Santa Cruz restaurants

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I'm starting to think about our rehearsal dinner. Our rehearsal (and ceremony) will be at Lighthouse Point, and we have two options.

1. Have our group (about 15 people) over to our rental house (a mile or two from Lighthouse Point) for dinner, and have it catered by a catering company or restaurant. Any suggestions? Italian is what we have in mind, and we want it to be on the casual and inexpensive side.

2. Take everyone out to dinner at a not-too-expensive restaurant that's not TOO far from Lighthouse Point. Any recs for that?

Thanks!

future mrs.riva

The BEST Italian food I've ever eaten (including Italy) can be found at Lillian's in Santa Cruz. But unfortunately their restaurant is tiny- we're talking less than 15 small tables. Pricing is good, too. They don't take ressies, but you might be able work something out if you tell them it's for a rehearsal dinner. I'm not sure if they cater.

Takara in Capitola is pretty good for Japanese, but it's on the expensive side.

If you're feeling adventureous, Pearl of the Ocean in Santa Cruz serves Sri Lankan food and it's pretty good. They'd be able to accommodate 15 people.

The Crow's Nest is also a nice choice (serves American), but it's more on the expensive side.

HTH!

lfritos

When you talk about Light House point, are you talking about the one on Westcliff? There aren't too many restraunts around there, but the downtown area is pretty close. And they have an amazing italian place called Kianti's. This is Fi's favorite place (its where we had dinner the night he proposed!) The prices are resonable, but you can't do reservations. You can however reserve their back room for a "banquet" and they serve all the pasta family style.  I'm not sure what the pricing is for that though...

In that same area for Italian is Cafe Mare, Its pretty tastey, but I think it might be a little bit more expensive.

I'm not sure of other italian places in the area, and neither of those places have a view of the water or anything, but they are tastey, the the area they are in is pretty cute.

Hope it helps!

apple_green

Thanks for the suggestions so far!! How about Upper Crust? They cater and we might want to get their lasagna and pizza to have at our rental house. Opinions?

Oh, and yes, I'm talking about the Lighthouse on West Cliff

cperrotta

How do you coordinate a ceremony at the Light House?  My fiance and I LOVE the SC area (I'm a slug) and we MUST get married somewhere on the California Coast.  Most places are super expensive but I never thought of the Light House.  What is the costing like?