Tag: restaurants California

Shadowbrook restaurant

Shadowbrook Restaurant

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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!

The Matheson

The Matheson

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Healdsburg, California, the heart of Sonoma County’s wine region is one of the fastest growing regions in all of California. The town, becoming known for its beautiful scenery, diverse terroir, high end wines, and ever expanding food culture, has caught the attention of many. Thousands of people flock to the town for barrel tasting weekends, and other large events, with peak seasons filling up the town’s plaza.

Right at the corner of the plaza, a new two-story restaurant named The Matheson has hit the scene. The two-story restaurant, joined by its Roof 106 cocktail bar above, is the newest, hottest restaurant in Healdsburg.

First Impression

The Matheson restaurant
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

The first thing you see, walking through the doors of the Matheson is a beautiful interior, modern, but fanciful decor, a 360 degree bar, an open kitchen, and a whole wine wall with automatic dispensers dedicated to both Sonoma County’s amazing wines and other high-end wines from around the world.

After being greeted by a hostess, you can grab a drink at the bar, a glass of wine from the wine wall, or even venture to the roof for a cocktail with a view of the plaza. The rooftop is absolutely gorgeous, with a full, wrap-around bar inside, with comfortable seating, and a more casual feeling. When you step onto the patio, you have a perfect view of downtown Healdsburg, seen from the firepits and couches lining up the sides of the patio.

The Food

pizza and wine outdoor seating
Image Credit:https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

A wide menu awaits you if you eat at the first-floor dining room. Chef Dustin Valette has outdone himself. You can find everything from woodfired pizza to a tasting platter of sushi. The most amazing part is that you could not go wrong with either.

If you decide to eat at Roof 106, you will find a smaller menu, with a more approachable feel. You can still get a variety of pizzas and appetizers, including shishito peppers that are out of this world.

The Drinks

mixologist pouring a drink
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/

The extensive number of wines you can find on the wall as you enter the restaurant is astounding. Many wines are from Sonoma County, but you can still find wines from notable wine regions like Bordeaux, Mendoza, and Napa.

While enjoying a meal prepared from a menu built by chef Dustin Valette, you might as well try his personal wine, Valette. Valette cabernet sauvignon is a beautifully crafted, Sonoma County cabernet, made by Healdsburg’s own, and world renowned winemaker, Jesse Katz.

The cocktails are their own craftsmanship. Each one is unique and equally as amazing as the last. My recommendation is the modern margarita, which is clear with ingredients crafted by the Matheson team. It is an amazing balance of sweet and tangy and is not lacking in alcohol.

Takeaway

The food scene is amazing in Healdsburg. You will find everything from local burger joints like Healdsburger, to three Michelin star restaurants, like Single Thread. Go check out the wines, the scenery, and the restaurants, but do not forget to stop and check out The Matheson while you’re at it!