Soif Wine Bar Restaurant, Santa Cruz

I totally enjoy going to Soif for a special occasion because I know I will get great food. The portions are not very large but every choice on the menu is a taste treat with an adventure. The flavorings are are just right and not overpowering for the dish. I can't go there often as it only fits into my budget for special events. The service could be better. We had to wait quite a while until the server acknowledged us and even had a quite a wait for our first glass of wine. The other thing that happened as far as service is concerned is that I came to the restaurant with several of my friends who I had not seen in a long time. There were 5 of us and when the bill came everyone was trying to figure out a 20% tip and then just by chance I noticed that a gratuity had been added on to the bill....I quickly checked the menu and it said that a gratuity would be added on for parties of 6 or over.. It would have been fine with me to have the gratuity added on but the waiter did not mention it to us when he put the bill on the table... I had to go and ask the waiter if in fact the bill had a gratuity added to it. He did say that it was added on (What if I had not noticed it??)... Our group was so caught up talking to each other that we almost tipped (20%)more onto the already added gratuity. I still go back for more though....

Don't waste your money or time(waiting for the horrible service)... I have eaten there only once and it was enough to make me want to cry. The waitress forgot what we had ordered, brought us the wrong wine, and then the food was terrible and cold. They have a good selection of wine and live music some nights, which is what has kept them in business with all the rich Santa Cruz socialites. I'll pass.

Creative menu of tasty foods, not a huge menu but food is prepared beautifully. The wine list is awesome...pricey but really good.