“Try This” is a weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.
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Tarmo Hannula
Drink: Hotel Paradox cocktails
Seeds of Time is a cocktail served at Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St., in Santa Cruz. The drink includes Maker’s Mark whiskey, Blackberry syrup, lime, Bourbon, a sprig of rosemary and other goodies. While my wife enjoyed this concoction, I had their Arnold Palmer, an alcohol-free iced tea and lemonade drink. They were both satisfying, especially on a cold evening with our sofa seats right beside their gas fireplace in a quiet cocktail lounge. We’ve been going to the Paradox for years and have always enjoyed the rich mix of people coming through, like a family from Australia the other night. On warm evenings there are tables outdoors near the pool and we’ve found that atmosphere to be relaxing.
Fun: Forest of Nisene Marks
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Aptos. It has more than 40 miles of hiking trails and fire roads through 10,223 acres of mixed terrain. Recently my wife Sarah and I went there for a short trail hike and were refreshed by how easy it was to get there, how easy the trail was and the bounty of lovely nature. Everyone we passed had a friendly smile and a warm greeting. Within minutes we were met by a flowing stream clutched by dripping ferns, fallen trees and patches of river stones. I’ve never liked the term “getaway” because it sounds like a prison break, but for a calming change from the day-to-day chores, work and such, head east into the park for a refresher with Mother Nature.
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Johanna Miller
Drink: Pour Taproom
On a recent Friday night in downtown Santa Cruz, my friend and I finally walked into Pour Taproom, a place that I had often passed by on my many treks along Pacific Avenue.
The unique thing about “Pour” is in its name: you pour your own drink from a self-serve system on the wall. It is similar to places like Yogurtland in that you pay by the ounce, not the cup/glass.
Pour began in Asheville, North Carolina and has locations in eight other East Coast cities. Santa Cruz is the company’s first West Coast location.
When we arrived, we showed a helpful young woman at the door our IDs, and she swiped our credit cards into a computer. The computer was linked to our wristbands (not unlike those used at music festivals and theme parks).
The wristbands gave us access to about 70 beers, wines, hard ciders and nonalcoholic options. We scanned them over a selection on the wall and it “unlocked” the lever so we could pour.
Does this sound a bit too high-tech? Maybe it is, but I loved how the system allows you to taste a number of drinks before deciding on filling an entire glass. Each time you pour, a screen pops up telling you exactly how much you’ve spent. For four small tastes and one full glass of beer, I only spent about $10.
In addition, the screens give first-time beer pourers tips on correct technique.
Many of the beers, wines and hard ciders at Pour are from local companies, and the imported options are a touch above the brands you usually find at bars/restaurants.
Pour also boasts a full-service kitchen, which we skipped this time as we had already enjoyed a meal at Betty Burgers down the street.
I will be back to pour more.
Pour Taproom: 110 Cooper St., Suite 100 B.
For information visit pourtaproomsantacruz.com or call 535-7007.
