Bittersweet Bistro - Rio Del Mar

During the novel corona virus pandemic, we could only order take out for our 33rd anniversary. We ordered all starters: the asparagus speared with dipping sauce, a roasted pear salad, and a shrimp in aioli. The asparagus spears are cornmeal and sesame crusted with just a hint of sweetness, always one of our favorites. The salad, besides a roasted pear, had hazelnuts and blue cheese, good. The shrimp dish was much too sweet for my tastes, but the shrimp was succulent. They threw in a custard and a chocolate pudding that were both delicious and much appreciated!

I can see returning in warmer weather to enjoy the large, pet friendly patio or possibly a sports event in the equally large bar area but as other posts pointed out the dining room experience was mixed. Food and wait service was excellent but bus staff was overly anxious to clear plates overall creating a rushed vibe. Ambiance was unsettled. We were seated in extremely close proximity to another party of 2 in an otherwise empty large dining room making us feel like Intruders on their evening and vice versa. The price for all menu items felt higher than the norm and there was a 4% surcharge on top of that for labor and operations. There are just better options for an evening out in Santa Cruz.

Great food, great ambience, comfortable. Only issue was feeling rushed by waitstaff — dinner arrived before we were done with the shared appetizer.

During the new Corona virus pandemic we could only order for our 33th anniversary. we ordered all the appetizers: the asparagus with dipping sauce, a roasted pear salad and a garnel in aioli. the asparagus spears are cornmeal and sesame with only one hauch of sweet, always one of our favorite crusted. the salat, beside a roasted pear, had hazelnuts and blue cheese, good. the garnel dish was much too sweet for my taste, but the garnels were succulent. they threw in a custard and a chocolate pudding that were both delicious and very appreciated!

I can see in warmer weather to enjoy the large, pet-friendly terrace or possibly a sports event in the same size bar area, but as other posts pointed out that the dining room experience was mixed. Eating and waiting service was excellent, but bus staff was overpowered to clear boards that a total icy vibe. the ambiance was horrified. we sat at the very close to another party of 2 in an otherwise empty large dining room, so we feel like intruder at their evening and vice versa. the price for all menu points felt higher than the norm and there was a 4% surcharge for work and operation. there are only better options for an evening in santa cruz.