Shadowbrook Restaurant — Restaurant in Capitola

If you want a cute ambiance, this is the place! If you want good service and food worth the price, consider going else where. It is quite sad this place has high ratings simply because of the fad and esthetic of the restaurant. It is pretty, the gondola is fun, but that’s it. My husband and I ate here by accident (not realizing it was a insta famous place) for my birthday weekend and was truly disappointed. I’ll break down my review by service and food:

Service: As soon as we were greeted by the hostess, it should have been a red flag. She simply asked if we had reservations. Since we did not she literally said “sit wherever you want.” No questions, didn’t inquire if this was our first time, she provided no explanation of the sitting options, which apparently is quite a few rooms.

Once we sat ourself in the patio, we weren’t greeted at all by the waiters even though they were walking right past us servicing the other three tables around us. We waited about 10 min when I finally was able to catch one of the waiters to ask who is our waiter and he responded “me” and said he would get us menus. I understand waiters have a lot on their plates but while he walked right past us, several times, he could have introduced himself and left us know he would get us our menus once he finished closing the other tables. Once we got our menus and he introduced himself, he did apologize for the business but it doesn’t take away how long we waited and the lack of acknowledgment. I don’t know why we didn’t walk away as this was the second red flag (first, not so host of a hostess).

Food: Third red flag was when the table across us returned their lamb because it was over cooked. It honestly unsettled me because I order a medium steak with the lobster. When I received my steak it was definitely well done and I immediately informed the waiter. They took my whole plate (including the lobster and greens) and when they returned the plate, the lobster it was rubbery and the greens were lumpy from being under heat lamp (I assume). Then the steak looked much smaller than my original 6oz and it was just thrown on the plate. It was not quite medium but at least it had some red. My husband got the scallops and they were decent but we have had better for the price. We also got the calamari and it was decent, but the real winner in all of this was actually the clam chowder! If you go for anything, then go for the clam chowder since it is flavorful and was served at a good temperature.

In all, with three red flags, I blame myself for not leaving earlier or just walking away when I got my plate the second time. I wish I could be one those people who just up and leaves… but I didn’t so here I am leaving a review hoping something is done about it.

Not sure what the hype is for this place other than it has a super unique atmosphere and is cute for the gram (yes, I said gram! Lol). Maybe Sunday evenings are not their best service times, not sure… but if this other peoples experience, I encourage people to stop praising mediocre service/food and leave honest reviews… honest reviews may be helpful for management or people like myself who simply wanted to enjoy good seafood...

An Enchanted Evening at Shadowbrook Restaurant

During my recent visit to Santa Cruz, I had the distinct pleasure of dining at the renowned Shadowbrook Restaurant, a place that beautifully captures the essence of its lush, creekside setting. As the evening unfolded, my experience at Shadowbrook was not just a meal but a journey through a world of culinary delight and charming ambiance.

Arriving at Shadowbrook, the unique access via a hillside cable car set the tone for an extraordinary experience. The descent through beautifully manicured gardens under the fading twilight felt like being transported into a fairy tale. The whispering sounds of Soquel Creek added to the mystical atmosphere, enhancing the sense of escape from the ordinary.

The interior of the restaurant was just as impressive, with its cozy, rustic charm illuminated by soft, ambient lighting that created a warm and inviting environment. The setting was perfectly suited for our special dinner.

Our culinary journey began with an array of beautifully plated dishes that were as visually appealing as they were delicious. I savored the Ossobucco, which was tender and rich in flavor, falling effortlessly off the bone. Each bite was a testament to the chef's skill and attention to detail. Another dish, the prime rib, was cooked to perfection, with a pink, succulent center that spoke of the quality of the ingredients. The braised short rib, chosen by one of my companions, was a flavorful adventure, with a sauce that married the robustness of the meat beautifully.

The service throughout the evening matched the high standards set by the food and ambiance. Our servers were attentive yet unobtrusive, ensuring that each course flowed smoothly into the next, and our glasses were never empty.

What made the evening at Shadowbrook truly unforgettable, however, was not just the food or the setting, but the joy of reconnecting and sharing in good conversation. The meal lingered pleasantly as we caught up on life's events, surrounded by the serene environment.

Shadowbrook's commitment to providing not only a meal but an experience was evident in every detail, from the impeccable service to the serene background music that complemented the sound of the creek outside. As we ascended back to reality in the hillside cable car, it was clear that Shadowbrook had provided us with not just a dinner, but a cherished memory that would linger long after the evening ended.

For anyone visiting Santa Cruz, a meal at Shadowbrook is a must. It is more than dining; it is an experience that encapsulates the beauty of the location, the warmth of good company, and the joy of exceptional food. Shadowbrook is truly a gem on the California coast, offering an enchanting escape that is...

From the beautiful gardens and walkway, to the quaint, cute trolley, to eating on the river, to the impeccable food, to the wonderful service, Shadowbrook Restaurant is always a delight.

We celebrated a pair of Fire Academy graduations and enjoyed a fantastic late afternoon dinner and drinks. We opted to take the trolley down to the restaurant as it is a short but unique experience. The restaurant itself is nestled into a hillside, literally next to Soquel Creek in Capitola. Once inside, we were promptly seated - note that reservations are highly recommended at Shadowbrook. Our table for four overlooked the river.

In addition to the complimentary warm rolls and whipped butter, we started off with a trio of appetizers: Baked Brie, Fried Calamari, and Deep-fried Artichoke Hearts. The Baked Brie was pastry-wrapped atop a generous portion of mild jalapeno jelly and was served with crostinis. The Fried Calamari (rings only) was battered with a delicate breading and served with three sauces: Thai chili, cocktail, and tartar. And the Deep-fried Artichoke Hearts were actually baby artichoke hearts, fried very nicely and paired with a cilantro-lemon aioli. These were all so delicious. With our appetizers, we ordered a local Cabernet called Assiduous. It is from the Bates Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Just a lovely wine. So lovely that we ordered and shared another bottle.

For the main course, I ordered the special, a 14 oz New York. It was served with potatoes gratin and asparagus. My steak was cooked exactly to my specifications. The potatoes gratin was unique but very tasty - it was a circular stack of scalloped potatoes, with a nice crust on top. My wife ordered the same dinner. We were both very pleased with our meals. One member of our party ordered the Butcher's Filet, served with potatoes gratin and sauteed mushrooms. The other member of our party ordered the Honey-glazed Bone-in Pork Chop served with apple compote, green beans and tomatoes, and garlic-parmesan sweet potatoes. All of us absolutely loved our meals.

We finished off our meal with each couple sharing a slab of Jack Daniel's Mud Pie. Delicious!

Our server Ethan was extremely pleasant, full of great advice and favorites, and was not intrusive at all. Excellent service and the perfect amount of attentiveness.

We decided to take the beautiful pathway up through the gardens. The pathway has many photo opportunities. Beautiful flowers, water features, ferns, palms, and other assorted plant-life lined the pathway. The gardens and pathway were well-kept. Note that there are some steep stairs on the pathway.

All in all, just a wonderful experience. Quite a romantic location with fabulous food and views. Highly...