Bittersweet Bistro, Aptos CA

I really love coming to Bittersweet. I know the food is going to be amazing. The drinks are always on point. The staff are attentive and friendly. Quality, every time!

After years of going here, we are out. High prices, mediocre food, bad value and shenanigans like surcharges = lame!

What can I say but "Wow", this place is really great. It is one of my favorite places to eat for multiple reasons - I would come much more often in fact, if I lived closer than San Jose.

I usually stop here after a relaxing day at Rio Del Mar State Beach nearby since it is just around the corner. But it is close to many places south of Santa Cruz, so I highly recommend trying it out when you are in the area.

The place is gorgeous, both outside in the patio area, beautiful layout and beautiful decoration makes for a very relaxing place to hang out with friends and enjoy great food. The koi pool in the corner is very pretty as well as watching the fish swim. Outside is well lighted from the sun and surroundings, however there is enough cover to keep you in the shade during the summer and there are heaters to keep you warm during the winter.

The inside is also very spacious with separate different areas with lots of room between tables so that you can have a nice dining experience with plenty of company and yet feeling in your own space. The bar is also very nice with vaulted ceilings and a beautiful bar.

The food, drinks and dessert are all really excellent. There is an enormous selection of different foods of all types, pastas, appetizers, meats and fish as well as various seafood too. There's a huge cocktail menu including CBD options both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The mocktails are well thought out and appetizing for those who don't want alcohol.

There are many things I would recommend, but I really recommend the beat salad or the roasted brussel sprouts, the French onion soup, and the sesame crusted ahi tuna - You can't go wrong with any of these. But there are so many options that if you are in a good group of people, you can share and really enjoy a wonderful selection.

The staff is always perfectly friendly and willing to meet your every challenge. Once again, one of my most recommended restaurants especially down in the Santa Cruz area.

I used to eat here two to three times a month and have stopped due to their pricing. Not only have their prices have gone up substantially. Also during Covid they added an additional surcharge on their bill, I understood at the time but they continued charging this surcharge in 2022 and might still be charging it I don't know since I no longer eat there: (

Its a Downhill Run for a restaurant when they price out the locals. Like they forget who helped them get here.

Service is usually good and there are some good dishes on the menu (Seafood Puttanesca, short Ribs, Salmon, Ahi Salad). I used to come here more often when their prices were comparable to the quality of the food. Over the past years they have steadily increased their prices to the point that the food is just not worth the bill. The last time I ate there I noticed that the price of the Calamari appetizer had increased to $23.50. After you add tax and tip, that's almost a $30 appetizer. I was in the mood for calamari so I ordered it anyways. When it arrived at the table I was surprised to see that the portion had decreased in size. A meager portion arrived on a small plate. The Calamari itself is nothing to rave about either, just your everyday run of the mill calamari. For that price they could at least give a reasonably sized portion since it's simply an average tasting calamari.

We spoke to a gentleman at the table next to us and he said that he always leaves wondering how he spent that much money on the meal he just ate. He said he and his daughter love one of the desserts (can't remember which one). Now they eat elsewhere and come just for the dessert.

I love food and eat at hole in the wall restaurants as well as Michelin star restaurants. I'm willing to spend the money if it's worth it. Sorry to say that Bittersweet just isn't worth it.

While we had great service and the atmosphere was wonderful, the food was subpar. The most disappointing part was the dessert. We had a great expectations given other reviews, but the recommended banana bread pudding was just a blob of mess.

This is a very nice high-end, romantic restaurant in Aptos. The food is well made and delicious, but what they are really known for is their gorgeous desserts. Come here for a date or special occasion like an anniversary. It’s a little bit of a drive from San Jose or even Santa Cruz for that matter, however, if it’s for a special occasion or you’re in the Santa Cruz area and want some fine dining, then this is worth a try. Reservations required.

Delicious food. With a local vibe. Lots of tvs in the bar area, plenty of seating inside and outside. Outside area has heaters and a great Tuscany fell to it. Stop by the pond on your way out to see the beautiful fish

Went for a Christmas Eve meal and was not disappointed. The scallops and shirt ribs were amazing!

We like this place for the dog friendly back patio atmosphere, although they are a touch pricey. We were just there for our 34th anniversary.

In addition they add an additional amount (% of your check) for a cause they believe in. It may be a good cause.however I have a lot of good causes I already donate to and would prefer if they let me choose on my own.

Our example of pricey so you can decide for yourself.my Wife had a beer and I had a root beer, we had two appitizers, each had a small salad and a creme brulee. The bill before tip, including a $6.21 surcharge for donation was over $110.00. And that was during happy hour!

The food is pretty delicious

Very good service. Love the patio because my friend has dogs. They bring them water and you can order items like chicken for them.

The food is very good too. I like that they have a 'small plate' option when you want the entree but you don't necessarily want the big plate of food. Love the appeys. The mushroom brie is very good. Good wine selection, including by the glass. While we were there they fed the koi fish - with slices of watermelon! They loved it. This is a go - to place for us.

Great restaurant with good food. Pricey if you have a drink, but still a good value and if you don't drink is very reasonable. The servings are also large enough split.

They have a lot of covered outdoor seating in their enclosed courtyard with very powerful overhead heating (even though it was your typical foggy chilly evening we still needed to ask to have the heat turned down).

The inside seating is also very nice and probably a better choice if you wanted a quieter dinner; outdoors is more festive and can get a little noisy at times. The outdoors is also dog friendly.

I come to Aptos/Santa Cruz every few months. BB is a great place to meet up with my colleagues. Food and wine are wonderful. Staff need to recognize though when it's best to leave diners alone in their conversations.

Came on a Thursday evening and was seated right away. We chose to sit in the bar area so we could watch a game on the TVs. Had a few cocktails that were very good. I really enjoyed the chicken piccata. A little pricey, but it was a very lovely meal.