Mane Kitchen + Cocktails opens in downtown Santa Cruz

Located on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, Mane Kitchen + Cocktails is a cozy space chef Desmond Schneider has renovated into an elegant bistro offering fresh, sustainable seafood caught daily, pasta dishes, steaks and craft cocktails. Once chef de cuisine at the former Michelin-starred Alderwood, Schneider created Mane with locals in mind, while making it a place where visitors can mix in effortlessly and pick up on the only-in-Santa-Cruz vibe. Mane’s flavors stem from Schneider’s close relationships with local purveyors of seafood, produce, wild-foraged mushrooms and other ingredients that emphasize the county’s abundant foodshed. Comfort foods such as freshly shucked East Coast Virginia oysters and chicken liver pâté graced the menu on opening night, with expanded options to follow. The signature Mane Margarita, made with mezcal, Amaro Montenegro, passion fruit, pineapple, lime, pomegranate and Tajín, is one of an array of creative, handcrafted cocktails on the bar menu.