Cafe Max at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Hotel Restaurant Features Hilton Eat Right Selections

Mar 6, 2009

The Hilton Hotel Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley has evolved since its first incarnation when it originally opened as The Inn at Scotts Valley.

At that time, kitchen storage was minimal, as the only food served was a breakfast buffet in the morning and hors d'oeuvres in the evening, inclusive in the room price.

Conversion to a Hilton Hotel

The hotel converted to a Hilton Franchise in 2001, opening Café Max, a full restaurant. The original kitchen storage limitations called for the necessity of preparing everything on the spot; fresh meats, poultry and fish as well as sauces and dressings. A handicap became a benefit for customers.

Lunch at Café Max

A recent lunch visit found arriving customers greeted warmly and asked for their seating preference in the pleasantly appointed dining room. Menus were presented immediately along with crusty bread and aioli-blended dipping sauce. On a chilly day, tables near the free-standing flagstone fireplace are a popular choice.

Hotel staff recently streamlined the menu to feature most requested items, with an emphasis on simplicity and creativity in presentation. Some of these are:

Coconut Prawns $12 - Crunchy tiger prawns served with wasabi cream aioli & spicy plum sauce

Chinese Chicken Salad $13 - Grilled chicken, crisp wonton strips, grated peanuts, mandarin segments tossed in a tangy Asian dressing

Traditional Cobb Salad $12 - Grilled chicken breast, avocado, bleu cheese, tomato, smoked bacon and boiled egg

Dinner at Café Max

Filet Mignon $27 - eleven ounce Angus, with cognac demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed seasonal vegetables

Fresh, wild Pan Seared Salmon $19 - served with seasonal vegetables and pesto acini pasta

Hilton Eat Right Menu

This health-conscious menu concept focuses on increased protein with reduced saturated fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories. Selections are available during breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service.

Eat Right Lunch and Dinner Selections

Fennel-Encrusted Chicken $23 - lightly grilled skinless chicken breast, baked and served on a bed of steamed spinach with tomato coulis

Grilled Chicken Breast $22 - grilled chicken breast served with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables

Baked Salmon Béarnaise $22 - Baked salmon with rich béarnaise, roasted potatoes, steamed asparagus and sautéed spinach with red grape tomatoes

Local Wine List

The premium wine list consists of local Santa Cruz wines only, including chardonnay, pinot grigio, gewürztraminer, sauvignon blanc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, zinfandel and syrah. Many of these wines are produced from grapes grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. Prices range from $8 – 16 per glass and $32 – 64 per bottle.

Quality Banquet Food

Several local organizations who gather weekly at the hotel, feel fortunate to have such high quality food served at their meetings.

Scotts Valley Fire Chief and Rotary Club president Mike McMurry says, “They serve a wonderful buffet lunch for us each Monday and offer a variety of selections. There is always a great Caesar salad, an entree, hot vegetables and wonderful desserts. The staff takes good care of us.”

The copyright of the article Cafe Max at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley in Food Trends is owned by June Smith. Permission to republish Cafe Max at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.