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EAT THIS: STEAMED BUNS AT IZAKAYA
In more than a decade of reporting on Santa Cruz County’s food and drink scene, this story is a first for me: in June, 10-year-old West End Tap & Kitchen closed for a few days and reopened as an entirely new restaurant.
Izakaya West End, as it’s now called, relaunched with a Japanese-inspired concept and menu. It’s still a gastropub – loosely translated, “izakaya” means “pub” – with shareable appetizers, large salads and hearty mains, but now draws from Japanese culinary traditions and flavors. There’s no sushi, but a raw section offers intriguing takes on sashimi, fresh oysters and carpaccio-like beef tataki.
How did this happen? Owners Geoff Hargrave and Quinn Cormier told me that the idea to change had been brewing for years. Despite West End’s success, they wanted to breathe life into their restaurant, and inspire themselves and their staff with new ideas, they say.
While the flatbreads, meat and cheese boards, duck fat popcorn and the rest of its American fare are gone, it’s hard to miss them in the line up that includes winners like the steamed bao ($23). These smooth, pillowy buns are stuffed with thick slices of dashi-braised then seared pork belly, crispy shallots, fresh herbs and spicy mayo. Dynamic and satisfying, the four fist-sized snacks are the perfect appetizer to share over a beer or a glass of sake.
BEST OF THE WEEK AHEAD
Below, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
ICYMI – here are the food news stories from Lookout that you might have missed, plus important news from beyond our borders picked by yours truly.
Pescavore, Live Oak-based sustainable fish jerky company, prepares to go national (Lookout)
Eaters Digest: Frozen Aperol spritz at Mentone (Lookout)
Impossible Foods responds to Joey Chestnut’s ‘baffling’ ban from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (San Francisco Chronicle)
