what is the coziest restaurants in bay area SJ, Peninsula, SF? (Santa Cruz: extended stay, buying)

[ggcd951]

Looking for comfortabl, warm, cozy settings, fewer people, somewhat secluded area, hidden gem like location, less people, laptop friendly. Dont forget about good food as well.

[SFBayBoomer]

Most people's definition of cozy doesn't include laptops. Mine sure doesn't.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

Most people's definition of cozy doesn't include laptops. Mine sure doesn't.

I don't think that's true at all... especially with so many people working remotely now, I'd certainly want a cozy spot if I was working on my laptop all day!

OP: Once the waters recede, we've got a lot of "hidden gems" up in the Santa Cruz Mountains (where I live). Just depends on what type of food you like, and what hours you'd be there. We have some really cute cafes, like Treehouse and Jenna's, but they close early after lunch.

[Hawk J]

We have always loved The Shadow Brook Restaurant, in Capitola. Delicious food & Beautiful views.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=Shadow...&wsso=Moderate

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

I don't think that's true at all... especially with so many people working remotely now, I'd certainly want a cozy spot if I was working on my laptop all day!

My comment is not for the multi-hour, laptop-using-patron, the sort who hangs out for many hours and does not order very much food and beverage to compensate for the lack of table-turnover to accommodate them; rather, it is for the traditional patrons who do want a cozy restaurant for meals and don't want to have their restaurants taken over by remote workers using their often-noisy laptop keyboards.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Hawk J

We have always loved The Shadow Brook Restaurant, in Capitola. Delicious food & Beautiful views.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=Shadow...&wsso=Moderate

I looked this up, because I spend part of the year in the area. I fail to see how a fine-dining restaurant charging $30/plate or more would welcome people settling in for hours with their laptop. Or have times changed? Am I behind the times?

I can see coffee shops and bakery/cafes being ok with a few members of the WFH crowd taking up some marginal tables for an extended stay now and then (if the businesses aren't too busy with patrons buying meals, so that extra seating is regularly available), but I can't imagine high-end venues taking reservations allowing that. Maybe by "good food" the OP didn't mean salads at $12-$19 dollars each, and goat cheese and truffle-filled pasta dishes...? Maybe s/he meant an informal breakfast/lunch place offering decent-quality breakfast and sandwich fare?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

My comment is not for the multi-hour, laptop-using-patron, the sort who hangs out for many hours and does not order very much food and beverage to compensate for the lack of table-turnover to accommodate them; rather, it is for the traditional patrons who do want a cozy restaurant for meals and don't want to have their restaurants taken over by remote workers using their often-noisy laptop keyboards.

This is how I took your comment, and I agree with your sentiment. (Couldn't rep you.) I'm thinking there must be a niche in the casual restaurant businesses, that's evolved to accommodate some of these people. I've only seen this at places like Starbucks, though; not at popular restaurants.

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

This is how I took your comment, and I agree with your sentiment. (Couldn't rep you.) I'm thinking there must be a niche in the casual restaurant businesses, that's evolved to accommodate some of these people. I've only seen this at places like Starbucks, though; not at popular restaurants.

Thanks. We avoid Starbucks altogether now, precisely because there aren't enough empty tables available for small meals. We don't usually like to grab beverages to go, but prefer to order some food to eat with the coffee or tea, so if there isn't any place for us to sit and relax inside the establishment to do that, we don't patronize the business at all, unless our plan is to sit outside in a local park.

Also, Starbucks used to be quiet, but with people making video calls and clacking away on their laptops, it is just not relaxing anymore.

Still, I'd rather Starbucks allow casual workers and not see other restaurants open up to them.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

Thanks. We avoid Starbucks altogether now, precisely because there aren't enough empty tables available for small meals. We don't usually like to grab beverages to go, but prefer to order some food to eat with the coffee or tea, so if there isn't any place for us to sit and relax inside the establishment to do that, we don't patronize the business at all, unless our plan is to sit outside in a local park.

Also, Starbucks used to be quiet, but with people making video calls and clacking away on their laptops, it is just not relaxing anymore.

Still, I'd rather Starbucks allow casual workers and not see other restaurants open up to them.

Yes, corral them all at S'bux, haha. What's the situation at Peet's? I always far preferred the atmosphere at Peet's, though their locations are usually smaller with fewer tables. There's not really enough room there for patrons who occupy a table for hours on end, displacing others. (Peet's has better coffee, too.... )