Alderwood Santa Cruz

My son and my wife went here and wrote the review. An upscale American bistro with attention to detail. You change the menu daily and combine many different flavors. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very tight. They started with the old fashion and a number of oysters that were delicious, so we order another round of oysters. They served them a champagne and chili sauce. For the main course they ordered the Waygu Burger and added egg and bacon. Delicious, but they wanted to be served with Fritten. For dessert they had a classic cream brûlée and a chocolate goose cake with edible gold on it. It was a very elegant dessert. A great experience.

Alderwood comes with all the elements we use in New York's best new restaurant scene: exposed filament lighting, a 20-foot high high high-end bottle wall, a 10-hole open kitchen, a Cook Prix Fixe menu, excellent waiting staff and definitely: Manhattan prices. It really feels transplanted from the West Village. But there are some Santa Cruz elements that are also great; You can have a delicious two-patent cheeseburger for $16, and you can also BYO wine. Everything you get will taste incredible. Can't wait to get back to the burger!

I absolutely loved everything about this place! My boyfriend and I drove from an hour away just to go here for our 1 year anniversary, I found the restaurant recommended in the Michelin Guide. I'm so happy with my experience, everything was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and it was such a treat to be seated right by the kitchen and get to watch the chefs in action through the glass walls. I've always wanted to try hen-of-the-woods since I'm a mushroom fanatic, and the dish we got as an appetizer did not disappoint at all. I would love to come back sometime for another special occasion!

Alderwood almost feels out of place in Santa Cruz but I appreciate that when I want to splurge and get a great chef inspired dining experience without having to drive over the hill. Delicious food, great drinks and quality bar selection. Service is clean, warm and seating is comfortable. Highly recommend reservations. Best Hen of the Woods smoked (vegetarian) cheeseburger I've ever had!!

We had a wonderful dinner in Alderwood. The food was delicious and worth the prices. My favorite was the Hen of the Woods Mushroom Bowl. The flavors on each dish were on point. But there is a disadvantage that still keeps me in my head. We arrived 10 minutes before the opening, and we had no reservations. We asked the host if they allowed walk-ins, and she said they had limited walk-in spots, but that she couldn't take us up until 5:00. She asked us to wait aside, but when two more couples of walkable guests arrived before 5:00, they sat right away! I brought it to the hostess and we got the last walkable seats...