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Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio del Mar Blvd
Aptos, CA 95003
Uber
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Dessert Menu
Happy Hour Menu
Cocktails
Kids Menu
Doggie Menu
Dinner
Dessert Menu
(Menu items & prices subject to change without notice.)
Our Famous Housemade Desserts
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse
served in a florentine cup, with crème anglaise & bittersweet chocolate sauce
- $20.50
Rangpur Lime Napoleon
filo dough crust, rangpur lime custard & raspberry coulis
- $19.00
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
caramel sauce & crème anglaise
- $18.50
Classic Crème Brûlée
$14.50
our version of a classic, vanilla bean custard & topped with caramelized sugar
Brownie Sundae
$20.50
housemade brownie, french vanilla ice cream, bittersweet chocolate sauce & candied walnuts
Banana Bread Pudding
$20.50
sauteed caramelized bananas with brown sugar & brandy: chocolate sauce, & housemade chocolate jack daniels ice cream
Sorbets
$18.50
our daily selections, served over fresh fruit
Ice Creams
$18.50
chocolate "Jack Daniels" or french vanilla bean: served in a cookie tuile with bittersweet chocolate sauce & raspberry coulis
Warm Bread Pudding
$18.50
topped with toasted almonds, brandied raisins, creme anglaise & raspberry coulis
★Lemon Tiramisu
$20.00
Lady fingers soaked in housemade limoncello, lemon mascarpone mousse, topped with lemon curd, crème anglaise & amarena cherry sorbet
Seasonal Cobbler
$20.50
brandied sauteed seasonal fruit & french vanilla bean ice cream
Cookies and Cream Ricotta Cheesecake
$18.50
with a cookie crust and cookie crumbles
All prices listed on the menu are priced with a 3% discount for cash payment . A 3% convenience fee will be added to your bill when using a credit card for payment. Menu Prepared by Chef-Proprietor Thomas Vinolus. All fried items come in contact with gluten and almonds.
SAVORY BITES
Available with purchase of any beverage. *RESTRICTIONS APPLY*
Margaritta Pizzetta
MARGARITTA PIZZETTA - san marzano tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, basil & old-fashioned mozzarella
- $15.00
* Beef Carpaccio
$20.00
sliced raw beef, capers, bermunda onion, dijon mustard, arugula & manchego cheese
Ahi Tostadas
$19.00
Ahi "Tostadas" ~ogarashi crusted ahi, avocado-apple mousse & pickled vegetables
Tempura "Flat" Beans ~
$18.00
togarashi dusted crispy organic romano beans; spicy soy dipping sauce
Happy Hour Drinks
TALK.EAT.DRINK.REPEAT
Selected Beers
$6.00Basic Well Drinks
$6.00House Select Wines
$7.00Bittersweet 75 (French 75)
$10.00
hendrick's gin, lemon juice, simple syrup & topped with sparkling wine Where There's Smoke ~ 10 mezcal, jalapeño & fresh lime & lemon
First Glance
$10.00
Tito's, grapefruit juice, Aperol, lemon juice, agave & topped with sparkling wine
Where There's Smoke ~
$10.00
mezcal, jalapeño & fresh lime & lemon juice
Menu Prepared by Chef-Proprietor Thomas Vinolus. All fried items come in contact with gluten and almonds.
Menu Prepared by Chef-Proprietor Thomas Vinolus. All fried items come in contact with gluten and almonds.
Starters & Shares
Beef Carpaccio*
$24.00
Sliced raw beef, capers, bermunda onion, dijon mustard, arugula & manchego cheese
Chanterelle & Polenta
$26.00
crispy polenta triangles, forged wild golden chanterelles, caramelized onions, shallots, garlic; touch of butter & a drizzle of balsamic glaze
★Glazed Pork Belly
$24.00
glazed pork belly, apple gastrique & apple slaw
Caviar Bumps
$24.00
caviar, crème fraiche; housemade brioche toast point (four bites per order)
Local Halibut Crudo*
$26.00
local halibut; avocado mousse, cucumber, radish, scallion, lemon, lime & orange , EVO oil, calabrian chili oil, micro greens, caper & jalapeño
Shrimp Dynamite
$28.00
crispy tempura shrimp tossed with a sweet-asian glaze, drizzled with sesame aioli, sesame seed & macadamia nuts
Ahi "Tostadas"*
$26.00
togarashi crusted ahi, avocado-apple mousse & pickled vegetables
Steamers
$28.00
fresh clams in white wine, garlic, Calabrian chili, lemon & herb broth
Crispy Panko Crusted Calamari
$26.00
served with a spicy rémoulade
Tempura "Flat" Beans
$21.00
togarashi dusted crispy organic romano beans; spicy soy dipping sauce
Fried Brussels Sprouts
$21.00
brussels sprouts, bacon, walnuts; capers and italian parsley tossed in a spicy calabrian vinaigrette
Bistro Fries
$14.00
classic french fries, served with ancho chili mayo
Stuffed Mushrooms
$19.00
filled with polenta, crème fraîche, parmesan cheese & fresh herbs
Sweet Potato Fries
$15.00
served with mango-chili aioli & ranch dressing
Housemade Focaccia Bread
$7.00
topped with sea salt & extra virgin olive oil; whipped butter; Sub sourdough or gluten free bread
Burrata & Focaccia
$17.00
burrata cheese, "our" focaccia & local farmed honeycomb
Garlic Bread
$15.00
francese bread with our own roasted garlic spread & parmesan cheese
Pasta
Add: organic chicken ~ $10. Sub: truffle gnocchi ~ $4
Cheese Ravioli
$32.00
sundried tomato & vodka sauce with a touch of cream
Meatball & Pasta
$32.00
linguini pasta, house made meatball & nonna's bolognese sauce
Basil-Pesto Fettuccini
$32.00
fettuccini tossed with basil- walnut pesto, roasted garlic, sundried tomato, summer squashes, shallot & touch of creme
From the Sea
Classic Bittersweet Paella
$49.00
saffron infused rice with fresh fish, prawns, clams, chicken, spanish chorizo sausage, sweet pepper, tomato, green beans & garlic
Pan Seared Sand Dabs
$44.00
white wine, lemon, caper beurre blanc; seasonal vegetables & mélange of rice
Basil-Pesto Crusted Halibut
$49.00
locally caught halibut; roasted red pepper beurre blanc, au gratin potatoes & sautéed garlic spinach
Sesame Seared Ahí Tuna*
$49.00
soy mustard sauce; stir-fried julienne vegetables & mélange of rice
Halibut en Papillote
$49.00
baked in parchment paper over a bed of spinach, tomato, zucchini, yellow squash, kalamata olives, roasted bell pepper, exotic mushrooms, artichoke, fresh herbs, garlic, shallots & EV olive oil
Pan Seared Scallops
$48.00
tartufata (black truffle) beurre blanc; sautéed garlic spinach & au gratin potatoes
Blackened Cod
$34.00
ginger – plum beurre blanc; sautéed garlic spinach & au gratin potatoes
Linguini & Clams
$36.00
fresh clams, garlic, shallot, lemon, white wine, fresh herbs & roasted garlic butter
Seafood Puttanesca
$45.00
prawns, clams, fish, tomatoes, garlic, shallot, calabrian chili, anchovy, capers, herbs & red wine served over fettuccini pasta (spicy)
From the Land
Coulotte Steak*
$45.00
cabernet demi-glaçe; au gratin potatoes & seasonal vegetables
Slow Braised Short Ribs
$43.00
we cook our short ribs slow and low until fork tender in a cabernet pan gravy, sautéed garlic spinach & au gratin potatoes
Beef Stroganoff
$49.00
sautéed filet tips, exotic mushroom, caramelized onion, garlic, spinach, crème fraîche, white wine, brandy, fresh herb & sour cream served over fettuccini pasta
Steak & Frites
$34.00
garlic aioli & fries
Mom's Meatloaf
$31.00
pan gravy, seasonal vegetables & au gratin potatoes
Organic Chicken Parmesan
$33.00
topped with marinara & mozzarella; seasonal vegetables & au gratin potatoes
Organic Chicken Piccata
$33.00
pan seared organic free-range chicken breast in white wine demi-glaçe, lemon & caper sauce; seasonal vegetables & au gratin potatoes
Petite Filet Mignon
$49.00
medallions of petite filet, cabernet demi-glaçe; au gratin potatoes & seasonal vegetables
Salad
Bittersweet Blue Salad
$22.00
romaine, bacon, local tomatoes, pickled red onion, avocado, blue cheese crumbles, garlic croutons and a creamy blue cheese dressing
Pear Salad
$22.00
bosc pear, hazelnut, mesclun greens, orange, blue cheese, balsamic glaze & hazelnut vinaigrette
Tomato & Burrata Salad
$22.00
organic summer tomato, cucumber, burrata cheese, pickled bermuda onion, marinated olives, piparra peppers, basil, garlic croutons, herb -lemon drizzle, caramelized onion vinaigrette & balsamic glaze
Garden Vegetable
$18.00
organic mesclun greens, garden vegetables, candied walnut, gorgonzola cheese & sherry vinaigrette
Goat Cheese
$18.00
warm panko crusted goat cheese, romaine, arugula, orange, apple, candied walnut & pomegranate vinaigrette
Ranch
$18.00
romaine, bacon, avocado, tomato, boursin cheese crostini; buttermilk herb dressing
Beet
$18.00
roasted beet, feta cheese, pickled bermuda onion, candied walnut, organic mesclun greens & honey-dijon vinaigrette
Just Greens
$10.00
organic mesclun greens & choice of dressing: sherry vinaigrette, ranch, or blue cheese
Caesar*
$18.00
our rendition of a classic & shave parmesan reggiano
- Add: Marinated White Anchovies
- $3.75
Entrée Salad
make your salad an entrée by adding your choice of:
- Bistro Steak* $42.00
- Petite Prawns $33.00
- Organic Free-Range Chicken Breast $33.00
Asian Ahi Tuna Salad*
$35.00
blackened seared ahi tuna, mesclun greens, red bell pepper, carrot, orange, almond, jicama, crispy wonton, mango-sake vinaigrette; soy mustard dipping sauce
Soup
Minestrone
carrot, onion,celery tomato, exotic mushroom, sweet pepper,zucchini,yellow squash,kale, swiss chard, garlic, simmered in a vegetable stock, white beans & pasta, topped with basil pesto parmesan
- Bowl $16.00
- Cup $12.00
Wood Fired Pizzettas
Meat Lovers
$33.00
italian sausage, pepperoni, hickory smoked ham, bacon, san marzano tomato sauce & mozzarella
Margherita
$24.00
san marzano tomato sauce, extra virgin olive oil, basil & old-fashioned mozzarella
Fungi
$28.00
exotic mushroom, caramelized onion, roasted garlic, goat cheese, topped with arugula & white truffle oil
Vegetarian
$29.00
artichoke, sun-dried tomato, roasted garlic, mushroom, bermuda onion, san marzano tomato sauce & mozzarella topped with arugula
Pepperoni
$27.00
pepperoni, san marzano tomato sauce & mozzarella
The Italian
$28.00
house-made Italian sausage, roasted sweet pepper, bermuda onion, san marzano tomato sauce & mozzarella
Hawaiian
$29.00
hickory smoked ham, pineapple, san marzano tomato sauce & mozzarella
Bacon Chicken Ranch
$28.00
organic free-range chicken, bacon, roasted garlic, caramelized onion, sun-dried tomato, buttermilk herb dressing & mozzarella
Sandwiches & Burgers
All sandwiches served with bistro fries. Substitute sweet potato fries, Caesar, or bistro side salad, $4.50. Add bacon, mushroom, avocado, or caramelized onion, $4.50 each. Add pepper jack, cheddar, swiss, american or blue cheese, $4.50 each. Gluten free bun ~ $2.75
Crunchy Chicken Sandwich
$25.00
organic free range chicken breast rolled in a crunchy sesame, almond and corn crust, & ancho chili mayo on a ciabatta roll
Bittersweet Burger*
$20.00
⅓ pound angus beef patty
Garden Burger
$20.00
tomato, arugula & pickle
Side Dishes
Substitute gluten free pasta available. Add $3
Au Gratin Potatoes
$14.00Sautéed Mushrooms
$16.00Sautéed Garlic Spinach
$14.00Mélange of Rice
$10.00Seasonal Vegetables
$14.00Zero Proof Cocktails
$11
Just Beet It
bittersweet bistro beet shrub, lemon juice, ginger beer & seltzer water
Rose Bud
rose syrup, lemonade, raspberry & seltzer water
Strawberry Short Cake
strawberry shrub, vanilla syrup, lime juice & seltzer water topped with whipped cream
Strawberry Lemon Aide
strawberry shrub, lemon juice, hint of vanilla & seltzer water
Delicious Hibiscus
pomegranate, hibiscus, simple syrup & seltzer water
You're Berry Cute-Cucumber
blackberry shrub, cucumber, lime juice & seltzer water
Espresso No-Tini
"Bittersweet Style", espresso, & house vanilla cream
*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness
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General Info
Payment Types
Visa
MasterCard
American Express
Discover
Cuisine
American - Contemporary
Mediterranean
Seafood
Steakhouse
Meals
Dinner
Lunch
Hours
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday:
3:00pm - 9:00pm
About Us
Recognized by locals as one of the top restaurants in Aptos and Santa Cruz County, Bittersweet Bistro offers an American Bistro Cuisine style dinner menu with Mediterranean influences. Outstanding dessert menu and an award-winning wine list are served in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.