FREEDOM

Basel’s Falafel now open

Basel’s Falafel recently opened at 2139 Freedom Blvd. Hours are 8 a.m. to midnight daily. Chef William Hamshao, a Syria native, prepares falafel, burgers, fries, tacos and more. Many dishes are based on family recipes. These include organic chicken and signature yogurt sauce wrapped in freshly grilled whole wheat lavash bread. Owner Basel Joseph Masoud aims to bring “a taste of Damascus, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city” to the local community. Masoud is from Damascus. Basel’s Falafel is next to the store Dale’s Liquor, which Masoud also owns. The shop sells a variety of drinks, chips, cookies and more. Contact Basel’s Falafel at 831-285-9481.

Nico’s Real Fruit Ice Cream now open

Nico’s Real Fruit Ice Cream opened last week at 111 Locust St. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, and 1-9 p.m. Friday to Saturday. As the name suggests, the shop serves fruit blended with vanilla ice cream, described as “New Zealand” style. Customers can choose their fruit (blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry) and toppings (rainbow sprinkles, coconut flakes, Tajin and more). Owner Nico Vergara started with two shops in Oregon and opened his first California shop in Monterey in October.

My Mom’s Mole at Watsonville Public House

My Mom’s Mole (mymomsmole.com) is the new food vendor at Watsonville Public House (625 Main St.). Current hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Monday, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The menu will feature signature mole dishes (nachos and bowls, etc.) and rotating seasonal selections, including vegan and vegetarian options. Since 2013, My Mom’s Mole has done popups throughout Santa Cruz County. “We’ve always wanted to have a space where people can find us regularly,” says owner Cesario Ruiz, who is excited about the new partnership with Watsonville Public House.

CT Lights becomes Tarros

Tarros Mexican Restaurant Bar is the newly renamed restaurant at 110 Walnut Ave. Owner Noel Cardona took over the venue, which formerly housed 99 Bottles of Beer, last summer. He named his new restaurant CT Lights, and served dishes including burgers, seafood, salads and wings, and occasional Mexican food, which proved very popular. The restaurant’s name is in honor of the new mug club. “Customers will receive personalized beer mugs with their name and number,” says Cardona. “Once they reach 50 mugs they will get a bronze placard on the wall, just like 99 Bottles used to do.” The new menu features shrimp ceviche, mole enchiladas, chile relleno (ancho chile sauce topped with pepitas and pomegranate seeds) and more. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (closed Tuesday), 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour is 4 to 6 p.m. on days Tarros is open, except for Sunday, when it’s 3 to 5 p.m. Follow on Instagram @tarros_santacruz for details.SANTA CRUZ

New items at The Buzz Market

The Buzz Market, which opened in October at 1005 Cedar St. (the former site of Honey B Market), recently expanded its selections. New items are vegan and gluten-free donuts and cookies, gluten-free chips and homemade fermented drinks (Tepache and Kombucha). The business, formerly the sit-down restaurant The Buzz Sushi on Pacific Avenue (from 2022-23), changed concepts when it reopened. Customers can now purchase pantry items, beverages and vegan and non-vegan sushi to go. Additional selections include vegan milk tea, Kava, homemade vegan kimchi, homemade sauces, soft-serve ice cream and non-alcoholic wine and beer. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Learn more at thebuzzsushi.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Tanuki Cider tasting room opens Saturday

The grand opening of the Tanuki Cider tasting room, in collaboration with Sones Cellars, is Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. at Swift Street Courtyard.

WATSONVILLE

Goat Hill Fair on deck

Goat Hill Fair, with a bounty of vintage goods including lots of kitchenware, is Friday-Saturday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. There are 50-plus vendors. Available ready-to-eat food and drinks will include ice cream, kettle corn and items from Quail Hollow Smokehouse, Sabor Hidalgo, Togo’s and Hidden Fortress Coffee. Tickets start at $15. Learn more or buy tickets at goathillfair.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Reservations available for Thanksgiving buffet

Chaminade Resort and Spa is hosting a buffet from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Reservations are required at chaminade.com/santa-cruz-restaurants/thanksgiving-at-chaminade or 831-465-3452. Selections include a carving station with prime rib and turkey, an omelet bar, a poke bar, traditional holiday accompaniments and dessert. Cost is $85 for adults, $25 for kids 3-12 and free for kids under 3.

WATSONVILLE

Fruition Brewing, Digital NEST partner for event

Digital NEST is celebrating its 10th birthday with a free party at Fruition Brewing (918 East Lake Ave., fruitionbrewing.com) from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register at tinyurl.com/fruitionbrewing. Also, Fruition will be releasing a special beer, Nest Nectar, brewed exclusively for Digital NEST. It will be available at the party and beyond. Nonprofit Digital NEST (digitalnest.org) provides underserved Latinx youth with hands-on training in graphic design, web development, marketing and video production.

CAPITOLA

Fondue at Cheese Shop 831

Cheese Shop 831 (3555 Clares St. Suite V, 831-515-7406, cheeseshop831.com) is offering a fondue special for $18. With six ounces of hot fondue (made to order with Red Siren, Moosbacher and Jarlsberg cheeses) and apple slices, cornichons, bread and salami, it will be available for about one more week and will return in the future.

Also, the shop recently launched a “Cheese Wheel of Fortune” for customers who spend $50 or more. Every spin is a winner with prizes including a free grilled cheese sandwich, a $10 gift card and 20% off the cheese of the week. Stay in the loop about news via Instagram @cheeseshop831.

SANTA CRUZ

Thanksgiving at Gabriella Cafe

Gabriella Café (910 Cedar St., 831-457-1677, gabriellacafe.com) will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving. A four-course $75 menu will be available. In addition to Diestel turkey, choices will include vegetarian shiitake risotto, local halibut and lamb shanks. New wines by the glass are Talley Pinot Noir and Adelaida Zinfandel from Paso Robles.

Also, “chef Gema Cruz will offer tamales, breakfast burritos and $5 tacos at the kiosk adjacent to Pizza My Heart on Pacific Avenue beginning in early December,” says owner Paul Cocking.

FELTON

The Grove accepting Thanksgiving orders

Customers can place Thanksgiving pre-orders at The Grove Café and Bakery (6249 Highway 9, 831-704-7483) Order in person or by phone by Nov. 21 and pick up Nov. 27. Selections include complete, ready-to-heat turkey feasts and a la carte options (stuffing, gravy, ready-to-bake dinner rolls, pie and more). See the full menu at thegrovefelton.com/thanksgiving.

SANTA CRUZ

Food Bank, Sante Adairius collaborate

Sante Adairius is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank and the Rio Theatre for Mountainfilm on Tour at the Rio Saturday. When doors open at 6 p.m., Sante Adairius beer will be available. A portion of beer and ticket proceeds benefits the food bank. The film screening begins at 7 p.m. “Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado,” say event organizers. Visit riotheatre.com for details or to buy tickets.

SANTA CRUZ

The Buttery Bakery Thanksgiving pre-orders

The Buttery Bakery (702 Soquel Ave., 831-458-3020, butterybakery.com) has pre-ordering available via the website, phone or in person. Pickup is Nov. 27. Desserts include pumpkin cheesecake (mini or regular size), chocolate cake with a Thanksgiving design, pies and shortbread cookie boxes. There are also several varieties of 12-pack rolls.

LA SELVA BEACH

Food trucks, crafts, bake sale and books

The La Selva Beach Holiday Fair is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the La Selva Clubhouse Lawn (314 Estrella Ave.). Food vendors include S&B (burgers and more) and Tacos el Jesse. There will be 50-plus vendors selling jewelry, art, olive oil, vinegar and more, and a Friends of the Library used book sale. The Library Teen Advisory Council hosts a bake sale and raffle. This event raises funds for La Selva Library programs and the La Selva Beach Improvement Association. For details, contact booksandbrewsLSB@gmail.com.

Quick Bites, compiled by Tara Fatemi Walker, is your weekly helping of Santa Cruz County restaurant, food, and drink news. Send items to sentinelfood@gmail.com (Sunday 7 p.m. deadline for that week’s column). Want local food & drink news as it happens? Follow the Sentinel’s food crew on Twitter @santacruzfood.