Welcome to Lily Belli on Food, a weekly food-focused newsletter from Lookout’s food and drink correspondent, Lily Belli. Keep reading for the latest local food news for Santa Cruz County – plus a few fun odds and ends from my own life and around the web.
… As the food and drink correspondent, I probably eat out more than the average person. Whether it’s reviewing a restaurant or gathering entries for a guide, I cover a lot of ground each week. Often, I’ll discover a great dish that deserves recognition but might not warrant its own story. On other occasions, I wish I could go on and on about a certain dish during a restaurant review, but fear of my editor’s red pen keeps me brief.
On Sunday, Lookout launched a new monthly column to catch all of these recommendations in one place. In the first installment, I highlighted an umami-packed soupless ramen, a falafel calzone at a Syrian pop-up, the most unique and comforting enchilada sauce I’ve ever tasted and a bowl of soup elevated with homemade wheat noodles. Check out the best things I ate in January here.
… Last week, I spoke to chef Tim Wood about his plans for Woody’s at Watsonville Airport, which is currently aiming for a mid-March landing at Watsonville Municipal Airport. Basically, he plans to copy-paste his successful format of approachable American lunch and dinner from Woody’s at the Airport in Monterey and Woody’s at Del Mesa in Carmel Valley.
He told me he hopes to create a place that both flyers and the surrounding community can enjoy throughout the day. “This spot has been a neighborhood eatery for a long time. That’s our specialty,” said Wood. Here’s a preview of what’s to come.
… This week, there are two art show openings for foodies. Minnow Arts in downtown Santa Cruz is hosting a collection of food-focused collages, paintings and sculptures by Scotts Valley-based artist Christopher Reynolds. I’ve been a fan of Reynolds’ vibrant, provocative still lives on Instagram for years, and can’t wait to check them out in person. The works will be up all month, with a reception this (First) Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
In Pleasure Point, And Friends Shop & Gallery on Portola Drive is hosting a Souper Bowl with 15 ceramic artists from around the world. The show opens on Saturday with a party from 3 to 5 p.m. Here are the details.
… Starting this week, La Marea Café in Capitola is open late on the first Friday of each month with a special “After Hours” menu of evening fare, specialty coffee and open mic sessions from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The menu for February includes a calzone stuffed with winter greens, meatballs with polenta, and blood orange zeppole with thyme, among other offerings. Want to share your poetry, music or comedy? Sign-ups are first-come, first-served at 5 p.m.
… Looking for a place to watch the big game on Sunday? Laughing Monk Brewing and Gastropub in Scotts Valley is set up for a watch party with seven TVs plus one large Jumbotron in the upstairs seating area. Specials include $6 beers, Super Bowl-themed cocktails and a tailgate-style food menu. Reservations through Tock are recommended but not required.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Santa Cruz County is famous for January beach days, but winter is still the season of the soup. This guide rounds up eight standout bowls — from oversized pho and spicy bún bò huế to luxurious khao soi and seafood-studded chowder — all regular-menu staples vetted for flavor and value. Whether decadent or budget-friendly, these nourishing bowls span the county and deliver comfort worth leaving the couch for, no matter what the thermostat says. Read it here.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Award-winning author and nutritionist Marion Nestle is coming to the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn at UC Santa Cruz on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. to speak about “Sustainable Food in the Trump Era.” She’ll discuss the state of sustainable food, the forces affecting food choice and what people can do about it. In-person registration is full, but you can watch the conversation via livestream.
LIFE WITH THE BELLIS
Aside from a few months in my early 20s when I lived in Ireland – another story for another time – I have never been a tea drinker. But recently, I began making my own herbal tisane blends almost daily, and they’ve become a cherished part of my daily routine.
Somehow the herbal tea corner of the internet found its way into my algorithm, and I was struck. These mixes of spices, herbs and flowers looked powerful, so I headed to the Herb Room in Santa Cruz to try it out. Buying tea from the knowledgeable staff there is very much like visiting an apothecary, and over the past two months, my collection of glass jars of dried plants has grown.
At first, I started out with a mix of cinnamon, fenugreek, hibiscus, dandelion root and nettle to curb the mindless snacking that sometimes strikes when I’m writing. Then I went back for elderberries, rose hips and oat straw to give my immune system a boost. When I got a cold, I mixed pots of peppermint, mullein, ginger and marshmallow root to soothe my sinuses. Once a month, I sip a blend of rose petals, chamomile, lemon balm, nettle and raspberry leaf.
Do they work? I have no idea. But I love opening my little glass jars and measuring out spoonfuls of dried herbs like a kitchen witch, and I keep coming back because they’re delicious.
FOOD NEWS WORTH READING
➤ Some of the most expressive restaurants in the U.S. are following a new model: the all-day café, an eatery that morphs into different themes throughout the day. For example, a French bakery and coffee shop might offer a Filipino tasting menu in the evening. The framework allows chefs and owners to capitalize on different customer tastes without sacrificing creativity. ($/The New York Times)
➤ K-pop – Korean pop music and culture – is driving a food boom. Korean exports known as “K-Food,” especially instant noodles, made popular through music, social media and movies like “KPop Demon Hunters,” grew by more than 5% to a record $13.6 billion in 2025. Instant ramyeon noodles surged by 22%. (CNBC)