Pino Alto - Aptos

We called their phone late April and left a voicemail (as instructed in their outgoing message w our name, phone#, date and time we were requesting a reservation. We were both looking forward to a special dinner. A week later we hadn't heard back so left a second voicemail requesting a call back please letting us know either way. They were still open. Still no call back ever. Somehow we later learned maybe seeing the campus billboard on Soquel they'd be closing for the season just two days before the date we'd requested. We'd called at least two weeks ahead yet they couldn't be bothered to let us know so we could adjust our date. We're only here for a short time so won't be back for another year. The previous visit we had to sit for about a half hour while they tried to figure out how to enter the charges correctly onto our Visa card. Food was fine. However the students need to be taught basic phone, customer service business skills for success. We were pretty annoyed and disappointed they couldn't bother to call us at all even though they were open.

This is a learning reastraunt for Cabrillo College Culinary Program. This is likely the best value in the area. Looking forward to many more visits! Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4 Recommended dishes: Homemade Bread

Pino Alto is a hidden treasure. The restaurant doesn't have a professional staff. Instead, all the staff are students of the Cabrillo College culinary program, so they really care about doing the best possible job. They are on top of it from sanitation to serving. We've eaten there several times. It has been excellent. Tuesday we had: roasted red pepper soup which was a perfect balance of creamy and pepper flavor, we also had shrimp on polenta. It was the best shrimp I've ever tasted in my long years. They make everything, including the bread served with lunch, which was better than bread served at other restaurants. The students rotate within the staff jobs to get the full experience. The waiters are careful and accommodating. The prices are reasonable and the environment (in the Session House) is open, uncrowded and visually pleasing. I highly recommend it.

My assistant chef and I had a delicious lunch by the fire in this beautiful venue. Support Cabrillo College and make your lunch reservation soon. Class will be over in a fee weeks. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

This restaurant is staffed by students in the Cabrillo College culinary program. Only open during the week, but that setting is phenomenal. Nice low-key dining experience, and they have a wine list. Wonderful midweek date night. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Features Dine in: Yes, Outdoor seating: Yes