Party

There was not a better place to be two Saturday's ago than the Scott's House. Why? Because wife Mari made what was going to be an informal, outdoor gathering of a few friends (old and new) into a full-fledged party replete with lots of food, a full bar, a dance floor, and a drawing for door prizes! At right, Mari is being hugged by Birthday Girl Norma after the party was well on its way.

We haven't had such a gathering for many, many years. The occasion was ostensibly to show off the work we've done on the house since last Fall including the Scott's Guest House (http://www.ScootsGuestHouse.com ; http://www.vrbo.com/304134) which we've made a vacation rental. So of course we invited those that helped us such as Tony, Salvador, and their families. Lots more work to do on the house but it was time to celebrate what we've finished.

There were two major door prizes. Friend Bill and his wife Joanne won two nights at Scott's Guest House as second prize. First prize was two nights at our Las Vegas condo that also included breakfast, car, and driver. It was appropriate that Birthday Girl Norma won the big prize.

Why wait two weeks to blog about the party? In college we believed a party wasn't over until the booze was done. Getting older, a party isn't over until the leftover food is done. The party is now over.

Totoro Sushi

Friend Greg, wife Mari and I were looking for something other than the tried and true sushi place. You must know that Mari is rather picky about her sushi. Friend Tony who claims to also be a sushi aficionado suggested Totoro Sushi at Mission Street in Santa Cruz. He particularly recommended the Dragon Roll.

Being hungry we set off right away and it was a good thing. Parking in front is limited during good times but this was early on a Friday night. We were lucky to pull in just as another car was pulling out. Totoro was just as busy as we got the last free table right by the door. We kept our coats on because of the draft from all the waiting customers lining up by the door. The clientele was really young; probably because of the relative proximity of UCSC (University of Santa Cruz). Did the food warrant this growing crowd?

Mari ordered the Chirashi pictured left and thoroughly enjoyed it saying it was a great deal of fresh sushi compared some other places. Greg and I each ordered bento boxes with three entrees that were very satisfying. But we had unfinished business of trying the Dragon Roll that Tony favored. So we ordered that as well and were not disappointed. For many people a single Dragon Roll would suffice for lunch or a light supper.

The service was attentive for such a crowded space. We even had time to ask 'What is Totoro?' Mari, a native-born Japanese had never heard of it the term. Turns out Totoro is a character in a Japanese anime film. I bet the much younger clientele around us knew that already. But it was worth showing our age and ignorance to be able to chat with our young, blond waitress in black cocktail dress. I suspect that Tony has more reasons to recommend Totoro than simply the Dragon roll.

Jia Tella

Wife Mari wanted something different but I didn't want to drive too far for just lunch. So I thought of the Cambodian restaurant in the strip mall at the other end of Scotts Valley. Jia Tella had gotten good reviews but neither of us knew what kind of food to expect. If you like Thai, if you like Vietnamese, you'll love Jia Tella.

The experience was made all the better because as we were sitting down in the outdoor courtyard, we were surprised and joined by our friends Emi and Loren. They said they come to Jia Tella once a week for lunch and are never disappointed. They told us that the food is authentic (even though it is owned by a Scotts Valley family) because the cooks are from Cambodia. What I like about the menu is that they are not trying to teach me the Cambodian language. It is in easily understood English.

Although Jia Tella is a bit expensive for lunch (Mari ordered a great Mango Salmon for $12.95), I had one of five lunch specials (Chicken Curry for $8.95). All ingredients were very fresh and tasty. You order your meal first and then they bring it to your table. Inside was a bit dark so opt for the sunny courtyard if at all possible. Some nights Jia Tella has live music on thier courtyard stage so that is the plan for our next trip. We'll let you know how it is.

Hollins House

Mari and I had chosen Hollins House before for special dinner occasions so we were interested when the paper said they were now open for breakfast and lunch as well. Hollins House was the home of Marion Hollins, famous golfer and feminist. It sits above semi-private Pasatiempo, a historic Top 100 golf course designed in 1929 by Alister MacKenzie who also designed Augusta National where the Masters is played. I'm not a golfer so I'm not wowed by the history. But you get a sense of the decor; lots of black & white pictures of golf legends in a grand, old but still cozy home.

Hollins House was doing breakfast and lunch because the MacKenzie Bar & Grill in the Clubhouse next door was being remodeled. My dear old mother gave us a great travel tip years ago: for a great value have breakfast or lunch at a golf course. You get good food and service because you are indistinguishable from the golfers who just laid down $100's to play a round. You always get a great view of the manicured greens and fairways and at Hollins House you also get a great panoramic view of the Monterrey Bay!

It was a beautiful early Spring day when we sat down on wrought iron garden furniture on the stone patio outside. We didn't have a camera but the view was better than this one above from their website. There was no fog and we could make out details on the Santa Cruz wharf.

Enough of the ambiance. Mari ordered and actually finished the MacKenzie Black Angus Burger (8oz Patty with choice of Swiss, Pepper Jack or Cheddar Cheese) including the fries. I thought my Philly Cheese Steak (Shaved Creek Stone Farms Sirloin, Muenster Cheese Spread, Caramelized Onions & Pasilla Peppers on Cuban Roll) was great, but not authentic. Not nearly enough fat for a truly 'Philly' sandwich. But great nonetheless.

Service was very attentive, but not overbearing or rushed at all. We asked about the move to breakfast and lunch and learned that (by now) MacKenzie's is back in business and Hollins House will still do lunch going forward. That's good news.

This is My Blog on Santa Cruz

Welcome to my blog. I'm Steve, a computer marketing professional living in Santa Cruz, California. Why am I starting a blog about Santa Cruz? It might be because Santa Cruz was recently named the Number 2 Recreation City in the US by Relocate Amerca (http://RelocateAmercia.com). It might be that my wife and I raised our family here over the last 25 years. Or it might be that when driving home over the Highway 17 summit, the stale air of Silicon Valley quickly changes to cool, crisp, inviting ocean air.

We live on an acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains with a redwood forest in the back but close to a highway exit and thus just minutes away from all to see and do in Santa Cruz; beaches, parks, restaurants, shops, wineries, and lots of outdoor recreation.

If you hear 'Santa Cruz' you might think surfing and you'd be right. But I don't surf. The Bay is cold. But Santa Cruz weather is the best. When its hot inland we have the cool ocean breeze. When its cold elsewhere, we have the moderating influence of the sea. Forget your winter coat but bring lots of layered clothing.

Wife Mari disagrees with me on Santa Cruz weather. She likes hot sun every day. So we have a second home in Las Vegas. But we have friends in both places and our favorite places to eat, activities to do, and things to see as well. Here I will be blogging about our familiar local Santa Cruz favorites as well as new discoveries and surprises.

Have a look around. You may also be interested in my other blog about Las Vegas (http://StevesLasVegas.blogspot.com). And you might like our websites on Scott's Guest House (http://www.scottsguesthouse.com) and Maris Las Vegas Getaway (http://www.marislasvegasgetaway.com).