Foodie Month Profile: ul.te.ri.or / Food Talk

Tucked behind the bustle of downtown Santa Cruz, down a narrow alley where footsteps echo and streetlights cast long shadows, something unusual stirs after dark. From Wednesday to Saturday, as the sky fades into inky blue and the town begins to wind down, a quiet glow appears on the sidewalk inferno of a bookcase at 110 Pear Alley. That’s when ul.te.ri.or | Food Talk opens its door (if you can unlock the secret) —not just to diners, but to the curious, the adventurous, and the hungry souls who crave something more than a meal.

This is no ordinary dinner spot.

At the heart of it all is Chef Donnie Suesens, a name that’s been circulating in whispered excitement throughout Santa Cruz’s foodie scene. But this isn’t hype—it’s reverence. Donnie doesn’t just cook food. He tells stories with it, drawing from the region’s freshest local produce and the sea’s daily offerings. Every plate is a tribute to the Central Coast, built from ingredients sourced from just down the road or off the boat that morning. It’s slow food with soul, created for locals by a local who knows this land and its flavors intimately.

Yet it’s not just about the ingredients or the technique—though both are impeccable. There’s something more going on here, Chef is in the game to disrupt the game…

“The world is a weird place, so let’s break bread together, and let the FOOD TALK!”

What exactly is this “Food Talk”? Is it the laughter of strangers becoming friends over shared plates? The soft clink of glasses as flavors collide with conversation? Or maybe it’s something deeper—an unspoken language between the chef and the diner, a message carried in every bite, hidden between the textures and tastes.

Inside, the space reflects the name of the bar that Food Talk lives in — ul.te.ri.or. There’s a sense of mystery, of something beneath the surface. It’s warm, dimly lit, intimate, but with an edge. There are no flashy signs, no grand entrances—just intention, ambiance, and the quiet thrill of being part of something that not everyone knows about.

The menu? Intentionally simple, but never ordinary. It shifts with the seasons and the chef’s whims, guided by what’s fresh, what’s exciting, and what tells the best story that night. You won’t find a laundry list of dishes. What you will find is a curated selection that speaks volumes with less. And yes, reservations are accepted. Large parties? Events?They’re ready—if you’re in the know.

And if you still have questions, they invite you to ask:

info@ulteriorsc.com

The owners encourage you to “Stay Connected,” though to what, exactly, remains as mysterious as everything else about this hidden gem. Maybe it’s to the land. Maybe it’s to each other. Maybe it’s to something just beyond explanation—something that happens when food, place, and people align.

So next time night falls and you find yourself wandering Santa Cruz with a craving that’s more than just physical, head to Pear Alley. Follow the light. Step inside. Sit down.

Let the food talk.