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SantaCruzSentinel.Com February 12, 2021 | READERS CHOICE | 19 is from "the makers of Riva Fish House." Martin Drobac, Jr. owns Riva. Martin's son Peter Drobac, who helped to create the Makai vi- sion and turn it into a reality, serves as General Manager. Peter's siblings Martin Drobac III and Jennifer Dro- bac assist with Makai's marketing and logistics. Peter Drobac says that his dad "…wanted to create an island food paradise here in Santa Cruz." The restaurant opened last May and has been attracting fans ever since. When asked to name a couple rea- sons why Makai is so well-loved, Peter responded, "First, the food is tasty and satisfying, and also a great value. Second, the drinks are fun and flavorful. Who doesn't love a mysterious concoction with a col- orful umbrella that gives you an island warmth all the way down to your toes? Third, the location and view of Steamer Lane are unparal- leled. The Hawaiian background music and our super friendly staff provide the excellent finishing touches." Customers especially love the sig- nature Makai burger and the Poke bowl. "The pork sliders are also su- per popular and yummy," says Pe- ter. "Our luscious Mai Tai cocktails make any day a vacation holiday." Makai utilizes fresh local produce from Watsonville Coastal Produce and fresh salmon from Stagnaro Brothers Fish Market. "We support our neighbor businesses whenever possible," Peter says. For orchids, tiki drink umbrellas, and dessert sparklers, they order online. "Those specialty items create the festive is- land atmosphere that enhances our delicious food." Makai strives to provide the local community with "appetizing and exciting island flavors in a relaxing and beautiful environment," says Peter. In the future, they hope to serve island breakfast favorites and new specials. mentone Award-winning chef David Kinch, renowned for his upscale Los Gatos restaurant Manresa (plus newer LG venue The Bywater with New Orleans cuisine), planned to open the more casual Mentone Restaurant in March as an inviting neighborhood spot where people would be comfortable bringing their families. The menu would in- clude California produce featured in dishes inspired by the Italian and French Riviera, plus bakery items from Kinch's beloved Man- resa Bread. Because of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place, Mentone first opened as a takeaway pizza place and has experienced a few itera- tions since then (it won Best Out- door Transformation in the poll, see separate article). I spoke to General Manager Chris Sullivan about why so many voted for Mentone. "Attention to detail has always been a point of pride," says Chris. "The technique of fer- menting the dough, making our pastas daily…there's no process or ingredient we overlook. We are con- stantly striving toward doing it bet- ter. That includes our service staff: we aim to be professional, humble, but also intent on making it fun!" The fermentation is a 48-hour process for Mentone's sourdough pizza crust, with wonderful re- sults. "During Mentone's first few months, pizzas have been the star, with the Soppressata and Funghi pies being the top sellers," says Chris. "The Caesar salad has also been a hit since day one." "Mentone was envisioned as a place where one could visit once or ...continued from 18 continues on 20... Full Service Property Management · Full service management, including bookkeeping, maintenance and leasing · Over 20 years of local experience · Currently managing over 1,000,000 square feet of investment buildings consisting of over 650 rental units ank you for Voting us your Readers Choice Winner year aer year since 2017… 347 Spreckels Drive Aptos, CA 95003 CAL DRE # 01843086 831.688.5100 | alleninc.com Retail | Office | Industrial Multi-Family | Hospitality commercial property management specialists C E N T R A L C O A S T, C A L I F O R N I A Thanks for Voting Us T T h Th a ha n n k nk s ks f f o for r r V V o Vo t ot i ti n n g ng U U s Us Thanks for Voting Us T T T T h h h h ha a a ha h a a a n an n a n n n k k k k k s ks s k s s s f f f f f o o o o r o r r r r or V V V V o o o o o t t t t t i i i i i n in n i n n ng g g ng n g g g U U U U s s s s s T T T T T T T T T T h Th T T h h Th T T T T T T h h h h h h h h a a a a ha h a a a a a a a a n n an n an a a a n n n n n n n n n n k nk n n k k nk n n n n n n k k k k k k k k s ks ks k s s ks k k k s s s s s k s s s s s f f f f f f f f f f o fo fo o for f f f o o o o o o r r r or r r r r r r r r V V V V V V V V V V o Vo Vo o o V V o o o o o t ot ot t ot o o o t t t t t t t t i ti ti i ti t t t i i i i i i n n in n in i i i n n n n n n n n n n g ng n n g g ng n n n n n n g g g g g g g g g g U U U U U U U U U U U U s Us U U s s s U U U U s s s s s s s s Thanks for Voting Us st. francis high school

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