Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz
Ristorante Avanti
1711 Mission Street,
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 427-0135
| Cuisine | American, California, European, Italian, Mediterranean |
| Dining Style | Fine Dining |
| Parking | Free, On-site |
| Reservations | Recommended / Suggested |
| Dress | Casual |
| Payment Accepted | Check, Traveler's Check, Invoice, American Express, Cash, MasterCard, Paypal, Visa |
| Meals | Business Dinner, Business Lunch, Dinner, Lunch |
| Neighborhood | Santa Cruz |
Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz - Summary:
(From RistoranteAvanti.com) - Twenty years ago we converted an old deli located in a strip mall to a restaurant. We loved the location in heart of the westside Santa Cruz neighborhood, just down the hill from University of California. We decided to create the restaurant with the spirit of one you would find in an Italian village, but adapted to it’s roots in California. (In fact, the naming inspiration for the restaurant was the Studebaker “Avanti”—a car designed by Raymond Loewy. In 1987 so much of restaurant food was (and still is) prepared from processed and packaged products with artificial flavorings and preservatives, and Italian food was mainly the heavy red sauce style. We wanted to prepare food as naturally and simply as possible, using organic produce, wholesome oils, and real Italian cheeses and meats.
Twenty years later…Our food has evolved to include the influences of other Mediterranean cuisines (primarily France and Spain), and the commitment to quality ingredients has deepened in ways we could only dream of as our WONDERFUL local food system developed. We are so lucky to be located here in Santa Cruz, as the resurgence of sustainable farming practices in this country can in large part be traced back to it’s roots here, back to 1967 when Alan Chadwick came to UC Santa Cruz to help form what is now known as “The Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture”. The training received and research done there has had a powerful ripple effect upon the sustainable farming movement around the world, but especially here, as several of the early apprentices began to test their new found knowledge by starting small organic farms in the area. And they kept coming…
Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz - Reviews:
Positive Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz Review:
This restaurant is a mixed bag for me and my family. I love this place for the quality of the food (organic, local, and sustainable), and I feel like I get warm vibes from the people whom work there, but I can see a little touch of snobbery in the attitudes from some of the wait staff. Very strong woman presence. If someone is coming in from out of town, this is a great place to go, because you can get a real feel for the more positive side of Santa Cruz, especially if local and organic matter to you. My children love the coloring menu, and the sweet food options they have (especially the hand made ice cream sandwich that comes at the end, yummmm). The noise level can be a bit much at the height of dinner hour. My sweety doesn't like going because he says the portions are too small (and he is a relatively small guy, whom is mostly a vegetarian with the exception of fish) I think they could be a little bigger on some dishes, but all in all I prefer quality rather than quantity, so I think it is perfect, but sad for me that this place is my favorite and not his.
I recommend everything here.. the calamari is excellent, the caesar salad is so tasty. The polenta appetizer is fabulous, and all the fish dishes I have loved, but wish they would give better menu explanations of the dish, so ask the server. There have been times where I imagine the dish to look one way and it will come out looking totally different.
Just went last night and can't wait to go back again! Cheers.
-Tina B, Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Negative Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz Review:
WORST DINING experience I have EVER had in my LIFE!!!!
We were referred to this place by local friends. Considering I go to Santa Cruz at least 20 - 40 throughout the year... Im always looking for good local places to eat. Especially ones that focus on local farmers.
NEVER AGAIN. I will also make sure I tell as many people as I can to NOT go to this restaurant.
1). Make sure you check your bill. I spent $300.00 with family there, and they over-charged us for the Panna Cotta. The menu said it was $7.00, but they charged us $8.00. At first we didnt want to make a big deal out of $3.00 + tax, but now I wish I should have.
2). 2 days later, they called me to tell me that we STOLE THE SUGAR SHAKER from the restaurant... and they didnt want to make a big deal about it. We had TWO options: A). was to return the sugar shaker no questions asked, or B). They will charge us $25.00 for the shaker.
I assured them that I wouldn't risk my job for a stupid $25.00 sugar shaker. I PROMISED them that we DID NOT take the sugar shaker. They pushed that we did because we were the only people sitting at that table the whole night.
They called 15 minutes later to apologize, saying that they found the shaker and that they hope we accept their apology. They didn't offer anything except for an "I'm Sorry". I had planned to go back THIS Wednesday to bring another group of friends... but NOT ANYMORE. Not ever.
These people are rude, and accusing me and my family of stealing was absolutely ridiculous. Like I said, I will not be coming back, and I will make sure I tell as many people about my HORRIBLE experience. They made me feel like a criminal.
-Margo G, Menlo Park, CA
Average Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz Review:
Overall, food was decent but service not so great. Minestrone soup was solid, calamari was good,and my chicken and fusilli wasn't bad. My wife had the roasted chicken with polenta. Chicken was dry, polenta not so great , and the sauce poured over that whole dish was overpowering. Took awhile to get seated even though plenty of tables. Took about 15 minutes before the waitress made it over. After the first course we didn't see her again for 10 more minutes. The rest of the meal she did well - but they definitely need to add staff !!!
-Fred G., San Francisco, CA
Avanti Restaurant Santa Cruz - Photos:
