My wife and I attended a six course tasting menu with paired wines from Ser Winery at Persephone this last Sunday. It was spectacular! It was held outdoors in a very nice area protected from the wind, with nice ambience. Gas heaters were provided and set for perfect heating for the guests. There were probably 25 to 30 diners. Everyone was served the same course at the same time with the accompanying wine. Nicole Walsh from Ser and Alex, from Persephone, gave a presentation before each dish and wine were served. Every dish came out beautifully presented, and each table was served simultaneously. The food was exquisite, and the presentation artful. The wine pairings were perfect. It was truly a Michelin star experience! Although it was not inexpensive, for the level of Gourmet food and perfectly paired wine, any foodie would find it eminently reasonable. You'd have to spend a lot of money traveling to get to a restaurant that performed like Persephone did that evening. See my photos of the menu, and some of the dishes. read more

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The food was delightful, albeit expensive. The interior was small but so perfectly designed for privacy and beauty. And then there's, Caleb, the incredibly professional and charismatic waiter, who made our night with his smiles. This restaurant is a lovely special night venue, well worth the trip from Aromas. read more

Great wine list and the food was excellent! chicken risotto and short rib Lovely view of the valley very romantic lovely restaurant and has a great patio for summer eating! we will be back! read more

Service 1 Star Location/Ambiance 4 Star Food- 3 Star Price / Overall experience 2 Star I don't like given bad reviews but this was a mediocre experience. Doing this mainly so the owners can improve. Charming location with ~30 seats inside. Small but cozy. Decor and views of the forest are charming. Came for a friends birthday. Reservations at 7pm, we showed up at 6:55pm, by the time we got seated and water it was 7:40, not acceptable. Service was not all the waiter fault we felt he was not supported enough by the owners or other workers there for him to properly do his job at the level expected. New courses kept coming with no one cleaning up the old course plates. Salmon was bland. They ran out of sauce on the chicken and served it with a side of BBQ sauce. They also ran out of the Brownie and strawberry cream. At these prices you should tell your customers before they order that you ran out of something. Instead they came back each time 10min after saying they ran out. We cancelled dessert and went home. read more

They didn't have the champagne we ordered( it was our anniversary) nor did they have the meal my husband ordered. Both was disappointing but other than that the meal was pretty good, but I would go somewhere else for a special occasion next time . I didn't love how small the table was we sat at under the tiny little window. I felt like we were like in a cubby and my husband is tall and barely fit without knocking the table . read more

Persephone - Stuffed Chicken with Pomegranate Glaze - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

We experienced outstanding service by Caleb and expertly curated food at this quaint fine dining restaurant in Aptos! Check out their website for Locals Night: three-course menus for the same quality food and service at a smaller price point. Bon Appetit read more

Amazing experience. Wonderful service, extensive wine list, & food was delish. I had the chicken pesto risotto and my boyfriend had the sole. We were both really impressed with the quality of the food. We will be going back to this cute little spot! Such a good find! read more

I simply love the decor and the way this particular restaurant has moved their table settings to make each guest feel as if they're sitting alone amongst themselves. I love their outdoor seating area also! I started following them on Instagram and I love that they do special themed branches and dinners! I will definitely come back here again! read more

Meh. Wanted to love. I had to ask too many times to turn on a heater when it was clearly windy, foggy and chilly out. They were out of the bottle of wine they recommended to order and had to go down to the celler and it just seemed to take forever. Entrees were okay. Service okay. Location beautiful! read more

My new favorite restaurant! The atmosphere, the service, the music, the food, the price..... it was all just right. I had the salad, fish chowder, bolognese, the chocolate gelato, a spritzer, and an Arnold Palmer. It was all so perfect. Highly recommend!! read more

Wow! What a gem! The food at Persephone is divine! Delicious flavors and beautiful plating. I was greeted and welcomed in before even stepping foot through the door--the service was top notch. Michael was our server and he could not be more attentive, knowledgeable and warm. Our whole evening was fantastic, every dish divine! Loved the fresh house made hummus served with the focaccia bread to start. Great wines, and the heirloom watermelon salad was to die for! Loved the truffle pasta too. The beet and artichoke soup was pure perfection. It was my birthday dinner and they gave a choice between a complimentary dessert and glass of wine! Fabulous! Beautiful atmosphere and artwork authentic to Santa Cruz. What a fantastic place! I travel and eat at high end restaurants all the time and Persephone truly blew me away! Support this local Santa Cruz family's amazing restaurant--It's a must! read more

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Both food and service were excellent. Wonderful ambiance. From the moment you are warmly greeted, to the excellent service and menu choices...Don't miss it read more

Another great night at Persephone. Every time we come here we leave saying "we need to come here more often!". The wine list is great. Service was attentive without being annoying (I hate a leg humper), and the food was amazing. Until the next time......... read more

Gluten Free options are uuhhmazing.... Can't wait to go back. Fall off the bone prime rib. Asian pear and walnut salad best I've ever tasted anywhere. Homemade focaccia bread and housemade hummus according to my husband was so fresh. Braised pork house made Carmel ravioli was to die for according to my foodie husband. Also the Turkey minestrone appetizer! read more

...can't wait to go back...well I haven't felt that way about a restaurant in along time...but that's how I fell about tonight's experience at Persephone...we hadn't taken the opportunity to visit until now...delightful surroundings, impeccable service(!!) and wonderful food...and a cheese plate to die for! ...everything was just right...this restaurant is about fresh and quality...and superior service...not massive portions...tremendous wine variety as well...thanks folks for the stellar night...will be back in 2 weeks...cheers! read more

This was the second time we had been to this restaurant, and it had been years since our last visit. But our expectations were high after our first experience. Thankfully we had an amazing evening again. We started with the burrata, peaches, and prosciutto. The peaches melt in your mouth, as does the burrata. I got the Pasta Alla Bolognese. You could just tell the sauce had been an hours long labor, it was so rich in flavor. And the fresh Pappardelle was so tender and delicious. I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a homey comforting meal. We also got the Pomegranate Glazed Eggplant. The pomegranate glaze was tart and sweet, which perfectly accented the saffron-cauliflower puree. The small farmhouse makes you feel as if you are just visiting a friend's home for dinner. They use subtle Greek and Italian accents in the menu and in the decor which was appreciated. The small share plates have a Greek design outlining them. Also, if you haven't heard the Greek story of Persephone, you should. It is the Greek Myth explaining why we have the seasons that create the delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables that this farm-to-table restaurant prides themselves on using. read more

Persephone - Pasta alla Bolognese - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Came here for our anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint! Every bite of food was delicious and the atmosphere was upscale and cozy. I highly recommend the Parmesan Budino app which is a tasty cheesy soufflé, the stuffed chicken caprese as an entree, and the cherry pistachio Napoleon for a creative, amazing dessert! read more

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I'm going to go ahead and write a review for Persephone 5 days after our group of 6 enjoyed our outdoor experience. The six of us couldn't resist sharing bites... so many dishes inspired the ooos and ahs, and the, " you've got to try this!" The beat and artichoke soup, the parmesan custard with peas, pea shoots and radishes... I've got to go back again for that! Oh! And the beef carpaccio with tiny crispy slivers of artichoke and arugula... I'll need to order that again. The only low note was one of us prefer the feta topped portobello with sun dried panisse... who knew what a panisse* is but it disappointed the one who ordered it.... we all had a bite and found it tasty but likely if questions had been asked the disappointment could have been averted. The wait staff were lovely and the beautiful view of the canyon below made it ideal. There were heat lamps to ensure our comfort outside. It was a group of people who were friends of one friend but we all had such a marvelous time together I feel we left like good friends. * panisse (plural panisses) Chickpea fries (chips), made from a kind of chickpea polenta chilled, cut into slices, dredged in flour, and fried. read more

I had heard so many great things about Persephone, so I was really excited to try it out for dinner last night. A girlfriend and I sat on the patio, which was a new addition due to COVID. It has a beautiful view of the woods and plenty of heat lamps. We started with the burrata and sourdough focaccia. The focaccia was absolutely delicious, but the burrata and accompanying pea purée really lacked flavor. For dinner we split a Caesar salad, the chicken and cheese ravioli, and the short rib. We also had a wonderful bottle of Italian red wine, which the friendly and knowledgeable sommelier helped us pick out. The Caesar was delicious, I loved the lemony and light dressing. The ravioli with cream sauce and short rib were both very good, but something was missing. The short rib was extremely tender, but a little over salted for my liking. I also expected a bit more flavor from the ravioli dish, I didn't really taste the artichoke and pancetta in the sauce or pick up any spice from the chili oil. I will definitely be back to try out a sandwich from the lunch menu, and a dessert. The quality of the dinner items didn't really match the expensive price tag for me personally. read more

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The service was wonderful, the ambiance was nice, presentation of the plates were delightful and the desserts were very good. So I'm comparing this restaurant with others of the same price point, and the expectation fell short for a few reasons. One, the olive oil starter served with the bread was bitter. Second, the entrees were good with elegant presentations, but flavors fell short. What I mean by that is there were too many conflicting flavors on our plates. We however found the truffled pasta to be excellent. For the combination of the aforementioned reasons I felt it was a 3.5 star restaurant overall. read more

One of the best dining experiences I have had in the Bay Area!!! Unpretentious vibe and food that is beautifully presented and very delicious! Complex flavors abound in every dish we ate. The service is excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Such a joy from start to finish. Very recommended! If you are local go immediately, you will not be disappointed. read more

By far the best meal I've had in Santa Cruz County in years! My husband and I got take out for lunch: sandwiches, salads, wings, and a beer basket. The food is exceptional. You can taste the quality of the every ingredient, and you can tell it's all local. We had the beet and goat cheese as well as the Toscano sandwiches. I was skeptical about how beets would work in a sandwich, but they were thick and juicy without making the sandwich soggy. The bread is made in house and it was perfect. Soft and pillowy while still being sturdy enough for the hearty filling. The Toscano was delicious as well. Lastly I have to encourage you to get the soup offering, whatever it may be. Soup is how I measure the quality of a restaurant, and it was love at first taste with the nettle soup. I'm so grateful to have a restaurant like Persephone so close to home. I can't wait to return. read more

Beautiful restaurant and excellent friendly service. The food is so delicious. If you come you simply must try the asparagus bodino appetizer. Best thing I've eaten in Santa Cruz county. Amazing!! We all had mushroom angliotti and parpadelle. Sirloin steak as well. Best food in Santa Cruz!! Britney was our server and she was excellent! read more

Persephone - Parpadelle - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

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Service was terrible my steak was over cooked and over priced very noisy and to top it off it took an hour to get our food for a party of 6 I really can't say anything good about it read more

We celebrated with a birthday dinner here and although the menu didn't read as appetizing, the food tasted fresh and interesting. The burrata starter was delicious! I'm not a fan of the QR code digital menu trend they are following... I like to hold my paper menu in my sweaty, anticipatory hands. But oh well... Otherwise, the wine list was extensive and the food enjoyable. PS - See if you can spy the cross. ;] read more

Beautiful ambience and interior. Excellent customer service and a high-quality, thoughtful meal. This care will bring us back every time.

Definitely a great recommendation from the Inn we were staying at. Had a great Burrata starter. The chicken Saltimbocca was excellent. Great service. Limited Indoor seating. Felt very distanced not crowded read more

Persephone - Chicken Saltimbocca - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

We just had a fabulous Valentine's day dinner last night. It was a 5 course fixed priced dinner and it didn't disappoint! The service was excellent and the flavors of each of the dishes were outstanding. The restaurant is very cozy and has a great ambiance. Thanks for a great night! read more

What a lovely dinner we had today at this place!!! Totally loved it!!! We enjoyed the light appetizers and super delicious fish and homemade salmon meatballs pasta! Mmmm! Atmosphere is really romantic and sweet:)! The culmination was a wonderful desert! read more

Persephone - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Update: the owners made up for the incident my friends and I encountered last time. We enjoyed the food and our waitress was fantastic as well. Sometimes things happen in life, we are grateful to have had a positive re-do and my friends love the restaurant now! Thank you! read more

Persephone - Dining reservation - New American Near Me - Aptos, California

Delicious food, nice ambiance and great service! I will be dreaming of the burrata and persimmons!

My guy and I have had our eyes on Persephone for a while now and finally got to go last weekend. It was absolutely fabulous. Brittnii made the experience extra special, and just lit up our night with her fun and family like feels. We tried new wines, all perfect, and the hummus, cheese appetizer, soup, and chicken were all Divine. The chocolate gelato was delicious, and everything was designed to such perfection. I wish this could be a regular spot, but it was probably the most expensive bill we've had at a restaurant (completely worth it, though). My only feedback is that the tables are TINY, and I could barely cram my average sized figure into my tucked away chair against the wall. I think that's probably just part of the charm of a small family restaurant, but it was a bit frustrating to feel so crammed in for a $200 meal. Next time I will request the table with the benches Thank you for an incredible evening! We will be back. read more

Absolutely delicious & beautiful food. Top-notch service from our waiter Mikael, attentive & charming, with the extra flare of knowing a lot about both the food & the Greek mythology. Nice outdoor-seating ambiance out on the covered deck where we sat. The inside looks very cozy & charming as well read more

Fabulous food, service, venue, everything!What an adorable place; I certainly hope they manage to pull through this difficult time...I love you guys! Daniel read more

Always good. The menu is always different with creative dishes and good service. One of our fave Aptos restaurants. Tonight features a duck ragu and a chicken Spätzle. Both very good. We give this establishment a high recommend read more

I haven't been since precovid. They have done a wonderful outdoor dining area! It was beautiful! The food and the service were amazing!

Amazing Shelter In Place food! My family and I go to Persephone once or twice a year for a special treat. After 33 days of sheltering in place, I felt we were once again in need of a special meal. I knew the food I picked up would be cold and that I would have to heat it up which made me worry that it wouldn't be good. I couldn't have been more wrong. Everything heated up beautifully and tasted GREAT! Thanks to the staff at Persephone we had a really wonderful meal at home last night. Thank you! read more

I just had my first meal at Persephone's with a friend the other evening. It was such an incredible dining experience that I can't believe I haven't been there before. Everything from our amazing host and server to the courses and wine we chose. We started with Duck Rillette with cherries and a mixed green salad. Perfect appetizers to share (duck was incredible!). Then we had the Pasta alla Bolognese and the Short Rib special over pureed sweet potatoes. Yum to both! We had enough room to share a Strawberry Lemon Short Cake. (I am still thinking about that lemon glaze and I can sneak a take out order of that into the house!) We also had delicious wines by the glass, and for the more serious wine drinkers they have a cellar with a 24 page menu of wines from our region. It's a great place for a special occasion, anniversary, birthday or to celebrate friendship in a quiet, no rushed atmosphere. Enjoying each other's company while sipping and taking bites of heavenly food. When I think of what it costs for a hamburger at local restaurant these days, it's not that much more money to experience a wonderful dinner with amazing food that you can savor and enjoy over a couple of hours. Best meal, service and dining experience I've had in years. Thank you Persephone ~ I will be back! read more

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This is a great spot. We came for dinner and each appetizer was tasty and well seasoned. The steak was delightfully seasoned. I have had so many steaks not seasoned lately I have lost faith in steaks lately. This one was perfectly cooked and well seasoned... it was amazing. Then the mouse was excellent as well. The staff were the owners who were ultra friendly. I'm not a big fan of star ratings... the crucial question is: would you come back? Answer: Yes read more

The braised short rib was amazing! So tender and flavorful, melts in your mouth! The chicken risotto was also made well, but could not compete with the short rib! read more