Vim Dining and Desserts

Focusing on bringing the feeling of home together with local ingredients and refined techniques to create food that fills the heart — VIM Dining & Desserts specializes in thoughtful, New American cuisine with a nod toward Chef Jesikah’s Italian roots, joined by unforgettable, innovative desserts. The intimate setting, with its warm lighting and stylish décor, sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience where handcrafted cocktails are expertly prepared by talented mixologists. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying not one, but three of their signature cocktails, the indulgent and earthy On Beet — concocted with Diplomático Rum Reserva Exlusiva, Flor de Caña Rum Extra Seco, fresh-squeezed lime, beet juice, house apple lemon balm syrup, and Berto Bitter, the smooth and balanced Twenty Minute Mondays with Four Roses bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, Luxardo apricot liqueur, fresh-squeezed lemon and rosemary, Angostura bitters, or the full-bodied Wouldn’t Call It A Manhattan with James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey, Graham’s Tawny 10- Year Porto, Bordiga Aperitivo, fresh black cherry, and cocoa bitters.

A hidden gem on the Westside, Vim Dining & Desserts welcomes you with bright, art-deco-inspired interiors and soft jazz tones that transcend time, while the menu’s ever-changing array of California cuisine keeps things fresh. Share an intimate drink at Vim’s luxurious bar before taking a seat: we recommend the patio, where twinkling lights, luscious greenery, and plenty of heat lamps provide a charming setting to cozy up with your date. The all-organic fare is meticulously curated by Chef Jesikah Stolaroff, and changes seasonally, so there’s always a new temptation to enthrall your taste buds.

The Westside’s Vim Dining & Desserts has a loyal following for its welcoming service, creative, seasonal menu and jaw-dropping housemade desserts. Chef Jesikah Stolaroff is a whiz at layering flavor and texture, while also making sure her dishes are balanced and satisfying. She also makes a point to always have thoughtful vegan appetizers, entrees and desserts on her dinner menu that would tempt any diner, like a chili and tomato-braised hominy with lentils, delicata squash and poblano cream with crispy oyster mushrooms and chili crunch ($29).

- Rating: 4.8/5 (238 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 2238 Mission St. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Desserts- Read more on Yelp. This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros. You may also like: Best places for 5 popular indoor activities in Santa Cruz

Across the street from The Water Street Grill, Full Service, American, Open for: lunch, dinner. Low-key, family-owned restaurant offering classic American steak & seafood, plus beer & wine. 2.00 block(s) from Santa Cruz Diner, Full Service, American, Open for: breakfast, lunch, dinner.