After five months of extensive renovations, The Picnic Basket in Santa Cruz has reopened with greatly expanded offerings (like a frittata panini with housemade sweet chile jam, and a Southwest Bowl with sweet potato, quinoa, pinto beans, and more) and seating options.
TEDxSantaCruz's conference returns to Cabrillo College April 13. This is the first TEDxSantaCruz event since December 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on in-person events.
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.”
The Gourmet Grazing on the Green fest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in Aptos Village Park. The annual food, wine and beer festival brings together 60-plus local farmers, chefs, winemakers, brewers, distillers, artisans, restaurateurs, and other vendors.
Britannia Arms is donating 50% of proceeds all day long on Sept. 27 to the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project (an all-volunteer community group). Breakfast starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and dinner. The group is raising funds to enhance the city of Capitola’s Wharf Resiliency and Public Access Project creating extra features like picnic tables.