Best Chefs America – Butter, Bourbon, and Other Sins

One of the most amazing culinary adventures you will find in Santa Cruz County, in the heart of Capitola, is Shadowbrook restaurant.

Capitola, a beach town that brings thousands of tourists annually, with some of the most gorgeous beaches and best vibes you will find in California, is just south of Santa Cruz.

If you visit the area, make sure to spend your day adventuring the boardwalk, seeing all the beauty it has to offer, and then check out the beautiful buildings in Capitola. Like Burano, the colorful island near Venice, Capitola is partially known for its gorgeous beaches and colorful buildings.

The town’s uniqueness rubs off on the restaurant, Shadowbrook, which has been around since 1947!

Shadowbrook’s Uniqueness

Shadowbrook lies at the bottom of a steep hill, directly above, and overhanging of a river. The location is tucked in and you cannot see the restaurant from the main street. If need be, the restaurant will give free transportation in retro taxis up to three miles from the restaurant.

Once you get to the top of the steep hill, you can either walk down the hill, through a forest of plants and flowers, or you can take a unique cable car, which will take you directly to the front desk of the restaurant crafted from recycled redwood. This restaurant’s recycled wood is all from used wine redwood vats from the early 1900s!

The restaurant itself has multiple indoor levels, all unique and themed, along with multiple levels of patios, including one on the same level as the river. Every table outside has an overhead heater that can be turned on by the customers through the touch of a button.

The experience beyond the food is worth the trip!

The Food at Shadowbrook Restaurant

Besides the salad starters, a lot of the starters are fish, including calamari and ahi poke. I ended up enjoying a baked brie dish, with a jalapeno jelly and crostinis on the side. They also have a small selection of soup, including a clam chowder which is supposedly the crowd favorite.

For entrees, the restaurant offers a few selections of seafood, including salmon, lobster tail, and scallops. There is also an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options, followed by a list of entrees containing meats. These entrees include filet mignon, chicken parmigiana, and osso bucco.

The Drinks

Accompanying the decent wine list and beer list, Shadowbrook is known for its unique craft cocktails. They use unique ingredients not found in most bars, and create a large list of cocktails, each with a fun twist.

I had a cocktail called the “Gold Rush” which was Larceny bourbon, mixed with orange blossom honey and orange bitters over ice. It was sweet and tangy; an amazing cocktail!

Final Words

If you are ever in the Santa Cruz area, Shadowbrook restaurant is a must. The retro cabs, cable car, and restaurant scenery are fascinating and fun. The place is amazing for a date, but it’s also a great place to go with your family! You can reserve a table up to 30 days in advance, which I would highly recommend. Also, there is a dress code, so check that out on their website before you go!

Fairhope, Alabama’s Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Evans, owner, and Chef Adam Stephens, Executive Chef, of the exciting new restaurant, “The Barn” in Fairhope, Alabama. If you’re fortunate enough to visit the small coastal town of Fairhope, you’ll experience the beauty, friendliness, and pride of the community at every turn. The Barn is a reflection of that fellowship and charm.

Sitting on the same premises as The Hope Farm, which grew from a son’s knowledge and passion for farming and healthy living, and a father’s love of wine and good food, The Barn is the next natural step for the farm and the community. And when it comes to community, it’s everything to the father and son team and Chef Stephens. While speaking with them, it was clear that each decision they make is based upon how it will affect the community of Fairhope and the surrounding areas. When asked if The Barn has any signature dishes, Chef Stephens replied, “The community will make that clear as time goes on.” And as co-founder Bentley Evans said about the opening of The Barn, “We can’t wait for Fairhope to experience this beautiful space.” It has never been just about themselves and never will be, no matter how big they get. Owner Robert Evans explains that if they ever expand beyond Fairhope, the goal will always be to keep a “small town” feel to the restaurant.

Although The Barn is similar to The Hope Farm because they reside on the same premises and both are built on the same values, it definitely has its own personality. Chef Stephens points out that with an open kitchen and the tables full of people enjoying themselves, The Barn exudes a vibe of energy and togetherness. The menu focuses on in-house-made pastries and bistro-style weekday lunches. One of the main attractions at The Barn is the premium coffee from Nova Espresso, a local craft coffee shop based out of Mobile, Alabama. It’s another reminder of the emphasis the team at The Barn places on supporting local businesses and sustainability.

You can expect farm-to-table and seasonal selections at The Barn, just as at The Hope Farm. Chef Adam Stephens says, “It’s like a chef’s playground,” referring to the joys of creating a menu from a sustainable farm. Don’t expect just any lunch while dining at The Barn. Instead, plan on taking your time to enjoy menu items such as Grilled Hanger with Frites & Chimichurri, Jambon Beurre, or Chilled Lobster Salad. And expect fun changes to the menu as the seasons change. To celebrate the coastal life, there’s even a raw bar with seafood and caviar service. In the mornings, grab a cup of Nova Espresso coffee and a homemade cinnamon roll with candied pecans or a fresh croissant.

As a part of the restaurant business during a pandemic, the entire team at The Barn looks back at those tough times and is so grateful and aware of how lucky they are to see great success and to give not only the local community but visitors from all over the country a new place where they now experience farm-to-table dishes that are elegant and accessible. It takes a unique group to create a casual atmosphere with a menu that can compete with the world’s finest restaurants. And best of all, it’s in the prettiest little town, Fairhope, Alabama.