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. Check out all of my food and drink coverage here.
… Which pumpkin pie is the best in Santa Cruz County? I wanted to know, so I grabbed the rest of Lookout’s staff and interns to taste-test pumpkin pies from 11 Santa Cruz County bakeries and grocery stores. We evaluated appearance, crust, filling and flavor to find the best options for Thanksgiving.
What makes a perfect pie? We wanted one with a silky filling, with good pumpkin and spice flavor, with a buttery, golden crust and attractive wedge. Plus, it had to look good on a holiday table.
In the end, two pies — one from a bakery and one available at many markets — stood apart. Find out who got top scores here.
… Santa Cruz chef Diego Felix, known for empanada eatery Fonda Felix and Argentinian pop-up Colectivo Felix, is collaborating on an event with Indigenous chef Christina Lonewolf of Chieftess Monterey Bay. I profiled Lonewolf’s visit to Cabrillo College to help teach a class on edible native plants last year.
On Dec. 12, Felix and Lonewolf will create a family-style dinner that traces ingredients from South America to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The event takes place at Scratch Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley and will be paired with five wines. Tickets are $155.
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… The Salty Otter Sports Grill in downtown Santa Cruz has closed after less than two years. The pub on Walnut Avenue was the center of a dispute around its partially AI-generated logo, which owner Rachael Smith defended online in March. Another restaurant is preparing to take over the space.
… Con Azucar, a coffee shop specializing in Mexican baked goods and drinks, opened at 825 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz on Sunday. The menu offers about 30 coffee and tea drinks, alongside treats like conchas and other pan dulce and cookies. Currently in its soft opening, the café is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
ON THE MENU
My list of the best things I ate in October is coming out this week. Standout dishes from a month of exploring Santa Cruz County include stunning bara chirashi sushi on the Westside of Santa Cruz, smoky St. Louis pork ribs in Live Oak, a spicy fried chicken sandwich in downtown Watsonville and roasted duck larb in Capitola. Watch for it on Wednesday.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Downtown Santa Cruz has welcomed 29 new businesses since January 2025, with locally owned shops and restaurants helping revive a commercial district that struggled with nearly 40 empty storefronts post-pandemic. New housing, increased foot traffic and city programs designed to attract businesses are helping fuel the growth, with 11 more businesses on the horizon. Read more here.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Tanuki Cider is celebrating the second anniversary of its tasting room on Santa Cruz’s Westside on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Basque-themed feast. There will be pintxos – little bar snacks on sliced bread — aged ham, fresh oysters and bread by Manresa Bread available for purchase, alongside brewer Robby Honda’s incredible hard cider. No tickets required.
LIFE WITH THE BELLIS
One of my husband’s favorite bands, Slayer, is on a 40th-anniversary tour for its most popular metal album, and we’re going to Los Angeles this weekend to see one of the shows. I know I’ll have fun, but the music isn’t really my thing — I’m looking forward to checking out some cool restaurants. We’re staying in Venice Beach, and I’d love to hear your suggestions. Email me your favorite spots in the area.
FOOD NEWS WORTH READING
➤ Bigger is better when it comes to wine bottles. One-liter bottles – which are 33% larger than the standard 750 milliliters — are trending, a modern take on jug wine that’s often filled with easy-drinking varietals and appeals to customers seeking a deal. (San Francisco Chronicle)
➤ Can Democrats lower grocery prices? Many are pledging to lower food costs by rolling back tariffs, protecting assistance programs and curbing industry consolidation, but face significant hurdles with President Donald Trump still in office. (NPR)