There are some restaurants I go to solely for the food, On the other hand, there are times when the environment of a restaurant takes precedence over the food, when the entertainment is more important than every flavor and nuance of the meal. Bocci's Cellar is such a place. On Sunday night, I went out with a friend to revel in the popular weekly sounds of the Santa Cruz Jazz Society. Performing in the back barn of this historic building on Encinal Street, this jazz group, along with many other live musicians throughout the week, draws crowds into an industrial area near Costco, a couple blocks from where Hwy 1 and Hwy 9 intersect. As we got closer, music wafted toward us, and moments later we found ourselves immersed in the deafeningly joyous Sunday night jam, packed at 6pm.
Finding it difficult to focus on anything other than the skilled musicians, we bopped our heads and munched on the francese bread with balsamic and garlic dipping oil that our server quickly brought out, happy to take our time and enjoy our rustic surroundings. Inside, there was romantic lighting, gleaming wood and a welcoming energy. At Bocci's Cellar, drinks flow, the music booms and everyone has a good time.
