Laughing Monk Brewing and Gastropub — Restaurant in Scotts Valley

Great locale, though I have not eaten inside, which is ware-house-y and has a loft-like upper small row of tables on the second floor, which peer down upon the rest of the bar and clientele area — fun for those of us who like sitting in high places. Lots of parking in the rear if the front is full.

I had the “Spiced Squash Salad” ($14), which was one of the best salads I ever have had. Just writing that makes me want to go back. Here, I cut and pasted-in the menu description: “Butternut squash, arugula, crispy maitake, cranberry, feta, pecan, blood orange allspice vinaigrette.” Oh my. It tastes even better than it sounds! My friends ordered appetizers, which is trendily under the menu section called “Community.” My friends ate “Laughing Monk Wings” ($18), and “Mahi Mahi Tacos” ($18), topped by an order of Parmesan Garlic Fries ($8) — both commented that everything was very good. The plates come out really looking like their pictures in the restaurant webpage — mouth-watering!

Check out the webpage — guaranteed to make you want to get there immediately! Great place, if a bit pricey. You can get a “build your own burger, at $19. A good number of vegetarian fare, as well.

Though I cannot remember if the bar’s walls are painted or plastered, they, are very dark, perhaps even black, but it works. There are enormous windows everywhere, and the light isn’t sharp but very airy and nice. High, high ceiling is cool and offers atmosphere. Medium -small inside area, though it may accommodate more than I imagine; I’ve gone on off-hours. They have happy hours and specials. They give you samples of the beer if you choose. Friendly, good service.

Great place to go when you feel like eating/drinking outdoors: their outside area is large (would be a great place too have music, or a reception!), yet with its sun many umbrellas overhead, and the fun property renders it oddly cozy anyway. I like smaller surroundings, so we went to the outside section in front of the cashier, I and that felt very cozy. Umbrellas throughout for those who don’t want the sun on them.

Oh! One simply must remember that the decadently delicious “Penny Creamery” ice-cream store with its locally sourced ingredients (hence the menu has x flavor… until it doesn’t) is directly next to the brewery, walk out on the restaurant side closest to Mt. Hermon. All in all, expensive and delicious with good,...

We sat outside pretty promptly- food was ordered and delivered- with a little errors but corrected. The server didn’t check on us once after food was delivered to see how the food was or to refill water or any other beverages. The girl who was the food runner was amazing because she corrected the issues with the server- beautiful blonde with pigtails. We ordered a lot of food and overall food was a hit.

Regular fries - yum (can’t go wrong if you like fries) Garlic fries- yum (most flavor- if you like garlic these are a must) Sweet potato fries- yum (most crispy out of all 3) if you are trying a healthier version- pass and go for a salad-

Side salad- nice size and yummy

Pretzel- huge- warm- delicious- the table winner amongst everyone.

Brussel sprouts- too oily for my liking- has a little spice/flavor nice to have a veggie, but again if you are trying to be healthier- all that oil- better to have a side salad

Most people order burgers- all were cooked well and tasted good- the buns for the bread were great.

I had portobello mushroom sandwich - the sandwich was drenched with a mayonnaise type sauce- I could pass on that, and ask for open face next time and sauce on the side so I can control the amount. (Just because restaurant meals end up being 1200-1400 calories otherwise)

Overall I would recommend eating here. It’s family friendly and the food is tasty.

We just had a server that had his friends visiting and he was hanging out with them. This could have been a one off scenario. Not enough for me not to say Don’t come back- but just be aware. Chill...

I had an incredibly odd experience here, although the food was delicious. The manager, a 40-something-year-old man with a large beard, was sitting on his phone at the hostess stand when I arrived. I greeted him. He had his hostess seat us immediately and at first the service was on par with what you might expect from an establishment being operated by 20-year-olds. But then, the manager lounged by the fire pit flirting with his hostess all night, as well as the other relatively young, female wait staff. It was uncomfortable, distracting, and completely unprofessional to watch as he sat with his feet up by the fire. He reprimanded other male employees all night, in front of patrons and other employees.

There was an aggressive Shiba in the dog friendly patio that was barking and lunging at all the other dogs and people that walked by. It was frightening, and the manager did nothing to address it despite many alarmed patrons.

Finally, the police chased a young man from the parking lot nearby through the outdoor patio. The manager, again, did nothing to address the officers or patrons near the incident.

Suppose his shift had ended… he should have left the premises and not loitered around distracting the wait staff from attending to tables. My waitress was part of the gathering by the fire pit, and that’s where she waited and chatted for more than 5 minutes between brining the bill, running the till, and bringing the receipt. All the while, an arrest happening beside me.

While the food and BOH was great, the FOH experience was odd and...