| |
|
| |
For day-trip Vacation Inspiration, here are some links:
www.monterey.org
- check out the MONTEREY AQUARIUM w/new exhibits: voted the BEST in the country!
www.santacruz.com/attractions
the beach is only 20 minutes away!
For the Kids, and the kid-in-you: check out Roaring Camp Railroads with a historic ride through the Redwoods, or down to the boardwalk & amusement park in Santa Cruz
(15 minute driving distance from Villa to old-fashioned train depot)
Buy your train-tickets in advance!
www.roaringcamp.com
For Wine-lovers, here are excerpts from
"IN WINE COUNTRY, by Mary Babbitt, 2007:
....From larger wineries to small, family run operations, the Santa Cruz Mountains is home to more than 50 wineries. Where Napa Valley tasting rooms can sometimes feel like prime tourist destinations, in the Santa Cruz Mountains it’s a far more intimate experience with almost no crowds... We recently visited BURRELL SCHOOL Vineyards and Winery on Summit Road. This quirky little winery is located in an old school house, which was first built in 1890... Get caught slurping wine in the tasting room and you may get detention: writing the Burrell School mantra on the chalkboard, “I promise to sip my wine, I promise to sip my wine”... How about a winery where you can hike first and taste later? PICHETTI Winery has miles of well-maintained trails in an open space preserve right outside the tasting room doors... Also on Montebello Road is perhaps the best-known and top pedigreed winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, RIDGE Vineyards..."
For maps and information on TOURING LOCAL WINERIES go to link: www.losgatoschamber.com/wineries.html
For Favorite Restaurants - only 10 minutes away in downtown "Old Town" Los Gatos:
try sophisticated STEAMER'S GRILL 408-395-2722; or CALIFORNIA BAR & GRILL 408-354-8118 for cuisine and ambience at its best; (plus wonderfully inventive and healthy children's menus for a special family outing!)
For additional information on the many boutique shops, and excellent restaurants in Old Town Los Gatos go to: www.losgatosca.gov
For Superb Shopping, Cuisine, and Cinema -
with European Open Boulevard Style -
try Award Winning SANTANA ROW in San Jose; only 25 minutes away:
www.SantanaRow.com
- Dinner Reservations highly recommended: List of favorite restaurants on Santana Row:
LEFT BANK
377 Santana Row
Ph. 408.984.3500
An authentic Parisian-style brasserie. Chief Culinary Officer, Roland Passot, whose exceptional culinary skills have inspired international critical acclaim, offers a simple, seasonally-changing menu for which Left Bank is known. Open daily for lunch and dinner with full bar.
Highlights include spacious dining areas, an open kitchen with French rotisserie, the bustling activity of the bar and oyster bar.
MAGGIANO'S
3055 Olin Avenue
(sidestreet of Santana Row)
Ph. 408-423-8973
Maggiano's Little Italy specializes in serving lavish family style portions of authentic Southern Italian cuisine in a vibrant, old world, warm and inviting atmosphere. From authentic pasta to prime steaks and seafood, it's all made from scratch - always robust, hearty and memorable. Maggiano's also features beautiful private banquet facilities which provide the perfect setting for company meetings, family celebrations or special events. This is the first Maggiano’s in Northern California.
PIZZA ANTICA
334 Santana Row
Ph. 408.557.8373
Enter a pizzeria in a class of its own. Restaurant veterans, Tim Stannard owner of the notable restaurant The Village Pub in Woodside, California, Brannin Beal, overseer of the successful Postino and Tomatina restaurants in Northern California, and Gordon Drysdale of the award-winning Gordon’s House of Fine Eats in San Francisco, have joined forces to create Pizza Antica. Pizza Antica brings together the rustic traditions and old-world quality of Neapolitan hearth-baked pizzas, and combines them with the bounty of fresh produce and fine artisan ingredients from California.
CONSUELO MEXICAN BISTRO
377 Santana Row
Ph. 408-260-7082
Consuelo Mexican Bistro is a full service restaurant that serves authentic Mexican food in a small plate/family style format. In addition to the food, Consuela also features a full Latino drink bar to complement the exquisite flavors of the food. The environment takes you back to the early 1900s when French influence was combined with Mexican architecture.
STRAITS CAFE
333 Santana Row
Ph. 408.246.6320
Make Straits Cafe Restaurant your next oasis of escape. Renowned Chef, Chris Yeo's exotic fusion of Singaporean and Southeast Asian family style dishes are combined with a warm tropical Asian ambiance. A favorite with the locals. www.straitsrestaurants.com
BLOWFISH SUSHI To Die For
355 Santana Row
Ph. 408.345.3848
Blowfish Sushi is an eclectic sushi bar and restaurant that serves both modern and traditional sushi, sashimi, and teppan dishes, as well as, salads, noodles, and special desserts. Featured items are Pufferfish, Ostrich, and Duck. The menu style is called Asian Fusion and emphasizes clean, pure healthy foods that create a sense of euphoria.
AMBER INDIA
1140 Olsen Drive
(sidestreet of Santana Row)
Ph. 408-248-5400
Modern elegance, comfort and sophistication. An inspired menu boasts delectable Indian Cuisine of both traditional and contemporary dishes made with the finest and freshest ingredients.
Exquisitely presented menu options, delicious dessert temptations, and friendly, enthusiastic service ensure a memorable dining experience.
SINO
377 Santana Row
Ph. 408-247-8880
Come experience the hottest new restaurant and lounge on Santana Row, Sino. Chris Yeo, renowned chef and owner of Straits Cafe, has done it again! Sino combines being the hippest Metropolitan restaurant and lounge in the Bay Area, while serving family style modern delectable Chinese influenced dishes. With sleek modern lines, tinted dim lighting, and chic Asian influenced decor, you'll be sure to impress and be impressed at Sino. www.sinorestaurant.com.
VINTAGE WINE BAR
368 Santana Row
Ph. 408-260-1115
Located in the middle of Santana Row Park, Vintage Wine Bar is THE hottest wine bar in town. Whether you are looking for a casual Cabernet or a White Burgundy, over 25 wines by the glass are available for you to choose from, including several champagnes by the glass. And of course, our signature artisan cheese and charcuterie plates are available to accompany with your wine.
THIS LIST IS CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATED. Check back for information on wonderful outings in Saratoga, and Santa Cruz.
- as well as other local attractions!
|
|
 |
|
