I did some post Xmas shopping here and purchased several items at 50% off…read more This is the best gourmet shop in Santa Cruz County. I highly recommend shopping here, Jennifer, the owner, is an expert on all items she carries. If you are into high end olive oil or balsamic vinegars this is the place to purchase

I was on the hunt for Ranchi Gordo beans, found them here! The store is a pleasant surprise,…read moresituated a short walk from Gayle's. The shopkeeper was a very pleasant person with great stories! I definitely will be back, there's a menagerie of fun stuff to see in such a tiny space!

So far so good! Cute…read morelittle place for a quick dinner as we just rolled into town for valentine's weekend. Love the ambiance and the starter bread with the garlic infused olive oil is a killer!!! My wife loved the lemon spritz and we had the truffle ravioli. Hot damn that was GOOD! We will certainly be coming back in the future for the full dinner experience. Service was also spot on with friendly faces and smiles galore.

Champagne AND spaghetti?! I am so happy you can order Caruso's at Vin Vivant. A match made in…read moreHeaven! The Caruso family is so nice and the food is just delicious, pure comfort food. The Gnocchi Al Forno is the best gnocchi I've ever had. Pillowy gnocchi in a hearty, garlicky marinara. It's like eating a WARM HUG. I also love the Fettuccine Vodka and Chicken Parmesan. The complimentary bread with roasted garlic oil is such a nice gift.

Took my mother here years ago; the restaurant has been consistently on-point (i.e. great food,…read morecustomer service, etc.) Always a must if you seldom visit Aptos Village.

Lovely restaurant with fabulous service. Homey and comfortable yet still a little fancy. Open…read morekitchen, high ceilings and an Italy-meets-France vibe. I loved it. Offerings were diverse and plentiful. Once again, I was struck with wanting all of the things. My server was accommodating with my request to taste two different white wines and two different reds throughout my meal. I opted for the Chardonnay to go with the special halibut crudo, which was outstandingly prepared. The fish itself was a bit on the fishy side (especially for halibut) but I don't fault the restaurant. The treatment of the fish was perfection. I'm a bit of a Caesar salad aficionado and considered skipping Mentone's mostly because I'd just enjoyed one the night before. But I just had to try it and I'm glad I did. It was certainly not traditional but it was very well made, even better with the added anchovies ~ although I did suffer some sticker shock when I got the bill and found that those little fish were $2 each. Ooof. Switched gears to some Pinot Noir and went for the ricotta sage browned butter ravioli, which were fabulous. I probably should have stopped there but ordered the tiramisu and it was a miss for me. Just way (way) too boozy and totally lacked balance, although it was pretty. All in all, a very nice experience ~ although very pricey for a single diner. Appetizer, salad (with the pricey little fishies), entree, dessert and two 5-ounce pours of wine left my wallet $185 lighter (with tax, tip and 4% kitchen wages surcharge). I know everything is very expensive these days, but whoa. Definitely a special occasion kind of place!

Zameen is one of our favorite spots in Aptos. We visit our parents up here monthly, and it's a…read moreknown fact we stop here for our first meal if we arrive during business hours. The food quality is great each time and is always the same. We always get a bowl of Moroccan Madness soup, falafel bowl and chicken bowl. The couscous option for the bowls is our favorite. Once in a while we will also get sweet potato fries. There's plenty of seating inside, but we always opt for outdoor or takeout. You won't regret trying this place!

Did takeout from here for a picnic at the beach. We got 2 falafel gyros and our friends got the…read morechicken bowls.everything tasted great and flavorful. The pita for the gyros was big and soft and super yummy. It was more bready than a pita. The falafel gyros were stuffed with greens, falafels and feta+tahini. I docked 1 star for the favt that hot sauce was an upcharge. I haven't come across any middle eastern/Mediterranean joint which charges for hot sauce. It was flavorful enough without it but would still have liked it if it was there. Nevertheless will be visiting soon again!

Another Banger is the cutest little specialty shop in Aptos Village. It's one of the latest…read moreeditions to the new crop of fine dining/boutiques in the area, and I am here for it! This shop had so many fun gift items that my eyes were salivating, if that is even possible - haha. I loved the ceramic dishware, tile coasters, and flavored gourmet tea drop-ins. I will be returning to get my housewarming and thank you gifts here. I did have some confusion in the early months of what this store was. Based on the name, I genuinely thought it was a burger place at first (I probably just read too fast), so I hope it is obvious to others so that Another Banger gets the foot traffic it deserves because it is an adorable local store!

The name says it all. Another Banger in Aptos. This shop is super cuuuuute and I'm floored by the…read morecreativity of the curation. So many cool products all artfully arranged together. It's a gift shop, with all kinds of things, including food, ceramics, jewelry. The theme alludes to the pungent, savory, salty, flavors of the sunny Mediterranean region of Nice and Liguria, which I happen to love. It feels like a thematic complement to nearby Mentone, highlighting the European feel of our sunny California coast. I ventured in one day and then I couldn't stop thinking about how cool this new shop is. So many stores are all alike. This one is different and unique. Check it out!

Excellent food and beverages all around. The Nona's Caprese and Church are exceptionally tasty…read morevegetarian options. They also have delicious take away, heat and eat meals and sauces. And the baked goods...good luck not indulging. Castelli's coffee deli is top quality service, food and just steps away from Seacliff beach.

This sandwich shop is on a side street right before the entrance to Seacliff Beach. They have…read moreeverything you need for a picnic at the beach. We ordered a Church sandwich and a BLT. The Church was a wonderful veggie option, with toasted bread, melted mozzarella and tomatoes as the base. The BLT was basic and good, but I would probably choose something more interesting next time. We ordered our sandwiches and they were fast at putting these together for us. They have a few tables out front if you want to eat there, but we took ours to go and went to the beach.

First time trying this place out we went here based on the yelp reviews…read more Over it was great we had hot Mexican chocolate pie first day and then blueberry muffins the second day . Service is great, but I felt the portion size of the pie was a bit small for a $36. Also, the crust was too sweet, a bit sugary. The blueberry muffins were great. I'll be back to try the pizza next time .

This is a favorite stop when we go to Rio del Mar. I love how there is a parking lot for the beach,…read moreand you can easily get breakfast (bagels, coffee, pastries) or lunch (pizza!). We try to go early to avoid 17 traffic and to get a parking spot. Then we can spend the morning and early afternoon at the beach while enjoying hot, fresh food. My husband loves the Mexican hot chocolate pie and he usually gets an extra slice to bring home.

I can't say enough good things about Seascape Foods. Owners Julie and Dan have created a true haven…read moreof deliciousness, the staff is friendly and welcoming. from fresh sandwiches, and in house. baked artisan breads, and beautifully prepared foods to an incredible assortment of drinks and desserts. Their sushi is always fresh and flavorful, and the soups and lasagna are absolutely wonderful. I especially love the salads -- the tuna, quinoa, and tofu options are all fantastic. Their drink selection, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is excellent, and the whole place has a warm, friendly, "Cheers" vibe that makes you want to stay a while. It's the perfect stop for a nourishing coastal lunch or a sunset picnic at the beach or grabbing some after dinner ice cream (huge selection of Mariannes)

We were visiting the area and looking for a quick dessert. Seascape Foods had a variety of items…read morefrom fresh to packaged that fit the bill. I needed something gluten-free, so we purchased Marianne's chocolate dipped bananas. Checkout was quick and friendly. If you're looking for a quick bite or want to get some ingredients to prep your own, Seascape is a convenient go-to.

My first time here today and it won't be my last.A charming cafe with fancy decor…read more I got a cup of hot chocolate with wip cream and an avocado toast.Very tasty.In a small strip mall so there is plenty of parking

The cutest little spot with the best service! The ambiance is this French bistro with the cutest…read moredecor! The fresh baked goods were insane and the lattes are wonderful! If they have their bacon and green onion scone do not sleep on it!

Cute local market. Nice gift and wine selection along with grocery basics. Kind of like a mini…read moreWhole Foods.

This store has all sorts of organic produce, several kinds/sizes of bottled water, dozens of teas,…read moretinctures, spices, unusual ingredients, and even gift items like ceramics, candles, utensils, and so on. More categories of products than I can remember. Staff is helpful and knowledgeable, the store is very clean and well organized, and parking is easy. Things are pricey here, but you get what you pay for.