Four New Eateries on the Horizon

In a town where organic farming began, it’s no wonder that there is a deluge of chefs who glean inspiration from the produce grown at local farms and featured at weekly farmer’s markets. This year, locals and visitors eagerly await the openings of four new places to try in Downtown Santa Cruz, Midtown, and in Felton. 

Midtown Santa Cruz is awaiting the opening of a new eatery by former La Posta chef Katherine Stern. Her legions of fans at the Santa Cruz Community Farmers Markets and from her recent residency at Bad Animal in Downtown Santa Cruz are eagerly awaiting her new venture, which promises local, seasonal, farm-fresh, comforting dishes, like her signature squash cappelletti with crispy Brussels sprouts, roasted apple, brown butter, and sage. The opening date will be sometime within the first months of this new year. Within a few city blocks of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand-rated Alderwood restaurant in Downtown Santa Cruz, a second location has opened with a more casual flair: baked bread in-house, salads, cocktails, and a raw bar. Local chef Jessica Yarr will open a bakery focusing on hearth breads, vegan options, and locally roasted 11th Hour Coffee in late February. This new spot by the daughter of owners of Felton’s The Bigfoot Museum will be a welcome place to nosh in the San Lorenzo Valley. Twin brothers Peter and Henry Wong are up and running with Mad Yolks, a Downtown Santa Cruz breakfast place on Pacific Avenue. Creative, egg-forward sandwiches housed on homemade brioche rolls and Eastern-adjacent tea selections make up most of the menu options. But other dishes like “dirty” tots, a curry moco, and the namesake Mad Yolk with coddled egg and whipped potatoes in a jar with bacon, chives, and toasted crostini keep things interesting.