual. The frame itself is much larger than the picture inside and is a picture itself of a mountain and desert scene. Hanging from the ceiling are large bunches of dried hot chili peppers.
Now for the food. My oatmeal was served in a small, round deep bowl with the sugar already on the top. The bowl was on a round plate with a doily. Cinnamon had been sprinkled on top of the oatmeal and all over the plate and doily. I had to ask for some milk. The toast came without butter and jam and I also had to ask for them. The server was happy to get it but the portions, when they arrived in two, small, stainless steel bowls, were meager to say the least. At first the oatmeal appeared watery but it tasted very good. The toast was white – I normally have wheat toast but was not offered a choice – and very crisp. Even though it was difficult to stretch the butter and jam between the four slices of toast, the taste was excellent.
Tom’s chili verde came with two eggs, large cubes of pork covered in the chili verde sauce, pinto beans, a tortilla and salsa. His verdict on it – very good verging on fantastic.
Last, but not least, the restroom. After our last visit to a Mexican restaurant and their appalling restroom, I was a bit dubious but this one was vastly different. As soon as I opened the door I caught the welcome smell of potpourri. I’m guessing it came from the dried arrangement of grasses and seed heads in an urn on the wall. There were two flower pictures in there plus a flowering plant in a pot on a side table and, yes, it was a real plant and not artificial. The only criticism I have is that the water is no where near warm enough.
All in all, we enjoyed our visit to the Nuevo Southwest Grill. We can recommend the service and food and the surroundings were very pleasant.
Jane also mentioned the Farmers Market which is held just across the road on the Sunday so of course we paid a visit there as well. We took a walk round and sampled the pluots and blueberries (the first were a bit sharp but the blueberries were scrumptious). We did buy some fresh fish there – Coho salmon from Alaska – so we were very happy. Thank you Jane for your recommendation.
August 10 2008 | Breakfast Log | 2 Comments »
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