Fine Food and Drinks With a View … and a Past!
By Noel Smith
To paraphrase a famous line from the musical Camelot:
Eti Levi Barkai is ready to bring Hollins House her special touch.
“Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as … Booka Restaurant!”
The star of the show at Booka was owner Eti Levi Barkai and the menu, drinks and attitude that were to be found there were marvelous.
We are happy to announce that the Booka spirit now lives in the Hollins House at Pasatiempo. Eti is now the manager of the Hollins House Restaurant and the combination couldn’t be more magical.
The Hollins House Restaurant is one of the best-kept secrets in Santa Cruz. It sits at the top of the Pasatiempo Golf Course overlooking one of the most marvelous views to be found anywhere of Monterey Bay. From there you can see below you, the green of Pasatiempo Golf Course, the city of Santa Cruz with its Boardwalk and Wharf, the blue of Monterey Bay, and across the bay, the outline of mountains descending to the west ending at the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove; truly a sight found nowhere else in the world.
However, the view is not the only attraction to be found at the Hollins House, it’s the fine food and exceptional drinks. Can you imagine sitting on the patio having dinner and wine or cocktails while admiring the described panorama? Your host, Eti Levi Barkai, has brought her passion for fine service, wonderful food, and fun drinks to the Hollins House at Pasatiempo. Those that enjoyed an evening at Booka or heard the stories of fine food and fun there, now have the opportunity to experience all of the above at the Hollins House.
Eti Levi Barkai (left) and head chef Jean Paul.
When Eti arrived at the Hollins house she found it already had a first class chef, Jean Paul, and together they have raised the bar to create an atmosphere of fine food and fine service that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. The serving staff has a great attitude and works hard to make sure your drinks and food are selected and served with a professional’s respect for “nothing but the best.”
The evening we were there, the entrées included Chicken Picatta, Potato Gnocchi, Grilled Rib Eye, Filet Mignon, New Zealand Lamb, and even Swiss Cheese Burger w/ Hand cut fries. Each entrée had a unique variety of sides to enhance the culinary experience. I can truly say from Appetizer (Oysters & Beef Carpaccio) to Entrée (New Zealand Lamb & File Mignon) to Dessert (Molten Cake & Apple Explosion) it was the one of the best Restaurant experiences I have ever been a party to. (My wife and I couldn’t keep from trying each other’s selections!)
To add to the Hollins House experience, Eti brought with her Colin Steinberger, a true a mixologist – someone who studies and helps evolve the field of bartending, by creating innovative cocktails the world has never seen and reveling and refining the techniques and drinks of the bartenders of old. Collin is a cocktail historian and revolutionary rolled into one. There are few places you can order such unique offerings from an official Cocktail Menu or find on the Dessert menu, Desserts Cocktails such as an “Olalliberry Pie” or “Mango Sorbet” Martinis.
Just a bit of History about this marvelous place: Marion Hollins was born in 1892 into a socially prominent and extremely wealthy family. She was perhaps the greatest female athlete of the 1920’s and one of the finest golfers of her time. Marion won 15 golf championships between the ages of 20 to 47. She owned the land where the Monterey Airport is located, the land where Carmel Valley Village is today, half of where Santa Cruz yacht Harbor is now, 10,000 acres of Big Sur, which included 8 miles of coastline, 128 acres in Scotts Valley, and the 570 acres of Pasatiempo where Marion built the Hollins House in 1929,
Here is where Marion entertained the wealthy of New York and Celebrities from Hollywood. Guests included the Vanderbilt’s, the Crocker’s, the Whitney’s, and the Rothschild’s. Celebrities she entertained included Claudette Colbert, Will Rogers, Jean Harlow, Babe Didrikson, Max Baer, Clark Gable, Mary Pickford, and Buddy Rogers.
Today, the Hollins House is not only a famous landmark, but it also has a friendly atmosphere with something good always going on. Here are some upcoming events at the Hollins House:
- Tapas Tuesday: Every Tuesday, Tapas menu ($4-$7 tapas), live music, indoor/outdoor seating, special cocktails/Mojitos.
- Mother’s Day: May 11, Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chef’s Buffet, $55 adults $20 children (prices are inclusive), indoor/outdoor seating, special cupcakes.
It’s an experience you don’t want to miss; the Hollins House Dining Room – open to the public Tuesday through Friday (and selective Saturday’s) from 5 to 9 p.m. for Dinner. Phone 831-459-9177 for reservations. Happy Hour Tuesday – Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
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Open To The Public … the scenery is free! And don’t forget to say Hello to Eti for me.
~ Noel Smith ~