Food was great , servers were great , very friendly and fast service . Loved the tram down to restaurant. Very festive

UPDATED REVIEW: I'm happy to report that after a number of visits to Shadowbrook, where my dinner options were wearing thin, they've recently updated their menu... with some very nice additions. I had the yummy Tagliatelle w/ Meatballs; my wife enjoyed the Prime Rib w/ Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach, while my sons wolfed down the Shrimp Scampi. Unlike my last visit, the server and busser were both friendly and attentive, which made for a refreshing reboot of our Shadowbrook experience. I look forward to going back now that there are new menu options to explore. read more

It is a lovely restaurant and overall the food is very good. This is the 3rd time in a row that I have taken a large group and several of us ordered lobster tail with the filet medallions. We ordered the steaks ranging from blue rare to medium rare. All the steaks came out medium well to well done. 3 times in a row they had to be redone. They were fine the 2nd time but eating them AFTER everything else is not the way to enjoy a meal. read more

We decided to celebrate our 2nd anniversary at Shadowbrook, and honestly, I deeply regret switching from our original plans. The only exciting part of the entire experience was the novelty of the little tram that takes you down to the restaurant. Safe to say, we won't be returning. The restaurant is nearly 80 years old, and the furniture surely shows it. The chairs and tables are incredibly outdated; while some people might argue that this is what gives the place its "charm," I beg to differ. It just feels tired. Our reservation was at 6:15 PM, and to the restaurant's credit, we were seated almost immediately. However, things went downhill from there. It took nearly 40 minutes just for our food to arrive, and when it did, both of our sirloin steaks; which we had ordered medium-well; were completely overcooked. Because we had already waited so long, neither of us had the energy to send them back and wait all over again. The pacing of the service was incredibly frustrating. Multiple couples who were seated after us were served their meals and finished eating well before we did. To make matters worse, the couple seated directly behind us was also celebrating an anniversary. While we understand that our 2 years isn't anywhere near their 28 years, the contrast in how we were treated made us feel entirely outshined and unimportant. They were seated after us and left before us simply because they received their food so much faster. Our server was lovely and attentive, so this isn't a reflection on them, but the kitchen management and overall pacing were unacceptable. Given how almost impossible it is to secure a reservation here, the hype is absolutely not real. It is a massive hassle for a mildly okay dinner in an outdated room. read more

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The food here tasted really good. I only got a picture of the prime rib. The horseradish cream was really good with the prime rib. The whipped potatoes were also delicious. Our server was very attentive and they made sure to keep our beverages filled. The ambiance was so great. Beautiful restaurant and beautiful sights. Only reason I gave a 4 is because my Medium rare prime rib was a done a little more than medium rare. They offered to get another, but I was too hungry to wait any longer. read more

Shadowbrook - Prime rib - American Near Me - Capitola, California

It's not a culinary marvel, more of an institution. I think you can tell going in. Such a special restaurant. They have a funicular and shuttle service via vintage taxicabs. We didn't have reservations, so we walked in for our dinner in the super cozy lounge with a wood fire oven. The lounge menu is different from the dining room menu. We got the pretzel, clam chowder, Caesar with anchovies, and two 12 oz prime ribs. I liked that you get two small pretzels instead of one giant one. Easier to share. You get cheese and mustard sauces. Cheese was okay, mustard was pretty good. Would get again. Clam chowder was okay. Caesar with anchovies was good, not overly salty which I worried about with the anchovies. The prime ribs both came cooked to order - perfect medium rare, surprisingly tender. I wish it had a better bark (and more of it) and was a little more seasoned. We asked for more au jus and it came in a little sauce container with a spout. Garlic mashed potatoes were great. Very minor complaint, I was not into the piped out mash plating. Creamed spinach was a bit dry on top since they baked it to get that effect. Service was really good. Cody was friendly and attentive but not too overly present. Things came out quickly. Overall a great meal. Wished we had room for dessert, the coffee crunch mud pie looked good. Hope to return for the beef Wellington in the dining room. read more

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This place was on my list for sometime and this time decided yo not miss it during my visit to Santacruz and absolutely loved the experience. Even though it was a quick visit for a quick drink and a bite the service, serene interiors and ambiance and stellar service made it an wholesome experience. We ordered pimms Lemonade and another cocktail on their menu along with the pretzels to go along and absolutely fell in love with my drink, it brought back memories from my summers in UK when we used to lounge around in the backyard enjoying pimms with friends all day long. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be back again! read more

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Such a great restaurant, we were very happy with the service, food and atmosphere. We've been to Capitola about 4 times in the last few years. We've had Shadowbrook on our list, but just never got around to going. We made it a priority to try on this trip. We had an evening reservation on a weekday and it was still pretty busy. The replica cable car was a hoot and my kids had a great time riding that up and down in our visit. The interior of the restaurant was very nicely appointed. The ambience was very classy without feeling too stuffy. The views of the river/creek were also very nice. Our server and waitstaff were very accommodating and so very kind. The food was fantastic. I tried the Black Truffle gnocchi with sliced filet medallions. My wife had the lobster tail, my kids had the Prime Sirloin and Honey Glazed Porkchop. Everyone loved their meals. Prior to dinner, we shared prawn appetizers and fried artichokes. Both of which were delicious. For dessert my wife and kids shared the Chocolate Meltdown while I opted for a Keoke Coffee. All in all we had a fantastic experience. We Ubered there from our VRBO. Luckily we were able tog eat a ride back in the taxi. This was a lot of fun for my girls, as they had never been in an old fashioned taxi. We wanted every bit of our evening and look forward to future visits in our next Capitola trips! read more

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We had an amazing experience here and would recommend this for folks who like some nostalgia, good food, great service, and a special place to celebrate any occasion! The old taxis in the parking lot perks your interest as you park your car. The lush gardens, the old menu from the 1950s, the trolley ride down the hill to the restaurant makes one anticipate what could be waiting at the Swiss chalet-like restaurant. Reservations are recommended. The Coconut Lavender Lemonade was a refreshing non-alcoholic drink we enjoyed. The rest of our party had wine and beer. Our server, Shawn, was kind, patient, and helpful. For appetizers we had the Fried Calamari and the Ahi Carpaccio. I love the Scampi Style Linguine with Filet Medallions which I had medium well. The noodles were al dente and although they were thick it was not heavy. There was a generous portion of shrimps in the dish and the filet was tasty and buttery melt in your mouth tender. They had a special which was this Alaskan Halibut with celery puree and it was fresh and delicious. The Lobster Tail was succulent and the Pan-Seared Sea Scallops were perfectly seared and delicate. We had to try their House Specialty which is the Prime Grade Prime Rib. Thanks to Shawn who recommended the blackened version as he learned we preferred it cooked a bit more. For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Meltdown and a slice of Berry Pie served with Vanilla Ice Cream. A perfect ending to a sumptuous lunch and a great start to a splendid day with family! read more

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Food was excellent, ambience was great and service was good! It was a wait to get on and off the trolley but it was worth the wait! 10/10 experience!! read more

Shadowbrook - Steak, garlic butter prawns, broccolini and garlic mashed potatoes - American Near Me - Capitola, California

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Shadowbrook has to be one of my favorite restaurants of all time. They get a 10/10 from me in every single aspect: the atmosphere, staff, and food! It's definitely popular for a reason. Upon arriving, we took the cable car down to the restaurant, which was a short but lovely trip. They had indoor and outdoor seating, but we requested to sit outside since it was so beautiful. Our server, and just the staff overall, were so kind of accommodating. Our server helped us pick out our dishes and recommended we take a walk around the garden while we waited. The outdoor area was truly so serene and peaceful. Once we got our food, it didn't disappoint. I got scallops, while my boyfriend got the steak. We also got the caesar salad and poke nachos. Everything was delicious and we were stuffed by the end. I truly recommend everyone try this place at least once. It checked all my boxes and I can't wait to be back again! read more

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This Spot is Amazing!! The Vibe the ambience the Staff the Service & Food was super Smacking! I'll definitely be coming back Here Sooner than Later! If you're in Town or Not this is a Must Try! read more

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Came in with expectation of an overhyped touristy place but was impressed by the food, service & of course the ambiance. $25 corkage fee for 1st bottle. Great: sirloin, baked brie, bacon wrapped prawn, choc lava cake Acceptable: lamb, scampi Ambiance was lovely even though we were in the dark Vault room. Love the tram ride experience. Would be back read more

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One of Capitola's hidden gems off a busy road lies this wonderful restaurant giving off vintage and charming vibes with storybook treehouse architecture. The food and drinks were delicious and well presented, a bit pricey but, I understand because you're paying for the ambience. Add it to your list, it's a must see! I highly recommend checking this place out! Thank you Shadowbrook Restaurant! read more

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Shadowbrook- long standing historical spot. I loved reading its history on the menu. The restaurant is very large. Dinner was okay, not great or outstanding- good. Nice portions. Lava cake was overdone so there was no lava. The baker brie could do without the bread encasing. The jalapeño jam was delish. Drinks were okay. Ambience 100%. Service great. Staff nice. Front host desk- on my way out I wanted to purchase a couple of souvenir items- there were about 5-6 girls gathered at the booth, all on their phones, looked up at me while I stood there, back to their phones to finish their text, then to ask how they could help me. This was a bummer. Other than that, you don't have to get dressed up to sit in the main areas- no real casual wear like beach wear. read more

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Every had to take a funicular to dinner? Well now you can say you have here at Shadowbrook! A historic restaurant great for special occasions. We came here for a birthday and had fun getting a little dressed up to both adhere to and take advantage of the dress code. I ordered the oso busso which was braised pork so tender it literally fell off the bone between leaving the kitchen and reaching the table. The pork sat atop a block of crispy polenta and was garnished with a herby preserved lemon topping. We really wanted to try dessert but were so full that we could only opt for the order of two house made truffles which were rich and delicious. More places should offer bite sized dessert when you just need a little sweet treat. Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating - Moderate amount of parking - 3 or 4 flights of outdoor stairs available for those too claustrophobic for the funicular - Vegetarian options (pasta) - Mocktail options read more

Shadowbrook - Osso Bucco - American Near Me - Capitola, California

What a gorgeous restaurant! The highlight is the cable car that takes you down to restaurant, the ambiance and the views. Had a family birthday celebration , sat at the lower section corner table next to the window - best table in the house! Starters were carpaccio and calamari. Entrees from steak, pork chop, salmon, and kids pasta. Corkage fee was $25 and the desserts were a delight. Had the mudpie and creme brulee. 4% tagged on. This is one of those places you'd want to try once and happy you did. Supposedly one of the most romantic restos in the country and I can see why. The day could not have been nicer and sunny in Capitola to celebrate a milestone birthday with the clan. read more

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Can't complain! Went here for my anniversary and was surprised by such a delightful ride down to the restaurant via the most adorable tram (similar to Angel's flight in LA)! The restaurant itself was also delightfully designed, built right into the hill with at least 3 floors of seating with different vibes, including greenhouse, riverside patios, old fashioned american dining rooms, etc. The only modification I'd suggest them make, is to selectively add more heat lamps to warm the place up a bit at night. The food itself was also pleasant, and a pretty great value for the MAJOR portions. The blackened prime rib was exceptional and like nothing I had tasted before. It was perfectly cooked. The smokiness of the blackening seasoning marinated on top tasted absolutely amazing with the jous and fresh black pepper they doused on top. These were perfectly complemented by great creamed spinach and insanely creamy mashed potatoes, which I immediately mixed into the jous so it could soak up that delicious umami flavor. The osso buco was fall-off-the-bone juicy and delicious. The only comment would be that I wish they had better sides complementing the protein. The italian sodas were delightfully refreshing and paired well with the heavy meal. My boyfriend and I definitely appreciated them as they helped us finish the huge portions! The service was immaculate. Our waitress was an absolute professional and recommended some great dishes. They even gave us some complementary chocolate truffles served with a candle to celebrate our anniversary! I couldn't have asked for a more magical evening! read more

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Shadowbrook is a great place to go for a celebratory dinner or romantic date night. The dining room is a formal experience, with a dress code required. They have the rock room/bar area for casual dining, and the menu does include some of the fine dining entrees which is great! I ordered a dirty kettle martini and asked for it extra dirty, and it wasn't as dirty as I'd like, it had a strong vermouth taste by the end and I didn't finish it and switched to the Malbec they have on the wine list. We started with the octopus appetizer and a special pizza they had for the evening. The octopus was a Greek flare with tzatziki which intrigued me and why we ordered it. It was a bit fishy, but the meat was pretty delicate. I don't think I would order it again but happy I tried it. And the pizza was decent, it came with chicken, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and onions. The thick cut bacon which was smoky and delish but personal preference I think they should've used sliced tomatoes vs cherry tomatoes. Entrees are the STAR here. I ordered the truffle gnocchi with the filet medallions. So tasty, meat was cooked perfectly and it was a great portion size. I had leftovers. My husband ordered the blackened prime rib and it was absolutely fantastic, I 10/10 recommend this!! So flavorful all around, the meat, the horseradish cream sauce, and potatoes. Dessert we ordered the cheesecake which was topped with blueberries, it was sweet but also had the cream cheese flavor. I loved it. Overall, you will never regret a night dining here! read more

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**Update: Overall 3.5 Stars** I took my family there for a celebration dinner. It was their first time here, and I couldn't wait to show them the cable car, the beautiful garden, the cool tree in the middle of the restaurant, the old school upscale vibe, and the delicious food. To my surprise, there was little consistency in the food served and service provided from the last time I was there, and I left a little disappointed. For instance, my last server went out of their way to make an anniversary feel special with a plate of chocolate truffles and candles. They also spent a great deal of time with us on wine selection and checking in. However this time, for a 21st birthday, there was nothing but crickets. (I noted this in my reservations as well as reminded them when I checked in and sat down.). Another example is the Osso Bucco (one of the few items that is still on the menu) was not plated with care like it was previously. Instead, it looked as if it was hastily slapped into the bowl. The bones were put into the bowl along with sauce that haphazardly covered everything, including the "crispy polenta cake", which was soggy and hidden. And there was also supposed to be a side of root vegetables. The menu description said the pork would be served with braising juices only, but it looked more like stew. They served the dish to me with A SPOON, if that tells you anything. My kids ordered Italian dishes, which they enjoyed, but for $30+ each, the portions were pretty small. They seemed more excited about the fresh bread that was given out by someone holding a basket! Considering how little we ordered (3 dishes, 1 cocktail, 2 regular $4 drinks, 1 dessert), it came out to be $60 per person! (This includes the 4% fee the restaurant charges, tax, and tip.) The food alone does not make this worthwhile. The service is not consistent where sometimes a special occasion gets celebrated, and sometimes it doesn't. With all that said, I do think Shadowbrook is one of the most unique restaurants I've ever been to with my favorite part being the cable car ride to/from the restaurant. Thus, I'd go there next time to the bar area only for drinks and light snacks. TIP: I recommend that everyone come here at least once though! And I highly recommend making reservations so you don't have to wait. (You can make them on their website.) read more

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Perfect spot for date night, family gathering, corporate event, and many more! I celebrated my birthday dinner at Shadowbrook and I loved lamb strak the best. Shrimp scampi was blend for my taste and rest of the food tasted great. Amazing view with cable car to ride up and down to the restaurant. There's many stairs to walk as well with beautifully maintained garden. I was hoping to get complimentary birthday dessert but it didn't happen. read more

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My date and I went to Shadowbrook recently and this was our experience: Pre-seating and hostess interaction: hostess initially led us past several great empty tables and seated us at a corner location where one of us would be staring at a wall for the entire meal. I asked to switch tables given that one comes to Shadowbrook to enjoy the atmosphere, and the hostess replied with annoyance that this would venture into another server's section. After some awkward silence, I insisted and the hostess said she'd check with her "seating director" before abruptly walking away. I took an alternate route back to the hostess podium to look around the restaurant, and when I landed back near the entrance, I heard the hostess making snide remarks about me and my date. Some time later, the hostess seated us at one of the open tables we had walked past earlier. Waiter: we were served by Eli. Eli seemed friendly. Eli briefly explained specials and then left to give us time to go over the menu. Eli later returned to take our orders; Eli was equipped with a notepad tucked into the front pocket of his apron. However, Eli made the executive decision to memorize our order and not write anything down: calamari, heirloom salad, scallops, pappardelle pasta. Appetizer 1: the calamari was tepid, bland, and clearly re-heated from a previous preparation. The provided tartar sauce tasted store-bought. All rings were equal in their tiny size, possibly indicating sourcing from concentrate instead of nearby fresh ocean access. Appetizer 2: the heirloom tomato "salad" was, without exaggeration, 1 large tomato cut into quarters and 4 cherry tomatoes cut into halves. Beneath the tomatoes was a greenish, quasi-amalgamation most closely resembling slime and frankly tasting probably worse. This dish presented itself as an attempt at Caprese salad, but unlike actual Caprese salad, no attention was paid to composition (the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil were laid randomly about the plate). The olive oil was also pooled towards the outer extremities of the plate and rendered afflicted basil soggy and inedible. Intermission: Eli returned again after some time to deliver my entree. Eli took away the appetizers and told us to enjoy the food. Entree 1: the pappardelle was greasy and the accompanying bacon was burned. Oil once again pooled towards the extremities of the plate. Visually, the pasta was laid out much like what a woman's hair might look like after a long night's sleep; the bacon was concentrated into 2 groups tucked into the edges, as if pushed into the plate as an afterthought. Intermission: approximately 15 minutes later, Eli returned to our table, approached my date, who was sitting with an empty table setting, and asked her, "how are you enjoying your food?" My date was confused because her entree had still not arrived (we had been sharing mine in the meantime). I asked Eli if the scallops were still on the way. Eli processed my question, then stated "we seem to have forgotten about the scallops." At this point, I was curious as to this "we" Eli was referring to, given that only he took our order; or rather, he had us tell him the order, and then did not actually "take" it by writing it down. In any case, Eli hurriedly disappeared into the bowels of the kitchen, assuring us he'd get the scallops out with haste. Some 15 minutes later, Eli walked past our table and said "it's being plated right now." Without missing a beat, another server directly behind Eli interjected, saying "oh, you mean this one? Ha ha," as he placed down the scallops before my date. Interesting, I thought. What exactly was funny about paying $50+ per entree at an expensive sit-down restaurant, only to end up eating them separately on a date night? Discretion proved the better part of curiosity, however, and Eli and the jester walked away. Entree 2: the scallops were positively drenched in sauce. The scallops themselves were acceptable, but certainly not worth $50. I've visited numerous casual seafood restaurants in the Half Moon Bay area whose seafood quality drastically blows Shadowbrook's offerings out of the water. Perhaps I'm biased, though; I was annoyed at this point because Eli had taken the liberty of removing all other plates from the table, leaving the scallops to occupy its entirety, further highlighting the fact my date's entree had arrived so late. Dessert: I suppose we would've accepted one on the house, but such an idea was apparently beyond Eli's skill set to suggest. Wrap-up: Shadowbrook is overpriced, has terrible service, catty staff, and does not respect your time. There are so, so many restaurants in the Bay Area; there is no reason to waste your time on this one. read more

Went to meet a friend for lunch and drinks. Haven't been to Capitola, so great opportunity to go and eat at a historic place. A great scenic view walking up and at the patio seats. You get to ride a cable car down to the restaurant. Really cool! Small and only 6 can fit, so this could be a wait for going down to restaurant. Sat down with a fantastic view while outside on a 68 degree day. Ordered the Marine Layer to drink, a nice coconut yogurt style drink with Rum. Ordered the top sirloin dish. Oh that butter was a great touch to a medium cooked sirloin. Very flavorful and seasoned. Potatoes and salad added a great touch of fresh flavor to the dish as well. Enjoyed a couple of pressed coffee before the dessert. This vanilla bean crème brûlée is FANTASTIC! Creamy, thick and a nice caramel burnt crust on top! Also ordered some jalapeño Bree cheese for the road. Overall very happy with the location, view, and service. Very top notch and professional. Would comeback any enjoy another meal. This time around dinner for the full menu. read more

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Shadowbrook is definitely something to experience. The cable car to the restaurant is one of a kind. My favorite place to sit on the soquel creek but every room is unique. Our server was great and made us feel special by taking our photo for my birthday. We had a printed copy by the end of the night. I ordered the filet, with the pomme puree. It was cooked to perfection But could have been hotter. The rolls were not warm and we only got one roll before dinner. The bolognese with oxtail was also very good but not very hot. I was not a fan of the shrimp appetizer. read more

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A wonderful experience! Our server, Eli, was so kind and welcoming. We were celebrating our anniversary, and we had a lovely time. The butternut squash ravioli was delicious, and we had the meltdown chocolate cake for dessert. Everything was incredibly fresh, and this was such a memorable experience. We will definitely be back. read more

10/10 Ambiance - The garden is beautiful and so well taken care of. There are fountains with fish. You can walk down the path through the garden, or up once you are done with your meal. Other option is the unique elevator that can take you up and down to the restaurant. Inside the restaurant are live plants, quiet music, and an upscale atmosphere. FYI there is a dress code so make sure to check their website before going. Parking - they is a parking lot dedicated to the restaurant right near the entrance. Drinks We ordered a bottle of Rose from their specials menu which ended up being a perfect pairing for our meal. Food 9/10 Baked Brie - puff pastry and Brie had a great crunch, the jalapeño jelly was a nice surprise, not spicy and added depth to the plate 7/10 Caesar salad - overall just okay. I prefer more dressing and the Romain was cut very small which made it harder to eat. My partner loved the anchovies on the side and said they were the best he's ever had. 8/10 Short Rib - fell off the bone and had great flavor 9/10 "Surf and turf" - came with a huge lobster tail and a 6oz filet. The lobster tail was so buttery and soft. The filet was good and matched well with the potatoes! Dessert 9/10 Crème brûlée - had the most delicious and sweet crunchy top and perfect soft interior Overall a beautiful romantic spot for dinner and drinks. Will be back again soon! read more

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Food: The food was decent but didn't quite stand out for the price. We ordered the prime rib with mashed potatoes, broccolini, and mushroom bread pudding--everything was solid but fairly standard. The shrimp scampi linguini was unexpected, with thick, round noodles rather than traditional linguini. Flavor-wise it was fine, and the prawns were large, which was a plus. The kids' macaroni and cheese was a very generous portion, but disappointing for the price since it didn't include a drink or sides. A smaller portion with fruit and a drink would have been a better value and more practical. Service: Service was the biggest issue. We had a 4:45 PM reservation for six and checked in 15 minutes early. However, we ended up waiting over 30 minutes past our reservation time. After 18 minutes, we were told outdoor seating was available. We explained we had two toddlers and a newborn, but were told it was heated--when we were finally seated, the heat lamps weren't on. Once seated, service continued to be slow. We ordered from the kids' menu right away, but the food took a long time to arrive. Drink refills were delayed even after being acknowledged, and we eventually had to ask another server just to locate ours for the check. We purposely booked an early reservation to accommodate a newborn's schedule, but the delays made that impossible. Overall: For the price point and reputation, we expected a smoother and more attentive experience. The food was fine, but the service and overall timing significantly impacted the visit. Parents - feed your kid a snack before coming since this was the second time I came and both times the table was available after the reservation time. If you have a baby that doesn't sit or eat, you still need to include them in the reservation. Only the soft drinks are refillable, not milk. There are lots of steps so be careful. There is no ramp for the stroller so plan to wheel it into the cable car or carry it down the long staircase. The restrooms are outside downstairs so preplan potty breaks. read more

This dinner was for the purpose of riding the cable car. And it was worth the trip to Capitola. The car can only fit 6 people at a time, carrying people from street level to the restaurant and back. It was a busy evening (8PM) so the line going to the restaurant was pretty long. I recommend going 20 earlier than reservation time to be able to make it on time. We were seated within 5 min of checking in. The host staff did a great job pacing and tracking tables. There was a nostalgia feeling to the restaurant. Inside had large windows with views of the water and houses across the way. Carpeted floors and Wooden tables and chairs. The drink menu was bigger than the dinner menu. We ordered a few drinks. I forget The name of the drink we ordered, but it had a flavor reminiscent of a Vietnamese dessert. Food ordered was the ahi carpaccio, black truffle gnocchi, half roasted chicken, and beef Wellington. The carpaccio had these fried shallots topping and a vinaigrette which again had a Vietnamese flavor. When the beef Wellington came out that looked like a pate chaud, Shadowbrook should be listed as American/Vietnamese cuisine. The gnocchi was creamy and pillowy. The half roasted chicken was super dry. The chicken was the only dish that was disappointing. Wait Staff were friendly and helpful. read more

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Gorgeous ambiance. They even gave us a free photo of us to celebrate our anniversary, which was a nice touch. The food was alright. I ordered a steak with mushroom and spinach, which didn't have much taste and was a bit soggy. My husband's steak was covered in gravy, which we should have just asked for on the side. Cocktails were great, though! We will come back for future special occasions. read more

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The venue, ambiance, and service were top tier here. I highly recommend taking the trolley down. When you get there there are multiple rooms with different themes (randomized seating). Favorites are the greenhouse and main room. Food was good but not amazing. I had the puff pastry, clam chowder, and black truffle gnocchi. Clam chowder 10/10 perfect Puff pastry 8/10 sauce was ok Gnocchi 7/10 could use more flavor in the cream and gnocchi texture wasn't my favorite GOOD FOR: dates, group outing, family, views (river and interior views) read more

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**3.5 - 3.75 Stars Overall** Came here for my 2 year anniversary and it was a beautiful restaurant but was a bit disappointed with the food and atmosphere. For a restaurant that "has a dress code" and advertises how it's one of the most "romantic" spots, and has signs throughout the restaurant to "turn off electronics for the experience", it didn't really seem to live up to the ideal. I was seating in an area that seemed quite crowded and loud - not really the "romantic - demure" vibe they try to portray. Perhaps have designated areas specific for smaller parties and dates and other areas for larger celebrations. Food: Clam chowder 3.5/5 - I thought the bacon pieces were a nice touch but this was nothing more than an average cup of chowder. I'm from SF and a bit of a chowder snob so maybe I'm a bit tougher. Calamari 3/5 nothing memorable, Baked Brie 4.5/5 - the jalapeño jelly(?) / jam sauce with the cheese paired so well and was enjoyable. Lobster 5/5 - perfectly cooked and buttery. The blanc sauce was creamy and amazing. Prime rib 4/5 - cooked perfectly as a medium rare Garlic mashed potatoes 2/5: way too much garlic salt. Espresso martini 2/5 - there was straight up crushed iced in the drink which I was so confused by. The server recommended shaking the martini with some baileys to make it a bit sweet and creamy which was a good suggestion but I guess the bartender poured the ice along with the drink? Honestly this would've been a 5/5 martini but the ice was just killed the glass Server 5/5 our server was very attentive and the staff always kept the table clean. The dishes would be bussed as soon as they were done. Kinda weird tho that the bag they put out to go boxes in was a compost bag. read more

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Food & service was wonderful, genuinely a wonderful experience! Would most definitely recommend stopping by this special secret spot while in Capitola! :) read more

Named one of the most romantic restaurants and seen it all over tiktok, and you know what? It lives up to its name. Staff has always been attentive. The place sits right by the riverbank which gives it great scenery while you eat lunch. The inside feels like has a home-y feel but also elegant at the same time. Waiters has always been great to make the night special. Also asked if we wanted pictures right after. It also has a small trolley to go up and down the hill if you dont want stairs, but also i recommend the stairs at least once because it the ambiance of it all just asking for some photos. Off to the food review! 5/5 - Baked Brie - One of the best things on the menu. The gelatin jalapeno spread with cheese you can't go wrong. The crunchiness of the bread with some cheese on top that is baked with some pastry outer layer just makes it all the better. Gooey, crunchy and sweet/spicy jelly, soo good. Recommend this to anyone. 3.7/5 - Pacific Rim salmon - Decided to try a non-meat this time around. Despite the plating looks amazing and defeinitely eye catching. It lacks the in-depth flavor profile that i expected. Just tasted like simple soy ginger taste. Ginger is stronger than i thought and just gives off "asian" flavor citrus ginger. Not a huge fan but the salmon was cooked beautifully and plating looks nice. 4/5 - New York Steak - Chef cooked it perfectly like we asked for. Medium- Medium Rare. Tender and juicy with also nicely cooked fries. Crunchy with a small bit of potato taste. Not a fan of steak fries but this definitely is better. 4.3/5 - Mudpie - I had hesitated from the name alone and description but waiter recommended it. Ooooh boy i was wrong. Its sweet, but defeinitely a great way to top the night off. The creaminess of the "mud" and crunchiness of the crumble pairs well. The vibes and ambiance alone is well worth the price. I recommend this to anyone that wants a romantic date night. read more

Shadowbrook - Baked Brie - American Near Me - Capitola, California

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What a stunning restaurant! Getting there is half the fun, after being dropped off at the top, you can either stroll down a garden staircase or ride the vintage "hillavator." We chose the hillavator. It fits about six people and is a cute ride down to the restaurant. Waiting for the hillavator, can be time consuming as it is an attraction of its own. Once we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly, and after a short 10-minute wait, we were guided down TWO more flights of stairs to our table.... consider it a pre-dinner workout with a reward at the end. Tread carefully if wearing heels. Our server was incredibly attentive, and the food absolutely delivered. We started with the bacon-wrapped prawns, (should really be called shrimp) then moved on to pan-seared sea scallops and beef Wellington. Every bite was phenomenal truly worth the descent. The price point is right in line with other upscale restaurants, and the experience makes it more than worth it. Come for the hillavator, stay for the food, and leave already planning your return! Grab your reservations early! read more

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This place is a classic! Great vibe, great location, amazing ambiance and they have a really good wine and cocktail list. By all means, schedule the complimentary checker taxi service, it's an added experience that makes everything truly memorable. Lots of picture worthy spots on the grounds, and the various themed rooms are fun too. While there were lots of groups and birthday celebrations, I was on a date with my partner who has never been. It was really fun sharing the experience. The service was friendly, and the food was really delicious. Lots of local ingredients, and the new chef has done an amazing job with the menu. I can't recommend this place enough, and it makes even the ordinary night out something special. read more

First time visitors for my birthday. I made reservations about a month ago. My wife and I arrived, took the funicular from street level span to the restaurant proper, and about 5 minutes before our reservation time. Waited about 15 minutes to be seated at our table...time to get drinks at the bar. Seated at a window with a lovely view of Soquel Creek. Our server, Andrew S, came to our table, saw that we already had drinks, asked if we would be wanting wine, and left us to look over the menu. He was friendly and personable but tended to speak a bit fast for us. Andrew returned, answered our questions about the menu, took our order. Our cups of artichoke soup arrived. The soup was delicious. After that, our sea scallops were brought to the table. They were also done to perfection. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. After dinner, Andrew sang happy birthday to me and took our picture. Before leaving the restaurant, we got a couple more pictures on the grounds. We then departed via the funicular. A very enjoyable birthday dinner at Shadowbrook Restaurant. read more

This was such a fun and unique dining experience, and the first "fancy" dinner for my 8 and 11 year old. While the funicular was a bit claustrophobic for me, my boys enjoyed it. We were seated in the greenhouse and given rolls and butter to start. The staff took good care of our kids and the kids menu is very accessible. They also got to color and pick a tiny toy out of a top hat at the end. My mocktail was delicious, as was the artichoke soup. My lobster was a bit chewy, but the potatoes and broccolini were great. My husband enjoyed his prime rib and we shared the chocolate lava cake which didn't really have any molten center and while good, was pretty basic. Overall, the atmosphere, vibes, decor, and waterfront setting made for a great dinner. read more

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Went out for what we thought would be a wonderful anniversary dinner. Drove 250 miles specifically for the event and must say, was very impressed with the atmosphere. When we explained that it was our anniversary, (the hostess didn't reed the notes) we were escorted down to what I'll call group seating. Not the cozy vibe that we were looking for. Dinner was fine but when we asked the waitress to box our leftovers, she brought back A box with everything dumped in the same box! And the worst part, gave it to us in a COMPOST BAG! Nearly a month later, A reoccurring charge shows up on my CC that I called to dispute! It was for missing our reservation. WHAT! I spoke with John the manager who said it was an oversight and would refund the charges. Three weeks later, still no correction to my account. My bank now closed my account due to fraud! Thanks John, Try harder! read more

Shadowbrook - Shadowbrook - American Near Me - Capitola, California

If it weren't for our waiter, this would be a one-star review. The cable car ride was the only highlight but nothing to write home about! It's cheesy, busy and way overpriced, and overall a miss for us. We were seated in the basement under the stairs and had to ask to move. Two of us ordered prime rib--they were out. The beef Wellington came out raw. Calamari was average, and the pork chop (as a replacement) was also disappointing. Wouldn't go back and don't understand the hype. read more

Shadowbrook - raw wellington - American Near Me - Capitola, California

Worth a trip to Shadowbrook! Had a very fun and much needed mom's night out. We enjoyed every moment of this amazing restaurant. From the tram ride down, to soaking up the woodsy vibes we loved our visit! It was so fun to people watch as well! Lots of families celebrating and a few awkward first dates happening all around our rowdy group of moms. We enjoyed all the yumminess, my favorite dish was the beet and burrata salad! So delish! read more

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