Brad Briske, chef and owner of popular Soquel Village eatery HOME has leveraged the popularity of his restaurant, located in a cozy former private cottage in picturesque Soquel Village by opening Home Away, a casual spot serving up sumptuous fare. 

Located steps away from HOME, Home Away – five miles south of Santa Cruz – still maintains creative dishes pared down yet highlighting the hyper-local philosophy Brad brought with him when founding HOME a decade ago. Leaving the now-shuttered La Balena in Carmel Village, Brad literally came home to his roots in Soquel, refurbishing a small house into a comfortable, welcoming spot where a lush garden provides herbs and spices for his dishes. Recognizable flavors served creatively is the foundation for Home Away, including beef cheek empanadas, shucked oysters with house-fermented hot sauce and “ocean nachos” with bottarga and topped with trout roe, crème fraîche and herbs. Menu items are featured at a lower price point than at HOME, attracting a more informal crowd seeking counter service, grab-and-go items and the collaborative feel of an open kitchen design.