The fundraising events for those affected by the Jan. 2 fire in Arcata are legion, and the music shows alone are going to eat your weekend. But what are you going to eat? Luckily, local food folks are pitching in for the cause as well, and we’ve got suggestions for your community-minded grazing, in case you stumble into the street too rocked out to make good choices.
Ramone’s Bakery & Café (in Wildberries, 747 13th St.)
This weekend, 10 percent of sales goes to fire recovery. If your usual muffin feels too rote for the occasion, consider the white chocolate and raspberry tart with chocolate crust (4-inch tart $5.25). Or insist on the princess treatment via the Swedish Princess cake ($5.45), the softest vanilla cake layered with whipped cream, raspberry jam and a rolled coat of marzipan (fondant could never). And you’re already in Wildberries, where the Community Giving Program is dedicated to fire relief through February, so drop a few bucks there if you’ve got them.
North Coast Co-op (811 I St.)
First, first responders, who’ll get an extra 10 percent off this weekend. Register round-ups and 1 percent of sales go to help those affected by the fire this weekend, so it’s time to splurge on the fancy cheese you’re always eyeing.
Richards’ Goat Tavern & Tea Room
Belly up to the hot cocoa bar and have $1 for your drink donated. We hear tell there will be both boozy and non-alcoholic offerings like a Dubai hot chocolate and a bevy of toppings to graze.
Café Mokka (495 J St.)
With 10 percent of sales going the cause, you should probably make time for a biscotti to dip in your matcha latte and a moment’s respite in the even greener garden. Do you have time to dip yourself in a hot tub as well? Self-care and community care all in one.
Los Bagels (1061 I St.)
Listen, you have your usual order and the $5 dozens on hand this weekend are a gimme. But with 10 percent going to relief for friends and neighbors, bend your knees and lift an orange-chocolate babka into your arms like a fragrant bakery baby ($9). The layers and the chocolate are thicker than the standard, and whoever you share it with will appreciate you both.
Credit: Photo by Holly Harvey
Arcata Pizza & Deli (1057 H St.)
The restaurant’s own employee Kevin lost everything he had in the fire, so the folks there set up a tip jar for him as well as a QR code for donating. While you’re at the counter, a broad slice of the Gotti with roasted red peppers, pesto, fresh baby spinach mozzarella and feta would not go amiss ($7). Assistant editor Kimberly Wear swears by the hot French dip with melted Swiss, crispy French-fried onions, hot au jus and even hotter horsey sauce — she is not wrong ($17).
Mia Bella Cupcakes (1041 H St.)
Swing by on Saturday, when a whopping 20 percent of sales will go to friends and neighbors hit by the fire. Don’t torture yourself choosing — load up. Listen, a dozen is only $36 for an outsized amount of joy. A recent trip yielded a stellar banana bread and Biscoff, a fancy green tea and strawberry cupcake and a cookie dough filled and topped one that spoke to our ids. But a special cupcake will also make itself known on Saturday, so you kind of have to get that one, too.
Eat well and feed each other.
Share your tips about What’s Good with Jennifer Fumiko Cahill (she/her), managing editor at the Journal. Reach her at (707) 442-1400 ext. 106, or jennifer@northcoastjournal.com. Follow her on Bluesky @jfumikocahill.bsky.social.
This article appears in ‘Bigger Than All of Us’.