In the press

August 2007: Sunset magazine chooses Gabriella one of three restaurants (along with Manresa and Theo's) to visit when touring the Santa Cruz Mountains. Click to enlarge (10.5"x14"):

Summer Fireworks at Gabriella
by Christina Waters

The food at Gabriella was always ultra-fresh, seasonal and local. Now it’s sophisticated as well. Not tricky. Not so conceptual that you have to sit back and have a Socratic dialogue every two seconds about the herbs, or the pedigree of the tomatoes. Let’s just say that chef Baker has eyes in the back of his head. If it’s just been picked, he’s on it. Impressive.

 

San Jose Mercury News

“The Last Course Leaves a Lasting Impression:
Don't Skip Desserts at Santa Cruz's Gabriella Cafe”
by Aleta Watson

Sunday, December 3, 2006
“Even after the departure of the founding chef, California cuisine still shines at this charming little cafe. [The chef draws] inspiration from weekly forays to local farmers markets.”

 

Christina Waters

March 20, 2007
"Gabriella Does Burgers!"
"How was I to know that I’d find the best burger I’ve had in a decade?"

Good Times

July 20, 2005
Gabriella Gastronomy
by Christina Waters
“Speaking of heirloom tomatoes, Jocelyn and I had lunch at the popular downtown bistro and found ourselves levitating over the handiwork of Gabriella’s new chef Rebecca King. A dish of orrechiette with bread crumbs and bitter greens was outrageous. But even better was a vivacious slice of summer in which a single, enormous heirloom tomato was presented on a wide white plate, surrounded by pale green mezzaluna pastas filled with ricotta and garlic. Visualize the crimson orb in the center of the plate—a ripe braised, sweet/tart tomato whose juices, enhanced by basil, created the straightforward sauce for the wonderful pasta. For $16 it was a subtle triumph of seasonal ingredients, gorgeous presentation and spectacular flavors. Chef King cooks!”

Featured in both the New York Times Travel Section and Fodor's Travel Guide.

Zagat

San Francisco Bay Area 2004

Gabriella Cafe has consistently high marks in Zagat, for three years running now.

Yahoo! TravelGuide: Gabriella Cafe is rated #1 for all Santa Cruz restaurants

Local Traditional Cuisine

"White linen tables, fresh flowers, and comforting earth tones create a dining setting of complete calm.”

Wcities.com: "Deceptively elegant."

Simplicity never looked more romantic than at this small, unassuming restaurant. White linen tables, fresh flowers, and comforting earth tones create a dining setting of complete calm. The kitchen mirrors this feel by hatching a seasonally changing menu full of organic vegetables and local farm products. The smoked salmon fettuccini and the Guinea hen with tarragon sauce rate very high. All the desserts and pastries are homemade. The wine list is superb, and is offered by both the glass and the bottle.