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Shadowbrook Restaurant Capitola Reviews
Make the reservations! Take a trolley down to Shadowbrook
Make the reservations! Take a trolley down to Shadowbrook and be transported to Germany or Switzerland. We had the black truffled gnocchi with prime rib, scallops- Absolutely delicious!!! clean friendly staff and great atmosphere. Dress code please!! This is fancy place with great people.
Yes but the food?
Historic but needs a refresh. Food was overcooked had the lobster and salmon. Sides are ordinary. The server was great though. Would not go back
A very quaint place! Lots of little pathways to explore.
Expect to have a "sit-down" dinner. It is a full dining experience! Well worth the reservation!
We visited on Saturday afternoon with no reservation.
We waited about 30 mins, Not bad. We did want to sit outside but there were no tables available. The outside seating area is limited during lunch. We were seated at a very small table. So small that my husband couldn't scoot in. We asked to be moved to another table, the hostess was very understanding. I was looking at reviews for a dress code and was not able to find one. There is no major dress code for lunch, It is casual. Dinner does have a dress code. I did attach a photo of the dress code. The lunch menu is also limited. We'd like to go back for dinner and try that menu. There was an issue with my meal. I ordered the burger and asked for no bun due to a gluten allergy. Our waiter brought our food and there was a bun. He sets my plate down and says, "shoot you wanted no bun." He took my plate back to the kitchen, then comes back and tells me that if I want no bun it's going to take awhile to make another one. He asks if there is a gluten allergy, and I tell him, yes. He says, "are you kidding me!!" I told him just give me the burger and I'll take the bun off myself, which I did. There was no apology, no nothing. Sorry, it wasn't my mistake. He either didn't enter it correctly or the kitchen messed up. My husband enjoyed his meal, shrimp mac and cheese. If you want to sit outside, I would recommend a reservation.
The food was great and location/experience was awesome.
My kids enjoyed the ride down the trolley.
A destination restaurant for a special occasion such as a
A destination restaurant for a special occasion such as a birthday, first date, anniversary, etc.. Several prime rib options (I recommend the blackend style) and delicious scallops (but they are one of the priciest things on the menu). We also enjoyed some sides: we liked the mushroom bread pudding and would get it again but the brussel sprouts with bacon weren't as tasty as we had hoped. I had the osso buco and the flavors weren't as distinct as I expected. It was good but more if a one note dish. Next time blackened prime rib or scallops for me!
Loved it! At first wasn't happy where they sat us.
I asked for a fun view, but we got some random area instead. Idk maybe it was a view to them...Food was excellent. Our server was amazing. We sat outside and the weather was perfect. Chairs were super comfy. The bar tender was so wonderful. I have zero complaints and we will definitely come back because after walking around I know exactly where I want to sit again or I'll relax in the bar area. The whole experience was top tier!
The ambiance was fantastic with the amazing ride on the
The ambiance was fantastic with the amazing ride on the train down the hill . My guest loved the ride and the wonderful views. The service was great the detail and attention to every guest needs were amazing . The most important was the food my guest are used to very high end cuisine and Shadowbrook did not let me down. They all were amazingly surprised on the quality and taste of each dish. This is one place I will return again. Great job!!!
Just had the most AMAZING dinner for 6.
Andrew bsolutely crushed it. Meal was spectacular as was the service. I barely even noticed we were in one of the most wonderful venues to ever host a restaurant
When you walk up you're greeted with greenery, serenity and
When you walk up you're greeted with greenery, serenity and the soft sounds of water. The trolley down to the restaurant is fun if there isn't much of a wait otherwise the stairs lead you through beautiful shrubbery down to the restaurant. the restaurant is multiple levels which is fun to see. Start at the bar with 1 of their amazing cocktails. We enjoyed the Manhattan and Carmel Appletini which were both 5 ! We started our meal with their wedge salad that had large chunks of bacon topped with their homemade blue cheese dressing. Our main courses were the scallops and prime rib which were to die for!!! Monica was our waitress and was friendly, informative and tended to our every question and need! She had a wonderful personality and delivered top service! definitely a must go!!!
Been going here for forty years and it never disappoints
Been going here for forty years and it never disappoints Excellent food, atmosphere and service. A trifecta of perfection.
Awesome restaurant!! Highly recommend.
Amazing restaurant! The restaurant had so many levels and different seating areas. We sat by window with great view of the creek. Had the prime rib and it was cooked to perfection. Price was very reasonable as well. Wish I could come back again. Highly recommend just for the experience of it.
Must experience in Capitola!
Magical place! Take the funicular down through breathtaking gardens to the recent. Not only is the physical structure amazingly beautiful, the food and drinks equally impressive. A must do in Capitola.
Beautiful Restaurant
This is absolutely one of the most beautiful restaurants we have been to. We were celebrating our 2 year anniversary together and it couldn't have been a more perfect evening. The restaurant is gorgeous with all the water features, lights, and other decor. We wanted to walk the grounds before it got dark so we could appreciate the scenery. Be sure to take the tram back up top as everything is lit up at night. The restaurant staff were fantastic, especially our server, who mentioned our anniversary numerous times. He even brought us two truffles to celebrate. The food was amazing. We had the prime rib and blackened halibut. The halibut was a special, and the sauce on top of it was phenomenal. I also had the clam chowder, which was fantastic. Overall, it is a great restaurant and definitely one to go to when you want to celebrate a special occasion.
Sub par food experience again
My stepson and I both had the ribeye special and my wife had the halibut . Fish was very dry and the steaks had little flavor. I specifically asked for medium rare and got medium to medium well.. All meals were subpar. this seems to be the norm now as it has been this way the last couple of times we have been there. It used to be our favorite place in Capitola. It is probably the last time we will go there. Great alternative is Cafe Cruz on Soquel. If you want a great view and pretty experience, go to Shadowbrook. If you want a great dining and food experience go someplace else.
Unique restaurant
I’ve always loved coming to this restaurant because of its location and uniqueness. We came for my dad’s bday and usually come at least once a year. But if I’m being honest I was disappointed in some of the food. The steaks, calamari and mixed drinks at the bar were good the lamb was ok and the scallops and spinach were not good, the sardines were not fresh. And the dinner was expensive. I think if we went back we would just enjoy a drink at the bar with a pizza.
Overrated
Meh, food was a major disappointment. Ordered the so called "prime"ribeye. It was so tough I couldn't chew it. Sent it back and ordered lobster which was nice. Our server was being trained and neither the trainer or server were able to answer questions about the lobster without having to go ask the chef. This happened 2 times. Waiters should be educated in the menu and should know size and type of lobster being offered. Also we were told there was only 8 pm reso, I called and asked to come n earlier and was refused. We arrived about 7:45 and there were many empty tables available so why were we not accommodated to come n earlier??? I am retired from 43 years n the servise industry and understand how restaurants work, this is not acceptable. Such a shame because the ambiance is so beautiful. Not interested in dining here again.
A Must Do !! Unreal since 1947
Shawdow Brook Restaurant is a must do ! Excellent food / Place is unbelievable. Make reservation way in advance. Allow for a little time before dinner to sit in bar area . Atrium unreal.
Sorry we wasted our time and money!!! The flowers and scenery there however are all very beautiful.
Our waiter was so rude, we needed our check divided as one of us was there for business, however the waiter “Robert” was so unkind he mentioned it loudly 4 different times during our visit!! We had to ask for water and a refill on our beverage. When my wine glass was empty he simply removed it from the table, never asking if we would like anything else. The Beef stroganoff, which is supposed to be a favorite and a special, was NO beef (prime rib) and all mushrooms. Should be called mushroom stroganoff. Never even asked if our food was good because none of it was. We didn’t finish anything! We had better service at the local gas station!!
Last visit
I used to LOVE coming to this beautiful restaurant right on the water. The last three times I have eaten here we have put notes on our reservation and when we got to the restaurant the hostess can't seem to find them in the computer...so no birthday candles :( This last experience was dry underseasoned lamb with a dry side of "creamed" spinach and two corkage fees when the server couldn't provide clean decanters. I've worked in fine dining, you charge a fee and provide the necessary glassware. If you can't do that there should be no fee. I called the John Skinner the GM to discuss this and left him two short polite voicemails. He couldn't be bothered to return my phone call. I will not be bothering my friends or family members with any more visits to Shadowbrook in the future.
What a beautiful historical restaurant! Our server Shelly,
What a beautiful historical restaurant! Our server Shelly, was gracious, professional, friendly and full of knowledge about the history of The Shadowbrook. We had an amazing experience and wonderful food! Definitely recommend
Great service.
We both had the seafood pasta which had a red sauce that had just the right amount of spiciness to it.
Food was delightful as I remember it from years ago.
Andrew our waiter was humorous, engaging, attentive and personable. He took great pictures of our group of 7 ladies that had gotten together. The restaurant is certainly iconic. Some of us did not get the chance to ride the tram, but it was a nice touch. We got in the room overlooking the river which was lovely. We have recommended the restaurant over the years and it did not disappoint this time either!
Incredible atmosphere, great service and decadent mouth
Incredible atmosphere, great service and decadent mouth watering cuisine ! I highly recommend Shadowbrook... the trolley is a sweet experience!
Took my friend at the time for a birthday get away.
It was amazing restaurant with a beautiful view. Customer service was excellent
First of all the restaurant experience and ambience is
First of all the restaurant experience and ambience is amazing. The food was all very good from the appetizer to the soup to the salad to the main entree's to the desert. But when you go to a special occasion restaurant such as this you do expect to have at least one thing that was the best thing you ever remembered eating. By all means I believe everyone should make this a bucket list dining experience
Loved everything about this historic restaurant! Amazing
Loved everything about this historic restaurant! Amazing atmosphere and service. God good and drinks.
The food was delish! The pizzas were unique and super yummy.
We also had the soft pretzel bites with mustard and beer cheese as well as baked Brie with jalapeño jelly and crostini's. The vibe in the rock room was chic but not pretentious. The windows have an open air feel while keeping us protected from the rainy coastal day. This hidden gem in capitola is a must do when you create your list. Highly recommend reservations for dining and it's a bit more dress to impress. So no beachwear or baseball hats. It is cozy with a fireplace too. Did I mention that they have a tram? epic experience
Made a reservation for 2 at Shadowbrook which is in
Made a reservation for 2 at Shadowbrook which is in Capitola. They have about 3 parking sites about one block from each other so if one lot is full, go to the next one. They also have a cute old fashioned taxi that we I'll pick and drop you off within a certain mile radius. The place is huge on top of a hillside with beautiful views. You wait in line to take the tram down. It's a limit of 4 people per tram. Or you can walk down the stairs, beware, it's a steep long stairwell. Once checked in, a host will take you to your table. The lace is huge so you will only see your section. We both ordered the 8oz steak, hubby got the blackened one which was really flavorful. Food was delicious served promptly. We were seated in a nook in the middle of a stairwell. I'm still not sure how I feel about the spot. People either commented we were given a bad spot or had the best private spot. Almost everyone that were seated said they had come for a birthday. I would come back!
If you're looking for a low key and classy wedding, BOOK
If you're looking for a low key and classy wedding, BOOK your wedding at Shadowbrook! Great food, great photos, and AMAZING team they have! Shout out to Stephanie, and the rest of her team, for being super patient, helpful and everything you need during a stressful time of planning and hosting a wedding!
Tranquil and comfortable - Classic!
Great place for a quiet dinner in a great setting. Our waiter helped guide us and both of our dinners were wonderful. Bread was okay and salad was good, but not exceptional.
Wonderful evening
The food a the ambiance was excellent. We ordered a steak with mashed potatoes and Italian spinach that was so flavorful. We also got a very decadent beef stroganoff. Both dishes were delicious! We had the mud pie for dessert and it was fabulous! The staff at the restaurant was very friendly and our server was extremely knowledgeable about every menu item.
Gorgeous restaurant, excellent food, great service.
Can't beat the ambiance! Worth a visit and will be back!
I have been here a couple of times and i must say i was
I have been here a couple of times and i must say i was very pleased with the food and the service especially the first time i went for my daughters birthday June 2023 . The food and our time there was nice when my husband and i went back Sept 2023 for our anniversary but our table set up had a napkin that and i quote the waitress after i brought it to her attention reluctantly not desiring to complain but she said " Oh this one is ripped and ready for the trash " also we were left unattended for a LONG period of time the second visit and needed to order . I still love this place and the ambiance. The history of it is interesting . Shadowbrook was a log cabin originally built as a summer home in the 1920s, expanded later by an English family, who added the "Fireside Room," with its hanging balcony and Swiss chalet decor. The ride down in the cable car is a highlight for me . When the restaurant's original partners discovered the house in 1944, it was in ruin. It took those them three years to restore . Im so glad they did because it's certainly a gem in Capitola.
I recently celebrated my birthday at Shadowbrook
I recently celebrated my birthday at Shadowbrook Restaurant, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted warmly, setting the tone for a wonderful evening. The food was nothing short of spectacular. Each dish was crafted with care, bursting with flavor and creativity. From appetizers to dessert, every bite was a delight, leaving me wanting more. Moreover, the service was impeccable. Our waitress was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was perfect. Her recommendations were spot-on, and she made us feel welcomed and valued throughout the entire meal. Overall, I can't recommend Shadow Brooke Restaurant enough for special occasions or any dining experience. The combination of exceptional food, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere made my birthday celebration truly special. Thank you to the entire team for making it a night to remember!
Been here a couple of times.
Usually pretty good. The lobster this time wasn't the best. We were also outside and alone. I wasn't a fan but wanted to try it one time. Wouldn't do it again. The service was very good and the ride in the vintage taxi was a great perk. I'd still go back because of the experience and how everything else is prepared. I just would order something else.
My husband I had dinner here a week ago.
We have eaten here a few times in the past 30 years. We have always been happy until this visit. It's been at least 10 years since our last visit. One thing we noticed right away was that everything looks old and dated now. It also wasn't as clean as we remember. Since our last visit, I now require using a cane, for stability, while walking. Unfortunately, stairs can be an issue for me now. We had to walk down some fairly steep stairs in the restaurant. I don't mean the beautiful garden stairs down to the restaurant. We used the tram for that. I mean down to our table. When I mentioned that it was difficult for me to go down and then back up the stairs we were not offered a different table. The hostess just apologized for the stairs and kept walking. She had to wait at our table for us to catch up. So, if you have difficulty with stairs, let them know when you make your reservation. Hopefully they will offer you a table in a different area. Also, I wasn't able to go to the restroom while we were there. That would've required more stairs. Now on to the food and beverages. I ordered the French 75 drink. It was so refreshing! I ordered second one. My husband ordered the Gold Rush. He liked it. Then he ordered the Lucy Goosey. He loved that one. We ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp and artichoke soup. The shrimp was so dry, it was difficult to eat. I'm not sure how long it had sat under a warming lamp...but I'm sure it was too long. The soup was ok. A little bland. My husband ordered the prime rib, medium rare. It was perfect. I ordered the scallop dinner. It too was perfect. Then we ordered the St. Patrick's day special dessert. Whiskey brownie and Stout Ice cream. Well...it was not good. The brownie was dry and so dense that it was more like a chocolate tort, only very dry. The ice cream was ice milk. It was very crystallized. We sent the dessert back. Our waiter even said he had been disappointed with that dessert. As for the service...Our waiter was attentive but not overly so. We appreciated that he knew when to come out and when to let us be. As for the hostess...we feel they need some more training. When a guest is struggling to get down the stairs, and mentions this, something should've been done to accommodate this need. At the very least a compassionate and thoughtful comment would've been nice. But to basically be dismissed...we don't appreciate this. The restaurant was not as clean as we remember. The carpets are looking old and worn. The windows weren't clean. It felt like they have tried to squeeze in more tables and chairs. It felt crowded. To be honest, this may be the last time we go to Shadow Brooke. This makes us sad.
The food is delicious and the server very friendly We
The food is delicious and the server very friendly We celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary great ambiance will be back here again to explore the garden since it was raining when we went Love the cable ride
Staff had amazing patience and were very kind.
The food couldn't have been more perfect after a long day in Santa Cruz. The inside is beautiful as well as the view before you get to the restaurant. Love love
You have to get the bacon wrapped prawns as a starter! They
You have to get the bacon wrapped prawns as a starter! They were the best things we ate that night - not to say that the other items weren't good. We also got the prime rib and the pork chop and both were equally as delicious! For dessert, you can't go wrong with the creme brulee.
Now this restaurant is definitely worth all the hype and
Now this restaurant is definitely worth all the hype and makes for a perfect date night with your partner or dinner with your loved ones. Two things to note off the bat, they do have a dress code so any tourist coming from the beach, be sure to have an appropriate change of clothes with you. Secondly, the outdoor dining space is quite intimate as in you will be able to hear the conversations of the people sitting by you because it is super quiet. Those are the only two things I wish I knew beforehand. The trolley is definitely a great addition to the restaurant experience but most of the time there will be lengthy wait so be sure to get there at-least 10 mins earlier to honor your reservation time especially on busier nights like the weekends. The max capacity for people in the trolley is four but there is also a long beautiful stair case to the restaurant as well if you don't feel like waiting. Now let's get to the nitty gritty: the food. I had seen the thousands of good reviews but I truly wasn't expecting too much. First things first the appetizers. This was one of the best calamari I've had in my life, the crunch, the batter, the seasoning was absolute perfection. The clam chowder was also spectacular, the perfect amount of creamy and savory. I'm not even a fan of clam chowder and fell absolutely in love with it. Those are my two must-try appetizers. I didn't care for the bacon wrapped prawn whatsoever. It was dry nothing special wasn't worth the price. I had the Black Prime Rib medium rare and it was exceptional. The steak was soft as butter when I started cutting it and cooked perfectly. One thing I will note is that the cut of steak took away from the quality of the plate because it had that sliver of chewy fat running through it so I had to cut that part out which probably made up 1/5 of the steak. I also wasn't a fan of the horseradish but everything else on the plate was delicious. My friends got the New York steak and the Grilled Salmon and both really enjoyed their plate as well. My friend wanted to add that the portions are perfect, it's enough to fill you up without making you feel sluggish from eating too much. Lastly regarding food, they had an extremely wide selection of desserts. We ended up getting the boysenberry pie and blueberry cheesecake. A bit too tart for me but my friends really enjoyed it. Finally service was phenomenal I will say. As I mentioned before, you can almost hear everybody in the particular dining room so I was able to hear every server though that might come off a little annoying to some people it was noticeably delightful that every server had a great attitude and lots of patience with the guest especially, older guest. I'm happy to see that customer service is something this restaurant harps on. My server Hannah was very kind, helpful, and bubbly. I also have to say the team is also very organized and that the bussers and runners were doing their part attentively as well. My party of three's total bill ended up being around $340 for all the food after including an 18% tip. I would definitely return to try some more of their seafood and vegan options.
The most amazing calamari I've ever had in my life.
The entire visit was wonderful and has an amazing view!
Ok for events, go elsewhere for the food
Fanciful setting seen only at night after dark, seems perched on a hillside, and serviced by a short run funicular. Its kitschy. Comfortable spot yielded a good, but not spectacular meal. Best for events and celebrations with larger groups. Food was ok, but not really great. Clam chowder a distinct disappointment at $12/cup, it looked and tasted no different than canned Snow’s chowder sold in New England markets. Very disappointed. Found two solitary corn kernels, yet marketed as having corn niblets… one reason I ordered. The base was supposed to be milk/cream, but I got predominantly roux. Avoid this item
This is the restaurant experience you are looking for
Never had a bad experience here! Love, love the experience from the old-time cabby picking us to the unique restaurant ambiance and yummy and unusual food. The deep fried artichoke hearts are da best.
Nice tranquil dinning experience in capitola, CA
Lovely landscape, nice festive decor. Nice service and good food selection. The speical prime rib and the trouffle with filet are very good. Good selection and reasonable price wine and corkage fee.
Disappointed
In the past, my husband and I frequented Shadowbrook restaurant and enjoyed dining there. However, we went to this beautiful restaurant on Thanksgiving and were highly disappointed. The turkey dish was not edible. the mashed potatoes were watery and maybe not from scratch. My husband liked his dish but suffered from a bad stomach for almost 24 hours. I have written 3 times to the restaurant, but no response what so ever. Very disappointing.
Beautiful setting, delicious food. Iconic.
Great courteous service, interesting menu, delicious menu. Great drinks menu. The decor is gorgeous, and the setting is unparalleled.
Highly recommended!
Excellent restaurant. We had a really good time and ate like heaven. Friendly and very competent waiters. Amazing salmon, special tuna tartare!
Make the reservation ahead of time
Always enjoy this restaurant. Definitely want to make a reservation to reduce the wait time, but worth it.
Such a memory
I went with friends to celebrate earning my masters degree. There is a dress code which was fun to dress up for. We were picked up by a classic taxi cab. The driver was so friendly and fun. It’s complimentary if you get picked up within 3 miles. We had him pick us up and drop us off in Capitola by the beach. The food was amazing. The drinks were strong . The service was excellent and the ride in the cable car to get to the restaurant was fun. The grounds were beautiful too full of beautiful plants. I definitely recommend this place as a fun experience.
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