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Make sure to order some of the inventive rolls the Pink is known for. The Nia Roll is tuna, steamed broccoli, avocado and spicy sauce. Add some wasabi, and you will be feeling "the burn". Their shrimp tempura roll is "melt in your mouth" amazing. Tempura, avocado, sweet sauce and cucumber combine for a real taste explosion. The Scallops Mitsu is a winner if you love shellfish. Fresh scallops, combined with tobiko and mayo to make a roll you won't forget. Not for the timid at heart is the "Hamchi Sunrise Roll" - a thick slab of fresh hamachi topped with a mound of tobiko, topped with a raw quail’s egg, apparently is a culinary adventure to be had.

If you have a party of four or more, make sure to call ahead and book a tatami room. They are fun, shoeless and private. Enjoy!

That's what you'll be yelling after your first trip to Vasili's. A very busy restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz, Vasili's offers the best in Greek and Mediterranean fare. From flaming kasseri cheese and olives to chicken kabobs and kefetalakia (meatballs), the menu has much culture to offer. A personal favorite, I discovered Vasili's after a few years of passing by and wondering if it was any good. Packed to the brim, even on weeknights, I knew it had to be.

Vasili, the owner, takes pride in his restaurant, and it is filled with photographs of happy restaurant memories and even happier customers. Tuesday nights are always my favorite night to go, as Vasili himself is there making his special chicken and lemon rice soup. It is spectacular. He is the only one who makes it, so it is only available when he is in the kitchen. Call ahead to ask; it is worth the extra planning! The tzatziki (a cucumber-yogurt sauce) is a house specialty. It is thick, creamy, and tangy and served with fresh Greek dipping bread hot from the oven.

Everything is made in house, so you know it is going to be fresh. Hurry up and get there before all the lemon soup is gone!!! Have fun and break a plate for me!

Finally reopened in June of last year, Cafe Brazil is better than ever. The converted house is located right on Mission Street, Santa Cruz's main "highway." Parking is limited and the place is always busy.

The menu consists of American favorites and Brazilian fare, all for very reasonable prices. The golden frittatas are excellent. Filled with eggs, potatoes, salsa, cheese and beans, they are a bestseller and run about $8. They also have a few different types of benedicts – the traditional one and one that comes with avocado. The Spanish-style tortilla ($8) is also very good. It is similar to the frittata, but without all the potato.

Whenever we go, we always order a stack of banana pancakes for the table. They are thin, slightly crispy, and so good. You can order a single ($3), a double ($5), or a triple ($7) stack. A bite of a sweet pancake is the best way to finish off a South American-inspired breakfast at Cafe Brazil!

On the weekends, local rock bands and DJs come in and take over the dance floor, where everyone from rockers to hip-hoppers can be found swaying to the music.

If you are in Santa Cruz for St. Patty's day, there is only one place to go, and that is Ms. McCann's. Green beer for everyone!

The food is awesome, too. Try the Afghan pizza. Although it sounds weird, it's pretty amazing. Call ahead to make sure the dancers will be there and to make a reservation. The dining room is VERY small and intimate, and there is room for only about 25 diners.