Recommend a Santa Cruz area restaurant....

In between MBK and the Davenport tournies my wife and I are going to stay at a hotel in Santa Cruz and we're trying to find a good place to have dinner. Neither of us has ever been to Santa Cruz before, and unfortunately I'm not getting many ideas trolling Yelp for restaurant reviews.
Help us out! 

We're trying to find a moderately priced, local restaurant where we can get a good meal with a nice glass of wine, or perhaps a bottle or two!  .  We would prefer not to go to a chain restaurant or a really fancy or expensive place, but we aren't looking to eat at the Sizzler either. 
Our favorite places are usually funky little cafes and/or locally owned restaurants. Any suggestions?    

Don't know if you like Thai food?  If you do then there's a good one on Mission Street which my wife and I went there several times.  Below is the comprehensive list of all restaurants/bars in Santa Cruz.  Hope this help:

http://www.restauranteur.com/ca/santacruz/specsvcs.htm#Happy%20Hour

Italian:              Lillian's    On Soquel DR.
Japanese:          Totoro     On Mission
Less expensive    Carpos     In Soquel
Pizza                  Kianti's     Santa Cruz Mall
Italian                Bocci's celler   Out by Costco


There are others, but these will get you started.  

Ristorante Italiano is always fantastic. You may need a reservation for a Sat. night. Extra yummy, generous servings & a full bar too. Great outdoor seating, but indoors is also nice. They have a cool atrium over the bar. The restaurant is in the old Santa Cruz county hospital building on Soquel.
Just up the street The Crepe Place is also very good and locally popular. Crepes of all types, and a full bar too.
Both of these are on Soquel and there's decent parking all around.

I see Lillian's italian kitchen mentioned. I've heard it's great, but I've never been able to walk in (there's always a line out the door!) Lillian's is on Soquel between Ristorante and Crepe place. There's 3 candidates within walking distance of each other!

Ristorante Italiano is always fantastic. You may need a reservation for a Sat. night. Extra yummy, generous servings & a full bar too. Great outdoor seating, but indoors is also nice. They have a cool atrium over the bar. The restaurant is in the old Santa Cruz county hospital building on Soquel.
Just up the street The Crepe Place is also very good. Crepes of all types, and a full bar too.
Both of these are on Soquel and there's decent parking all around.

I see Lillian's italian kitchen mentioned. I've heard it's great, but I've never been able to walk in (there's always a line out the door!) Lillian's is on Soquel between Ristorante and Crepe place. There's 3 candidates within walking distance of each other!

Perfect! Theresa was asking me about finding an Italian place! Thanks Sean!

This one is good for a date night too:

http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/

Hi FJ:

   I like the Crows' Nest at the West Harbor. The Crows' Nest  has outdoor seating with a View of the Harbor and Coast. I like the Salad Bar and Ahi Tuna.
                                                                                   Sea-ya
                                                                                   Ernie
Reviews

http://www.yelp.com/biz/crows-nest-restaurant-santa-cruz
                                                                          

If you want the best in between Monterey and Santa Cruz you must eat Phil's Fish Market
in Moss Landing. For breakfast Linda's Seabright Cafe in Santa Cruz or Chill Out on 41st Ave
for the best breakfast burrito's fat and cheap


http://www.philsfishmarket.com/

http://www.seabreezecafe.com/

If you want the best in between Monterey and Santa Cruz you must eat Phil's Fish Market
in Moss Landing. For breakfast Linda's Seabright Cafe in Santa Cruz or Chill Out on 41st Ave
for the best breakfast burrito's fat and cheap


http://www.philsfishmarket.com/

http://www.seabreezecafe.com/

Yep, those are all solid too. I've not been to Phil's, but I haven't heard a negative word about it.
*****************************
JMPNFSH, your avatar is pretty creative. I love that the fish's eyes are blacked out too.

ditto on the Shadowbrook or Ristorante Italiano.  Both kind grinds.  Ristorante has patio dining that is really lovely. 

I'd also check out the Sunset Restaurant at Chaminade Resort.  If they still have their dinner seafood buffet, its pretty killer.  800.283.6569.

for japanese food, shogun on pacific ave and mexican is great at El Palomar on the same street.

Las Palmas Taco Bar... 

 

  Sushi or Japanese   Takara,  off 41st  (Across from Sears automotive)
  Ideal bar & grill  right at the wharf,
  Seabright brewery,
 
These are a few of the places we frequent. 

I love Phils at Moss Landing great seafood grub!

i dont go up to santa cruz a lot but when I do I almost always eat at  El Palomar  its a fancy mexican food spot right in the middle of the downtown "strip"  super good food really nice atmosphere but not too nice.Amazing chile verde plate.  or if you want a lot of food the carne asada tacos from Taqueria Vallarta are good but sounds like the first spot is your better bet.