Johnny´s Harborside - Santa Cruz Wharf Seafood Restaurant
Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz - Basic Info:
Johnny´s Harborside
493 Lake Ave,
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-3938
| Cuisine | Seafood |
| Price | $11-30 |
| Parking | Private Lot |
| Reservations | Accepted (Reserve Online) |
| Meals Served | Lunch, Dinner |
| Payment Accepted | Cash, Credit Cards |
| Santa Cruz Take Out | Yes |
Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz - Summary:
(from metroactive.com) - A casual dining room with a wraparound view of the atmospheric Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, Johnny's Harborside specializes in fresh fish, friendly service and lots of user-friendly choices. The three-course menu plays up big flavors--think bacon-wrapped prawns and sesame salmon--and classic pasta dishes like a seafood linguine in white wine sauce.
Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz - Reviews:
Positive Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz Review:
I've eaten Johny 4 times over the past few years since they've opened and I must say it is one of the most consistent resturants I've ever been to. It's not the greatest place in the world (although it's very good), but their level of service, their food quality, their menu, and even their mixed drinks have been exactly the same everytime I've eaten there. I love to know what to expect when I go out to eat and at Johnny's I do.
-Jose M., Aptos, CA
Negative Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz Review:
My friend from Scott's Valley recommended this place, so the wife and I drove out to Santa Cruz today to check it out. Parking was metered. Yeah I know. The view was nice, there are big windows all around with awesome views of the harbor. But we stood at the entrance for a long time and nobody came to seat us. So when we finally assumed it was self seating we walked towards an empty table the server/bartend told us rather rudely that it wasn't self seating. Guess they dontteach manners on the harbor.
The food was not great. We had fish and chips and the trio of seafood tacos. The fish an chips were ok, but I guess you can't f that up too bad. The garlic fries weren't flavorful enough. The fish tacos were almost as good as the ones at. Baja Fresh, which is far less costly.
So in conclusion, parking=sucked, hostess=sucked. Bartend=sucked. Food=nothing special. Our waitress=good.
-Danny C., Los Altos, CA
Average Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz Review:
A bonifide fish house, refreshingly not touristy. Go when it is busy and the cooks are focused, that is when they truly shine. The have some truly awesome recipes. In my opinion they do suffer from inconsistent staffing, high staff turnover with limited training and rarely there, aloof and mildly snobby owners. Happy hour has some nice things going, but bar stools are uncomfortable, no feet rest. This is a place I try to love but really just like - sometimes more than others. We are lucky to have a great fish house in the harbor area.
No parking though - only metered pay parking so if you want to get free parking go the crows nest or palamar, they have a lot and will validate your parking. You can also park free on the street on weekdays or during winter.
-John B., Santa Cruz, CA
Well, we were actually hoping to eat at one our favorites for Calamari, Aldo's, accross the harbor. They obviously don't feel the need to be open the day after Thanksgiving. Johnny's Calamari appetizer beat them out easily. Will return for THAT alone, and one of their GREAT Margaritas
Upon finally being served the main course, my sauteed Scallops were mainly reminiscent of the salt level associated with Anchovies! Yuck!. I normally salt my food, however, it is hardly convenient to remove the saline saturation these otherwise tender, and fresh Scallops must have endured.
We were informed they come in a brine solution. So you don't rinse, drain, repeat until edible? The head chef made a brief appearance at our table who agreed that they were indeed, salty , and would replace them. So he did, and Voila! Still SALTY. Free drinks were offered so we went past our limit, and accepted. Another appearance this time by the owner/manager not sure, she didn't say. Free dessert, and an entree' of my choice so I accepted the offer of Snapper.. Very good.
Here's the kicker... the bill comes right? Guess what? One free drink, one free dessert, the rest, was full price. We felt very misled by what we felt was offered to us in lieu of the disgustingly salty Scallops. We would not have accepted the "free" items had we known they would be charging for them. Shamefully deceptive, and misleading. They won't get away with this again I hope.
We will return for Calamari, Margaritas.
-Martin M., Brookdale, CA
Johnny´s Harborside Santa Cruz - Photos
