Santa Cruz County View
Dining Profile Restaurant
Dining Profile Info

Café Sparrow

When entering Café Sparrow guests know that they are going to be treated to a special meal that features the style, flavors and aromas of France. The restaurant's intimate setting, open kitchen and a hospitable greeting from owner-chef Bob Montague, set the stage for the enjoyment of a menu that reflects the character of a French country cuisine that includes dishes created with quality food products fresh from the fields and shores of Monterey Bay.

Bob often compares the relationship of cuisine and dining experiences of San Francisco and Santa Cruz to that of Paris and the French Provinces. "While these cities are widely recognized for fine dining and often referred to as the origin of cuisine styles, it is at the restaurants' tables in neighboring rural areas where the foods are harvested, that diners will experience regional cuisine at its perfection. Diners will also be introduced to new food products and refined cuisines before they are embraced into the main stream," said Bob. The relationship between local growers and restaurateurs allows for an ongoing collaboration that results in the development of new recipes and the integration of new culinary elements. He finds this true in the Santa Cruz area and particularly when speaking of his restaurant's menu. Using the framework of Country French cuisine, the menu features items that are distinctive to the Central Coast region as well as new additions, like dry farm tomatoes. "Our proximity to a wide selection of organic farms and fishing ports means we have access to fresh, daily deliveries of foods at the peak of their seasons."

You often find Bob in conversation with restaurant guests. "I like to know my neighbors and am inspired to develop new dishes that reflect their changing tastes and food interests." Café Sparrow refreshes its menu offerings daily. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and has special dining celebrations for Easter, Christmas and other holidays. A monthly Winemaker Dinner offers a four-course menu that is paired with wines from a featured Santa Cruz Mountain winery.

Bob and Julie Montague have owned Café Sparrow since 1989 and have developed a strong following from residents, business people and visitors.