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Soif Wine Bar Restaurant Reviews List
Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Chef Santos Majano’s menu changes almost daily, though every dish – small plates, appetizers, entrées and desserts – emphasizes seasonal, sustainably grown, and intensely flavored ingredients primarily sourced from local farmers and provisioners.
Soif offers over 50 wines by the glass from small, artisanal producers, as well as some 400 selections by the bottle from our wine shop, available to diners for $10 over retail price.
We find our delight in discovering the distinctive, expressive wines, sourcing and preparing delicious, wholesome food, and then putting it all together so when guests walk in the door, night after night, there is something here for them that is authentic – that satisfies their thirst for the soulful, the delicious, and the well made.
75 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 75 reviews
5 stars
(38)
4 stars
(29)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(62)
- notable wine list(62)
- neighborhood gem(37)
- special occasion(30)
- romantic(21)
- hot spot(18)
Soif Wine Bar Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Soif presented the best list of wines by the glass I can recall. We enjoyed four French wines (including a Sauterne dessert wine). The list of beers was about as good. The food was first rate. We hail from Los Angeles. If this meal could be replicated here (perhaps a handful of places could match the wines by the glass), the tab would easily be about $150 higher.
We try to frequent Soif whenever we are in town."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 2 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Experience Soif
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Soif is a small local restaurant that offers a wonderful wine selection/wine shop, and very delicious food. I always find some very delicious meals and dishes at soif, and the paired wines allow me to try a larger selection of wines than I would find on my own. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
One of our favs....
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have eaten at Soif many times; it is one of the best places in Santa Cruz, in our opinion. We feel as though we are in SF or some other big city setting when we eat there. We have never been disappointed and the vast wine list and the wait people's knowledge makes for a perfect evening every time. Soif always has something new on the menu and always something unique that you won't find elsewhere. So glad they are there!!!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 4 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Dinner started out nicely
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Dinner started out nicely but took an unexpected turn, so our ratings are an average. Our initial server was very helpful and attentive. Everything we ordered was excellent. We had the serreno ham and asparagus to start, followed by the beets & walnut salad and the scallops for our main. Our servers wine recommendations were very nice. It as at this point things went down hill. Another server took our order for dessert and we waited and waited. After twenty minutes we asked the hostess to cancel our dessert and bring us our check. The second server finally appeared with the dessert and asked if we wanted it. We said no. We do not know if it was a server issue or the kitchen? They should have comped us for something!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2006
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Review 5 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We went out for a special
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went out for a special birthday dinner--delighted with all the dishes!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 6 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A wine bar with a top quality
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A wine bar with a top quality chef. Food is consistently excellent, from first to last course and from one visit to the next. Has become our favorite local destination for a delightful culinary experience. Truly skirting perfection with selection of offerings, preparation, creativity and presentation."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 7 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was fresh, YUMMY,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was fresh, YUMMY, innovative, and beautifully prepared without being pretentious. The wine pairings were outstanding. Our waiter, Scott, was extremely attentive without being cloying (and a very interesting guy). Can't wait to go again!"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 8 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastic all around. As always
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Fantastic all around. As always the small plates were amazing - the piquillo peppers and melted manchego cheese are wonderfully rich and perfect with the homemade bread and top notch olive oil. The tarte tartin dessert with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream was great. Wait staff always have great wine suggestions - but go for the pairings suggested on the menu. You won't be let down!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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Review 9 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
That space is very noisy..with
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"That space is very noisy..with the very high ceiling and no sound absorption the noise goes up and back down. Small children and babies at a wine bar high end/expensive restaurant doesn't fit- not really the restaurant's fault though. I would redo the seating there - take out the hard bench seating along the wall and allow chairs around tables (it's very awkward trying to seat yourself inbetween other diners. The wine pairings are helpful and the wine choices are good. Service was inconsistent. Attentive early on, but dropped off at the last 20 minutes."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2005
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Review 10 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We go here for the unique
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We go here for the unique wines, which they specialize in, with tasty small plates and full entrees. We got spot on recommendations for the appropriate wines for our dinner. Everything we ordered was very good. Stayed for 2 1/2 hours just enjoying the food, wine and good company."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 11 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Lovely find in downtown Santa
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Lovely find in downtown Santa Cruz. Very happy that we tried it because the food was of the highest quality and beautifully prepared. Service was gracious. Will certainly return."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 12 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Soif is one of our favorite
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Soif is one of our favorite downtown restaurants. It is always a wonderful experience."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 13 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Windy Oaks Winemaker dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We attended the Windy Oaks winemaker event and it was fabulous. We LOVED Santos' menu- it was as tasty as it read. The Windy Oaks pinot noirs paired with each course were diverse and interesting. It was nice to meet and chat with Jim of Windy Oaks."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 15 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent selection of wines
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent selection of wines by the glass or half glass. The selection leaned heavily toward Europe, which is a refreshing change, although it might have been nice to have a few more local choices. I had duck breast for dinner and my husband had the roasted rabbit. Both were quite good. The only quibble came with dessert, where I was told the sorbet of the day was cara cara orange when it was actually grapefruit, which I don't like. However, I was offered a different dessert when I found out."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 16 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wine lover's paradise
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always perfect. Not exactly "undiscovered" anymore, and in some ways "the" place to go in Santa Cruz, especially if you are a wine lover. The food is creatively prepared and always excellent, and the wine list is by far the best around (even though it is a little esoteric at times, the staff is unbelievably knowledgeable and helpful, so no one feels intimidated). It's just a terrific place."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 17 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
In the past year the quality
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"In the past year the quality of food preparation, particularly the entrees, has deteriorated significantly."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2002
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 18 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Wait
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Siof has an idea of what it wants to be but too often only manages to mix mediocre with pretension. Wine tender was put-upon to say the least and offered thin, even turpy cheap Spanish vinos. Waitress apologized for 'forgetting' us THREE times then later, unfinished plates and wine would be whisked away if we weren't paying attention. We had some reds and a Burrata, good, but the ossobuco was served as a thoughtless glop with solitary brussel sprout leaves,crumbs of brown cauliflower, no gremolata in sight or flavor. This is their most expensive dinner item and you would hope the kitchen would care. And this was only a Thursday night. *meh* Not worth another visit until we hear some changes have been made."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2004
Special Features: notable wine list
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Review 19 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful menu (if possible,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wonderful menu (if possible, even more so than usual), and as always an interesting wine list with a wide variety of wines to choose from."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 20 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
One of a kind Restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great entrée selections, creative and changing paired with wine. Wait staff is highly knowledgeable making dinner effortless and enjoyable. Music on Monday's is very complementary to dinner."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
By far out favorite place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"By far out favorite place in the Cruz"
Dined on 02/19/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 22 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Perhaps the best restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Perhaps the best restaurant in Santa Cruz."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 23 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always a great experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Soif never disappoints. This visit I requested a triple wine and cheese pairing, and it was delightful. Lovely friendly service as always."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 24 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was superb, but the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was superb, but the kitchen was slow."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 25 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Food, Great Wine
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great spot for foodies with interesting wines. Service was excellent even when very busy. We will be back."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 26 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Good if you like salty food
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The soup and salad were very good. The entrees were ok, but a bit salty. The veggies with the entrees were very salty. We should have sent the entrees back because of the saltiness. If we were to eat the again, I would be cautious about what I ordered and be ready to return what wasn't well prepared.
We ate there jan 24. The wine that was paired with the salmon - the server cautioned us that we probably would not like it.. She gave as a taste first, which was nice, but it was indeed as she described. The weird taste of the wine lingered with us for several minutes. Why suggest a wine pairing that is iffy? Given all the potentially great pairings, why not just give great pairings and leave the iffy wines to a separate tasting?"
Dined on 01/24/2013
2006
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Review 27 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Portion sizes may be small,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Portion sizes may be small, but the taste on every plate is always outstanding. And while not huge, the wine list has a wide variety of interesting options, many of them from varietals that generally wouldn't make "normal" wine lists, providing an opportunity to try wines you know you'll love or to try a wine that you've never had before. And the servers know their wines and are happy to provide advice or recommendations, and they will gladly get you a small taste of something if you're struggling to make a decision."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 28 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Delicious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our favorite. Menu changes often, uses local produce and manages to always have differing and interesting favors and wine pairings for each course. Recent memorable dishes included a Peking duck and a crispy pork belly in a dashi (?) broth."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 29 for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The Monday night oyster special
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The Monday night oyster special is a real treat. It will definitely draw folks who will then buy other plates and lots of wine. Food is always excellent."
Dined on 01/14/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Soif Wine Bar Restaurant
Based on the average of (46) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
8 out of 8 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic