Star Bene, Santa Cruz

The only Argentine-inspired restaurant in Santa Cruz, Star Bene serves “super comfort food,” as described by Christina Walters of Metro Active. Inside the low-lit dining room, which is reminiscent of a beach cottage, servers uncork bottles of Italian, Argentine, and Californian wines to complement swirls of homemade pasta, slow-cooked meats, and diners’ ever-rosier cheeks. Selected as "March Restaurant of Month" in 2014 by Santa Cruz Waves, Star Bene’s chefs use local, free-range meats and organic produce whenever available to create seafood, pastas, and meats complemented by beautifully simple sauces and fresh, stand-alone ingredients.