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Nothing like a progressive dinner – hopping from place to place with a different course at each stop. It’s more than a meal; it’s an adventure! Don a fuzzy red/white cap or some reindeer antlers, and you got your own Santa Crawl. When no one wants to host, but you still want to party, try an easy-to-plan celebration no one will soon forget.
My friend Elizabeth and I chose Santana Row, not only because Santa lives in the heart of Santa-na, but because it’s a great meet up. Holiday decorations all over and interesting eateries walking distance apart. If you haven’t been to Santana Row in awhile – put on your list and check it twice.
Here’s our plan:
Santa-na Crawl
El Jardin – Holiday toast
Zazil – Appy Hour / light bites
Suspiro – Dinner
Speakeasy?? – Nightcap
4:45 PM: El Jardin
Pop in to the all outdoor garden and get happy 2 PM – 6 PM, Mon – Wed with 3 for 2 at El Jardin – three chicken, pork, lamb, or mushroom tacos for the price of two. To get our Santa Crawl up, up and away…. I’m looking for a taste of their Spicy Margarita ($12), with a side of Ryan Gosling please. Or maybe Frozen Lips ($19) from an inspired winter cocktail list. A full dinner menu is also available. Keep an eye out for holiday specials and a packed month of live music performed street side while DJ’s spin tunes in the back. The band just started while I was driving away at 9 PM on a Wednesday.
5:30 PM: Zazil
Walk a few minutes to Zazil where chef Yerika Muñoz and her team are cooking up flavorful Mexican dishes cultivated from cherished family recipes. All decked out and pretty, Zazil is celebrating the classics like Chilies en Nogada with holiday style. Zazil happy hour is Mon – Thurs., 3 PM – 6 PM, with indoor and outdoor seating. I’m considering the Tacos Vegetarianos Ensenada ($20) with tempura tofu, cabbage slaw and morita chile mayo, a smaller and spicier version of a chipotle pepper.
6:30 PM: Suspiro
Stop three means dinner. Walk another minute over to Suspiro, for a flavor trip through Spain and Peru. There’s plenty of meat and fish on the menu, but also interesting options for the plant-based among us. I have my eye on Empanada de Vegetales ($15) with a huancaÃna sauce (aji peppers, queso fresco, and onions), or maybe the Paella Vegetariana and Berenjena Asada ($16) with roasted eggplant, leeks and Manchego. Always looking for that 15 grams of protein per meal, I hope to order side of good beans. And they have it! A really delicious hearty lentil salad.
At this point, we need nonalcoholic for the ride home. I’m bummed because Suspiro has a fun list of spirited holiday cocktails like the ones pictured below. No worries, the zero-proof menu looks good too. Inca Empire (Inca Kola, Lime, Pomegranate, Dragon Fruit Bursting Boba) or Chicha Morada, a Peruvian beverage of purple corn, spice and fruit, (both $9) prove delicious. Not just sweet – complex and satisfying. I love what bar masters are doing with nonalcoholic drinks these days. Even the packaged ones are catching more of my humors. By the by, we’ll be Food Partying! some style of Dry January again so come back after the new year and we’ll do it together.
8 PM: Speakeasy (shhhh)
Did you know there is a speakeasy on Santana Row? I didn’t either and Google isn’t telling. Everybody knows but nobody’s talkin’. That’s right… speak easy. Try searching – you’ll find nada. Here’s the only clue I’ve heard:
Go to Suspiro website. Scroll to bottom and red star in right hand corner. Click to Instagram. "Follow." Wait for instructions.
- photos courtesy of LSIC unless noted
