Quick Bites: Four Streams Noodles Opens in Aptos

New Dining Options in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County continues to expand its vibrant food and drink scene with new openings, seasonal menus, and unique events. From cozy noodle shops to holiday-themed offerings and wine pairings, there's something for every palate.

Four Streams Noodles Opens in Aptos

Four Streams Noodles, located at 257 Center Ave. next to Manuel’s, has officially opened its doors. The menu features a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, including Chinese crullers (fried dough twists), grilled mushroom skewers, meat and fish skewers (available in beef, pork, chicken, or shrimp), pan-fried pork-stuffed pancakes, and several noodle selections like Zha Jiang. This dish consists of handmade thick noodles topped with a sauce made from minced pork and fermented soybean paste.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 831-661-5173. It is operated by the same owners as Four Streams Kitchen, located at 7960 Soquel Drive.

Sourdough Pop-Ups from Melo

Melo Bread owner and baker Kevin Grenz is preparing to open a plant-based bakery at 532 Main St. In the meantime, he is offering pop-ups on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These pop-ups feature “valley” loaves, a country-style bread. To stay updated, visit melobread.com or follow @melobread on Instagram.

Holiday Menus at La Bahia Hotel & Spa

La Bahia Hotel & Spa, located at 215 Beach St., has released special holiday menus for its signature restaurant, High Tide. On December 24 and 25, a $190 five-course menu will be served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Executive chef Fernando Reyes has crafted this menu, which includes a Champagne toast. Highlights include black cod with matsutake dashi, tatsoi, and pickled shimeji mushrooms, and a fourth course featuring either Australian lamb loin or grilled New York strip.

On New Year’s Eve, High Tide will offer a $220 five-course prix fixe menu, also available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Choices include lobster Chawanmushi with shiitake mushroom, uni, and negi, or local Petrale sole with green curry, sugar snap peas, and cipollini onion.

Reservations can be made by calling 831-281-7009 or visiting opentable.com. For more details, visit labahiahotel.com.

Holiday Corner at Tramonti

Tramonti, located at 528 Seabright Ave., has introduced a temporary Christmas corner inside the restaurant. Customers can find Italy-crafted Panettone, Tramonti’s “O” olive oil, and private label wines: “T” Chianti and pinot grigio. The shop is open during normal restaurant hours:

• Monday–Thursday: noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.
• Friday: noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30–9:30 p.m.
• Saturday: noon to 9:30 p.m.
• Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.

Freshly made catering trays are also available for the holidays, including lasagna and tiramisu. Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.

Tasting on Tap at Saison Cellar & Wine Bar

Saison Cellar & Wine Bar, located at 222 Mount Hermon Road, is hosting a drop-in tasting with winemaker Samuel Louis Smith from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. The cost is $40 per person, which includes light charcuterie and cheese. Reservations are recommended and can be made at thethirdplace.is/event/tasting-with-winemaker-samuel-louis-smith.

Samuel Louis Smith, based in Santa Cruz, focuses on organically farmed mountainous vineyard sites across the Central Coast, producing limited releases of chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot noir, and cool climate syrah. For more information, contact 831-200-8312 or visit saisoncellarsv.com.

Mutari Chocolate for the Holidays

Mutari Craft Chocolate, formerly located in downtown Santa Cruz, is offering holiday items for local pick-up or delivery, with nationwide shipping available until December 18. Selections include truffle gift boxes (some with collaborations with Venus Spirits and Big Sur Salts), hot chocolate mix, White Label single origin chocolate bars, and more. Visit mutarichocolate.com to place orders.

Farmers’ Market Updates

The downtown farmers market, operated by Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets, has adjusted its hours. It now opens at 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday on Cedar Street from Walnut to Church. There will be no market on December 24 or December 31 due to the holidays. Gift certificates are available at all markets and can be used at any vendor.

Additionally, a holiday craft fair featuring 10-plus artists will take place at the Westside market (Mission Street Extension and Western Drive) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday.

Seasonal Cookie Gifts from Pacific Cookie Co.

Pacific Cookie Co., located at 1203 Pacific Ave., has introduced a new cookie gift tower with a redwood forest theme. This box includes a label featuring a painting of “Tiger Lilies” by local artist Tessa Hope Hasty. Other themed towers include peace and joy, with artwork by local artists. Customers can choose one or two cookie flavors to put in the boxes (which hold a dozen cookies). Orders can be placed in-store or shipped directly to a gift recipient anywhere in the U.S.

For more details, visit pacificcookie.com.

Menu Additions at Persephone

Persephone, located at 7945 Soquel Drive, has added new dishes to its menu. These include chanterelles with roasted sweet potatoes, braised kale, red wine shallot sauce, and parmesan cream on a bed of lentils, and seared strip loin (Manhattan cut steak with polenta, creamy portobello, sautéed chard, and balsamic reduction).

Lillian’s Brings Back Happy Hour

Lillian’s Italian Kitchen, located at 1148 Soquel Ave., has resumed its happy hour from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Discounts include $3 off all draft beer, $5 garlic Parmesan fries, and $10 crispy Brussels sprouts with Stracciatella cheese and aged balsamic.

Wine and Potato Chip Pairing at Pelican Ranch Winery

Pelican Ranch Winery, located at 2364 Bean Creek Road, is hosting a wine and chip pairing from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event costs $15 and includes four wines paired with four types of Hawaiian Kettle Potato Chips, along with live ukulele music by Ben Davis.

Tickets on Sale for Big Sur Foragers Festival

Tickets are now available for the annual Big Sur Foragers Festival, scheduled for January 22–25, 2026. One of the key attractions is the Fungus Face-off at Big Sur Lodge on January 24, with face-off tickets priced at $125. Attendees will have the chance to sample mushroom creations by various chefs and enjoy wine from multiple wineries.

For more information and to purchase tickets for all events, including wild foraging walks and mushroom hikes, visit bigsurforagersfestival.org. A portion of proceeds will go to the Big Sur Health Center.

Quick Bites, compiled by Tara Fatemi Walker, is your weekly helping of Santa Cruz County restaurant, food, and drink news. Send items to sentinelfood@gmail.com (Sunday 7 p.m. deadline for that week’s column). Want local food & drink news as it happens? Follow the Sentinel’s food crew on X @santacruzfood.