SANTA CRUZ
CT Lights Lounge opens in former Firefly spot
Firefly Tavern (110 Walnut Ave.) has closed permanently, and CT Lights Lounge has opened in the same spot. The venue has a new owner, Noel Cardona. Many selections from the former menu are still available including fried chicken and waffles, and ramen.
Cardona has added chef specials featuring seafood — like poke and seared ahi. Also, there are now mocktails and the beer and wine selections are continuously expanding. Hours are 12:30-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour is from 3-5 p.m. daily including weekends.
SANTA CRUZ
Taste of Japan Happy Hour with Zen Musubi
Zen Musubi is partnering with NextSpace Santa Cruz for a special happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Friday at the NextSpace Coworking Santa Cruz (101 Cooper St.). Attendees will enjoy artisan savory Japanese food made with organic heirloom rice, plus Amazake sweets. Drinks include organic fermented rice drinks (Koji Amazake) and limited-edition sake. There will also be music including an ancient Japanese flute. Tickets are $15 (plus processing fee) for the general public and free for NextSpace members.
Visit eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-japan-happy-hour-with-zen-musubi-tickets-935825418017 for details.
SANTA CRUZ
Tickets available for Chaminade dinner series
Tickets are available for the next installment of Chaminade Resort & Spa’s annual Moon Dinner series, which launched in 2023 in partnership with UCSC experts in astronomy and astrophysics. Attendees will enjoy an interactive star-gazing program paired with a three-course dinner and wine pairings, coinciding with unique moments in the moon’s cycle and including up-close views with a telescope. The Waning Crescent Moon Dinner is Sept. 22. Cost is $85; visit chaminade.com/santa-cruz-restaurants/moon-dinners to buy tickets and view the menu, which includes surf and turf with Sous Vide filet mignon and New Bedford Diver Scallop.
The Vine to View Dinner Series’ next event, Aug. 16, is a multi-course dinner paired with wine from Caymus Vineyards (Napa Valley). Tickets are $147.50 plus fees. Call 831-465-3452 or visit chaminade.com/santa-cruz-restaurants/vine-to-view-wine-dinner for details and tickets.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Belle Farms earns accolades
At the 2024 Athena International Olive Oil Competition in Greece, Belle Farms (bellefarms.com) won prizes for its extra virgin olive oil. Two varieties, Belle Farms Lemon & Belle Farms Estate Grown (also known as Tuscan), were awarded gold medals. Belle Farms posted on social media, “We are honored to have the high quality of our EVOO recognized in this competition, hosted in the very birthplace of olive oil. This competition distinguishes the best olive oil in the world.” To learn more about the competition, visit athenaoliveoil.gr/en/.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Verve Coffee collaborates with Humphry Slocombe
Santa Cruz County’s Verve Coffee Roasters has partnered with Bay Area-based Humphry Slocombe to create a limited-time ice cream. Available through the end of July, the coffee ice cream with homemade caramel swirl utilizes Verve Coffee’s Flash Brew. The product is available at all 10 Humphry Slocombe Scoop Shops; the closest one to Santa Cruz is in Campbell.
APTOS
Wine dinner with Madson Wines
Persephone (7945 Soquel Drive, 831-612-6511, persephonerestaurant.com) is hosting a Winemaker’s Dinner with Madson Wines at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $228 (including tip and processing fees) in advance. The menu will feature six wine and food course pairings such as 2022 Red Tail Syrah accompanied by citrus-glazed short rib with parsnip puree and roasted carrots; and 2022 Toyon Pinot Noir paired with chicken and potato stuffed ravioli with garlic sauce. See full menu and get tickets at exploretock.com/persephone-restaurant-aptos/event/493641/winemakers-dinner-featuring-madson-wines.
APTOS
Japanese Festival at Mentone
Mentone (174 Aptos Village Way, Aptos, 831-708-4040, mentonerestaurant.com) is hosting “Nastu Matsuri, Summer Festival” from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. There will be Yakitori, Okonomiyaki, Taiyaki, and water balloons from vendors Yakitori Toman and Okkon, plus drinks from Mentone. This takes place during “Little Beach,” Mentone’s patio with counter service (no reservations) on weekends during the summer. Usually open from noon to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, it’s open a half-hour later than usual this Sunday.
BEN LOMOND
Fika Bakeshop popup on tap
Fika Bakeshop (fikabakeshopbenlomond.com) is hosting a pop-up bakery from 10 a.m. until sell-out Saturday at 261 Madrona Way, a private residence. In addition to favorites such as Swedish Cardamom Buns, Fika will showcase summertime pastries such as Savory Corn Scones and Apricot Cardamom Crumble Buns. Learn more on FB or IG @fikabakeshopbenlomond.
APTOS
Venus Beachside expands hours
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside (131 Esplanade, 831-688-8917, venusspirits.com) has added Monday and Tuesday dinner to its service. It’s now open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and noon to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Also, there are new chefs: Steven Patlan and Kalvan Kimple. Both of them have worked at establishments including Alvarado Brewery and The Sardine Factory in Monterey.
SCOTTS VALLEY
Food trucks at Skypark Friday
The 2024 monthly Scotts Valley Food Truck Friday series continues from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Skypark (361 Kings Village Road). Participating food trucks will be SNB, Tacos el Jesse, Pesce Veggie, Pana, Cococ The Food Truck, Kuki’s Bowls, Cracked Cookies and Rollin Snack Shack. The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation is hosting a beer/wine garden to raise money for Scotts Valley’s public schools. Local musicians The Shady Rest Band and Brenda’s Face Painting will appear. Leashed dogs are welcome.
SCOTTS VALLEY
Event on deck at Pelican Ranch Winery
Pelican Ranch Winery (831-332-5359, pelicanranch.com) is hosting an event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Attendees can enjoy a 2023 Pinot Noir pre-release of the 667 Clone cuvée from the Las Nietas Vineyard, live music and pizza. It’s free for wine club members and $15 for others. Reservations are recommended at 831-332-5359.
Quick Bites, compiled by Tara Fatemi Walker, is your weekly helping of Santa Cruz County restaurant, food, and drink news. Send items to sentinelfood@gmail.com (Sunday 7 p.m. deadline for that week’s column). Want local food & drink news as it happens? Follow the Sentinel’s food crew on Twitter @santacruzfood.