Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed.
"My wife and I just enjoyed our second dinner at Oswald. Both were outstanding. Great food and service. They limit the menu so that they can excel with the dishes that they serve. The wine list is good, not exhaustive. Markups are fair - 2 to 2.5x. Corkage is $15. We had a killer cherry and apricot upside down cake dessert. Not inexpensive, but fairly priced. We will return."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot, special occasion
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"I was visiting Santa Cruz and happened to read about Oswald at the B&B I was staying, walked by and glanced at the menu which was fairly minimal and hearty. Overall I was extremely surprised at how wonderful everything was- from the service, to the drinks, to the food.
The drinks were delicious and creative; try the cooler, which was composed of gin, cucumber, and lime on the rocks. The food was fast, flavorful, and everything presented beautifully. I definitely recommend the ahi tuna appetizer and either the steak or halibut entree.
I have been raving about Oswald to my fellow New Yorkers who are thinking of taking trips to California and to everyone who asks about my trip :)"
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have been to Oswald's a few times and had really amazing food and service. My last visit over the wkend was lackluster, for sure. Our waiter was very unattentive but we had our water filled every 2 minutes...it was distracting to have someone fill our glasses with water 3 times before they even took our order. The food here is good but it's not cheap and all our appetizers were solid but the main dishes were really just ok...esp for $28 dollar steak. I really expect exceptional service and food that is makes me want to come back. It's a popular place but for the price, I think that I might consider another option the next time that I am in town."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"Nothing special. The asparagus appetizer was the only good thing we had. The pasta was tasteless. There are better options in Santa Cruz. Initial server was helpful but someone else took over for dessert. We waited for it for 20 minutes and then asked the hostess to cancel it and bring the check. Wine list was ridiculous. They claim to be local oriented, but virtually all the wine was from Europe. Whats wrong with California wine?"
Dined on 5/02/2013
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"I was in town for a conference and came here with three co-workers. We ordered pasta, seafood stew, ahi tuna, and the halibut. All of our meals, appetizers, and desserts were delicious. I especially loved the salad with crab and avocado, the halibut, and the almond custard torte. The drinks from the bar were great too!
I would come here again if I travel back to Santa Cruz."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Professional wait staff make such a difference as opposed to servers just doing it for a w/e or summer job. They were all knowledgeable about the menu and when the food was ready it was brought out by the first person who saw it "up"- great teamwork. The food was fantastic!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, hot spot
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"Our main server was not very attentive and we felt as if she was more interested in serving other tables. A larger table that arrived after us received their food first. When we did receive our food she did not bring it herself and our fries were warm not hot. My husbands steak was overcooked and not how he requested. The only saving grace was a server named Maria who happened to be performing other duties that evening. She was superb in her customer service and helped to ease the frustration in other areas. Overall I would not be in a rush to return. We hoped for a special experience like the first time that we dined their but did not receive that. The menu did not change much and needs more creativity."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
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"I'd heard it was pretty noisy but we had a table next the wall and were easily able to carry on a conversation so I was pleasantly surprised. The food was great - if a bit high on the butter! and also they had many GF items which made my guest happy. Would definitely go again. The white wines by the glass were a bit in short supply but we got a recommendation from the wait person for something to go with the halibut and it was excellent. The service was impeccable. Just the right amount of attention."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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"This place is a gem in Santa Cruz. It's a happening place with great food, great service, and a really wonderful and friendly wait staff. It feels like family every time we go. I love this place."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Oswald is dependable for well prepared food that is not overly complicated. For example one entree was steak and fries- classically prepared , not innovative, but very well executed. The seafood stew was delicate in that it was not tomato based. Great flavors, I just wish there had been more of it. Over all, the portions were on the small side without any vegetables to round out the plate."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"Great locals joint. Bar serves up great drinks and the fun is always infectious. However we typically eat in the dining room as the service is impeccable. Thanks for being around... SC has slim pickins with regards to good eats- so we are grateful for Oswald."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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"The food was excellent as well as the service. I had the Char special with the Dungeness crab appetizer and my husband had the skirt steak with blue cheese and the cauliflower soup as an appetizer. so good! it was cooked perfectly and in a timely manner. definitely recommend the almond custard torte an the chocolate souffle :-)"
Dined on 03/12/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Food is always excellent. Pleasant combination of tastes. However, I'm giving them four stars on their drink selection. The drinks they have are quite tasty, but the options are too few. I like a more varied selection, personally, but overall, this place is great!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"San Francisco type restaurant in Santa Cruz. Younger crowd at the bar area for drinks and bar food. Older crowd for dinner. The waitress was great. My rack of lamb was perfectly cooked. The food was very warm but not hot. The scalloped potato dish suffered from this. My husband had a pork dish that he liked a lot. It's nice to have a restaurant like this in town. It feels special to dine there. My hope is that the food stay very good and moves up to great."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Although our reservation was for 8pm, we were not seated until approx 8:30. Since it was a busy night, Valentine's Day, we figured that was not a big deal. However, our service seemed to get worse and worse from that point on. Our meals took well over 45 minutes to be served, during which time 2 other tables, seated after we were, finished their dinners.I do not imagine we will return."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2004
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"My steak was very salty and I had to take it home to eat (scrap off the salt). Waitress forgot to bring wine to table and we had to find her to remind her. Other people with me enjoyed their dinner."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups
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"Loved fixed price menu. Good choices especially for the appetizers and the desserts. The chocolate souffle was my favorite. The waitress could not have been better. She gave good advice on wines and menu choices. I hope to return soon."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Always great - we have been there many time and each time is a food and service is as good as the last... Our experience is that that is a rare trait and worthy of this Outstanding rating."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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"Food was very well done. Service was excellent. Only negative (if there was one) was the noise level, but not so bad as to detract from a very nice meal. In fairness, we dined late, 9pm on Saturday night,,,, the bar was busy. Will return..."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, hot spot
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"I used to review restaurants in Santa Cruz many years ago, but had avoided Oswalds since it reopened in its current location under a garage. After my first meal, I am sorry for the long delay and will be back whenever I'm in town. The menu was limited but each dish was excellent, and the wine list was filled with wonderful bottles from major wine regions around the world."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"My husband and I were given a gift certificate for Oswald. We've heard about the restaurant for many years but this was our first visit. Truly a gem in downtown Santa Cruz - one of the top restaurants in the area. Fabulous atmosphere, delicious food - a great dining experience. We can't wait to go back."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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"This restaurant remains a favorite on consistent basis. The food is fantastic, menu changes with the availability of fresh produce, in season fish, chef's determination of meats. Once you finish dining, you begin to plan when you will be returning, great restaurant."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Everyone's meat was exceptional, but the sides were pretty unimaginative. My husband was underwhelmed with French fries served with his ribeye steak, for example."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Best restaurant in Sanat Cruz, hands down. If you are looking for dishes with delicate flavors and interesting ingredient combinations,including their cocktails, you must try Oswalds."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"The food was very good. People in my party also enjoyed the food and were even surprised with the quality and said that they will be back. Nice selection of wines and drinks. I was not trilled with service this time, but when I was there at some other time, the service was much better."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find
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"Great spot to have a nice "get away" from the usual restaurant atmosphere. Reminiscent of the 50's dinner set up but with a santa cruz city twist in a metropolitan setting."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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