June 28, 2016 – More than five years in the making, the long-delayed Splash Restaurant and revolving bar will open its doors to the public tomorrow on the municipal wharf in Santa Cruz.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to finally open,” said GM Dawit Taddese. “Everything that could go wrong, did,” he added, pointing to problems with the rotating bar and with the Coastal Commission as major hurdles. But all will be forgotten once the sparkling new eatery opens on Wednesday in the space once occupied by Carniglia’s.
Splash offers sweeping views of the Monterey Bay from every seat and a menu that aims to raise the bar on wharf food with craft cocktails and dishes like Rodoni Farms artichoke soup, beer batter fish and chips made with Discretion Brewing’s Shimmer Pils and a raw oyster bar.
The fanciful marine decor with schools of silvery fish hanging from the ceiling is simply a frame for the main attraction, which is the Pacific Ocean as seen through massive floor to ceiling windows on two sides of the restaurant. Interior walls are decorated with a film projection and underwater murals. A single port hole and a window in the floor add whimsy.
A steampunk-style octopus sculpture outside the front door is quickly becoming a selfie stop for tourists to the wharf. The already-famous revolving bar has a 32-foot diameter and makes a full rotation every thirty minutes, giving customers a constantly changing view.
The drinks menu has been created by Ethan Samuels—mixologist at 515 Kitchen + Cocktails, which is under the same ownership as Splash, Red Room and Riva Fish House. Just like at 515, Samuels uses fruits and herbs to mix seasonal beverages. The summer menu includes a cucumber rhubarb cooler, a cucumber lavender mule and, fittingly, the Endless Summer—made with lemongrass infused rum, lime juice and coconut water.
At a soft opening over the weekend, crab cakes were a stand out. But exec chef Caleb Hanscom, who also oversees the kitchen at 515, is trying to move beyond typical seaside fare with upscale menu items like smoked salmon, oysters Rockefeller and baby back ribs. Taddese calls it straightforward New American cuisine. See menu here. See pasta and drinks menu here.
Carniglia’s was purchased by Germaine Akin and partners in January 2010. They shut it down and began construction in November of that year. Now, five and a half years later, the wharf landmark again is ready for its second life. It will be open daily from 11am – 10pm.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
