Gem of authenticity with owners from New York with Sicilian background.
Wow! The Sunday Gravy which took hours to prepare was the perfect Bolognese style pasta sauce (though the word sauce does not give this thick and luscious staple of good cooking any justice). Pat Bruno’s recipe from one of the Chicago newspapers has been attempted in Chicago several times with some success and Lillian’s comes in close.
Appetizers are well prepared; try their gnocchi (they melt in your mouth)! Bread is perfect and wine choices adequate and fairly priced.
Location is great with plenty of parking nearby (and away from the hustle and bustle of “downtown” Santa Cruz and the waterfront).
Lillian’s
1148 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831)425-2288
Closed Monday
Open 4 to 9 pm (Sat & Sun until 10 pm)