Oswald

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Oswald
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Oswald

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Address:
121 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Neighborhood:
Santa Cruz

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Contemporary American

Price: $30 and under

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More Details ›

Oswald Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://oswaldrestaurant.com
Phone: (831) 423-7427
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday: 5:30pm - close
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Executive Chef: Damani Thomas
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Wine

Getting there

Cross Street: Front
Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: Oswald is located on the street level of a four story public parking garage with very reasonable rates.

A word from Oswald

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.Continued

Oswald

4.3

84 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies
Diners' Choice WinnerSanta Cruz / Capitola / Aptos
Diners' Choice WinnerVibrant Bar Scene

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

85 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

85 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(66)
special occasion(49)
neighborhood gem(31)

vibrant bar scene(30)
hot spot(26)
notable wine list(25)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (85)

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

I was excited to go to this

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I was excited to go to this restaurant. However, I found it to be rather mediocre.
The mussels steamed in sherry were fine in flavor only they were cool by the time they arrived.
And so it went on. The pork tenderloin was cooked perfectly but the pureed potatoes were over whipped and the sauted brocolli was burnt in places. Desserts not exciting but pleasant.

The wait staff were lovely, friendly and helpful.

We took our own wine."

Dined on 04/14/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Start your meal with one of

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2001

Dined on 04/06/2012

2001

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Start your meal with one of their signature cocktails. The crushed strawberry, cucumber vodka martini was tart and bright. The vesper was light light and refreshing. My entree of scallops with creamy nettles and jasmine rice was prepared perfectly. The scallops were amazingly fresh and were enhanced by a little lemon zest. I also had a chance to try the rack of lamb. Nicely seasoned and cooked medium rare, it was very tender and delicious. The restaurant is quiet enough to have a good conversation despite being quite busy. Service was just right -- attentive without being over-bearing. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and would recommend it to friends."

Dined on 04/06/2012

2001

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ten For Ten...

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2005

Dined on 03/30/2012

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We have been here before and have always loved it. The crab and avocado app has a wonderful combo of flavors and textures and the Parmesan disk tops it off. The mussels app is prepared perfectly EVERY time and we have never had a better example anywhere. When they have it the celery root puree is awesome. Scallops, rib eye, lamb... it's all done very thoughtfully. The specialty bar drinks are just as well done as the menu... local wines at fair prices top it all off... Chocolate souffle... We have taken our kids here and their meals have been great too... we just make sure they are adding not disrupting the ambiance..."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Expensive and noisy.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Expensive: It was expensive for food that was not particularly special. Past experiences there were better. May have simply been what we ordered this time.

Too noisy for an enjoyable experience: The noise level made it less pleasant. Noise there has been high during dining hours since it opened at this location. They still have done nothing to minimize it. There are numerous possibilities for acoustic treatment that could be employed easily."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2012

Special Features: notable wine list

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

It's a pleasure to go to a

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2005

Dined on 03/24/2012

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"It's a pleasure to go to a restaurant in Santa Cruz where the service is truly attentive, friendly and helpful! We started with a strawberry, cucumber, & vodka drink that was zippy and fresh - a nice start to the evening. The food was delicious. Creative and well seasoned. We shared appetizers, had our own entrees and split desserts and didn't leave over-stuffed. A warm, but sophisticated spot."

Dined on 03/24/2012

2005

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Our second time to Oswad.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/10/2012

2010

Dined on 03/10/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Our second time to Oswad. I had the lamb which was excellent the portion was right sized for me, tho perhaps not for someone who was skipping a salad course. Hubby had the steak and thin onion rings also very good."

Dined on 03/10/2012

2010

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Way overpriced for less than

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2012

2012

Dined on 02/14/2012

2012

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Way overpriced for less than mediocre food. Would have rather had taxi bell for the same price than their room temp "fancy" food. What a hype."

Dined on 02/14/2012

2012

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Had a great time out. Service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/18/2012

2011

Dined on 02/18/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Had a great time out. Service was great and food was even better. Easily the best bar in SC which had a San Francisco feel to it."

Dined on 02/18/2012

2011

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Better Quality Control Needed

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/18/2012

2010

Dined on 02/18/2012

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The dinner entrees of pork tenderloin and skirt steak were both served lukewarm; I think the plates may not have been warmed. My partner complained and his plate was sent back to the kitchen, but was same state when it came back. I did not say anything about my meal not being hot. By the time my partner got his dinner back, I was already half-way done. The waiter was attentive and apologetic; the kitchen staff was at fault in this situation. I feel for the price of $125-$150 for two people to have dinner with cocktails and a shared dessert (without a bottle of wine), there should be no issues with food temperature."