Best Of Humboldt — Readers’ Picks
(Sept. 10, 2009) BEST UPSCALE RESTAURANT
Lonely Planet ranks Folie Douce “Arcata’s best dining option,” and our readers expand that to “best in Humboldt County.” Lonely P. praises F.D.’s “short but inventive menu of seasonally inspired bistro cooking.” Seasonal is one of three key words the restaurant highlights on its web site, the others — organic and local — help explain why the locals love it.
Some go for the innovative wood-fired pizzas; others enjoy the ever-changing vegetarian entrées, often based on what the chefs found that day at the Farmers’ Market. Wild salmon and duck breast are regular options. My choice is usually the filet mignon, one of three ways: topped with a brandy-spiked Roquefort cream sauce, wrapped in bacon and served with red wine garlic jus or wasabi steak — marinated, grilled and served with a sauce based on that sinus-clearing Japanese green stuff. But I’m often tempted by the special du jour, because you can tell the cooks love cooking.
The service is excellent; the wine list is accessible, with local vintners featured; the ambiance, artfully elegant and intimate. Part of that intimacy is the fact there are not a lot of tables. Reservations are highly recommended, especially weekends. (1551 G St., Arcata)
— Bob Doran
BEST EVERYDAY RESTAURANT
Did Rita’s win our readers’ poll simply because they have more restaurants between Arcata and Eureka than McDonald’s? Or do they have so many locations and fans because the food is so damn good? Methinks it’s the latter.
Swear to God, Humboldt County must have more Mexican joints per capita than anywhere north of Tijuana, so the odds of success were stacked against Rita and her family when they started the business in what looks like a crack house on Wabash Avenue in Eureka. But the food more than justifies their success, with traditional favorites like chili colorado enchiladas and albondigas soup, human-baby-sized burritos (Jr. Ranchero continga, por favor) and an extensive selection of eclectic specials, like the Torta de Tamale, served on Brio bread.
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21 Comments
Comment / By Bob Martinez / Sept. 10, 2009, 1:51 p.m.
Best Band recount!
A travesty! A musical injustice (hmmm, that could be the name of my next band)!
Ballot-box stuffing? Who was in charge of counting the votes-Diebold?
There were at least 100 votes for Dr. Squid. I know this because I personally filled them out! I even cast a vote or two for my favorite bars (the ones that hire Dr. Squid).
Recount! Surely there’s an election official in Florida who needs some work. This was truly a (k)onspiracy perpetrated by some real sinners!
For what it’s worth, the best thing about living in Humboldt? Gifted musicians, great bands and some excellent venues in which to see and hear them.
Comment / By Frank Rizzo / Sept. 10, 2009, 8:54 p.m.
I vote for Dr Squid! Bob Martinez is my hero. Oh, what? It’s too late to vote? Crap.
Comment / By Fred Mangels / Sept. 11, 2009, 7:03 a.m.
You forgot best Humboldt County blog. Well, most entertaining, anyway: The Humboldt Mirror! http://humboldtmirror.wordpress.com/
Comment / By Bob Martinez / Sept. 11, 2009, 9:05 a.m.
Lifetime Backstage Passes for you, Frank! Stay away from my M&M’s though…..
Comment / By Jason Trevino / Sept. 11, 2009, 2:27 p.m.
I know for a fact we hand delivered tons of ballots at our shows and emailed our list of fans. The ballots were collected again by hand from those who wrote in Saint John and the Sinners for best band and were turned in as well as online folks who did in some instances use the same computer. Better luck next year Dr. Squid.
Come on out to see us and you be the judge!
I agree with Bob, we do have great local bands that the community can choose from. I go see plenty and support them when we are not performing.
Comment / By Saint john / Sept. 11, 2009, 2:53 p.m.
Hey Squid bob…We worked very hard and have played well over 175 shows in the last year and a half…not including many benefits for worthy causes… How long have you guys been Dr. Squid…ten years?? wow!! Squidboys need to know that there’s a NEW band in town. Isn’t that a song? We love you guys and wish you all the success that humboldt has to offer. The Sinners are moving on to Monterrey Blues Festival, and a tour of Europe. Nighthawk is our favorite band!!
Comment / By Saint john / Sept. 11, 2009, 2:55 p.m.
Hey Squid bob…We worked very hard and have played well over 175 shows in the last year and a half…not including many benefits for worthy causes… How long have you guys been Dr. Squid…ten years?? wow!! Squidboys need to know that there’s a NEW band in town. Isn’t that a song? We love you guys and wish you all the success that humboldt has to offer. The Sinners are moving on to Monterrey Blues Festival, and a tour of Europe. Nighthawk is our favorite band!!
Comment / By RICK JAMES… / Sept. 11, 2009, 3:02 p.m.
ha ha-u sed squid bob
Comment / By Rick James / Sept. 11, 2009, 6:55 p.m.
to squid bob i would be happy to say my dad saint john is one of the hardest working guitar players not only in Humboldt but probably in all of California im proud to say that him and his band deserves the award and u can bet i voted for him.
Comment / By M’Aerie / Sept. 12, 2009, 12:22 p.m.
I really enjoyed this article! I have experienced alot of the things mentioned here, and many other things I have not, but will, now that I know about them. Thanks NCJ! I have new frontiers to experience, here in my own backyard!
Comment / By President - Dr. Squid Fan Club / Sept. 12, 2009, 12:42 p.m.
St. John definately works hard campaigning! The Sinners are a great band, but any band that put that much effort into soliciting votes would have won. Even 1 vote at ONLY 175 of their gigs would have likely pushed them over the top.
And we can’t blame St. John for not being familiar with the “NEW” sound of Dr. Squid. “Well over 175 shows in the last year and a half…not including many benefits for worthy causes” (about 3 shows per week?) doesn’t leave much time for anything else, let alone supporting other bands. Hopefully the Sinners can find time when they get back from Europe to come out and listen, and I’m sure they’ll agree - NO BAND ROCKS THE NORTH COAST LIKE DR. SQUID! Especially with their new additions Ric Nelson, Bridget DeVaney and Jim Dale… BTW - Nighthawk is awesome, but my next favorite band (after Dr. Squid of course)…Vintage Soul.
Comment / By Music Lover / Sept. 13, 2009, 7:33 a.m.
More power to Vintage Soul and Dr. Squid! St. John who? Oh well, you snooze you lose. Maybe I’ll catch up with them when they return. Hey Dr. Squid President, you want to make it a date?
Comment / By Courtney Weaver / Sept. 14, 2009, 11:12 a.m.
I’d just like to say that as the vocalist for St. John and The sinners I feel we’ve worked very hard , and the message I myself like to send out as a vocalist is one that transcends the foolish ego frippery and truly connects with the audience, whether I’m singing a sassy, satirical Willie Dixon interpretation or a heart string pulling ballad. We’ve worked very hard because we love what we do and we love our fans, that being said there are many bands in Humboldt County that work very hard and have a good message such as Moo-Got 2, Absynth Quintet, Bump Foundation, the Fickle Hillbilies etc who are all deserving of praise, and still continue to connect with their audiences and spread a good vibe and aren’t losing sleep over this poll. Our music may not be to everyones taste but our fans believed in us enough to vote, as did my friends and family, so get over it and focus on your music Dr. Squid
Comment / By Casual Observer / Sept. 14, 2009, 1:14 p.m.
One thing St. John and crew clearly lack: a sense of humor.
Easy on the defensiveness SJ&S!. The squid guy wrote one humorous entry (obviously in jest) and the rest has been you guys defending yourselves. Ms Weaver, perhaps you should practice what you preach/sing. Get over over it and focus on your music. I haven’t heard either band but judging from your entries (and the nature of your “victory”), SJ&S seems to be suffering from a little envy. Go home and practice.
Comment / By Dabney Workman / Sept. 14, 2009, 1:28 p.m.
Amen, Casual Observer! St John and Sinners: Chill!
Comment / By Lisa Leslie / Sept. 14, 2009, 1:32 p.m.
St Jon and his sinners appear to be a pitiful bunch. I won’t be going to see them anytime soon. I wanna hear Vintage Soul.
Comment / By Tom Bradley / Sept. 14, 2009, 2:48 p.m.
SJ and t/Sinners-what’s lost in this whole thread is the righteous b*&!@# slapping y’all got from Bob Doran. He totally punked you guys for cheating and your responses on this blog do nothing to dispell his suggestion that yer nothin but a bunch of whiner wannabees. Bogus “elections” get you bogus “winners.” Just ask George Bush.
Comment / By Scene Der Blok / Sept. 15, 2009, 3:44 a.m.
Yeah Dr Squid needs to shutup and go back to all their packed houses and free drinks and all those fans willing to pay almost anything for an extra hour of their music… You lost Squid! Next year get a copy machine!
Comment / By Lost in Space / Sept. 15, 2009, 8:08 a.m.
..i cant figure out if Scene Der Blok’s comment is a compliment or slam on/for Dr. Squid. I guess if they’re playing to packed houses, drinking for free and getting paid almost anything for an extra hour they must be pretty good. Hmmmm.
Comment / By Get along / Sept. 15, 2009, 9:57 p.m.
Cant you all just get along and keep playing your good music to all your fans and put this to rest. Both of you are great bands and this is beneath you all!!!
Comment / By Chester Drawers / Sept. 25, 2009, 9:25 a.m.
Who came in 2nd place?