In today's newscast:
A new cafe keeps things simple
At a time when everything seems to cost more, Pazzo Italian Cafe in Monterey is serving up low prices. A sign outside the new cafe reads: “Cappuccino! $2.50.”
The sign caught the eye of Gustavo Matias, who works nearby. Ultimately the prices, vibrant-colored floors, and newness drew him in during the soft opening.
“ I was, like, considering Starbucks, even a black coffee's, like, $4," said Matias. “Different businesses come through, so I hope they make it.”
This isn’t owner Carl Alasko’s first restaurant. He opened il vechio in Pacific Grove 15 years ago after living in Rome.
He’s since sold it and this is his first casual dining spot. But he’s sticking to traditional cooking, using a counter service model.
"It is the kind of cooking that focuses on the food," said Alasko. "No dishwashers, no bussers, no servers, no food runners."
Dishes are served without modifications, but Alasko says customers can still expect fine food—just at cafe prices on disposable plates.
“ Keep it simple. Let's not get too fussy," said Alasko.
Pazzo Italian Cafe’s grand opening is today.
Whale carcass in Santa Cruz towed away
A whale washed ashore alive at Cowell Beach on Thursday morning, but died not long after.
The UC Santa Cruz marine mammal stranding network’s director Robin Dunkin says it was a fin whale and likely a sub-adult.
"We're estimating around 25,000 to 30,000 pounds," she said.
Because of its weight and an incoming storm swell, the city decided not to tow it out to sea.
" They're trying to get a rope around the animal's fin to anchor the animal so that it doesn't keep drifting toward the wharf," said Dunkin in the early afternoon. People were working to figure out how to haul the carcass across the beach.
Eventually, a tow truck loaded up the whale and took it away after dark on Thursday.
Now, UC Santa Cruz researchers will conduct a necropsy and try to learn the cause of death.
