Kids & Family

Shadowbrook, Sweet Pea's Cafe, El Chipotle,and More Honored for Healthy Food

The Golden Carrot Awards highlight restaurants that offer healthy menu items.





Five eateries in Capitola and Soquel received honorable mentions from the annual Golden Carrot Awards, a program that recognizes the most healthful restaurants in Santa Cruz County.

Watsonville's California Grill won the "Ultimate Golden Carrot Award" for 2013. The California Grill earned the top honor because of its "numerous healthy menu options, locally sourced food, and excellence in promoting healthful choices to their customers," according to a prepared statement from the awards committee. 
 
The Golden Carrot Award was created in 2009 to recognize Santa Cruz County restaurants that go the extra mile to assist residents in making healthful food choices when they eat out. 

Here are this year's honorees: 

Alfresco's, Santa Cruz
Auntie Mame's, Scotts Valley
The Bagelry, Santa Cruz
Betty's Noodle House, Santa Cruz
Café Ella, Watsonville
Café Iveta, Santa Cruz
Café Mare, Santa Cruz
Caffe Lucio, Santa Cruz
Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz
Charlie Hong Kong, Santa Cruz
El Chipotle, Soquel
El Jardín, Santa Cruz
Falafel of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
The Greek, Santa Cruz
Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel
Little Shanghai, Santa Cruz
Mamma Lucia, Santa Cruz
New Leaf Community Markets, Santa Cruz County
Pacific Thai, Santa Cruz
Pearl of the Ocean, Santa Cruz
Pleasure Pizza East Side, Santa Cruz
Pono Hawaiian Grill, Santa Cruz
The Red Pearl, Boulder Creek
Second Street Café, Watsonville
Shadowbrook Restaurant, Capitola
Sweet Pea's Café, Capitola
Thai House, Santa Cruz
West Marine Galley, Watsonville
Zoccoli's Deli, Santa Cruz

The California Grill will receive its award at a ceremony on Oct. 8. Members of Go for Health! and the County Public Health Department will present the award. There will also be a raffle of gift certificates from our 2013 GCA restaurants.

Find an interactive map of the winning restaurants on the Golden Carrot Awards Facebook page.

The Go for Health! Collaborative is based in Santa Cruz County with over 150 member agencies who seek to increase opportunities for nutrition and physical activity to address the high rates of childhood obesity. The collaborative has developed a comprehensive plan to work towards reducing this epidemic.


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