The Midway - Santa Cruz (CA)

5 /5 Benjamin Ow: My wife and I just finished an incredible dinner at The Midway. The atmosphere was casual and inviting and the service was friendly and attentive. The food was the star of the show. The menu was relatively small, but there was a wide variety of dishes that were clearly carefully thought out and based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. We started out with the house made sourdough bread and butter. The four generous slices of bread were hearty, with a soft inside and thicker crust. Very tasty. Next we had the chicory salad which was reminiscent of a gourmet Caesar salad with the most beautiful chicory leaves imaginable, crunchy breadcrumbs, and finely grated Parmesan. Fantastic dish. Next we had homemade pappardelle with black trumpet and chanterelle mushrooms and shaved brussel sprouts. The flavors were very subtle, but the really scrumptious. The fresh and bright flavors shined through. Next we had the Mt. Lassen trout on chickpeas and butternut squash. The trout skin had a wonderful char and the flavors of the chickpeas and butternut squash really combined nicely. We finished with the braised beef dish on mashed potatoes with roasted carrots, mushrooms, and a salsa verde sauce. This dish blew us away. The beef was perfectly braised so it was super tender, extra flavorful, and not fatty at all. The mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and mushrooms paired perfectly with the beef and the salsa verde took the wonderful dish to a new level. In summary, this is the best meal we’ve had in Santa Cruz in a very long time. The quality of the ingredients and preparation was top notch and all of the dishes were reasonably priced. We can’t wait to go back again soon!

5 /5 Juliana Haber: Incredible food, incredible service, cozy atmosphere. The chef was able to accommodate my friend’s dairy intolerance, and the menu was labelled with gluten free. I tried a Japanese vermouth that was amazing, a must-try. I had the halibut and my friend had the chicken, both were cooked perfectly, served with veggies that tasted like they were just picked today, cooked perfectly, mine with a light and flavorful broth. A new favorite in town!

5 /5 Sumit C: Great restaurant if youre looking for high-quality local ingredients, cooked fresh, in a welcoming, warm environment. Everything from the menu, food, furniture, decor, cutlery, and serving plates has all been chosen thoughtfully. All that thought shows in what we ate! The Fogline Farm chicken with jimmy nardellos (long red peppers) and creamed corn was one of the best bites of food Ive had this year! Amazing! The flavors were amazing. Heriloom tomato toast was delicious and so was the garganelli pasta. We took a couple of desserts to go and the tres leches cake stood out! Well be back!

5 /5 A C: Absolutely amazing meal. I’ve been driving by this place since they opened and hadn’t pulled the trigger on trying. Finally decided to give it a go, and the meal was outstanding. Everything was so high-quality, seasonal, and the flavors were so unique. I think that this place is on another level of food quality compared to anything else in Santa Cruz. It’s clear they put a lot of intentional effort into each plate. And I love the interior. It’s simple in its design but intimate and comfortable. I was swayed by the few bad reviews but I’m convinced these people don’t know good quality seasonal food. I will be telling everyone I know to come here and I’ll be back many times over!

5 /5 Caitlin Kroeger: Words cannot express how much I love this place. The food is phenomenal every time. Flavors are mind blowing. Of the 10+ years I’ve lived in Santa Cruz this is my all time favorite place to eat. Love the atmosphere and servers are super nice. Chef always waves hello to our baby girl which always puts a big smile on her face. Highly recommend!