Beyond the flavors being reached via sourcing fresh, local ingredients, Full Steam has made a commitment to providing its employees with a work-life balance previously unheard of in the restaurant business. “Nobody works full time, but we get paid like it,” says owner and chef Andy Huynh.
Food & Drink
Posted inFood & Drink
EATERS DIGEST: 11th Hour storms the Westside, what’s up with Beer Thirty expansion & cheese is a superfood!
Some words of cheese wisdom from a Staff of Life fromager, an 11th Hour Coffee update, some fun events for the weekend, the Café Gratitude controversy and a few rumors about Beer Thirty’s new locations in Midtown and up in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Gratitude questioned: Owner, workers clash at longtime Santa Cruz vegan cafe rooted in mindfulness
Café Gratitude is known for its plant-based organic fare that guests order via affirmations like “I am Daring,” “I am Fulfilled” or “I am Abundant.” But ex-employees have started a social media campaign calling for the public to boycott the restaurant.
Posted inFood & Drink
The cheese stands alone: Staff of Life’s fromager maps out party-pleasing cheeseboards
Cesar Olivares, a world-class cheese expert who personally tastes and selects each of the 300-plus cheeses Staff of Life stocks, is our go-to for tips on not just which cheeses you need on for that holiday cheese arrangement but how to cut and present them.
Posted inFood & Drink
LILY BELLI: Eaters Digest on Thanksgiving season, prime farmers market season & fizzy beat juice
Lily has you covered on where to order turkeys, baked goods and more as the holidays loom ever larger, plus the pick of the litter from farmers markets around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inFood & Drink
In Saturn Cafe’s next life, it will be a Drunk Monkey — only now, ‘we can basically do whatever we want’
Popular food truck Asian fusion fare will morph into new things as the Cruz Kitchen & Taps takes shape at the historic site of the former Saturn Cafe at Pacific and Laurel in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inFood & Drink
A fine sign of dining’s return: Trestles in Capitola checks the boxes on food, vibe, setting, service
A visit to Trestles in Capitola Village, at the former location of Bella Roma, puts all the recollections of why we used to go out to fine meals back into proper and tasty perspective.
Posted inFood & Drink
LILY BELLI: Eaters Digest dives in on FLASHbird’s fungi, some cool events & a secret holiday crush
Yes, Lily is fond of pumpkin spice lattes — from some locations, anyways — and she’s not too proud to admit it. The Crispy Fried Hen-Mushroom Sandwich at FLASHbird in Abbott Square is also becoming an interesting, unexpected favorite.
Posted inVaccine Watch
A second Northern California In-N-Out is forced to close for violating COVID-19 rules
An In-N-Out Burger in Pleasant Hill was ordered to close Tuesday by Contra Costa County public health officials after refusing to comply with rules requiring restaurants to check indoor dining patrons for proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
The supply chain blues: How local grocers are dealing — and why you should get those holiday orders in early
With the holiday season approaching, local grocers like Staff of Life and New Leaf are doing what they can to procure favorite items. However, they anticipate customers are going to have to be flexible about the availability of some of those.