Ristorante Italiano (555 Soquel Ave.), which had been serving customers since 1982, is now closed. The owners posted on their website and on social media a message that included, “It is with a heavy heart that after 42 years we must inform our loyal customers and friends that Ristorante Italiano has decided to close its doors. … It has been a privilege and honor to have been able to serve all of you.”
Staff of Life Natural Foods is partnering with Smart Chicken to support Watsonville’s Second Harvest Food Bank. Throughout November, for every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken purchased at Staff of Life in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, Staff of Life and Smart Chicken will donate one pound of chicken to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz Restaurant Week runs from Oct. 18-25. The eight-night event showcases two dozen local restaurants. Diners can choose from three-course, fixed-price dinner menus for $35, $45 or $55 depending on the restaurant. Menus often include three options each for appetizer, entrée and dessert. Learn more and view menus at santacruzrestaurantweek.com.
Registration is open until Oct. 20 for teams to enter the annual Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off, which takes place Oct. 28. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Chili (amateur and professional), People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best Theme. Two chili types are eligible: ones with meat, and vegetarian.
Local bakery Emily’s Good Things to Eat (1129 Mission St.) has permanently shut down after more than 40 years in business. The venue’s popular menu items included savory and sweet croissants, breakfast burritos, quiche, cookies and muffins. Co-owners and husband/wife Emily Reilly and Robert Nahas have retired