Q-Tips Reviews

Mountain Mike Pizza – 39415 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA, (510) 490-7500, mountainmikes.com

Q-Tips say:  Our first stop with our son-in-law and grandson after flying into CA. Decent food/salad bar, TV’s everywhere, very casual, and a table game to keep the little one occupied while waiting for the pizza to arrive. Beer/Wine only.

Yes, it is a chain restaurant, but ok for families/kids of all ages.

Hidden Peak Teahouse –  1541 C Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-4200,   hiddenpeakteahouse.com 

Mrs. Q says: Wonderful quiet place to enjoy some tea and lite bites. Had a wonderful afternoon with my daughter, just talking and enjoying one another’s company alone.

Tea, service and ambiance is great, indoor/outdoor seating.  They have signs asking you to NOT use your cellphone – so you don’t hear someone saying, “can you hear me now?”

FANTACY OF LIGHTS – Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos, CA – ticket sold on line: parkhere.org

Q-tips say:  GREAT PLACE for kids of all ages. This is a County Park that is turned into a Holiday Wonderland with Lights all over.  You need to get tickets ahead of time – $20 per vehicle (up to 12 people). $50 for oversize vehicle (capacity 13 +) Choose a date/time for your convenience. Should you choose the drive thru way, you cannot get out of your car. You slowly drive thru the park and enjoy all kinds of lighted exhibits.  Truly a thrill for all ages.

Yes, at the end there are washrooms you can drive to since the exhibit is very popular and sometimes the little ones/and big people,  just need to go visit the commode.

CROW’S NEST Restaurant – 218 E Cliff Dr. Santa Cruz, CA, (831) 476-456, crowsnest-santacruz.com

Q-Tips Say:  Was always a go to restaurant when we were near Santa Cruz. Love the views, upstairs Breakwater Grill  “Half off Happy Hour Drinks and Happy Hour Bites” until this time.  We were a little disappointed this time because we asked for the “Happy Hour”  Dungeness Crab Martini, as always, – Dungeness Crab on the stem with cocktail sauce and avocado and we were told they were out – ok so we ordered something else light because we were going downstairs to have dinner with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

Went downstairs and they had the same item on the menu and low and behold we were able to order it at the full price.  Mrs. Q asked them, “what gives?” She was told they have different kitchens even tho they are in the same building and have the same restaurant name.  Hmmmmm. The waitress downstairs charged us for two salads because our son-in-law went to the salad bar and only brought back one salad but our daughter took her fork and tasted something off his salad plate therefore she had to charge us for 2 salads.  Mind you they did not go and refill the plate,  just took something off his to taste.

Seems like they want to nickle and dime you where ever they can. Can’t get it upstairs at 1/2 off but downstairs you can for full price, and no tasting anything from some else’s plate or they will charge you.  This visit left us with a little bad taste in our mouth for Crow’s Nest.  Hope they won’t charge us for the bad taste too.

•  INDIA JOZE –  418 Front St. Santa Cruz, CA, 831- 325- 3633  indiajoze.com  Q-Tips Say: Crazy hippy kind of place.  Wine/Beer only.  CASH ONLY.

  Fortunately for Mrs. Q that had champagne:  Armeli Prosecco-tiny Bubbles/Makes You Feel Happy -$7.00. One had wine and water.

  Basa Filet Wok’d w/ Vegetables in Spicy Malay Nonya Chili-Garlic-Ginger-Wine Sauce -$13.00 was enjoyed by our daughter. Mr. Q Basa Djawa $13 -Javan tamarind pesto curry with Vietnamese basa fish, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Mrs. Q had Fish & Chips $13 -Fish and Chips Joze style. Gluten-free India-breaded Basa, Crispy new potatoes, and Joze Walnut-Garlic, Organic Garlic Ketchup. The Fish & Chips was not on the board in the restaurant, but I mentioned I saw it on the internet and, no problem, the owner said, “we can do it.”

  Enjoyed our meals, the atmosphere and the lay back attitude and reasonable prices. Definitely a place to try if in the area. Yes, the owner does come around and ask how you are and did you enjoy your meals.

   

   
   
   

   

SUSHI SAN – 6231 Graham Hill Rd.,Felton, CA,  (831) 508-5070, sushisansantacruz.com

Q-Tips say:  Nice addition to the restaurants in Felton.  food was just ok , service,  atmosphere.  Our go to Sushi restaurant when in Felton.

Mrs. Q had: Combination Bento Box:  MISO SOUP, GREEN SALAD, RICE, AND PICKLE CUCUMBER, then you PICK ONE OF FOUR HOT ITEMS:CHICKEN TERIYAKI, BEEF TERIYAKI, SALMON TERIYAKI, VEGETABLE TEMPURA,PICK ONE SUSHI OR SASHIMI: SUSHI :CALIFORNIA OR PHILLY ROLL, AND 3 PIECE NICIRI), SASHIMI: MACURO • HAMACHI, AND FRESH SALMON. (2 PIECE EACH). A lot to choose from and good. A little higher priced than other restaurants but worth it with what you get. Mr. Q had the CHEF’S CHOICE SASHIMI:– Server with Miso Soup and Bowl of Rice assortment of our finest cuts.   All others had a variety of Vegetarian.

Not as good as before, nor is as clean as before.