November 15, 2022 – One would think the Bilanko family’s success with their Ivéta cafés on the Westside of Santa Cruz and at the Graduate Student Commons at UC Santa Cruz, as well as manufacturing their award-winning baking mixes, would keep the family in the dough. But they’ve recently opened a third eatery in Santa Cruz on lower Pacific Avenue.
Ivéta 545, also known as Ivéta Downtown, is their newest ode to Italian café culture. Unlike their other establishments, Ivéta 545 is a “fine casual” restaurant and wine bar serving lunch and dinner. The 50-plus seat space is elegant and minimal yet intimate. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto an expansive patio give you the feeling that you’re dining al fresco no matter where you’re seated. There’s also a six-seat bar if you prefer people watching and chatting with the staff while enjoying a glass of wine with your meal.
The shift from running cafés to a full-service restaurant isn’t such a stretch for the Bilankos, who owned and operated a restaurant in a suburb of Chicago before moving to Santa Cruz. General manager Lisa Bilanko explains, “We wanted to create spaces where you could relax with family and friends, enjoy good food, simply prepared, along with fine wines, local beer andItalian-style espresso.”
Raymond Chi, who was at Nobu Palo Alto, is chef de cuisine, serving a menu that reflects the bounty of the Monterey Bay area—with dishes like organic Brussels sprouts with Granny Smith apples, eggplant and squash with zucchini, mushroom risotto, seafood linguine and rib eye steaks served with frites and broccolini.
Wine and beverage director Darlene de la Cerna, of Classic Artisan Wines, has curated a fun selection of local and Italian wines.
Bilanko explains that soon, “The plan is to open seven days per week, instead of the current five days, with extended dining hours on the weekends.”
“In addition, we will be adding items to our lunch menu that are tasty and fast for our business customers, who have limited time and a casual weekend brunch for those who want a leisurely meal with family and friends,” she adds.
Ivéta 545 feels like it’s off the beaten path, but it’s really right in the middle of everything—a block from Kaiser Permanente Arena and a stone’s throw from the beach. Ivéta 545 and neighbor Big Basin Tasting Room and Wine Bar are the first hospitality businesses in the City of Santa Cruz’s plans to bridge the gap between downtown and the Wharf.
Ivéta 545 serves lunch and dinner at 545 Pacific Ave from 11 AM to 8 PM, Thursday through Monday. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For more, visit iveta.com
About the author
Jeff Bareilles is a Santa Cruz-based hospitality consultant, artist, photographer and writer who has overseen the beverage programs at some of the finest restaurants in California, including Manresa, Atelier Crenn, Commis and Mourad.
