SANTA CRUZ
Kickin Chicken closing its doors
Food business Kickin Chicken announced it will be shutting down its business in the near future. “We currently do not have a set end date, but we hope to push this till the end of June,” they posted on social media. Read the full post and keep up to date with Kickin Chicken’s timeline on IG @kickinchickensc. Current hours are 6-10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for delivery or pickup. See full menu at kickinchicken-santacruz.hngr.co/menu. The popular “chicken, waffles and more” vendor started by doing popups in 2014 and has been operating out of the Santa Cruz Food Lounge for several years. They planned to open their first brick and mortar restaurant on Pacific Avenue at the former Joe’s Pizza & Subs space in 2020, but the pandemic made that impossible. Owner Justin Williams is grateful for the community’s longtime support. He’s not sure what will come next but knows that it will be “geared towards helping” in some way.
SANTA CRUZ
Moe’s, Firefly partner for Sunday brunch
Moe’s Alley is launching a Sundays at the Yard series from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 in its newly remodeled large outdoor space. They plan to offer entertainment and food every Sunday. Neighboring Firefly Coffee House will sell breakfast burritos, tacos and bagels (including vegan options) that will be delivered to customers’ tables. This Sunday, DJ Soulciter will be spinning “60s and 70s soul, reggae and rocksteady.” You must be 21 years old to attend, and admission is free entry. Masks are required while not at your table. Dogs are allowed but they must remain on leash.
WATSONVILLE
Three businesses combine for vegan popup Saturday
Areperia 831, Cali Dawg and Hole Foods Vegan Donuts are partnering for a vegan food popup from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday outside of The Slough Brewing Collective and Santa Cruz Cider Co. (65 Hangar Way). Attendees need to wear masks when they are not eating or drinking. Food will include vegan arepas, vegan hot dogs and vegan donuts. The event is kid- and dog-friendly, and there is outdoor seating available. Beer and cider will be available for purchase from The Slough and SCCC. The Slough has beer pickup available from noon to 8 p.m. Stay in the loop on IG @areperia831 @calidawgvegan and @vegandonuts831.
SANTA CRUZ
Best Coast Wings popup this Sunday
Longer Tables LLC is hosting a popup featuring Best Coast Wings from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at Urbani Cellar (formerly Bocci’s), 140 Encinal St. For details, visit facebook.com/events/169548161745295. The menu, with 10 wings for $12, features varieties like Moose’s Jerk Wings (ingredients include cinnamon and cloves), Korean-style (Gochujang Korean peppers, rice vinegar, garlic and more), and Aloha BBQ (seasoned with pineapple, tamari, ginger, etc.). Follow Best Coast Wings on IG @BestCoastWings.
SANTA CRUZ
Restaurant job fair on deck
The Glass Jar, which manages The Penny Ice Creamery, The Picnic Basket and Snap Taco, will hold a job fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1108 Pacific Ave. (at the Snap Taco building). Applicants will have the opportunity to learn about open positions—which span a range from entry level to management—and meet members of the team while enjoying light snacks. Read more about available positions at theglassjar.com/jobs.
APTOS
Virtual cooking class next week
Denise Ward and Mirella Savegnago will lead a virtual cooking class 6-7 p.m. May 20. Participants are encouraged to cook during the session. The menu is sesame-crusted chicken with five-spice slaw. Cost is $58 which includes ingredients from Seascape Market for two servings. A class-only option is available without ingredients. Registration is through Eventbrite until May 16; search “Cooking with Denise and Mirella.” For details, contact 831-600-5794 or denise@chowhoundcooks.com.
APTOS
Last market box of the season from Cabrillo Culinary
The Cabrillo Culinary catering class has been offering weekly themed culinary market boxes this spring, to be picked up at Pino Alto Restaurant in Sesnon House (6500 Soquel Drive, 831-479-6524). This week sees the last box of the semester for $39; it has a Mystery Box theme and selections will be “chef’s choice.” Past products have included fresh produce, housemade jam, and freshly baked bread. Customers can select optional add-on items such as preserved Meyer lemons, cranberry chutney, black garlic, and Belle Farms olive oil. Visit pinoaltorestaurant.org for details and order by 9 a.m. Friday to pick up Friday or Saturday.
FELTON
Hallcrest Vineyards anniversary party with music, food, drinks
Hallcrest Vineyards is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its historic winery and the launching of its first vintage of wine in 1941. There will be a series of events this summer and fall, and the celebration kicks off Memorial Day weekend with a two-day all ages festival featuring live music and local food and drink vendors such as Chicken Foot, Dwaeji, Wylder Space and 11th Hour Coffee. Doors open at 10 a.m. with music from noon to 6:30 p.m. Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra is the headliner on May 29, and Whiskerman headlines May 30. It’s billed as a “socially distant picnic-style limited capacity event in a big ol’ natural amphitheater.” To purchase tickets and learn more, visit eventbrite.com/e/may-day-2021-tickets-151396197101. Early bird two-day passes are sold out. Hallcrest is at 379 Felton Empire Road.
SANTA CRUZ
New tasting room, wine bar for Big Basin
Big Basin Vineyards (bigbasinvineyards.com) just announced it is going to open a new wine bar and tasting room in downtown Santa Cruz, at 525 Pacific Ave. near Front Street. The winery is aiming for a late summer opening. The venue will feature a Craftsman-style redwood bar, indoor and patio seating, and an intimate area for small group tastings. To complement the wines, there will be food pairings with selections like artisan cheese and charcuterie, curated chocolates, and Coq au Vin. Big Basin had to close its Saratoga tasting room in 2020 due to space limitations. Stay in the loop by following the winery on IG @bigbasinvineyards.
Monterey County
Tickets on sale for summer artichoke festival
The annual Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival, which was canceled last year due to shelter-in-place restrictions, is going to occur July 24-25, 2021 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds (2004 Fairground Road). The theme is “Thistle be a Good Time!” Safety and social distancing protocols will be followed. Gourmet artichoke dishes will be available, including lumpia, burritos, sausage, and cupcakes, and attendees can buy wine and beer. There will be daily cooking demos with local chefs, plus a farmers’ market, an ag education exhibit, art/craft vendors, and more. Tickets are on sale and there are a range of prices: $15 for adults; $10 for active military and seniors; $5 for youth 6-12 and free for kids under 6. Early-bird ticket packages will be on sale until July 10. Visit artichokefestival.org for details or to buy tickets. The festival was located in Castroville for many years; proceeds still benefit nonprofit organizations and programs that serve the Castroville community. The festival also gives back to others including North Monterey County schools.
Quick Bites, compiled by Tara Fatemi Walker, is your weekly helping of Santa Cruz County restaurant, food and drink news. Send items to sentinelfood@gmail.com (Sunday 7 p.m. deadline for that week’s column). Want local food & drink news as it happens? Follow the Sentinel’s food crew on Twitter (@santacruzfood); on Instagram (@santacruzfood); or on Facebook (Santa Cruz Food).
