Crow's Nest Restaurant

06/12/2008 Posted by CHARLENEECKERT

The Crow's Nest was a let down. From the moment we arrived for our reservations we felt like we were a nuisance.The hostess was rude and snobby, our table wasn't ready, finally when we were seated our waiter ignored us. It wasn't until we confronted the bussboy for service that we recieved attention from the waiter, who then said that he was the ONLY one who could wait on our table. The waiter never introduced him self and it was a good 30 minutes untill we got drinks and horsd'oeuvre. The location is beautiful and the food was ok, however they need to work on their smelly sewer system and service!

Pros: it's by the beach

Cons: expensive and horrible service

09/22/2007 Posted by skylarkar

What a view! Add delicious seafood, a great salad bar, good service, friendly staff, and prompt seating, and you have a perfect evening! The calamari and dungeness crabcakes were scrumptious as were both our seafood entrees. We enjoyed watching the sailboats return to the harbor as the sun went down, a parade of beautiful sails just feet from our table. A great blue heron stood on a rock below our table fishing for his dinner while we ate ours! Photography here was ideal, and we have several excellent snapshots to remind us of our lovely evening. We will return when we are in the area and hope to hang around for the live entertainment.

01/28/2007 Posted by skyvixxen

But dinner was terrible! Our 9 year old did not even like the child's burger! We had 2 orders of the fried calamari because it was so good. I was expecting a great dinner so I was disappointed. The clam chower tasted like rosemary, I like rosemary but I did not order rosemary chowder it was too much. I ordered the blackened halibut, I don't think they know what blackened means. The fish was tender & flaky not dry but the flavor was awful, not at all what I was expecting. Kind of like basic a pan seared fish dinner with a fatty butter sauce. I'd go only for the view, drinks and appetizers although the regular burger looked great when I saw it go by so I may try that next time. It has to be better than the fish & steak we had!

11/24/2006 Posted by tjrabbitry

The Crow's Nest is an easy choice for exceptional service, great food, and one of the nicest locations on the central coast. Always choose the deck if you elect to dine upstairs (in the bar) - watching the boats coming and going from the yacht harbor is somehow relaxing, and there's nothing like the feel of the ocean air (yes, they have heaters). I am always impressed with the service here - friendly, efficient staff that go out of their way to bring exactly what you are craving. If you're munching while you enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine (even their house wine is decent), try the nachos with skirt steak, or the classic calamari is always great. The parking lot is pay by the hour, but it's really inexpensive (just do it). The bar scene is refreshingly middle-aged (dare I say it?) - it's one of the few places we 40-somethings can go (and even DANCE!!) without looking ridiculous. Might be boring for young crowd. Be prepared to pay cover for good live music and dancing.

Pros: You can't beat it

Cons: Often busy - bar seating is first come, first served

06/23/2005 Posted by jp12345

It's right on the water, they offer fresh, delicious seafood, great service, and nice atmosphere. This is a good place to drop by, have a drink, and munch on some goodies when you get tired of touring around Santa Cruz. I will be going back.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambience

Cons: Nothing

05/16/2004 Posted by janeller

very nice place for happy hour on the patio upstairs or romantic dinner downstairs the staff is always great especially on special occations and the best part is the food is fantastic!

Pros: great food

02/10/2003 Posted by marga_mateu

This restaurant has fantastic views, great food and good ambiance. It has a big terrace in front of the beach. I am lookig forward to go there one saturday night for live music.

06/10/2002 Posted by taradelis_citysearch

The Crow's Nest is a nice place for a quiet dinner, but don't let their music ads in the weeklies confuse you -- this is not a hip place to hang out and hear cutting edge bands. It's an older crowd, so expect music that cater to older crowds. It can be a good spot to catch up with friends or to take a date. The views outside on the patio are quite nice, especially at sunset.

Pros: nice atmosphere, pretty views

Cons: older crowd